Janssen R&D Ireland Announces Agreement with PATH for Early Development of Rilpivirine in Long-Acting Formulation for Potential Prophylactic Intervention

Cork, Ireland (ots/PRNewswire) -

Janssen R&D Ireland (Janssen) announced today it has signed a
license agreement with PATH for the early development of the human
immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) medicine rilpivirine in a
long-acting injection (depot formulation) as potential pre-exposure
prophylaxis (PrEP) against HIV infection.

Under the terms of the agreement, a Drug Development program of
PATH, an international nonprofit organization that transforms global
health through innovation, has the right to develop rilpivirine
long-acting formulation as a possible new way to prevent HIV
infection. PATH has the intent to conduct prophylaxis clinical trials
in collaboration with partners including the HIV Prevention Trials
Network. Following the completion of the clinical Phase 2 program,
PATH and Janssen will evaluate entering into a late stage development
agreement covering the use of rilpivirine as PrEP for uninfected
individuals at high risk of acquiring HIV.

"Rilpivirine is an important treatment option for patients today
and we are pleased to work with PATH to evaluate it as an injectable
depot formulation that may help to reduce the spread of infection,"
said Wim Parys, Global Head of Research & Development, Janssen Global
Health. "We believe that evaluating a long-acting formulation, which
could help improve adherence in a PrEP regimen, is an important part
of the Janssen commitment to the global fight against HIV and AIDS."

Rilpivirine is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor
(NNRTI). It is currently commercialized by Janssen for the oral, once
daily treatment of HIV-1, in combination with other antiretroviral
agents (ARVs), in ARV treatment-naive adults, and in most countries,
in patients with a viral load less than or equal to 100,000 HIV-1RNA
copies/mL.

This license agreement with PATH does not impact the
commercialization of rilpivirine by Janssen, and does not impact the
use of rilpivirine in combination treatments.

About Janssen R&D Ireland

At Janssen, we are dedicated to addressing and solving some of the
most important unmet medical needs of our time in oncology,
immunology, neuroscience, infectious diseases, and cardiovascular and
metabolic diseases.

We are further committed to making a meaningful difference in
global public health. Inspired by the legacy of Dr. Paul Janssen and
our commitment to patients, we work passionately to discover and
responsibly deliver innovative medicines and vaccines that address
serious unmet health needs, including HIV, tuberculosis, intestinal
worms and neglected tropical diseases.

We collaborate with members of the global healthcare community,
including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Global TB
Alliance, the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative, the
International Partnership for Microbicides, and many others, to bring
new solutions that deliver years of life and quality of life for
people around the world.

Janssen R&D Ireland is part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical
Companies of Johnson & Johnson. Please visit
http://www.janssenrnd.com for more information.

##

(This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as
defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The
reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements.
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 expectations and projections of Janssen R&D Ireland, any of the
other Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies and/or Johnson & Johnson.
Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general
industry conditions and competition; economic factors, such as
interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; technological
advances, new products and patents attained by competitors;
challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining
regulatory approvals; challenges to patents; changes in behavior and
spending patterns or financial distress of purchasers of health care
products and services; changes to governmental laws and regulations
and domestic and foreign health care reforms; trends toward health
care cost containment; and increased scrutiny of the health care
industry by government agencies. 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, 2012. 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. None of the
Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies nor Johnson & Johnson undertake to
update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information
or future events or developments.)

ots Originaltext: Janssen R&D Ireland
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
Media Contacts: Ronan Collins, Phone: +47-488-425-00,
rcollin5@its.jnj.com; Investor Contacts: Stan Panasewicz, Phone:
+1-732-524-2524; Louise Mehrotra, Phone: +1-732- 524-6491