Plans for Global Health Initiative to Increase Worldwide Prevention, Diagnosis a

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Vertex Pharmaceuticals and Tibotec Pharmaceuticals, a &

Company, Announce Plans for Global Health Initiative to

Increase Worldwide Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of HCV

Cambridge, MA and New Brunswick, NJ, June 30, 2006 †" †" Vertex

Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: VRTX) and Tibotec

Pharmaceuticals, Ltd., a & (NYSE: JNJ) company,

announced today that the companies will establish a global health

initiative to increase the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure

of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection to be principally directed

toward developing countries. The initiative is part of an agreement

between Vertex and Janssen Pharmaceutica, N.V., another &

company, and its affiliates, for the development and

commercialization of VX-950, Vertex’s investigational HCV protease

inhibitor, in Europe and other territories, as announced today in a

separate press release. This initiative will be financially supported

by Vertex and Tibotec following regulatory approval and

commercialization of VX-950.

“Hepatitis C virus infection represents a significant public health

concern around the world, including developing countries that have

insufficient resources to diagnose and treat the disease,†said

Boger, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vertex. “An

estimated 170 million people are infected with HCV worldwide, however

only a fraction of those patients are diagnosed and even fewer are

treated. We look forward to working with Tibotec to bring therapies

to nations where the prospects for diagnosis and treatment are

limited.â€

“Together with Vertex, we are seeking to establish an initiative

that will promote prevention, diagnosis and treatment of chronic

hepatitis C,†said ph Scodari, Worldwide Chairman,

Pharmaceuticals Group of & .

VX-950 Collaboration

Vertex and Janssen and its affiliates announced today in a separate

press release the formation of a collaboration to develop and

commercialize VX-950 in Europe and other territories. Vertex will

continue to lead the global development plan of VX-950 and retains

the exclusive right to develop and commercialize the compound in

North America.

About Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the infection by hepatitis C

virus (HCV), which is found in the blood of people with the disease.

HCV, a serious public health concern affecting 170 million people

worldwide, is spread through direct contact with the blood of an

infected person. Though many people with hepatitis C may not

experience symptoms, others may have symptoms such as jaundice,

abdominal pain, fatigue and fever. Hepatitis C significantly

increases a person’s risk of developing chronic liver disease,

cirrhosis, liver cancer and death. The burden of liver disease

associated with HCV infection is increasing, and current therapies

only provide sustained benefit in about 50% of patients with genotype

1 HCV, the most common strain of the virus. Specifically targeted

antiviral therapies for HCV in clinical development may have the

potential to increase the proportion of patients in who the virus can

be eradicated.

About Vertex

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company

committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small

molecule drugs for serious diseases. The Company’s strategy is to

commercialize its products both independently and in collaboration

with major pharmaceutical companies. Vertex’s product pipeline is

principally focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune

diseases and cancer. Vertex co-promotes the HIV protease inhibitor,

Lexiva, with GlaxoKline.

About &

& is the world's most comprehensive and broadly based

manufacturer of health care products, as well as a provider of

related services, for the consumer, pharmaceutical, and medical

devices and diagnostics markets. The more than 230 &

operating companies employ approximately 116,000 men and women in 57

countries and sell products throughout the world.

About Tibotec

Tibotec Pharmaceuticals Ltd., based in Cork, Ireland, is a

pharmaceutical research and development company. The Company’s main

research and development facilities are in Mechelen, Belgium with

offices in Yardley, PA. Tibotec is dedicated to the discovery and

development of innovative HIV/AIDS drugs and anti-infectives for

diseases of high unmet medical need.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including

a statement that Vertex and Tibotec will establish a philanthropic

initiative to promote the diagnosis, treatment and cure of hepatitis

C virus (HCV) infection worldwide upon commercialization of VX-950.

While management makes its best efforts to be accurate in making

forward-looking statements, such statements are subject to risks and

uncertainties that could cause Vertex’s actual results to vary

materially. These risks and uncertainties include, among other

things, the risks that clinical trials for VX-950 may not proceed as

planned due to technical, scientific, or patient enrollment issues,

clinical trial results may not be available when expected, or

expected regulatory filings may not occur or may be delayed due to

adverse clinical or non-clinical trial developments or unanticipated

FDA action; and other risks listed under Risk Factors in Vertex’s

Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March

16, 2006.

Lexiva is a registered trademark of the GlaxoKline group of

companies.