Synthes, Inc. (SIX: SYST.VX) announced today that, subject to receipt of the required merger clearance from the Federal Trade Commission of the United States (FTC) and termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, the completion of the previously announced merger with Johnson & Johnson may be anticipated as early as Thursday, June 14. Following the receipt of this clearance and expiration of the HSR waiting period, Johnson & Johnson will have satisfied the regulatory approval requirements under the merger agreement to complete the business combination with Synthes (subject to the satisfaction of all closing conditions at the time of closing). This announcement is being made to comply with notice requirements of SIX Swiss Exchange.

No assurances are made with respect to the receipt of FTC clearance or the timing thereof, or with respect to whether or when the business combination transaction might be completed. If the closing is going to be postponed to a later date, Synthes shareholders, the general public and SIX Swiss Exchange will be informed of any such delay prior to the commencement of trading on SIX Swiss Exchange on June 13, 2012.

If the closing occurs on June 14, the last day of trading in Synthes stock (SIX: SYST.VX) on SIX Swiss Exchange would be June 13, 2012. Trading would be suspended on June 14 and June 15, 2012 and the delisting would become effective as per June 18, 2012. A final notice of delisting confirming these dates would be released prior to the commencement of trading on SIX Swiss Exchange on June 13, 2012.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, each share of Synthes stock will be exchanged for CHF 55.65 in cash and CHF 103.35 in Johnson & Johnson common stock, provided the volume weighted average Johnson & Johnson common stock price, as calculated in CHF, is between CHF 52.54 and CHF 60.45 during the 10-day trading period ending on and including the trading day that is two trading days prior to the transaction closing (the calculation will be based on the World Market Fix rate for each of the trading days in the 10-day trading period). Each Synthes share exchanged will be converted into CHF 55.65 in cash, plus not more than 1.9672 and not fewer than 1.7098 shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock.

Synthes: A leading medical device company
Synthes is a leading global medical device company. We develop, produce and market instruments, implants and biomaterials for the surgical fixation, correction and regeneration of the human skeleton and its soft tissues.

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Further information

Restrictions Subject to US Securities Law
Synthes, Inc. management believes certain statements in this media release may constitute "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the "Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995". These statements include but are not limited to those with respect to the potential for Synthes to offer new products and market existing ones, as well as the expected sales and sales growth of Synthes. These statements are made on the basis of management's views and assumptions regarding future events and business performance as of the time the statements are made. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied. Such differences may result from the ability of Synthes to successfully develop and introduce new products and services and market existing products and services in a competitive marketplace and changes in the economic conditions that may affect the performance of the operations of Synthes. In addition, changes in competitive conditions and regulatory developments may affect future business performance, and changing market conditions may affect the valuation of Synthes securities. In addition, it should be noted that past financial and operational performance of the company is not necessarily indicative of future financial and operational performance. Synthes undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The securities of Synthes have been offered and sold outside the United States and have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Securities Act"). Such securities may not be offered, sold or transferred in the U.S. or to U.S. Persons (as defined in the regulations of the Securities Act), except pursuant to a registration statement filed under the Securities Act or under an applicable exemption under the Securities Act. Hedging transactions involving such securities may not be conducted unless in compliance with the Securities Act. The Synthes securities are deemed "Restricted Securities" as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

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