FDA Issues Complete Response Letter for Paliperidone Palmitate for the Treatment of Schizophrenia

TITUSVILLE, N.J., Aug. 26  /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C. (J&JPRD) announced today that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has asked for additional data before it will approve the company's New Drug Application (NDA) for paliperidone palmitate, an investigational once-monthly atypical antipsychotic intramuscular injection for treating schizophrenia and preventing recurrence of its symptoms.

The letter outlined remaining questions that need to be addressed prior to granting approval for paliperidone palmitate. The agency does not require any additional studies.

J&JPRD is currently evaluating the FDA complete response and intends to work with the agency to resolve any outstanding questions. The NDA for paliperidone palmitate was submitted in October 2007.

Paliperidone palmitate utilizes the NanoCrystal(R) Technology patented by Elan Pharma International Limited, Ireland, a subsidiary of Elan Corporation, plc.

Upon approval, paliperidone palmitate will be marketed in the U.S. by Janssen, Division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

About Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C.

Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C., is part of Johnson & Johnson, the world's most broadly based producer of healthcare products. J&JPRD is headquartered in Raritan, NJ, and has facilities throughout Asia, Europe and the U.S. J&JPRD is leveraging drug discovery and drug development in a variety of therapeutic areas to address unmet medical needs worldwide.

About Janssen

Janssen, Division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., based in Titusville, N.J., is the only large pharmaceutical company in the U.S. dedicated solely to mental health. As the company celebrates its 50th year in mental health, it currently markets prescription medications for the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar mania and the treatment of symptoms associated with autistic disorder. For more information about Janssen, visit http://www.janssen.com/.

 J&JPRD and Janssen are subsidiaries of Johnson & Johnson.

  About NanoCrystal(R) Technology


NanoCrystal(R) Technology is a registered trademark of Elan Pharma International Limited, Ireland, a subsidiary of Elan Corporation, plc (NYSE: ELN). For more information about Elan's drug delivery technologies, visit http://www.elan.com/EDT.

(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 the Company'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 30, 2007. Copies of this Form 10-K, as well as subsequent filings, are available online at http://www.sec.gov/, http://www.jnj.com/ or on request from Johnson & Johnson. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events or developments.) 

DATASOURCE: Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C.



CONTACT:  Media, Kara Russell, [phone], or Srikant Ramaswami,

[phone]; or Investors, Louise Mehrotra, [phone], or Tina

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Web site:  http://www.jnj.com/

http://www.elan.com/EDT 

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