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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-09-059537.txt : 20091020
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-09-059537.hdr.sgml : 20091020
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20091020113625
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-09-059537
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	6-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20091020
FILED AS OF DATE:		20091020
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20091020

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:		091127376

	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>a09-31891_26k.htm
<DESCRIPTION>6-K
<TEXT>

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

<p style="color:windowtext;font-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 October&nbsp;20, 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>

<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:47.3%;">
  <p align="right" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><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="7%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:7.44%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="45%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:45.26%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><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>

<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>

<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:47.3%;">
  <p align="right" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><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="7%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:7.44%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="45%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:45.26%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">No</font></b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">:&nbsp; </font><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">x</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="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>

<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:47.3%;">
  <p align="right" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><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="7%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:7.44%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="45%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:45.26%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">No</font></b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">:&nbsp; </font><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">x</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="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>

<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:47.3%;">
  <p align="right" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><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="7%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:7.44%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="45%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:45.26%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">No</font></b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">:&nbsp; </font><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">x</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

<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>

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

</div>

<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>

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

<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="70%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:70.84%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><img width="192" height="41" src="g318912bai001.jpg"></font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.58%;">
  <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="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:25.58%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Novartis International AG</font></b></p>
  <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>
  <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>
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Switzerland</font></p>
  <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="right" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><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;">- Investor Relations Release -</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 style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">New
Phase II data show ACZ885 gave better pain relief and flare prevention for
patients with chronic gout than an injectable corticosteroid</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;">ACZ885
provided pain relief and reduced risk of flares by 94% versus an injectable
corticosteroid in hard-to-treat patients unable to use common gout medicines(1)</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;">Gout
is one of the most painful forms of arthritis involving acute attacks of
inflammation that can damage joints and bone(2),(3)</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;">ACZ885
blocks action of inflammatory protein interleukin-1 beta which plays key role
in causing painful gout flares(4),(5),(6)</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, October&nbsp;20,
2009</font></b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;"> &#151; New Phase II results show that the novel biological therapy ACZ885
(canakinumab) is significantly more effective than an injectable corticosteroid
at reducing pain and preventing recurrent attacks or &#145;flares&#146; in patients with
hard-to-treat gout, one of the most painful forms of arthritis(1).</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
study met its primary endpoint by showing that during acute gout flares, ACZ885
reduced pain faster and more effectively than the injectable corticosteroid
triamcinolone acetonide(1), a potent steroid with sustained effect used to
treat severe inflammatory conditions (p&lt;0.05)(7).</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;">At
the end of the eight-week study, the risk of flare recurrence was 94% less for
patients on ACZ885 than on the steroid (p=0.006)(1). The results were presented
today at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Annual Scientific Meeting
in Philadelphia, USA.</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;If
not appropriately treated, gout can be a devastating condition. Current
therapies can have limited efficacy and tolerability, and may be unsuitable for
some patients(8),(9),&#148; said Professor Alexander So, MD, Department of
Rheumatology at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland. &#147;These results are
important as they indicate that canakinumab may provide significant benefit in
both the prevention and treatment of painful acute flares in these
hard-to-treat patients.&#148;</font></p>

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

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">ACZ885
is a fully human monoclonal antibody which blocks the action of the
inflammatory protein interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta). It has already been
approved under the brand name Ilaris</font><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#160;</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">in a number of countries for
treating cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS), a rare life-long
auto-inflammatory disease with debilitating symptoms and few treatment options.</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;">Studies with </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">ACZ885</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;"> are ongoing in other diseases in which IL-1 beta plays an important role,
such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), type 2 diabetes and </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">systemic
juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA)</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">. Not
all potential patients with these diseases would be eligible for treatment with
</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">ACZ885</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">, if approved.</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;">Gout,
also known as gouty arthritis, affects more than 1% of adults in Western
countries(10),(11). It is more common in older people, with around 10% of men
and 6% of women over 70 years old </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>

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

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

<p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">suffering
from the disease(6),(12),(13). Approximately one in 10 patients have poorly
controlled gout resulting in more frequent flares(14). They are regarded as
being &#145;hard-to-treat&#146; as they are often intolerant or unresponsive to standard
medications such as colchicine or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDs)(15). Corticosteroids have traditionally been given to these patients
as a last resort to treat acute pain, but they may have significant side
effects(7),(16).</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;">Gout
is caused by the accumulation of uric acid crystals leading to severe
inflammation in the joints and surrounding tissue(2),(3). Recent advances in
the understanding of the disease have shown that uric acid crystals activate
production of IL-1 beta, which is responsible for the inflammatory symptoms
experienced by gout patients(6). ACZ885 provides a potent and selective
blockade of IL-1 beta for a sustained period, neutralizing it and reducing
inflammation(4),(17),(18).</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;The
devastating impact of chronic gout is often underestimated by both healthcare
professionals and the general public, and there is a real unmet need among
patients,&#148; said Trevor Mundel, MD, Head of Global Development at Novartis Pharma AG. &#147;The latest
data are encouraging for patients with hard-to-treat gout in whom the disease
is not effectively managed, resulting in chronic pain. These findings also
reinforce the potential of ACZ885 in a number of inflammatory diseases where
IL-1 beta plays a key role.&#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;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The results presented at ACR
were from a randomized, single-blind, double-dummy Phase II study involving 200
patients aged 18-80 years old with chronic gout, designed to assess the
efficacy and optimum dose of ACZ885 in patients for whom current treatments
(colchicine and/or NSAIDs) are ineffective or contraindicated(1).</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;">The study showed that
patients given ACZ885 150 mg experienced faster and more effective pain relief
than those given the corticosteroid triamcinolone acetonide from 24 hours up to
seven days(1). ACZ885 was given by subcutaneous injection, i.e. under the skin,
whereas the steroid was given by intramuscular injection, i.e. into the muscle.</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;">No pattern of adverse events
was seen in any of the treatment groups and the incidence of adverse events was
similar for both medicines(1). Serious adverse events occurred in two patients
receiving ACZ885 and one receiving triamcinolone acetonide. Investigators
reported that these events were not related to the study drug(1). There were no
discontinuations due to adverse events(1).</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;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Ilaris
has been launched in the US and Switzerland, and received a positive opinion
recommending approval in the EU in July&nbsp;2009 to treat adults and children
over four years old with CAPS. In the US, Ilaris is approved to treat adults
and children four years of age and older with CAPS, including Familial Cold
Autoinflammatory Syndrome (FCAS) and Muckle-Wells Syndrome (MWS). Reviews are
ongoing in other countries including priority review in Australia, Brazil and
Canada. Ilaris has been designated as an orphan drug for treating SJIA in the
US, EU and Switzerland, and has fast-track status for SJIA in the US.</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;">&nbsp;</font></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;can&#148;, &#147;may,&#148; &#147;potential,&#148; &#147;priority review,&#148; &#147;fast-track
status,&#148; or similar expressions, or by express or implied discussions regarding
potential additional indications for Ilaris, or regarding potential future
revenues from Ilaris. You should not place undue reliance on these statements.
Such forward-looking statements reflect the current views of the Company
regarding future events, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
other factors that may cause actual results with Ilaris to be materially
different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or
implied by such statements. There can be no guarantee that Ilaris will be
approved for any additional indication. Nor can there be any guarantee that
Ilaris will achieve any levels of revenue in the future. In particular,
management&#146;s expectations regarding Ilaris could be affected by, among other
things, unexpected clinical trial results, including unexpected </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>

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

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

<p style="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;">new
clinical data and unexpected additional analysis of existing clinical data;
unexpected regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; 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 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;"><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 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 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>

<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="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.34%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(1)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.66%;">
  <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="94%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:94.0%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">So A, De Meulemeester M,
  Shamim T et al. Canakinumab (ACZ885) vs. triamcinolone acetonide for
  treatment of acute flares and prevention of recurrent flares in gouty
  arthritis patients refractory to or contraindicated to NSAIDs and/or
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  Meeting, Philadelphia, United States of America (US), October&nbsp;17-21,
  2009.</font></p>
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  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(2)</font></p>
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  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
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  new insights into an old disease. <i>J Clin Invest</i>,
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  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(3)</font></p>
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  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
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  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(4)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.66%;">
  <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="94%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:94.0%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Alten R, Gram H, Joosten LA,
  et al. The human anti-interleukin-1&#223; (IL-1&#223;) monoclonal antibody ACZ885 is
  effective in joint inflammation models in mice and in a proof of concept
  study in rheumatoid arthritis patients. </font><i><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">Arthritis Res Ther</font></i><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">, 2008;
  10: R67.</font></p>
  </td>
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  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.34%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(5)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.66%;">
  <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="94%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:94.0%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Carneiro
  LA, Magalhaes JG, Tattoli I et al. </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Nod-like proteins in inflammation and disease. <i>J Pathol</i>, 2008 Jan; 214(2): 136-48.</font></p>
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  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(6)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.66%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
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  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">So A. Developments in the
  scientific and clinical understanding of gout. <i>Arthritis
  Res Ther</i>, 2008; 10: 221-226.</font></p>
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  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(7)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.66%;">
  <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="94%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:94.0%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">KENALOG-10. Triamcinolone
  acetonide injection, suspension. US FDA label. Available at:
  http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?id=6526 Accessed: 13
  October&nbsp;2009.</font></p>
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  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.34%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(8)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.66%;">
  <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="94%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:94.0%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Harrold LR, Andrade SE,
  Briesacher BA et al. Adherence with urate-lowering therapies for the
  treatment of gout. <i>Arthritis Res Ther</i>,
  2009; 11: R46.</font></p>
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  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(9)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.66%;">
  <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="94%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:94.0%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Ganson NJ, Kelly SJ, Scarlett
  E et al. Control of hyperuricemia in subjects with refractory gout, and
  induction of antibody against poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), in a phase I trial
  of subcutaneous PEGylated urate oxidase. <i>Arthritis Res Ther,</i>
  2006; 8: R12.</font></p>
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  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.34%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(10)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.66%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
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  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Terkeltaub RA. Learning how
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  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(11)</font></p>
  </td>
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  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
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  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Bieber JD, Terkeltaub RA.
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  </td>
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  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.34%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(12)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.66%;">
  <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="94%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:94.0%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Kramer HM, Curhan G. The
  association between gout and nephrolithiasis: The National Health and
  Nutrition Examination Survey III, 1988-1994. </font><i><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">Am J Kidney Dis, </font></i><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">2002; 40: 37&#151;42.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.34%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(13)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.66%;">
  <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="94%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:94.0%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Mikuls
  TR, Farrar JT, Bilker WB et al. </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Gout epidemiology: results from the UK General
  Practice Research Database, 1990&#151;1999. </font><i><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">Ann Rheum Dis</font></i><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">, 2005;
  64; 267-272.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.34%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(14)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.66%;">
  <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="94%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:94.0%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Halpern
  R, Fuldeore MJ, Mody RR et al. </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The Effect of Serum Urate on Gout Flares and Their
  Associated Costs. An Administrative Claims Analysis. <i>J Clin
  Rheumatol</i>, 2009; 15(1): 3-7.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.34%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(15)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.66%;">
  <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="94%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:94.0%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Strand V et al. Oral
  presentation at the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) 2009 (Abstract
  291).</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.34%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(16)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.66%;">
  <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="94%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:94.0%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pascual E, Sivera F.
  Therapeutic advances in gout. <i>Curr Opin Rheumatol</i>,
  2007; 19: 122&#151;7.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.34%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(17)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.66%;">
  <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="94%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:94.0%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">National Horizon Scanning
  Centre. Canakinumab for cryopyrin associated periodic syndrome.
  November&nbsp;2008. Available at:
  http://www.pcpoh.bham.ac.uk/publichealth/horizon/outputs/documents/2008/sept-dec/Canakinumab.pdf
  Accessed: 02 October&nbsp;2009.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.34%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(18)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.66%;">
  <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="94%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:94.0%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Lachmann HJ, Lowe P, Felix SD
  et al. In vivo regulation of interleukin 1 in patients with
  cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes. <i>J. Exp. Med</i>,
  2009. Published online April&nbsp;13 2009. Available at:
  www.jem.org/cgi/doi/10.1084/jem.20082481. Accessed: 02 October&nbsp;2009.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

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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;">4</font></p>

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  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="31%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:31.6%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.16%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="15%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:15.0%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="31%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:31.76%;">
  <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="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.16%;">
  <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="15%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:15.28%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.04%;">
  <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="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:48.76%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">e-mail:
  investor.relations@novartis.com</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

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

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

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

</div>
<!-- SEQ.=1,FOLIO='5',FILE='C:\jms\105933\09-31891-2\task3755595\31891-2-ba.htm',USER='105933',CD='Oct 20 14:30 2009' -->


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


<div>

<p style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;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="48%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:48.76%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.16%;">
  <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="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:48.08%;">
  <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="48%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:48.76%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.16%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="48%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:48.08%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="48%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:48.76%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.16%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="48%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:48.08%;">
  <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="48%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:48.76%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date:&nbsp; October&nbsp;20, 2009</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.16%;">
  <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="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.32%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">By:
  </font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="44%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:44.76%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">/s/
  MALCOLM B. CHEETHAM</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="48%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:48.76%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.16%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="48%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:48.08%;">
  <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="48%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:48.76%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.16%;">
  <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="5%" colspan="2" 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;">Name:
  </font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="42%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:42.5%;">
  <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="48%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:48.76%;">
  <p style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.16%;">
  <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="5%" colspan="2" 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;">Title:
  </font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="42%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:42.5%;">
  <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="48%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:48.76%;">
  <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="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.16%;">
  <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="5%" colspan="2" 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="42%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:42.5%;">
  <p align="left" style="color:windowtext;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Reporting and
  Accounting</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr height="0">
  <td width="365" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="24" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="25" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="17" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="318" style="border:none;"></td>
 </tr>
</table>

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

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

<div 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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