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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-09-032651.txt : 20090515
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-09-032651.hdr.sgml : 20090515
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090515061056
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-09-032651
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	6-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090515
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090515
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090515

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:		09828784

	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>a09-13504_16k.htm
<DESCRIPTION>6-K
<TEXT>

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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><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;">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">&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">&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 style="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="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 May&nbsp;14,
2009</font></b></p>

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

<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="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 style="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="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 align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><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 style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt 199.45pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Form&nbsp;20-F: </font></b><font face="Wingdings">x</font>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Form&nbsp;40-F: <font face="Wingdings">o</font></p>

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

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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 align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><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="47%" rowspan="5" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><img width="192" height="41" src="g135041bai001.jpg"></font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="24%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:24.18%;">
  <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="28%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:28.16%;">
  <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="24%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:24.18%;">
  <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="28%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:28.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><font style="font-size:10.0pt;">Novartis
  Global Communications</font>  </font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="24%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:24.18%;">
  <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="28%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:28.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><font style="font-size:10.0pt;">CH-4002 Basel</font>  </font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="24%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:24.18%;">
  <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="28%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:28.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><font style="font-size:10.0pt;">Switzerland</font>  </font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="24%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:24.18%;">
  <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="28%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:28.16%;">
  <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;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 align="center" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><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;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Novartis receives approval from FDA to market Prevacid</font></b><b><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;font-weight:bold;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font></b><b>&#160;24HR as first and only OTC proton pump
inhibitor in original prescription formulation</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 .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><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>This
approval will provide greater convenience and broader access to an effective
treatment option to the 50 million Americans(1)&nbsp;suffering from frequent
heartburn</i></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><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>Once-daily,
prescription-strength Prevacid</i><i><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;font-style:italic;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font></i><i>&#160;24HR is the first OTC proton pump inhibitor
approved for the treatment of frequent heartburn in the US since 2003</i></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><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>Prescription-strength
Prevacid 24HR treats frequent heartburn for a full 24 hours</i></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="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, Switzerland, May&nbsp;14, 2009</font></b> &#151; Novartis
announced today that Prevacid<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>&#160;24HR (lansoprazole delayed-release capsules 15
mg) has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the first
over-the-counter (OTC) Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) for the treatment
of frequent heartburn since 2003. Prevacid 24HR is expected to be
available over-the-counter in 2009.</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;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Once-daily Prevacid 24HR is the first OTC PPI
approved in its original prescription formulation. It is the only PPI
containing the active ingredient lansoprazole to be approved for OTC treatment
of frequent heartburn, which is defined as heartburn that occurs two or more
days per week.</font> In three
clinical studies, Prevacid 24HR demonstrated
significantly better efficacy in treating frequent heartburn than placebo.
Although some people experienced complete relief of symptoms within 24 hours,
it may take one to four days for full effect.</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;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The
prescription medicine Prevacid</font><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>&#160;(lansoprazole)(2),
a brand that 21 million patients have trusted to treat their acid-related
disorders(3), is one of the top five prescription brands in the US in terms of total
prescription dollar sales(4). The drug achieved $3.37 billion in annual sales
in the US in 2008(5). Novartis
has licensed the Prevacid<font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>&#160; trademark and certain other
intellectual property rights for OTC development and commercialization from Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America,&nbsp;Inc.</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;Our partnership with Takeda
Pharmaceuticals on this switch has been outstanding,&#148; said Larry Allgaier, Global Head of the Novartis OTC Business Unit.
&#147;Takeda Pharmaceuticals trusted Novartis to take this leading product over-the-counter
because of our core competencies as a pharmaceutical company, and our
demonstrated history of success taking prescription products over the counter, providing consumers with greater convenience
and broader access to the effective treatments they need, while
continuing to build the brands.&#148;</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;">Prescription-strength
Prevacid 24HR treats frequent heartburn for a full 24 hours. Prevacid 24HR works by stopping the release
of acid into the stomach.</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;This is an important
development for the 50 million American adults who suffer from frequent
heartburn,&#148; said M. Brian Fennerty, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of
Gastroenterology,</font></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;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">2</font></p>

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

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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="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Oregon Health and Science
University. &#147;Prescription strength Prevacid 24HR will be both an effective and
well-tolerated option for treating frequent heartburn.&#148;</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;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The
FDA approved Prevacid 24HR in the form of 15mg delayed-release capsules.
Prevacid 24HR is a 14-day course of treatment and should be taken once per day
before eating in the morning to treat frequent heartburn.</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" style="font-size:10.0pt;">For
more information about Prevacid 24HR visit www.Prevacid24HR.com.</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
Frequent Heartburn</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">More than 50 million Americans
suffer from frequent heartburn, which is defined as heartburn occurring two or
more days per week. Frequent heartburn is a result of the backing up of stomach
acid into the esophagus. Typically the lower esophageal sphincter muscle opens
to allow food to pass, but then quickly closes. However, in frequent heartburn
sufferers the muscle relaxes and allows food and acid from the stomach to
travel back up into the esophagus. As a result, sufferers often have a burning
sensation in the chest and/or throat, a sour or bitter taste in the mouth,
difficulty swallowing, chronic coughing and wheezing or other asthma-like
symptoms. These symptoms of frequent heartburn can become worse when one is
lying down or bending over.</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;">Disclaimer</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><font style="font-size:10.0pt;">The foregoing release contains
forward-looking statements that can be identified by terminology such as &#147;will,&#148;
&#147;expected,&#148; or similar expressions, or by express or implied discussions
regarding the potential date on which Prevacid&#174;</font> 24HR will be
available for sale over-the-counter or regarding potential future revenues from
Prevacid&#174; 24HR. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. 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 Prevacid&#174; 24HR to be materially
different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or
implied by such statements. There can be no guarantee that Prevacid&#174; 24HR will
be available for sale over-the-counter on any particular date. Nor can there be
any guarantee that Prevacid&#174; 24HR will achieve any particular levels of revenue
in the future. In particular, management&#146;s expectations regarding Prevacid&#174; 24HR
could be affected by, among other things, competition in general; government,
industry and general public pricing pressures; unexpected regulatory actions or
government regulation generally; 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 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;"><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,
please visit http://www.novartis.com.</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;"># # #</font></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;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">3</font></p>

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

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

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

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(1)&#160;
National Heartburn Alliance: http://www.heartburnalliance.org/ heartburn_assessment.php</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.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 .5in;text-indent:-.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(2)&#160; Prevacid</font><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font>&#160;is a registered trademark of Takeda
Pharmaceuticals North America,&nbsp;Inc., and is used under license by Takeda
Pharmaceuticals North America,&nbsp;Inc.</p>

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

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(3)&#160; SDI Total Patient Tracker (TPT) 2002-2008</font></p>

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

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(4)&#160; SDI VONA 12-months ending December&nbsp;31,
2008</font></p>

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

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(5)&#160; IMS NPA 12-months ending December&nbsp;31st,
2008</font></p>

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

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

<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>

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

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="44%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:44.76%;">
  <p style="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>
  <td width="55%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:55.26%;">
  <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>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="44%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:44.76%;">
  <p align="left" style="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><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;"> </font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="55%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:55.26%;">
  <p align="left" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Julie Masow</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="44%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:44.76%;">
  <p align="left" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Novartis Global Media Relations</font><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;"> </font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="55%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:55.26%;">
  <p align="left" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Novartis
  Consumer Health,&nbsp;Inc.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="44%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:44.76%;">
  <p align="left" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 61 324 7999 (direct)</font><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">  </font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="55%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:55.26%;">
  <p align="left" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+1 </font><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">973 503 7663<b>  </b>(direct)</font><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">  </font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="44%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:44.76%;">
  <p align="left" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 79 593 4202
  (mobile)</font><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">  </font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="55%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:55.26%;">
  <p align="left" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+1 862 579 8456
  (mobile)</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="44%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:44.76%;">
  <p align="left" style="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="55%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:55.26%;">
  <p align="left" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">julie.masow@novartis.com</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

<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;">e-mail: media.relations@novartis.com</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;">Novartis Investor Relations</font></b></p>

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

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="27%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:27.5%;">
  <p style="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>
  </td>
  <td width="18%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:18.92%;">
  <p style="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="22%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:22.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="31%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:31.42%;">
  <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="27%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:27.5%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Ruth Metzler-Arnold</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="18%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:18.92%;">
  <p style="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="22%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:22.16%;">
  <p style="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="31%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:31.42%;">
  <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="27%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:27.5%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pierre-Michel Bringer</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="18%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:18.92%;">
  <p style="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="22%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:22.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Richard Jarvis</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="31%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:31.42%;">
  <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="27%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:27.5%;">
  <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="18%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:18.92%;">
  <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="22%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:22.16%;">
  <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="31%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:31.42%;">
  <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="27%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:27.5%;">
  <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="18%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:18.92%;">
  <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="22%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:22.16%;">
  <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="31%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:31.42%;">
  <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="27%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:27.5%;">
  <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="18%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:18.92%;">
  <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="22%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:22.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="31%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:31.42%;">
  <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="46%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:46.42%;">
  <p style="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:22.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="31%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:31.42%;">
  <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="46%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:46.42%;">
  <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="53%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:53.58%;">
  <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;">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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<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="center" style="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="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pursuant to the
requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized.</font></p>

<p align="left" style="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>

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="46%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:46.26%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.5%;">
  <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:50.24%;">
  <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="46%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:46.26%;">
  <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="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.5%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="50%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.24%;">
  <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="46%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:46.26%;">
  <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="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.5%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="50%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.24%;">
  <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="46%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:46.26%;">
  <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;&nbsp;May&nbsp;14,
  2009</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.5%;">
  <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="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.18%;">
  <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="47%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.06%;">
  <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="46%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:46.26%;">
  <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="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.5%;">
  <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="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.18%;">
  <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="47%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.06%;">
  <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="46%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:46.26%;">
  <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="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.5%;">
  <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="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.18%;">
  <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="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:5.8%;">
  <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="41%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:41.26%;">
  <p align="left" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;Malcolm B. Cheetham</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="46%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:46.26%;">
  <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="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.5%;">
  <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="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.18%;">
  <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="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:5.8%;">
  <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="41%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:41.26%;">
  <p align="left" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;Head Group Financial Reporting and
  Accounting</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>
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