Edgar Filing: JOHNSON & JOHNSON

JOHNSON & JOHNSON

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 6, 2005

Registration No. 333-122856

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Post-Effective Amendment No. 1

FORM S-4

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Johnson & Johnson

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


New Jersey (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		2834 (Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number)		22-1024240 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

One Johnson & Johnson Plaza

New Brunswick, New Jersey 08933

Telephone: (732) 524-0400

(Address, including ZIP Code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

James R. Hilton, Esq.

Steven M. Rosenberg, Esq.

Johnson & Johnson

One Johnson & Johnson Plaza

New Brunswick, New Jersey 08933

Telephone: (732) 524-0400

(Name, address, including ZIP Code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Copies to:


Robert I. Townsend, III, Esq. Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP Worldwide Plaza 825 Eighth Avenue New York, New York 10019 Telephone: (212) 474-1000		Bernard E. Kury, Esq. Guidant Corporation 111 Monument Circle, 29th Floor Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 Telephone: (317) 971-2000		Charles W. Mulaney, Jr., Esq. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP 333 West Wacker Drive Chicago, Illinois 60606 Telephone: (312) 407-0700

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of the securities to the public: Upon consummation of the merger.

If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check the following box. o

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE




		Proposed	Proposed
		maximum	maximum
Title of each class of	Amount to	offering price	aggregate	Amount of
securities to be registered(1)	be registered(2)	per unit	offering price(3)	registration fee(4)

Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share	175,706,915	N/A	$10,143,242,984	$1,085,327(5)


(1)	This Registration Statement relates to securities of the registrant issuable to holders of common stock, without par value (“Guidant common stock”), of Guidant Corporation, an Indiana corporation (“Guidant”), in the proposed merger of Shelby Merger Sub, Inc., an Indiana corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of the registrant (“Shelby Merger Sub”), with and into Guidant.

(2)	Based on the maximum number of shares to be issued in connection with the merger, calculated as the product of (a) 356,403,478, the aggregate number of shares of Guidant common stock outstanding as of December 1, 2005 (other than shares owned by Guidant, Shelby Merger Sub or the registrant) or issuable pursuant to the exercise of outstanding options prior to the date the merger is expected to be completed and (b) an exchange ratio of 0.493 shares of the registrant’s common stock for each share of Guidant common stock, representing the share consideration issuable in the merger.

(3)	Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee required by Section 6(b) of the Securities Act, and calculated pursuant to Rule 457(f) under the Securities Act. Pursuant to Rule 457(f)(1) under the Securities Act, the proposed maximum aggregate offering price of the registrant’s common stock was calculated based upon the market value of shares of Guidant common stock (the securities to be cancelled in the merger) in accordance with Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act as follows: (a) $61.71, the average of the high and low prices per share of Guidant common stock on December 1, 2005, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Transactions Tape, multiplied by (b) 356,403,478, the aggregate number of shares of Guidant common stock outstanding as of December 1, 2005 (other than shares owned by Guidant, Shelby Merger Sub or the registrant) or issuable pursuant to the exercise of outstanding options prior to the date the merger is expected to be completed, less (c) the minimum amount of cash to be paid by registrant in exchange for shares of Guidant common stock (which equals $33.25 times 356,403,478, the aggregate number of shares of Guidant common stock outstanding as of December 1, 2005 (other than shares owned by Guidant, Shelby Merger Sub or the registrant) or issuable pursuant to the exercise of outstanding options prior to the date the merger is expected to be completed).

(4)	Calculated by multiplying the proposed maximum aggregate offering price for all securities by 0.00010700.

(5)	Previously paid. Registration fees of $1,781,664 were paid in connection with the first filing of this registration statement on February 16, 2005.

The registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further post-effective amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, or until this Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

The information in this proxy statement/ prospectus is not complete and may be changed. Johnson & Johnson may not distribute or issue the shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock being registered pursuant to this registration statement until the post-effective amendment to the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This proxy statement/ prospectus is not an offer to distribute these securities and Johnson & Johnson is not soliciting offers to receive these securities in any state where such offer or distribution is not permitted.

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION DATED DECEMBER 6, 2005

111 Monument Circle, 29th Floor

Indianapolis, Indiana 46204-5129

[ ], 2005

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to report that the boards of directors of Guidant and Johnson & Johnson have each approved revised terms of a merger involving our two companies. Before we can complete the merger, we must obtain the approval of Guidant shareholders of the amended and restated merger agreement. We cordially invite you to attend a special meeting of Guidant shareholders to be held on [ ], 2006, at 10:00 a.m., local time, at Guidant’s corporate headquarters, 111 Monument Circle, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204-5129. At the special meeting, we will ask you to consider and vote on a proposal to approve the Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger we entered into as of November 14, 2005, which amended and restated the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of December 15, 2004, with Johnson & Johnson and its wholly owned subsidiary, Shelby Merger Sub, Inc., pursuant to which Shelby Merger Sub will merge with and into Guidant. As a result of the merger, Guidant will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson.

Under the amended and restated merger agreement, upon completion of the merger, each share of Guidant common stock you hold will be converted into the right to receive a combination of (i) $33.25 in cash and (ii) 0.493 shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock.

Johnson & Johnson and Guidant have agreed that no effects on Guidant’s business relating to or arising from Guidant’s previously announced product recalls or any related pending or future litigation, governmental investigations or other developments will be considered in determining whether a material adverse effect has occurred or is reasonably likely to occur for any purposes of the amended and restated merger agreement or whether there is or may be any failure of any of the closing conditions to the merger.

Johnson & Johnson common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “JNJ” and on [ ], 2005, the latest practicable date before the date of the accompanying proxy statement/ prospectus, its closing price was $[ ] per share.

The Guidant board of directors has carefully reviewed and considered the terms and conditions of the amended and restated merger agreement. Based on its review, the Guidant board of directors unanimously determined that the merger is in the best interests of Guidant and its shareholders, adopted the amended and restated merger agreement and recommends that you vote “FOR” approval of the amended and restated merger agreement.

Your vote is very important. We cannot complete the merger unless the amended and restated merger agreement is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Guidant common stock entitled to vote at the special meeting. Only shareholders who owned shares of Guidant common stock at the close of business on December 8, 2005, the record date for the special meeting, will be entitled to vote at the special meeting. Please complete and return the enclosed request for admittance card as soon as possible if you plan to attend the special meeting. If you return the request card, Guidant will send you an admittance card. Whether or not you plan to be present at the special meeting, please complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card or submit your proxy by telephone or on the Internet as soon as possible. If you hold your shares in “street name”, you should instruct your broker how to vote in accordance with your voting instruction form. If you do not submit your proxy, instruct your broker how to vote your shares, or vote in person at the special meeting, it will have the same effect as a vote against approval of the amended and restated merger agreement. If you hold your shares under Guidant’s employee stock ownership plan you may instruct the plan trustee as to how to vote your shares. If you do not instruct the plan trustee as to how to vote your shares, the plan trustee may vote those shares at its discretion.

The accompanying proxy statement/prospectus explains the merger and amended and restated merger agreement and provides specific information concerning the special meeting. Please review this document carefully. You should consider the matters discussed under “Risk Factors Relating to the Merger” on page 12 of the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus before voting.

On behalf of the Guidant board of directors, I thank you for your support and appreciate your consideration of this matter.


	Sincerely,


	James M. Cornelius
	Chairman and interim Chief Executive Officer

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities regulator has approved or disapproved the merger described in this proxy statement/prospectus or the Johnson & Johnson common stock to be issued in connection with the merger, or determined if this proxy statement/prospectus is accurate or adequate. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This proxy statement/prospectus is dated [ ], 2005,

and is first being mailed to shareholders on or about [ ], 2005.

REFERENCES TO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This proxy statement/prospectus incorporates by reference important business and financial information about Johnson & Johnson and Guidant from documents that are not included in or delivered with this proxy statement/prospectus. This information is available to you without charge upon your written or oral request. You can obtain the documents incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus by requesting them in writing or by telephone from the appropriate company at the following addresses and telephone numbers:


JOHNSON & JOHNSON One Johnson & Johnson Plaza New Brunswick, NJ 08933 Attention: Office of Corporate Secretary Telephone: (732) 524-2455		GUIDANT CORPORATION 111 Monument Circle, 29th Floor Indianapolis, IN 46204-5129 Attention: Secretary Telephone: (317) 971-2000

If you would like to request documents, please do so by [ ], 2006, in order to receive them before the special meeting.

See “Where You Can Find More Information” on page 95.

GUIDANT CORPORATION

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON [ ], 2006

To the Shareholders of Guidant Corporation:

A special meeting of shareholders of Guidant Corporation will be held on [ ], 2006, at 10:00 a.m., local time, at Guidant’s corporate headquarters, 111 Monument Circle, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204-5129, for the following purpose:

To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of November 14, 2005, which amended and restated the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of December 15, 2004, among Johnson & Johnson, Shelby Merger Sub, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, and Guidant, pursuant to which Shelby Merger Sub will merge with and into Guidant with Guidant becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, and each outstanding share of Guidant common stock will be converted into the right to receive a combination of (i) $33.25 in cash and (ii) 0.493 shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock.

We will transact no other business at the special meeting except such business as may properly be brought before the special meeting or any adjournment or postponement of it by the Guidant board of directors.

Only shareholders who owned shares of Guidant common stock at the close of business on December 8, 2005, the record date for the special meeting, are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the special meeting and any adjournment or postponement of it. If you plan to attend the special meeting, please complete and return the enclosed request for admittance card. Guidant then will mail you an admittance card, directions to the meeting and parking information. A shareholders’ list will be available for inspection by any shareholder entitled to vote at the special meeting beginning no later than five business days before the date of the special meeting and continuing through the special meeting.

We cannot complete the merger unless the amended and restated merger agreement is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Guidant common stock entitled to vote at the special meeting. Guidant shareholders have no dissenters’ rights under Indiana law in connection with the merger. The proxy statement/ prospectus accompanying this notice explains the merger and amended and restated merger agreement and provides specific information concerning the special meeting. Please review this document carefully.

The Guidant board of directors believes that the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the amended and restated merger agreement are in the best interests of Guidant and its shareholders and unanimously adopted the amended and restated merger agreement and recommends that shareholders vote “FOR” approval of the amended and restated merger agreement.

Whether or not you plan to attend the special meeting, please complete, sign and date the enclosed proxy card and return it promptly in the enclosed postage-paid return envelope or submit your proxy by telephone or on the Internet as soon as possible. You may revoke the proxy at any time prior to its exercise in the manner described in the proxy statement/ prospectus. Any shareholder of record present at the special meeting, including any adjournment or postponement of it, may revoke his or her proxy and vote personally on the amended and restated merger agreement. Executed proxies with no instructions indicated thereon will be voted “FOR” approval of the amended and restated merger agreement.

Please do not send any stock certificates at this time.


	By order of the board of directors,

	Bernard E. Kury
	Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Indianapolis, Indiana

[ ], 2005

TABLE OF CONTENTS


		Page

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MERGER			Q-1
SUMMARY			1
	General		1
	The Special Meeting		3
	The Merger		4
	The Companies		6
	Market Prices and Dividend Information		6
	Comparative Per Share Information		8
	Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data of Johnson & Johnson		9
	Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data of Guidant Corporation		10
	Selected Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Information		11
RISK FACTORS RELATING TO THE MERGER			12
THE SPECIAL MEETING			13
	Date, Time and Place		13
	Purpose of the Special Meeting		13
	Record Date; Shares Entitled to Vote; Quorum		13
	Vote Required		13
	Shares Owned by Guidant Directors and Executive Officers		13
	Voting of Proxies		14
	Revocability of Proxies		14
	Solicitation of Proxies		14
THE COMPANIES			16
	Johnson & Johnson		16
	Guidant		16
	Significant Contracts Between Guidant and Johnson & Johnson		17
THE MERGER			18
	Background to the Merger		18
	Reasons for the Merger and Recommendation of the Guidant Board of Directors		27
	Opinions of J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated		30
	Interests of Guidant Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger		42
	Form of the Merger		47
	Merger Consideration		47
	Ownership of Johnson & Johnson Following the Merger		48
	Conversion of Shares; Procedures for Exchange of Certificates; Fractional Shares		48
	Effective Time of the Merger		49
	Stock Exchange Listing of Johnson & Johnson Common Stock		49
	Delisting and Deregistration of Guidant Common Stock		49
	Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger		49
	Regulatory Matters		51
	Dissenters’ Rights		52
	Guidant’s Rights Agreement		52
	Guidant Employee Benefits Matters		53
	Effect on Awards Outstanding Under Guidant Stock Incentive Plans		54
	Resale of Johnson & Johnson Common Stock		55
	Notices to Guidant Shareholders Resident in Canada and Canadian Resale Restrictions		56


		Page

THE AMENDED AND RESTATED MERGER AGREEMENT			57
	Conditions to the Completion of the Merger		57
	No Solicitation		60
	Termination of the Amended and Restated Merger Agreement		62
	Fees and Expenses		63
	Conduct of Business Pending the Merger		64
	Representations and Warranties		65
	Additional Terms		66
	Articles of Incorporation and By-laws of the Surviving Corporation		68
	Amendment; Extension and Waiver		68
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS			69
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT			79
COMPARATIVE STOCK PRICES AND DIVIDENDS			79
DESCRIPTION OF JOHNSON & JOHNSON CAPITAL STOCK			81
COMPARISON OF RIGHTS OF COMMON SHAREHOLDERS OF JOHNSON & JOHNSON AND GUIDANT			82
LEGAL MATTERS			94
EXPERTS			94
OTHER MATTERS			94
FUTURE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS			94
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION			95
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS			97
Annexes
	Annex 1 — Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger
	Annex 2 — Opinion of J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.
	Annex 3 — Opinion of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
EX-23.1: CONSENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
EX-23.2: CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MERGER


Q:	What am I being asked to vote on?


A:	You are being asked to vote to approve the amended and restated merger agreement entered into among Johnson & Johnson, Shelby Merger Sub, a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, and Guidant. In the merger, Shelby Merger Sub will be merged with and into Guidant.


Q:	What will happen to Guidant as a result of the merger?


A:	If the merger is completed, Guidant will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson.


Q:	Why is Guidant holding another meeting with respect to the merger?

Following the special meeting on April 27, 2005, at which Guidant shareholders approved the original merger agreement, Johnson & Johnson and Guidant renegotiated the terms of the original merger agreement and since that occurred after the date of that special meeting of Guidant shareholders and reduced the consideration you will receive in exchange for your shares of Guidant common stock, the original merger agreement, in accordance with Indiana Law, requires Guidant shareholders to approve the terms of the amended and restated merger agreement before we can complete the merger.


Q:	If I voted at the shareholders’ meeting on April 27, 2005, with respect to the merger, should I vote again?

Yes, you should vote whether or not you voted at the special meeting of Guidant shareholders held on April 27, 2005. Because the terms of the merger have been amended to reduce the merger consideration you will receive in connection with the merger, you must vote again. If you voted at the special meeting on April 27, 2005, that vote does not count as a vote at the special meeting that will be held on [ ], 2006. The merger can only be completed if holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Guidant common stock vote to approve the amended and restated merger agreement. You are entitled, and we strongly encourage you, to vote at the Guidant special meeting that will be held on [ ], 2006.


Q:	What will I receive in the merger?

Upon completion of the merger, you will receive a combination of (i) $33.25 in cash and (ii) 0.493 shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock. The number of shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock to be issued in the merger for each share of Guidant common stock is now fixed. Accordingly, shareholders of Guidant may receive more or less value depending on fluctuations in the price of Johnson & Johnson common stock.


Q:	What has changed in the amended and restated merger agreement?


A:	The principal changes reflected in the amended and restated merger agreement are:


	•	The merger consideration has been reduced from (i) a combination of (a) $30.40 in cash and (b) between 0.6797 and 0.8224 shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock depending upon the volume weighted average trading price of Johnson & Johnson common stock during the 15 trading days ending three trading days prior to the completion of the merger to (ii) a combination of (a) $33.25 in cash and (b) 0.493 shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock.

	•	Johnson & Johnson and Guidant have agreed that no effects on Guidant’s business relating to or arising from Guidant’s previously announced product recalls, or any related pending or future litigation, governmental investigations or other developments will be considered in determining whether a material adverse effect has occurred or is reasonably likely to occur for any purposes of the amended and restated merger agreement or whether there is or may be any failure of any of the closing conditions to the merger.

	•	The termination fee payable in several circumstances by Guidant to Johnson & Johnson has been reduced from $750 million to $625 million. The termination fee payable in several circumstances by Johnson & Johnson to Guidant has been re-

Q-1


		duced from $700 million to $300 million, each as described below in “The Amended and Restated Merger Agreement — Fees and Expenses”.

	•	The outside termination date has been extended from February 28, 2006 to March 31, 2006, as described below in “The Amended and Restated Merger Agreement — Termination of the Amended and Restated Merger Agreement”.


	Aside from these changes, the amended and restated merger agreement is substantively unchanged from the original merger agreement.


Q:	Has the lawsuit filed by Guidant against Johnson & Johnson seeking specific performance of the original merger agreement been dismissed?


A:	Yes, in connection with entering into the amended and restated merger agreement, Guidant dismissed with prejudice its lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson seeking specific performance of the original merger agreement.


Q:	When do you expect the merger to be completed?


A:	We are working to complete the merger as quickly as possible. If approved by Guidant shareholders, it is anticipated that the merger will be completed promptly following such approval. However, it is possible that factors outside our control could require us to complete the merger at a later time or not complete it at all.


Q:	Does the Guidant board of directors support the merger?


A:	Yes. The Guidant board of directors believes that the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the amended and restated merger agreement are in the best interests of Guidant and its shareholders, and unanimously adopted the amended and restated merger agreement and recommends that Guidant shareholders vote “FOR” approval of the amended and restated merger agreement.


Q:	Where and when is the special meeting of shareholders?

The Guidant special meeting will be held on [ ], 2006, at 10:00 a.m., local time, at Guidant’s headquarters, 111 Monument Circle, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204-5129. You may attend the special meeting and vote your shares in person, rather than completing, signing, dating and returning your proxy. However, you must have an admittance card to attend the special meeting. To obtain an admittance card, please return the enclosed request for admittance card.


Q:	Who can vote at the special meeting?


A:	You can vote at the special meeting if you owned shares of Guidant common stock at the close of business on December 8, 2005, the record date for the special meeting. As of the close of business on that day, [ ] shares of Guidant common stock were outstanding.


Q:	What do I need to do now?

After carefully reading and considering the information contained in this proxy statement/ prospectus, please complete, sign and date your proxy and return it in the enclosed postage-paid return envelope or submit your proxy by telephone or on the Internet as soon as possible, so that your shares may be represented at the special meeting. If you sign and send in your proxy and do not indicate how you want to vote, we will count your proxy as a vote in favor of approval of the amended and restated merger agreement. Because the required vote of Guidant shareholders is based upon the number of outstanding shares of Guidant common stock, rather than upon the shares actually voted, the failure by the holder of any such shares to submit a proxy or to vote in person at the special meeting, including abstentions and broker non-votes, will have the same effect as a vote against approval of the amended and restated merger agreement.


Q:	Can I change my vote after I have mailed my signed proxy?


A:	Yes. You can change your vote at any time before your proxy is voted at the special meeting. You can do this in one of three ways. First, you can send a written notice stating that you would like to revoke your proxy. Second, you can complete and submit a new valid proxy bearing a later date by Internet, telephone or mail. If you choose to

Q-2


	send a written notice or to mail your new proxy, you must submit your notice of revocation or your new proxy to Guidant Corporation at 111 Monument Circle, 29th Floor, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204-5129, Attention: Secretary. Third, you can attend the special meeting and vote in person. Attendance at the special meeting will not in and of itself constitute revocation of a proxy.


Q:	If my Guidant shares are held in “street name” by my broker, will my broker vote my shares for me?


A:	Your broker will vote your Guidant shares only if you provide instructions on how to vote. You should follow the directions provided by your broker regarding how to instruct your broker to vote your shares. Without instructions, your shares will not be voted, which will have the effect of a vote against the approval of the amended and restated merger agreement.


Q:	If my Guidant shares are held under Guidant’s employee stock ownership plan, will the plan trustee vote my shares for me?


A:	If you are a participant in Guidant’s employee stock ownership plan and wish to instruct the plan trustee how to vote your shares, you should follow the instructions provided by the plan trustee. The plan trustee under Guidant’s employee stock ownership plan may vote shares at its discretion for which timely instructions are not received.


Q:	Should I send in my stock certificates now?


A:	No. After the merger is completed, you will receive a transmittal form with instructions for the surrender of Guidant common stock certificates. Please do not send in your stock certificates with your proxy.


Q:	Is the merger expected to be taxable to me?

Generally, yes. The receipt of the merger consideration for Guidant common stock pursuant to the merger will be a taxable transaction for United States federal income tax purposes. For United States federal income tax purposes, generally you will recognize gain or loss as a result of the merger measured by the difference, if any, between (i) the fair market value of the Johnson & Johnson common stock as of the effective time of the merger and the cash received and (ii) your adjusted tax basis in the Guidant common stock exchanged therefor in the merger.


		You should read “The Merger — Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger” beginning on page 49 for a more complete discussion of the United States federal income tax consequences of the merger. Tax matters can be complicated and the tax consequences of the merger to you will depend on your particular tax situation. You should consult your tax advisor to determine the tax consequences of the merger to you.


Q:	Can I dissent and require appraisal of my shares?


A:	No. Guidant shareholders have no dissenters’ rights under Indiana law in connection with the merger.


Q:	Who can help answer my questions?


A:	If you have any questions about the merger or if you need additional copies of this proxy statement/ prospectus or the enclosed proxy, you should contact:

Georgeson Shareholder Communications, Inc.

17 State Street — 10th Floor

New York, New York 10004

Banks and Brokers Call: (212) 440-9800 All Others Call Toll Free: (877) 278-4779

Q-3

SUMMARY

This summary highlights selected information from this proxy statement/prospectus and may not contain all the information that is important to you. To understand the merger fully and for a more complete description of the legal terms of the merger, you should carefully read this entire proxy statement/prospectus and the other documents to which we refer you, including in particular the copies of the amended and restated merger agreement and the opinions of J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated that are attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annexes 1, 2 and 3, respectively. See also “Where You Can Find More Information” on page 95. We have included page references parenthetically to direct you to a more complete description of the topics presented in this summary.

General

What Guidant Shareholders Will Receive in the Merger (page 47)

In the merger, holders of Guidant common stock will receive, for each share of Guidant common stock they own, a combination of (i) $33.25 in cash and (ii) 0.493 shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock. The number of shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock to be issued in the merger for each share of Guidant common stock is now fixed. Accordingly, shareholders of Guidant may receive more or less value depending on fluctuations in the price of Johnson & Johnson common stock. Holders of Guidant common stock will receive cash for any fractional shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock they otherwise would have received in the merger. The amount of cash for any fractional shares each holder of Guidant common stock will receive will be calculated by multiplying the fractional share interest to which that shareholder is entitled by the closing price of Johnson & Johnson common stock on the date on which the merger is completed, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Transactions Tape.

The $33.25 in cash, the 0.493 shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock and any additional cash received by Guidant shareholders in lieu of any fractional shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock that they otherwise would have received, is referred to collectively as the “merger consideration” in this proxy statement/prospectus.

Outstanding Guidant stock options at the time of the closing will be converted into options to purchase Johnson & Johnson common stock, with appropriate adjustments made to the number of shares and the exercise price under such options based on the value of the merger consideration. For a more complete description of the treatment of Guidant stock options, see “The Merger — Effect on Awards Outstanding Under Guidant Stock Incentive Plans”.

Ownership of Johnson & Johnson Following the Merger (page 48)

Based on the number of outstanding shares of Guidant common stock on the record date and the number of outstanding shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock on [ ], 2005, we anticipate that Guidant shareholders will own approximately 5% of the outstanding shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock following the merger.

Dissenters’ Rights (page 52)

Under Indiana law, Guidant shareholders will not have dissenters’ rights in connection with the merger.

Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger (page 49)

The receipt of the merger consideration in exchange for Guidant common stock pursuant to the merger will be a taxable transaction for United States federal income tax purposes. For United States federal income tax purposes, generally you will recognize gain or loss as a result of the merger measured by the difference, if any, between (i) the fair market value of the Johnson & Johnson common stock as of the effective time of the merger and the cash received and (ii) your adjusted tax basis in the Guidant common stock exchanged therefor in the merger.

You should read “The Merger — Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences

of the Merger” beginning on page 49 for a more complete discussion of the United States federal income tax consequences of the merger. Tax matters can be complicated, and the tax consequences of the merger to you will depend on your particular tax situation. We urge you to consult your tax advisor to determine the tax consequences of the merger to you.

Recommendation of the Guidant Board of Directors (page 27)

The Guidant board of directors believes that the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the amended and restated merger agreement are in the best interests of Guidant and its shareholders and unanimously adopted the amended and restated merger agreement and recommends that the shareholders vote “FOR” the approval of the amended and restated merger agreement.

To review the background of and reasons for the merger, as well as certain risks related to the merger, see page 12 and pages 18 through 30.

Opinions of J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated (page 30)

In deciding to approve the amended and restated merger agreement, the Guidant board of directors considered the separate opinions of J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, its financial advisors in connection with the merger, that, as of November 14, 2005, the date of the amended and restated merger agreement, and based upon and subject to certain matters described in their respective opinions, the merger consideration contemplated by the amended and restated merger agreement was fair, from a financial point of view, to Guidant shareholders. The opinions address only the fairness of the merger consideration to Guidant shareholders from a financial point of view, do not address the merits of the underlying decision by Guidant to engage in the merger and do not constitute a recommendation to any Guidant shareholder as to how to vote on the proposal to approve the amended and restated merger agreement. The full text of the written opinions of J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, which set forth the assumptions made, matters considered and limitations on the review undertaken in connection with each of the opinions, are attached to this proxy statement/ prospectus as Annexes 2 and 3, respectively. You are urged to read each of the opinions carefully and in its entirety.

Interests of Guidant Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger (page 42)

In considering the recommendation of the Guidant board of directors in favor of the approval of the amended and restated merger agreement, Guidant shareholders should be aware that the members of the Guidant board of directors and Guidant’s executive officers have personal interests in the merger that are different from, or in addition to, the interests of other Guidant shareholders. These interests include the following:


	•	all outstanding options to purchase Guidant common stock issued prior to the date of the original merger agreement under Guidant’s stock incentive plans, including those held by Guidant executive officers and directors, became fully exercisable upon receipt of shareholder approval of the original merger agreement. Based upon options outstanding as of April 27, 2005, the date of the first special meeting of Guidant shareholders, options held by Guidant’s executive officers and directors relating to 794,175 shares of Guidant common stock vested upon receipt of shareholder approval of the original merger agreement

	•	all outstanding options to purchase Guidant common stock existing at the time of the completion of the merger, including those held by Guidant executive officers and directors, will be assumed by Johnson & Johnson and will become options to purchase Johnson & Johnson common stock with appropriate adjustments made to the number of shares and the exercise price under such options based on the value of the merger consideration at the time of the completion of the merger

	•	all restrictions imposed on restricted stock granted prior to the date of the original merger agreement under Guidant’s stock incentive plans, including restricted stock held by Guidant executive officers and directors, immediately lapsed upon receipt of shareholder approval of the original


		merger agreement. Based upon grants outstanding as of April 27, 2005, restricted stock grants held by Guidant’s executive officers and directors relating to 515,250 shares of Guidant common stock had their restrictions lapse upon receipt of shareholder approval of the original merger agreement

	•	Guidant’s entering into the original merger agreement constituted a “change in control” under its change in control plan, which generally entitles the executive officers of Guidant to certain severance payments and other benefits if any such executive officer’s employment is terminated during the period ending two years after consummation of the merger either by Guidant without “cause” or by the executive officer for “good reason” (as such terms are defined in the plan)

	•	shareholder approval of the original merger agreement constituted, and shareholder approval of the amended and restated merger agreement, as well as completion of the merger, will each constitute a “change in control” under Guidant’s change in control plan for purposes of establishing a 30-day period beginning on the one year anniversary of the change in control during which an executive officer may terminate his or her employment for any reason and receive severance benefits

	•	Johnson & Johnson and Guidant entered into letter agreements with certain Guidant executive officers that modify such executive officers’ rights and obligations under Guidant’s change in control plan. Pursuant to the letter agreements, the consummation of the merger (but not the execution of the original merger agreement or the amended and restated merger agreement or shareholder approval of the original merger agreement or the amended and restated merger agreement) will constitute a change in control under the plan, and the executive officers will forgo their right to benefits under the plan if they terminate employment without “good reason” (as such term is defined in the plan and as modified by the letter agreements) either during the 30-day period beginning on the one year anniversaries of shareholder approval of the amended and restated merger agreement or consummation of the merger. The letter agreements provide further that these executive officers will be entitled to retention bonus payments based upon their continued employment with Guidant and that Guidant will not terminate such executive officers’ employment prior to completion of the merger other than for “cause” (as such term is defined in the plan and as modified by the letter agreements) and

	•	Effective November 15, 2005, Ronald W. Dollens retired as Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of Guidant and James M. Cornelius, who previously served as non-executive Chairman of the Guidant board of directors, was appointed Chairman and interim Chief Executive Officer of Guidant. Pursuant to the terms of his appointment, Mr. Cornelius will receive an annual salary of $900,000 and a bonus of $1.5 million payable upon the completion of the merger.

The Guidant board of directors was aware of these interests and considered them, among other matters, when adopting the amended and restated merger agreement.

For a more complete description, see “The Merger — Interests of Guidant Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger”.

Comparison of Rights of Common Shareholders of Johnson & Johnson and Guidant (page 82)

Guidant shareholders, whose rights are currently governed by the Guidant amended articles of incorporation, the Guidant by-laws and Indiana law, will, upon completion of the merger, become shareholders of Johnson & Johnson and their rights will be governed by the Johnson & Johnson restated certificate of incorporation, the Johnson & Johnson by-laws and New Jersey law.

The Special Meeting (page 13)

The special meeting of Guidant shareholders will be held at Guidant’s corporate headquarters, 111 Monument Circle, Indianapolis, Indiana

46204-5129, at 10:00 a.m., local time, on [ ], 2006. At the special meeting, Guidant shareholders will be asked to approve the amended and restated merger agreement.

Record Date; Voting Power (page 13)

Guidant shareholders are entitled to vote at the special meeting if they owned shares of Guidant common stock as of the close of business on December 8, 2005, the record date.

On the record date, there were [ ] shares of Guidant common stock entitled to vote at the special meeting. Shareholders will have one vote at the special meeting for each share of Guidant common stock that they owned on the record date.

Vote Required (page 13)

Approval of the amended and restated merger agreement requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Guidant common stock entitled to vote on the record date.

Shares Owned by Guidant Directors and Executive Officers (page 13)

On the record date, directors and executive officers of Guidant beneficially owned and were entitled to vote [ ] shares of Guidant common stock, which represented approximately [ ]% of the shares of Guidant common stock outstanding on that date.

The Merger (page 57)

The amended and restated merger agreement is attached as Annex 1 to this proxy statement/ prospectus. We encourage you to read the amended and restated merger agreement because it is the principal document governing the merger.

Conditions to the Completion of the Merger (page 57)

Johnson & Johnson and Guidant are obligated to complete the merger only if they satisfy, or in some cases, waive, several conditions, including the following:


	•	the amended and restated merger agreement has been approved by the affirmative vote of shareholders of Guidant representing a majority of the shares of Guidant common stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the special meeting

	•	the shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock to be issued to Guidant shareholders upon completion of the merger have been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange

	•	the waiting period applicable to the merger under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 has expired or has been terminated. On November 2, 2005, the Federal Trade Commission terminated the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and issued a consent order conditionally approving the merger

	•	the European Commission has issued, or has been deemed to have issued, a decision under Article 6(1)(b), 8(1) or 8(2) of the EC merger regulation declaring the merger compatible with the Common Market. On August 25, 2005, the European Commission issued a decision under Article 8(2) of the EC merger regulation declaring the merger compatible with the Common Market

	•	no temporary restraining order, injunction or other court order or statute, law, rule, legal restraint or prohibition is in effect that prevents the completion of the merger

	•	the registration statement on Form S-4, of which this proxy statement/ prospectus forms a part, has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission and is not the subject of any stop order or proceedings seeking a stop order and

	•	other customary contractual conditions set forth in the amended and restated merger agreement.

In addition, Johnson & Johnson is obligated to complete the merger only if there is no pending suit, action or proceeding by any governmental entity:


	•	seeking to restrain or prohibit the consummation of the merger

	•	seeking to impose limitations on the ownership of shares of Guidant common stock by Johnson & Johnson


	•	seeking to prohibit Johnson & Johnson from effectively controlling in any material respect the business or operations of Guidant

	•	seeking any divestiture that is not required to be effected pursuant to the amended and restated merger agreement or

	•	that has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse effect on Guidant.

Further, Johnson & Johnson is obligated to complete the merger only if there is no temporary restraining order, injunction or other court order or statute, law, rule, legal restraint or prohibition that is in effect that would reasonably be expected to result in any of the effects referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph.

For a more complete description of the conditions to completion of the merger, see “The Amended and Restated Merger Agreement — Conditions to the Completion of the Merger”.

Termination of the Amended and Restated Merger Agreement; Termination Fee (pages 62 and 63)

The amended and restated merger agreement contains provisions addressing the circumstances under which Johnson & Johnson or Guidant may terminate the amended and restated merger agreement. In addition, the amended and restated merger agreement provides that, in several circumstances, Guidant may be required to pay Johnson & Johnson a termination fee of $625 million and Johnson & Johnson may be required to pay Guidant a termination fee of $300 million. For a more complete description, see “The Amended and Restated Merger Agreement — Termination of the Amended and Restated Merger Agreement” and “— Fees and Expenses”.

Additional Terms (pages 66)

Subject to the terms and conditions of the amended and restated merger agreement, Johnson & Johnson and Guidant have agreed to use all reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, and to assist and cooperate with the other parties in doing, all things necessary to consummate and make effective, in the most expeditious manner practicable, the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the amended and restated merger agreement, including using reasonable best efforts to accomplish the following:


	•	the taking of all acts necessary to cause the conditions to closing to be satisfied as promptly as practicable

	•	the obtaining of all necessary actions or nonactions, waivers, consents and approvals from governmental entities and the making of all necessary registrations and filings and the taking of all steps as may be necessary to obtain an approval or waiver from, or to avoid an action or proceeding by, any governmental entity

	•	the avoidance of each and every impediment under any antitrust, merger control, competition or trade regulation law that may be asserted by any governmental entity with respect to the merger and

	•	the obtaining of all necessary consents, approvals or waivers from third parties, including any such consents, approvals or waivers required in connection with any divestiture.

As a result of these requirements, Johnson & Johnson and Guidant have agreed with the Federal Trade Commission and the European Commission, conditional upon the closing of the merger, to divest certain assets.

Regulatory Matters (page 51)

United States antitrust laws prohibit Johnson & Johnson and Guidant from completing the merger until they have furnished certain information and materials to the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission and a required waiting period has ended. Johnson & Johnson and Guidant filed the required notification and report

forms with the Antitrust Division and the Federal Trade Commission on January 18 and 19, 2005, respectively. On November 2, 2005, the Federal Trade Commission terminated the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and issued a consent order conditionally approving the merger. The Federal Trade Commission’s consent order requires Johnson & Johnson to divest, license or terminate certain rights or assets of its businesses in drug-eluting stents, endoscopic vessel harvesting products and anastomotic assist devices.

Both Johnson & Johnson and Guidant conduct business in member states of the European Union. Council Regulation No. 139/2004, as amended, and accompanying regulations require notification to and approval by the European Commission of specific mergers or acquisitions involving parties with worldwide sales and individual European Union sales exceeding specified thresholds before these mergers and acquisitions can be implemented. Johnson & Johnson formally notified the European Commission of the merger on March 15, 2005. On August 25, 2005, the European Commission issued a decision under the EC merger regulation declaring the merger compatible with the Common Market. In connection with the European Commission’s decision, Johnson & Johnson agreed to divest its Cordis steerable guidewires business in Europe, the Guidant Endovascular Solutions business in Europe and to pursue a remedy relating to the companies’ endoscopic vessel harvesting products.

Fees and Expenses (page 63)

Each of Johnson & Johnson and Guidant will pay its own fees and expenses in connection with the merger, except that they will share equally the expenses incurred in connection with the printing and mailing of the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus is a part.

The Companies (page 16)

Johnson & Johnson

One Johnson & Johnson Plaza

New Brunswick, New Jersey 08933

Telephone: (732) 524-0400

Johnson & Johnson, with approximately 115,000 employees, is engaged in the manufacture and sale of a broad range of products in the health care field. Johnson & Johnson has more than 200 operating companies in 57 countries, selling products throughout the world.

Guidant Corporation

111 Monument Circle, 29th Floor

Indianapolis, Indiana 46204-5129

Telephone: (317) 971-2000

Guidant is a multinational company that designs, develops, manufactures and markets innovative, high quality, therapeutic medical devices for use in treating cardiac and vascular disease. Approximately 12,000 employees develop, manufacture and market Guidant’s medical devices in nearly 100 countries, with key operations in the United States, Europe and Asia.

Market Prices and Dividend Information (page 79)

Shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock and Guidant common stock are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The following table presents the last reported sale prices of Johnson & Johnson common stock and Guidant common stock, as reported by the New York Stock Exchange Composite Transactions Tape on:


	•	December 15, 2004, the last full trading day prior to the public announcement of the original merger agreement,

	•	November 14, 2005, the last full trading day prior to the public announcement of the amended and restated merger agreement, and

	•	[ ], 2005, the last practicable date prior to mailing this proxy statement/prospectus.

The table also presents the equivalent value of the merger consideration per share of Guidant common stock on those dates, calculated by multiplying the closing price of Johnson & Johnson common stock on those dates by 0.7488 on December 15, 2004 (which reflects the exchange ratio as determined under the original merger agreement as of December 15, 2004) and by 0.493 on November 14, 2005, and [ ], 2005, respectively (which reflects the exchange ratio under the amended and restated merger agree-

ment), each representing the fraction of a share of Johnson & Johnson common stock that Guidant shareholders would receive in the merger for each share of Guidant common stock.


					Equivalent
					Price per
	Johnson &				Share of
	Johnson		Guidant		Guidant
	Common		Common		Common
Date	Stock		Stock		Stock

December 15, 2004	$	60.90	$	72.05	$	76.00
November 14, 2005	$	60.51	$	57.75	$	63.08
[ ], 2005	$	[ ]	$	[ ]	$	[ ]

These prices will fluctuate prior to the special meeting and the consummation of the merger, but the fraction of a share of Johnson & Johnson common stock that Guidant shareholders will receive for each share of Guidant common stock is now fixed. Accordingly, shareholders of Guidant may receive more or less value depending on fluctuations in the price of Johnson & Johnson common stock. Shareholders are urged to obtain current market quotations prior to making any decision with respect to the merger.

Johnson & Johnson and Guidant declare and pay regular quarterly dividends. See “Comparative Stock Prices and Dividends”.

Comparative Per Share Information

The following table sets forth for the periods presented certain per share data of Johnson & Johnson and Guidant on a historical basis and on an unaudited pro forma basis after giving effect to the merger under the purchase method of accounting. The historical per share data of Johnson & Johnson and Guidant has been derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, the historical financial statements of Johnson & Johnson and Guidant incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus. See “Where You Can Find More Information”. The unaudited pro forma per share data has been derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. See “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements”.

The Guidant unaudited pro forma equivalent data was calculated by multiplying the corresponding Johnson & Johnson unaudited pro forma consolidated data by the exchange ratio of 0.493. The exchange ratio does not include the $33.25 per share cash portion of the merger consideration. This data shows how each share of Guidant common stock would have participated in the net income and book value of Johnson & Johnson if the companies had always been consolidated for accounting and financial reporting purposes for all periods presented. These amounts, however, are not intended to reflect future per share levels of net income and book value of Johnson & Johnson.


					Fiscal Nine
			Fiscal Year Ended		Months Ended
			Jan. 2, 2005		October 2, 2005

JOHNSON & JOHNSON — HISTORICAL
Per common share data:
	Net earnings:
		Basic	$	2.87	$	2.77
		Diluted		2.84		2.73
	Dividends paid per share			1.095		0.945
	Unaudited book value per share (basic)			10.71		12.39
GUIDANT — HISTORICAL(1)
Per common share data:
	Income from continuing operations:
		Basic	$	1.84	$	1.11
		Diluted		1.78		1.08
	Dividends declared per common share			0.40		0.30
	Unaudited book value per share (basic)			11.74		14.01
JOHNSON & JOHNSON — UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED WITH GUIDANT
Per common share data:
	Income from continuing operations:
		Basic	$	2.67	$	2.57
		Diluted		2.64		2.53
	Dividends paid per share			1.095		0.945
	Unaudited book value per share (basic)					15.20
GUIDANT — UNAUDITED PRO FORMA EQUIVALENTS
Per common share data:
	Income from continuing operations:
		Basic	$	1.32	$	1.27
		Diluted		1.30		1.25
	Dividends declared per common share			0.54		0.47
	Unaudited book value per share (basic)					7.49


(1)	Guidant reports its financial information on a calendar period basis, while Johnson & Johnson reports its financial information on a fiscal year basis. Guidant’s financial information is as of and for the year ended December 31, 2004, and as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2005.

Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data of Johnson & Johnson

The following selected consolidated financial information of Johnson & Johnson as of and for each of the five fiscal years in the period ended January 2, 2005, has been derived from Johnson & Johnson’s audited historical financial statements incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/ prospectus. The financial statements for those periods were audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm. The following selected consolidated financial information of Johnson & Johnson as of and for the fiscal nine month periods ended September 26, 2004 and October 2, 2005 has been derived from the unaudited consolidated financial statements contained in Johnson & Johnson’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal nine month periods ended September 26, 2004 and October 2, 2005 incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/ prospectus and, in the opinion of Johnson & Johnson management, includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of such information for the interim periods. The operating results for the fiscal nine month period ended October 2, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of results for the full fiscal year ending January 1, 2006. This information should be read in conjunction with management’s discussion and analysis of results of operations and financial condition of Johnson & Johnson and the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of Johnson & Johnson incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/ prospectus.


		Fiscal Year Ended										Fiscal Nine Months Ended

		Dec. 31,		Dec. 30,		Dec. 29,		Dec. 28,		Jan. 2,		September 26,		October 2,
		2000		2001		2002		2003		2005		2004		2005

		(in millions, except per share data)
EARNINGS DATA:
	Sales to customers	$	29,172	$	32,317	$	36,298	$	41,862	$	47,348	$	34,596	$	37,904
	Costs and expenses		22,304		24,419		27,007		31,554		34,510		24,383		26,886
	Earnings before provisions for taxes on income		6,868		7,898		9,291		10,308		12,838		10,213		11,018
	Net earnings		4,953		5,668		6,597		7,197		8,509		7,292		8,228
	Diluted net earnings per share		1.61		1.84		2.16		2.40		2.84		2.43		2.73
	Dividends paid per share		0.62		0.70		0.795		0.925		1.095		0.81		0.945
BALANCE SHEET DATA (as of period end):
	Total assets	$	34,245	$	38,488	$	40,556	$	48,263	$	53,317	$	52,089	$	56,574
	Long-term debt		3,163		2,217		2,022		2,955		2,565		2,961		2,139
	Shareholders’ equity		20,395		24,233		22,697		26,869		31,813		31,513		36,847

Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data of Guidant Corporation

The following selected consolidated financial information of Guidant as of and for each of the five fiscal years in the period ended December 31, 2004, has been derived from Guidant’s historical consolidated financial statements incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/ prospectus. The consolidated financial statements for those periods were audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm. The following selected consolidated financial information of Guidant as of and for the fiscal nine month periods ended September 30, 2004 and September 30, 2005 has been derived from the unaudited consolidated financial statements contained in Guidant’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal nine month periods ended September 30, 2004 and September 30, 2005 incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/ prospectus and, in the opinion of Guidant management, includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of such information for the interim periods. The operating results for the fiscal nine month period ended September 30, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of results for the full fiscal year ending December 31, 2005. The following information should be read in conjunction with management’s discussion and analysis of results of operations and financial condition of Guidant and the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of Guidant incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/ prospectus.


																	Fiscal Nine Months Ended
		Fiscal Year Ended December 31,															September 30,

		2000			2001			2002			2003			2004			2004			2005

		(in millions, except per share data)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Net sales		$	2,464.3		$	2,636.8		$	3,120.9		$	3,644.8		$	3,765.6		$	2,797.4		$	2,722.4
	Gross profit		1,894.0			2,023.9			2,378.9			2,767.4			2,844.0			2,107.8			1,980.7
	Income from continuing operations		397.2			538.5			669.3			419.3			573.0			449.3			358.2
	Net income		374.3			484.0			611.8			330.3			524.0			419.5			335.0
Earnings per share — basic:
	Income from continuing operations	$	1.32		$	1.79		$	2.22		$	1.37		$	1.84		$	1.45		$	1.11
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		(0.08	)		(0.18	)		(0.19	)		(0.29	)		(0.16	)		(0.10	)		(0.07	)

	Net income	$	1.24		$	1.61		$	2.03		$	1.08		$	1.68		$	1.35		$	1.04
Earnings per share — diluted:
	Income from continuing operations	$	1.28		$	1.76		$	2.19		$	1.34		$	1.78		$	1.40		$	1.08
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		(0.07	)		(0.18	)		(0.19	)		(0.28	)		(0.15	)	$	(0.09	)	$	(0.07	)

	Net income	$	1.21		$	1.58		$	2.00		$	1.06		$	1.63		$	1.31		$	1.01
Dividends declared per common share			—			—			—		$	0.24		$	0.40		$	0.30		$	0.30
BALANCE SHEET DATA (as of period end):
Total assets		$	2,521.4		$	2,916.8		$	3,716.1		$	4,640.1		$	5,372.2		$	5,155.0		$	5,984.7
Borrowings (long and short term)			808.9			760.0			368.5			948.3			659.2			776.9			355.1
Shareholders’ equity			1,183.5			1,545.8			2,321.8			2,713.3			3,742.1			3,445.3			4,532.9

Selected Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Information

The following selected unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information of Johnson & Johnson and Guidant combine the consolidated financial information of Johnson & Johnson for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2005, and as of and for the fiscal nine month period ended October 2, 2005, with the consolidated financial information of Guidant for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, and as of and for the fiscal nine month period ended September 30, 2005. The selected unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information is derived from the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements contained elsewhere in this proxy statement/ prospectus. See “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements”.

We present the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information for informational purposes only. The pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of what Johnson & Johnson’s financial position or results of operations actually would have been had we completed the merger on the dates indicated. In addition, the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information does not purport to project the future financial position or operating results of the combined company.

We prepared the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information using the purchase method of accounting with Johnson & Johnson treated as the acquiror. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information does not give effect to any potential cost savings or other operating efficiencies that could result from the merger. In addition, Johnson & Johnson’s cost to acquire Guidant will be allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon their estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition. The allocation is dependent upon certain valuations and other studies that have not progressed to a stage where there is sufficient information to make a definitive allocation. Accordingly, the purchase price allocation pro forma adjustments are preliminary and have been made solely for the purpose of providing unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information in this proxy statement/ prospectus.


			Fiscal Year		Fiscal Nine
			Ended		Months Ended
			January 2,		October 2,
			2005		2005

			(in millions, except
			per share data)
EARNINGS DATA:
	Sales to customers		$	51,017	$	40,533
	Costs and expenses			38,432		29,904
	Earnings before provisions for taxes on income			12,585		10,629
	Income from continuing operations			8,347		8,062
		Basic earnings per share		2.67		2.57
		Diluted earnings per share		2.64		2.53
	Dividends paid per share			1.095		0.945
BALANCE SHEET DATA (as of period end):
Total assets					$	72,026
Long-term debt						2,144
Shareholders’ equity						47,635

RISK FACTORS RELATING TO THE MERGER

In addition to the other information included and incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus, Guidant shareholders should consider carefully the matters described below in determining whether to approve the amended and restated merger agreement.

The value of Johnson & Johnson shares received will fluctuate; shareholders of Guidant may receive more or less value depending on fluctuations in the price of Johnson & Johnson common stock. The number of shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock to be issued in the merger for each share of Guidant common stock is now fixed. The prices of Johnson & Johnson common stock and Guidant common stock at the closing of the merger may vary from their respective prices on the date of this proxy statement/ prospectus and on the date of the special meeting. Because the exchange ratio will not be adjusted to reflect any changes in the market value of Johnson & Johnson common stock, the market value of Johnson & Johnson common stock to be issued in the merger may be higher or lower than the value of such shares on earlier dates. The prices of Johnson & Johnson common stock and Guidant common stock may vary as a result of changes in the business, operations or prospects of Johnson & Johnson or Guidant, market assessments of the likelihood that the merger will be completed, the timing of the completion of the merger, the prospects of post-merger operations, regulatory considerations, general market and economic conditions and other factors. During the 12-month period ending on [ ], 2005, the last practicable date prior to the mailing of this proxy statement/prospectus, Johnson & Johnson common stock traded in a range from a low of $[ ] to a high of $[ ] and ended that period at $[ ]. See “Comparative Stock Prices and Dividends” on page 79 for more detailed share price information.

The integration of Johnson & Johnson and Guidant following the merger may present significant challenges. Johnson & Johnson and Guidant may face significant challenges in combining their operations and product lines in a timely and efficient manner and retaining key Guidant personnel. The integration will be complex and time-consuming. The failure to integrate successfully Johnson & Johnson and Guidant and to manage successfully the challenges presented by the integration process may result in Johnson & Johnson not achieving the anticipated potential benefits of the merger.

The price of Johnson & Johnson common stock may be affected by factors different from those affecting the price of Guidant common stock. Upon completion of the merger, holders of Guidant common stock will become holders of Johnson & Johnson common stock. Johnson & Johnson’s business is different from that of Guidant, and Johnson & Johnson’s results of operations, as well as the price of Johnson & Johnson common stock, may be affected by factors different than those affecting Guidant’s results of operations and price of Guidant common stock. For a discussion of Johnson & Johnson’s and Guidant’s businesses and certain factors to consider in connection with such businesses, see Johnson & Johnson’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2005 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal nine month period ended October 2, 2005, and Guidant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal nine month period ended September 30, 2005, each of which is incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/ prospectus.

We will incur transaction, integration and restructuring costs in connection with the merger. Johnson & Johnson and Guidant expect to incur costs associated with transaction fees and other costs related to the merger. Specifically, we expect to incur approximately $155 million for transaction costs related to the merger, which costs are expected to be recorded as a component of the purchase price. In addition, we will incur integration and restructuring costs following the completion of the merger as we integrate the businesses of Guidant with those of Johnson & Johnson. Although Johnson & Johnson and Guidant expect that the realization of efficiencies related to the integration of the businesses may offset incremental transaction, merger-related and restructuring costs over time, we cannot give any assurance that this net benefit will be achieved in the near term, or at all.

THE SPECIAL MEETING

We are furnishing this proxy statement/ prospectus to Guidant shareholders as of the record date as part of the solicitation of proxies by the Guidant board of directors for use at the special meeting.

Date, Time and Place

The Guidant special meeting will be held on [ ], 2006, at 10:00 a.m., local time, at Guidant’s corporate headquarters, 111 Monument Circle, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204-5129. Please complete and return the enclosed request for admittance card as soon as possible if you plan to attend the special meeting. If you return the request card, Guidant will send you an admittance card.

Purpose of the Special Meeting

At the special meeting, Guidant shareholders will be asked to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the amended and restated merger agreement, pursuant to which Shelby Merger Sub will merge with and into Guidant, with Guidant becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, and each outstanding share of Guidant common stock will be converted into the right to receive a combination of (i) $33.25 in cash and (ii) 0.493 shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock. It is currently contemplated that no other matters will be considered at the special meeting.

The Guidant board of directors unanimously determined that the merger is in the best interests of Guidant and its shareholders, adopted the amended and restated merger agreement and recommends that you vote “FOR” approval of the amended and restated merger agreement.

Record Date; Shares Entitled to Vote; Quorum

Only holders of record of Guidant common stock at the close of business on December 8, 2005, the record date for the special meeting, are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the special meeting and any adjournment or postponement of it. On the record date, [ ] shares of Guidant common stock were issued and outstanding and held by approximately [ ] holders of record.

A quorum is present at the special meeting if a majority of all the shares of Guidant common stock issued and outstanding on the record date and entitled to vote at the special meeting are represented at the special meeting in person or by a properly executed proxy. Abstentions and broker non-votes (described below) will be treated as present at the special meeting for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the transaction of all business. In the event that a quorum is not present at the special meeting, it is expected that the meeting will be adjourned or postponed to solicit additional proxies. Holders of record of Guidant common stock on the record date are entitled to one vote per share on each matter submitted to a vote at the special meeting.

Vote Required

The approval of the amended and restated merger agreement requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Guidant common stock entitled to vote on the record date. Because the required vote of Guidant shareholders is based upon the number of outstanding shares of Guidant common stock entitled to vote, rather than upon the shares actually voted, the failure by the holder of any such shares to submit a proxy or to vote in person at the special meeting, including abstentions and broker non-votes, will have the same effect as a vote against approval of the amended and restated merger agreement.

Shares Owned by Guidant Directors and Executive Officers

At the close of business on the record date, directors and executive officers of Guidant beneficially owned and were entitled to vote [ ] shares of Guidant common stock, which represented approximately [ ]% of the shares of Guidant common stock outstanding on that date.

Voting of Proxies

Shareholders of record may vote their shares by attending the special meeting and voting their shares in person at the meeting, or by completing the enclosed proxy card, signing and dating it and mailing it in the enclosed postage pre-paid envelope. Shareholders also may submit their proxy by telephone or on the Internet by following the instructions provided in the enclosed proxy card. If a proxy card is signed by a shareholder of record and returned without specific voting instructions, the shares represented by the proxy will be voted “FOR” the proposal presented at the special meeting.

Shareholders whose shares are held in “street name” must either instruct the record holder of their shares how to vote their shares or obtain a proxy from the record holder to vote at the special meeting. Please check the voting form used by your bank, broker, nominee, fiduciary or other custodian for information on how to submit your instructions to them.

Shareholders whose shares are held under Guidant’s employee stock ownership plan may instruct the plan trustee as to how to vote their shares. If a shareholder does not instruct the plan trustee as to how to vote his or her shares, the plan trustee may vote those shares at its discretion. Please consult the voting form used by the plan trustee for information on how to submit your instructions to the plan trustee.

The persons named as proxies by a shareholder may propose and vote for one or more adjournments of the special meeting, including adjournments to permit further solicitations of proxies. Any adjournment may be made at any time by shareholders representing a majority of the votes present in person or by proxy at the special meeting, whether or not a quorum exists, without further notice other than by an announcement made at the meeting. Guidant does not currently intend to seek an adjournment of its special meeting. No proxy voted against the proposal to approve the amended and restated merger agreement will be voted in favor of any such adjournment or postponement.

Guidant does not expect that any matter other than the proposal to approve the amended and restated merger agreement will be brought before the special meeting. If, however, other matters are properly brought before the special meeting, or any adjourned meeting, the persons named as proxies will vote in accordance with their judgment.

Revocability of Proxies

Shareholders of record may revoke their proxy at any time prior to the time it is voted at the meeting. Shareholders of record may revoke their proxy by:


	•	executing a later-dated proxy card relating to the same shares and delivering it to Guidant’s Secretary by Internet, telephone or mail before the taking of the vote at the special meeting

	•	filing with Guidant’s Secretary before the taking of the vote at the special meeting a written notice of revocation bearing a later date than the proxy card or

	•	attending the special meeting and voting in person (although attendance at the special meeting will not, in and of itself, revoke a proxy).

Any written revocation or subsequent proxy card should be delivered to Guidant Corporation, 111 Monument Circle, 29th Floor, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204-5129, Attention: Secretary, or hand delivered to Guidant’s Secretary or his representative before the taking of the vote at the special meeting.

Solicitation of Proxies

Guidant is soliciting proxies for the special meeting and will bear all expenses in connection with solicitation of proxies, except those expenses incurred in connection with the printing and mailing of this proxy statement/ prospectus will be shared equally by Guidant and Johnson & Johnson. Upon request, Guidant will pay banks, brokers, nominees, fiduciaries or other custodians their reasonable expenses for sending proxy material to, and obtaining instructions from, persons for whom they hold shares.

Guidant has retained Georgeson Shareholder Communications, Inc. to assist with the solicitation of proxies. Georgeson will receive customary fees as compensation for its services plus reimbursement for its related out-of-pocket expenses.

Guidant expects to solicit proxies primarily by mail, but directors, officers and other employees of Guidant or Georgeson may also solicit in person or by Internet, telephone or mail.

Guidant shareholders who receive more than one proxy card or voting instruction form have shares registered in different forms or in more than one account. Please complete, sign, date and return all proxy cards and provide instructions for all voting instruction forms received to ensure that all shares are voted.

Shareholders should not send stock certificates with their proxies. A transmittal form with instructions for the surrender of Guidant common stock certificates will be mailed to Guidant shareholders shortly after completion of the merger.

THE COMPANIES

Johnson & Johnson

Johnson & Johnson’s worldwide business is divided into three segments: consumer, pharmaceutical and medical devices and diagnostics. The consumer segment’s principal products are personal care and hygienic products, including oral and baby care products, first aid products, nonprescription drugs, sanitary protection products and adult skin and hair care products. These products are marketed principally to the general public and distributed both to wholesalers and directly to independent and chain retail outlets.

The pharmaceutical segment’s principal worldwide franchises are in the anti-infective, anti-fungal, anti-anemia, central nervous system, contraceptive, dermatology, gastrointestinal and pain management fields. These products are distributed both directly and through wholesalers for use by health care professionals and the general public.

The medical devices and diagnostics segment includes suture and mechanical wound closure products, minimally invasive surgical instruments, diagnostic products, cardiology products, disposable contact lenses, surgical instruments, orthopedic joint replacements and products for wound management and infection prevention and other medical equipment and devices. These products are used principally in the professional fields by physicians, nurses, therapists, hospitals, diagnostic laboratories and clinics. Distribution to these markets is done both directly and through surgical supply and other dealers.

Johnson & Johnson was organized in the State of New Jersey in 1887. The address of its principal executive offices is One Johnson & Johnson Plaza, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08933, and the telephone number at that address is (732) 524-0400.

Guidant

Guidant products that focus on the treatment of coronary arrhythmias, heart failure and coronary and peripheral disease include:


	•	implantable defibrillator systems used to detect and treat abnormally fast heart rhythms (tachycardia) that could result in sudden cardiac death, including implantable cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator systems used to treat heart failure

	•	implantable pacemaker systems used to manage slow or irregular heart rhythms (bradycardia), including implantable cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemaker systems used to treat heart failure

	•	coronary stent systems for the treatment of coronary artery disease

	•	angioplasty systems including dilatation catheters, guidewires and related accessories for the treatment of coronary artery disease

	•	cardiac surgery systems to perform cardiac surgical ablation, endoscopic vessel harvesting and clampless beating-heart bypass surgery and

	•	peripheral systems, including those to treat biliary, peripheral vascular and carotid artery disease.

Guidant was incorporated in Indiana in September 1994 to be the parent of several of the medical device and diagnostics businesses of Eli Lilly and Company. In December 1994, Guidant consummated an

initial public offering of a portion of its outstanding common shares. In September 1995, Eli Lilly and Company, by means of a split-off, disposed of all of its remaining interests in Guidant. The address of Guidant’s principal executive offices is 111 Monument Circle, 29th Floor, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204-5129, and the telephone number at that address is (317) 971-2000.

Significant Contracts Between Guidant and Johnson & Johnson

Cordis Corporation, a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary, and Guidant entered into several commercial arrangements in April 2000, several of which have been subsequently amended, pursuant to which (1) Cordis agreed to distribute Guidant’s Rapid-Exchange catheters and stent delivery systems and (2) the parties settled outstanding litigation under certain patents by agreeing, among other things, to cross-license certain patents related to stents, stent delivery systems and other cardiovascular applications and to arbitrate certain remaining patent disputes. In February 2004, Cordis and Guidant also entered into a strategic agreement to co-promote certain of Cordis’ drug-eluting coronary stents. Guidant also received an option to pursue a similar arrangement in Japan in the future. In addition, Guidant agreed to assist Cordis in the development of a drug-eluting stent that utilizes Guidant’s MULTI-LINK VISION®Stent Delivery System.

In addition, in August 2003 an arbitration panel found that Guidant’s Multi-Link Duet Coronary Stent System infringed a patent of Cordis. As a result of this finding, Guidant made a one-time payment, pursuant to the April 2000 commercial arrangements, of $425 million to Cordis in the third quarter of 2003.

THE MERGER

Background to the Merger

Cordis, a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary, and Guidant are currently involved in a number of commercial arrangements, which are described under the caption “The Companies — Significant Contracts Between Guidant and Johnson & Johnson”. In the course of this relationship, Johnson & Johnson and Guidant have had discussions regarding other possible business collaborations. During the spring of 2004, Michael J. Dormer, Worldwide Chairman, Medical Devices of Johnson & Johnson, and Ronald W. Dollens, then Chief Executive Officer of Guidant, had discussions about potentially expanding the relationship between the two companies.

On July 19, 2004, at a meeting of the board of directors of Johnson & Johnson, Mr. Dormer, Dr. Guy J. LeBeau, Company Group Chairman, and Dominic J. Caruso, Vice-President of Group Finance — Medical Devices and Diagnostics, made a presentation regarding a potential acquisition of Guidant and the perceived benefits of such a transaction to the shareholders of Johnson & Johnson. At that meeting, the board of directors of Johnson & Johnson authorized the initiation of discussions with Guidant regarding a potential acquisition by Johnson & Johnson.

On July 21, 2004, at a meeting of the board of directors of Guidant, the board discussed Guidant’s long-term strategic alternatives, including a potential acquisition transaction with Johnson & Johnson. Following this discussion, the board of directors of Guidant authorized Mr. Dollens to have exploratory discussions with Johnson & Johnson regarding a possible business combination.

On July 22, 2004, Messrs. Dormer and Caruso and Robert J. Darretta, Johnson & Johnson’s Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer, met with Mr. Dollens, Keith E. Brauer, Guidant’s Chief Financial Officer, and Bernard E. Kury, Guidant’s General Counsel, to explore the possible acquisition of Guidant by Johnson & Johnson. The meeting included a general discussion of the perceived benefits of such a transaction to both companies and their respective employees, as well as to patients and healthcare providers.

On August 4, 2004, Johnson & Johnson and Guidant executed a confidentiality agreement.

On August 6, 2004, Messrs. Dormer, Caruso and Darretta and James R. Hilton, Associate General Counsel of Johnson & Johnson, met with representatives of Guidant, including Messrs. Dollens, Brauer and Kury and A. Jay Graf, former Guidant Group Chairman, to discuss and review information regarding Guidant’s business.

On August 17, 2004, at a meeting of the board of directors of Guidant, Mr. Dollens reported on his meetings with Johnson & Johnson’s representatives. At this meeting, representatives of JPMorgan, Guidant’s financial advisor, made a presentation regarding Johnson & Johnson’s business and the potential financial implications of a combination between the two companies. At this meeting, the board of directors authorized continued discussions with Johnson & Johnson.

On August 19, 2004, Messrs. Darretta, Dormer, Caruso and Hilton of Johnson & Johnson met with Messrs. Dollens, Brauer, Kury and Graf of Guidant, along with representatives of JPMorgan, to discuss various issues relating to the potential acquisition. During the latter part of August 2004 and the early part of September 2004, discussions between representatives of Johnson & Johnson and Guidant continued regarding issues relating to the proposed transaction.

On September 8, 2004, Mr. Dormer of Johnson & Johnson telephoned Mr. Dollens of Guidant to discuss a number of issues, including the consideration to be paid to Guidant shareholders in the proposed transaction.

On September 13, 2004, at a meeting of the board of directors of Johnson & Johnson, Mr. Dormer provided an update on the status of the discussions between the two companies. After this update, the board of directors authorized management to continue discussions with respect to the proposed transaction.

On September 17, 2004, Messrs. Darretta, Dormer and Caruso and Nicholas J. Valeriani, Johnson & Johnson’s Vice President of Human Resources and Worldwide Chairman, Diagnostics, and other representatives of Johnson & Johnson, met with executive officers and other representatives of Guidant to conduct further due diligence on various aspects of Guidant’s operations and to discuss various business and organizational issues relating to the proposed transaction.

Following this meeting, on September 24, 2004, Messrs. Dormer, Caruso and Valeriani of Johnson & Johnson met with Mr. Dollens and Roger Marchetti, Guidant’s then Vice President of Human Resources, to discuss the Guidant organizational structure and employee matters in relation to the proposed transaction.

On September 30, 2004, Messrs. Dormer, Caruso and Hilton and other representatives of Johnson & Johnson met with Messrs. Dollens and Kury and other representatives of Guidant to further discuss some of the terms and conditions of a potential merger agreement.

On October 4, 2004, a draft merger agreement was circulated to senior management and advisors of each company. On October 8, October 9 and October 10, 2004, Mr. Kury, other representatives of Guidant and Guidant’s outside legal advisors met with Mr. Hilton, other representatives of Johnson & Johnson and Johnson & Johnson’s outside legal advisors to negotiate certain terms of the proposed transaction. These negotiations continued through October 27, 2004.

On October 6, 2004, in connection with Johnson & Johnson’s due diligence review of Guidant, representatives of Guidant made a presentation to representatives of Johnson & Johnson and Goldman Sachs & Co., financial advisor to Johnson & Johnson, regarding the business and financial condition of Guidant.

On October 11, 2004, Guidant formally engaged Morgan Stanley to serve as financial advisor to the company in addition to the previously engaged JPMorgan.

On October 18, 2004, at a meeting of the Guidant board of directors, Mr. Dollens updated the board on the status of the discussions with Johnson & Johnson. Representatives of JPMorgan and Guidant’s outside legal advisors provided the board with analyses of the financial and legal matters that continued to be under negotiation with Johnson & Johnson. Representatives of Morgan Stanley were also in attendance. After discussion, the board of directors of Guidant authorized Guidant’s management and advisors to continue negotiations.

On October 22, 2004, at a meeting of the board of directors of Johnson & Johnson, Mr. Dormer reported on the discussions that had occurred with representatives of Guidant. This review included an update on the diligence effort with respect to Guidant’s business as well as financial aspects of the proposed transaction. At this meeting, Russell C. Deyo, Johnson & Johnson’s General Counsel, along with senior members of the Johnson & Johnson Law Department, discussed general legal matters concerning the potential transaction. In addition, representatives of Goldman Sachs provided a perspective on the proposed transaction.

On October 26, 2004, Messrs. Darretta and Dormer met with Mr. Dollens to continue negotiations, including with respect to the consideration to be paid to Guidant shareholders in the proposed transaction and the exchange ratio for the stock portion of the merger consideration.

On October 27, 2004, the board of directors of Guidant met to review the status of the discussions with Johnson & Johnson and the merits of Johnson & Johnson’s then-current proposal as compared to remaining a stand-alone entity. At this meeting, JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley each separately discussed financial aspects of Johnson & Johnson’s proposal, valuation issues regarding Guidant and other alternatives available to Guidant as a stand-alone entity. Guidant’s outside legal advisors reviewed in detail the regulatory approvals that would be required to complete the proposed transaction. Following extensive discussion, the board of directors determined to pursue other alternatives as a stand-alone entity rather than Johnson & Johnson’s then-current proposal. On October 28, 2004, James M. Cornelius, then non-

executive Chairman of the Board of Guidant, telephoned William C. Weldon, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Johnson & Johnson, to inform him of the board’s decision.

During the week of November 8, 2004, Messrs. Dollens and Dormer had a series of telephone conversations regarding the value of resuming discussions and arranged a meeting between Messrs. Weldon, Dormer and Darretta of Johnson & Johnson and Messrs. Cornelius and Dollens to be held on November 16, 2004, to discuss whether further conversations between the two companies would be productive.

On November 17, 2004, at a special meeting of the board of directors of Guidant, Messrs. Dollens and Cornelius reported on the November 16 meeting with Messrs. Weldon, Dormer and Darretta. Following discussion and a review of various strategic alternatives, the board decided to resume discussions with Johnson & Johnson.

Following the Guidant board meeting, Mr. Cornelius telephoned Mr. Weldon to continue to explore the prospect of further discussions between the two companies. On November 19, 2004, and November 24, 2004, Messrs. Weldon, Darretta, Dormer, Deyo and Hilton of Johnson & Johnson, as well as Johnson & Johnson’s outside legal advisors, met with Messrs. Cornelius, Dollens and Kury of Guidant, as well as Guidant’s outside legal advisors, to continue negotiations with respect to the proposed transaction.

Over the course of the next several weeks, the parties and their respective advisors conducted further negotiations over the terms and conditions of a merger agreement for the proposed transaction. These negotiations focused on the representations, warranties, covenants and closing conditions to be included in the merger agreement, as well as the obligations of the parties to obtain regulatory approvals for the acquisition and the limitations to be included in the agreement on Guidant’s ability to contact or engage in discussions with potential acquirors. The negotiations also addressed the circumstances under which the parties could terminate the merger agreement and the circumstances under which termination fees would be payable under the merger agreement, and the amount of these fees.

On November 30, 2004, Messrs. Dormer and Valeriani of Johnson & Johnson met with certain executive officers of Guidant to discuss various organizational issues regarding the proposed transaction, including a proposal whereby such executives would agree to modify the terms of their change in control agreements in connection with the proposed transaction. These conversations continued on December 8, 2004.

On December 2, 2004, at a meeting of the board of directors of Johnson & Johnson, Messrs. Dormer and Darretta provided an update on the status of the negotiations regarding the proposed transaction and the due diligence investigation with respect to Guidant. Johnson & Johnson’s legal advisors described the principal terms that had been negotiated in the draft merger agreement as well as the board’s fiduciary duties, both generally and in the specific context of the proposed transaction. Johnson & Johnson’s financial advisor provided an update on its perspective on the proposed transaction. After discussion, the board of directors directed its management and advisors to continue negotiations with Guidant.

During late November and early December 2004, representatives of Johnson & Johnson continued their due diligence investigation of Guidant. Representatives and advisors of Guidant also continued their due diligence review of Johnson & Johnson and, on December 7, 2004, Messrs. Brauer and Kury and other representatives of Guidant, together with representatives from Guidant’s financial advisors met with representatives of Johnson & Johnson, including Messrs. Darretta and Deyo, to discuss and review various business and financial information of Johnson & Johnson.

On December 9, 2004, Mr. Weldon of Johnson & Johnson telephoned Mr. Cornelius of Guidant to discuss the consideration to be paid to Guidant shareholders in the merger, including the exchange ratio for the stock portion of the merger consideration. No agreement was reached on these matters during this discussion.

On December 12, 2004, the board of directors of Johnson & Johnson met to discuss the proposed transaction. At this meeting, which was also attended by Johnson & Johnson’s legal and financial advisors,

Messrs. Dormer and Darretta gave a presentation regarding the expected terms of the proposed transaction. At this meeting, Goldman Sachs reviewed various financial analyses with respect to the proposed transaction using various methodologies and assumptions. After discussion, the board of directors authorized the execution and delivery of the original merger agreement, with final terms to be negotiated by Johnson & Johnson management and approved by the finance committee of the board.

On December 12, 2004, after the meeting of the Johnson & Johnson board of directors, the parties scheduled a meeting among Messrs. Cornelius, Dollens, Weldon, Darretta and Dormer to attempt to agree upon the principal terms of the proposed transaction.

On December 13, 2004, Messrs. Weldon, Darretta and Dormer met with Messrs. Cornelius and Dollens to continue negotiations. Negotiations between the management and advisors of Johnson & Johnson and Guidant continued through December 15, 2004.

On December 15, 2004, the finance committee of the Johnson & Johnson board of directors discussed the final terms of the original merger agreement and authorized the execution and delivery of the original merger agreement.

On December 15, 2004, the board of directors of Guidant met to consider the proposed original merger agreement. Guidant’s outside legal advisors reviewed in detail the principal terms of the agreement as well as the board’s fiduciary duties, both generally and in the specific context of the proposed transaction. Each of JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley separately presented its financial analyses of the original merger consideration and each delivered its oral opinion, subsequently confirmed in writing, to the effect that, as of December 15, 2004, and based upon and subject to the matters described in its respective opinion, the original merger consideration was fair from a financial point of view to the Guidant shareholders. Following extended discussion, the Guidant board approved the proposed original merger agreement as being in the best interests of Guidant and its shareholders and authorized the execution and delivery of the original merger agreement.

Following the meeting of the Guidant board of directors, representatives of Guidant and Johnson & Johnson and their advisors finalized the documentation for the transaction. After the closing of trading on the New York Stock Exchange on December 15, 2004, the original merger agreement was executed and the parties issued a joint press release announcing their agreement.

Following execution of the original merger agreement, Guidant and Johnson & Johnson worked together to secure the various regulatory approvals required to close the transaction, particularly with respect to antitrust matters. On February 18, 2005, Guidant and Johnson & Johnson issued a joint press release announcing the receipt of an anticipated request for additional information from the Federal Trade Commission. On April 22, 2005, they issued a joint press release announcing that they had been notified, as anticipated, that the European Commission had decided to open a second phase review into the proposed transaction. Over the course of the next several months, Guidant and Johnson & Johnson continued to work together and with the appropriate regulatory authorities to respond to these requests.

On April 27, 2005, Guidant shareholders approved the original merger agreement at a special shareholders’ meeting.

On May 23, 2005, Guidant issued a communication to physicians regarding a failure of Guidant’s VENTAK PRIZM 2 DR Model 1861 implantable defibrillators manufactured before November 2002.

On May 24, 2005, Johnson & Johnson issued a public statement noting that it continued to be confident in its decision to acquire Guidant and that it anticipated closing the transaction in the third quarter of 2005.

On June 17, 2005, Guidant issued a communication to physicians regarding failures occurring in several additional Guidant products. The communication provided additional information relating to the May 2005 communication regarding the VENTAK PRIZM 2 DR Model 1861, as well as information regarding issues with respect to several of Guidant’s other defibrillator products. At that time, the United States Food and Drug Administration, referred to as the “FDA”, indicated that it would be classifying

these actions as recalls. In connection with these events, Johnson & Johnson issued a public statement on the same day that while it was still working towards a third quarter close of the acquisition of Guidant, the events reported by Guidant were serious matters and Johnson & Johnson and Guidant were engaged in discussions to help Johnson & Johnson understand the issues. These discussions consisted of representatives of Guidant providing representatives of Johnson & Johnson with information regarding the nature of the issues addressed in the physician communications as well as the substance of Guidant’s discussions with the FDA in connection with such communications.

From June 2005 through late September 2005, Guidant issued a number of additional physician communications relating to failures occurring in certain Guidant products, including implantable cardioverter defibrillators, cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators and pacemakers. The FDA classified a number of these physician communications as recalls under FDA recall classifying standards. In connection with the June 24, 2005, physician notification regarding Guidant’s CONTAK RENEWAL 3 and 4, RENEWAL 3 and 4 AVT and RENEWAL RF devices, Guidant voluntarily removed these devices from distribution and advised physicians to discontinue implantation. In August 2005, the FDA approved a component solution and the distribution and implantation of these devices resumed. In August 2005, the FDA commenced an investigation of Guidant, inspecting Guidant’s cardiac rhythm management facilities in St. Paul, Minnesota, and issued a Form 483, noting several observations of non-compliance. Guidant was also named in numerous product liability lawsuits and became the subject of various claims and governmental investigations during the summer and fall of 2005.

On July 18, 2005, at a meeting of the board of directors of Johnson & Johnson, representatives of Johnson & Johnson and their legal advisors reported on the status of the transaction, and provided the board of directors with a summary of Guidant’s physician communications and recalls that had occurred to date and the potential implications of these matters under the original merger agreement. No decisions regarding the status of the transaction were made at this meeting, and management of Johnson & Johnson informed the board that it would continue to analyze the effects of the recalls and related claims, investigations and other developments on Guidant’s business.

On Johnson & Johnson’s second quarter earnings call with analysts on July 19, 2005, Mr. Darretta indicated that although Federal Trade Commission approval of the merger was still expected in October 2005, the closing of the transaction might be delayed until the product recall issues had been resolved with Guidant and that he could not speculate as to when Guidant and Johnson & Johnson would reach resolution.

On July 21, 2005, Mr. Deyo telephoned Mr. Kury to emphasize that although Johnson & Johnson was still working towards completion of the merger, the product recalls and related events were serious matters and Johnson & Johnson needed to understand all of the issues and their impact on Guidant. Mr. Deyo further stated to Mr. Kury that Johnson & Johnson needed further information regarding the recalls and their impact in order to analyze the potential implications of these events under the original merger agreement. Mr. Kury agreed to continue to facilitate discussions among various representatives of the two companies in this regard.

During the summer of 2005, Guidant continued to provide Johnson & Johnson with information about Guidant’s business performance, as well as information concerning the product recalls and the related claims, investigations and other developments, including Guidant’s assessment of how these events were affecting Guidant’s business. Representatives of the companies conducted a number of meetings and telephone conferences during this period to discuss this information.

On August 25, 2005, the European Commission issued a decision declaring the merger compatible with the Common Market. In connection with the European Commission’s decision, Johnson & Johnson agreed to divest its Cordis steerable guidewires business in Europe, the Guidant Endovascular Solutions business in Europe and to pursue a remedy relating to the companies’ endoscopic vessel harvesting products. In connection with the announcement of the European Commission decision, Johnson & Johnson issued a public statement on the same day that it was continuing to work with Guidant to understand and evaluate the impact of the various product recalls announced by Guidant.

On September 12, 2005, at a meeting of the board of directors of Johnson & Johnson, representatives of Johnson & Johnson and their legal advisors provided the board with an update on the status of the Guidant transaction. This update included further information regarding the physician notifications, recalls and other related claims, investigations and other developments, as well as the impact of these matters on Guidant’s business and the original merger agreement. After discussion, the board of directors of Johnson & Johnson authorized Johnson & Johnson’s management to pursue such alternatives with regard to the original merger agreement as they considered appropriate.

On September 15, 2005, at a meeting of the board of directors of Guidant, representatives of Guidant and their outside legal advisors provided the board with information concerning the FDA inspection and other regulatory matters. Representatives of Guidant also provided the board with an update with respect to Guidant’s business condition and share of the implantable defibrillator market.

On September 27, 2005, Mr. Weldon telephoned Mr. Cornelius to suggest a meeting to discuss developments at Guidant and the impact of these developments on the merger.

On September 28, 2005, at a meeting of the board of directors of Guidant, Mr. Cornelius informed the board of his conversation with Mr. Weldon and members of Guidant management provided information regarding Guidant’s current business outlook. Guidant’s legal advisors also participated in this meeting. After discussion, the board directed Mr. Cornelius to meet with Mr. Weldon.

On September 29, 2005, Mr. Weldon and Mr. Cornelius met to discuss the developments at Guidant and the impact of those events under the original merger agreement. At this meeting, Mr. Weldon stated to Mr. Cornelius that Johnson & Johnson would like to discuss a renegotiation of the terms of the original merger agreement in light of these events, and that any renegotiated price would have to represent a significant reduction from the price reflected in the original merger agreement. Mr. Cornelius agreed to report Johnson & Johnson’s position to the Guidant board of directors for its evaluation.

On September 30, 2005, at a meeting of the board of directors of Guidant, Mr. Cornelius reported Johnson & Johnson’s position to the board. After discussion, the board authorized Mr. Cornelius to inform Johnson & Johnson that the events at Guidant did not warrant a significant renegotiation of the terms of the original merger agreement and that Guidant’s position was that Johnson & Johnson was obligated to complete the merger under the terms of the original merger agreement.

During the week of October 3, 2005, Mr. Cornelius and Mr. Weldon had several telephone conversations during which they further discussed the developments at Guidant and the potential impact of those events. Mr. Cornelius stated that Guidant believed that Johnson & Johnson was obligated to complete the merger under the terms of the original merger agreement and that recent events at Guidant did not warrant a significant renegotiation of the terms of the original merger agreement. On October 6, 2005, Messrs. Weldon, Valeriani, Deyo and Caruso of Johnson & Johnson met with Messrs. Cornelius, Dollens and Kury of Guidant to discuss the developments at Guidant and the effect of these developments on Guidant’s business going forward. The parties continued to disagree over their obligations under the original merger agreement and the terms of a potential renegotiated transaction.

On October 9, 2005, at a meeting of the board of directors of Guidant, Mr. Cornelius updated the board regarding the discussions that had occurred between the two companies regarding a potential renegotiated transaction and the likelihood of consummating the original merger agreement in accordance with its terms. Guidant management reported on Guidant’s business conditions and outlook and JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley discussed with the board various financial aspects of Guidant’s financial performance and outlook. Guidant’s outside legal advisors also outlined various legal considerations with respect to the pending merger with Johnson & Johnson.

On October 10, 2005, Mr. Cornelius telephoned Mr. Weldon to discuss the substance of the meeting that had taken place on October 6, 2005, and to discuss the parameters of a potential renegotiated transaction. This discussion did not result in any agreement, and Messrs. Weldon and Cornelius did not establish any plans for further discussions at that time.

On October 10, 2005, the board of directors of Johnson & Johnson met and received an update from Mr. Weldon regarding the discussions that had occurred between the two companies regarding a renegotiated transaction. Mr. Weldon informed the board of directors that no agreement had been reached on the terms of a revised transaction. Other representatives of Johnson & Johnson management provided further updates on the developments at Guidant that had occurred since the previous board meeting.

On October 17, 2005, Mr. Deyo telephoned Mr. Kury to inform Mr. Kury that Mr. Darretta of Johnson & Johnson would be making a statement during Johnson & Johnson’s third quarter earnings call with analysts, scheduled for October 18, 2005, to the effect that Johnson & Johnson considered the recalls and related events at Guidant to be serious matters, and was considering its alternatives under the original merger agreement in light of these events. Johnson & Johnson held its analyst call on October 18, 2005 and Mr. Daretta made a statement to this effect during the call. On October 19, 2005, Guidant made a public statement in response to Mr. Darretta’s comments to the effect that neither company depended on the transaction for its continued future success and that it believed the strategic rationale for combining the two companies was as strong as when the original merger agreement was entered into. In this statement, Guidant also provided an update on its business performance for the third quarter of 2005.

On October 24, 2005, Mr. Weldon telephoned Mr. Cornelius to continue discussion regarding possible terms for a restructured transaction. Messrs. Weldon and Cornelius continued these discussions during the week of October 24, 2005. In connection with these discussions, on October 26, 2005, a draft amended and restated merger agreement was circulated by Johnson & Johnson’s legal advisors.

On October 26, 2005, at a meeting of the board of directors of Guidant, Guidant’s outside legal advisors provided the board with an overview of recent developments. Guidant management presented updated financial information with respect to Guidant’s business condition and share of the implantable defibrillator market. The board also continued to discuss the parameters of a potential renegotiated transaction with Johnson & Johnson.

Based on the discussions that had occurred between Messrs. Weldon and Cornelius during the week of October 24, 2005, Mr. Cornelius informed Mr. Weldon that a meeting of the board of directors of Guidant was scheduled for November 1, 2005, to evaluate the discussions that had occurred between Messrs. Weldon and Cornelius and to determine whether there were terms on which the Guidant board of directors would proceed with a revised transaction in light of these discussions.

On October 29 and November 1, 2005, Messrs. Dollens and Dormer had telephone conversations confirming both parties’ interest in continuing discussions and their belief that it was still in the strategic interest of both companies for a merger to take place, provided the parties could come to agreement on revised terms.

On November 1, 2005, at a meeting of the Guidant board of directors, Mr. Cornelius informed the board that the companies had not reached an agreement as to a potential renegotiated price. Guidant management reported on business conditions and each of JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley then discussed preliminary valuation issues with the board. After detailed discussion, the board directed Guidant’s outside legal advisors to initiate a lawsuit for specific performance in the event that Johnson & Johnson failed to consummate the pending merger in accordance with the terms of the original merger agreement.

After the Guidant board meeting, Mr. Cornelius telephoned Mr. Weldon and discussed potential terms for a revised transaction. Messrs. Weldon and Cornelius were unable to reach agreement. The Johnson & Johnson board of directors met during the evening of November 1, 2005, at which meeting Mr. Weldon notified the board that he had been unable reach agreement with Mr. Cornelius on terms for a renegotiated transaction.

On November 1, 2005, Mr. Cornelius received an unsolicited call from a representative of Boston Scientific Corporation, inquiring as to his availability for a meeting to discuss a possible business combination transaction involving the two companies. On November 2, 2005, after consultation with Guidant’s legal advisors, Mr. Cornelius informed the representative that in light of the original merger

agreement with Johnson & Johnson, he could not attend such a meeting. In accordance with the terms of the original merger agreement, Guidant promptly notified Johnson & Johnson of this matter.

On November 2, 2005, the Federal Trade Commission notified Johnson & Johnson that it had conditionally approved its acquisition of Guidant, subject to Johnson & Johnson divesting, licensing or terminating certain rights or assets of its businesses in drug-eluting stents, endoscopic vessel harvesting products and anastomotic assist devices.

Following receipt of Federal Trade Commission approval of the transaction, Johnson & Johnson issued a public statement on November 2, 2005 that it continued to view Guidant’s product recalls and the related developments as serious matters and that it believed that the events had resulted in a “material adverse effect” on Guidant under the terms of the original merger agreement such that Johnson & Johnson was not required under the terms of the original merger agreement to close the merger. On the same day, Guidant issued a public statement stating that Guidant had informed Johnson & Johnson that the parties remained legally obligated to complete the merger under the terms of the original merger agreement.

On November 2, 2005, Mr. Kury of Guidant sent a letter addressed to Mr. Deyo of Johnson & Johnson stating that Guidant believed that all conditions to closing the merger had been satisfied and that Guidant was ready, willing and able to close. The letter further stated that Guidant would consider failure to close a breach of the original merger agreement and that Guidant would act to protect its rights under the original merger agreement if Johnson & Johnson did not close.

On November 3, 2005, Mr. Deyo sent a letter addressed to Mr. Kury stating that the breaches of the representations and warranties in the original merger agreement as a result of Guidant’s previously announced product recalls and the related regulatory investigations, lawsuits, claims and other developments constituted a material adverse effect on Guidant’s business, and that as a result, under the terms of the original merger agreement, a closing condition had not been satisfied and Johnson & Johnson was not required to effect the merger.

On November 3, 2005, representatives from JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley, financial advisors to Guidant, telephoned representatives from Goldman Sachs, financial advisor to Johnson & Johnson, to explore whether there were financial terms upon which Johnson & Johnson would agree to renegotiate the transaction with Guidant. In connection with this conversation, representatives from Goldman Sachs confirmed for the representatives of JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley that Johnson & Johnson believed that the events at Guidant warranted a significant price reduction.

In the morning of November 7, 2005, Guidant filed a civil suit against Johnson & Johnson in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The complaint alleged that Johnson & Johnson was required to complete the acquisition of Guidant under the terms of the original merger agreement and sought specific performance of the original merger agreement.

In the afternoon of November 7, 2005, Mr. Dollens telephoned Mr. Dormer to confirm Guidant’s interest in continuing discussions concerning a renegotiated transaction and they discussed channels of communication for such discussions. Thereafter, representatives of JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley again contacted representatives of Goldman Sachs to explore whether there were financial terms upon which Johnson & Johnson and Guidant could agree to renegotiate the transaction. Representatives of JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs continued discussions during the course of the week of November 7, 2005, regarding potential terms relating to a renegotiated transaction, including with respect to price, mix of cash and stock consideration and other terms.

As a result of the progress made during these discussions, Messrs. Weldon and Cornelius engaged in a series of conversations during the week of November 7, 2005, regarding the terms of a renegotiated transaction. In addition, during this week, representatives of Johnson & Johnson and Guidant met to discuss Guidant’s most recent assessment of the impact of the recalls and related events on its business. Discussions between the two companies continued into the weekend of November 12 and 13, 2005, and resulted in an agreement to restructure the original merger agreement to provide for adjusted merger

consideration to be paid for each share of Guidant common stock of a combination of $33.25 in cash and 0.493 shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock.

During this weekend, representatives of Johnson & Johnson and Guidant and their respective legal advisors negotiated the terms of the amended and restated merger agreement and other ancillary matters relating to a restructured transaction.

On November 13, 2005, the board of directors of Guidant met to consider the proposed structure of the renegotiated transaction between the two companies. Guidant’s outside legal advisors provided an update as to the status of the negotiations regarding the proposed amended and restated merger agreement and Johnson & Johnson’s due diligence investigation of Guidant. Guidant management reported on current business conditions and Guidant’s future outlook. Each of JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley discussed their preliminary financial analyses of the merger consideration contemplated by the amended and restated merger agreement to the board. Following discussion, the Guidant board unanimously authorized Mr. Cornelius and Guidant management to proceed with negotiating final terms of a transaction based on consideration to be paid for each share of Guidant common stock of $33.25 in cash and 0.493 shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock. After the conclusion of the meeting, Mr. Cornelius telephoned Mr. Weldon to convey the Guidant board of directors’ acceptance of the proposed price subject to satisfactory resolution of the final terms of the amended and restated merger agreement.

On November 13, 2005, the board of directors of Johnson & Johnson met to discuss the proposed transaction. At this meeting, which was also attended by Johnson & Johnson’s legal and financial advisors, Messrs. Weldon and Caruso gave presentations regarding the expected terms of the proposed transaction. Mr. Deyo and Johnson & Johnson’s legal advisors reviewed for the board the revised terms of the proposed amended and restated merger agreement, and the due diligence effort that had been undertaken by Johnson & Johnson in connection with the recalls and related matters to that date. At this meeting, Goldman Sachs reviewed various financial analyses with respect to the proposed transaction using various methodologies and assumptions. After discussion, the board of directors authorized the execution and delivery of the amended and restated merger agreement, with final terms to be negotiated by Johnson & Johnson management and approved by the finance committee of the board.

Negotiations between the management and advisors of Johnson & Johnson and Guidant to finalize the terms of the amended and restated merger agreement continued through November 14, 2005.

On November 14, 2005, at a meeting of the board of directors of Guidant, Guidant’s outside legal advisors reviewed in detail the principal terms of the amended and restated merger agreement as well as the board’s fiduciary duties, both generally and in the specific context of the proposed transaction. Each of JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley separately presented its financial analyses of the merger consideration contemplated by the amended and restated merger agreement and each delivered its oral opinion, subsequently confirmed in writing, to the effect that, as of November 14, 2005 and based upon and subject to the matters described in its respective opinion, the merger consideration contemplated by the amended and restated merger agreement was fair from a financial point of view to the Guidant shareholders. Following extended discussion, the Guidant board approved the amended and restated merger agreement as being in the best interests of Guidant and its shareholders and authorized the execution and delivery of the amended and restated merger agreement.

After the closing of trading on the New York Stock Exchange on November 14, 2005, final terms were agreed between the parties. The finance committee of the Johnson & Johnson board of directors discussed the final terms of the amended and restated merger agreement and authorized the execution and delivery of the amended and restated merger agreement.

On November 14, 2005, the amended and restated merger agreement was executed and on November 15, 2005, the parties issued a joint press release announcing their agreement.

On December 5, 2005, Guidant received a letter from Boston Scientific proposing to acquire Guidant for a combination of $36 in cash and a fixed number of shares of Boston Scientific common stock having a value of $36 on or about the time, should it occur, that a definitive agreement may be signed. Boston

Scientific’s proposal is subject to due diligence, and any transaction would be subject to U.S. and European regulatory approvals and approvals from shareholders of both Guidant and Boston Scientific. Guidant made a public statement on the same day acknowledging receipt of the letter and stating that Guidant’s board of directors would consider the proposal.

Reasons for the Merger and Recommendation of the Guidant Board of Directors

At a special meeting held on November 14, 2005, the Guidant board of directors unanimously determined that the merger is in the best interests of Guidant and its shareholders, adopted the amended and restated merger agreement and recommended that Guidant shareholders vote “FOR” approval of the amended and restated merger agreement.

In reaching its decision to adopt the amended and restated merger agreement and recommend that Guidant shareholders vote to approve the amended and restated merger agreement, the Guidant board of directors considered a number of factors, including the following:


	•	Market Price. The Guidant board of directors considered the value of the merger consideration to be received by Guidant shareholders in the merger, including the fact that Guidant shareholders will receive, for each share of Guidant common stock that they own, merger consideration consisting of $33.25 in cash and 0.493 shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock, which as of the close of business on November 14, 2005, had a value of $63.08 and, as of the close of business on December [ ], 2005, had a value of $[ ]. The Guidant board also considered that, because the exchange ratio for the stock portion of the merger consideration is now fixed and is not subject to a collar, the value of the merger consideration to be received by Guidant shareholders will increase or decrease in proportion to the extent that Johnson & Johnson’s common stock increases or decreases in value.

	•	Form of Merger Consideration. The Guidant board of directors considered that the stock portion of the merger consideration will permit Guidant shareholders to exchange their shares of Guidant common stock for shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock and retain an equity interest in the combined enterprise with the related opportunity to share in its future growth. The Guidant board also reviewed Johnson & Johnson’s current and historical results of operations, the trading prices for its common stock and its future prospects. The board also noted the liquidity that holding shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock would provide to Guidant shareholders who do not wish to continue to hold shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock following the merger.

	•	Business, Condition and Prospects. The Guidant board of directors considered how Guidant’s financial condition, results of operations, business, competitive position, reputation, relationships with regulators, outstanding legal proceedings and investigations and business prospects have changed since the original merger agreement was executed in December 2004, as well as current industry, economic, government regulatory and market conditions and trends. The Guidant board evaluated recent changes in Guidant’s implantable defibrillator implant rates, an indicator of Guidant’s progress in regaining market share, including a decline in such rate in October of 2005 and related uncertainty as to the overall timing and pace of Guidant’s market share recovery. The Guidant board considered management’s belief that fourth quarter 2005 sales and income from continuing operations before income taxes are likely to be lower than the fourth quarter of 2004. The Guidant board of directors also reviewed Guidant’s future prospects if a merger with Johnson & Johnson were not completed under current circumstances and Guidant were to remain independent, including the risks inherent in remaining independent such as, among other things, the possible consequences of potentially protracted litigation with Johnson & Johnson to enforce the original merger agreement, the potential impact of recent developments on Guidant’s business prospects as an independent company and its ability to retain key management and sales personnel.

	•	Terms of the Amended and Restated Merger Agreement. The Guidant board of directors, with the assistance of its legal advisors, reviewed the terms of the amended and restated merger agreement, which is substantially the same as the original merger agreement except as to the pricing terms


		described above, the amount of the termination fees payable under certain circumstances described below, the termination date (which has been extended from February 28, 2006 to March 31, 2006) and the date from which any material adverse change would be measured (September 30, 2005 as compared to September 30, 2004). In addition, the representations and warranties of Guidant are qualified to exclude the effects on Guidant’s business relating to or arising from Guidant’s previously announced product recalls or any related pending or future litigation, governmental investigations or other developments and any information in Guidant’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings prior to the date of the amended and restated merger agreement.

	•	Litigation. The Guidant board of directors considered the assertion made by Johnson & Johnson that it had the right to refuse to complete the merger in accordance with the original merger agreement as a result of the effects of Guidant’s previously announced product recalls and related governmental investigations, lawsuits, claims and other developments on Guidant, that the outcome of the suit filed by Guidant against Johnson & Johnson seeking specific performance of the original merger agreement was not certain and that this litigation could be protracted and could divert management attention and resources away from operating the business.

	•	Strategic Advantages. The Guidant board of directors considered reports from Guidant management and advisors as to the results of their review of Johnson & Johnson’s business. The Guidant board also considered the existing relationships between Guidant and Johnson & Johnson, its assessment of the complementary strengths of each of the companies, the compatibility of the corporate structures and the historical success of Johnson & Johnson in incorporating acquired companies into a decentralized corporate organization. The Guidant board also reviewed information with respect to the prospects of the combined enterprise, including the potential for the combined enterprise to have a stronger competitive position and greater opportunities for growth than Guidant would have operating independently due to:


	•	the ability to combine Johnson & Johnson’s expertise in drug coating technology and the manufacturing of drug-eluting stents with Guidant’s expertise in stent design and stent delivery systems

	•	Guidant gaining access to Johnson & Johnson’s strengths in developing long-term product pipelines, improving clinical outcomes, integrating technologies, securing regulatory approvals and supporting the adoption of new therapies

	•	Johnson & Johnson gaining access to Guidant’s strengths in improving devices brought to market, supplying products to customers and sales and marketing

	•	the potential that the combined resources of Guidant and Johnson & Johnson could increase the likelihood of recovering Guidant’s market share at a faster pace than Guidant could achieve alone and

	•	the potential to apply Guidant’s technology platforms (such as implantable micro-electronic devices and site-specific therapies) to current and future Johnson & Johnson products.


	•	Ability to Accept Superior Proposal Upon Payment of Termination Fee. The Guidant board of directors considered Guidant’s ability to terminate the amended and restated merger agreement prior to its approval by shareholders to enter into an alternative transaction in response to a superior proposal. In this regard, Guidant may not solicit competing offers and would be required to pay a $625 million termination fee in connection with accepting a superior proposal. The termination fee was reduced from $750 million in the original merger agreement.

	•	Regulatory Matters. The Guidant board of directors considered the fact that the European Commission approved the merger on August 25, 2005 and that the Federal Trade Commission conditionally approved the merger on November 2, 2005, making the consummation of the merger possible promptly following the special meeting of Guidant shareholders to approve the amended and restated merger agreement. The Guidant board took account of Johnson & Johnson’s


		agreement to assume certain continuing regulatory risks, including its agreement that, if the merger is not completed solely for antitrust reasons, Johnson & Johnson will: (1) pay a termination fee to Guidant of $300 million and (2) provide Guidant with an option to (i) take a license under certain patents owned by Johnson & Johnson relating to drugs and polymers for use in stents and (ii) arbitrate any issues of validity and infringement relating to such patents under claims Johnson & Johnson may bring against Guidant, in which case Johnson & Johnson’s sole remedy against Guidant for any finding of infringement would be a predetermined royalty. The termination fee was reduced from $700 million in the original merger agreement.

	•	Tax Treatment. The Guidant board noted the expected tax treatment of the merger to Guidant shareholders, including the fact that the merger is not structured as a reorganization for United States federal income tax purposes which would generally allow Guidant shareholders to refrain from recognizing any gain from the receipt of the stock portion of the merger consideration.

	•	Potential Risks. The Guidant board of directors considered a number of potential risks, as well as related mitigating factors, in connection with its evaluation of the merger. These risks include the potential diversion of management resources from operational matters and the opportunity costs associated with the merger prior to the completion or abandonment of the merger. Other risks considered by the Guidant board included:


	•	the possibility that the merger might not be completed as a result of the failure to satisfy closing conditions, which could result in significant distractions of Guidant’s employees and increased expenses from an unsuccessful attempt to complete the merger

	•	under the terms of the amended and restated merger agreement, prior to the completion or abandonment of the merger, Guidant will be required to conduct its business only in the ordinary course consistent with past practice and subject to operational restrictions and

	•	Guidant would be required to pay a $625 million termination fee if the amended and restated merger agreement is terminated under specified circumstances and Guidant later agrees to or consummates a takeover proposal.


	In the judgment of Guidant’s board, however, these potential risks were more than offset by the potential benefits of the merger discussed above.


	•	Opinions of Financial Advisors. The Guidant board of directors considered the presentations delivered by JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley and the written opinions of JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley to the Guidant board of directors to the effect that, as of the date of the opinions and based on and subject to the matters set forth in the respective opinions, the merger consideration to be received by shareholders pursuant to the amended and restated merger agreement was fair, from a financial point of view, to Guidant shareholders. A copy of JPMorgan’s written opinion is attached as Annex 2 to this proxy statement/ prospectus and a copy of Morgan Stanley’s written opinion is attached as Annex 3 to this proxy statement/ prospectus.

	•	Additional Considerations. In the course of its deliberations on the merger, the Guidant board of directors consulted with members of Guidant’s management and Guidant’s legal, financial, accounting and tax advisors on various legal, business and financial matters. Additional factors considered by the Guidant board in determining whether to adopt the amended and restated merger agreement and recommend that Guidant shareholders vote to approve the amended and restated merger agreement included:


	•	the fact that Guidant shareholders will have an opportunity to vote on the merger on the terms provided in the amended and restated merger agreement and

	•	the uncertainty that any alternative transaction would yield a superior value to Guidant’s shareholders.

The above discussion is not intended to be exhaustive, but Guidant believes it addresses the material information and factors considered by the Guidant board of directors in its consideration of the merger, including factors that may support the merger as well as factors that may weigh against it. In view of the variety of factors and the amount of information considered, the Guidant board of directors did not find it practicable to, and did not make specific assessments of, quantify or otherwise assign relative weights to, the specific factors considered in reaching its determination. In addition, the Guidant board of directors did not undertake to make any specific determination as to whether any particular factor, or any aspect of any particular factor, was favorable or unfavorable to its ultimate determination, and individual members of Guidant’s board of directors may have given different weights to different factors.

In considering the recommendation of the Guidant board of directors to approve the amended and restated merger agreement, Guidant shareholders should be aware that certain executive officers and directors of Guidant have certain interests in the merger that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of Guidant shareholders generally. The Guidant board of directors was aware of these interests and considered them when adopting the amended and restated merger agreement and recommending that Guidant shareholders vote to approve the merger agreement. See “— Interests of Guidant Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger”.

Opinions of J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated


	*Opinion of J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.*

Pursuant to an engagement letter dated August 18, 2004, Guidant retained JPMorgan as a financial advisor in connection with the merger. At the meeting of Guidant’s board of directors on November 14, 2005, JPMorgan rendered its oral opinion, subsequently confirmed in writing, to the board of directors that, based upon and subject to the matters set forth in JPMorgan’s opinion, as of that date, the consideration to be received by the holders of Guidant common stock in the merger was fair, from a financial point of view, to those holders. No limitations were imposed by the Guidant board of directors upon JPMorgan with respect to the investigations made or procedures followed by it in rendering its opinions, except that JPMorgan was not authorized to, and did not, solicit any expressions of interest from any other parties with respect to the sale of all or any part of Guidant or any other alternative transaction.

The full text of the written opinion of JPMorgan, dated November 14, 2005, which sets forth the assumptions made, matters considered and limits on the review undertaken by JPMorgan in rendering its opinion, is attached as Annex 2 to this proxy statement/ prospectus and is incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/ prospectus. Guidant shareholders are urged to read the opinion carefully in its entirety. JPMorgan’s written opinion is addressed to the Guidant board of directors, is directed only to the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the consideration to be received by the holders of Guidant common stock in the merger and does not constitute a recommendation to any Guidant shareholder as to how the shareholder should vote at the Guidant special meeting. The summary of the opinion of JPMorgan set forth in this proxy statement/ prospectus is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the opinion.

In arriving at its opinion, JPMorgan, among other things:


	•	reviewed a draft, dated November 12, 2005, of the amended and restated merger agreement

	•	reviewed certain publicly available business and financial information concerning Guidant and Johnson & Johnson and the industries in which they operate, including publicly available financial forecasts relating to Johnson & Johnson that were reviewed and discussed with JPMorgan by the management of Johnson & Johnson (JPMorgan was not provided internal financial information or projections for Johnson & Johnson)

	•	compared the proposed financial terms of the merger with publicly available financial terms of transactions involving companies JPMorgan deemed relevant and the consideration received for those companies


	•	compared the financial and operating performance of Guidant and Johnson & Johnson with publicly available information concerning other companies JPMorgan deemed relevant and reviewed the current and historical market prices of Guidant common stock and Johnson & Johnson common stock and publicly traded securities of those other companies

	•	reviewed certain internal financial analyses and forecasts prepared by the management of Guidant relating to its business and

	•	performed other financial studies and considered other information as JPMorgan deemed appropriate for the purposes of its opinion.

JPMorgan also held discussions with members of the managements of Guidant and Johnson & Johnson with respect to certain aspects of the merger, the past and current business operations of Guidant and Johnson & Johnson, the financial condition and future prospects and operations of Guidant and Johnson & Johnson, the effects of the merger on the financial condition and future prospects of Guidant and Johnson & Johnson and certain other matters that JPMorgan believed necessary or appropriate to its inquiry.

In giving its opinion, JPMorgan relied upon and assumed, without independent verification, the accuracy and completeness of all information that was publicly available or otherwise reviewed by JPMorgan, and JPMorgan has not assumed any responsibility or liability for such information. JPMorgan did not conduct any valuation or appraisal of any assets or liabilities, nor were any valuations or appraisals provided to JPMorgan. In relying on financial analyses and forecasts provided to it by Guidant, JPMorgan assumed that they were reasonably prepared based on assumptions reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments by the management of Guidant as to the expected future results of operations and financial condition of Guidant. With respect to the publicly available financial forecasts and estimates relating to Johnson & Johnson, JPMorgan assumed, with Guidant’s consent and without independent verification or investigation, that the forecasts represent reasonable estimates and judgments as to the future financial performance of Johnson & Johnson. JPMorgan also assumed that the merger will have the tax consequences described in discussions with, and materials furnished to JPMorgan by, representatives of Guidant, that the other transactions contemplated by the amended and restated merger agreement will be consummated as described in the amended and restated merger agreement and that the definitive amended and restated merger agreement will not differ in any material respects from the draft thereof provided to JPMorgan. JPMorgan relied as to all legal matters relevant to the rendering of its opinion upon the advice of counsel. JPMorgan further assumed that all material governmental, regulatory or other consents and approvals necessary for the consummation of the merger will be obtained without any material adverse effect on Guidant, Johnson & Johnson or on the contemplated benefits of the merger.

JPMorgan’s opinion is based on economic, market and other conditions as in effect on, and the information made available to JPMorgan as of, the date of its opinion. Subsequent developments may affect the opinion, and JPMorgan does not have any obligation to update, revise or reaffirm such opinion. JPMorgan’s opinion is limited to the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the consideration to be received by the holders of Guidant common stock in the merger, and JPMorgan has expressed no opinion as to the underlying decision by Guidant to engage in the merger. JPMorgan expressed no opinion as to the price at which Johnson & Johnson common stock will trade at any future time.

JPMorgan was not authorized to and did not solicit any expressions of interest from any other parties with respect to the sale of all or any part of Guidant or any other alternative transaction. Consequently, JPMorgan assumed that the terms of the merger were the most beneficial terms from Guidant’s perspective that could under the circumstances be negotiated among the parties to the merger, and JPMorgan expressed no opinion whether any alternative transaction might produce consideration for Guidant shareholders in an amount in excess of the consideration in the merger.

In accordance with customary investment banking practice, JPMorgan employed generally accepted valuation methods in reaching its opinion. The following is a summary of the material financial analyses utilized by JPMorgan in connection with providing its opinion.

Selected Companies Analysis. Using publicly available information, JPMorgan compared selected financial data of Guidant with similar data for the following selected publicly traded large-cap cardiovascular companies that JPMorgan judged to be similar to Guidant:


	•	Medtronic, Inc.

	•	Boston Scientific Corporation

	•	St. Jude Medical, Inc.

For each comparable company, JPMorgan used estimates of calendar year 2006 and 2007 results published in publicly available equity analyst research reports. For Guidant, JPMorgan used estimates of calendar year 2006 and 2007 results provided by Guidant management. JPMorgan reviewed per share equity values as a multiple of estimated calendar year 2006 and 2007 earnings per share, commonly referred to as EPS. JPMorgan then applied a range of selected multiples of estimated 2006 and 2007 EPS derived from the comparable companies to corresponding financial data of Guidant in order to derive an implied per share equity reference range for Guidant. This analysis indicated an approximate implied per share equity reference range for Guidant of $37.00 to $44.00 based on estimated results for 2006 and $48.00 to $60.00 based on estimated results for 2007.

It should be noted that no company utilized in the analysis above is identical to Guidant.

Selected Transactions Analysis. Using publicly available information, JPMorgan reviewed the following merger and acquisition transactions involving companies in the medical device industry:


Acquiror		Target

• Medtronic, Inc.		• Sofamor Danek Group, Inc.
• Medtronic, Inc.		• Arterial Vascular Engineering, Inc.
• Boston Scientific Corporation		• Schneider Worldwide
• Johnson & Johnson		• DePuy, Inc.
• Johnson & Johnson		• Cordis Corporation
• General Electric Company		• Amersham plc
• Guidant Corporation		• Intermedics Inc.
• Zimmer Holdings, Inc.		• Centerpulse AG

JPMorgan calculated a range of multiples of firm value to the latest 12 month earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, commonly referred to as EBITDA, implied in these transactions. JPMorgan then applied a range of selected multiples for the selected transactions to corresponding data of Guidant in order to derive an implied per share equity reference range for Guidant. This analysis indicated an approximate implied per share equity reference range for Guidant of $43.00 to $56.00.

It should be noted that no company utilized in the analysis above is identical to Guidant and no transaction is identical to the merger.

Discounted Cash Flow Analysis. JPMorgan conducted a discounted cash flow analysis for the purpose of determining the implied fully diluted equity value per share for Guidant’s common stock. In conducting its analysis, JPMorgan considered two projected financial cases each prepared by Guidant management for the fiscal years 2006 through 2015. In the first case, referred to as Management Case 1, Guidant management assumed, among other things, a more rapid recovery in the Guidant CRM franchise. In the second case, referred to as Management Case 2, Guidant management assumed, among other things, a less rapid recovery in the Guidant CRM franchise.

For both scenarios, JPMorgan calculated the unlevered free cash flows that Guidant is expected to generate during fiscal years 2006 through 2015. JPMorgan calculated an implied range of terminal values for Guidant using a range of perpetuity growth rates for free cash flows from 3.50% to 4.50% and a range of discount rates from 9.75% to 10.75%. The unlevered free cash flows and the range of terminal values

were then discounted to present value using a range of discount rates from 9.75% to 10.75%. The present value of the unlevered free cash flows and the range of terminal values were then adjusted for Guidant’s cash and total debt as of October 31, 2005. This analysis indicated an approximate implied per share equity reference range for Guidant of $57.00 to $72.00 in the case of Management Case 1 and an approximate implied per share equity reference range for Guidant of $54.00 to $68.00 in the case of Management Case 2.

Pro Forma Analysis. JPMorgan analyzed the potential pro forma impact of the merger on Johnson & Johnson’s pro forma earnings per share on a GAAP basis and on a cash basis which excludes the estimated impact of the amortization of identifiable intangibles relating to Johnson & Johnson’s acquisition of Guidant. In this analysis, 2006 and 2007 earnings projections for Johnson & Johnson were based on publicly available equity analyst research reports and earnings projections for Guidant were based on publicly available analyst research reports (referred to below as Guidant Analyst Estimates), Management Case 1 and Management Case 2. JPMorgan assumed, among other things, for purposes of this analysis, that the merger would close on December 31, 2005 and that there would be no synergies. JPMorgan was not provided internal financial information or projections for Johnson & Johnson.

Based on this analysis, JPMorgan observed that the merger would result in earnings per share dilution for Johnson & Johnson shareholders on a GAAP basis in 2006 of 7.3%, 7.3% and 5.9%, based on Management Case 1, Management Case 2 and Guidant Analyst Estimates, respectively. According to this analysis, the pre-tax synergies required for the combined entity to realize no earnings dilution in 2006 were $1.239 billion, $1.239 billion and $992 million, based on Management Case 1, Management Case 2 and Guidant Analyst Estimates, respectively. For 2007, JPMorgan observed that the merger would result in earnings per share dilution for Johnson & Johnson shareholders on a GAAP basis of 3.7%, 3.9% and 3.4%, based on Management Case 1, Management Case 2 and Guidant Analyst Estimates, respectively. According to this analysis, the pre-tax synergies required for the combined entity to realize no earnings dilution in 2007 were $675 million, $721 million and $621 million, based on Management Case 1, Management Case 2 and Guidant Analyst Estimates, respectively.

JPMorgan also analyzed the pro forma impact of the merger on Johnson & Johnson’s pro forma earnings per share on a cash basis. Based on this analysis, JPMorgan observed that the merger would result in earnings per share dilution for Johnson & Johnson shareholders in 2006 of 3.3%, 3.3% and 1.9%, based on Management Case 1, Management Case 2 and Guidant Analyst Estimates, respectively. According to this analysis, the pre-tax synergies required for the combined entity to realize no earnings dilution in 2006 were $580 million, $580 million and $333 million, based on Management Case 1, Management Case 2 and Guidant Analyst Estimates, respectively. For 2007, JPMorgan observed that the merger would result in earnings per share dilution for Johnson & Johnson shareholders on a cash basis of 0.1% based on Management Case 1 and 0.3%, based on Management Case 2. Based on Guidant Analyst Estimates, JPMorgan observed that for 2007 the merger would result in earnings per share accretion for Johnson & Johnson shareholders of 0.2%. According to this analysis, the pre-tax synergies required for the combined entity to realize no earnings dilution in 2007 was $17 million based on Management Case 1 and $63 million based on Management Case 2.

Other Factors. In rendering its opinion, JPMorgan also reviewed and considered other factors, including the average price of Johnson & Johnson common stock during the one week, two week, one month, three month, six month and one year periods prior to announcement of the amended and restated merger agreement and the relationship between the average price of Johnson & Johnson common stock during these periods and the consideration to be received by the holders of Guidant common stock in the merger.

The summary set forth above does not purport to be a complete description of the analyses or data utilized by JPMorgan. The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex process and is not necessarily susceptible to partial analysis or summary description. JPMorgan believes that the summary set forth above and its analyses must be considered as a whole and that selecting portions thereof, without considering all of its analyses, could create an incomplete view of the processes underlying its analyses and

opinion. JPMorgan based its analyses on assumptions that it deemed reasonable, including assumptions concerning general business and economic conditions and industry-specific factors. The other principal assumptions upon which JPMorgan based its analyses are set forth above under the description of each analysis. JPMorgan’s analyses are not necessarily indicative of actual values or actual future results that might be achieved, which values may be higher or lower than those indicated. Moreover, JPMorgan’s analyses are not and do not purport to be appraisals or otherwise reflective of the prices at which businesses actually could be bought or sold.

As a part of its investment banking business, JPMorgan and its affiliates are continually engaged in the valuation of businesses and their securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions, investments for passive and control purposes, negotiated underwritings, secondary distributions of listed and unlisted securities, private placements and valuations for estate, corporate and other purposes. JPMorgan was selected to advise Guidant with respect to the merger and deliver an opinion to the Guidant board of directors with respect to the merger on the basis of JPMorgan’s experience and its familiarity with Guidant.

For services rendered in connection with the merger, Guidant has agreed to pay JPMorgan a fee based on the aggregate consideration payable in the merger, which is contingent upon the consummation of the merger. In addition, Guidant has agreed to reimburse JPMorgan for its reasonable expenses incurred in connection with its services, including reasonable fees of outside counsel, and will indemnify JPMorgan against certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under federal securities laws.

In addition, JPMorgan and its affiliates maintain commercial and investment banking and other business relationships with Guidant, Johnson & Johnson and their respective affiliates, for which it receives customary fees. In the ordinary course of their businesses, JPMorgan and its affiliates may actively trade the debt and equity securities of Guidant or Johnson & Johnson for their own accounts or for the accounts of customers and, accordingly, they may at any time hold long or short positions in such securities. In addition, JPMorgan served as sole book-runner and administrative agent for Guidant’s $500 million credit facility that expires in 2009 and Guidant’s $400 million credit facility that expires in 2007.


	*Opinion of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated*

Pursuant to an engagement letter effective October 11, 2004, Guidant retained Morgan Stanley as a financial advisor in connection with the merger. The Guidant board of directors selected Morgan Stanley to act as its financial advisor based on Morgan Stanley’s qualifications, expertise, reputation and its knowledge of the business and affairs of Guidant. At the meeting of the Guidant board of directors on November 14, 2005, Morgan Stanley rendered its oral opinion, subsequently confirmed in writing, that, as of such date and based upon and subject to the considerations set forth in its opinion, the consideration to be received by the holders of shares of Guidant common stock pursuant to the amended and restated merger agreement was fair from a financial point of view to such holders.

The full text of Morgan Stanley’s opinion, dated November 14, 2005, which sets forth, among other things, the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and qualifications and limitations of the review undertaken in rendering its opinion is attached as Annex 3 to this document. The summary of Morgan Stanley’s fairness opinion set forth in this document is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the opinion. Shareholders should read this opinion carefully and in its entirety. Morgan Stanley’s opinion is directed to the Guidant board of directors, addresses only the fairness from a financial point of view of the consideration to be received by holders of Guidant common stock pursuant to the amended and restated merger agreement, and does not address any other aspect of the merger. Morgan Stanley’s opinion does not constitute a recommendation to any shareholders of Guidant as to how such shareholders should vote with respect to the proposed transaction and should not be relied upon by any shareholder as such.

In connection with rendering its opinion, Morgan Stanley, among other things:


	•	reviewed certain publicly available financial statements and other information of Guidant and Johnson & Johnson

	•	reviewed certain internal financial statements and other financial and operating data concerning Guidant prepared by the management of Guidant

	•	reviewed certain financial projections prepared by the management of Guidant

	•	reviewed the pro forma impact of the merger on Johnson & Johnson’s earnings per share

	•	discussed the past and current operations and financial condition and the prospects of Guidant and Johnson & Johnson with senior executives of Guidant and Johnson & Johnson, respectively

	•	discussed the strategic rationale for the merger with senior executives of Guidant

	•	reviewed the reported prices and trading activity for Guidant common stock and Johnson & Johnson common stock

	•	compared the financial performance of Guidant and the prices and trading activity of Guidant common stock with that of certain other comparable publicly-traded companies and their securities

	•	compared the financial performance of Johnson & Johnson and the prices and trading activity of Johnson & Johnson common stock with that of certain other comparable publicly-traded companies and their securities

	•	participated in discussions among representatives of Guidant and Johnson & Johnson and their financial and legal advisors

	•	reviewed a draft of the amended and restated merger agreement dated November 12, 2005, the original merger agreement and certain related documents and

	•	performed such other analyses and considered such other factors as Morgan Stanley deemed appropriate.

In arriving at its opinion, Morgan Stanley assumed and relied upon without independent verification the accuracy and completeness of the information reviewed by it for the purposes of its opinion. With respect to the financial projections, Morgan Stanley assumed that they were reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of the future financial performance of Guidant. With respect to developments related to certain of Guidant’s products, Morgan Stanley has relied without independent investigation on the assessment of Guidant’s senior management as to the effect of any such developments on the operations and financial condition and prospects of Guidant. Morgan Stanley was not provided internal financial information or projections for Johnson & Johnson, and as a result, it relied upon publicly available estimates of equity research analysts who report on Johnson & Johnson. In addition, Morgan Stanley assumed that the merger would be consummated in accordance with the terms set forth in the amended and restated merger agreement with no material modification, waiver, or delay. Morgan Stanley also assumed that, in connection with the execution of the amended and restated merger agreement, Johnson & Johnson and Guidant would execute a settlement agreement with respect to the litigation filed by Guidant against Johnson & Johnson in connection with the original merger agreement. Morgan Stanley is not a legal, regulatory or tax expert and relied on the assessments provided by Guidant’s advisors with respect to such issues. Morgan Stanley did not make any independent valuation or appraisal of the assets or liabilities of Guidant, nor had it been furnished with any such appraisals. Morgan Stanley’s opinion was necessarily based on financial, economic, market and other conditions as in effect on, and the information made available to it as of November 14, 2005.

In arriving at its opinion, Morgan Stanley was not authorized to solicit, and did not solicit, interest from any party with respect to the acquisition of Guidant or any of its assets, nor did it negotiate with any parties. In addition, Morgan Stanley’s opinion is limited to the fairness from a financial point of view of the consideration to be received by the holders of Guidant common stock in the merger and Morgan Stanley expresses no opinion as to the underlying decision by Guidant to engage in the merger or the strategic rationale for the merger. Morgan Stanley provided advice to the Guidant board of directors

during its negotiations with Johnson & Johnson but did not, however, recommend any specific merger consideration or recommend that any specific merger consideration constituted the only appropriate consideration.

The following is a summary of the material financial analyses performed by Morgan Stanley in connection with its oral opinion and the preparation of its written opinion. Some of these summaries include information in tabular format. In order to understand fully the financial analyses used by Morgan Stanley, the tables must be read together with the text of each summary. The tables alone do not constitute a complete description of the analyses.

Morgan Stanley noted certain recent developments concerning Guidant occurring after the execution of the original merger agreement. In particular, Morgan Stanley noted that Guidant’s revenue for its fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2005 was $795.0 million, a decline of 14% from the same period in 2004, and its diluted earnings per share from continuing operations was $0.20, a decline of 60% from the same period in 2004. Morgan Stanley also noted Guidant’s previously announced product recalls and related governmental investigations, lawsuits, claims and other developments. With respect to developments related to certain of Guidant’s products, Morgan Stanley has relied without independent investigation on the assessment of Guidant’s senior management as to the effect of any such developments on the operations and financial condition and prospects of Guidant.

Guidant Historical Share Price Analysis. Morgan Stanley reviewed the price performance and trading volumes of Guidant common stock during various periods ending on November 11, 2005. Morgan Stanley compared an implied merger consideration for a share of Guidant common stock at $63.28 as of November 11, 2005 (calculated as the sum of $33.25 in cash plus a fixed exchange ratio of 0.493 shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock per share of Guidant common stock and a closing market price of Johnson & Johnson common stock of $60.92 on November 11, 2005) relative to the Guidant common stock price over the period referenced above. Morgan Stanley noted that the range of low and high closing prices of Guidant common stock from November 1, 2005 through November 11, 2005 was approximately $57.00 and $60.00. November 1, 2005 was one day prior to the Federal Trade Commission’s conditional approval of the transaction and Johnson & Johnson’s press release stating its belief that it had the right to refuse to complete the merger in accordance with the terms of the original merger agreement. Morgan Stanley also noted that the low and high closing prices of Guidant common stock from October 17, 2005 through November 11, 2005 were approximately $57.00 and $65.00. October 17, 2005 was one day prior to Johnson & Johnson’s third quarter earnings call with analysts and its indication that it was “continuing to consider the alternatives” under the original merger agreement.

Johnson & Johnson Historical Share Price Analysis. Morgan Stanley reviewed the price performance and trading volumes of Johnson & Johnson common stock during various periods ending on November 11, 2005. Morgan Stanley noted that the range of low and high closing prices of Johnson & Johnson common stock during the 52 week period ending on November 11, 2005 was approximately $60.00 and $69.00. Morgan Stanley also noted that the low and high closing prices of Johnson & Johnson common stock during the six month period ending on November 11, 2005 were approximately $61.00 and $68.00. Morgan Stanley also noted that the low and high closing prices of Johnson & Johnson common stock during the three month period ending on November 11, 2005 were approximately $61.00 and $65.00 and that the low and high closing prices of Johnson & Johnson common stock during the one month period ending on November 11, 2005 were approximately $61.00 and $64.00. Morgan Stanley also reviewed the price performance and trading volumes of Johnson & Johnson common stock during various periods ending on

November 11, 2005. The table below presents the absolute share prices of Johnson & Johnson common stock over the period referenced above.


	Johnson & Johnson
Period Ending on November 11, 2005	Common Stock Price

5-Year High	$	69.40
5-Year Low	$	41.63
5-Year Average	$	56.25
3-Year Average	$	57.52
1-Year Average	$	64.76
6-Month Average	$	64.34

In addition, Morgan Stanley compared the trading performance of Johnson & Johnson to the performance of other comparable publicly traded corporations and the S&P 500 Index. The table below presents the percentage change from November 13, 2000 through November 11, 2005 for Johnson & Johnson and a group of selected pharmaceutical companies and the S&P 500 Index.


	Relative 5 Year
Company/ Market Index	Price Change

Johnson & Johnson		31	%
S&P 500 Index		-9	%
Peer Index(1)		-22	%


(1)	Peer Index included Abbott Laboratories, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, GlaxoSmithKline plc, Novartis AG, Pfizer Inc. and Wyeth.

Morgan Stanley also reviewed the price performance of Johnson & Johnson common stock during various periods ending on November 11, 2005, and the implied merger consideration during those periods. The table below presents the absolute share price of Johnson & Johnson common stock over the period referenced above, and the implied price for each share of Guidant common stock based on the merger consideration.


			Implied Guidant
			Common Stock
			Price Based on
	Johnson & Johnson		Merger
Period Ending on November 11, 2005	Common Stock Price		Consideration(1)

November 11, 2005	$	60.92	$	63.28
November 1, 2005(2)	$	61.90	$	63.77
October 17, 2005(3)	$	63.00	$	64.31
1-Week Average	$	61.11	$	63.38
2-Week Average	$	61.35	$	63.49
1-Month Average	$	62.45	$	64.04
3-Month Average	$	63.07	$	64.34
6-Month Average	$	64.34	$	64.97
1-Year Average	$	64.76	$	65.17
Average Since
December 15, 2004(4)	$	65.14	$	65.36
52-Week High	$	69.40	$	67.46
52-Week Low	$	60.20	$	62.93


(1)	$33.25 in cash plus a fixed exchange ratio of 0.493 shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock per each share of Guidant common stock.

(2)	Day prior to the Federal Trade Commission’s conditional approval of the transaction and Johnson & Johnson’s press release stating its belief that it had the right to refuse to complete the merger in accordance with the terms of the original merger agreement.


(3)	Day prior to Johnson & Johnson’s third quarter earnings call with analysts and its indication that it was “continuing to consider the alternatives” under the original merger agreement.

(4)	Date of first announcement that Johnson & Johnson and Guidant had signed the original merger agreement.

Guidant Comparable Company Analysis. Morgan Stanley reviewed and analyzed certain public market trading multiples for public companies similar to Guidant from a size and business mix perspective. The multiples analyzed for these comparable companies included, among others, the per share price divided by 2006 and 2007 estimated earnings per share. The earnings per share estimates for Guidant were based on two projected financial cases each prepared by Guidant management for the fiscal years 2006 through 2015. In the first case, referred to as Management Case 1, management assumed, among other things, a more rapid recovery in the Guidant CRM franchise. In the second case, referred to as Management Case 2, management assumed, among other things, a less rapid recovery in the Guidant CRM franchise. For the other publicly traded corporations, the earnings per share estimates were based on I/B/E/S consensus estimates (I/B/E/S refers to the database provided by I/B/E/S International Inc. of equity research analysts’ estimates of future earnings of publicly traded companies). Morgan Stanley calculated these financial multiples and ratios based on publicly available financial data as of November 11, 2005. For purposes of this analysis, Morgan Stanley identified the following three publicly traded corporations:


	•	Boston Scientific Corporation

	•	Medtronic, Inc.

	•	St. Jude Medical, Inc.

A summary of the reference range of market trading multiples and those multiples calculated for Guidant are set forth below:

Implied Guidant

Metric at $63.28 Per

Reference Range of

Share Based on

Metric

Multiples

Management Case 1(1)

Management Case 2(1)

Price/ 2006 Earnings

13.6x - 28.9x

34.3x

Price/ 2007 Earnings

12.2x - 24.8x

22.2x

23.0x


(1)	$63.28 based on a merger consideration of $33.25 in cash plus a fixed exchange ratio of 0.493 shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock per each share of Guidant common stock and a closing market price of Johnson & Johnson common stock of $60.92 on November 11, 2005.

Morgan Stanley calculated an implied valuation range for Guidant by applying multiple ranges to the applicable Guidant earnings per share statistics based on information provided by management and other publicly available data. Based upon and subject to the foregoing, Morgan Stanley calculated an implied valuation range for Guidant common stock of $47.00 to $57.00 per share based on median 2006 earnings per share estimates for Guidant by equity research analysts that released updated estimates after Guidant announced financial results for its fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2005 on November 7, 2005 (“research consensus estimates”), and using a price divided by estimated 2006 earnings multiple range of 20x to 24x. Morgan Stanley also calculated an implied valuation range for Guidant common stock of $37.00 to $44.00 per share based on the 2006 estimates from Management Case 1 and Management Case 2, and using the same price divided by estimated 2006 earnings multiple range of 20x to 24x. Morgan Stanley also calculated an implied valuation range for Guidant common stock of $50.00 to $62.00 per share based on the median 2007 research consensus estimate, using a price divided by estimated 2007 earnings multiple range of 17x to 21x. Morgan Stanley also calculated an implied valuation range for Guidant common stock of $48.00 to $60.00 per share based on Management Case 1 2007 earnings and $47.00 to $58.00 based on Management Case 2 2007 earnings, using the same price divided by estimated 2007 earnings multiple range of 17x to 21x. Morgan Stanley noted that the per share implied merger consideration for Guidant common stock was $63.28 per share as of November 11, 2005.

Although the foregoing companies were compared to Guidant for purposes of this analysis, Morgan Stanley noted that no company utilized in this analysis is identical to Guidant because of differences between the business mix, regulatory environment, operations and other characteristics of Guidant and the comparable companies. In evaluating the comparable companies, Morgan Stanley made judgments and assumptions with regard to industry performance, general business, economic, regulatory, market and financial conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond the control of Guidant, such as the impact of competition on the business of Guidant and on the industry generally, industry growth and the absence of any material adverse change in the financial condition and prospects of Guidant or the industry or in the markets generally. Mathematical analysis (such as determining the average or median) is not in itself a meaningful method of using comparable company data.

Johnson & Johnson Comparable Company Analysis. Morgan Stanley reviewed and analyzed certain public market trading multiples for public companies similar to Johnson & Johnson from a size and business mix perspective. The multiples analyzed for these comparable companies included the per share price divided by 2006 and 2007 estimated earnings per share, and the per share price divided by 2006 estimated earnings per share divided by the long term earnings per share growth rate. The earnings per share estimates and long term earnings per share growth rates were based on I/B/E/S consensus estimates. Morgan Stanley calculated these financial multiples and ratios based on publicly available financial data as of November 11, 2005. For purposes of this analysis, Morgan Stanley identified the following four publicly traded corporations:


	•	Abbott Laboratories

	•	Eli Lilly and Company

	•	Pfizer Inc.

	•	Wyeth

A summary of the reference range of market trading multiples and those multiples calculated for Johnson & Johnson are set forth below:


	Reference Range		Implied Johnson &
Metric	of Multiples		Johnson Metric

Price/ 2006 Earnings		10.9x - 16.4x		16.0x
Price/ 2007 Earnings		10.1x - 15.1x		14.7x
Price/ 2006 Earnings / Long Term Earnings Growth Rate		1.5x - 2.0x		1.5x

Morgan Stanley calculated an implied valuation range for Johnson & Johnson by applying multiple ranges to the applicable Johnson & Johnson operating statistics based upon publicly available data. Based upon and subject to the foregoing, Morgan Stanley calculated an implied valuation range for Johnson & Johnson common stock of $53.00 to $65.00 per share based on I/B/E/S 2006 consensus earnings estimates using a price divided by estimated 2006 earnings multiple range of 14x to 17x. Morgan Stanley also calculated an implied valuation range for Johnson & Johnson common stock of $54.00 to $66.00 per share based on I/B/E/S 2007 consensus earnings estimates using a price divided by estimated 2007 earnings multiple range of 13x to 16x. Morgan Stanley noted that the price per share of Johnson & Johnson common stock was $60.92 as of November 11, 2005.

Although the foregoing companies were compared to Johnson & Johnson for purposes of this analysis, Morgan Stanley noted that no company utilized in this analysis is identical to Johnson & Johnson because of differences between the business mix, regulatory environment, operations and other characteristics of Johnson & Johnson and the comparable companies. In evaluating the comparable companies, Morgan Stanley made judgments and assumptions with regard to industry performance, general business, economic, regulatory, market and financial conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond the control of Johnson & Johnson, such as the impact of competition on the business of Johnson & Johnson and on the industry generally, industry growth and the absence of any adverse material change in the financial

condition and prospects of Johnson & Johnson or the industry or in the markets generally. Mathematical analysis (such as determining the average or median) is not in itself a meaningful method of using comparable company data.

Discounted Analyst Price Targets. Morgan Stanley reviewed published estimates for Guidant by equity research analysts from November 7, 2005 and November 8, 2005. Morgan Stanley discounted the analyst price targets to November 11, 2005 at Guidant’s estimated cost of equity capital of approximately 10%, based on the capital asset pricing model, a theoretical financial model that is designed to estimate the cost of equity capital of a particular company based on such company’s “Beta”. A company’s Beta is a metric designed to represent the systemic business risk and financial risk of such company versus the overall market. Equity research analyst price targets yielded an implied valuation of Guidant common stock of $45.00 to $62.00. Morgan Stanley noted that the per share implied merger consideration for Guidant common stock was $63.28 per share as of November 11, 2005.

Morgan Stanley also reviewed published estimates for Johnson & Johnson by equity research analysts from October 26, 2005 to November 4, 2005. Morgan Stanley discounted the analyst price targets to November 11, 2005 at Johnson & Johnson’s estimated cost of equity capital of approximately 10%, based on the capital asset pricing model (as discussed above). Analyst price targets yielded an implied valuation of Johnson & Johnson’s common stock of $68.00 to $73.00. Morgan Stanley noted that the price per share of Johnson & Johnson common stock was $60.92 as of November 11, 2005.

Guidant Sum of the Parts Analysis. Morgan Stanley performed an analysis, calculated as of December 31, 2005, of the implied present value per share of Guidant common stock based on Guidant’s projected future equity value using a sum of the parts analysis for Guidant and based on Management Case 1 and Management Case 2. To calculate Guidant’s projected future equity value as of December 31, 2007, Morgan Stanley analyzed Guidant’s drug-eluting stent business and Guidant’s other businesses separately. To calculate the projected future equity value of Guidant’s drug-eluting stent business as of December 31, 2007, Morgan Stanley performed a discounted cash flow analysis of the estimated after-tax unlevered free cash flow for fiscal years 2008-2015. Morgan Stanley estimated a range of terminal values calculated in 2015 based on a range of terminal growth rates of 3.5% to 4.5%. Morgan Stanley discounted the unlevered free cash flow streams and the estimated terminal value to an implied equity value as of December 31, 2007 at a range of discount rates from 9.5% to 10.5%. The discount rates utilized were chosen based upon an analysis of the weighted average cost of capital of Guidant and other comparable companies. To calculate the projected future equity value of Guidant’s other businesses as of December 31, 2007, Morgan Stanley multiplied Guidant’s 2008 earnings estimate excluding the drug-eluting stent contribution by the next calendar year multiple range of 20x to 24x. To calculate the implied present value per share of Guidant common stock, Morgan Stanley discounted the sum of the projected future equity values of Guidant’s drug-eluting stent and other businesses as of December 31, 2007 to a present value at a discount rate of 10.0%, which reflected the estimated cost of equity capital of Guidant. Based on Management Case 1 projections and assumptions, the sum of the parts analysis of Guidant yielded an implied valuation range of $60.00 to $72.00 per share. Based on Management Case 2 projections and assumptions, the sum of the parts analysis of Guidant yielded an implied valuation range of $55.00 to $67.00 per share. Morgan Stanley noted that the per share implied merger consideration for Guidant common stock was $63.28 per share as of November 11, 2005.

Guidant Discounted Cash Flow Analysis. Morgan Stanley performed a 10-year discounted cash flow analysis for Guidant, calculated as of December 31, 2005, of the estimated after-tax unlevered free cash flows for fiscal years 2006 through 2015, based on Management Case 1 and Management Case 2. Morgan Stanley estimated a range of terminal values calculated in 2015 based on a range of terminal growth rates of 3.5% to 4.5%. Morgan Stanley discounted the unlevered free cash flow streams and the estimated terminal value to a present value at a range of discount rates from 9.5% to 10.5%. The discount rates utilized in this analysis were chosen based upon an analysis of the weighted average cost of capital of Guidant and other comparable companies. Based on the Management Case 1 projections and assumptions, the discounted cash flow analysis of Guidant yielded an implied valuation range of Guidant common stock of $59.00 to $75.00 per share. Based on the Management Case 2 projections and assumptions, the

discounted cash flow analysis of Guidant yielded an implied valuation range of Guidant common stock of $55.00 to $70.00 per share. Morgan Stanley noted that the per share merger consideration for Guidant common stock was $63.28 per share as of November 11, 2005.

Pro Forma Analysis. Morgan Stanley analyzed the pro forma impact of the merger on Johnson & Johnson’s pro forma earnings per share. Such analysis considered 2006 and 2007 earnings projections for both Guidant and Johnson & Johnson. Guidant’s earnings projections were based on Management Case 1, provided by Guidant management, and Johnson & Johnson’s earnings projections were based on I/B/E/S earnings estimates. Morgan Stanley was not provided internal financial information or projections for Johnson & Johnson. Based on this analysis, Morgan Stanley observed that the merger would result in earnings per share dilution for Johnson & Johnson shareholders on a GAAP basis in 2006 of 7.3%, before taking into account any one-time charges or synergies. According to this analysis, the pre-tax synergies required for the combined entity to realize no earnings dilution in 2006 was $1,239 million. Including pretax synergies of $500 million in 2006, the merger would result in earnings per share dilution for Johnson & Johnson shareholders of 4.4%. For 2007, Morgan Stanley observed that the merger would result in earnings per share dilution for Johnson & Johnson shareholders of 3.7%, before taking into account any one-time charges or synergies. According to this analysis, the pre-tax synergies required for the combined entity to realize no earnings dilution in 2007 was $675 million. Including pretax synergies of $500 million in 2007, the merger would result in earnings per share dilution for Johnson & Johnson shareholders of 1.0%.

Morgan Stanley also analyzed the pro forma impact of the merger on Johnson & Johnson’s pro forma earnings per share excluding the estimated impact of the amortization of identifiable intangibles relating to Johnson & Johnson’s acquisition of Guidant. Based on this analysis, Morgan Stanley observed that the merger would result in earnings per share dilution for Johnson & Johnson shareholders in 2006 of 3.3%, before taking into account any one-time charges or synergies. According to this analysis, the pre-tax synergies required for the combined entity to realize no earnings dilution in 2006 was $580 million. Including pretax synergies of $500 million in 2006, the merger would result in earnings per share dilution for Johnson & Johnson shareholders of 0.5%. For 2007, Morgan Stanley observed that the merger would result in earnings per share dilution for Johnson & Johnson shareholders of 0.1%, before taking into account any one-time charges or synergies. According to this analysis, the pre-tax synergies required for the combined entity to realize no earnings dilution in 2007 was $17 million. Including pretax synergies of $500 million in 2007, the merger would result in earnings per share accretion for Johnson & Johnson shareholders of 2.5%.

Morgan Stanley performed a variety of financial and comparable analyses for purposes of rendering its opinion. The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex process and is not susceptible to partial analysis or summary description. In arriving at its opinion, Morgan Stanley considered the results of all of its analyses as a whole and did not attribute any particular weight to any analysis or factor considered. Furthermore, Morgan Stanley believes that the summary provided and the analyses described above must be considered as a whole and that selecting any portion of the analyses, without considering all of them, would create an incomplete view of the process underlying Morgan Stanley’s analysis and opinion. As a result, the ranges of valuations resulting from any particular analysis or combination of analyses described above should not be taken to be the view of Morgan Stanley with respect to the actual value of Guidant or Johnson & Johnson or their respective common stock.

In performing its analyses, Morgan Stanley made numerous assumptions with respect to the industry performance, general business, regulatory and economic conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond the control of Morgan Stanley, Guidant or Johnson & Johnson. Any estimates contained in the analysis of Morgan Stanley are not necessarily indicative of future results or actual values, which may be significantly more or less favorable than those suggested by such estimates. The analyses performed were prepared solely as part of the analyses of Morgan Stanley of the fairness of the merger consideration to be received by holders of shares of Guidant common stock pursuant to the amended and restated merger agreement from a financial point of view, and were prepared in connection with the delivery by Morgan

Stanley of its oral opinion on November 14, 2005 to the Guidant board of directors, subsequently confirmed in writing as of the same date.

The opinion of Morgan Stanley was one of the many factors taken into consideration by the Guidant board of directors in making its determination to approve the proposed transaction. The foregoing summary describes the material analyses performed by Morgan Stanley but does not purport to be a complete description of the analyses performed by Morgan Stanley.

Morgan Stanley is an internationally recognized investment banking and advisory firm. Morgan Stanley, as part of its investment banking business, is continuously engaged in the valuation of businesses and their securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions, negotiated underwritings, competitive biddings, secondary distributions of listed and unlisted securities, private placements and valuations for corporate, estate and other purposes. In the ordinary course of its business, Morgan Stanley and its affiliates may from time to time trade in the securities or the indebtedness of Guidant, Johnson & Johnson and their affiliates for its own account, the accounts of investment funds and other clients under the management of Morgan Stanley and for the accounts of its customers and accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in such securities or indebtedness for any such account. In the past, Morgan Stanley and its affiliates have provided financial advisory and financing services for Guidant and have received fees for the rendering of these services. In addition, Morgan Stanley is a participant in a $500 million credit facility for Guidant that expires in 2009.

Guidant has agreed to pay Morgan Stanley customary fees in connection with the merger, a significant portion of which is contingent upon the consummation of the merger. Guidant has also agreed to reimburse Morgan Stanley for its fees and expenses incurred in performing its services. In addition, Guidant has agreed to indemnify Morgan Stanley and its affiliates, their respective directors, officers, agents and employees and each person, if any, controlling Morgan Stanley or any of its affiliates against certain liabilities and expenses, including certain liabilities under the federal securities laws, related to or arising out of Morgan Stanley’s engagement and any related transactions.

Interests of Guidant Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger

In considering the recommendation of the Guidant board of directors with respect to the merger, Guidant shareholders should be aware that certain executive officers and directors of Guidant have certain interests in the merger that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of Guidant shareholders generally. The Guidant board of directors was aware of the interests described below and considered them, among other matters, when adopting the amended and restated merger agreement and recommending that Guidant shareholders vote to approve the amended and restated merger agreement. These interests are summarized below.

Stock Options and Other Stock-Based Awards. Under the stock option plans adopted by vote of Guidant shareholders in 1994, 1996 and 1998, respectively, all outstanding options to purchase Guidant common stock issued under the option plans prior to the date of the original merger agreement, including those held by executive officers and directors, became fully exercisable upon receipt of shareholder approval of the original merger agreement. Based upon options outstanding as of April 27, 2005, the date of the first special meeting of Guidant shareholders, options held by Guidant’s executive officers and directors relating to 794,175 shares of Guidant common stock vested upon receipt of shareholder approval of the original merger agreement. In addition, all restrictions imposed on restricted stock grants granted under the option plans prior to the date of the original merger agreement, including those held by Guidant executive officers and directors, immediately lapsed upon receipt of shareholder approval of the original merger agreement. Based upon grants outstanding as of April 27, 2005, restricted stock grants held by Guidant’s executive officers and directors relating to 515,250 shares of Guidant common stock had their restrictions lapse upon receipt of the shareholder approval of the original merger agreement. Please see the table below for further details relating to options and grants of restricted stock held by Guidant’s executives and directors that were subject to accelerated vesting or lapsing of restrictions.

The following table sets forth, as of April 27, 2005, the number of shares subject to options that vested upon receipt of shareholder approval of the original merger agreement held by Guidant’s executives and directors and the weighted average exercise prices of those options and the number of shares subject to grants of restricted stock held by Guidant’s executives and directors that had their restrictions lapse upon receipt of shareholder approval of the original merger agreement:


						Number of Shares Subject
						to Grants of Restricted
		Number of Shares Subject		Weighted Average Exercise		Stock that had their
Name		to Options that Vested		Price per Share($)		Restrictions Lapse


James M. Cornelius			24,000		59.01		0
	Director,
	then non-executive Chairman*
Maurice A. Cox			10,000		59.01		0
	Director
Nancy-Ann DeParle			10,000		59.01		0
	Director
Enrique C. Falla			10,000		59.01		0
	Director
Michael Grobstein			10,000		59.01		0
	Director
Kristina M. Johnson			10,000		59.01		0
	Director
J.B. King			10,000		59.01		0
	Director
J. Kevin Moore			10,000		59.01		0
	Director
Mark Novitch			10,000		59.01		0
	Director
Jack A. Shaw			10,000		59.01		0
	Director
Eugene L. Step			10,000		59.01		0
	Director
Ruedi E. Wager			10,000		59.01		0
	Director
August M. Watanabe			10,000		59.01		0
	Director
Ronald W. Dollens**			109,350		63.11		84,700
	former Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
Keith E. Brauer			22,000		63.11		46,700
	Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer
R. Frederick McCoy, Jr.			22,000		63.11		50,900
	President, Cardiac Rhythm Management


*	Effective November 15, 2005, Mr. Cornelius was appointed Chairman and Interim Chief Executive Officer.


**	Mr. Dollens retired effective November 15, 2005.

Number of Shares Subject

to Grants of Restricted

Number of Shares Subject

Weighted Average Exercise

Stock that had their

Name

to Options that Vested

Price per Share($)

Restrictions Lapse

Dana G. Mead, Jr.***

22,000

63.11

50,900

former President, Vascular Intervention

Guido J. Neels****

45,650

63.11

61,800

former Chief Operating Officer

Other Guidant Executive

Officers (12 People)

429,175

46.93

220,250


***	Mr. Mead served until May 12, 2005.


****	Mr. Neels retired as Chief Operating Officer effective November 30, 2005 and is serving as special advisor to the Chairman until December 31, 2005.

Under the terms of the amended and restated merger agreement, all outstanding options to purchase Guidant common stock existing at the time of the completion of the merger, including those held by executive officers and directors, will be assumed by Johnson & Johnson and will become options to purchase Johnson & Johnson common stock with appropriate adjustments to be made to the number of shares and the exercise price under such options based on the value of the merger consideration at the time of the completion of the merger. For a more complete description of the treatment of Guidant stock options, see “— Effect on Awards Outstanding Under Guidant Stock Incentive Plans”.

Under the terms of the amended and restated merger agreement, each former restricted share will be converted into (i) $33.25 in cash and (ii) 0.493 unrestricted shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock.

Change in Control Plan. Each of Guidant’s executive officers (other than Mr. Cornelius) is a participant in Guidant’s Change In Control Severance Pay Plan for Select Employees, referred to in this proxy statement/ prospectus as the “change in control plan”.

Under the change in control plan, upon a “change in control” of Guidant, an executive officer is entitled to severance payments and other benefits (as summarized below) if the executive officer’s employment is terminated within two years following a change in control by the Company without “cause” or by the employee for “good reason” (each as defined in the change in control plan), or if the executive officer’s employment is terminated by the executive officer for any reason within the 30-day period beginning on the one year anniversary of a change in control (other than a change in control resulting from Guidant’s entering into a definitive agreement or Guidant’s board adopting a resolution relating to a change in control, each as further described below). Within 15 days of the eligible termination, Guidant must pay the executive officer a single lump-sum cash payment equal to three times the sum of the executive officer’s annual base salary at the time of termination (or, if greater, at the time of the change in control) and the greater of the executive officer’s target incentive bonus for the year of the termination or the incentive bonus earned for the year immediately prior to the change in control.

Under the change in control plan, in general a “change in control” of Guidant occurs upon the following events:


	•	the acquisition by any person, directly or indirectly, of 20% of more of Guidant’s voting shares

	•	shareholder approval of certain business transactions, including transactions such as the merger

	•	Guidant’s entering into a definitive agreement which, if consummated, would result in a change in control and

	•	the Guidant board of directors adopting a resolution to the effect that a change in control has occurred.

Guidant’s entering into the original merger agreement and the amended and restated merger agreement each constituted a change in control under the change in control plan. Shareholder approval of the original merger agreement constituted and shareholder approval of the amended and restated merger agreement as well as the completion of the merger will each constitute a change in control for purposes of

establishing the 30-day period commencing on the one year anniversary of a change in control during which an executive officer may terminate his or her employment for any reason and be entitled to severance payments (as described above).

If an executive officer’s employment terminates and he or she is entitled to receive severance payments under the change in control plan, the executive officer would also receive:


	•	continued welfare benefits at Guidant’s sole expense for three years following the date of termination at the level for which the executive officer was eligible at the time of the termination of employment or immediately prior to the change in control, whichever provides coverage more favorable to the executive officer

	•	three years of additional age and service credit for pension purposes and the crediting of severance benefits as pensionable earnings pro-rata over the three-year severance period

	•	to the extent not already vested and exercisable, immediate acceleration of any stock options or other stock-based awards

	•	payment of any accrued bonus (or, if greater, the pro-rata target bonus for the year of the termination) and any deferred compensation (unless the obligation to pay such amounts is subject to payment under a grantor (i.e., “rabbi”) trust)

	•	outplacement services and, if applicable, relocation expenses and

	•	a gross-up for any “golden parachute” excise tax that may be payable by the executive under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, and any income and employment withholding taxes on the gross-up payment, with respect to the severance payments and other benefits due to the executive officer (whether under the change in control plan or otherwise).

Ronald W. Dollens, former President and Chief Executive Officer of Guidant, has informed Guidant that he has agreed to waive any severance payments and other benefits he would be entitled to in connection with the merger under the change in control plan. The terms of James M. Cornelius’ appointment as Chairman and interim Chief Executive Officer of Guidant provide that he shall not be entitled to any severance payments or any other benefits in connection with the merger under the change in control plan.

Change in Control Letter Agreements. In connection with the execution of the original merger agreement, Johnson & Johnson and Guidant entered into letter agreements with six Guidant executive officers, including R. Frederick McCoy, Jr., that modify each such executive officer’s rights and obligations under the change in control plan.

The letter agreements modify the change in control plan definitions as follows: (i) the definition of “change in control” was amended to exclude from the definition the execution of a definitive agreement which, if consummated, would result in a change in control, and to exclude from the definition the adoption by Guidant’s board of directors of a resolution to the effect that a change in control has occurred, and the definition is further modified to provide that a change in control will occur upon consummation of certain business transactions, including transactions such as the merger, rather than upon shareholder approval of such transactions; (ii) the definition of “covered termination” was modified to eliminate the executive officer’s ability to receive change in control plan benefits upon a voluntary termination of employment for any reason (i.e., without “good reason”) during the 30-day period beginning on the first anniversary of the merger; (iii) the definition of “good reason” was modified generally to limit the circumstances that will constitute good reason for termination of employment; and (iv) the definition of “cause” was modified generally to expand the circumstances that constitute cause for termination of employment.

Under the terms of each of the letter agreements, if the executive officer remains in continuous employment with Guidant through the expiration of the two-year period immediately following consummation of the merger (for purposes of this paragraph, the “second anniversary”), he will receive a bonus in an amount equal to 50% of the cash severance payment that otherwise would have been payable in accordance with the terms of the change in control plan had a covered termination of employment

occurred immediately following consummation of the merger (for purposes of this section, the “first retention bonus”). If the executive officer remains in continuous employment with Guidant following the second anniversary through the expiration of the three-year period immediately following consummation of the merger (for purposes of this paragraph, the “third anniversary”), he will receive an additional bonus in an amount equal to the first retention bonus (for purposes of this section, the “second retention bonus”). In addition, if during the period commencing immediately following the second anniversary and ending on the third anniversary, the executive officer is involuntarily terminated by Guidant other than for cause (as such term is defined in the change in control plan, as modified by the letter agreement), the executive officer will be entitled to receive the second retention bonus following termination, plus the non-cash benefits that would have been otherwise payable pursuant to the change in control plan had such termination occurred during the two-year period immediately following consummation of the merger. Payment of the first and second retention bonuses is contingent upon execution of a general waiver and release of claims.

The letter agreements do not alter the provisions of the change in control plan that provide benefits upon a covered termination of employment (taking into account the modifications as set forth in the letter agreements of certain definitions under the change in control plan as described above) before the second anniversary of the merger. The letter agreements also provide that, if payment of the first or second retention bonus results in the imposition of an excise tax under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the provisions of the change in control plan providing for additional payments in respect of such taxes will apply.

Pursuant to the letter agreements, Guidant also agrees prior to completion of the merger not to terminate the executive officers other than for cause (as such term is defined in the change in control plan and as modified by the letter agreements), except if such termination is effectuated prior to consummation of the merger in connection with a specified divestiture of assets. In addition, individuals who are parties to the letter agreements are not permitted to terminate their employment for good reason (as such term is defined in the change in control plan and as modified by the letter agreements) during the period prior to consummation of the merger.

The following chart sets forth, for each of Guidant’s executive officers, the estimated value of the cash severance pay and other benefits due the executive officer (based on levels of pay and other circumstances as of December 1, 2005), excluding the amount of any excise tax gross-up and the value of any stock options and other stock based awards that vested or for which restrictions lapsed (See “— Stock Options and Other Stock-Based Awards”), if applicable, if the executive officer terminated employment in a “covered termination” under the change in control plan (as modified, if applicable, by the letter agreements described above):


Name		Payment and Benefit Amounts ($)

James M. Cornelius			*
	Chairman and interim Chief Executive Officer
Ronald W. Dollens			**
	former Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
Keith E. Brauer			2,675,795
	Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer
R. Frederick McCoy, Jr.			2,313,837
	President, Cardiac Rhythm Management
Dana G. Mead, Jr.			***
	former President, Vascular Intervention


Name		Payment and Benefit Amounts ($)

Guido J. Neels			4,048,656
	former Chief Operating Officer
Other Guidant Executive Officers (11 People)			17,245,297


*	The terms of Mr. Cornelius’ appointment as Chairman and interim Chief Executive Officer of Guidant provide that he shall not be entitled to any severance payments or any other benefits in connection with the merger under the change in control plan.


**	Mr. Dollens has informed Guidant that he has agreed to waive any severance payments and other benefits to which he would be entitled in connection with the merger under the change in control plan.


***	Mr. Mead no longer serves as an executive officer and is not entitled to any severance payments or other benefits to which he would have been entitled in connection with the merger under the change in control plan.

The aggregate value of the first and second retention bonuses (based on levels of pay as of December 1, 2005) that would be payable to the Guidant executive officers subject to the letter agreements described above would be approximately $7,892,460, including $1,868,304 to Mr. McCoy, assuming all the executive officers were to become eligible for such payments and assuming further that no excise tax gross-up is payable.

Resignation of Ronald W. Dollens as Director, President and Chief Executive Officer and Appointment of James M. Cornelius as Chairman and interim Chief Executive Officer. Effective November 15, 2005, Ronald W. Dollens retired as Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of Guidant and James M. Cornelius, who previously served as non-executive Chairman of the Guidant board of directors, was appointed Chairman and interim Chief Executive Officer of Guidant. Pursuant to the terms of his appointment, Mr. Cornelius will receive an annual salary of $900,000 and a bonus of $1.5 million payable upon the completion of the merger.

Indemnification and Insurance. The amended and restated merger agreement provides that all rights to indemnification and exculpation from liabilities for acts or omissions occurring at or prior to the effective time of the merger existing in favor of current or former directors or officers of Guidant under the Guidant amended articles of incorporation, by-laws or indemnification agreements will be assumed by the surviving corporation in the merger and will continue in full force and effect in accordance with their terms following completion of the merger.

The amended and restated merger agreement also provides that for six years after the effective time of the merger, Johnson & Johnson will maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance for acts or omissions occurring at or prior to the effective time of the merger, covering each person who was, as of the date of the amended and restated merger agreement, covered by Guidant’s directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, on terms no less favorable than those in effect as of the date of the original merger agreement.

Form of the Merger

Subject to the terms and conditions of the amended and restated merger agreement and in accordance with Indiana law, at the effective time of the merger, Shelby Merger Sub, a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson and a party to the amended and restated merger agreement, will merge with and into Guidant. Guidant will survive the merger as a wholly owned Indiana subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson.

Merger Consideration

Guidant common stock is now fixed. Accordingly, shareholders of Guidant may receive more or less value depending on fluctuations in the price of Johnson & Johnson common stock.

Holders of Guidant common stock will receive cash for any fractional shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock they otherwise would have received in the merger. Each Guidant shareholder who would otherwise have been entitled to receive a fraction of a share of Johnson & Johnson common stock will receive cash in an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying (1) the fractional share interest to which such holder would otherwise be entitled by (2) the closing price for a share of Johnson & Johnson common stock on the closing date of the merger as reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Transactions Tape.

The amended and restated merger agreement provides that, if between the date of the original merger agreement and the effective time of the merger:


	•	the outstanding shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock are changed into a different number of shares or a different class, by reason of the occurrence or record date of any stock dividend, subdivision, reclassification, recapitalization, split, combination, exchange of shares or similar transaction

	•	Johnson & Johnson declares or pays cash dividends in any fiscal quarter in excess of 200% or the amount of regular quarterly dividends paid by Johnson & Johnson prior to the date of the new agreement or

	•	Johnson & Johnson engages in any spin off or split off

then, in any such case, the exchange ratio will be appropriately adjusted to reflect such action.

Ownership of Johnson & Johnson Following the Merger

Conversion of Shares; Procedures for Exchange of Certificates; Fractional Shares

The conversion of Guidant common stock into the right to the merger consideration will occur automatically at the effective time of the merger. As soon as reasonably practicable after the completion of the merger, EquiServe Trust Company, the exchange agent and paying agent, will send a letter of transmittal to each former holder of record of shares of Guidant common stock. The transmittal letter will contain instructions for obtaining the merger consideration, including the shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock, the cash portion of the merger consideration and cash for any fractional shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock, in exchange for shares of Guidant common stock. Guidant shareholders should not return stock certificates with the enclosed proxy.

After the effective time of the merger, each certificate that previously represented shares of Guidant common stock will no longer be outstanding, will be automatically canceled and retired, will cease to exist and will represent only the right to receive the merger consideration as described above.

Until holders of certificates previously representing Guidant common stock have surrendered those certificates to the exchange agent for exchange, those holders will not receive dividends or distributions on the Johnson & Johnson common stock into which such shares have been converted with a record date after the effective time of the merger and will not receive cash for any fractional shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock. When holders surrender such certificates, they will receive any dividends with a record date after the effective time of the merger and a payment date on or prior to the date of surrender and any cash for fractional shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock, in each case without interest.

In the event of a transfer of ownership of Guidant common stock that is not registered in the transfer records of Guidant, payment of the merger consideration as described above will be made to a person other than the person in whose name the certificate so surrendered is registered if:


	•	such certificate is properly endorsed or otherwise is in proper form for transfer and

	•	the person requesting such exchange pays any transfer or other taxes resulting from the payment of the merger consideration as described above to a person other than the registered holder of such certificate.

No fractional shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock will be issued to any Guidant shareholder upon surrender of certificates previously representing Guidant common stock. Each Guidant shareholder who would otherwise have been entitled to receive a fraction of a share of Johnson & Johnson common stock will receive cash in an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying (1) the fractional share interest to which such holder would otherwise be entitled by (2) the closing price for a share of Johnson & Johnson common stock on the closing date of the merger as reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Transactions Tape.

Effective Time of the Merger

The merger will become effective upon the filing of the certificate of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Indiana or such later time as is agreed upon by Johnson & Johnson and Guidant and specified in the certificate of merger. The filing of the certificate of merger will occur as soon as practicable after satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to the completion of the merger described in the amended and restated merger agreement.

Stock Exchange Listing of Johnson & Johnson Common Stock

It is a condition to the completion of the merger that the Johnson & Johnson common stock issuable to:


	•	Guidant shareholders in the merger and

	•	holders of options to acquire shares of Guidant common stock, which will be converted into options to acquire shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock

have been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance.

Delisting and Deregistration of Guidant Common Stock

If the merger is completed, Guidant common stock will be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange and the Pacific Stock Exchange and will be deregistered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger

The following is a summary of the material United States federal income tax consequences of the merger to United States Holders (as defined below) of Guidant common stock whose shares are converted into the right to receive the merger consideration under the merger. This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable Treasury Regulations, and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof, each as in effect as of the date hereof, all of which may change, possibly with retroactive effect. This summary assumes that shares of Guidant common stock are held as capital assets. It does not address all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to particular holders in light of their personal circumstances, or to other types of holders, including, without limitation:


	•	banks, insurance companies or other financial institutions

	•	broker-dealers


	•	traders

	•	expatriates

	•	tax-exempt organizations

	•	Non-United States Holders (as defined below)

	•	persons who are investors in a pass-through entity

	•	persons who are subject to alternative minimum tax

	•	persons who hold their shares of common stock as a position in a “straddle” or as part of a “hedging” or “conversion” transaction

	•	persons deemed to sell their shares of common stock under the constructive sale provisions of the Internal Revenue Code

	•	persons that have a functional currency other than the United States dollar or

	•	persons who acquired their shares of our common stock upon the exercise of stock options or otherwise as compensation.

In addition, this discussion does not address any state, local or foreign tax consequences of the merger.

We urge each holder of Guidant common stock to consult his or her own tax advisor regarding the United States federal income or other tax consequences of the merger to such holder.

For purposes of this discussion, a “United States Holder” means a holder of Guidant common stock who is:


	•	a citizen or resident of the United States

	•	a corporation or an entity treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof

	•	an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source or

	•	a trust (a) the administration over which a United States court can exercise primary supervision and (b) all of the substantial decisions of which one or more United States persons have the authority to control and certain other trusts considered United States persons for United States federal income tax purposes.

A “Non-United States Holder” is a holder other than a United States Holder.

If a partnership holds Guidant common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership holding Guidant common stock, you should consult your tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of the merger.


	*Consequences of the Merger*

The receipt of the merger consideration in exchange for shares of Guidant common stock pursuant to the merger will be a taxable transaction for United States federal income tax purposes. In general, a United States Holder who receives the merger consideration in exchange for shares of Guidant common stock pursuant to the merger will recognize capital gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes equal to the difference, if any, between (i) the fair market value of the Johnson & Johnson common stock as of the effective time of the merger and the cash received and (ii) the holder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares of Guidant common stock exchanged for the merger consideration pursuant to the merger. Any such gain or loss would be long-term capital gain or loss if the holding period for the shares

of Guidant common stock exceeded one year. Long-term capital gains of noncorporate taxpayers generally are taxable at a maximum rate of 15%. Capital gains of corporate shareholders generally are taxable at the regular tax rates applicable to corporations.

A United States Holder’s aggregate tax basis in Johnson & Johnson common stock received in the merger will equal the fair market value of such stock as of the effective time of the merger. The holding period of the Johnson & Johnson common stock received in the merger will begin on the day after the merger.


	*Backup Withholding*

Backup withholding may apply to payments made in connection with the merger. Backup withholding will not apply, however, to a holder who (1) furnishes a correct taxpayer identification number and certifies that it is not subject to backup withholding on the substitute Form W-9 or successor form included in the letter of transmittal to be delivered to holders of our common stock prior to completion of the merger, (2) provides a certification of foreign status on the applicable Form W-8 (typically Form W-8BEN) or appropriate successor form or (3) is otherwise exempt from backup withholding. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against such holder’s United States federal income tax liability provided the required information is furnished to the IRS.

THE FOREGOING DOES NOT PURPORT TO BE A COMPLETE ANALYSIS OF THE POTENTIAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO THE MERGER, AND IS NOT TAX ADVICE. THEREFORE, HOLDERS OF OUR COMMON STOCK ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE MERGER, INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY OF FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN AND OTHER TAX LAWS.

Regulatory Matters

United States Antitrust. Under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act and related rules, certain transactions, including the merger, may not be completed until notifications have been given and information furnished to the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission and the specified waiting period requirements have been satisfied. Johnson & Johnson and Guidant filed Notification and Report Forms with the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission on January 18 and 19, 2005, respectively. On November 2, 2005, the Federal Trade Commission terminated the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and issued a consent order conditionally approving the merger. The Federal Trade Commission’s consent order requires Johnson & Johnson to divest, license or terminate certain rights or assets of its businesses in drug-eluting stents, endoscopic vessel harvesting products and anastomotic assist devices.

Europe. Both Johnson & Johnson and Guidant conduct business in member states of the European Union. Council Regulation (EC) No. 139/2004, as amended, and accompanying regulations require notification to and approval by the European Commission of specific mergers or acquisitions involving parties with worldwide sales and individual European Union sales exceeding specified thresholds before these mergers and acquisitions can be implemented. Johnson & Johnson formally notified the European Commission of the merger on March 15, 2005. On August 25, 2005, the European Commission issued a decision under the EC merger regulation declaring the merger compatible with the Common Market. In connection with the European Commission’s decision, Johnson & Johnson agreed to divest its Cordis steerable guidewires business in Europe, the Guidant Endovascular Solutions business in Europe and to pursue a remedy relating to the companies’ endoscopic vessel harvesting products.

General. It is possible that any of the governmental entities with which filings have been made may seek additional regulatory concessions or states or private parties may commence litigation to prevent the completion of the merger. There can be no assurance that:


	•	Johnson & Johnson or Guidant will be able to satisfy or comply with such conditions

	•	compliance or non-compliance will not have adverse consequences on Johnson & Johnson after completion of the merger or

	•	such litigation, if any, will be resolved favorably by Johnson & Johnson and Guidant.

See “The Amended and Restated Merger Agreement — Conditions to the Completion of the Merger”.

Dissenters’ Rights

Under Indiana law, holders of Guidant common stock will not be entitled to dissenters’ rights in connection with the merger because shares of Guidant common stock are traded on the New York Stock Exchange.

Guidant’s Rights Agreement

The Guidant board of directors adopted a shareholder rights plan on December 15, 2004 and adopted an amendment thereto on November 14, 2005. To implement the shareholder rights plan, on December 14, 2004, Guidant declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right, which we refer to in this prospectus/proxy statement as a “right”, for each outstanding share of Guidant common stock to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 27, 2004. Each right entitles the registered holder to purchase from Guidant a unit consisting of one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Participating Preferred Stock at a purchase price of $325 per unit, subject to adjustment.

The rights are not exercisable until the earlier of:


	•	10 business days following a public announcement that a person or group has acquired 15% or more of the outstanding shares of Guidant common stock (thereby becoming an “acquiring person” under the shareholder rights plan) or

	•	10 business days following the commencement of a tender offer or exchange offer that would result in a person or group becoming an acquiring person.

The date in which the rights are exercisable as described above is referred to in this proxy statement/ prospectus as the “distribution date”. The rights expire at the earlier of (1) the effective time of the merger or (2) at 5:00 P.M. (New York City time) on December 15, 2014, unless such date is extended or the rights are earlier redeemed or exchanged.

Until the distribution date, the rights will be evidenced only by shares of Guidant common stock and will be transferred with and only with such common stock. After the distribution date, rights certificates will be mailed to holders of record of the Guidant common stock as of the close of business on the distribution date.

In the event that a person becomes an acquiring person, subject to certain exceptions for offers that the independent directors of the Guidant board of directors determine to be fair and not inadequate and to otherwise be in the best interests of Guidant and its shareholders, each holder of a right other than the acquiring person will have the right to receive Guidant common stock having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the right. In the event that, at any time following the date on which a person becomes an acquiring person, Guidant engages in certain types of merger or other business combination transactions, each holder of a right other than the acquiring person will have the right to receive common stock of the acquiring company having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the right. At any time after a person becomes an acquiring person and prior to their acquisition of 50% or more of the outstanding Guidant common stock, the Guidant board of directors may exchange the rights (other than

rights owned by the acquiring person), in whole or in part, for one share of Guidant common stock, or one one-thousandth of a share of the Series A Participating Preferred Stock, per right (subject to adjustment). At any time until 10 business days following the date on which a person becomes an acquiring person, Guidant may redeem the rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $0.001 per right.

Pursuant to the terms of the shareholder rights plan, as amended, the execution of each of the original merger agreement and the amended and restated merger agreement and the consummation of the merger are exempt from the effects of the plan.

Guidant Employee Benefits Matters

The amended and restated merger agreement provides that:


	•	for a period of 12 months following the merger, the employees of Guidant and its subsidiaries who remain in the employment of the surviving corporation and its subsidiaries will receive employee benefits that in the aggregate are substantially comparable to the employee benefits provided to such employees immediately prior to the merger

	•	for the six-month period immediately following the expiration of the 12-month period following the merger, the employees of Guidant and its subsidiaries who remain in the employment of the surviving corporation and its subsidiaries will receive employee benefits that in the aggregate are substantially comparable to either the employee benefits provided to such employees immediately prior to the merger or the employee benefits provided to similarly situated employees of Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiaries

	•	for a period of not less than 18 months following the merger, employees of Guidant and its subsidiaries who remain in the employment of the surviving corporation and its subsidiaries will receive base salary or wage rates that are not less than those in effect for such employees immediately prior to the merger, except that neither Johnson & Johnson nor the surviving corporation nor any of their subsidiaries will have any obligation to issue, or adopt any plans or arrangements providing for the issuance of, shares of capital stock, warrants, options, stock appreciation rights or other rights in respect of any shares of capital stock of any entity or any securities convertible or exchangeable into such shares pursuant to any such plans or arrangements and

	•	no plans or arrangements of Guidant or any of its subsidiaries providing for the issuance of rights in the capital stock of Guidant or otherwise will be taken into account in determining whether employee benefits are substantially comparable in the aggregate.

Johnson & Johnson and Guidant have agreed that nothing contained in the amended and restated merger agreement should be construed as requiring, and Guidant should take no action that would have the effect of requiring, Johnson & Johnson or the surviving corporation to continue any specific employee benefit plans or to continue the employment of any specific person.

Johnson & Johnson has also agreed that, for the following purposes but not otherwise under the employee benefit plans of Johnson & Johnson, it will cause the surviving corporation to recognize the service of each Guidant employee who remains employed by the surviving corporation as if such service had been performed with Johnson & Johnson:


	•	for purposes of vesting (but not benefit accrual) under Johnson & Johnson’s defined benefit pension plan

	•	for purposes of eligibility for vacation under Johnson & Johnson’s vacation program

	•	for purposes of eligibility and participation under any health or welfare plan maintained by Johnson & Johnson (other than any post-employment health or post-employment welfare plan)

	•	for purposes of eligibility for the company matching contribution under Johnson & Johnson’s 401(k) savings plan (it being understood that each such employee who was participating in


		Guidant’s 401(k) savings plan immediately prior to becoming eligible to participate in Johnson & Johnson’s 401(k) savings plan shall be immediately eligible for the company matching contribution under Johnson & Johnson’s 401(k) savings plan) and

	•	unless covered under another arrangement with or of Guidant, for benefit accrual purposes under Johnson & Johnson’s severance plan (but in the case of such severance and with respect to each plan or program that is the subject of any of the four bullet points above, solely to the extent that Johnson & Johnson makes such plan or program available to employees of the surviving corporation, it being Johnson & Johnson’s current intention to do so).

With respect to any welfare plan maintained by Johnson & Johnson in which such employees are eligible to participate after the merger, the amended and restated merger agreement provides that Johnson & Johnson will, and will cause the surviving corporation to:


	•	waive all limitations as to preexisting conditions and exclusions with respect to participation and coverage requirements applicable to such employees to the extent such conditions and exclusions were satisfied or did not apply to such employees under the welfare plans maintained by Guidant prior to the merger and

	•	provide each such employee with credit for any co-payments and deductibles paid prior to the effective time in satisfying any analogous deductible or out-of-pocket requirements to the extent applicable under any such plan.

Subject to the requirements discussed in this section, Johnson & Johnson has agreed to assume all obligations under and honor in accordance with their terms, and to cause the surviving corporation to honor in accordance with their terms, each Guidant benefit plan and agreement. Johnson & Johnson has acknowledged and agreed that the merger will constitute a “change in control” within the meaning of those plans and agreements which include a definition of such (or substantially similar) concept, except to the extent otherwise agreed between Johnson & Johnson and individual employees of Guidant and its subsidiaries.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the amended and restated merger agreement provides that the provisions above relating to employee matters shall apply only with respect to such employees who are covered under Guidant benefit plans that are maintained primarily for the benefit of employees employed in the United States (including such employees regularly employed outside the United States to the extent they participate in such Guidant benefit plans). With respect to such employees not described in the preceding sentence, Johnson & Johnson will, and will cause the surviving corporation and its subsidiaries to, comply with all applicable laws, directives and regulations relating to employees and employee benefits matters applicable to such employees.

Effect on Awards Outstanding Under Guidant Stock Incentive Plans

Under the amended and restated merger agreement, the Guidant board of directors must adopt, as soon as practicable, such resolutions or take such other actions as may be required to effect the following:


	•	each Guidant stock option outstanding immediately prior to the merger shall be amended and converted into an option to acquire, on the same terms and conditions as were applicable under such Guidant stock option, the number of shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock (rounded down to the nearest whole share) equal to the sum of:

	•	the product of (A) the number of shares of Guidant common stock subject to such Guidant stock option and (B) 0.493 and

	•	the product of (A) the number of shares of Guidant common stock subject to such Guidant stock option and (B) the quotient obtained by dividing (x) $33.25 by (y) the volume weighted average trading price of Johnson & Johnson common stock for the 15 trading days ending three trading days prior to the consummation of the merger at an exercise price per share of Johnson & Johnson common stock (rounded up to the nearest whole cent) equal to the quotient obtained by dividing


		(1) the aggregate exercise price for the shares of Guidant common stock subject to such Guidant stock option by (2) the aggregate number of shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock to be subject to such Guidant stock option after giving effect to the adjustments in this and the two preceding bullet points and

	•	make such other changes to the Guidant stock incentive plans as Johnson & Johnson and Guidant may agree are appropriate to give effect to the merger.

The amended and restated merger agreement further provides that the Guidant board of directors must adopt, as soon as practicable, such resolutions or take such other actions as may be required to provide that with respect to the Guidant employee stock purchase plan:


	•	participants will not increase their payroll deductions or purchase elections from those in effect on the date of the original merger agreement

	•	each participant’s outstanding right to purchase shares of Guidant common stock under the Guidant employee stock purchase plan will terminate on the day immediately prior to the day on which merger occurs, provided that all amounts allocated to each participant’s account under the Guidant employee stock purchase plan as of such date will thereupon be used to purchase from Guidant whole shares of Guidant common stock at the applicable price determined under the terms of the Guidant employee stock purchase plan for the then outstanding offering periods using such date as the final purchase date for each such offering period and

	•	the Guidant employee stock purchase plan will terminate immediately following such purchases of Guidant common stock.

In addition, Guidant must ensure that, following the merger, no holder of a Guidant stock option (or former holder of a Guidant stock option) or any participant in any Guidant stock incentive plan or other Guidant benefit plan or agreement will have any right thereunder to acquire any capital stock of Guidant or the surviving corporation or any other equity interest therein (including “phantom” stock or stock appreciation rights).

Johnson & Johnson has agreed that as soon as practicable following the merger, it will deliver to the holders of Johnson & Johnson stock options that were converted from Guidant options appropriate notices setting forth such holders’ rights pursuant to the respective stock incentive plans and the contracts evidencing the grants of such options, which shall provide, among other things, that such options and contracts have been assumed by Johnson & Johnson and will continue in effect on the same terms and conditions (subject to the adjustments described in this section).

The amended and restated merger agreement provides that except as otherwise described by this section and except to the extent required under the respective terms of the converted options, all restrictions or limitations on transfer and vesting with respect to converted options, to the extent that such restrictions or limitations shall not have already lapsed, and all other terms thereof, shall remain in full force and effect with respect to such converted options after giving effect to the merger and their assumption by Johnson & Johnson as set forth above.

In addition, as soon as practicable following the merger, Johnson & Johnson must prepare and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement on Form S-8 (or another appropriate form) registering shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock subject to issuance upon the exercise of the converted options. Guidant will cooperate with, and assist Johnson & Johnson in the preparation of, such registration statement. Johnson & Johnson must keep such registration statement effective (and maintain the current status of the prospectus required thereby) for so long as any converted options remain outstanding.

Resale of Johnson & Johnson Common Stock

Johnson & Johnson common stock to be issued in the merger will not be subject to any restrictions on transfer arising under the Securities Act of 1933, except for shares issued to any Guidant shareholder

who may be deemed to be an “affiliate” of Guidant or Johnson & Johnson for purposes of Rule 145 under the Securities Act. It is expected that each affiliate will agree not to transfer any Johnson & Johnson common stock received in the merger except in compliance with the resale provisions of Rule 144 or 145 under the Securities Act or as otherwise permitted under the Securities Act. The amended and restated merger agreement requires Guidant to use its reasonable efforts to cause its affiliates to enter into such agreements. This proxy statement/ prospectus does not cover resales of Johnson & Johnson common stock received by any person upon completion of the merger, and no person is authorized to make any use of this proxy statement/ prospectus in connection with any such resale.

Notices to Guidant Shareholders Resident in Canada and Canadian Resale Restrictions

Notices to Guidant Shareholders Resident in Canada. The Johnson & Johnson common stock that is being distributed to holders of Guidant common stock that reside in a province of Canada is being distributed under an exemption from the registration and prospectus requirements of Canadian provincial securities laws.

Canadian Resale Restrictions. The provincial securities laws in all provinces of Canada require the first trade in the Johnson & Johnson common stock to be made in accordance with certain conditions, including that no unusual effort is made to prepare the market or to create a demand for such shares and no extraordinary commission or consideration is paid in respect of the trade. In addition, when selling the shares, holders resident in a province of Canada must use a dealer appropriately registered in such province or rely on an exemption from the registration requirements of such province. If a holder requires advice on any applicable prospectus or registration exemption, the holder should consult its own legal advisor.

THE AMENDED AND RESTATED MERGER AGREEMENT

This is a summary of the material provisions of the amended and restated merger agreement. The amended and restated merger agreement, which is attached as Annex 1 to this proxy statement/ prospectus and is incorporated herein by reference, contains the complete terms of that agreement. You should read the entire amended and restated merger agreement carefully.

Conditions to the Completion of the Merger

Conditions to Johnson & Johnson’s and Guidant’s Obligations to Complete the Merger. Each party’s obligation to effect the merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of various conditions that include, in addition to other customary closing conditions, the following:


	•	the amended and restated merger agreement has been approved by the affirmative vote of shareholders of Guidant representing a majority of the shares of Guidant common stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the special meeting

	•	the shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock to be issued to:


	•	Guidant shareholders upon completion of the merger and

	•	holders of options to acquire shares of Guidant common stock, which will be converted into options to acquire shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock, have been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance


	•	the waiting period applicable to the merger under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act has expired or has been terminated. On November 2, 2005, the Federal Trade Commission terminated the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and issued a consent order conditionally approving the merger

	•	the European Commission has issued, or has been deemed to have issued, a decision under Article 6(1)(b), 8(1) or 8(2) of the EC merger regulation declaring the merger compatible with the Common Market. On August 25, 2005, the European Commission issued a decision under Article 8(2) of the EC merger regulation declaring the merger compatible with the Common Market

	•	no temporary restraining order, preliminary or permanent injunction or other court order or statute, law, rule, legal restraint or prohibition is in effect that prevents the completion of the merger and

	•	the registration statement on Form S-4, of which this proxy statement/ prospectus forms a part, has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission and is not the subject of any stop order or proceedings seeking a stop order.

Conditions to Johnson & Johnson’s Obligation to Complete the Merger.Johnson & Johnson’s obligation to effect the merger is further subject to satisfaction or waiver of the following additional conditions:


	•	the representations and warranties of Guidant relating to:


	•	capitalization

	•	authority and noncontravention

	•	the absence of recent changes in the compensation and benefits for certain key personnel of Guidant, including increases in compensation or benefits, grants or increases in severance or termination pay, the entry into or amendment of employment and other similar contracts, the removal of restrictions in benefit plans or the adoption of new benefit plans for such personnel

	•	agreements that may restrict the ability of affiliates of Guidant to compete (other than any such agreement that only restricts Guidant’s ability to compete) in any line of business, geographic area or customer segment


	•	the vote required by the shareholders of Guidant to approve the amended and restated merger agreement

	•	the adoption of the amended and restated merger agreement by the board of directors of Guidant and the inapplicability of state takeover statutes to the merger and

	•	the taking of all action by Guidant to render its rights agreement inapplicable with respect to the merger

that are qualified as to materiality or material adverse effect are true and correct, and such representations and warranties that are not so qualified by materiality or material adverse effect are true and correct in all material respects, in each case as of the date of the original merger agreement and as of the closing date of the merger as though made on the closing date, or if such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, then as of such date.


	•	the representations and warranties of Guidant relating to various other agreements that either (1) may restrict the ability of Guidant or any of its subsidiaries ability to compete in any line of business, geographic area or customer segment or (2) relate to the distribution, sale, supply, licensing, co-promotion or manufacturing of any products or services are true and correct as of the date of the original merger agreement and as of the closing date of the merger as though made on the closing date, except to the extent that the facts or matters as to which such representations and warranties are not so true and correct as of such dates, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the reasonably expected benefits of the merger to Johnson & Johnson

	•	all the other representations and warranties of Guidant set forth in the amended and restated merger agreement are true and correct as of the date of the original merger agreement and as of the closing date of the merger as though made on the closing date, or if such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, then as of such date, except to the extent that the facts or matters as to which such representations and warranties are not so true and correct as of such dates, without giving effect to any qualifications or limitations as to materiality or material adverse effect set forth in such representations and warranties, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Guidant

	•	Guidant has performed in all material respects all obligations required to be performed by it under the amended and restated merger agreement on or prior to the date on which the merger is to be completed

	•	there is no pending suit, action or proceeding by any governmental entity (i) seeking to restrain or prohibit the consummation of the merger or any other transaction contemplated by the amended and restated merger agreement or seeking to obtain from Johnson & Johnson, Shelby Merger Sub or Guidant or any other affiliate of Johnson & Johnson any damages that are material in relation to Guidant, (ii) seeking to impose limitations on the ability of Johnson & Johnson or any affiliate of Johnson & Johnson to hold, or exercise full rights of ownership of, any shares of capital stock of the surviving corporation, including the right to vote such shares on all matters properly presented to the shareholders of the surviving corporation, (iii) seeking to prohibit Johnson & Johnson or any of its subsidiaries from effectively controlling in any material respect the business or operations of Guidant or any of its affiliates, (iv) seeking any divestiture that is not required to be effected pursuant to the terms of the amended and restated merger agreement or (v) that has had or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Guidant or Johnson & Johnson and

	•	there is no temporary restraining order, injunction or other court order or statute, law, rule, legal restraint or prohibition that is in effect that would reasonably be expected to result in any of the effects referred to in the immediately preceding clause.

any related pending or future litigation, governmental investigations or other developments will be considered in determining whether a material adverse effect has occurred or is reasonably likely to occur for any purposes of the amended and restated merger agreement or whether there is or may be any failure of any of the closing conditions to the merger.

Conditions to Guidant’s Obligation to Complete the Merger. Guidant’s obligation to effect the merger is further subject to satisfaction or waiver of the following additional conditions:


	•	the representations and warranties of Johnson & Johnson and Shelby Merger Sub relating to authority and noncontravention which are qualified as to materiality or material adverse effect are true and correct, and such representations and warranties that are not so qualified by materiality or material adverse effect are true and correct in all material respects, in each case as of the date of the original merger agreement and as of the closing date of the merger as though made on the closing date, or if such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, then as of such date

	•	all the other representations and warranties of Johnson & Johnson and Shelby Merger Sub set forth in the amended and restated merger agreement are true and correct as of the date of the original merger agreement and as of the closing date of the merger as though made on the closing date, or if such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, then as of such date, except to the extent that the facts or matters as to which such representations and warranties are not so true and correct as of such dates, without giving effect to any qualifications or limitations as to materiality or material adverse effect set forth in such representations and warranties, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Johnson & Johnson and

	•	Johnson & Johnson and Shelby Merger Sub have performed in all material respects all obligations required to be performed by them under the amended and restated merger agreement on or prior to the date on which the merger is to be completed.


	*Important Definitions.*

The amended and restated merger agreement provides that a “material adverse effect” or “material adverse change” means, when used in connection with Guidant or Johnson & Johnson, any change, effect, event, occurrence or state of facts, or any development which, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to result in any change or effect that is materially adverse to the business, financial condition or results of operations of Guidant and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as the case may be, other than any change, effect, event, occurrence, state of facts or development:


	•	relating to the financial or securities markets or the economy in general,

	•	relating to the industry in which Guidant operates or the industries in which Johnson & Johnson operates, as the case may be, in general to the extent that such change, effect, event, occurrence, state of facts or development does not disproportionately impact Guidant or Johnson & Johnson,

	•	resulting from any divestiture required to be effected pursuant to the amended and restated merger agreement or

	•	relating to any failure, in and of itself, by Guidant or Johnson & Johnson, as applicable, to meet any internal or published projections, forecasts or revenue or earnings prediction.

Johnson & Johnson and Guidant have agreed by means of a supplemental disclosure schedule that no effects on Guidant’s business relating to or arising from Guidant’s previously announced product recalls or any related pending or future litigation, governmental investigations or other developments will be considered in determining whether a material adverse effect has occurred or is reasonably likely to occur for any purposes of the amended and restated merger agreement or whether there is or may be any failure of any of the closing conditions to the merger.

Guidant can provide no assurance that all of the conditions precedent to the merger will be satisfied or waived by the party permitted to do so. Guidant cannot at this point determine whether it would resolicit proxies in the event that it decides to waive any of the items listed above. This decision would depend upon the facts and circumstances leading to Guidant’s decision to complete the merger and whether Guidant believes there has been a material change in the terms of the merger and its effect on Guidant and its shareholders. In making this determination, Guidant would consider, among other factors, the reasons for the waiver, the effect of the waiver on the terms of the merger, whether the requirement being waived was necessary in order to make the transaction fair to the shareholders from a financial point of view, the availability of alternative transactions and the prospects of Guidant as an independent entity. If Guidant determines that a waiver of a condition would materially change the terms of the merger, it will resolicit proxies.

No Solicitation

The amended and restated merger agreement provides that Guidant will not, nor will it authorize or permit any of its subsidiaries, any of their respective directors, officers or employees or any investment banker, financial advisor, attorney, accountant or other advisor, agent or representative retained by it or any of its subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly through another person:


	•	solicit, initiate or knowingly encourage, or take any other action designed to, or which could reasonably be expected to lead to, a takeover proposal, as described below, or

	•	enter into, continue or otherwise participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding, or furnish to any person any information, or otherwise cooperate in any way with, any takeover proposal.

The amended and restated merger agreement provides that the term “takeover proposal” means an inquiry, proposal or offer from any person relating to, or that could reasonably be expected to lead to:


	•	any direct or indirect acquisition or purchase, in one transaction or a series of transactions, of assets (including equity securities of any subsidiary of Guidant) or business that constitute 15% or more of the revenues, net income or assets of Guidant and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or 15% or more of any class of equity securities of Guidant

	•	any tender offer or exchange offer that if consummated would result in any person beneficially owning 15% or more of any class of equity securities of Guidant or

	•	any merger, consolidation, business combination, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution, joint venture, binding share exchange or similar transaction involving Guidant or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to which any person or the shareholders of any person would own 15% or more of any class of equity securities of Guidant or of any resulting parent company of Guidant,

in each case, other than the transactions contemplated by the amended and restated merger agreement.

The amended and restated merger agreement provides further that, notwithstanding the restrictions described above, if, at any time prior to the time Guidant shareholders have adopted the amended and restated merger agreement with Johnson & Johnson:


	•	Guidant receives a bona fide written takeover proposal that the Guidant board of directors determines (after consultation with outside counsel and a financial advisor of nationally recognized reputation) constitutes or is reasonably likely to lead to a superior proposal, as described below, and

	•	such takeover proposal was not solicited after the date of the original merger agreement and did not otherwise result from a breach by Guidant of the no solicitation provisions described above,

Guidant may:


	•	furnish information about Guidant and its subsidiaries to the person making such takeover proposal pursuant to a customary confidentiality agreement not less restrictive to such person than the confidentiality provisions of the confidentiality agreement between Guidant and Johnson & Johnson,


		provided that all such information is also, or has previously been, provided to Johnson & Johnson and

	•	participate in discussions or negotiations regarding such takeover proposal.

The amended and restated merger agreement provides that the term “superior proposal” means any bona fide offer made by a third party that if consummated would result in such person (or its shareholders) owning, directly or indirectly, more than 80% of the shares of Guidant common stock then outstanding (or of the surviving entity in a merger or the direct or indirect parent of the surviving entity in a merger) or all or substantially all the assets of Guidant, which the Guidant board of directors reasonably determines (after consultation with a financial advisor of nationally recognized reputation) to be:


	•	more favorable to the Guidant shareholders from a financial point of view than the merger (taking into account all the terms and conditions of such proposal and the amended and restated merger agreement (including any changes to the financial terms of the amended and restated merger agreement proposed by Johnson & Johnson in response to such offer or otherwise)) and

	•	reasonably capable of being completed, taking into account all financial, legal, regulatory and other aspects of such proposal.

The amended and restated merger agreement provides further that neither the Guidant board of directors nor any committee of the Guidant board of directors may:


	•	withdraw, modify in a manner adverse to Johnson & Johnson, or publicly propose to withdraw, or modify in a manner adverse to Johnson & Johnson, the adoption or recommendation by the Guidant board of directors of the amended and restated merger agreement, the merger or other transactions contemplated by the amended and restated merger agreement

	•	adopt or recommend, or publicly propose to adopt or recommend, any takeover proposal or

	•	adopt or recommend, or publicly propose to adopt or recommend, or allow Guidant or any of its subsidiaries to execute or enter into, any letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, agreement in principle, merger agreement, acquisition agreement, option agreement, joint venture agreement, partnership agreement or other similar contract constituting or related to, or that is intended to or could reasonably be expected to lead to, any takeover proposal.

Notwithstanding the above, at any time prior to the time Guidant shareholders have approved the amended and restated merger agreement with Johnson & Johnson, the Guidant board of directors may:


	•	withdraw its recommendation of the amended and restated merger agreement and the merger or recommend the approval of a takeover proposal if the Guidant board of directors determines in good faith, after consultation with outside counsel and a financial advisor of nationally recognized reputation that (i) a material adverse effect with respect to Johnson & Johnson has occurred and (ii) as a result thereof such action is consistent with its fiduciary duties to the Guidant shareholders under applicable law or

	•	in response to a takeover proposal that the Guidant board of directors reasonably determines, after consultation with outside counsel and a financial advisor of nationally recognized reputation, constitutes a superior proposal and that was unsolicited and made after the date of the original merger agreement and that did not otherwise result from a breach of the no solicitation provisions described above, (i) withdraw its recommendation of the amended and restated merger agreement and the merger or recommend the approval of a takeover proposal or (ii) terminate the amended and restated merger agreement and enter into an agreement or contract constituting or related to, or that is intended to or could reasonably be expected to lead to, a takeover proposal.

No withdrawal of the Guidant board of directors’ recommendation of the amended and restated merger agreement and the merger or recommendation of a takeover proposal, or termination of the amended and restated merger agreement by Guidant, in response to a takeover proposal that constitutes a superior proposal may be made until after the fifth business day following Johnson & Johnson’s receipt of

written notice from Guidant advising Johnson & Johnson that the Guidant board of directors intends to take such action and specifying the terms and conditions of such superior proposal. In determining whether to take such action, the Guidant board of directors must take into account any changes to the financial terms of the amended and restated merger agreement proposed by Johnson & Johnson in response to its receipt of such notice from Guidant or otherwise.

In addition to the no solicitation provisions described above, the amended and restated merger agreement provides that Guidant must promptly advise Johnson & Johnson orally and in writing of any takeover proposal, the material terms and conditions of any such takeover proposal and the identity of the person making any such takeover proposal and if the Guidant board of directors is considering, or has decided to consider, whether any change, effect, event, occurrence, state of facts or development constitutes a material adverse effect with respect to Johnson & Johnson. Guidant must keep Johnson & Johnson fully informed in all material respects of the status and details, including any changes, of any such takeover proposal and must provide to Johnson & Johnson copies of all correspondence and other written material sent or provided by any person to Guidant or any of its subsidiaries that describes any of the terms or conditions of any takeover proposal as soon as practicable after receipt or delivery of such correspondence or other written material and keep Johnson & Johnson fully informed in all material respects of the status and details of any determination by the Guidant board of directors with respect to a potential material adverse effect with respect to Johnson & Johnson.

Nothing in the amended and restated merger agreement prohibits the Guidant board of directors from taking and disclosing to the Guidant shareholders a position contemplated by Rule 14e-2(a) under the Exchange Act or making a statement required under Rule 14a-9 under the Exchange Act or making any disclosure to the Guidant shareholders that is required by applicable law, except that in no event may Guidant or its board of directors take, or agree to take, any action prohibited by the no solicitation provisions described above.

Termination of the Amended and Restated Merger Agreement

The amended and restated merger agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the effective time of the merger, even if the amended and restated merger agreement has been adopted by the Guidant shareholders:


	•	by mutual written consent of Johnson & Johnson, Shelby Merger Sub and Guidant

	•	by either Johnson & Johnson or Guidant, if the merger has not been completed by March 31, 2006, except that this right to terminate the amended and restated merger agreement will not be available to any party whose willful breach of a representation or warranty in the amended and restated merger agreement or whose other action or failure to act has been a principal cause of or resulted in the failure of the merger to be consummated on or before that date

	•	by either Johnson & Johnson or Guidant, if there exists a restraining order, injunction or other court order or statute, law, rule, legal restraint or prohibition, in any such case that has become final and cannot be appealed and which prevents the completion of the merger

	•	by either Johnson & Johnson or Guidant, if the Guidant shareholders do not approve the amended and restated merger agreement at the Guidant shareholder’s meeting duly convened or at any adjournment or postponement

	•	by either Johnson & Johnson or Guidant, if the other party has breached or failed to perform any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in the amended and restated merger agreement, which breach or failure to perform would give rise to the failure of a condition to the merger and has not been or cannot be cured within 30 calendar days following receiving written notice from the other party of such breach or failure to perform

	•	by Johnson & Johnson, if there exists a restraining order, injunction or other court order or statute, law, rule, legal restraint or prohibition that has become final and nonappealable, in any such case


		that (i) seeks to restrain or prohibit the consummation of the merger or any other transaction contemplated by the amended and restated merger agreement or seeks to obtain from Johnson & Johnson, Shelby Merger Sub or Guidant or any other affiliate of Johnson & Johnson any damages that are material in relation to Guidant, (ii) seeks to impose limitations on the ability of Johnson & Johnson or any affiliate of Johnson & Johnson to hold, or exercise full rights of ownership of, any shares of capital stock of the surviving corporation, including the right to vote such shares on all matters properly presented to the shareholders of the surviving corporation, (iii) seeks to prohibit Johnson & Johnson or any of its affiliates from effectively controlling in any material respect the business or operations of Guidant or any of its affiliates, (iv) seeks any divestiture that is not required to be effected pursuant to the terms of the amended and restated merger agreement or (v) has had or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect with respect to Guidant or Johnson & Johnson

	•	by Johnson & Johnson, if the Guidant board of directors:


	•	fails publicly to reaffirm its adoption and recommendation of the amended and restated merger agreement, the merger or the other transactions contemplated by the amended and restated merger agreement within 10 business days of receipt of a written request by Johnson & Johnson to provide such reaffirmation following a takeover proposal

	•	withdraws, or modifies in a manner adverse to Johnson & Johnson, or proposes to withdraw, or modify in a manner adverse to Johnson & Johnson, its approval, recommendation or declaration of advisability of the amended and restated merger agreement, or the merger or recommends, adopts or approves, or proposes publicly to recommend, adopt or approve, any takeover proposal


	•	by Guidant in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions described in “— No Solicitation”.

Fees and Expenses

General. The amended and restated merger agreement provides that each party will pay its own fees and expenses in connection with the amended and restated merger agreement, the merger and the transactions contemplated by the amended and restated merger agreement, whether or not the merger is completed, except that Johnson & Johnson and Guidant will each pay one-half of the expenses incurred in connection with printing and mailing of the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus is a part.

Termination Fee. Guidant must pay to Johnson & Johnson a termination fee of $625 million in each of the following circumstances:


	•	the amended and restated merger agreement is terminated by Johnson & Johnson pursuant to its right described in the second to last bullet point under “— Termination of the Amended and Restated Merger Agreement” (other than following the occurrence of a material adverse effect with respect to Johnson & Johnson)

	•	the amended and restated merger agreement is terminated by Guidant in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions described in “— No Solicitation” or

	•	prior to Guidant’s shareholders approving the amended and restated merger agreement, a takeover proposal is made to Guidant or directly to the Guidant shareholders generally or otherwise becomes publicly known or any person publicly announces an intention, whether or not conditional, to make a takeover proposal, the amended and restated merger agreement is terminated by either Johnson & Johnson or Guidant pursuant to their respective rights described in the second (but only if a vote to obtain shareholder approval of the amended and restated merger agreement or the shareholder meeting has not been held) or fourth bullet points under “— Termination of the Amended and Restated Merger Agreement” and within 12 months after such termination, Guidant enters into a


		definitive agreement to consummate, or consummates, the transactions contemplated by any takeover proposal (for purposes of this circumstance, the term “takeover proposal” has the same meaning as described under “— No Solicitation”, except that references to 15% are replaced by 35%).

Johnson & Johnson must pay Guidant a termination fee of $300 million in each of the following circumstances:


	•	the amended and restated merger agreement is terminated by either Johnson & Johnson or Guidant pursuant to their respective rights described in the second, third or sixth bullet points under “— Termination of the Amended and Restated Merger Agreement” and at the time of any such termination all of the conditions set forth in “— Conditions to Completion of the Merger” have been satisfied or waived, except for the conditions described in the second, third, fourth and fifth bullet points under “— Conditions to the Completion of the Merger — Conditions to Johnson & Johnson’s and Guidant’s Obligations to Complete the Merger” and the conditions described in the fifth and sixth bullet points under “— Conditions to the Completion of the Merger — Conditions to Johnson & Johnson’s Obligation to Complete the Merger” (in the case of the conditions described in the fourth bullet point under “— Conditions to Completion of the Merger — Conditions to Johnson & Johnson’s and Guidant’s Obligations to Complete the Merger” and the conditions described in the fifth and sixth bullet points under “Conditions to Completion of the Merger — Conditions to Johnson & Johnson’s Obligations to Complete the Merger”, only to the extent that the conditions set forth therein have not been satisfied due to a suit, action or proceeding by any national governmental entity or the imposition of a restraint, in either case relating to competition, merger control, antitrust or similar laws).

Conduct of Business Pending the Merger

Under the amended and restated merger agreement, Guidant has agreed that, during the period from the date of the original merger agreement to the effective time of the merger, except as consented to by Johnson & Johnson, it will, and will cause each of its subsidiaries to, carry on its business in the ordinary course consistent with past practice and, to the extent consistent with such course of conduct, use all commercially reasonable efforts to preserve intact its current business organizations, keep available the services of its current officers, employees and consultants and preserve its relationships with customers, suppliers, licensors, licensees, distributors and others having business dealings with Guidant. In addition, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, during the period from the date of the original merger agreement to the effective time of the merger, Guidant has agreed to specific restraints relating to the following:


	•	the declaration or payment of dividends (other than, among other things, regular cash dividends in respect of Guidant common stock not exceeding $0.10 per share per fiscal quarter)

	•	the alteration of share capital, including, among other things, stock splits, combinations or reclassifications

	•	the repurchase or redemption of capital stock

	•	the issuance or sale of capital stock or other voting securities

	•	amendments to its articles of incorporation or by-laws, or the indenture for its existing 6.15% senior unsecured notes due 2006

	•	the acquisition of assets or other entities

	•	the sale, lease or mortgaging of assets

	•	the incurrence or guarantee of indebtedness

	•	the making of capital expenditures


	•	the extension of loans, advances, capital contributions or investments

	•	the payment, discharge or settlement of material claims or liabilities

	•	the waiver or assignment of material claims

	•	the waiver or modification of material contracts

	•	the entrance into certain types of agreements

	•	compensation and benefit matters with respect to directors, executive officers and key employees and

	•	the revaluation of assets and changes in accounting policies.

Representations and Warranties

The amended and restated merger agreement contains customary representations and warranties relating to, among other things:


	•	corporate organization and similar corporate matters of Johnson & Johnson, Shelby Merger Sub and Guidant

	•	subsidiaries of Guidant

	•	capital structure of Johnson & Johnson, Shelby Merger Sub and Guidant

	•	authorization, execution, delivery, performance and enforceability of, and required consents, approvals, orders and authorizations of governmental authorities relating to, the amended and restated merger agreement and related matters of Johnson & Johnson, Shelby Merger Sub and Guidant

	•	documents filed by each of Johnson & Johnson and Guidant with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the accuracy of information contained in such documents

	•	absence of undisclosed liabilities of Guidant

	•	compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act by Guidant and other matters relating to internal controls of Guidant

	•	accuracy of information supplied by each of Johnson & Johnson, Shelby Merger Sub and Guidant in connection with this proxy statement/ prospectus and the registration statement of which it is a part

	•	absence of material changes or events concerning Johnson & Johnson and Guidant

	•	pending or threatened material litigation of Johnson & Johnson and Guidant

	•	certain contracts and agreements of Guidant

	•	compliance with applicable laws, including environmental laws, by Guidant

	•	absence of changes in benefit plans and labor relations matters of Guidant

	•	matters relating to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act for Guidant

	•	absence of excess parachute payments to any director, officer, employee or consultant of Guidant or its affiliates

	•	filing of tax returns and payment of taxes by Guidant

	•	title to Guidant’s properties and Guidant’s compliance with the terms of its material leases

	•	intellectual property rights of Johnson & Johnson and Guidant

	•	required shareholder vote of Guidant


	•	satisfaction of the requirements of certain state takeover statutes and provisions of the Guidant amended articles of incorporation and the Guidant by-laws by Guidant

	•	engagement and payment of fees of brokers, investment bankers, finders and financial advisors of Johnson & Johnson and Guidant

	•	receipt of fairness opinions by Guidant from its financial advisors

	•	inapplicability of the rights agreement between Guidant and EquiServe Trust Company

	•	compliance by Johnson & Johnson and Guidant with applicable regulatory and governmental requirements

	•	organization and operations of Shelby Merger Sub and

	•	availability to Johnson & Johnson of sufficient funds to effect the merger.

The representations and warranties of each of Johnson & Johnson and Guidant have been made solely for the benefit of the other party and such representations and warranties should not be relied on by any other person. In addition, such representations and warranties:


	•	will not survive consummation of the merger and, other than certain representations and warranties relating to broker and advisor fees, cannot be the basis for any claims under the amended and restated merger agreement by the other party after termination of the amended and restated merger agreement except if wilfully and materially breached

	•	may be intended not as statements of actual fact, but rather as a way of allocating risk between the parties

	•	are subject to the materiality standard described in the amended and restated merger agreement, which may differ from what may be viewed as material by you and

	•	were made only as of the date of the original merger agreement or such other date as is specified in the amended and restated merger agreement.

Further, the representations and warranties of Guidant are qualified to exclude the effects on Guidant’s business relating to or arising from Guidant’s previously announced product recalls or any related pending or future litigation, governmental investigations or other developments and any information in Guidant’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings prior to the date of the amended and restated merger agreement.

Additional Terms


	•	taking of all acts necessary to cause the conditions to closing to be satisfied as promptly as practicable

	•	obtaining of all necessary actions or nonactions, waivers, consents and approvals from governmental entities and the making of all necessary registrations and filings and the taking of all steps as may be necessary to obtain an approval or waiver from, or to avoid an action or proceeding by, any governmental entity

	•	the avoidance of each and every impediment under any antitrust, merger control, competition or trade regulation law that may be asserted by any governmental entity with respect to the merger so as to enable the closing to occur as soon as reasonably possible and


	•	obtaining of all necessary consents, approvals or waivers from third parties, including any such consents, approvals or waivers required in connection with any divestiture.

The amended and restated merger agreement further provides that Johnson & Johnson and Guidant must:


	•	duly file with the United States Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice the notification and report form required under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and

	•	duly make all notifications and other filings required (1) under the EC merger regulation or (2) under any other applicable competition, merger control, antitrust or similar law that Guidant and Johnson & Johnson deem advisable or appropriate, in each case with respect to the transactions contemplated by the amended and restated merger agreement and as promptly as practicable.

The amended and restated merger agreement further provides that Johnson & Johnson and Guidant must:


	•	cooperate with the other party to the extent necessary to assist the other party in the preparation of its antitrust filings and, if requested, to promptly amend or furnish additional information thereunder

	•	use their reasonable best efforts to furnish to each other all information required for any filing, form, declaration, notification, registration and notice, other than confidential or proprietary information not directly related to the transactions contemplated by the amended and restated merger agreement, and to keep the other party reasonably informed with respect to the status of each clearance, approval or waiver sought from a governmental entity in connection with the transactions contemplated by the amended and restated merger agreement and the material communications between such party and such governmental entity and

	•	consult with the other party, and consider in good faith the views of the other party, prior to entering into any agreement with any antitrust authority.

Johnson & Johnson and Guidant have agreed that neither party will, nor will it permit any of its subsidiaries to, acquire or agree to acquire any business, person or division thereof, or otherwise acquire or agree to acquire any assets if the entering into of a definitive agreement relating to or the consummation of such acquisition, could reasonably be expected to materially increase the risk of not obtaining the applicable clearance, approval or waiver from an antitrust authority with respect to the transactions contemplated by the amended and restated merger agreement.

The amended and restated merger agreement provides that Guidant and its board of directors must (1) use reasonable best efforts to ensure that no state takeover law or similar law is or becomes applicable to the amended and restated merger agreement, the merger or any of the other transactions contemplated by the amended and restated merger agreement and (2) if any state takeover law or similar law becomes applicable to the amended and restated merger agreement, the merger or any of the other transactions contemplated by the amended and restated merger agreement, use reasonable best efforts to ensure that the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the amended and restated merger agreement may be consummated as promptly as practicable on the terms contemplated by the amended and restated merger agreement and otherwise to minimize the effect of such law on the amended and restated merger agreement, the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the amended and restated merger agreement.

Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of the amended and restated merger agreement, in connection with obtaining the waivers, consents and approvals described above: (a) with respect to the assets of the cardiac rhythm management businesses of Johnson & Johnson, Guidant and their respective affiliates, Johnson & Johnson, and its affiliates shall only be required to agree to divestitures of such assets that individually or in the aggregate would not reasonably be expected to have greater than a de minimis adverse effect on the combined cardiac rhythm management business of Johnson & Johnson, Guidant and

their respective affiliates, taken as a whole; (b) with respect to the assets of the coronary vascular intervention business of Johnson & Johnson and its affiliates, Johnson & Johnson and its affiliates shall only be required to agree to divestitures of such assets that individually or in the aggregate would not reasonably be expected to have greater than a de minimis adverse effect on the drug eluting stent business of Johnson & Johnson and its affiliates, taken as a whole; (c) with respect to the assets of the vascular intervention business of Guidant and its affiliates, Johnson & Johnson and its affiliates shall only be required to agree to divestitures of such assets that individually or in the aggregate would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the combined vascular intervention business of Johnson & Johnson, Guidant and their respective affiliates, taken as a whole; (d) none of Johnson & Johnson and its affiliates shall be required to agree to any divestiture of any of their assets except as provided in clauses (a) and (b) above; and (e) if, but only if, directed by Johnson & Johnson, Guidant shall agree to any divestiture of any of its assets or the assets of any of its affiliates if such divestiture is conditioned on the consummation of the merger.

Articles of Incorporation and By-laws of the Surviving Corporation

The amended and restated merger agreement provides that the amended articles of incorporation of Guidant will be amended to read in their entirety as set forth in Annex A to the amended and restated merger agreement and, as so amended, will be the articles of incorporation of the surviving corporation until changed or amended. The amended and restated merger agreement further provides that the by-laws of Shelby Merger Sub, as in effect immediately prior to the completion of the merger, will be the by-laws of the surviving corporation until changed or amended. For a summary of certain provisions of the current Guidant amended articles of incorporation, by-laws and the associated rights of Guidant shareholders, see “Comparison of Rights of Common Shareholders of Johnson & Johnson and Guidant”.

Amendment; Extension and Waiver

Subject to applicable law:


	•	the amended and restated merger agreement may be amended by mutual consent of the parties in writing at any time, before or after the amended and restated merger agreement has been adopted by the shareholders of Guidant, except that no amendment may be entered into which requires further approval by Guidant shareholders unless such approval is obtained and

	•	at any time prior to the effective time of the merger, a party may, by written instrument signed on behalf of such party:

	•	extend the time for performance of any of the obligations or other acts of any other party to the amended and restated merger agreement

	•	waive inaccuracies in representations and warranties of any other party contained in the amended and restated merger agreement or in any related document or

	•	waive compliance by any other party with any agreements or conditions in the amended and restated merger agreement, except that no such waiver may be made after the amended and restated merger agreement has been adopted by the shareholders of Guidant which requires further approval by Guidant shareholders unless such approval is obtained.

JOHNSON & JOHNSON AND GUIDANT

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of earnings combines the historical consolidated statements of earnings of Johnson & Johnson and Guidant, giving effect to the merger as if it had occurred on December 29, 2003, the first day of Johnson & Johnson’s 2004 fiscal year. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet combines the historical balance sheets of Johnson & Johnson and Guidant, giving effect to the merger as if it had been consummated on October 2, 2005, the last day of Johnson & Johnson’s 2005 fiscal third quarter. The historical consolidated financial information has been adjusted to give effect to pro forma events that are (1) directly attributable to the merger or considered intercompany transactions and (2) factually supportable. With respect to the statements of earnings, the pro forma events must be expected to have a continuing impact on the combined results. You should read this information in conjunction with the:


	•	accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements

	•	separate historical unaudited financial statements of Johnson & Johnson as of and for the fiscal nine months ended October 2, 2005 included in Johnson & Johnson’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal nine month period ended October 2, 2005, which is incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/ prospectus and

	•	separate historical audited financial statements of Johnson & Johnson as of and for the year ended January 2, 2005 included in Johnson & Johnson’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 2, 2005, which is incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/ prospectus and

	•	separate historical unaudited financial statements of Guidant as of and for the fiscal nine months ended September 30, 2005 included in Guidant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal nine month period ended September 30, 2005, which is incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/ prospectus and

	•	separate historical audited financial statements of Guidant as of and for the year ended December 31, 2004 included in Guidant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, which is incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/ prospectus.

The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information is presented for informational purposes only. The pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of what the financial position or results of operations actually would have been had the merger been completed at the dates indicated. In addition, the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information does not purport to project the future financial position or operating results of Johnson & Johnson after completion of the merger.

The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information was prepared by using the purchase method of accounting. Accordingly, Johnson & Johnson’s cost to acquire Guidant will be allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon their estimated fair values as of the date of completion of the merger. This allocation is dependent upon certain valuations and other studies that have not progressed to a stage where sufficient information is available to make a definitive allocation. Accordingly, the purchase price allocation adjustments reflected in the following unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements are preliminary and have been made solely for the purpose of preparing these statements.

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

STATEMENT OF EARNINGS

For the Year Ended January 2, 2005


								Pro Forma			Pro Forma
		Johnson & Johnson			Guidant			Adjustments			Consolidated

		(in millions, except per share data)
Sales to customers		$	47,348		$	3,766		$	(97	)a	$	51,017

Cost of products sold			13,422			1,003			843	b		15,268

Gross profit			33,926			2,763			(940	)		35,749

Selling, marketing and administrative expenses			15,860			1,191			(38	)a		17,013
Research expense			5,203			516						5,719
Purchased in-process research and development			18			100						118
Interest income			(195	)		(34	)		174	c		(55	)
Interest expense, net of portion capitalized			187			26			55	c		268
Other (income) expense, net			15			86						101

			21,088			1,885			191			23,164

Earnings before provision for taxes on income			12,838			878			(1,131	)		12,585
Provision for taxes on income			4,329			305			(396	)d		4,238

Income from continuing operations		$	8,509		$	573		$	(735	)	$	8,347

Basic earnings per share
	Income from continuing operations	$	2.87		$	1.84					$	2.67
Diluted earnings per share
	Income from continuing operations	$	2.84		$	1.78					$	2.64
Weighted average shares used to calculate earnings per common share amount:
	Basic		2,968.40			312.04						3,122.24
	Diluted		3,003.50			321.24						3,161.87
Dividends paid per share		$	1.095		$	0.40					$	1.095

See Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

STATEMENT OF EARNINGS

For the Fiscal Nine Months Ended October 2, 2005


								Pro Forma			Pro Forma
		Johnson & Johnson			Guidant			Adjustments			Consolidated

		(in millions, except per share data)
Sales to customers		$	37,904		$	2,722		$	(93	)a	$	40,533

Cost of products sold			10,330			795			532	b		11,657

Gross profit			27,574			1,927			(625	)		28,876

Selling, marketing and administrative expenses			12,315			990			(34	)a		13,271
Research expense			4,336			426						4,762
Purchased in-process research and development			353			75						428
Interest income			(316	)		(59	)		215	c		(160	)
Interest expense, net of portion capitalized			52			23						75
Other (income) expense, net			(184	)		55						(129	)

			16,556			1,510			181			18,247

Earnings before provision for taxes on income			11,018			417			(806	)		10,629
Provision for taxes on income			2,790			59			(282	)d		2,567

Income from continuing operations		$	8,228		$	358		$	(524	)	$	8,062

Basic earnings per share
	Income from continuing operations	$	2.77		$	1.11					$	2.57
Diluted earnings per share
	Income from continuing operations	$	2.73		$	1.08					$	2.53
Weighted average shares used to calculate earnings per common share amount:
	Basic		2,973.5			323.67						3,133.07
	Diluted		3,019.0			332.24						3,182.79
Dividends paid per share		$	0.945		$	0.30					$	0.945

See Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

BALANCE SHEET

As of October 2, 2005


								Pro Forma			Pro Forma
		Johnson & Johnson			Guidant			Adjustments			Consolidated

		(in millions, except per share data)
Assets
Current Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	14,825		$	1,995		$	(9,903	)c	$	6,917
	Marketable securities		354			727			(1,081	)c		—
	Accounts receivable trade, less allowances for doubtful accounts		7,154			723			(8	)a		7,869
	Inventories		4,015			385			120	e		4,520
	Deferred taxes on income		1,813			327						2,140
	Prepaid expenses and other receivables		2,415			113			(13	)a		2,515

Total Current Assets		$	30,576		$	4,270		$	(10,885	)	$	23,961

	Marketable securities, non current	$	44		$	—					$	44
	Property, plant and equipment, net		10,227			883		$	100	f		11,210
	Intangible assets, net		12,086			604			20,304	g		32,994
	Deferred taxes on income		658			85			(52	)h		691
	Other assets		2,983			143						3,126

Total Assets		$	56,574		$	5,985		$	9,467		$	72,026


Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Current Liabilities
	Loans and notes payable	$	278		$	350					$	628
	Accounts payable		3,684			91		$	104	i		3,879
	Accrued liabilities		3,164			316			(121	)a		3,359
	Accrued rebates, returns, and promotions		2,120			17						2,137
	Accrued salaries, wages and commissions		1,144			110						1,254
	Accrued taxes on income		1,657			323						1,980

Total current liabilities		$	12,047		$	1,207		$	(17	)	$	13,237

	Long-term debt	$	2,139		$	5					$	2,144
	Deferred tax liability		409			—		$	3,229	j		3,638
	Employee related obligations		3,055			68						3,123
	Other liabilities		2,077			172						2,249

Total liabilities		$	19,727		$	1,452		$	3,212		$	24,391

Shareholders’ Equity
	Preferred Stock — without par value		—			—						—
	Common stock		3,120			999			(836	)k		3,283
	Note receivable from employee stock ownership plan		—			(10	)		10	l		—
	Accumulated other comprehensive income		(751	)		165			(165	)m		(751	)
	Retained Earnings		40,422			3,379			7,246	n		51,047
	Less: common stock held in treasury, at cost		(5,944	)		—						(5,944	)

Total shareholders’ equity		$	36,847		$	4,533		$	6,255		$	47,635

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		$	56,574		$	5,985		$	9,467		$	72,026

See Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


1.	Description of Transaction and Basis of Presentation

At the effective time of the merger, each share of Guidant common stock (other than shares owned by Guidant, Johnson & Johnson and Shelby Merger Sub) will be converted into the right to receive a combination of (i) $33.25 in cash and (ii) 0.493 shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock. The number of shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock to be issued in the merger for each share of Guidant common stock is now fixed. Accordingly, shareholders of Guidant may receive more or less value depending on fluctuations in the price of Johnson & Johnson common stock. Outstanding Guidant stock options at the time of the closing will be converted into options to purchase Johnson & Johnson common stock. Under the terms of the merger agreement, each outstanding stock option with respect to a share of Guidant common stock will be converted into an option to acquire (1) that number of shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock equal to 0.493 and (2) that number of shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock with a value (based upon the volume weighted average trading price per share of Johnson & Johnson common stock for the 15 trading days ending three days prior to the closing) equal to $33.25, which is the cash portion of the merger consideration payable to holders of Guidant common stock. In addition, appropriate adjustments will be made to the exercise price in respect of such options. See “The Merger — Effect on Awards Outstanding Under Guidant Stock Incentive Plans” for a more complete discussion of the treatment of Guidant stock options in the merger.

Johnson & Johnson will account for the merger as a purchase under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Under the purchase method of accounting, the assets and liabilities of Guidant will be recorded as of the acquisition date, at their respective fair values, and consolidated with those of Johnson & Johnson. The reported consolidated financial condition and results of operations of Johnson & Johnson after completion of the merger will reflect these fair values.

The merger is subject to customary closing conditions, including the approval of Guidant shareholders and regulatory approvals. Subject to these conditions, it is anticipated that the merger will be completed during the first quarter of 2006.


2.	Purchase Price

The following is a preliminary estimate of the purchase price for Guidant:


			(in millions)

Number of shares of Guidant common stock outstanding as of October 31, 2005 (in thousands)		330,357
Exchange ratio(1)		0.493

Number of shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock to be issued to holders of Guidant common stock (in thousands)(1)		162,866
Multiplied by assumed price per share of Johnson & Johnson common stock(1)	$	62.17	$	10,125

Cash portion of merger consideration ($33.25 × 330,357)				10,984
Estimated fair value of outstanding Guidant stock options to be exchanged for Johnson & Johnson stock options (calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model)				595
Estimated transaction costs(2)				125

Estimated purchase price			$	21,829

For the purpose of this pro forma analysis, the above estimated purchase price has been allocated based on a preliminary estimate of the fair value of assets and liabilities to be acquired.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


Estimated Purchase Price		(in millions)

Net book value of assets acquired as of September 30, 2005		$	4,533
Less: Write-off of existing goodwill and other intangible assets, including related deferred taxes			(610	)

Adjusted book value of net assets acquired		$	3,923
Remaining allocation:
	Increase inventory to fair value		127
	Increase property plant and equipment to fair value		100
	In-process research and development charge(3)		—
	Identifiable intangible assets at fair value(3)		9,000
	Restructuring costs(4)		—
	Deferred taxes on income		(3,229	)
	Goodwill(3)		11,908

Estimated purchase price		$	21,829


(1)	Guidant shareholders will receive $33.25 in cash and 0.493 shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock for each share of Guidant common stock. Under the purchase method of accounting, the total equity consideration was determined using the average Johnson & Johnson closing stock prices beginning two days before and ending two days after November 15, 2005, the date the acquisition was announced.

(2)	Remaining estimated transaction costs to be recorded as of the closing date of the merger.

(3)	Sufficient information is not available at this time to provide specifics with regard to individual products, valuation methods and appraisal methods. Under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and other relevant laws and regulations, there are significant limitations regarding what Johnson & Johnson can learn about specific Guidant currently marketed products and scientific projects that are underway.


	For purposes of the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements, the estimated allocation to acquired identifiable intangible assets is expected to be within the following general categories:


	•	currently marketed products, including patented and unpatented technology

	•	collaboration agreements and or other licensing arrangements

	•	trademarks and trade names and

	•	customer contracts/relationships.


	The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements include an estimated identifiable intangible asset value of $9 billion amortized on a straight line basis over 12 years. These estimates will be adjusted accordingly if the final identifiable intangible asset valuation generates results, including corresponding useful lives and related amortization methods, that differ from the pro forma estimates. The final valuation is expected to be completed within 12 months from the completion of the merger.

	In accordance with the requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”, any goodwill and acquired indefinite-lived intangibles associated with the merger will not be amortized.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

As required by Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 4, “Applicability of FASB Statement No. 2 to Business Combinations Accounted for by the Purchase Method”, the purchase price allocated to in-process research and development will be expensed immediately. It is reasonable to assume that an in-process research and development charge will be incurred, however the amount of the charge will not be determined until the final valuation is completed.


(4)	Certain restructuring and integration charges will be recorded subsequent to the merger that, under purchase accounting, may or may not be treated as part of the purchase price for Guidant. These costs are not factually supportable or expected to be material and as such have not been reflected in the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements.


3.	Accounting Policies and Financial Statement Classifications

For purposes of the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements, certain reclassifications were made to Guidant’s financial statements to conform to those classifications used by Johnson & Johnson. Reclassifications primarily relate to the following:


	•	Royalties, net to Cost of products sold

	•	Amortization to Cost of products sold

	•	Impairment charge, Litigation, net, Restructuring charge and Foundation contribution to Other (income) expense, net

	•	Interest, net allocated to Interest income and Interest expense

	•	Investments and Sundry to Other assets

	•	Goodwill to Intangible assets, net

	•	Additional paid-in capital and Unearned compensation to Retained earnings.

Upon completion of the merger, Johnson & Johnson will review Guidant’s accounting policies and financial statement classifications. As a result of that review, it may become necessary to make additional changes in accounting policies or reclassifications to the consolidated financial statements.


4.	Intercompany Transactions

Transactions between Johnson & Johnson and Guidant are primarily limited to arrangements between Cordis, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, and Guidant. Cordis and Guidant entered into several commercial arrangements in April 2000, several of which have been subsequently amended, pursuant to which (1) Cordis agreed to distribute Guidant’s Rapid-Exchange catheters and stent delivery systems and (2) the parties settled outstanding litigation under certain patents by agreeing, among other things, to cross-license certain patents related to stents, stent delivery systems and other cardiovascular applications and to arbitrate certain remaining patent disputes. In February 2004, Cordis and Guidant also entered into a strategic agreement to co-promote certain of Cordis’ drug-eluting coronary stents. Guidant also received an option to pursue a similar arrangement in Japan in the future. In addition, Guidant agreed to assist Cordis in the development of a drug-eluting stent that utilizes Guidant’s MULTI-LINK VISION® Stent Delivery System. In addition, in August 2003 an arbitration panel found that Guidant’s Multi-Link Duet Coronary Stent System infringed a patent of Cordis. As a result of this finding, Guidant made a one-time payment, pursuant to the April 2000 commercial arrangements, of $425 million to Cordis in the third quarter of 2003.

Upon completion of the merger, transactions that occurred in connection with these arrangements would be considered intercompany transactions. All significant intercompany balances and transactions

NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

related to these arrangements have been eliminated from the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements.

The accounting for preexisting contractual relationships has been reflected in accordance with EITF Issue 04-01, “Accounting for Preexisting Relationships between the Parties to a Business Combination”.


5.	Pro Forma Adjustments

Adjustments included in the column under the heading “Pro Forma Adjustments” primarily relate to the following (amounts in millions):

(a) To eliminate balances and transactions between Johnson & Johnson and Guidant, which upon completion of the merger, would be considered intercompany balances and transactions. These transactions would result in the elimination of certain sales, alliance revenues, co-promotion expenses and deferred revenue balances.

(b) To record the following cost of products sold adjustments:


					Fiscal Nine Months
		Fiscal Year Ended			Ended October 2,
		January 2, 2005			2005

Intercompany eliminations		$	(11	)	$	(20	)
Acquired intangible amortization			750			563
PP&E depreciation step-up			8			6
Inventory step-up			127
Pre-existing Guidant intangible amortization			(31	)		(17	)

	Total pro forma adjustment	$	843		$	532

(c) To record the payment of the cash portion of the merger consideration ($10,984) and the related impact to interest income and expense.

(d) To adjust income taxes for the pro forma adjustments utilizing Johnson & Johnson’s statutory tax rate.

(e) To record the following inventory adjustments:


		As of
		October 2, 2005

Intercompany eliminations		$	(7	)
Inventory step-up			127

	Total pro forma adjustment	$	120

(f) To record the difference between the book value and the fair value of net property plant and equipment acquired in the merger (step up).

NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(g) To record the following intangible asset adjustments:


		As of
		October 2, 2005

Elimination of pre-existing Guidant goodwill		$	(512	)
Elimination of pre-existing Guidant intangibles			(92	)
Acquired identifiable amortizable intangibles			9,000
Acquired goodwill and indefinite lived trademarks			11,908

	Total pro forma adjustment	$	20,304

(h) To record the following deferred tax adjustments:


		As of
		October 2, 2005

Intercompany eliminations		$	(46	)
Deferred tax asset on pre-existing Guidant goodwill and intangible assets			(6	)

	Total pro forma adjustment	$	(52	)

(i) To record the following accounts payable adjustments:


		As of
		October 2, 2005

Intercompany eliminations		$	(21	)
Transaction costs			125

	Total pro forma adjustment	$	104

(j) To record the deferred tax liability related to acquired identifiable intangibles, inventory and property plant and equipment step ups.

(k) To record the following common stock adjustments:


		As of
		October 2, 2005

Elimination of Guidant common stock (no par value)		$	(999	)
Issuance of Johnson & Johnson common stock ($1 par value)			163

	Total pro forma adjustment	$	(836	)

(l) To eliminate Guidant’s deferred cost, ESOP balance.

(m) To eliminate Guidant’s accumulated other comprehensive income balance.

(n) To record the following retained earnings adjustments:


		As of
		October 2, 2005

Elimination of Guidant’s retained earnings		$	(2,895	)
Elimination of Guidant’s additional paid-in capital			(573	)
Elimination of Guidant’s unearned compensation			89
Intercompany elimination impact			68
Additional paid-in capital			10,557

	Total pro forma adjustment	$	7,246

NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements do not present any adjustments to dividends paid per share on a pro forma basis. Johnson & Johnson’s current quarterly dividend is $0.33 ($1.32 per share annualized) and is subject to future lawful approval and declaration by Johnson & Johnson’s board of directors. Guidant’s current quarterly dividend is $0.10 ($0.40 per share annualized) and is subject to future lawful approval and declaration by Guidant’s board of directors. The dividend policy of Johnson & Johnson following the merger will be determined by its board of directors.

The unaudited pro forma consolidated basic and diluted earnings per share for the respective periods presented are based on the consolidated basic and diluted weighted average shares of Johnson & Johnson and Guidant. The historical basic and diluted weighted average shares of Guidant were converted at the exchange ratio of 0.493.

The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements do not reflect the realization of potential cost savings, or any related restructuring costs. Certain cost savings may result from the merger, however, there can be no assurance that these cost savings will be achieved. Cost savings, if achieved, could result from, among other things, the reduction of overhead expenses, changes in corporate infrastructure, the elimination of duplicative facilities and the leveraging of the consolidated annual external purchases.

The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements do not include accruals in excess of amounts recorded by Guidant for contingencies related to its previously announced product recalls and related governmental investigations, lawsuits, claims and other developments.

The impact of the divestitures and other remedies required by the Federal Trade Commission and the European Commission in connection with the merger are not expected to be material to the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements and as such have not been included.

ACCOUNTING TREATMENT

The merger will be accounted for by Johnson & Johnson using the purchase method of accounting. Under this method of accounting, the purchase price will be allocated to the fair value of the net assets acquired. The excess purchase price over the fair value of the assets acquired will be allocated to goodwill.

COMPARATIVE STOCK PRICES AND DIVIDENDS

Johnson & Johnson common stock is listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “JNJ” and Guidant common stock is listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “GDT”. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, dividends declared and the high and low sales prices per share of Johnson & Johnson common stock and of Guidant common stock as reported by the New York Stock Exchange Composite Transaction Tape. For current price information, Guidant shareholders are urged to consult publicly available sources.


		Johnson & Johnson						Guidant
		Common Stock						Common Stock

						Dividends						Dividends
Calendar Period		High		Low		Declared		High		Low		Declared

2003
	First Quarter	$	58.68	$	49.10	$	0.205	$	37.95	$	28.89	$	0.00
	Second Quarter		59.08		50.75		0.24		45.75		34.59		0.08
	Third Quarter		54.24		49.00		0.24		52.04		43.00		0.08
	Fourth Quarter		52.89		48.05		0.24		60.53		44.95		0.08
2004
	First Quarter		54.90		49.25		0.24		73.70		59.39		0.10
	Second Quarter		57.28		49.90		0.285		69.50		51.50		0.10
	Third Quarter		58.80		54.37		0.285		66.87		49.95		0.10
	Fourth Quarter		64.25		54.81		0.285		74.20		62.05		0.10
2005
	First Quarter		68.68		61.20		0.285		75.08		70.80		0.10
	Second Quarter		69.99		64.43		0.33		75.15		59.94		0.10
	Third Quarter		65.35		61.65		0.33		72.91		64.20		0.10
	Fourth Quarter (through [ ], 2005)		[ ]		[ ]		[ ]		[ ]		[ ]		[ ]

The following table sets forth the high, low and last reported sales prices per share of Johnson & Johnson common stock and of Guidant common stock as reported by the New York Stock Exchange Composite Transaction Tape and the market value of a share of Guidant common stock on an equivalent price per share basis, as determined by reference to the value of the merger consideration to be received in respect of each share of Guidant common stock in the merger, in each case on:


	•	December 15, 2004, the last full trading day prior to the public announcement of the original merger agreement,

	•	November 14, 2005, the last full trading day prior to the public announcement of the amended and restated merger agreement, and

	•	[ ], 2005, the last practicable date prior to mailing this proxy statement/ prospectus.

The table also presents the equivalent value of the merger consideration per share of Guidant common stock on those dates, calculated by multiplying the closing price of Johnson & Johnson common stock on those dates by 0.7488 on December 15, 2004 (which reflects the exchange ratio as determined under the original merger agreement as of December 15, 2004) and 0.493 on November 14, 2005, and [ ], 2005, respectively (which reflects the exchange ratio under the amended and restated merger

agreement), each representing the fraction of a share of Johnson & Johnson common stock that Guidant shareholders would receive in the merger for each share of Guidant common stock.


													Equivalent Price
	Johnson & Johnson						Guidant						per Share of
	Common Stock						Common Stock						Guidant
													Common Stock
	High		Low		Close		High		Low		Close

December 15, 2004	$	61.38	$	60.62	$	60.90	$	72.48	$	70.90	$	72.05	$	76.00
November 14, 2005	$	61.12	$	60.43	$	60.51	$	58.45	$	57.70	$	57.75	$	63.08
[ ], 2005		$[ ]		$[ ]		$[ ]		$[ ]		$[ ]		$[ ]		$[ ]

These prices will fluctuate prior to the special meeting and the consummation of the merger, and shareholders are urged to obtain current market quotations prior to making any decision with respect to the merger.

DESCRIPTION OF JOHNSON & JOHNSON CAPITAL STOCK

The following summary of the capital stock of Johnson & Johnson is subject in all respects to applicable New Jersey law, the Johnson & Johnson restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, and the Johnson & Johnson by-laws. See “Comparison of Rights of Common Shareholders of Johnson & Johnson and Guidant” and “Where You Can Find More Information”.

The total authorized shares of capital stock of Johnson & Johnson consist of (1) 4,320,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share, and (2) 2,000,000 shares of preferred stock, without par value. At the close of business on [ ], 2005, approximately [ ] shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock were issued and outstanding and no shares of Johnson & Johnson preferred stock were issued and outstanding.

The Johnson & Johnson board of directors is authorized to provide for the issuance from time to time of Johnson & Johnson preferred stock in series and, as to each series, to fix the designation, the dividend rate and the preferences, if any, which dividends on that series will have compared to any other class or series of capital stock of Johnson & Johnson, the voting rights, if any, the voluntary and involuntary liquidation prices, the conversion or exchange privileges, if any, applicable to that series and the redemption price or prices and the other terms of redemption, if any, applicable to that series. Cumulative dividends, dividend preferences and conversion, exchange and redemption provisions, to the extent that some or all of these features may be present when shares of Johnson & Johnson preferred stock are issued, could have an adverse effect on the availability of earnings for distribution to the holders of Johnson & Johnson common stock or for other corporate purposes.

COMPARISON OF RIGHTS OF COMMON SHAREHOLDERS

OF JOHNSON & JOHNSON AND GUIDANT

Johnson & Johnson is a New Jersey corporation subject to the provisions of the New Jersey Business Corporation Act, which we refer to as New Jersey law. Guidant is an Indiana corporation subject to the provisions of the Indiana Business Corporation Law, which we refer to as Indiana law. Guidant shareholders, whose rights are currently governed by the Guidant amended articles of incorporation, the Guidant by-laws and Indiana law, will, if the merger is completed, become shareholders of Johnson & Johnson and their rights will be governed by the Johnson & Johnson restated certificate of incorporation, the Johnson & Johnson by-laws and New Jersey law.

The following description summarizes the material differences that may affect the rights of shareholders of Johnson & Johnson and Guidant but does not purport to be a complete statement of all those differences, or a complete description of the specific provisions referred to in this summary. The identification of specific differences is not intended to indicate that other equally or more significant differences do not exist. Shareholders should read carefully the relevant provisions of New Jersey law, Indiana law, the Johnson & Johnson restated certificate of incorporation, the Johnson & Johnson by-laws, the Guidant amended articles of incorporation and the Guidant by-laws.

Capitalization


	*Johnson & Johnson*

Johnson & Johnson’s authorized capital stock is described under “Description of Johnson & Johnson Capital Stock”.


	*Guidant*

The total authorized shares of capital stock of Guidant consist of (1) 1,000,000,000 shares of common stock, without par value, and (2) 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, without par value, of which 1,000,000 are designed as “Series A Participating Preferred Stock” and relate to Guidant’s shareholder rights plan, which is described in “The Merger — Guidant’s Rights Agreement”. On the close of business on [ ], 2005, approximately [ ] shares of Guidant common stock were issued and outstanding and no shares of Guidant preferred stock were issued and outstanding.

Number, Election, Vacancy and Removal of Directors


	*Johnson & Johnson*

The Johnson & Johnson restated certificate of incorporation and the Johnson & Johnson by-laws provide that the total number of Johnson & Johnson directors will be not less than nine nor more than 18, as determined by the Johnson & Johnson board of directors from time to time. Johnson & Johnson currently has 15 directors. All directors are elected at each annual meeting of shareholders to serve until the next annual meeting. The Johnson & Johnson by-laws do not provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors. The Johnson & Johnson by-laws provide that vacancies on the Johnson & Johnson board of directors will be filled by appointment made by a majority vote of the remaining directors. The Johnson & Johnson restated certificate of incorporation and the Johnson & Johnson by-laws provide that directors may be removed, with cause, by a majority vote of the shareholders.


	*Guidant*

The Guidant amended articles of incorporation and the Guidant by-laws provide that the total number of Guidant directors will not be less than seven nor more than 19, as determined by the Guidant board of directors from time to time. Guidant currently has 14 directors. The Guidant board of directors is divided into three classes with approximately one-third of the directors standing for election each year for three-year terms. The Guidant by-laws do not provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors. The Guidant by-laws provide that vacancies on the Guidant board of directors will be filed by appointment

made by a majority vote of the remaining directors. The Guidant amended articles of incorporation and the Guidant by-laws provide that directors may be removed, with or without cause, by an affirmative vote of at least 80% of the outstanding shares of voting stock voting together as a single class.

Amendments to Charter Documents


	*Johnson & Johnson*

Under New Jersey law, a proposed amendment to a corporation’s certificate of incorporation requires approval by its board of directors and an affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by the holders of shares entitled to vote on the amendment, unless a specific provision of New Jersey law or the corporation’s certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. The Johnson & Johnson restated certificate of incorporation provides that if any class or series of shares is entitled to vote thereon as a class, the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast in each class is required. The Johnson & Johnson restated certificate of incorporation also provides that the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of all then outstanding shares of voting stock, voting together as a single class, and the affirmative vote of a majority of the combined votes entitled to be cast by “disinterested shareholders” voting together as a single class is required to amend, repeal or adopt provisions inconsistent with Article Eight of the Johnson & Johnson restated certificate of incorporation which relates to business combinations with interested parties, unless the amendment, repeal or adoption is unanimously recommended by the Johnson & Johnson board of directors if none of its directors are affiliates or associates of any interested shareholder.


	*Guidant*

Under Indiana law, a proposed amendment to a corporation’s articles of incorporation must generally be recommended by the corporation’s board of directors and approved by an affirmative vote of at least a majority of the votes cast at a shareholders’ meeting at which a quorum exists (and, in certain cases, a majority of all shares held by any voting group entitled to vote), unless the corporation’s articles of incorporation or board of directors provides otherwise. The Guidant amended articles of incorporation also provide that the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of all then outstanding shares of Guidant common stock voting together as a single class is required to alter, amend or repeal Article Five of the Guidant amended articles of incorporation which relates to, among other things, the number of directors, classes of directors, removal of directors, amendments to the Guidant by-laws, transactions involving a conflict of interest, approval or ratification by shareholders of contracts or acts of Guidant or its board of directors and the indemnification of directors, officers, employees and agents of Guidant. The Guidant amended articles of incorporation further provide that the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of all then outstanding shares of Guidant common stock voting together as a single class is required to alter, amend or repeal Article Six of the Guidant amended articles of incorporation which relates to certain transactions with “related persons” and which is described in “— Voting Rights; Required Vote for Authorization of Certain Actions” below.

Amendments to By-laws


	*Johnson & Johnson*

Under New Jersey law, the Johnson & Johnson restated certificate of incorporation and the Johnson & Johnson by-laws, the Johnson & Johnson by-laws generally may be amended or repealed in whole or in part by the shareholders at a regular or special meeting of the shareholders or by the Johnson & Johnson board of directors at a regular or special meeting of the board of directors, if notice of the proposed amendment is contained in the notice of such meeting, except that a by-law adopted or amended by the Johnson & Johnson board of directors may be superseded by shareholder action and that shareholder action may preempt any further action by the Johnson & Johnson board of directors with respect to that by-law provision.


	*Guidant*

The Guidant amended articles of incorporation and the Guidant by-laws provide that the Guidant by-laws may be amended, adopted or repealed by a majority vote of the Guidant board of directors. The Guidant amended articles of incorporation further provide that shareholders have no power to make, alter or repeal the Guidant by-laws.

Action by Written Consent


	*Johnson & Johnson*

Under New Jersey law, any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, upon the written consent of shareholders who would have been entitled to cast the minimum number of votes which would be necessary to authorize the action at a meeting at which all shareholders entitled to vote thereon were present and voting; provided, however, that in case of an annual meeting of shareholders for the election of directors, any consent in writing must be unanimous.


	*Guidant*

Under Indiana law, any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting only by a unanimous written consent that is signed by all the shareholders entitled to vote on the action and delivered to the corporation. Neither the Guidant amended articles of incorporation nor the Guidant by-laws provide otherwise.

Notice of Shareholder Actions


	*Johnson & Johnson*

New Jersey law and the Johnson & Johnson by-laws provide that written notice of the time, place and purpose or purposes of every meeting of shareholders must be given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting, either personally or by mail, telegram or telex, to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. The Johnson & Johnson by-laws further provide that the only matters that may be considered and acted upon at an annual meeting of shareholders are those matters brought before the meeting:


	•	through the notice of meeting

	•	by the Johnson & Johnson board of directors or

	•	by a shareholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.

Generally, the Johnson & Johnson by-laws require a shareholder who intends to bring matters before an annual meeting to provide advance notice of such intended action not less than 120 days prior to the date of the proxy statement relating to the prior year’s annual meeting. The notice must contain a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting and must identify any personal or other material interest of the shareholder in such proposed business. The person presiding at the meeting will have the discretion to determine whether any item of business was brought before such meeting in compliance with the above procedures.


	*Guidant*

Indiana law and the Guidant by-laws provide that written notice of the time, place and date of every meeting of shareholders must be delivered or mailed not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. The Guidant by-laws further require that the purpose or purposes of the meeting of shareholders be so provided. The Guidant

by-laws provide that the only business to be conducted at an annual meeting of shareholders is such business properly brought before the meeting:


	•	through the notice of meeting

	•	by the Guidant board of directors or

	•	by a shareholder with legal right and authority to do so.

Generally, the Guidant by-laws require a shareholder who intends to bring matters before an annual meeting to provide advance notice of such intended action not less than 120 days prior to the anniversary date of the prior year’s annual meeting. The notice must contain, among other things, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting and must identify any personal or other material interest of the shareholder in such proposed business. The chairman of the annual meeting will have the discretion to determine whether any item of business was brought before such meeting in compliance with the above procedures.

Special Shareholder Meetings


	*Johnson & Johnson*

Under the Johnson & Johnson by-laws, a special meeting of the shareholders may be called at any time by the chairman of the Johnson & Johnson board of directors, a vice-chairman of the Johnson & Johnson board of directors, the chairman of the executive committee, a vice-chairman of the executive committee, the president or by a majority of the Johnson & Johnson board of directors, and may be held on the business day and place stated in the notice of the meeting.

In addition, New Jersey law provides that holders of not less than 10% of all shares entitled to vote at a meeting may apply to the New Jersey Superior Court to request that a special meeting of the shareholders be called for good cause shown. At such a meeting, the shareholders present in person or by proxy will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business described in such order.


	*Guidant*

Under the Guidant by-laws, a special meeting of the shareholders may be called at any time by the Guidant board of directors, the chairman of the Guidant board of directors, or the Guidant president. Shareholders do not have the right to call special meetings or to bring business before special meetings.

Shareholder Inspection Rights; Shareholder Lists


	*Johnson & Johnson*

Under New Jersey law, a shareholder who has been a shareholder for at least six months or who holds, or is authorized in writing by holders of, at least 5% of the outstanding shares of any class or series of stock of a corporation has the right, for any proper purpose and upon at least five days written notice, to inspect in person or by agent or attorney the minutes of the proceedings of the corporation’s shareholders and its record of shareholders. Irrespective of the period such shareholder has held his, her or its stock or the amount of stock such shareholder holds, a court may, upon proof of proper purpose, compel production for examination by the shareholder of the books and records of account, minutes and record of shareholders of Johnson & Johnson.


	*Guidant*

Under Indiana law, any shareholder who gives at least five business days written notice has the right to inspect and copy, during normal business hours at the corporation’s principal office, the following records and documents, among others:


	•	the corporation’s charter documents

	•	board resolutions with respect to one or more classes or series of shares and fixing their relative rights, preferences and limitations, if shares issued pursuant to the resolutions are outstanding

	•	the minutes of all shareholder meetings and executed written consents from the past three years

	•	all written communications to shareholders generally within the past three years, including annual financial statements and

	•	the corporation’s most recent biennial report filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Indiana.

In addition, subject to the limitations described below, upon at least five business days written notice to the corporation, shareholders may inspect and copy, during normal business hours at a reasonable location specified by the corporation, the following records of the corporation:


	•	excerpts from the minutes of any board meeting

	•	records of any action of a committee of the board while acting for the board

	•	minutes of shareholder meetings

	•	records of action taken by shareholders or the board without a meeting, to the extent not subject to inspection under the provisions described above

	•	accounting records of the corporation and

	•	the record of shareholders.

The right to inspect and copy described in this paragraph is limited to instances where:


	•	the shareholder’s demand is made in good faith and for a proper purpose

	•	the shareholder describes with reasonable particularity the shareholder’s purpose and the records the shareholders desires to inspect and

	•	the records are directly connected with the shareholder’s described purpose.

Limitation of Personal Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers


	*Johnson & Johnson*

Under New Jersey law, a corporation may indemnify a director or officer against his or her expenses and liabilities in connection with any proceeding involving the director or officer by reason of his or her being or having been a director or officer, other than a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation, if:


	•	the director or officer acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and

	•	with respect to any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.

The Johnson & Johnson restated certificate of incorporation provides that, to the full extent permitted under New Jersey law, no director or officer of Johnson & Johnson will be personally liable to Johnson & Johnson or its shareholders for damages for breach of any duty owed to Johnson & Johnson or its shareholders.

The Johnson & Johnson by-laws provide that to the full extent permitted under New Jersey law, Johnson & Johnson will indemnify any person who was or is involved in any manner in any threatened, pending or completed investigation, claim, action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative, legislative or investigative, or who is threatened with being so involved, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of Johnson & Johnson or, while serving as a director or officer of Johnson & Johnson, is or was at the request of Johnson & Johnson also serving as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such proceeding.

Johnson & Johnson enters into indemnification agreements with its directors and officers and enters into insurance agreements on its own behalf.


	*Guidant*

Under Indiana law, a corporation may indemnify officers, directors, employees and agents against liabilities and expenses incurred in proceedings if the person acted in good faith and reasonably believed that, in the case of conduct in the person’s official capacity with the corporation, the person’s conduct was in the corporation’s best interests, and, in all other cases, the person’s conduct was at least not opposed to the corporation’s best interests. In criminal proceedings, the person must either have had reasonable cause to believe the conduct was lawful or must have had no reasonable cause to believe the conduct was unlawful. Under Indiana law, unless a corporation’s articles of incorporation provide otherwise, indemnification is mandatory in two instances:


	•	a director is wholly successful in defending himself or herself, on the merits or otherwise, in a proceeding to which the director was a party because the director is or was a director of the corporation or

	•	indemnification is ordered by a court.

Under Indiana law, a Guidant director will not be liable to Guidant shareholders for any action or failure to act in his or her capacity as director, unless the director has breached or failed to perform his or her duties as a director in good faith, with the care an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would exercise under similar circumstances and in a manner the director reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the corporation, and the breach or failure to perform these duties constitutes willful misconduct or recklessness.

The Guidant amended articles of incorporation provide that to the full extent permitted under Indiana law, Guidant will indemnify any person who was or is involved in any manner in any pending, threatened or completed claim, action, suit or proceeding and all appeals thereof, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, formal or informal, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of Guidant or is or was serving at the request of Guidant as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other organization or entity, whether for profit or not, against all reasonable expenses (including counsel fees and disbursements), judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes and amounts paid in settlement incurred in connection with such proceeding. The Guidant amended articles of incorporation deem its indemnification provisions to be a contract between Guidant and the affected person, and any rights held by the affected person in accordance with the indemnification provisions cannot be diminished or negatively impaired by any repeal, amendment or modification of the provisions occurring after the affected person had reason to rely on such provisions.

Dividends


	*Johnson & Johnson*

The Johnson & Johnson restated certificate of incorporation provides that the Johnson & Johnson board of directors may from time to time declare dividends on its outstanding shares in accordance with New Jersey law.


	*Guidant*

Under Indiana law, the Guidant board of directors may not authorize and pay dividends to its shareholders if after giving it effect:


	•	Guidant would not be able to pay its debts as they become due in the usual course of business or

	•	Guidant’s total assets would be less than its total liabilities plus any amount that would be needed if Guidant were to be dissolved.

Conversion


	*Johnson & Johnson*

Holders of Johnson & Johnson common stock have no rights to convert their shares into any other securities.


	*Guidant*

Holders of Guidant common stock have no rights to convert their shares into any other securities.

Shareholder Rights Plan


	*Johnson & Johnson*

Johnson & Johnson does not have a rights plan. New Jersey law, however, endorses share rights or options issued by New Jersey corporations that, among other things, include conditions precluding holders of a specified percentage of outstanding shares of a corporation from exercising such share rights or options or which invalidate the share rights or options beneficially owned by such holders and their transferees.


	*Guidant*

For a description of Guidant’s shareholder rights plan, see “The Merger — Guidant’s Rights Plan”.

Voting Rights; Required Vote for Authorization of Certain Actions


	*Johnson & Johnson*

Each holder of Johnson & Johnson common stock is entitled to one vote for each share held of record and may not cumulate votes for the election of directors.

Merger or Consolidation. Under New Jersey law, the consummation of a merger or consolidation of a New Jersey corporation organized prior to January 1, 1969, such as Johnson & Johnson, requires the approval of such corporation’s board of directors and the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the votes cast by the holders of shares of the corporation entitled to vote thereon; however, no such approval and vote are required if such corporation is the surviving corporation and


	•	such corporation’s certificate of incorporation is not amended

	•	the shareholders of the surviving corporation whose shares were outstanding immediately before the effective date of the merger will hold the same number of shares, with identical designations, preferences, limitations, and rights, immediately after and


	•	the number of voting shares and participation shares outstanding after the merger will not exceed by 40% the total number of voting or participating shares of the surviving corporation before the merger.

Similarly, a sale of all or substantially all of such corporation’s assets other than in the ordinary course of business, or a voluntary dissolution of such corporation, requires the approval of such corporation’s board of directors and the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the votes cast by the holders of shares of such corporation entitled to vote thereon.

Business Combinations. Under New Jersey law, no New Jersey corporation may engage in any “business combination” with any interested shareholder (generally, a 10% or greater shareholder) for a period of five years following such interested shareholder’s stock acquisition, unless such business combination is approved by the board of directors of such corporation prior to the stock acquisition.

Under New Jersey law, “business combination” includes:


	•	merger or consolidation of a resident domestic corporation or one of its subsidiaries:


	•	with an interested shareholder or

	•	with any corporation which is, or would be after such merger or consolidation, an affiliate or associate of an interested shareholder


	•	any transfer or other disposition to or with an interested shareholder or any affiliate or associate of an interested shareholder of at least 10% of (1) the assets, (2) the outstanding shares or (3) the earning power or income, on a consolidated basis, of such resident domestic corporation and

	•	other specified self-dealing transactions between such resident domestic corporation and an interested shareholder or any affiliate or associate thereof.

In addition, no resident domestic corporation may engage, at any time, in any business combination with any interested shareholder of such corporation other than:


	•	a business combination approved by the board of directors of such corporation prior to the stock acquisition

	•	a business combination approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the voting stock not beneficially owned by such interested shareholder at a meeting called for such purpose or

	•	a business combination in which the interested shareholder meets certain fair price criteria.

In addition to the requirement under New Jersey law regarding business combinations with an interested shareholder, the Johnson & Johnson restated certificate of incorporation prohibits Johnson & Johnson from engaging in any “business combination” with any interested shareholder (generally, a 10% or greater shareholder) without (1) the affirmative vote of at least 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of all then outstanding shares of Johnson & Johnson voting stock, voting together as a single class, and (2) the affirmative vote of a majority of the combined votes entitled to be cast by “disinterested shareholders” (as defined in the Johnson & Johnson restated certificate of incorporation), voting together as a single class; provided that any business combination will require only the approval required under New Jersey law if, among other things, such business combination has been approved at any time by a majority of the “continuing directors” (as defined in the Johnson & Johnson restated certificate of incorporation) and certain fair price requirements are met.

The Johnson & Johnson restated certificate of incorporation defines “business combination” to include:


	•	any merger or consolidation of Johnson & Johnson


	•	with an interested shareholder or


	•	with any other corporation which is, or after such merger or consolidation would be, an affiliate or associate of an interested shareholder


	•	any transfer or other disposition to or with any interested shareholder or any affiliate or associate of an interested shareholder of any assets or securities of Johnson & Johnson or any of its subsidiaries having an aggregate fair market value of 5% of the total assets of Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiaries

	•	the adoption of a plan of liquidation of Johnson & Johnson proposed by an interested shareholder or any affiliate or associate of an interested shareholder and

	•	any transaction which increases the capital stock beneficially owned by an interested shareholder or any affiliate or associate of an interested shareholder.

Control share acquisition. There is no control share acquisition rule under New Jersey law similar to that described in “— Voting Rights; Required Vote for Authorization of Certain Actions — Guidant — Control Share Acquisitions”.


	*Guidant*

Each holder of Guidant common stock is entitled to one vote for each share held of record and may not cumulate votes for the election of directors.

Merger or Consolidation. Under Indiana law, the consummation of a merger requires the approval of a majority of the board of directors of each corporation and the approval of each voting group entitled to vote separately on the plan by a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast by that voting group, unless a greater vote or a vote by voting groups is required by Indiana law, the corporation’s articles of incorporation or its board of directors. Separate voting by voting groups is required if the plan of merger contains a provision that, if contained in a proposed amendment to a corporation’s articles of incorporation, would require action by one or more separate voting groups.

Under Indiana law, approval of the shareholders of an Indiana corporation which is a surviving corporation in a merger is not required if:


	•	the articles of the surviving corporation will not differ from its articles before the merger

	•	immediately after the effective date each shareholder of the surviving corporation will hold the same proportionate number of shares as those held by the shareholder immediately prior to the merger, with identical designations, preferences, limitations and rights and

	•	the number of voting or participating shares, as the case may be, outstanding immediately after the merger (either by conversion of other securities or upon exercise of rights or warrants issued pursuant to the merger), plus the number of voting or participating shares issuable as a result of the merger, will not exceed by more than 20% the number of voting or participating shares (adjusted to reflect any share split under the plan of merger) of the surviving corporation outstanding immediately prior to the merger.

Under Indiana law, a sale of all or substantially all of Guidant’s assets outside of the regular course of business requires the approval of the board of directors and the affirmative vote of a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the transaction unless the Guidant board of directors or the Guidant amended articles of incorporation require a greater vote or a vote by voting groups.

Business Combinations. Under Indiana law, an “interested shareholder” (e.g., any holder of 10% or more of the shares) of an Indiana corporation with a class of voting shares registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, or which has specifically adopted this provision in the corporation’s articles of incorporation, is prohibited for a period of five years from completing a business combination (generally a merger, significant asset sale or disposition or significant issuance of additional shares) with the corporation unless, prior to the acquisition of the 10% interest, the board of directors of the target corporation approved either the acquisition of such interest or the proposed business combination. If board approval is

not obtained, then five years after a 10% or more shareholder has become such, a business combination with the 10% or more shareholder is permitted if all provisions of the articles of incorporation of the corporation are met and either a majority of disinterested shareholders approve the transaction or all shareholders receive a price per share determined in accordance with the fair price criteria of the business combinations provision of Indiana law.

An Indiana corporation may elect to remove itself from the protection provided by the Indiana business combinations provision by amending its articles of incorporation with the approval of holders of at least a majority of the corporation’s outstanding shares not held by a 10% or more shareholder. However, this election remains ineffective for 18 months after the amendment and does not apply to a combination with a shareholder who had acquired a 10% or more ownership position prior to the effective time of the election. Guidant has not elected to remove itself from the protection provided by the Indiana business combinations provision.

The Guidant amended articles of incorporation provide that, in addition to applicable law and unless otherwise provided for in the Guidant amended articles of incorporation, Guidant, acting on its own behalf or as a shareholder of any majority-owned subsidiary, shall not give effect to or approve certain specified transactions involving a “related person.” “Related person” is defined in the Guidant amended articles of incorporation and generally includes any other corporation, person, or entity which beneficially owns or controls, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of the outstanding shares of Guidant voting stock. However, Guidant may give effect or approve transactions involving a related person if all of the following are satisfied:


	•	the actions and transactions were authorized by the affirmative vote of at least 80% of all of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of the outstanding shares of voting stock voting together as a single class (which is not applicable if the action or transaction is approved by the Guidant board of directors and by a majority of the “continuing directors” (generally, directors that are not affiliates of a related person and who either were board members prior to the related person becoming a related person or were nominated by a majority of the remaining continuing directors))

	•	unless approved by a majority of the continuing directors, after becoming a related person and prior to consummation of such action or transaction:


	•	the related person shall not have acquired from Guidant or any of its subsidiaries any newly issued or treasury shares of capital stock or any newly issued securities convertible into capital stock of Guidant or any of its majority-owned subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, subject to certain exceptions

	•	the related person shall not have received the benefit, directly or indirectly (except proportionately as a shareholder), of any form of financial assistance or tax credits provided by Guidant or any of its majority-owned subsidiaries, or made any major changes to the businesses or capital structures of Guidant or any of its majority-owned subsidiaries, or reduced the current rate of dividends payable on Guidant’s capital stock below the rate in effect immediately prior to the time such Related Person became a Related Person

	•	the related person shall have taken all required actions within its power to ensure that the Guidant board of directors included representation by continuing directors as provided in the Guidant amended articles of incorporation and


	•	a proxy statement in compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the Guidant amended articles of incorporation shall be mailed to the shareholders of Guidant for the purpose of soliciting shareholder approval of such action or transaction unless the action or transaction has been approved by a majority of the continuing directors.

Control share acquisitions. Under Indiana law, unless an Indiana corporation provides an exemption in its articles of incorporation or by-laws, any person who makes a “control share acquisition” may not vote the shares acquired in that acquisition, except to the extent voting rights relating to those shares are

granted by a resolution approved by a vote of disinterested shareholders. A “control share acquisition” is defined as either:


	•	the acquisition by a person of, either within a 90-day period or pursuant to a plan to make a control share acquisition of ownership or

	•	the power to direct the voting of, shares representing between one-fifth and one-third, between one-third and one-half, or one-half or more of an issuing public corporation’s voting power in the election of directors.

The acquiring person may request, and the corporation must call, a special shareholders’ meeting to restore or approve voting rights after the acquiring person delivers to the corporation a statement describing the acquisition or proposed acquisition (an “acquiring person statement”), and an undertaking to pay the expenses relating to the meeting. Shares acquired in a control share acquisition in which no acquiring person statement has been filed may be redeemed by the corporation at their fair value, under certain circumstances. Unless otherwise provided in a corporation’s articles of incorporation or by-laws, if shares acquired in a control share acquisition are given full voting rights and the acquiring person has acquired shares representing a majority or more of the corporation’s voting power, then the other shareholders will be entitled to dissenters’ rights of appraisal.

Pursuant to the Guidant by-laws, Guidant has elected to exempt itself from the Indiana control share statute.

Other Corporate Constituencies


	*Johnson & Johnson*

New Jersey law provides that in determining whether a proposal or offer to acquire a corporation is in the best interest of the corporation, a board of directors may, in addition to considering the effects of any action on shareholders, consider (1) the effects of the proposed action on the corporation’s employees, suppliers, creditors and customers, (2) the effects on the community in which the corporation operates and (3) the long-term as well as short-term interests of the corporation and its shareholders, including the possibility that those interests may be served best by the continued independence of the corporation. New Jersey law also provides that if, based on those factors, a board determines that the offer is not in the best interest of the corporation it may reject the offer.


	*Guidant*

Under Indiana law, in discharging his or her duties to the corporation and in determining what is in the best interests of the corporation, a director may, in addition to considering the effects of any action on shareholders, consider the effects of the action on employees, suppliers, customers, the communities in which the corporation operates and any other factors that the director considers pertinent. Directors are not required to approve a proposed business combination or other corporate action if the directors determine in good faith that the approval is not in the best interests of the corporation. In addition, directors are not required to:


	•	render inapplicable the business combination provisions of Indiana law

	•	redeem any rights under, or render inapplicable, a shareholder rights plan or

	•	to take or decline to take any action solely because of the effect that the action might have on a proposed change of control.

Guidant’s amended articles of incorporation require the Guidant board of directors, when considering any business combination with a “related person,” to give due consideration to all relevant factors, including, without limitation, the effects on shareholders, employees, suppliers, and customers of Guidant, communities in which offices or other facilities of Guidant are located, and any other factors considered to be pertinent by the Guidant board of directors.

Indiana law explicitly provides that any different or higher degree of scrutiny imposed in Delaware and some other jurisdictions upon director actions taken in response to potential changes in control will not apply.

Dissenters’ Rights


	*Johnson & Johnson*

Under New Jersey law, shareholders have the right to dissent from any plan of merger or consolidation to which the corporation is a party, and to demand payment for the fair value of their shares. However, unless the certificate of incorporation otherwise provides, New Jersey law provides that shareholders do not have a right to dissent from any plan of merger or consolidation with respect to shares (1) of a class or series which is listed on a national securities exchange or is held of record by not less than 1,000 holders; or (2) for which, pursuant to the plan of merger or consolidation, such shareholder will receive (x) cash, (y) shares, obligations or other securities which, upon consummation of the merger or consolidation, will either be listed on a national securities exchange or held of record by not less than 1,000 holders, or (z) cash and such securities. In addition, New Jersey law provides that, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise, shareholders of a surviving corporation do not have the right to dissent from a plan of merger if the merger did not require for its approval the vote of such shareholders. In addition, unless a corporation’s certificate of incorporation provides otherwise, New Jersey law provides that shareholders do not have a right to dissent from any sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of a corporation (1) with respect to shares of a class or series which is listed on a national securities exchange or is held of record by not less than 1,000 holders; (2) from a transaction pursuant to a plan of dissolution of the corporation which provides for distribution of substantially all of its net assets to shareholders in accordance with their respective interests within one year after the date of such transaction, where such transaction is wholly for (x) cash or (y) shares, obligations or other securities which, upon consummation of the plan of dissolution, will either be listed on a national securities exchange or held of record by not less than 1,000 holders, or (z) cash and such securities; or (3) from a sale pursuant to an order of a court having jurisdiction.

Johnson & Johnson’s restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws are silent as to dissenters’ rights.


	*Guidant*

Under Indiana law, shareholders of an Indiana corporation possess dissenters’ rights in connection with certain mergers and other significant corporate actions. A shareholder is entitled to dissent from and obtain payment of the fair value of the shareholder’s shares in the event of:


	•	consummation of a plan of merger, if shareholder approval is required and the shareholder is entitled to vote on the plan

	•	consummation of a plan of share exchange by which the shareholder’s shares will be acquired, if the shareholder is entitled to vote on the plan

	•	consummation of a sale or exchange of all, or substantially all, the property of the corporation, other than in the usual course of business, if the shareholder is entitled to vote on the sale or exchange

	•	approval of a control share acquisition under Indiana law and

	•	any corporate action taken pursuant to a shareholder vote to the extent the articles of incorporation, by-laws or resolution of the board of directors provides that voting or non-voting shareholders are entitled to dissent and obtain payment for their shares.

The dissenters’ rights provisions described above do not apply, however, to the holders of shares of any class or series with respect to any transaction described above if the shares of that class or series were registered on a United States securities exchange registered under the Exchange Act or traded on the Nasdaq National Market. As of the date of this proxy statement/ prospectus, shares of Guidant common

stock were traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Therefore, Guidant shareholders currently would not be entitled to assert dissenters’ rights pursuant to Indiana law with respect to any of the transactions discussed above.

LEGAL MATTERS

The legality of Johnson & Johnson common stock offered by this proxy statement/ prospectus will be passed upon for Johnson & Johnson by Philip P. Crowley, Assistant General Counsel of Johnson & Johnson. Mr. Crowley is paid a salary by Johnson & Johnson, is a participant in various employee benefit plans offered to employees of Johnson & Johnson generally and owns and has options to purchase shares of Johnson & Johnson common stock.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) of Johnson & Johnson and subsidiaries incorporated in this proxy statement/ prospectus by reference to the Johnson & Johnson Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2005, have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

The consolidated financial statements of Guidant appearing in Guidant’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2004 (including the schedule appearing therein), and Guidant management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, included therein, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and management’s assessment are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

OTHER MATTERS

As of the date of this proxy statement/ prospectus, the Guidant board of directors knows of no matters that will be presented for consideration at the special meeting other than as described in this proxy statement/ prospectus.

FUTURE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

Guidant will not hold a 2005 annual meeting of Guidant shareholders and will hold a 2006 annual meeting of Guidant shareholders only if the merger is not completed. The deadline for receipt by Guidant’s secretary of shareholder proposals for inclusion in Guidant’s proxy materials for the 2006 annual meeting (if it is held) will be a reasonable time before Guidant begins to print and mail its proxy materials.

Additionally, if a Guidant shareholder wishes to nominate a candidate for director or propose other business for the 2006 annual meeting (if it is held), Guidant’s secretary must have received written notice no later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which notice of the date of the 2006 annual meeting is mailed or public announcement of the date of the 2006 annual meeting is made, whichever first occurs. The notice must provide additional information as described in Guidant’s by-laws.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

Johnson & Johnson and Guidant file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You may read and copy any reports, statements or other information that Johnson & Johnson and Guidant file with the Securities and Exchange Commission at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s public reference room at the following location:

Public Reference Room

450 Fifth Street, N.W.

Room 1024

Washington, D.C. 20549

Please call the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. These Securities and Exchange Commission filings are also available to the public from commercial document retrieval services and at the website maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission at “http://www.sec.gov”. Reports, proxy statements and other information concerning Johnson & Johnson and Guidant may also be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange at 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

The Securities and Exchange Commission allows Johnson & Johnson and Guidant to “incorporate by reference” information into this proxy statement/ prospectus, which means that the companies can disclose important information to you by referring you to other documents filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The information incorporated by reference is considered part of this proxy statement/ prospectus, except for any information superseded by information contained directly in this proxy statement/ prospectus or in later filed documents incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/ prospectus.

This proxy statement/ prospectus incorporates by reference the documents set forth below that Johnson & Johnson and Guidant have previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These documents contain important business and financial information about Johnson & Johnson and Guidant that is not included in or delivered with this proxy statement/ prospectus.


Johnson & Johnson Filings		Period
Annual Report on Form 10-K		Fiscal Year ended January 2, 2005
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q		Filed on May 10, 2005
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q		Filed on August 10, 2005
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q		Filed on November 7, 2005
Current Report on Form 8-K		Filed on November 15, 2005
Current Report on Form 8-K		Filed on November 18, 2005

Guidant Filings		Period
Annual Report on Form 10-K		Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2004
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q		Filed on May 9, 2005
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q		Filed on August 5, 2005
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q		Filed on November 7, 2005
Current Report on Form 8-K		Filed on November 7, 2005
Current Report on Form 8-K		Filed on November 15, 2005
Current Report on Form 8-K		Filed on November 18, 2005
Current Report on Form 8-K		Filed on November 30, 2005

Johnson & Johnson and Guidant also incorporate by reference additional documents that may be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act between the date of this proxy statement/ prospectus and, in the case of Johnson & Johnson, the date of the completion of the merger, and, in the case of Guidant, the date of the special meeting of Guidant’s

shareholders. These include periodic reports, such as Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as proxy statements.

Johnson & Johnson has supplied all information contained or incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/ prospectus relating to Johnson & Johnson and Guidant has supplied all such information relating to Guidant.

If you are a shareholder, we may have previously sent you some of the documents incorporated by reference, but you can obtain any of them through the companies, the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Securities

and Exchange Commission’s website as described above. Documents incorporated by reference are available from the companies without charge, excluding all exhibits, except that if the companies have specifically incorporated by reference an exhibit in this proxy statement/ prospectus, the exhibit will also be provided without charge. Shareholders may obtain documents incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/ prospectus by requesting them in writing or by telephone from the appropriate company at the following addresses:


Johnson & Johnson		Guidant Corporation
One Johnson & Johnson Plaza		111 Monument Circle, 29th Floor
New Brunswick, NJ 08933		Indianapolis, IN 46204-5129
Attention: Office of Corporate Secretary		Attention: Secretary
Telephone: (732) 524-2455		Telephone: (317) 971-2000

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/ prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different from what is contained in this proxy statement/ prospectus. This proxy statement/ prospectus is dated [ ], 2005. You should not assume that the information contained in this proxy statement/ prospectus is accurate as of any date other than that date. Neither the mailing of this proxy statement/ prospectus to shareholders nor the issuance of Johnson & Johnson common stock in the merger creates any implication to the contrary.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This proxy statement/ prospectus contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, business strategies, operating efficiencies or synergies, competitive positions, growth opportunities for existing products, plans and objectives of management, markets for stock of Johnson & Johnson and Guidant and other matters. Statements in this proxy statement/ prospectus that are not historical facts are hereby identified as “forward-looking statements” for the purpose of the safe harbor provided by Section 21E of the Exchange Act and Section 27A of the Securities Act. Such forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, those relating to the future business prospects, revenues and income, in each case relating to Johnson & Johnson or Guidant, wherever they occur in this proxy statement/ prospectus, are necessarily estimates reflecting the best judgment of the senior management of Johnson & Johnson (with regard to matters relating to Johnson & Johnson) or Guidant (with regard to matters relating to Guidant) and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements should, therefore, be considered in light of various important factors, including those set forth in this proxy statement/ prospectus. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from estimates or projections contained in the forward-looking statements include without limitation:


	•	competitive factors, including technological advances achieved and patents attained by competitors and generic competition as patents on products expire and

	•	government laws and regulations affecting domestic and foreign operations, including those relating to trade, monetary and fiscal policies, taxes, price controls, regulatory approval of new products and licensing.

Words such as “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “expect,” “believe” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are found at various places throughout this proxy statement/ prospectus and the other documents incorporated by reference. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this proxy statement/ prospectus. Neither Johnson & Johnson nor Guidant undertakes any obligation to publicly update or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this proxy statement/ prospectus or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

The foregoing list sets forth some, but not all, of the factors that could impact upon Johnson & Johnson’s and Guidant’s ability to achieve results described in any forward-looking statements. A further list and description of these and other factors can be found in Exhibit 99(b) of Johnson & Johnson’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2005, and in Exhibit 99 of Guidant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements that speak only as of the date made. Investors also should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors and that this list should not be considered a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Investors should also realize that if underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from Johnson & Johnson’s or Guidant’s projections. Johnson & Johnson and Guidant undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of future events or developments.

Annex 1

AMENDED AND RESTATED

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

Dated as of November 14, 2005

Among

JOHNSON & JOHNSON,

SHELBY MERGER SUB, INC.

And

GUIDANT CORPORATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS


ARTICLE I
The Merger
SECTION 1.01.	The Merger	1-1
SECTION 1.02.	Closing	1-1
SECTION 1.03.	Effective Time	1-2
SECTION 1.04.	Effects of the Merger	1-2
SECTION 1.05.	Articles of Incorporation and By-laws	1-2
SECTION 1.06.	Directors	1-2
SECTION 1.07.	Officers	1-2
ARTICLE II
Effect of the Merger on the Capital Stock of the Constituent Corporations; Exchange of Certificates
SECTION 2.01.	Effect on Capital Stock	1-2
SECTION 2.02.	Exchange of Certificates	1-3
ARTICLE III
Representations and Warranties
SECTION 3.01.	Representations and Warranties of the Company	1-5
SECTION 3.02.	Representations and Warranties of Parent and Sub	1-21
ARTICLE IV
Covenants Relating to Conduct of Business; No Solicitation
SECTION 4.01.	Conduct of Business	1-25
SECTION 4.02.	No Solicitation	1-29
ARTICLE V
Additional Agreements
SECTION 5.01.	Preparation of the Form S-4 and the Proxy Statement; Shareholders’ Meeting	1-31
SECTION 5.02.	Access to Information; Confidentiality	1-31
SECTION 5.03.	Reasonable Best Efforts	1-32
SECTION 5.04.	Company Stock Options; ESPP	1-34
SECTION 5.05.	Indemnification, Exculpation and Insurance	1-35
SECTION 5.06.	Fees and Expenses	1-36
SECTION 5.07.	Public Announcements	1-37
SECTION 5.08.	Affiliates	1-37
SECTION 5.09.	Stock Exchange Listing	1-37
SECTION 5.10.	Shareholder Litigation	1-37
SECTION 5.11.	Employee Matters	1-37
SECTION 5.12.	Company Notes	1-38
SECTION 5.13.	Rights Agreement	1-38

1-i


ARTICLE VI
Conditions Precedent
SECTION 6.01.	Conditions to Each Party’s Obligation to Effect the Merger	1-39
SECTION 6.02.	Conditions to Obligations of Parent and Sub	1-39
SECTION 6.03.	Conditions to Obligation of the Company	1-40
SECTION 6.04.	Frustration of Closing Conditions	1-40
ARTICLE VII
Termination, Amendment and Waiver
SECTION 7.01.	Termination	1-41
SECTION 7.02.	Effect of Termination	1-41
SECTION 7.03.	Amendment	1-41
SECTION 7.04.	Extension; Waiver	1-42
SECTION 7.05.	Procedure for Termination or Amendment	1-42
ARTICLE VIII
General Provisions
SECTION 8.01.	Nonsurvival of Representations and Warranties	1-42
SECTION 8.02.	Notices	1-42
SECTION 8.03.	Definitions	1-43
SECTION 8.04.	Interpretation	1-44
SECTION 8.05.	Consents and Approvals	1-44
SECTION 8.06.	Counterparts	1-44
SECTION 8.07.	Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries	1-44
SECTION 8.08.	GOVERNING LAW	1-44
SECTION 8.09.	Assignment	1-44
SECTION 8.10.	Specific Enforcement; Consent to Jurisdiction	1-45
SECTION 8.11.	Waiver of Jury Trial	1-45
SECTION 8.12.	Severability	1-45
Annex I Index of Defined Terms		1-47
Exhibit A Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation		1-50
Exhibit B Affiliate Letter		1-51

1-ii


	AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this “Agreement”) dated as of November 14, 2005, among JOHNSON & JOHNSON, a New Jersey corporation (“Parent”), SHELBY MERGER SUB, INC., an Indiana corporation and a wholly owned Subsidiary of Parent (“Sub”), and GUIDANT CORPORATION, an Indiana corporation (the “Company”).

WHEREAS Parent, Sub and the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of December 15, 2004 (the “Original Merger Agreement”), and they now desire to amend and restate the Original Merger Agreement (it being understood that all references to “the date hereof” or “the date of this Agreement” refer to December 15, 2004);

WHEREAS the Board of Directors of each of the Company and Sub has adopted, and the Board of Directors of Parent has approved, this Agreement and the merger of Sub with and into the Company (the “Merger”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, whereby each issued and outstanding share of common stock, without par value, of the Company (“Company Common Stock”), other than shares of Company Common Stock directly owned by Parent, Sub or the Company, will be converted into the right to receive (a) a number of validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share, of Parent (“Parent Common Stock”) and (b) $33.25 in cash, without interest;

WHEREAS simultaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, Parent and the Company are entering into a Settlement Agreement for the purpose of permanently settling and resolving any and all claims, disputes, issues or matters that exist between them relating to the matters contemplated by the Original Merger Agreement or raised by the litigation filed by the Company with respect to the Original Merger Agreement, and agreeing to dismiss such litigation with prejudice; and

WHEREAS Parent, Sub and the Company desire to make certain representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with the Merger and also to prescribe various conditions to the Merger.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement, and subject to the conditions set forth herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

The Merger

SECTION 1.01. The Merger. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, and in accordance with the Business Corporation Law of the State of Indiana (the “IBCL”), Sub shall be merged with and into the Company at the Effective Time. Following the Effective Time, the separate corporate existence of Sub shall cease and the Company shall continue as the surviving corporation in the Merger (the “Surviving Corporation”) and shall succeed to and assume all the rights and obligations of Sub in accordance with the IBCL.

SECTION 1.02. Closing. The closing of the Merger (the “Closing”) will take place at 10:00 a.m. on a date to be specified by the parties, which shall be no later than the second business day after satisfaction or (to the extent permitted by applicable Law) waiver of the conditions set forth in Article VI (other than those conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or (to the extent permitted by applicable Law) waiver of those conditions), at the offices of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, Worldwide Plaza, 825 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10019, unless another time, date or place is agreed to in writing by Parent and the Company; provided, however, that if all the conditions set forth in Article VI shall no longer be satisfied or (to the extent permitted by applicable Law) waived on such second business day, then the Closing shall take place on the first business day on which all such conditions shall again have been satisfied or (to the extent permitted by

1-1

applicable Law) waived unless another time is agreed to in writing by Parent and the Company. The date on which the Closing occurs is referred to in this Agreement as the “Closing Date”.

SECTION 1.03. Effective Time. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, as soon as practicable on the Closing Date, the parties shall file with the Secretary of State of the State of Indiana articles of merger (the “Articles of Merger”) executed and acknowledged by the parties in accordance with the relevant provisions of the IBCL and, as soon as practicable on or after the Closing Date, shall make all other filings or recordings required under the IBCL. The Merger shall become effective upon the filing of the Articles of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Indiana, or at such later time as Parent and the Company shall agree and shall specify in the Articles of Merger (the time the Merger becomes effective being the “Effective Time”).

SECTION 1.04. Effects of the Merger. The Merger shall have the effects set forth in Section 23-1-40-6 of the IBCL.

SECTION 1.05. Articles of Incorporation and By-laws. (a) The Articles of Incorporation of the Company (the “Company Articles”) shall be amended at the Effective Time to be in the form of Exhibit A and, as so amended, such Company Articles shall be the Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter changed or amended as provided therein or by applicable Law.


	(b) The By-laws of Sub, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be the By-laws of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter changed or amended as provided therein or by applicable Law.

SECTION 1.06. Directors. The directors of Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the directors of the Surviving Corporation until the earlier of their resignation or removal or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified, as the case may be.

SECTION 1.07. Officers. The officers of the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the officers of the Surviving Corporation until the earlier of their resignation or removal or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified, as the case may be.

ARTICLE II

Effect of the Merger on the Capital Stock of the

Constituent Corporations; Exchange of Certificates

SECTION 2.01. Effect on Capital Stock. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder of any shares of Company Common Stock or any shares of capital stock of Parent or Sub:


	(a) Capital Stock of Sub. Each issued and outstanding share of capital stock of Sub shall be converted into and become one validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable share of common stock, without par value, of the Surviving Corporation.

	(b) Cancelation of Treasury Stock and Parent-Owned Stock. Each share of Company Common Stock that is directly owned by the Company, Parent or Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time shall automatically be canceled and shall cease to exist, and no consideration shall be delivered in exchange therefor.

	(c) Conversion of Company Common Stock. Subject to Section 2.02(e), each share of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than shares to be canceled in accordance with Section 2.01(b)) shall be converted into the right to receive (i) 0.493 (the “Exchange Ratio”) validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable shares of Parent Common Stock (the “Stock Portion”) and (ii) $33.25 in cash, without interest (the “Cash Portion” and, together with the Stock Portion, the “Merger Consideration”). At the Effective Time, all such shares of Company Common Stock shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be canceled and shall cease to exist, and each holder of a certificate which immediately prior to the Effective

1-2

Time represented any such shares of Company Common Stock (each, a “Certificate”) shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except the right to receive the Merger Consideration, any dividends or other distributions payable pursuant to Section 2.02(c) and cash in lieu of any fractional shares payable pursuant to Section 2.02(e), in each case to be issued or paid in consideration therefor upon surrender of such Certificate in accordance with Section 2.02(b), without interest. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time, (A) the outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock shall have been changed into a different number of shares or a different class, by reason of the occurrence or record date of any stock dividend, subdivision, reclassification, recapitalization, split, combination, exchange of shares or similar transaction, (B) Parent declares or pays cash dividends in any fiscal quarter in excess of 200% of the amount of regularly quarterly dividends paid by the Parent immediately prior to the date hereof or (C) Parent engages in any spin-off or split-off, then in any such case the Exchange Ratio shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect such action. The right of any holder of a Certificate to receive the Merger Consideration, any dividends or other distributions payable pursuant to Section 2.02(c) and cash in lieu of any fractional shares payable pursuant to Section 2.02(e) shall be subject to and reduced by the amount of any withholding that is required under applicable tax Law.

SECTION 2.02. Exchange of Certificates. (a) Exchange Agent. Prior to the Effective Time, Parent shall appoint EquiServe Trust Company or another bank or trust company that is reasonably satisfactory to the Company to act as exchange agent (the “Exchange Agent”) for the payment of the Merger Consideration. At the Effective Time, Parent shall deposit, or cause the Surviving Corporation to deposit, with the Exchange Agent, for the benefit of the holders of Certificates, certificates representing shares of Parent Common Stock and cash in an amount sufficient to pay the aggregate Merger Consideration required to be paid pursuant to Section 2.01(c). In addition, Parent shall deposit with the Exchange Agent, as necessary from time to time after the Effective Time, any dividends or other distributions payable pursuant to Section 2.02(c) and cash in lieu of any fractional shares payable pursuant to Section 2.02(e). All shares of Parent Common Stock, cash, dividends and distributions deposited with the Exchange Agent pursuant to this Section 2.02(a) shall hereinafter be referred to as the “Exchange Fund”.

(b) Exchange Procedures. As soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time, Parent shall cause the Exchange Agent to mail to each holder of record of a Certificate whose shares of Company Common Stock were converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration, any dividends or other distributions payable pursuant to Section 2.02(c) and cash in lieu of any fractional shares payable pursuant to Section 2.02(e) (i) a form of letter of transmittal (which shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to the Certificates shall pass, only upon proper delivery of the Certificates to the Exchange Agent and which shall be in customary form and contain customary provisions) and (ii) instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the Certificates in exchange for the Merger Consideration, any dividends or other distributions payable pursuant to Section 2.02(c) and cash in lieu of any fractional shares payable pursuant to Section 2.02(e). Each holder of record of one or more Certificates shall, upon surrender to the Exchange Agent of such Certificate or Certificates, together with such letter of transmittal, duly executed, and such other documents as may reasonably be required by the Exchange Agent, be entitled to receive in exchange therefor (i) the amount of cash to which such holder is entitled pursuant to Section 2.01(c), (ii) a certificate or certificates representing that number of whole shares of Parent Common Stock (after taking into account all Certificates surrendered by such holder) to which such holder is entitled pursuant to Section 2.01(c) (which shall be in uncertificated book entry form unless a physical certificate is requested), (iii) any dividends or distributions payable pursuant to Section 2.02(c) and (iv) cash in lieu of any fractional shares payable pursuant to Section 2.02(e), and the Certificates so surrendered shall forthwith be canceled. In the event of a transfer of ownership of Company Common Stock which is not registered in the transfer records of the Company, payment of the Merger Consideration in accordance with this Section 2.02(b) may be made to a person other than the person in whose name the Certificate so surrendered is registered if such Certificate shall be properly endorsed or otherwise be in proper form for transfer and the person requesting such payment shall pay any transfer or other taxes required by reason of the payment of the Merger Consideration, any dividends or other

1-3

distributions payable pursuant to Section 2.02(c) and cash in lieu of any fractional shares payable pursuant to Section 2.02(e) to a person other than the registered holder of such Certificate or establish to the reasonable satisfaction of Parent that such taxes have been paid or are not applicable. Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section 2.02(b), each Certificate shall be deemed at any time after the Effective Time to represent only the right to receive upon such surrender the Merger Consideration, any dividends or other distributions payable pursuant to Section 2.02(c) and cash in lieu of any fractional shares payable pursuant to Section 2.02(e). No interest shall be paid or will accrue on any payment to holders of Certificates pursuant to the provisions of this Article II.

(c) Distributions with Respect to Unexchanged Shares. No dividends or other distributions with respect to Parent Common Stock with a record date after the Effective Time shall be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered Certificate with respect to the shares of Parent Common Stock that the holder thereof has the right to receive upon the surrender thereof, and no cash payment in lieu of fractional shares of Parent Common Stock shall be paid to any such holder pursuant to Section 2.02(e), in each case until the holder of such Certificate shall have surrendered such Certificate in accordance with this Article II. Following the surrender of any Certificate, there shall be paid to the record holder of the certificate representing whole shares of Parent Common Stock issued in exchange therefor, without interest, (i) at the time of such surrender, the amount of dividends or other distributions with a record date after the Effective Time theretofore paid with respect to such whole shares of Parent Common Stock and the amount of any cash payable in lieu of a fractional share of Parent Common Stock to which such holder is entitled pursuant to Section 2.02(e) and (ii) at the appropriate payment date, the amount of dividends or other distributions with a record date after the Effective Time but prior to such surrender and a payment date subsequent to such surrender payable with respect to such whole shares of Parent Common Stock.

(d) No Further Ownership Rights in Company Common Stock. The Merger Consideration, any dividends or other distributions payable pursuant to Section 2.02(c) and cash in lieu of any fractional shares payable pursuant to Section 2.02(e) paid upon the surrender of Certificates in accordance with the terms of this Article II shall be deemed to have been paid in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to the shares of Company Common Stock formerly represented by such Certificates. At the close of business on the day on which the Effective Time occurs, the share transfer books of the Company shall be closed, and there shall be no further registration of transfers on the share transfer books of the Surviving Corporation of the shares of Company Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. If, after the Effective Time, any Certificate is presented to the Surviving Corporation for transfer, it shall be canceled against delivery of the Merger Consideration, any dividends or other distributions payable pursuant to Section 2.02(c) and cash in lieu of any fractional shares payable pursuant to Section 2.02(e) to the holder thereof as provided in this Article II.

(e) No Fractional Shares. (i) No certificates or scrip representing fractional shares of Parent Common Stock shall be issued upon the surrender for exchange of Certificates, no dividends or other distributions of Parent shall relate to such fractional share interests and such fractional share interests will not entitle the owner thereof to vote or to any rights of a shareholder of Parent.

(ii) In lieu of such fractional share interests, Parent shall pay to each holder of a Certificate an amount in cash equal to the product obtained by multiplying (A) the fractional share interest to which such holder (after taking into account all shares of Company Common Stock formerly represented by all Certificates surrendered by such holder) would otherwise be entitled by (B) the per share closing price of Parent Common Stock on the Closing Date (the “Closing Price”), as such price is reported on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (the “NYSE”) Composite Transaction Tape (as reported by Bloomberg Financial Markets or such other source as the parties shall agree in writing).

(f) Termination of the Exchange Fund. Any portion of the Exchange Fund which remains undistributed to the holders of the Certificates for six months after the Effective Time shall be delivered to Parent, upon demand, and any holders of the Certificates who have not theretofore complied with this Article II shall thereafter look only to Parent for, and Parent shall remain liable for, payment of their claim for the Merger Consideration, any dividends or other distributions payable pursuant to

1-4

Section 2.02(c) and cash in lieu of any fractional shares payable pursuant to Section 2.02(e) in accordance with this Article II.

(g) No Liability. None of Parent, Sub, the Company, the Surviving Corporation or the Exchange Agent shall be liable to any person in respect of any shares of Parent Common Stock, cash, dividends or other distributions from the Exchange Fund properly delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar Law. If any Certificate shall not have been surrendered prior to four years after the Effective Time (or immediately prior to such earlier date on which any Merger Consideration (and any dividends or other distributions payable with respect thereto pursuant to Section 2.02(c) and cash in lieu of any fractional shares payable with respect thereto pursuant to Section 2.02(e)) would otherwise escheat to or become the property of any Governmental Entity), any such Merger Consideration (and any dividends or other distributions payable with respect thereto pursuant to Section 2.02(c) and cash in lieu of any fractional shares payable with respect thereto pursuant to Section 2.02(e)) shall, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, become the property of Parent, free and clear of all claims or interest of any person previously entitled thereto.

(h) Investment of Exchange Fund. The Exchange Agent shall invest the cash included in the Exchange Fund as directed by Parent. Any interest and other income resulting from such investments shall be paid to and be income of Parent. If for any reason (including losses) the cash in the Exchange Fund shall be insufficient to fully satisfy all of the payment obligations to be made in cash by the Exchange Agent hereunder, Parent shall promptly deposit cash into the Exchange Fund in an amount which is equal to the deficiency in the amount of cash required to fully satisfy such cash payment obligations.

(i) Lost Certificates. If any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming such Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by Parent, the posting by such person of a bond in such reasonable amount as Parent may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against it with respect to such Certificate, the Exchange Agent shall deliver in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate the Merger Consideration, any dividends or other distributions payable pursuant to Section 2.02(c) and cash in lieu of any fractional shares payable pursuant to Section 2.02(e), in each case pursuant to this Article II.

(j) Withholding Rights. Parent, the Surviving Corporation or the Exchange Agent shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement to any holder of Certificates such amounts as Parent, the Surviving Corporation or the Exchange Agent is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or any provision of state, local or foreign tax Law. To the extent that amounts are so withheld and paid over to the appropriate taxing authority by Parent, the Surviving Corporation or the Exchange Agent, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the holder of Certificates in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made by Parent, the Surviving Corporation or the Exchange Agent.

ARTICLE III

Representations and Warranties

SECTION 3.01. Representations and Warranties of the Company. Except as disclosed in the Company SEC Documents filed by the Company and publicly available prior to November 14, 2005 (“Filed Company SEC Documents”), and except as set forth in (i) the disclosure schedule delivered by the Company to Parent prior to the execution of the Original Merger Agreement and (ii) the supplement thereto delivered by the Company to Parent prior to the execution of this Agreement (collectively, the “Company Disclosure Schedule”) (with specific reference to the particular Section or subsection of this Agreement to which the information set forth in such disclosure schedule relates; provided, however, that any information set forth in one section of the Company Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed to apply to

1-5

each other Section or subsection thereof to which its relevance is readily apparent on its face), the Company represents and warrants to Parent and Sub as follows:


	(a) Organization, Standing and Corporate Power. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has been duly organized, and is validly existing and in good standing (with respect to jurisdictions that recognize that concept) under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation, as the case may be, and has all requisite power and authority and possesses all governmental licenses, permits, authorizations and approvals necessary to enable it to use its corporate or other name and to own, lease or otherwise hold and operate its properties and other assets and to carry on its business as currently conducted, except where the failure to have such governmental licenses, permits, authorizations or approvals individually or in the aggregate has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries is duly qualified or licensed to do business and is in good standing (with respect to jurisdictions that recognize that concept) in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the ownership, leasing or operation of its properties makes such qualification, licensing or good standing necessary, other than in such jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified, licensed or in good standing individually or in the aggregate has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company has made available to Parent, prior to the date of this Agreement, complete and accurate copies of the Company Articles and the Company’s By-laws (the “Company By-laws”), and the comparable organizational documents of each Significant Subsidiary (as such term is defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act), in each case as amended to the date hereof.

	(b) Subsidiaries. Section 3.01(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule lists, as of the date hereof, (i) each Significant Subsidiary of the Company (including its state of incorporation or formation) and (ii) each oth