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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-09-020484.txt : 20090327
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-09-020484.hdr.sgml : 20090327
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090327061437
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-09-020484
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	6-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090325
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090327
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090327

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:		09708026

	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
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>6-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a09-8685_16k.htm
<DESCRIPTION>6-K
<TEXT>

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<body lang="EN-US">

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

<div style="border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-left:none;border-right:none;border-top:solid windowtext 3.0pt;padding:1.0pt 0in 1.0pt 0in;">

<p style="border:none;color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;padding:0in;"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

</div>

<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;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Washington, D.C. 20549</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><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;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">FORM&nbsp;6-K</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><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;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 or 15d-16 OF</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><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;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Report on Form&nbsp;6-K dated March&nbsp;25, 2009</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">(Commission
File No.&nbsp;1-15024)</font></b></p>

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

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

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

</font></b></div>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><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;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Novartis AG</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;">(Name of Registrant)</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;text-autospace:none;"><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;text-autospace:none;"><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;text-autospace:none;"><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;text-autospace:none;"><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;text-autospace:none;"><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;text-autospace:none;"><hr size="1" width="25%" noshade color="black" align="center"></div>

<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;text-autospace:none;"><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;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Form&nbsp;20-F: </font></b><font face="Wingdings">x</font>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Form&nbsp;40-F:
<font face="Wingdings">o</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;text-autospace:none;"><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 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 align="center" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Yes: </font><font face="Wingdings">o</font>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; <b>No</b>:&#160; <font face="Wingdings">x</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;text-autospace:none;"><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 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 align="center" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Yes: </font><font face="Wingdings">o</font>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; <b>No</b>:&#160; <font face="Wingdings">x</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;text-autospace:none;"><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 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 align="center" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Yes: </font><font face="Wingdings">o</font>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; <b>No</b>:&#160; <font face="Wingdings">x</font></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>

<div style="border-bottom:solid windowtext 3.0pt;border-left:none;border-right:none;border-top:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:1.0pt 0in 1.0pt 0in;">

<p style="border:none;color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;padding:0in;text-autospace:none;"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

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<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>

<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 style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><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="30%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:30.0%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><img width="191" height="41" src="g86851bai001.gif"></font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="41%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:41.12%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="28%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:28.88%;">
  <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 International AG</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;">Novartis Global Communications</font></p>
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><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;text-autospace:none;"><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;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;"><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;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
makes an open offer to increase stake in Novartis India Ltd.</font></b></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;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;">This release is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an
offer to sell shares of Novartis India Ltd.</font></i></b></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;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Basel,
Switzerland, March&nbsp;25, 2009 &#150; </font></b>Novartis announced today a tender offer to acquire an additional stake
of up to approximately 39% in its majority-owned Indian subsidiary, Novartis
India Ltd., from public shareholders at a price of Rs 351 per share.</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>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Successful completion of
this offer (assuming full acceptance) would raise the stake of Novartis in its
Indian subsidiary to nearly 90% from the current level of 50.9%. The offer
represents a total value of up to Rs 4.4 billion (or approximately USD 87
million).</font></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>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">A public announcement is
being published in India as required by law. The offer for these shares, which
are traded on the Bombay Stock Exchange, is expected to open in May&nbsp;2009
and is subject to regulatory approvals.</font></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>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The offer by Novartis AG, a
Group subsidiary, has been made at a premium of 27% to the closing share price
of Rs 275.6 of Novartis India Ltd. on March&nbsp;24, which was the last trading
day before this announcement. It also represents a premium of 35% over Novartis
India Ltd.&#146;s average share price during the last month.</font></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>

<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;">Disclaimer</font></b></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;">&nbsp;</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;">This release contains
certain forward-looking statements relating to the proposed acquisition by
Novartis of shares in Novartis India Ltd. and to the respective businesses of
Novartis and Novartis India Ltd. Such forward-looking statements are not
historical facts and can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking
terminology such as &#147;expected&#148;, &#147;will&#148;, &#147;estimated&#148;, &#147;would&#148;, &#147;could&#148;, &#147;potential&#148;,
&#147;may&#148;, &#147;opportunities&#148;, &#147;pipeline&#148;, &#147;further advance&#148; or similar expressions,
or by express or implied discussions regarding potential future sales or
earnings of Novartis; or by discussions of strategy, plans, expectations or
intentions or potential synergies, strategic benefits or opportunities that may
result from the proposed acquisition. You should not place undue reliance on
these statements. Such forward-looking statements reflect the current plans,
expectations, objectives, intentions or views of Novartis with respect to
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. In particular, there can be no guarantee that the proposed
acquisition will be completed in the expected form or within the expected time
frame or at all. Nor can there be any guarantee that Novartis will achieve any
particular future financial results or future growth rates or that Novartis
will be able to realize any of the potential synergies, strategic benefits or
opportunities as a result of the proposed acquisition. Among other things, the expectations
of Novartis could be affected by unexpected regulatory actions or delays or
government regulation generally, as well as other risks and factors referred to
in Novartis AG&#146;s Forms 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange
Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this release </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>

<div style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><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;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;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">as of this date and does not
undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result
of new information, future events or otherwise.</font></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>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">This announcement is not an
offer to purchase or the solicitation of an offer to sell shares of Novartis
India Ltd. Any offers to purchase or solicitation of offers to sell will be
made only pursuant to a formal offer by Novartis. Shareholders are strongly
advised to read the terms of the offer carefully when they are available
because they will contain important information. Neither the offer to purchase
will be made to, nor will tenders pursuant to the offer to purchase be accepted
from or on behalf of, holders of shares in any jurisdiction in which making or
accepting the offer to purchase would violate that jurisdiction&#146;s laws.</font></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>

<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;">About
Novartis</font></b></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;">&nbsp;</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;">Novartis provides healthcare
solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Focused
solely on healthcare, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet
these needs: innovative medicines, preventive vaccines, diagnostic tools,
cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, and consumer health products. Novartis is
the only company with leading positions in these areas. In 2008, the Group&#146;s continuing
operations achieved net sales of USD 41.5 billion and net income of USD 8.2
billion. Approximately USD 7.2 billion was invested in R&amp;D activities
throughout the Group. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group
companies employ approximately 96,700 full-time-equivalent associates and
operate in more than 140 countries around the world. For more information,
please visit http://www.novartis.com</font></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>

<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;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Novartis Media 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>

<p style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Central media line:</font></b> +41 61 324 2200</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;">Eric Althoff</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;">Novartis
Global Media Relations</font></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 61 324 7999 (direct)</font></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 79 593 4202 (mobile)</font></p>

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

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">e-mail:
media.relations@novartis.com</font></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>

<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="212" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:159.3pt;">
  <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;">Central
  phone:</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="160" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:120.05pt;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 61 324 7944</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="189" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:141.85pt;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="158" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.65in;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="212" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:159.3pt;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Ruth Metzler-Arnold</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="160" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:120.05pt;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 61 324 9980</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="189" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:141.85pt;">
  <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;">North
  America:</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="158" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.65in;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="212" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:159.3pt;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pierre-Michel Bringer</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="160" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:120.05pt;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 61 324 1065</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="189" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:141.85pt;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Richard Jarvis</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="158" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.65in;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+1 212 830 2433</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="212" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:159.3pt;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">John Gilardi</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="160" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:120.05pt;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 61 324 3018</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="189" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:141.85pt;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Jill Pozarek</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="158" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.65in;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+1 212 830 2445</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="212" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:159.3pt;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Thomas Hungerbuehler</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="160" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:120.05pt;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 61 324 8425</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="189" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:141.85pt;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Edwin Valeriano</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="158" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.65in;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+1 212 830 2456</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="212" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:159.3pt;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Isabella Zinck</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="160" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:120.05pt;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 61 324 7188</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="189" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:141.85pt;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="158" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.65in;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="372" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:279.35pt;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:justify;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="348" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:260.65pt;">
  <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>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="372" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:279.35pt;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">e-mail:
  investor.relations@novartis.com</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="348" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:260.65pt;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">e-mail:
  </font>investor.relations@novartis.com</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>

<div style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>

</div>
<!-- SEQ.=1,FOLIO='',FILE='C:\JMS\105831\09-8685-1\task3449489\8685-1-ba.htm',USER='105831',CD='Mar 26 15:33 2009' -->


<br clear="all" style="page-break-before:always;">


<div>

<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 align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><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;text-autospace:none;"><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;text-autospace:none;"><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 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 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>

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.26%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="49%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.74%;">
  <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
  AG</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.26%;">
  <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>
  </td>
  <td width="6%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:6.24%;">
  <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>
  </td>
  <td width="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:43.5%;">
  <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>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.26%;">
  <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>
  </td>
  <td width="6%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:6.24%;">
  <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>
  </td>
  <td width="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:43.5%;">
  <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>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.26%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;March&nbsp;25,
  2009</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="6%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:6.24%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">By:</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="43%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:43.5%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">/s/ MALCOLM B. CHEETHAM</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.26%;">
  <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>
  </td>
  <td width="6%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:6.24%;">
  <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>
  </td>
  <td width="43%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:43.5%;">
  <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>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.26%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="6%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:6.24%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Name:</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:43.5%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Malcolm B. Cheetham</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.26%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="6%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:6.24%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Title:</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:43.5%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Head Group Financial
  Reporting and Accounting</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

<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="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>

</div>
<!-- SEQ.=1,FOLIO='',FILE='C:\JMS\105831\09-8685-1\task3449489\8685-1-ba.htm',USER='105831',CD='Mar 26 15:33 2009' -->


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end
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
