I.

INTRODUCTION
A.

The Parties
(2)
J & J is a company incorporated in the USA. In 2003, it had 111 000 employees worldwide and generated a turnover of around EUR 37 billion. Its activities span over three main businesses: consumer goods (18 % of turnover), pharmaceuticals (47 %) and medical devices and diagnostics (MD & D, 36 % of turnover).
(3)
Guidant is a company incorporated in the United States of America (USA) that is active in the design and development of cardiovascular medical products. In 2003, it had around 12 000 employees worldwide and a turnover of around EUR 3,3 billion. Guidant’s presence covers four main areas within the fast-growing cardiovascular medical products business: cardiac rhythm management, interventional cardiology, endovascular devices and cardiac surgery.