Novartis International AG

Novartis International AG (NVS) Corporate news announcement processed and transmitted by Hugin ASA. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- * Strong strategic fit with Novartis thanks to Alcon's pharmaceutical, surgical and consumer eye care products businesses

Novartis International AG (NVS) Corporate news announcement processed and transmitted by Hugin ASA. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- * The NITD and the TB Alliance's collaboration aims to move projects quickly from the research phase through the translational stage and into development * Both partners will leverage their broad networks of expertise and resources to rapidly bring effective, simpler treatments to patients

Novartis International AG (NVS) Corporate news announcement processed and transmitted by Hugin ASA. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- * Novartis to study organ protection potential of Rasilez beyond documented ability to provide powerful blood pressure reductions that last beyond 24 hours[1],[2] * Three megatrials explore Rasilez benefits in difficult-to-treat patients with life-threatening co-morbidities - heart failure, cardiovascular events in elderly and diabetic kidney disease * Data presented at "Hypertension 2008" congress highlight impressive efficacy of Rasilez in managing high blood pressure in elderly, the fastest growing patient demographic segment with climbing healthcare costs[3],[4],[5]

Novartis International AG (NVS) Corporate news announcement processed and transmitted by Hugin ASA. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- * Efficacy and safety profile in large randomized Phase III study consistent with landmark IRIS trial, which established Glivec as standard of care * Study did not meet primary endpoint at 1 year, yet shows faster time to molecular responses with 800 vs. 400 mg dose * Findings reinforce that monitoring blood levels of Glivec may help optimize treatment benefit for individual patients * Novartis committed to improving first-line treatment through additional study follow-up and completing enrollment to Tasigna vs. Glivec trial

Novartis International AG (NVS) Corporate news announcement processed and transmitted by Hugin ASA. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- * Conditional offer made by TRC Capital Corporation for up to two million Novartis American Depositary Shares * Novartis recommends against shareholders tendering their shares in response to TRC Capital's unsolicited mini-tender offer

Novartis International AG (NVS) Corporate news announcement processed and transmitted by Hugin ASA. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- * Revised label includes data showing 35% reduction in new clinical fractures in patients treated with Reclast following recent hip fracture[1] * Few patients currently receive osteoporosis treatment following hip fracture despite high risk of morbidity and mortality[2] * Safety and efficacy profile of Reclast, already approved for treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis[1], reinforced in revised label

Novartis International AG (NVS) Corporate news announcement processed and transmitted by Hugin ASA. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- * AVOID study shows potential kidney protection benefits of Rasilez in type 2 diabetic patients with kidney disease and high blood pressure[1] * Rasilez reduced albuminuria, a key indicator of kidney disease, by an additional 20% when added to maximum dose of angiotensin-receptor blocker losartan[1],[2] * First clinical trial to present data on potential kidney-protective benefits of Rasilez, independent of its proven blood pressure reductions[3] * Damage to kidneys caused by diabetes is leading cause of end-stage renal disease in developed countries[1]

Novartis International AG (NVS) Corporate news announcement processed and transmitted by Hugin ASA. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- * Acquisition of Protez Pharmaceuticals provides rights to PZ-601 and further strengthens specialty medicines development portfolio in hospital infections * PZ-601 a novel broad-spectrum antibiotic in Phase II development against potentially fatal drug-resistant infections - including MRSA and ESBL strains * Antibiotic resistance an important public health problem, estimated to account for more than 100,000 deaths annually in the US and Europe together * Novartis to fully acquire privately-held Protez for initial payment of USD 100 million, potential for up to USD 300 million of additional payments contingent upon success of PZ-601

Novartis International AG (NVS) Corporate news announcement processed and transmitted by Hugin ASA. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- * Late stage development pipeline with Menveo and MenB vaccines creating meningococcal vaccine franchise with strong growth potential * Novartis leverages research excellence with first in class vaccines in early pipeline, preventing infections from Helicobacter pylori, Group B Streptococcus and other pathogens which pose significant public health challenges

Novartis International AG (NVS) Corporate news announcement processed and transmitted by Hugin ASA. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- * Randomized Phase II data show RAD001 significantly increased efficacy of letrozole in women with newly diagnosed hormone-positive breast cancer * Phase I studies suggest RAD001 may help overcome a major pathway of resistance to trastuzumab * Novartis to further explore potential of RAD001 in breast cancer by initiating new trial in early 2009