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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-09-047937.txt : 20090807
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-09-047937.hdr.sgml : 20090807
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090807060656
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-09-047937
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	6-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090805
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090807
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090807

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:		09993448

	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>a09-21474_26k.htm
<DESCRIPTION>6-K
<TEXT>

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

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

</div>

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Report on
Form&nbsp;6-K dated August&nbsp;5, 2009</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">(Commission File No.&nbsp;</font></b><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">1-15024)</font></b></p>

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><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><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; <b>No</b>:&#160; </font><b><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">x</font></b></p>

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

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

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

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><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><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; <b>No</b>:&#160; </font><b><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">x</font></b></p>

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

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

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

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><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><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; <b>No</b>:&#160; </font><b><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">x</font></b></p>

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

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

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

</div>

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

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

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="70%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:70.58%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="29%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:29.42%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Novartis International AG</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="70%" rowspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:70.58%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><img width="192" height="41" src="g214742bai001.jpg"></font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="29%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:29.42%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Novartis Global Communications</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="29%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:29.42%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">CH-4002
  Basel</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="29%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:29.42%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Switzerland</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="70%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:70.58%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="29%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:29.42%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">http://www.novartis.com</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

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

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt 5.4pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">- Investor Relations Release -</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="color:windowtext;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="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Novartis
begins shipment of Fluvirin</font></b><b><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;font-weight:bold;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font></b><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&#160;seasonal influenza vaccine for
the U.S. market ahead of schedule</font></b></p>

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

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .75in;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><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">Novartis Vaccines ships doses of seasonal influenza
vaccine to the U.S. market aided by an expedited FDA review</font></i></p>

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

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .75in;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><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">Providing 30 million doses of Fluvirin vaccine in
the U.S., to support the annual seasonal influenza vaccination campaign</font></i></p>

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

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .75in;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><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">Early delivery of vaccine will allow public health
officials to begin the vaccination campaign weeks ahead of the normal schedule</font></i></p>

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

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Basel, </font></b><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">August&nbsp;5</font></b><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">, 2009</font></b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;"> &#151; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Novartis Vaccines has
started shipping seasonal influenza vaccine to U.S. healthcare facilities for
the 2009-2010 season. The company delivered Fluvirin&#174; influenza virus vaccine,
which has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), to the
U.S. weeks ahead of schedule in anticipation of the increased demand for
seasonal influenza vaccine created by the current global (A)&nbsp;H1N1
influenza pandemic.</font></p>

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

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#147;With
the (A)&nbsp;H1N1 influenza pandemic underway, it is important that we take
every possible precaution to help protect U.S. citizens from all circulating
strains of influenza,&#148; said Andrin Oswald, CEO of Novartis Vaccines and
Diagnostics. &#147;By receiving the seasonal influenza vaccine early, physicians and
public health officials can better prepare for the upcoming flu season.&#148;</font></p>

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

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">An
estimated 36,000 people in the United States die each year from the flu and
another 200,000 are hospitalized(1). Early arrival of the seasonal influenza
vaccine will also allow public health officials to begin administering
vaccinations weeks ahead of their normal schedule, which is in accordance with
guidelines from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)(2). Federal health
officials advise that the single best way to protect against the flu is to get
vaccinated each year, and that in general anyone who wants to reduce their
chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated(3).</font></p>

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

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Novartis
Vaccines will provide the U.S. market with approximately 30 million doses of
Fluvirin vaccine, indicated for patients 4 years and older. Fluvirin vaccine
contains antigens to the three influenza virus strains for this year&#146;s vaccine
recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO):</font></p>

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

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .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><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">A/Brisbane/59/2007, IVR-148 (H1N1)</font></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;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><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">A/Uruguay/716/2007,
NYMC X-175C (H3N2) (an A/Brisbane/10/2007-like virus)</font></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;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><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">B/Brisbane/60/2008(4)</font></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#147;Novartis
Vaccines committed early on that we would not let production of a pandemic
vaccine get in the way of our ongoing commitment to provide seasonal influenza
vaccine for the U.S. market,&#148; Oswald said. &#147;We have been able to meet that
promise with the early delivery of Fluvirin to the </font></p>

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

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

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

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">U.S.
Our next goal will be to bring an (A)&nbsp;H1N1 influenza vaccine for public
health use as soon as possible.&#148;</font></p>

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

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

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Seasonal
influenza is a highly communicable, acute viral infection that predominantly
attacks the respiratory tract and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to
severe illness and can lead to death(5).</font></p>

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

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The
number of people in the U.S. who die every year from the flu is similar to the
more than 40,000 people in the U.S. estimated to die from breast cancer every
year(6)&nbsp;and about half of the estimated 70,000 people who die annually of
diabetes and its complications(7). During the 2007-2008 seasonal influenza
season, 83 children were reported to have died of influenza-related causes(8).
Of the 63 whose vaccination status was known, 58 (92 percent) were not
vaccinated according to recommendations(9). Final numbers for the 2008-2009 flu
season are not yet available.</font></p>

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

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Influenza
vaccination is one of the most effective public health interventions ever
implemented, sparing millions of people from complications of the infectious
disease. Use of currently available seasonal flu vaccines has been calculated
to save more than 8 million lives annually, translating to one person saved
every five seconds(10).</font></p>

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

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">ACIP
recommends seasonal influenza vaccinations as the principal method of
preventing seasonal influenza.&#160; The
vaccine is recommended for those at greatest risk for serious complications,
including:</font></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;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><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Children between 6 months and 18 years of age</font></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;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><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pregnant women</font></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;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><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">People 50 years of age and older</font></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;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><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">People of any age with certain chronic health
conditions, such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease</font></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;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><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">People in nursing homes and other long-term
care facilities,</font></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;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><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Household contacts of person at high risk for
complications from influenza,</font></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;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><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Household contacts and out-of-home caregivers
of children less than 6 months of age</font></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;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><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Healthcare workers(11)</font></p>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

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

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">As
is the case with most drugs and vaccines, there is a chance that a serious
allergic reaction, serious illness or even death could occur as a result of
vaccination with Fluvirin vaccine. The most common side effect of vaccination
with Fluvirin influenza virus vaccine is soreness at the injection site. Less
common side effects include fever, malaise, myalgia and allergic reactions.
Fluvirin vaccine should not be administered to anyone with a history of
hypersensitivity to any component of the vaccine, including eggs, egg products
or thimerosal. Generally, persons should not be vaccinated during an acute
febrile illness. Vaccination should be delayed in persons with an active,
unstable neurological disorder, but should be considered when the disorder has
been stabilized. The occurrence of any neurological symptoms or signs following
administration of any vaccine is a contraindication to further use. Fluvirin
vaccine is not indicated for use in children under four years of age. Persons
should consult with their healthcare providers if they are pregnant and/or are
taking other medications. Fluvirin vaccine may not protect 100% of individuals
who are susceptible to influenza. Before administering Fluvirin vaccine, please
see full prescribing information.</font></p>

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

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

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The
foregoing release contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by
terminology such as &#147;will,&#148; &#147;can,&#148; &#147;committed,&#148; &#147;would,&#148; &#147;commitment,&#148; &#147;goal,&#148; &#147;recommends,&#148;
&#147;recommended,&#148; or similar expressions, or by express or implied discussions
regarding Novartis&#146; potential production output for Fluvirin and A(H1N1)
vaccines, and regarding potential future revenues from </font></p>

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

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

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

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Fluvirin
vaccine. 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
Novartis will achieve any particular production output for its Fluvirin or
A(H1N1) vaccines, or indeed that the A(H1N1) vaccine will be approved for sale
in any market. Nor can there be any guarantee that Fluvirin vaccine will
achieve any particular levels of revenue in the future. In particular, management&#146;s
expectations 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; unexpected manufacturing difficulties or
delays; the company&#146;s ability to obtain or maintain patent or other proprietary
intellectual property protection; competition in general; government, industry
and general public pricing pressures; the impact that the foregoing factors
could have on the values attributed to the Novartis Group&#146;s assets and
liabilities as recorded in the Group&#146;s consolidated balance sheet, and other
risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG&#146;s current Form&nbsp;20-F on file
with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Should one or more of these
risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove
incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, believed,
estimated or expected. Novartis is providing the information in this press
release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any
forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.</font></p>

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

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

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

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

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Novartis provides healthcare
solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Focused
solely on healthcare, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet
these needs: innovative medicines, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals,
preventive vaccines, diagnostic tools and consumer health products. Novartis is
the only company with leading positions in each of 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 99,000 full-time-equivalent
associates and operate in more than 140 countries around the world. For more
information, </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">please
visit http://www.novartis.com</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">.</font></p>

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

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

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

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

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

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="97%" style="border-collapse:collapse;margin-left:.25in;width:97.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.34%;">
  <p><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(1)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="95%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:95.66%;">
  <p><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, &#147;Key Facts about Influenza and
  the Influenza Vaccine,&#148; available at www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm, accessed
  on July&nbsp;20, 2009</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.34%;">
  <p><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(2)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="95%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:95.66%;">
  <p><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, &#147;Key Facts About Seasonal Flu
  Vaccine,&#148; available at http://www.cdc.gov/FLU/protect/keyfacts.htm, accessed
  on July&nbsp;28, 2009</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.34%;">
  <p><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(3)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="95%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:95.66%;">
  <p><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, &#147;2008-09 Influenza
  Prevention&nbsp;&amp; Control Recommendations: Timing of Vaccination,&#148;
  available at http://www.cdc.gov/FLU/PROFESSIONALS/acip/timing.htm, accessed
  on July&nbsp;20, 2009</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.34%;">
  <p><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(4)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="95%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:95.66%;">
  <p><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">World
  Health Organization, &#147;Recommended composition of influenza virus vaccines for
  use in the 2009-2010 northern hemisphere influenza season,&#148; available at
  http://www.who.int/csr/disease/influenza/recommendations2009_10north/en/index.html,
  accessed on July&nbsp;20, 2009</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.34%;">
  <p><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(5)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="95%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:95.66%;">
  <p><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Novartis
  Vaccines&nbsp;&amp; Diagnostics,&nbsp;Inc., &#147;Seasonal Influenza Fact Sheet,&#148;
  available at
  http://www.novartis.com/downloads/newsroom/seasonal-flu-fact-sheet.pdf,
  accessed on July&nbsp;20, 2009</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.34%;">
  <p><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(6)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="95%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:95.66%;">
  <p><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, &#147;Breast Cancer Statistics,&#148;
  available at www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/statistics</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">, </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">accessed on July&nbsp;20, 2009</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.34%;">
  <p><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(7)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="95%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:95.66%;">
  <p><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, &#147;National Diabetes Fact Sheet,
  United States 2005,&#148; available at
  http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/pdf/ndfs_2005.pdf</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">, </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">accessed on July&nbsp;20, 2009</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.34%;">
  <p><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(8)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="95%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:95.66%;">
  <p><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, &#147;Questions and Answers: 2007-2008
  Influenza (Flu) Season,&#148; available at
  http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/season.htm, accessed on July&nbsp;20, 2009</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.34%;">
  <p><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(9)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="95%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:95.66%;">
  <p><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, &#147;Influenza Activity&#151;United States
  and Worldwide, 2007-08 Season,&#148; Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report,
  June&nbsp;27, 2008</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.34%;">
  <p><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(10)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="95%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:95.66%;">
  <p><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Novartis
  Vaccines&nbsp;&amp; Diagnostics,&nbsp;Inc., &#147;Agrippal Product Monograph&#148;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.34%;">
  <p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(11)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="95%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:95.66%;">
  <p style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, &#147;2008-09 Influenza
  Prevention&nbsp;&amp; Control Recommendations: Persons for Whom Annual
  Vaccination is Recommended,&#148; available at
  http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/acip/persons.htm, accessed on
  July&nbsp;20, 2009</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

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

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

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

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

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;font-family:Times New Roman;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:43.44%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Central media line&nbsp;:</font></b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;"> +41 61 324 2200</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="56%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:56.56%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:43.44%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Eric Althoff</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="56%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:56.56%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Beth Birke</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:43.44%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Novartis
  Global Media Relations</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="56%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:56.56%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:43.44%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 61 324 7999 (direct)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="56%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:56.56%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+1 617 871 4281<b>  </b>(direct)</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:43.44%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 79 593 4202
  (mobile)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="56%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:56.56%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">beth.birke@novartis.com</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:43.44%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">eric.althoff@novartis.com</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="56%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:56.56%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

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

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

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

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

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

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="24%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:24.14%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Central phone:</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="19%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:19.28%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 61 324 7944</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="24%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:24.14%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.44%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="24%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:24.14%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Ruth Metzler-Arnold</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="19%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:19.28%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 61 324 9980</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="24%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:24.14%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">North America:</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.44%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="24%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:24.14%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pierre-Michel Bringer</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="19%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:19.28%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 61 324 1065</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="24%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:24.14%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Richard Jarvis</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.44%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+1 212 830 2433</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="24%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:24.14%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">John Gilardi</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="19%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:19.28%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 61 324 3018</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="24%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:24.14%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Jill Pozarek</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.44%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+1 212 830 2445</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="24%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:24.14%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Thomas Hungerbuehler</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="19%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:19.28%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 61 324 8425</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="24%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:24.14%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Edwin Valeriano</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.44%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+1 212 830 2456</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="24%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:24.14%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Isabella Zinck</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="19%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:19.28%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 61 324 7188</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="24%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:24.14%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.44%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="24%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:24.14%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="19%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:19.28%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="24%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:24.14%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.44%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="43%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:43.42%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">e-mail:
  investor.relations@novartis.com</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="56%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:56.58%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">e-mail:
  investor.relations@novartis.com</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

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

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

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

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


<div>

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

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

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

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

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

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:5.58%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:43.0%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.68%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="48%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:48.74%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Novartis AG</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:5.58%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:43.0%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.68%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="48%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:48.74%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:5.58%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:43.0%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.68%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="48%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:48.74%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:5.58%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date:</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:43.0%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">August&nbsp;5,
  2009</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.68%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="6%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:6.0%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">By:</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="42%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:42.76%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">/s/ MALCOLM B.
  CHEETHAM</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:5.58%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:43.0%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.68%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="6%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:6.0%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="42%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:42.76%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:5.58%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:43.0%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.68%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="6%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:6.0%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Name:</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="42%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:42.76%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Malcolm B. Cheetham</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:5.58%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:43.0%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.68%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="6%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:6.0%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Title:</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="42%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:42.76%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Head Group Financial</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:5.58%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:43.0%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.68%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="6%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:6.0%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="42%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:42.76%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Reporting and
  Accounting</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

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

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

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

</div>
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