(RAYNHAM, Mass., June 3, 2003) -- DePuy AcroMed, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company, said today it has completed its acquisition of Link Spine Group, Inc., a privately owned corporation based in Branford, CT. The transaction was announced on May 6, 2003.

The acquisition will provide DePuy AcroMed with exclusive worldwide rights to the SB Charité™ Artificial Disc, the principal product of Link Spine Group.

DePuy AcroMed partners with leading clinicians, researchers and thought leaders to develop products to treat spinal disorders. Today, it stands in the forefront of the worldwide spine market, with a substantial sales organization in the United States and a growing worldwide distribution network. The company is committed to advancing the knowledge of all health care professionals and their patients in addressing spinal pathologies.

Johnson & Johnson, with approximately 108,300 employees, 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 device and diagnostics markets. Johnson & Johnson has more than 200 operating companies in 54 countries around the world, selling products in more than 175 countries.

(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(b) of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2002. Copies of this Form 10-K are available online at www.sec.gov or on request from the Company. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events or developments.)