- Janssen Obtains Exclusive Rights in Europe and Other Regions - NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., June 30 /CNW/ -- Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) announced today that Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V., a Johnson & Johnson company, has entered into a collaboration with Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: VRTX) to develop and commercialize Vertex's investigational hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitor, VX-950. Under the agreement, Janssen will have exclusive rights in Europe, South America, the Middle East, Africa and Australia. Vertex will retain exclusive commercial rights to VX-950 in North America. Tibotec Pharmaceuticals, Ltd., another Johnson & Johnson company, will lead the development and commercialization of VX-950 for Janssen. Terms of the Agreement Terms of the transaction include a before-tax upfront payment of $165 million, which will be expensed in the second quarter. In addition, there will be additional payments contingent upon successful development, approval and launch of VX-950 in the regions where Janssen has commercial rights and reimbursement of certain drug development costs. The agreement also includes a royalty on product sales in Europe, South America, the Middle East, Africa and Australia. The Company anticipates that the $165 million payment will largely be offset by other non-recurring gains recognized over the balance of the year. Therefore, this transaction is not expected to impact full year guidance. About VX-950 VX-950 is an investigational oral inhibitor of hepatitis C virus protease, an enzyme essential for viral replication, and is one of the most advanced investigational agents that specifically targets HCV. In clinical studies to date, researchers have observed rapid and dramatic antiviral activity with VX- 950 and no patients have discontinued treatment and no serious adverse events have been reported. About Hepatitis C Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus, which is found in the blood of people with the disease. HCV, a serious public health concern affecting 170 million people worldwide, is spread through direct contact with the blood of infected people. Though many people with hepatitis C may not experience symptoms, others may have symptoms such as jaundice, abdominal pain, fatigue and fever. Hepatitis C significantly increases a person's risk of developing chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, liver cancer and death. The burden of liver disease associated with HCV infection is increasing, and current therapies only provide sustained benefit in about 50% of patients with genotype 1 HCV, the most common strain of the virus. Specifically targeted antiviral therapies for HCV in clinical development may have the potential to increase the proportion of patients in who the virus can be eradicated. About Johnson & Johnson Johnson & Johnson is the world's most comprehensive and broadly based manufacturer of health care products, as well as a provider of related services, for the consumer, pharmaceutical, and medical devices and diagnostics markets. The more than 230 Johnson & Johnson operating companies employ approximately 116,000 men and women in 57 countries and sell products throughout the world. About Janssen Pharmaceutica Within the Johnson & Johnson group, Janssen Pharmaceutica is a worldwide Center of Excellence for integrated R&D, production and general services. In Belgium, the company has sites in Beerse, Geel and Olen, which together account for a workforce of 4,350 persons. With more than 80 drugs to its credit, the company is one of the most innovative in the world and its products are used worldwide in human and animal medicine, and plant and material protection. About Tibotec Tibotec Pharmaceuticals Ltd., based in Cork, Ireland, is a pharmaceutical research and development company. The Company's main research and development facilities are in Mechelen, Belgium with offices in Yardley, PA. Tibotec is dedicated to the discovery and development of innovative HIV/AIDS drugs and anti-infectives for diseases of high unmet medical need. (This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from Johnson & Johnson's expectations and projections. Risks and uncertainties include general industry conditions and competition; economic conditions, such as interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; technological advances and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approvals; domestic and foreign health care reforms and governmental laws and regulations; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Exhibit 99 of Johnson & Johnson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2006. Copies of this Form 10-K, as well as subsequent filings, are available online at www.sec.gov or on request from Johnson & Johnson. Johnson & Johnson assumes no obligation to update any forward- looking statements as a result of new information or future events or developments.)