( SION II we can moveforward with excit...)Scios Announces Results From Exploratory Nesiritide Study Providing,Important New Renal and Mortality Safety Data with a Neutral Effect,on the Primary Endpoint,Health

The ASCEND-HF (Acute Study of Clinical Effectiveness of Nesiritide in Decompensated Heart Failure) study, chaired by Dr. Califf at the Duke Clinical Research Institute, is a well-controlled, global, multi-center outcomes study of approximately 7,000 ADHF patients, conducted under the guidance of an independent executive committee and data safety monitoring board.

"We are pleased with the growing body of renal- and mortality-related safety information collected from well-controlled clinical trials of NATRECOR(R), most recently with NAPA results and these new data," said Roger Mills, M.D., Vice President, Medical Affairs at Scios. "We remain confident in the ability of NATRECOR(R) to safely relieve symptoms for acute heart failure patients. We will continue to support the robust clinical development program of this important therapy."

About NATRECOR(R) (nesiritide)

NATRECOR(R) is the only approved treatment for ADHF that has shown improvement in difficulty breathing and reduction of elevated wedge pressures in the lungs in controlled clinical trials. NATRECOR(R) has been studied in 16 prospective clinical trials involving 2,012 patients treated with the drug, and has been used to treat more than 800,000 acutely decompensated heart failure patients. NATRECOR(R) is indicated for the intravenous treatment of patients with ADHF who have dyspnea at rest or with minimal activity. In this population, the use of NATRECOR(R) reduced pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and improved patient reported dyspnea. For full Prescribing Information, visit www.natrecor.com. See Important Safety Information below.

About Scios Inc.

Scios Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, is a biopharmaceutical com
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