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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-09-009898.txt : 20090217
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-09-009898.hdr.sgml : 20090216
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090217104752
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-09-009898
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	6-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090213
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090217
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090217

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NOVARTIS AG
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001114448
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
		IRS NUMBER:				000000000
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		6-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-15024
		FILM NUMBER:		09608262

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		LICHSTRASSE 35
		CITY:			BASEL SWITZERLAND
		STATE:			V8
		ZIP:			CH 4056

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		LICHSTRASSE 35
		CITY:			BASEL SWITZERLAND
		ZIP:			CH 4056
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<TYPE>6-K
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<DESCRIPTION>6-K
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<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION</font></b></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;font-weight:bold;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Washington, D.C. 20549</font></b></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;font-weight:bold;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;font-weight:bold;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;">FORM&nbsp;6-K</font></b></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;font-weight:bold;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;font-weight:bold;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;">REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER</font></b></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;font-weight:bold;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;">PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 or 15d-16 OF</font></b></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;font-weight:bold;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;">THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934</font></b></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;font-weight:bold;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Report on
Form&nbsp;6-K dated February&nbsp;13, 2009</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">(Commission File No.&nbsp;</font></b><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">1-15024)</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<div align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">

<hr size="1" width="25%" noshade color="black" align="center">

</font></div>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;font-weight:bold;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;">Novartis
AG</font></b></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;font-weight:bold;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal;">(Name of Registrant)</font></b></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;font-weight:bold;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Lichtstrasse
35</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">4056
Basel</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Switzerland</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Address of
Principal Executive Offices)</font></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<div align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><hr size="1" width="25%" noshade color="black" align="center"></div>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Indicate by check mark
whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form&nbsp;20-F
or Form&nbsp;40-F:</font></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Form&nbsp;20-F:
</font></b><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">x</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;
Form&nbsp;40-F: </font><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">q</font></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Indicate by check
mark if the registrant is submitting the Form&nbsp;6-K in paper as permitted by
Regulation S-T Rule&nbsp;101(b)(1):</font></p>

<p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Yes: </font><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">q</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; <b>No</b>:&#160; </font><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">x</font></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Indicate by check
mark if the registrant is submitting the Form&nbsp;6-K in paper as permitted by
Regulation S-T Rule&nbsp;101(b)(7):</font></p>

<p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Yes: </font><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">q</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; <b>No</b>:&#160; </font><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">x</font></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Indicate by check
mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this
form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule&nbsp;12g3-2(b)&nbsp;under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.</font></p>

<p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Yes: </font><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">q</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; <b>No</b>:&#160; </font><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">x</font></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<div style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>

</div>
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<div style="font-family:Times New Roman;">

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="72%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:72.44%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><img width="192" height="41" src="g57971bai001.jpg"></font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:1.62%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:25.94%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Novartis
  International AG</font></b></p>
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Novartis
  Global Communications</font></p>
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">CH-4002
  Basel</font></p>
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Switzerland</font></p>
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">http://www.novartis.com</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

<p style="color:windowtext;font-size:12.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">-
Investor Relations Release -</font></b></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Sandoz receives </font></b><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">European Commission approval for biosimilar filgrastim</font></b></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">Sandoz receives approval for its third biosimilar
medicine, further reinforcing pioneer position in field</font></i></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">Approval increases access to high-quality oncology
medicines, offering patients comparable quality, safety and efficacy to
reference product combined with greater cost-effectiveness</font></i></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">Sandoz committed to bringing more high-quality
biosimilars to patients worldwide</font></i></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">&nbsp;</font></i></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;">Holzkirchen,
February&nbsp;13, 2009</font></i></b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;"> &#151; Sandoz has received final approval for its third
biosimilar, filgrastim, paving the way for this important oncology medicine to
be made available to patients across the European Union.</font></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Filgrastim is indicated
for the treatment of neutropenia, a condition characterized by a lack of
neutrophils &#151; one of the most common types of white blood cells &#151; whose role is
to fight infection in the body. Neutropenia is often associated with
chemotherapy or bone marrow transplants, as well as advanced HIV infections.
Filgrastim is a natural protein produced commercially by recombinant DNA
technology, which stimulates production of white blood cells.</font></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The Sandoz product is
approved for the same range of indications as the reference product, Neupogen</font><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#160;(1)&nbsp;and
offers patients comparable quality, safety and efficacy combined with greater
cost-effectiveness. The novel Sandoz filgrastim needlestick protection device
decreases the risks of injury and exposure to blood-born infection, thus
contributing significantly to protecting health professionals.</font></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Sandoz CEO Jeff George
says: &#147;As the pioneer of biosimilars and a company with a global reputation for
offering high quality medicines at affordable prices to patients and payors
worldwide, Sandoz is looking forward to providing this important new
cost-effective option for oncology patients.</font></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#147;Filgrastim particularly
helps patients receiving chemotherapy to increase their neutrophil counts,
meaning they can better avoid the risk of the serious life threatening
infections that so often force clinicians to change their optimal therapeutic
chemotherapy regimen, dose or schedule.&#148;</font></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Sandoz is the only
company with marketing authorization for more than one biosimilar medicine. In
a precedent-setting decision in April&nbsp;2006, Sandoz received the first-ever
EU approval for a biosimilar medicine, human growth hormone Omnitrope</font><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">. Binocrit</font><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#160;/ Epoetin alfa Hexal</font><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">, the first follow-on erythropoetin and the first
complex (glycoprotein) biosimilar, was approved in the EU in August&nbsp;2007
and </font></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">2</font></p>

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</div>
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<div style="font-family:Times New Roman;">

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">launched the same year.
Sandoz has a comprehensive biopharmaceuticals pipeline, with numerous projects
at various stages of development.</font></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The European Commission
approval followed a positive opinion issued in November&nbsp;by the European
Medicines Agency&#146;s Committee on Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), which
provides scientific reviews of medicines for the Commission.</font></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<div style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="1" width="25%" noshade color="black" align="left"></div>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(1)&nbsp;</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Neupogen</font><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#160;is a registered trademark of Amgen</font></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;"># # #</font></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Disclaimer</font></b></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The foregoing release
contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by terminology such
as &#147;committed,&#148; &#147;looking forward,&#148; &#147;pipeline,&#148; or similar expressions, or by
express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals for
other biosimilar products, or regarding potential future revenues from
filgrastim or other biosimilar products. You should not place undue reliance on
these statements.&#160; Such forward-looking
statements reflect the current views of management regarding future events, and
involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause
actual results to be materially different from any future results, performance
or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. There can be no
guarantee that other biosimilar products will be submitted for approval or
approved for sale in any market. Nor can there be any guarantee that
filgrastim, or other biosimilar products, will achieve any particular levels of
revenue in the future. In particular, management&#146;s expectations regarding these
products could be affected by, among other things, unexpected developmental
delays, including unexpected clinical or other laboratory data; unexpected
regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; competition in
general; government, industry and general public pricing pressures; the impact
that the foregoing factors could have on the values attributed to the Novartis
Group&#146;s assets and liabilities as recorded in the Group&#146;s consolidated balance
sheet, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG&#146;s current Form&nbsp;20-F
on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Should one or more of
these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions
prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated,
believed, estimated or expected. Novartis is providing the information in this press
release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any
forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.</font></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;"># # #</font></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">3</font></p>

<div style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>

</div>
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<div>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">About
Sandoz</font></b></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Sandoz, a Division of the
Novartis group, is a global leader in the field of generic pharmaceuticals,
offering a wide array of high-quality, affordable products that are no longer
protected by patents. Sandoz has a portfolio of approximately 1000 compounds
and sells its products in more than 130 countries. Key product groups include
antibiotics, treatments for central nervous system disorders, gastrointestinal
medicines, cardiovascular treatments and hormone therapies. Sandoz develops, produces
and markets these medicines along with pharmaceutical and biotechnological
active substances and anti-infectives. In addition to strong organic growth in
recent years, Sandoz has made a series of acquisitions including Lek
(Slovenia), Sabex (Canada), Hexal (Germany) and Eon Labs (US). In 2008, Sandoz
employed around 23,000 people worldwide and posted sales of USD 7.6 billion.</font></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;"># # #</font></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">For
further information</font></b></p>

<p style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="44%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:44.8%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Eric Althoff</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.14%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="53%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:53.08%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Chris Lewis</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="44%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:44.8%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Novartis&nbsp;Global Communications</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.14%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="53%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:53.08%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Sandoz&nbsp;Global
  Communications</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="44%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:44.8%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 61 32 47999</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.14%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="53%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:53.08%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+49
  172 141 8749</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="44%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:44.8%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">eric.althoff@novartis.com</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.14%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="53%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:53.08%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">chris.lewis@sandoz.com</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Novartis Investor Relations</font></b></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="44%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:44.76%;">
  <p style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">International:</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.14%;">
  <p style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="53%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:53.1%;">
  <p style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">North America:</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="44%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:44.76%;">
  <p style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Ruth
  Metzler-Arnold</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.14%;">
  <p style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="53%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:53.1%;">
  <p style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">Richard Jarvis +1 212 830 2433</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="44%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:44.76%;">
  <p style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">Pierre-Michel Bringer</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.14%;">
  <p style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="53%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:53.1%;">
  <p style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">Jill Pozarek +1 212
  830 2445</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="44%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:44.76%;">
  <p style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">John Gilardi</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.14%;">
  <p style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="53%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:53.1%;">
  <p style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">Edwin Valeriano +1
  212 830 2456</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="44%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:44.76%;">
  <p style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">Thomas Hungerbuehler</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.14%;">
  <p style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="53%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:53.1%;">
  <p style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">E-mail:
  investor.relations@novartis.com</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="44%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:44.76%;">
  <p style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">Isabella Zinck</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.14%;">
  <p style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="53%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:53.1%;">
  <p style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="44%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:44.76%;">
  <p style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">Central phone no: +41 61 324 7944</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.14%;">
  <p style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="53%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:53.1%;">
  <p style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="44%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:44.76%;">
  <p style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">E-mail:
  investor.relations@novartis.com</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.14%;">
  <p style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="53%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:53.1%;">
  <p style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">4</font></p>

<div style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>

</div>
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<div>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SIGNATURES</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>

<p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pursuant to the
requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized.</font></p>

<p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="86%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:86.96%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:25.1%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="35%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:35.26%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="39%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:39.64%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Novartis AG</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:25.1%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="35%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:35.26%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="39%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:39.64%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:25.1%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date:&nbsp;&nbsp;February&nbsp;13,
  2009</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="35%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:35.26%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.78%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">By:</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="34%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:34.86%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;/s/ MALCOLM B. CHEETHAM</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:25.1%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="35%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:35.26%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="6%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:6.7%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:32.94%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:25.1%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="35%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:35.26%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="6%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:6.7%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Name:</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:32.94%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Malcolm B.
  Cheetham</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:25.1%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="35%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:35.26%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="6%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:6.7%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Title:</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:32.94%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Head Group
  Financial</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:25.1%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="35%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:35.26%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="6%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:6.7%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:32.94%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Reporting and
  Accounting</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr height="0">
  <td width="163" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="229" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="31" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="12" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="214" style="border:none;"></td>
 </tr>
</table>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">5</font></p>

<div style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>

</div>
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