Ex-Johnson & Johnson chairman Ralph Larsen dies

New York

RALPH S Larsen, who as chief executive of Johnson & Johnson oversaw a series of acquisitions that turned the company into a multinational giant, died on Wednesday at his home in Naples, Florida. He was 77. His son, Garret, confirmed the death. The cause was cardiac arrest, according to a statement from the family.

Mr Larsen, who rose to chairman and chief executive, began his career at Johnson & Johnson as a manufacturing trainee in 1962.