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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-09-028853.txt : 20090504
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-09-028853.hdr.sgml : 20090504
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090504103152
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-09-028853
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	6-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080430
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090504
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090504

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:		09791881

	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>a09-12495_16k.htm
<DESCRIPTION>6-K
<TEXT>

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Report on
Form&nbsp;6-K dated April&nbsp;30, 2009</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;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>

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;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:&nbsp;</font></b><font face="Wingdings">x</font>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Form&nbsp;40-F:&nbsp;<font face="Wingdings">o</font></p>

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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  <td width="26%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:26.5%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Novartis
  International AG</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="26%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:26.5%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Novartis
  Global Communications</font></p>
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 </tr>
 <tr>
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  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">CH-4002 Basel</font></p>
  </td>
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 <tr>
  <td width="73%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:73.5%;">
  <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="26%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:26.5%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Switzerland</font></p>
  </td>
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 <tr>
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  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
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  <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>
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</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;line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt 5.4pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">- Investor Relations Release -</font></b></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt 5.4pt;"><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;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">FDA
approves Exforge HCT</font></b><b><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;font-weight:bold;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font></b><b>&#160;- the only high blood pressure treatment to
combine three medications in a single pill</b></p>

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

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="96%" style="border-collapse:collapse;margin-left:.25in;width:96.66%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.28%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:96.72%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">Exforge
  HCT combines in one pill a calcium channel blocker, angiotensin receptor
  blocker and diuretic (amlodipine, valsartan, hydrochlorothiazide)</font></i></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.28%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:96.72%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.28%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:96.72%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">In a
  clinical trial, Exforge HCT demonstrated significantly greater reductions in
  systolic and diastolic BP, compared to all dual combinations of its
  components</font></i><i><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;font-style:italic;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">(1)</font></i></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.28%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:96.72%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.28%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:96.72%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">Up to
  85% of patients may need multiple medications to help control their blood
  pressure</font></i><i><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;font-style:italic;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">(2)</font></i><i>&nbsp;and many need three or
  more</i><i><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;font-style:italic;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">(1)</font></i></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.28%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:96.72%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.28%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:96.72%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">Exforge
  HCT can help appropriate patients reach BP goals; offers convenience and
  potential cost savings by reducing up to three co-payments to one</font></i></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .75in;text-indent:-.25in;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">&nbsp;</font></i></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Basel, 30 April, 2009 </font></b>&#151; The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
has approved Exforge HCT, the only single pill to combine the three most
prescribed high blood pressure treatments in their classes in the US<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">(3)</font>: the calcium channel blocker amlodipine, the angiotensin receptor
blocker valsartan, and the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide. Exforge HCT is an
important new option for patients who have tried taking dual combinations of
these classes of blood pressure medications without success<b>.</b></p>

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

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#147;The majority of people with
hypertension will require more than one medication to control their blood
pressure and it&#146;s not uncommon for patients with severe hypertension and/or
patients requiring stricter blood pressure control to need three or more
medications,&#148; said David A. Calhoun, MD, Professor of Medicine, Vascular
Biology and Hypertension Program, University of Alabama at Birmingham. &#147;With a
triple combination option, appropriate patients may experience a simpler
routine of a convenient, once-daily pill to help them control their high blood
pressure.&#148;</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;font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Exforge HCT provides proven
efficacy in patients with moderate to severe hypertension (MSDBP 100 mmHg and
&lt;120 mmHg, MSSBP 145 mmHg and &lt;200 mmHg)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">(1)</font>.
In a clinical trial, the maximum dose of Exforge HCT (amlodipine/valsartan/
hydrochlorothiazide 10 mg/320 mg/25 mg)
demonstrated additional reductions of 18-29% in systolic blood pressure and
19-32% in diastolic blood pressure when compared to all dual combinations of
its components at the same doses<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;">1),(4)</font>. The reductions in systolic/diastolic blood pressure with Exforge HCT
were 7.6/5.0 mmHg greater than with valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide 320 mg/25 mg;
6.2/3.3 mmHg greater than with amlodipine/valsartan 10mg/320 mg; and 8.2/5.3
mmHg greater than with amlodipine/hydrochlorothiazide 10 mg/25 mg<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">(4)</font>. These results also include a placebo effect of unknown size.
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring showed that the blood pressure lowering
effect of Exforge HCT was maintained throughout the 24-hour period<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">(4)</font>.</p>

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

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

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

<p style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">High
blood pressure affects approximately 74 million adults in the US and one in
four adults worldwide</font><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">(5)</font>. If high blood pressure is not treated, it
can lead to heart attack and stroke<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">(6)</font>. Exforge HCT
is not indicated for the treatment or prevention of heart attack or stroke.</p>

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

<p style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Research
suggests that up to 85% of patients may need multiple medications</font><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">(2)</font>&nbsp;and many need three or more<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">(1)</font>&nbsp;to
help control their blood pressure. Patients may find treatment more convenient
with one single pill rather than separate pills.</p>

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

<p style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">Exforge HCT contains
three effective medicines that work in three different ways</font><font size="1" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">(1)</font><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">.
</font><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">A patient may be switched to the single pill
combination Exforge HCT if blood pressure is not adequately controlled on any
two of the following anti-hypertensive classes: calcium channel blockers,
angiotensin receptor blockers, and diuretics</font><font size="1" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">(4)</font><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">.</font><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">
The full blood pressure lowering effect was achieved two weeks after being on
the maximal dose of Exforge HCT</font><font size="1" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">(4)</font><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">.</font></p>

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

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#147;This
approval of Exforge HCT as the only single blood pressure pill combining the
efficacy of three of the most-prescribed treatments in their classes represents
a significant milestone toward reducing the burden of unmet need in
hypertension,&#148; said Trevor Mundel, MD, Global Head of Development at Novartis
Pharma AG. &#147;Novartis remains confident in the important role of single pill
combination medications to help appropriate patients achieve their blood
pressure targets, while providing physicians with a range of powerful yet
flexible combinations of doses to effectively manage high blood pressure in
different patients.&#148;</font></p>

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

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Exforge
and Exforge HCT will be offered at the same price in the US on a dose
equivalent basis, essentially providing the added diuretic in Exforge HCT at no
additional cost. Since Exforge
HCT combines three medications in a single pill, patients may benefit from
reduced insurance co-payments.</font></p>

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

<p style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">This
FDA approval was based on a clinical trial of Exforge HCT of over 2,000
patients</font><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">(1)</font>. Exforge HCT is currently under review in
the EU.</p>

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

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

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The
foregoing release contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by
terminology such as &#147;may,&#146; &#147;can,&#148; &#147;potential,&#148; &#147;will,&#148; &#147;suggests,&#148; &#147;confident,&#148;
or similar expressions, or by express or implied discussions regarding
potential additional approvals for Exforge HCT or regarding potential future
revenues from Exforge HCT. 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 Exforge HCT to be materially different from any future
results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements.
There can be no guarantee that Exforge HCT will be approved for any sale in any
additional market. Nor can there be any guarantee that Exforge HCT will achieve
any particular levels of revenue in the future. In particular, management&#146;s
expectations regarding Exforge HCT 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; competition in
general; government, industry and general public pricing pressures; the company&#146;s
ability to obtain or maintain patent or other proprietary intellectual property
protection; 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 align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

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

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

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

<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;">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, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals,
preventive vaccines, diagnostic tools 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 98,000 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="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="1" width="25%" noshade color="black" align="left"></div>

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

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.2%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:0in;"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">(1)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:1.68%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="95%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:95.12%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Grosso, A., Jin J., Chen J.
  An 8-week, multi-centre, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study to
  evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination of
  valsartan/HCTZ/amlodipine compared to valsartan/HCTZ, valsartan/amlodipine,
  and HCTZ/amlodipine in patients with moderate to severe hypertension.
  Novartis Full Clinical Study Report. 2008.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.2%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:0in;"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">(2)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:1.68%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="95%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:95.12%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pepine CJ, Handberg EM,
  Cooper-DeHoff RM, et al, for the INVEST Investigators. A calcium antagonist
  vs. a non-calcium antagonist hypertension treatment strategy for patients
  with coronary artery disease. The International Verapamil-Trandolapril Study
  (INVEST): a randomized controlled trial. <i>JAMA</i> 2003;
  290:2805-2816.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.2%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">(3)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:1.68%;">
  <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="95%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:95.12%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">IMS MIDAS sales data. February&nbsp;2008 </font>-January&nbsp;2009</p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.2%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">(4)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:1.68%;">
  <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="95%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:95.12%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Exforge HCT US
  Product Information. April&nbsp;2009</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.2%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">(5)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:1.68%;">
  <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="95%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:95.12%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Lloyd-Jones, D., Adams, R, Carnethon, M. et al.
  Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics 2009 Update. A Report from the American
  Heart Association Statistics Committee and Stroke Statistics Committee. <i>Circulation</i>. 2009; ICD-9
  401&#151;404, ICD-10 I10-I15.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.2%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">(6)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:1.68%;">
  <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="95%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:95.12%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">CDC High Blood Pressure Fact Sheet. June&nbsp;2005.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

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

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

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

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

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<p style="color:windowtext;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>

<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>
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  <p style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Central media line&nbsp;:</font></b> +41 61 324 2200</p>
  </td>
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  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
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  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
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  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Eric Althoff</font></b></p>
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Novartis Global Media Relations</font></p>
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 61 </font><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">324 7999 (direct)</font></p>
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  (mobile)</font></p>
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">eric.althoff@novartis.com</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.98%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
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  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Katharine Harris</font></b></p>
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Novartis Pharma Communications</font></p>
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 61 432 0799
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  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+</font><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">41 (0)79 515 2816
  (mobile)</font></p>
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">katharine.harris@novartis.com</font></p>
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 </tr>
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<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">e-mail: media.relations@novartis.com</font></p>

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

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

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  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Central phone:</font></b></p>
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  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
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  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 61 324 7944</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.78%;">
  <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="22%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:22.32%;">
  <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="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.84%;">
  <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="21%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:21.76%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="31%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:31.16%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Ruth Metzler-Arnold</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.36%;">
  <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="16%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:16.78%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 61 324 9980</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.78%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="22%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:22.32%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">North America:</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.84%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="21%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:21.76%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="31%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:31.16%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pierre-Michel Bringer</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.36%;">
  <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="16%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:16.78%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 61 324 1065</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.78%;">
  <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="22%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:22.32%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Richard Jarvis</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.84%;">
  <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="21%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:21.76%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;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="31%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:31.16%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">John Gilardi</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.36%;">
  <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="16%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:16.78%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;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="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.78%;">
  <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="22%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:22.32%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;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:2.84%;">
  <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="21%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:21.76%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;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="31%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:31.16%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Thomas Hungerbuehler</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.36%;">
  <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="16%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:16.78%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;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="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.78%;">
  <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="22%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:22.32%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;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:2.84%;">
  <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="21%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:21.76%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;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="31%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:31.16%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Isabella Zinck</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.36%;">
  <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="16%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:16.78%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;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="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.78%;">
  <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="22%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:22.32%;">
  <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="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.84%;">
  <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="21%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:21.76%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="31%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:31.16%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.36%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="16%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:16.78%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.78%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="22%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:22.32%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;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:2.84%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="21%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:21.76%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="51%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:51.3%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;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="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.78%;">
  <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="46%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:46.9%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;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="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

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

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

</div>
<!-- SEQ.=1,FOLIO='5',FILE='C:\JMS\c900225\09-12495-1\task3532334\12495-1-ba.htm',USER='105938',CD='May  4 16:41 2009' -->


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


<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;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SIGNATURES</font></b></p>

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

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

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

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

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:5.58%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="44%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:44.58%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="49%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.84%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Novartis AG</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:5.58%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="44%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:44.58%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="49%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.84%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:5.58%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="44%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:44.58%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.84%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="46%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:46.0%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:5.58%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date:</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="44%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:44.58%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">April&nbsp;30,
  2009</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.84%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">By:</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="46%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:46.0%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">/s/ MALCOLM B.
  CHEETHAM</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:5.58%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="44%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:44.58%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="49%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.84%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:5.58%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="44%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:44.58%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="6%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:6.5%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Name:</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:43.34%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Malcolm B.
  Cheetham</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:5.58%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="44%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:44.58%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="6%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:6.5%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Title:</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:43.34%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Head Group
  Financial</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:5.58%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="44%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:44.58%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="6%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:6.5%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:43.34%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Reporting and
  Accounting</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr height="0">
  <td width="42" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="333" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="29" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="20" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="324" style="border:none;"></td>
 </tr>
</table>

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

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