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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-09-021476.txt : 20090331
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-09-021476.hdr.sgml : 20090331
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090331073540
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-09-021476
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	6-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090330
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090331
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090331

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:		09715947

	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>a09-9056_26k.htm
<DESCRIPTION>6-K
<TEXT>

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<p style="font-weight:bold;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></b></p>

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

<p align="center" style="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 March&nbsp;30,
2009</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="font-size:10.0pt;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>1-15024)</b></p>

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

<p align="center" style="font-size:10.0pt;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 face="Wingdings">x</font>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Form&nbsp;40-F: <font face="Wingdings">o</font></p>

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

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

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

<p align="left" style="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="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="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><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="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&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;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;padding:0in;"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

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

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

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="71%" rowspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:71.08%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><img width="192" height="41" src="g90562bai001.jpg"></font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="28%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:28.92%;">
  <p style="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>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="28%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:28.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Novartis Global Communications</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="28%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:28.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">CH-4002
  Basel</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="71%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:71.08%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="28%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:28.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Switzerland</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
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  <td width="71%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:71.08%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="28%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:28.92%;">
  <p style="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="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.15pt;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="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Ixiaro&#174;
receives FDA approval for the prevention of Japanese Encephalitis</font></b></p>

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

<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt 35.7pt;text-indent:-17.85pt;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><i>JE is a devastating disease that
results annually in 10,000-15,000 deaths worldwide and is a potential threat
for travelers to Asia</i><i><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;font-style:italic;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">(</font></i><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">2)</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 35.7pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt 35.7pt;text-indent:-17.85pt;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><i>In clinical trials Ixiaro was
well tolerated and has been shown to provide a protective immune response in up
to 99% of subjects after only two doses</i><i><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;font-style:italic;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">(</font></i><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">4)</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt 35.7pt;text-indent:-17.85pt;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><i>The vaccine will be marketed in
the US by Novartis and is part of the strategic alliance between Novartis
Vaccines and Intercell AG</i></p>

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

<p style="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, March&nbsp;30,
2009 </font></b>&#151; The United States Food and Drug Administration has approved Ixiaro&#174;
vaccine for the prevention of Japanese Encephalitis (JE). The vaccine will be
marketed in the US as Ixiaro by Novartis Vaccines. JE, a mosquito-borne
flaviviral infection, is a devastating disease that results in 10,000-15,000
deaths annually<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">(</font><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">1),(2)</font>&#160;and is a potential threat for travelers to Asia.</p>

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

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Ixiaro
was developed to provide a well-tolerated, effective and convenient vaccine
against JE, suitable for administration to travelers who wish to reduce their
risk of acquiring the disease. A vaccine against Japanese Encephalitis has been
available for travelers from the US, however its use has been limited by
concerns over its safety profile and a recent announcement of discontinued
production. Ixiaro has been shown to be as immunogenic as the currently
licensed JE vaccine but with a better local tolerability profile and a more
convenient dosing schedule.</font></p>

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

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#147;Asia
is now the second most popular travel destination globally, and travel to the
region is expected to increase. JE is spread by mosquitoes, which makes it
unpredictable. Vaccination is the most effective preventive measure against the
disease,&#148; said Dr.&nbsp;Andrin Oswald, CEO of Novartis Vaccines and
Diagnostics.</font></p>

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

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Ixiaro
was developed by Intercell AG. Novartis and Intercell have a strategic alliance
based on a shared vision of science in vaccines R&amp;D. The alliance provides
Novartis with the development and commercialization rights to Intercell&#146;s
entire non-partnered early state vaccines pipeline.</font></p>

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

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Ixiaro
received a positive opinion from the CHMP (European Committee for Human
Medicinal Products) of the European Medicines Agency on the Marketing
Authorization in December&nbsp;2008. Further pediatric studies with the vaccine
are planned.</font></p>

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

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Ixiaro
Pivotal Study Details</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">A
total of 5,102 subjects have participated in eight Ixiaro clinical trials.</font></p>

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

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">A
randomized, multicenter, observer-blinded Phase III study was conducted to
evaluate the immunogenicity of two doses of Ixiaro compared to three doses of
the currently licensed vaccine in healthy adults. The primary objective of the
study was to demonstrate non-inferiority of Ixiaro to JE-Vax&#174; in terms of
immunogenicity at day 56. Secondary objectives included the safety and</font></p>

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

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

<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">local
tolerability of both vaccines. Ixiaro was found to be highly immunogenic,
resulting in protective antibody titers in 99% of subjects following two doses</font><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">(</font><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">4)</font>. The immune response following vaccination
with Ixiaro was sustained at six months, with 95% of the 181 subjects
maintaining protective antibody titers.&#160;
Eighty-three percent (83%) of subjects still maintained protective
antibody levels after one year<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">(</font><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">7)</font>.</p>

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

<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">In
addition, a multicenter, randomized, double-blind Phase III study was conducted
in 2675 healthy adults to assess the safety and tolerability of Ixiaro compared
with placebo injections. Ixiaro was found to be well tolerated and no allergic
reactions were observed. Ixiaro was found to have a similar safety profile to
placebo and a statistically significantly better local tolerability profile
than JE-Vax</font><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">(</font><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">5),(6)</font>.</p>

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

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">About
Ixiaro Vaccine</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Ixiaro
is indicated for active immunization against JE virus for persons 17 years of
age and older. Ixiaro is a purified inactivated state-of-the-art JE vaccine
that uses cell culture technology. It provides a good immune response while
being well tolerated. It does not contain thiomersal, gelatin or any other
stabilizers or preservatives in its formulation. The vaccine is provided as a
ready-to-use liquid formulation in pre-filled syringes and is administered in two
doses 28 days apart.</font></p>

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

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">On
June&nbsp;13, 2006, Novartis and Intercell announced that Novartis Vaccines had
obtained worldwide marketing and distribution rights to the vaccine with the
exception of Australia, Korea, Japan and certain other Asian markets. Ixiaro
complements the Novartis Vaccines portfolio of travel vaccines which includes:
Rabipur&#174;/RabAvert&#174; vaccine, for pre and post exposure prophylaxis treatment
against rabies; Typhoral L&#174; vaccine, an oral typhoid vaccine and HAVpur&#174;
vaccine for the prevention of Hepatitis A.</font></p>

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

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">About
Japanese Encephalitis (JE)</font></b></p>

<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Japanese
Encephalitis (JE) disease is an acute inflammatory condition of the brain and
spinal cord caused by the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). Most JE virus
infections are mild (fever and headache) or without apparent symptoms, but
approximately one in 300 infections results in severe disease characterized by
rapid onset of high fever, headache, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma,
seizures, spastic paralysis and death. The fatality rate is approximately 30%
and as many as 50% of those who survive suffer from persistent neurological
sequelae</font><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">(</font><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">2),(3)</font>. In areas where
the JE virus is common, encephalitis occurs mainly in young children because
older children and adults are likely to have acquired natural immunity (through
infection) or have been vaccinated. JE is a leading cause of viral encephalitis
in Asia with 30,000 to 50,000 clinical cases reported annually<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">(</font><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">3)</font>.</p>

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

<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Japanese
encephalitis virus is only transmitted by certain types of mosquitoes (most
commonly Culex tritaeniorhynchus). These mosquitoes are usually found in rural
rice-growing and pig farming regions of Asia, but can also be found at the
outskirts of cities. The mosquitoes become infected by feeding on domestic pigs
and wild birds that are infected with the Japanese encephalitis virus. Infected
mosquitoes then transmit the Japanese encephalitis virus to other pigs and
water birds and also to humans during feeding</font><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">(</font><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">8)</font>. The nature of the JE life cycle means it is not
possible to eradicate JE.</p>

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

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The
transmission of JE is linked to the seasonality of the mosquitoes in these
areas. JE is transmitted seasonally in large areas of Asia, but in some
locations may be transmitted year round. Many areas with tropical climates hold
a potential for year round transmission and, elsewhere, peak periods of
increased viral transmission follows monsoon seasons and irrigation associated
with rice cultivation.</font></p>

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

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

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

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">JE
is highly prevalent in Asia. Approximately 3 billion people live in areas at
risk of the disease. JE has occurred from the islands of the Western Pacific in
the east to the Pakistani border in the west, and from Korea in the north to
Papua, New Guinea in the south.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Novartis
Vaccines is committed to educating travelers and healthcare providers about the
risk of acquiring JE during travel and about protective modalities, including
Ixiaro vaccine.</font></p>

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

<p style="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="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><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;to market,&#148; &#147;will,&#148; &#147;potential,&#148; &#147;expected,&#148; &#147;planned,&#148; &#147;committed,&#148;
&#147;risk,&#148; or similar expressions, or by express or implied discussions regarding
potential new indications or labeling for Ixiaro or regarding potential future
revenues from Ixiaro. 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 with Ixiaro to be materially different from any future results,
performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. There can
be no guarantee that Ixiaro will be approved for any additional indications or
labeling in any market. Nor can there be any guarantee that Ixiaro will achieve
any particular levels of revenue in the future. In particular, management&#146;s
expectations regarding Ixiaro could be affected by, among other things,
unexpected regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally;
unexpected clinical trial results, including unexpected new clinical data and
unexpected additional analysis of existing clinical data; the company&#146;s ability
to obtain or maintain patent or other proprietary intellectual property
protection; 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="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

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

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics is a division of
Novartis focused on the development of preventive treatments. The division has
two businesses: Novartis Vaccines and Chiron. Novartis Vaccines is the world&#146;s
fifth-largest vaccines manufacturer and second-largest supplier of flu vaccines
in the US. The division&#146;s products also include meningococcal, pediatric and
travel vaccines. Chiron, the blood testing and molecular diagnostics business,
is dedicated to preventing the spread of infectious diseases through the
development of novel blood-screening tools that protect the world&#146;s blood
supply.</font></p>

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

<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Novartis AG 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, </font>please
visit http://www.novartis.com.</p>

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

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

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

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

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

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

<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .25in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">(1)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font>PATH.&#160; JE in
depth.&#160;
http://www.path.org/projects/JE_in_depth.php 2008</p>

<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .25in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">(2)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font>Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention.&#160;
Travelers&#146; Health: Yellow Book; Chapter 4, Japanese Encephalitis.&#160; http://www.cdc.gov/travel/yellowBookCH4-JapaneseEncephalitis.aspx
2007</p>

<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .25in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">(3)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font>http://cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/jencephalitis/facts.htm</p>

<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .25in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">(</font><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">4)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font>C &#151; Tauber, E. Kollaritsch, H. Korinel, M. et
al.&#160; Safety and immunogenicity
of a Vero-cell derived, inactivated Japanese encephalitis vaccine: a non-inferiority,
Phase III, randomized control trial Lancet 370[9602], 1847-1853. 1-12, 2007</p>

<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .25in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">(5)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font>Tauber
E, Kollaritsch H, von Sonnenburg F et al. Randomized, Double-Blind,
Placebo-Controlled Phase 3 Trial of the Safety and Tolerability of IC51, an
Inactivated Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine.&#160;
J Infect Dis 2008; 198:493-499</p>

<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .25in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">(6)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font>Dubuscgar-Kastner,
K., Kaltenboeck, A., Schuller, E. et al.&#160;
Six months Safety of a Vero-cell culture derived Japanese Encephalitis
Vaccine, IXIARO, IC51, across Phase 3 trials and in a long term-follow up
cohort.&#160; Abstracts of the 57th American
Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene annual meeting, New Orleans, LA, USA,
December&nbsp;7-11, 2008</p>

<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .25in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">(</font><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">7)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font>Schuller, E., Jilma, B., Voicu, V. et al.&#160; Long-term immunogenicity of the
new Vero cell-derived, inactivated Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine IC51:
six and 12 month results of a multicenter follow-up phase 3 study.&#160; Vaccine. 2008. Aug 12;26(34):4382-6</p>

<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .25in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">(8)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font>Solomon,
T, Mallewa M. Dengue and other emerging flaviviruses.&#160; J Infect 2001;42:104-115</p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .25in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

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

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

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  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.24%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="23%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:23.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+1 212 830 2433</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="21%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:21.56%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">John Gilardi</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.56%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="23%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:23.54%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 61 324 3018</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.24%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="23%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:23.94%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Jill Pozarek</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.24%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="23%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:23.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+1 212 830 2445</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="21%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:21.56%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Thomas Hungerbuehler</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.56%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="23%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:23.54%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 61 324 8425</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.24%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="23%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:23.94%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Edwin Valeriano</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.24%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="23%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:23.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+1 212 830 2456</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="21%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:21.56%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Isabella Zinck</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.56%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="23%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:23.54%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 61 324 7188</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.24%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="23%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:23.94%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.24%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="23%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:23.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="21%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:21.56%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.56%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="23%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:23.54%;">
  <p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.24%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="23%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:23.94%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.24%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="23%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:23.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="47%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">e-mail:
  investor.relations@novartis.com</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.24%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="50%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.1%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">e-mail:
  investor.relations@novartis.com</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

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

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

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

</div>
<!-- SEQ.=1,FOLIO='5',FILE='C:\JMS\105825\09-9056-2\task3460117\9056-2-ba.htm',USER='105825',CD='Mar 31 15:34 2009' -->


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


<div>

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

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

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

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

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&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:50.42%;">
  <p style="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="49%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.58%;">
  <p style="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="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.42%;">
  <p style="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="6%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:6.42%;">
  <p style="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="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:43.16%;">
  <p style="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="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.42%;">
  <p style="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="6%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:6.42%;">
  <p style="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="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:43.16%;">
  <p style="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="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.42%;">
  <p align="left" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date:&nbsp;&nbsp; March&nbsp;30, 2009</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.92%;">
  <p align="left" style="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="45%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:45.66%;">
  <p align="left" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><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:50.42%;">
  <p align="left" style="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 0in 0in 0in;width:6.42%;">
  <p align="left" style="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="43%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-top:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:43.16%;">
  <p align="left" style="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="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.42%;">
  <p align="left" style="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 0in 0in 0in;width:6.42%;">
  <p align="left" style="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="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:43.16%;">
  <p align="left" style="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="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.42%;">
  <p align="left" style="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 0in 0in 0in;width:6.42%;">
  <p align="left" style="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="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:43.16%;">
  <p align="left" style="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="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.42%;">
  <p align="left" style="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 0in 0in 0in;width:6.42%;">
  <p align="left" style="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="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:43.16%;">
  <p align="left" style="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="377" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="29" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="19" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="323" style="border:none;"></td>
 </tr>
</table>

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

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">6</font></p>

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

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