Asia PR News

HORSHAM, Pa. and KENILWORTH, N.J., Dec. 21 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ –

Centocor, Inc. and Schering-Plough Corporation (NYSE: SGP) today announced
they have revised their 1998 distribution agreement regarding the development,
commercialization and distribution of both REMICADE(R) (infliximab), an
anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) alpha therapy for chronic inflammatory
disorders, and golimumab, Centocor’s next-generation, human, anti-TNF alpha
therapy, which is currently in Phase 3 trials. Effective upon regulatory
approval of golimumab in the EU, the revised agreement will extend the duration
of Schering-Plough’s rights to exclusively market REMICADE in its current
marketing territories outside the United States beyond 2014 to match the
current duration of its exclusive marketing rights for golimumab product.
Schering-Plough’s marketing rights to both products will now extend for 15
years after the first golimumab commercial sale.

In addition, Centocor will receive a progressively increased share of
profits on Schering-Plough’s distribution of both products in the
Schering-Plough marketing territory between 2010 and 2014, and remaining fixed
thereafter for the remainder of the term.

The revised agreement will also allow Schering-Plough to independently
develop and market golimumab for the Crohn’s disease indication in its
territories, with an option for Centocor to participate in the program.

The parties have also agreed to utilize an autoinjector device developed by
Centocor affiliate Cilag GmbH International in the commercialization of
golimumab in their respective territories and have further agreed to share the
autoinjector development costs. The autoinjector would allow patients to
self-administer golimumab subcutaneously. The revised agreement provides for
Schering-Plough to make an upfront payment of $20.5 million in the 2007 fourth
quarter for rights to the autoinjector device.

Centocor exclusively markets REMICADE and upon approval will market
golimumab in the United States. Schering-Plough has held exclusive marketing
rights to REMICADE outside of the United States, Japan and certain Asian
countries. In 2005, Schering-Plough exercised an option under the 1998
agreement with Centocor for license rights to develop and commercialize
golimumab in the same territories as REMICADE.

REMICADE is approved to treat such indications as rheumatoid arthritis,
early rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, ankylosing
spondylitis, plaque psoriasis and ulcerative colitis. Golimumab is currently in
Phase 3 trials for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis
and ankylosing spondylitis and is being investigated for administration by
either monthly subcutaneous injection or every 12-week intravenous (IV)
infusion. The companies anticipate filing applications with the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency in 2008 seeking approval
for golimumab in these therapeutic areas.

About Centocor
Centocor is harnessing the power of world-leading research and
biomanufacturing to deliver innovative biomedicines that transform patients’
lives. Centocor has already brought innovation to the treatment of Crohn’s
disease, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis,
ulcerative colitis, pediatric Crohn’s disease and psoriasis.

The world leader in monoclonal antibody production and technology, Centocor
has brought critical biologic therapies to patients suffering from debilitating
immune disorders. Centocor, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson &
Johnson.

JOHNSON & JOHNSON DISCLOSURE NOTICE: 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 Centocor’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 December 31, 2006. Copies of this
Form 10-K, as well as subsequent filings, are available online at www.sec.gov,
www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. Centocor does not undertake
to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or
future events or developments.

About Schering-Plough
Schering-Plough is an innovation-driven, science-centered global health
care company. Through its own biopharmaceutical research and collaborations
with partners, Schering-Plough creates therapies that help save and improve
lives around the world. The company applies its research-and-development
platform to human prescription and consumer products as well as to animal
health products. In November 2007, Schering-Plough acquired Organon
BioSciences, with its Organon human health and Intervet animal health
businesses, marking a pivotal step in the company’s ongoing transformation.
Schering-Plough’s vision is to "Earn Trust, Every Day" with the doctors,
patients, customers and other stakeholders served by its approximately 50,000
people around the world. The company is based in Kenilworth, N.J., and its Web
site is www.schering-plough.com

SCHERING-PLOUGH DISCLOSURE NOTICE: The information in this press release
includes certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements relating to the
timing of filing applications for golimumab. Forward-looking statements relate
to expectations or forecasts of future events. Schering-Plough does not assume
the obligation to update any forward-looking statement. Many factors could
cause actual results to differ materially from Schering-Plough’s
forward-looking statements, including market forces, economic factors, product
availability, patent and other intellectual property protection, current and
future branded, generic or over-the-counter competition, the regulatory
process, and any developments following regulatory approval, among other
uncertainties. For further details about these and other factors that may
impact the forward-looking statements, see Schering-Plough’s Securities and
Exchange Commission filings, including Part II, Item 1A. "Risk Factors" in the
Schering-Plough’s third quarter 2007 10-Q.

SOURCE: Schering-Plough Corporation; Centocor, Inc.

CONTACT: Media Contacts,
Michael Parks of Centocor,
+1-215-325-4010, or
cell, +1-215-983-8000; or

Rosemarie Yancosek of Schering-Plough,
+1-908-298-7476; or

Investor Contacts,
Louise Mehrotra,
+1-732-524-6491, or

Tina Pinto,
+1-732-524-2034,

both of Centocor; or

Robyn Brown of Schering-Plough,
+1-908-298-7436

Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/777050.html

Web site: http://www.schering-plough.com
http://www.jnj.com

(SGP)