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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-09-034689.txt : 20090526
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-09-034689.hdr.sgml : 20090525
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090526061935
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-09-034689
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	6-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090521
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090526
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090526

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:		09850484

	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>a09-14244_16k.htm
<DESCRIPTION>6-K
<TEXT>

<html>

<head>





</head>

<body lang="EN-US">

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

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

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

</div>

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Report on Form&nbsp;6-K dated May&nbsp;21, 2009</font></b></p>

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

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

<div align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><hr size="1" width="25%" noshade color="black" align="center"></div>

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

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Novartis AG</font></b></p>

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

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

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Lichtstrasse 35</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">4056 Basel</font></b></p>

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

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

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

<div align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><hr size="1" width="25%" noshade color="black" align="center"></div>

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

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Indicate by check mark
whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form&nbsp;20-F
or Form&nbsp;40-F:</font></p>

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

<div align="center">

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.5%;">
  <p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Form&nbsp;20-F: </font></b><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">x</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="5%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:5.0%;">
  <p style="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="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.5%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Form&nbsp;40-F: </font><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

</div>

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

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Indicate by check mark if
the registrant is submitting the Form&nbsp;6-K in paper as permitted by
Regulation S-T Rule&nbsp;101(b)(1):</font></p>

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

<div align="center">

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.5%;">
  <p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Yes:
  </font><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="5%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:5.0%;">
  <p style="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="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.5%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">No</font></b><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">:&nbsp; </font></b><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">x</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

</div>

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

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Indicate by check mark if
the registrant is submitting the Form&nbsp;6-K in paper as permitted by
Regulation S-T Rule&nbsp;101(b)(7):</font></p>

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

<div align="center">

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.5%;">
  <p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Yes:
  </font><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="5%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:5.0%;">
  <p style="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="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.5%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">No</font></b><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">:&nbsp; </font></b><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">x</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

</div>

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

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Indicate by check mark
whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this form is
also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule&nbsp;12g3-2(b)&nbsp;under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.</font></p>

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

<div align="center">

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.5%;">
  <p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Yes:
  </font><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="5%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:5.0%;">
  <p style="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="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.5%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">No</font></b><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">:&nbsp; </font></b><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">x</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

</div>

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

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

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

</div>

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

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

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


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

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

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="71%" rowspan="5" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:71.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><img width="190" height="40" src="g142441bai001.jpg"></font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="28%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:28.34%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Novartis International AG</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="28%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:28.34%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Novartis
  Global Communications</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="28%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:28.34%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">CH-4002 Basel</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="28%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:28.34%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Switzerland</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="28%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:28.34%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><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" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

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

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

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Phase III
data show Novartis investigational bronchodilator QAB149 significantly improves
lung function over current treatments in COPD(1),(2)</font></b></p>

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

<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:3.44%;">
  <p style="margin:0in -6.4pt .0001pt 0in;text-autospace:none;"><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:96.56%;">
  <p style="margin:0in -6.4pt .0001pt 0in;text-autospace:none;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">Once daily QAB149 (indacaterol)
  significantly improves lung function compared to formoterol and tiotropium,
  two currently approved COPD treatments, at three months of treatment(1),(2)</font></i></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.44%;">
  <p style="margin:0in -6.4pt .0001pt 0in;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:96.56%;">
  <p style="margin:0in -6.4pt .0001pt 0in;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.44%;">
  <p style="margin:0in -15.4pt .0001pt 0in;text-autospace:none;"><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:96.56%;">
  <p style="margin:0in -15.4pt .0001pt 0in;text-autospace:none;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">Pending approval, QAB149 could be
  the first once-daily bronchodilator to combine clinically relevant 24-hour
  bronchodilation with onset of action within five minutes(3),(4),(5)</font></i></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.44%;">
  <p style="margin:0in -15.4pt .0001pt 0in;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:96.56%;">
  <p style="margin:0in -15.4pt .0001pt 0in;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.44%;">
  <p style="margin:0in -15.4pt .0001pt 0in;text-autospace:none;"><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:96.56%;">
  <p style="margin:0in -15.4pt .0001pt 0in;text-autospace:none;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">All doses of QAB149 are
  well-tolerated with a good overall safety profile in three pivotal trials:
  INVOLVE (1 year), INHANCE (6 months) and INLIGHT-1 (3 months)(4),(5),(6)</font></i></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.44%;">
  <p style="margin:0in -15.4pt .0001pt 0in;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:96.56%;">
  <p style="margin:0in -15.4pt .0001pt 0in;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.44%;">
  <p style="margin:0in -15.4pt .0001pt 0in;text-autospace:none;"><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:96.56%;">
  <p style="margin:0in -15.4pt .0001pt 0in;text-autospace:none;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">COPD, a debilitating and
  progressive respiratory disease, is a leading and growing cause of death that
  affects 210 million people worldwide(7)</font></i></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-autospace:none;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Basel, May&nbsp;21,
2009</font></b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;"> &#151; Initial results from three pivotal phase III trials show the
Novartis investigational bronchodilator QAB149 (indacaterol) could deliver
clinically relevant(1) lung function improvements, within five minutes of the
first dose, lasting for 24 hours in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD)(3),(4),(5).</font></p>

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

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The data presented at the
American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2009 International Conference in San Diego show
that QAB149, a long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA), significantly improved lung
function from the first day of therapy to up to one year of treatment(1). The
data also reveal that all evaluated doses of QAB149 were well-tolerated<i>  </i>and had a good overall safety profile(4),(5),(6)<i>.</i></font></p>

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

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">All doses of once-daily
QAB149 met the primary efficacy endpoint of significant improvement in FEV</font><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:1.0pt;">1</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#160;(forced expiratory volume in one second)
versus placebo at twelve weeks.(3),(4),(5)&nbsp;This improvement was seen as
early as five minutes post-dose and at every subsequent time point measured in
each study(3),(4),(5). In INVOLVE QAB149 (300&#181;g and 600&#181;g) also showed significant
improvements over formoterol 12&#181;g in trough FEV</font><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:1.0pt;">1</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#160;difference
versus placebo at three months (170ml and 170ml vs. 70ml; p&lt;0.001), and at
one year (160ml and 150ml vs. 50ml; p&lt;0.001)(1).</font></p>

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

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">In addition to data
presented at ATS, Novartis released data today showing that at 12 weeks, QAB149
(150&#181;g and 300&#181;g) achieved additional improvements of 50ml and 40ml,
respectively, versus open-label tiotropium 18&#181;g, in trough FEV</font><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:1.0pt;">1</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#160;or 24-hour post-dose forced expiratory volume
in one second(2). Further presentation of study results is planned for later
this year.</font></p>

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

<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><hr size="1" width="25%" noshade color="black" align="left"></div>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(1) Defined as &gt;120mL
more than placebo in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV</font><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:1.0pt;">1</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">) a standard measure of lung
function.</font></p>

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

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

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

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

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#147;Bronchodilator treatment is
the first-line approach for the symptomatic management of patients with COPD,
and long-acting bronchodilators have a number of advantages,&#148; said Professor
Stephen I. Rennard, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of
Nebraska Medical Center. &#147;The indacaterol data presented at ATS show that
bronchodilation on a once-daily basis may be an important addition to the
current therapeutic armamentarium in COPD.&#148;</font></p>

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

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">COPD is a progressive,
life-threatening respiratory disease that affects 210 million people worldwide(7),(8).
Commonly caused by cigarette smoke and other harmful fumes, COPD is
characterized by a persistent obstruction of airflow in the lungs, resulting in
breathlessness(8). According to the World Health Organization, COPD is
currently projected to become the third leading cause of death worldwide by
2030(9). Bronchodilators are a group of drugs that widen the airways in the
lungs. While COPD is incurable, improving airflow with the use of long-acting
bronchodilators is central to symptomatic management(10).</font></p>

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

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#147;Novartis is committed to
developing a range of therapies for patients with respiratory diseases such as
COPD,&#148; said </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Trevor Mundel, MD, Global Head
of Development at Novartis Pharma AG.</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">  </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#147;QAB149 could become the
foundation of a portfolio of medicines that aims to improve peoples&#146;
respiratory health.&#148;</font></p>

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

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">QAB149 is currently
undergoing regulatory review in the European Union and the United States. If
approved, QAB149 could become the foundation of a Novartis portfolio of
products, including fixed-dose combinations, designed to address unmet needs in
respiratory care.</font></p>

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

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

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">In the one-year INVOLVE
study, QAB149 showed improved symptom control (cough, wheezing, breathlessness
and sputum production and color) over twice-daily formoterol(11). In addition,
treatment with QAB149 significantly prolonged the time to first COPD flare-up
(exacerbation) compared to placebo(12)<b>.</b></font></p>

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

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The most commonly-reported
adverse effects were nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection,
headache and cough following inhalation, which was generally well-tolerated and
did not result in different discontinuation rates between patients experiencing
and not experiencing cough.</font></p>

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

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

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The foregoing release
contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by terminology such
as &#147;could,&#148; &#147;planned,&#148; &#147;may,&#148; &#147;committed,&#148; &#147;aims to,&#148; &#147;designed to,&#148; or similar
expressions, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing
approvals for QAB149 or of a potential Novartis portfolio of respiratory
products or regarding potential future revenues from such products. You should
not place undue reliance on these statements.&#160;
Such forward-looking statements reflect the current views of management
regarding future events, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any
future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such
statements. There can be no guarantee that QAB149 or any other potential
components of a Novartis portfolio of respiratory products will be approved for
sale in any market. Nor can there be any guarantee that such products will
achieve any particular levels of revenue in the future. In particular,
management&#146;s expectations regarding such products 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</font></p>

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

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">3</font></p>

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

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

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

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

<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><hr size="1" width="25%" noshade color="black" align="left"></div>

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

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(1)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:96.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Paggiaro
  P, et al. </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#147;Bronchodilator treatment with indacaterol
  once-daily vs formoterol twice-daily in COPD: a 52-week study.&#148; Poster
  presented at American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2009 International Conference,
  May&nbsp;2009.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(2)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:96.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Novartis
  data on file.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(3)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:96.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Dahl,
  et al. </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#147;Indacaterol Once-daily Provides 24-h Bronchodilation over 52 Weeks of
  Treatment in COPD.&#148; Poster presented at American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2009
  International Conference, May&nbsp;2009.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(4)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:96.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Fogarty C, et al.
  &#147;Sustained 24-h Bronchodilation with QAB149 Once-Daily in COPD: A 26-Week
  Efficacy and Safety Study.&#148; Poster presented at American Thoracic Society
  (ATS) 2009 International Conference, May&nbsp;2009.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(5)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:96.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Siler T, et al. &#147;Efficacy
  and safety of indacaterol 150 &#181;g once-daily in COPD: 1 12-week study.&#148; Poster
  presented at American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2009 International Conference,
  May&nbsp;2009.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(6)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:96.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Chung KF, et al. &#147;Safety
  and Tolerability of Indacaterol over 52 Weeks of Treatment in COPD.&#148; Poster
  presented at American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2009 International Conference,
  May&nbsp;2009.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(7)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:96.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">World Health Organization.
  Factsheet No 315 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
  http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs315/en/index.html (accessed 10
  April&nbsp;2009).</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(8)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:96.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">NHBLI. What is COPD?
  http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Copd/Copd_WhatIs.html (accessed
  10 April&nbsp;2009)</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(9)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:96.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">World Health Organisation.
  COPD predicted to be third leading cause of death in 2030. </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">http://www.who.int/gard/news_events/World_Health_Statistics_2008/en/index.html
  (accessed 22 April&nbsp;2009)</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(10)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:96.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Global Initiative for
  Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Lung Disease. Global Strategy for the
  Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Lung
  Disease. Updated 2007.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(11)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:96.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Nonikov V, et al.
  &#147;Indacaterol Once-daily Reduces Days of Poor Control in COPD Over 52 Weeks of
  Treatment.&#148; Poster presented at American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2009
  International Conference, May&nbsp;2009.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(12)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:96.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Buhl R, et al. &#147;Indacaterol
  once-daily reduces COPD exacerbations over 52 weeks of treatment.&#148; Poster
  presented at American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2009 International Conference,
  May&nbsp;2009.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

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

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

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

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">4</font></p>

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

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

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

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

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

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Central
  media line&nbsp;:</font></b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;"> +41 61 324 2200</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><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="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Eric
  Althoff</font></b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;"><br>
  </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Novartis Global Media Relations</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;"><br>
  </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 61 324 7999 (direct)</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;"><br>
  </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 79 593 4202 (mobile)</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;"><br>
  </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">eric.althoff@novartis.com</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Peter
  Shelby</font></b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;"><br>
  </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Novartis Pharma Communication</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;"><br>
  </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 61 324 4470 (direct)</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;"><br>
  +41 79 597 6353 (mobile)<br>
  </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">peter.shelby@novartis.com</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

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

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

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

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

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

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:25.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Central
  phone:</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:25.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 61 324 7944</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:25.0%;">
  <p style="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="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:25.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:25.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Ruth Metzler-Arnold</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:25.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 61 324 9980</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:25.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">North
  America:</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:25.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:25.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pierre-Michel Bringer</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:25.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 61 324 1065</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:25.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Richard Jarvis</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:25.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+1 212 830 2433</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:25.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">John Gilardi</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:25.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 61 324 3018</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:25.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Jill Pozarek</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:25.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+1 212 830 2445</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:25.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Thomas Hungerbuehler</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:25.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 61 324 8425</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:25.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Edwin Valeriano</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:25.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+1 212 830 2456</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:25.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Isabella Zinck</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:25.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 61 324 7188</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:25.0%;">
  <p style="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="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:25.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:25.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:25.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:25.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:25.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">e-mail:
  investor.relations@novartis.com</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="50%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">e-mail:
  investor.relations@novartis.com</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

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

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">5</font></p>

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

</div>
<!-- SEQ.=1,FOLIO='5',FILE='C:\JMS\105690\09-14244-1\task3569600\14244-1-ba.htm',USER='105690',CD='May 25 18:51 2009' -->


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


<div>

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

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

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pursuant to the requirements
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this
report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized.</font></p>

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

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

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.42%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="49%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.58%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Novartis
  AG</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.42%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><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:49.58%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.42%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="49%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.58%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.42%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date:&nbsp; May&nbsp;21, 2009</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.76%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">By:</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="45%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:45.84%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">/s/ MALCOLM B. CHEETHAM</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.42%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="49%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.58%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.42%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="6%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:6.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Name:</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:43.58%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Malcolm B. Cheetham</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.42%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="6%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:6.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Title:</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:43.58%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Head Group Financial
  Reporting and Accounting</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr height="0">
  <td width="377" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="28" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="17" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="326" style="border:none;"></td>
 </tr>
</table>

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

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

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