DePuy Synthes Companies Announces Five-Year Cooperation Agreement With The AO Foundation

Agreement Continues 55-Year History of Clinical Innovation and Professional Education

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Jun 18, 2015, 09:00 ET

CHIANG MAI, Thailand, June 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The DePuy Synthes Companies of Johnson & Johnson today announced that the company has signed a five-year cooperation agreement with the AO Foundation to continue the work they began together in 1960 to deliver world-class professional education and develop new innovations that improve patient outcomes and increase efficiency of care.

Through the agreement, DePuy Synthes Companies will be the key industry partner for the AO Technical Commission (AOTK) for each of its specialty areas: trauma and corrective surgery of the musculoskeletal system, spine, craniomaxillofacial, veterinary products and related instruments and implants. The AO Specialties continually redefine the state-of-the-art in their respective fields, maintaining activities in research, development, clinical investigation and education.

The two independent organizations will collaborate on innovation and certification of new DePuy Synthes Companies products by AOTK that will then be used in AO educational activities. More than 200,000 health care professionals are expected to participate in AO programs globally over the next five years.

The AO Foundation, founded in 1958, provides professional education to an extensive global network of surgeons, operating room personnel, and scientists in more than 100 countries. Since DePuy Synthes Companies and the AO began collaborating in 1960, a substantial investment has been made in research, development and education. In addition, vital training including direct hands-on courses has been provided to more than 450,000 surgeons and 150,000 operating room professionals from 124 countries around the world.

"The AO Foundation and DePuy Synthes Companies have maintained a strong relationship for 55 years because of a shared passion for advancing patient care," said Ciro Roemer, Company Group Chairman, DePuy Synthes Companies International Markets. "Bringing together the unique perspectives of DePuy Synthes Companies and the AO will help us accurately identify and effectively solve the most pressing clinical issues in musculoskeletal surgery and then teach clinicians to appropriately use those solutions."

Through this cooperation agreement, DePuy Synthes Companies and the AO will continue to work together to make meaningful contributions to global health care.

About DePuy Synthes Companies
DePuy Synthes Companies of Johnson & Johnson provides the most comprehensive orthopaedic and neurological solutions in the world. The company offers an unparalleled breadth of products, services, programs and research and development capabilities. DePuy Synthes Companies' solutions in the specialties of joint reconstruction, trauma, neurological, craniomaxillofacial, spinal surgery and sports medicine are designed to advance patient care while delivering clinical and economic value to health care systems worldwide.

Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 related to a new collaboration and product development. 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 known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of the DePuy Synthes Companies and/or Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the potential that the expected benefits and opportunities related to the collaboration may not be realized; challenges and uncertainties inherent in new product development, including the uncertainty of clinical success and obtaining regulatory approvals; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; and global health care reforms and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2014, including in Exhibit 99 thereto, and the company's subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. The DePuy Synthes Companies and Johnson & Johnson do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments.

DSUS/MOC/0615/0277 06/15

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