<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-11-028339.txt : 20110512
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-11-028339.hdr.sgml : 20110512
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20110512060622
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-11-028339
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	6-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20110511
FILED AS OF DATE:		20110512
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20110512

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:		11833689

	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>a11-12092_16k.htm
<DESCRIPTION>6-K
<TEXT>


<html>
<head>

  </head>
<body lang="EN-US">
<div style="font-family:Times New Roman;">
<div style="border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-left:none;border-right:none;border-top:solid windowtext 3.0pt;padding:1.0pt 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<p style="border:none;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;padding:0in;"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
</div>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Washington, D.C. 20549</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">FORM&nbsp;6-K</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 or 15d-16 OF</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Report on Form&nbsp;6-K dated May&nbsp;11, 2011</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">(Commission File No.&nbsp;1-15024)</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<div align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><hr size="1" width="25%" noshade color="black" align="center"></div>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Novartis AG</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Name of Registrant)</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Lichtstrasse 35</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">4056 Basel</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Switzerland</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Address of Principal Executive Offices)</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<div align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><hr size="1" width="25%" noshade color="black" align="center"></div>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form&nbsp;20-F or Form&nbsp;40-F:</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Form&nbsp;20-F: </font></b><b><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">x</font></b><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Form&nbsp;40-F: </font><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form&nbsp;6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule&nbsp;101(b)(1):</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Yes: </font><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No</font></b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">: </font><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">x</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form&nbsp;6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule&nbsp;101(b)(7):</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Yes: </font><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No</font></b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">: </font><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">x</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule&nbsp;12g3-2(b)&nbsp;under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Yes: </font><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No</font></b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">: </font><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">x</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<div style="border-bottom:solid windowtext 3.0pt;border-left:none;border-right:none;border-top:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:1.0pt 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<p style="border:none;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;padding:0in;"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
</div>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>
</div>
<!-- SEQ.=1,FOLIO='',FILE='C:\JMS\106461\11-12092-1\task4679828\12092-1-ba.htm',USER='106461',CD='May 11 21:36 2011' -->

<br clear="all" style="page-break-before:always;">
<div style="font-family:Times New Roman;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
<tr>
<td width="66%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:66.66%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><img width="192" height="41" src="g120921bai001.jpg"></font></p>    </td>
<td width="33%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:33.34%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Novartis International AG</font></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Novartis Global Communications</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">  </font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">CH-4002   Basel </font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Switzerland   </font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">http://www.novartis.com</font></p>    </td>   </tr>  </table>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">- Investor Relations Release -</font></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Novartis drug Votubia</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;">approved as first medication in Switzerland for SEGA, a benign brain tumor associated with tuberous sclerosis</font></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><i><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">Subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGAs) associated with tuberous sclerosis (TS) primarily affect children and adolescents(1),(2)</font></i></p>
<p style="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="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><i><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">Approval based on Phase II US study of 28 patients showing 75% of patients had 30% or greater reduction in the size of their largest SEGA at six months(3)</font></i></p>
<p style="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="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><i><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">Prior to the approval of Votubia, brain surgery was the only treatment option in Switzerland for patients with growing SEGAs(4)</font></i></p>
<p style="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="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><i><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">Worldwide regulatory submissions for everolimus to treat this patient population are under way; first approval received in the US in 2010 as </font></i><i><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">Afinitor</font></i><i><font size="1" style="font-size:6.5pt;font-style:italic;position:relative;top:-3.0pt;">&#174;</font></i></p>
<p style="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="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;">May&nbsp;11, 2011</font></b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">  <b>&#151;</b></font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;"> Swissmedic, the Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products, has approved Votubia</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;(everolimus) tablets* for the treatment of patients 3 years of age and older, with subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA) associated with tuberous sclerosis (TS), for whom surgery is not a suitable option(3). Votubia is the first medication approved in Switzerland to treat these patients, who are primarily children and adolescents(1),(2). In the US, everolimus is approved for patients with SEGA under the trade name Afinitor</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;tablets(5).</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Tuberous sclerosis is a genetic disorder that may cause benign tumors to form in vital organs </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">and can affect many different parts of the body, most commonly the brain(6),(7). Signs of TS vary depending on which system and which organs are involved(6).</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;"> SEGAs, or benign brain tumors, occur in up to 20% of patients with TS and may lead to </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">a variety of resulting disorders including seizures, swelling in the brain, developmental delays and skin lesions(4),(8). </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Prior to this approval, surgery was the only treatment option for Swiss patients with growing SEGAs associated with TS(4).</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The approval is based on a prospective, open-label, single-arm Phase II study of 28 patients. Results showed 75% of patients (21 of 28) experienced a reduction of 30% or greater in the size of their largest SEGA and 32% (9 of 28) experienced a reduction of 50% or greater at six months relative to baseline. Of 16 patients with seizures at the start of the study, nine experienced decreases in seizure frequency, six reported no change and one experienced an increase at 6 months relative to baseline. Facial angiofibromas (red elevated skin lesions) improved in 87% of patients (13 of 15 evaluated patients) from baseline to six months(3).</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#147;This approval of Votubia is significant for children and adults who have SEGA associated with tuberous sclerosis and, until now, have had limited treatment options,&#148; said Herv&#233; Hoppenot, President, Novartis Oncology. &#147;This milestone represents our first approval in Europe for Votubia and underscores our commitment to help patients worldwide improve their management of this difficult-to-treat disease.&#148;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">2<a name="PB_2_200927_5335"></a></font></p>
<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>
</div>
<!-- SEQ.=1,FOLIO='2',FILE='C:\JMS\106461\11-12092-1\task4679828\12092-1-ba.htm',USER='106461',CD='May 11 21:36 2011' -->

<br clear="all" style="page-break-before:always;">
<div style="font-family:Times New Roman;">
<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Everolimus targets mTOR, a protein that acts as an important regulator of tumor cell division, blood vessel growth and cell metabolism(9). Tuberous sclerosis is caused by defects in the <i>TSC1</i> and <i>TSC2</i> genes(6). When these genes are defective, mTOR activity is increased, which can cause uncontrolled tumor cell growth and proliferation, blood vessel growth and altered cellular metabolism, leading to the formation of benign tumors throughout the body, including the brain(4). By inhibiting mTOR activity in this protein pathway, everolimus may reduce cell proliferation, blood vessel growth and glucose uptake related to SEGA associated with TS(4).</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Regulatory approvals have also been granted in this disease setting in </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">the United States, Brazil, Guatemala and the Philippines. S</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">ubmissions </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and other global regulatory agencies </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">are under review.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Tuberous sclerosis </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">affects approximately one to two million people worldwide(6)</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">.</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;"> In Europe, the prevalence in the general population is estimated to be nearly nine cases per 100,000(10). SEGAs occur in up to 20% of patients with TS(8).</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">About the Phase II study</font></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">In a prospective, open-label, single-arm study, 28 patients aged three years and above (median age=11, range 3-34) with evidence of SEGA growth initially received everolimus orally at a dose of 3 mg/m(2)&nbsp;daily or every other day. In total, 16 of the 28 patients were treated with Votubia for at least 21&nbsp;months(3).</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">In the study, 75% of patients (21 of 28) experienced a reduction of 30% or greater in the size of their largest SEGA and 32% (9 of 28) experienced a reduction of 50% or greater at six months relative to baseline(3).</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Of 16 patients with seizures at the start of the study for whom 24-hour video electroencephalograms (EEG) were available, nine experienced decreases in seizure frequency, six reported no change and one experienced an increase at six months relative to baseline. Facial angiofibromas improved in 87% of patients (13 of 15 evaluated patients) from baseline to six months. None of the patients developed new symptoms of intracranial pressure or an increase in hydrocephalus (swelling in the brain). No patient underwent surgery</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(3).</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The most common adverse events reported (incidence <u>&gt;</u>30%) in the prospective, open-label, single-arm trial were mouth sores, upper respiratory tract infections, sinusitis, middle ear infections and fever(3). However, the reliability of the frequency of adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities reported in this trial is limited because of the small number of patients.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">All data from the study submitted to Swissmedic are based on the cut-off date of December&nbsp;9, 2009.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">About</font></b><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;"> everolimus</font></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Votubia</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;(everolimus) tablets is approved in Switzerland for the treatment of patients 3 years of age and older, with SEGA associated with tuberous sclerosis (TS), for whom surgery is not a suitable option. Should everolimus be approved in the EU, the trade name will be Votubia. In the US, Afinitor</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;(everolimus) tablets is approved to treat patients with SEGA associated with tuberous sclerosis who require therapeutic intervention but are not candidates for curative surgical resection. The effectiveness of everolimus is based on an analysis of change in SEGA volume. Clinical benefit such as improvement in disease-related symptoms or increase in overall survival has not been shown.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Afinitor is approved in the US for the treatment of progressive neuroendocrine tumors of pancreatic origin in patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic disease. The FDA</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">3<a name="PB_3_200956_5796"></a></font></p>
<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>
</div>
<!-- SEQ.=1,FOLIO='3',FILE='C:\JMS\106461\11-12092-1\task4679828\12092-1-ba.htm',USER='106461',CD='May 11 21:36 2011' -->

<br clear="all" style="page-break-before:always;">
<div style="font-family:Times New Roman;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">determined that the safety and effectiveness of Afinitor in the treatment of patients with carcinoid tumors have not been established.</font></p>
<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Afinitor is approved in the European Union (EU) for the treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) whose disease has progressed on or after treatment with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-targeted therapy and also in the US for the treatment of patients with advanced RCC after failure of treatment with sunitinib or sorafenib.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">In the EU, everolimus is available in different dosage strengths for the non-oncology patient population under the trade name Certican</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;for the prevention of organ rejection in heart and kidney transplant recipients. In the US, everolimus is available in different dosage strengths under the trade name Zortress</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;for the prophylaxis of organ rejection in adult patients at low-moderate immunologic risk receiving a kidney transplant.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Everolimus is exclusively licensed to Abbott and sublicensed to Boston Scientific for use in drug-eluting stents.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Not all indications are available in every country. Because of the uncertainty of clinical trials, there is no guarantee that everolimus will become commercially available for SEGAs anywhere else in the world.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Important Safety Information about Votubia/Afinitor</font></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Votubia can cause serious side effects including lung or breathing problems, infections, and renal failure which can lead to death. Mouth ulcers and mouth sores are common side effects. Votubia can affect blood cell counts, kidney and liver function, blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Votubia may cause fetal harm in pregnant women. Women taking Votubia should not breast feed.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The most common adverse drug reactions (incidence <u>&gt;</u>15%) are mouth ulcers, rash, diarrhea, fatigue, acneiform dermatitis, infections, weakness, nausea, peripheral swelling, decreased appetite, headache, pneumonitis, abnormal taste, nose bleeds, mucosal inflammation, weight decreased and vomiting. The most common grade 3-4 adverse drug reactions (incidence <u>&gt;</u>2%) are mouth ulcers, fatigue, decreased white blood cell count, diarrhea, infections, pneumonitis and diabetes mellitus. Cases of hepatitis B reactivation and pulmonary embolism have been reported.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Disclaimer</font></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The foregoing release contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by terminology such as &#147;commitment,&#148; &#147;will,&#148; or similar expressions, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential new indications or labeling for everolimus or regarding potential future revenues from everolimus. </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">You should not place undue reliance on these statements. </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Such forward-looking statements reflect the current views of management regarding future events, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results with everolimus to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. There can be no guarantee that everolimus will be submitted or approved for any additional indications or labeling in any market. Nor can there be any guarantee that everolimus will achieve any particular levels of revenue in the future. In particular, management&#146;s expectations regarding everolimus 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; government, industry and general public pricing pressures</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">competition in general; the company&#146;s ability to obtain or maintain patent or other proprietary intellectual property protection; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">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</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">, 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</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">4<a name="PB_4_201023_2897"></a></font></p>
<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>
</div>
<!-- SEQ.=1,FOLIO='4',FILE='C:\JMS\106461\11-12092-1\task4679828\12092-1-ba.htm',USER='106461',CD='May 11 21:36 2011' -->

<br clear="all" style="page-break-before:always;">
<div style="font-family:Times New Roman;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.</font></p>
<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">About Novartis</font></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Novartis 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, eye care, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, consumer health products, preventive vaccines and diagnostic tools. Novartis is the only company with leading positions in these areas. In 2010, the Group&#146;s continuing operations achieved net sales of USD 50.6 billion, while approximately USD 9.1 billion (USD 8.1 billion excluding impairment and amortization charges) was invested in R&amp;D throughout the Group. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ approximately 119,000 full-time-equivalent associates and operate in more than 140 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Novartis is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @Novartis at http://twitter.com/novartis.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="1" width="25%" noshade color="black" align="left"></div>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">References</font></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .3in;text-indent:-.3in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(1)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Nabbout R, et al. Early diagnosis of subependymal giant cell astrocytoma in children with tuberous sclerosis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1999;66:370&#151;375.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .3in;text-indent:-.3in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(2)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Medkour A, et al. Neonatal Subependymal Giant Cell Astrocytoma. Pediatr Neurosurg 2002;36:271&#151;274.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .3in;text-indent:-.3in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(3)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Votubia Swiss Prescribing Information. Novartis. May&nbsp;2011.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .3in;text-indent:-.3in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(4)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Krueger, et al. Everolimus for Subependymal Giant-Cell Astrocytomas in Tuberous Sclerosis. New Eng J Med 2010;363:1801-11.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .3in;text-indent:-.3in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(5)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Afinitor US Prescribing Information. http://www.pharma.us.novartis.com/product/pi/pdf/afinitor.pdf. Accessed May&nbsp;2011.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .3in;text-indent:-.3in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(6)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Tuberous Sclerosis Fact Sheet. Available at http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tuberous_sclerosis/detail_tuberous_sclerosis.htm. Accessed May&nbsp;2011.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .3in;text-indent:-.3in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(7)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Inoki, et al. Tuberous sclerosis complex, implication from a rare genetic disease to common cancer treatment. HM Genetics, 2009; 18:R94-R100.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .3in;text-indent:-.3in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(8)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Adriaensen ME, et al. Prevalence of subependymal giant cell tumors in patients with tuberous sclerosis and a review of the literature. Eur J Neurol 2009;16:691-6.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .3in;text-indent:-.3in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(9)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Motzer, et. al. Phase 3 Trial of Everolimus for Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma. Cancer 2010 Sep;116(18):4256-4265.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .3in;text-indent:-.3in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(10)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Orphanet Report Series. &#147;Prevalence of rare diseases: Bibliographic Data.&#148; Available at http://www.orpha.net/orphacom/cahiers/docs/GB/Prevalence_of_rare_diseases_by_alphabetical_list.pdf. Accessed May&nbsp;2011.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .25in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;"># # #</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">5<a name="PB_5_201042_3020"></a></font></p>
<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>
</div>
<!-- SEQ.=1,FOLIO='5',FILE='C:\JMS\106461\11-12092-1\task4679828\12092-1-ba.htm',USER='106461',CD='May 11 21:36 2011' -->

<br clear="all" style="page-break-before:always;">
<div style="font-family:Times New Roman;">
<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Novartis Media Relations</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
<tr>
<td width="42%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:42.66%;">
<p style="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="57%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:57.34%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="42%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:42.66%;">
<p style="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>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Novartis Global Media Relations</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 61 324 7999 (direct)</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 79 593   4202 (mobile)</font></p>
<p style="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="57%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:57.34%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Nicole Riley</font></b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">  </font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Novartis Oncology </font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+1 862 778 3110 (direct) </font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">nicole.riley@novartis.com</font></p>    </td>   </tr>  </table>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
<tr>
<td width="100%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:100.0%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 10.0pt;text-indent:-10.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">e-mail:   media.relations@novartis.com</font></p>    </td>   </tr>  </table>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Novartis Investor Relations</font></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
<tr>
<td width="24%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:24.76%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Central phone:</font></b></p>    </td>
<td width="21%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:21.08%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 61 324 7944</font></p>    </td>
<td width="27%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:27.08%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="27%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:27.08%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="24%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:24.76%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Susanne Schaffert</font></p>    </td>
<td width="21%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:21.08%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 61 324 7944</font></p>    </td>
<td width="27%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:27.08%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">North America:</font></b></p>    </td>
<td width="27%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:27.08%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="24%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:24.76%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pierre-Michel Bringer</font></p>    </td>
<td width="21%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:21.08%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 61 324 1065</font></p>    </td>
<td width="27%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:27.08%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Richard Jarvis</font></p>    </td>
<td width="27%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:27.08%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+1 212 830 2433</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="24%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:24.76%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Thomas Hungerbuehler</font></p>    </td>
<td width="21%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:21.08%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 61 324 8425</font></p>    </td>
<td width="27%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:27.08%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Jill Pozarek</font></p>    </td>
<td width="27%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:27.08%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+1 212 830 2445</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="24%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:24.76%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Isabella Zinck</font></p>    </td>
<td width="21%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:21.08%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+41 61 324 7188</font></p>    </td>
<td width="27%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:27.08%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Edwin Valeriano</font></p>    </td>
<td width="27%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:27.08%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">+1 212 830 2456</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="24%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:24.76%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="21%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:21.08%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="27%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:27.08%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="27%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:27.08%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="45%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:45.84%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 10.0pt;text-indent:-10.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">e-mail: investor.relations@novartis.com</font></p>    </td>
<td width="54%" colspan="2" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:54.16%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">e-mail:   investor.relations@novartis.com</font></p>    </td>   </tr>  </table>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">6<a name="PB_6_201507_7748"></a></font></p>
<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>
</div>
<!-- SEQ.=1,FOLIO='6',FILE='C:\JMS\106461\11-12092-1\task4679828\12092-1-ba.htm',USER='106461',CD='May 11 21:36 2011' -->

<br clear="all" style="page-break-before:always;">
<div>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SIGNATURES</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" 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="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.76%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="50%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.24%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Novartis   AG</font></b></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.76%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="50%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.24%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><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="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.76%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="50%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.24%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><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="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.76%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;May&nbsp;11,   2011</font></p>    </td>
<td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.58%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">By:</font></p>    </td>
<td width="46%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:46.66%;">
<p style="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="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.76%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="50%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.24%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.76%;">
<p style="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:5.4%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Name:</font></p>    </td>
<td width="44%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:44.84%;">
<p style="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="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.76%;">
<p style="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:5.4%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Title:</font></p>    </td>
<td width="44%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:44.84%;">
<p style="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="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.76%;">
<p style="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:5.4%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="44%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:44.84%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Reporting   and Accounting</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr height="0">
<td width="372" style="border:none;"></td>
<td width="27" style="border:none;"></td>
<td width="14" style="border:none;"></td>
<td width="335" style="border:none;"></td>   </tr> </table>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">7<a name="PB_7_201618_141"></a></font></p>
<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>
</div>
<!-- SEQ.=1,FOLIO='7',FILE='C:\JMS\106461\11-12092-1\task4679828\12092-1-ba.htm',USER='106461',CD='May 11 21:36 2011' -->

</body>
</html>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>GRAPHIC
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>g120921bai001.jpg
<DESCRIPTION>GRAPHIC
<TEXT>
begin 644 g120921bai001.jpg
M_]C_X``02D9)1@`!`0$`8`!@``#_VP!#``@&!@<&!0@'!P<)"0@*#!0-#`L+
M#!D2$P\4'1H?'AT:'!P@)"XG("(L(QP<*#<I+#`Q-#0T'R<Y/3@R/"XS-#+_
MVP!#`0D)"0P+#!@-#1@R(1PA,C(R,C(R,C(R,C(R,C(R,C(R,C(R,C(R,C(R
M,C(R,C(R,C(R,C(R,C(R,C(R,C(R,C+_P``1"``I`,`#`2(``A$!`Q$!_\0`
M'P```04!`0$!`0$```````````$"`P0%!@<("0H+_\0`M1```@$#`P($`P4%
M!`0```%]`0(#``01!1(A,4$&$U%A!R)Q%#*!D:$((T*QP152T?`D,V)R@@D*
M%A<8&1HE)B<H*2HT-38W.#DZ0T1%1D=(24I35%565UA96F-D969G:&EJ<W1U
M=G=X>7J#A(6&AXB)BI*3E)66EYB9FJ*CI*6FIZBIJK*SM+6VM[BYNL+#Q,7&
MQ\C)RM+3U-76U]C9VN'BX^3EYN?HZ>KQ\O/T]?;W^/GZ_\0`'P$``P$!`0$!
M`0$!`0````````$"`P0%!@<("0H+_\0`M1$``@$"!`0#!`<%!`0``0)W``$"
M`Q$$!2$Q!A)!40=A<1,B,H$(%$*1H;'!"2,S4O`58G+1"A8D-.$E\1<8&1HF
M)R@I*C4V-S@Y.D-$149'2$E*4U155E=865IC9&5F9VAI:G-T=79W>'EZ@H.$
MA8:'B(F*DI.4E9:7F)F:HJ.DI::GJ*FJLK.TM;:WN+FZPL/$Q<;'R,G*TM/4
MU=;7V-G:XN/DY>;GZ.GJ\O/T]?;W^/GZ_]H`#`,!``(1`Q$`/P#W^BBN:O=?
METOQ3!83D/;70^0XYC-1.HH*\C6E2E5;4=[7-EM5L%O/LC7<0N,X\LMS^57*
M\NU*Q4_&*T&"?,3S.E>HUT5::@HVZHXJ%651R36SL%%%%9'0%%%%`!1110`4
M444`%%%%`!1110`4444`%%%%`!1110`4444`-=UC1G<X51DGT%>:V32>*?'7
MVGK;6S9'I@<?K7H6I@MI5V%!),+X`^AKB?AB46&_1L"8.O!ZXQ7%B??JPIO;
M?[CU,%:GAZM9;JR^\N7UIGXJ:;<C.!:LOMWKHI]1:RU!8;C'DR_<<=C[TRXL
M&?Q#:WJIE41E9O2J?BED\F%<_O-V0*TS2O*GA_:P>L;?/78\S`T4ZLHRZM_D
M=#U&:;(VR-FZ[035?3C(VG0&7/F%!G-/O7\NQN'`R5C8X_"MZ<N>*EW":Y6U
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M&OQXQU/3)C_Q[V$`DE'8S'C'X8S77ZO?IIFDW-Y)TB0D>Y[5G.'+:'4VI5>>
M]2_N]/U,RR\4VUYXKO-$3`:W0$-G[S=Q6^<X..M>.S&ZT:72]=:QN(9UE_TR
M5UPK!CZ]^*]@AE2>%)8SE'4,I]C55Z2A9QV(PM>53F4MU^3V.13QE>3:CJEC
M!I32RZ=S+AP-P]JV_#^OV_B'2A>P(R8)#QMU4CM7GT-WJ5EXO\82Z;9I<D#]
MX&?!48Z@=Z[#P&-/_P"$9A-C)YA8EIB1@ASU!JZU.,872[?D98>M.=3E;[_@
M]+?J0ZCXIU32[*XOKC1V^RQMPP<9*^N*LZ=KVJ7YLY3I)CM;@@F0N#M!]J9\
M0?\`D2[_`/W1_.M'PQ_R+.G?]<%_E4/E]GS<O6QJN?V_)S.UK].Y%XHU]O#F
MF"^^SF=-P4J#@\UIV$\EU8PSR($:1`VWTS7*?$[_`)%)O^NR?SKJ=,_Y!5I_
MUQ3^0J917LE+K=FD9R=>4;Z)+]3"F\275UK%[IVE6J2O9+F9G;JWH!6[IMS+
M>6$4T\)AE8?-&>QKAO%.C7^E:I+XI\/S9<<W4(Y#8ZFNRT+5$UK1K:_1=HE7
M)'H>]54A'D4H[?J11J2=24)O7\+>1H]:YV;PND&I'4=*F-K<G[R?P/\`45T5
M%<DZ<9_$=].K.G?E>Y6B%[]EQ*T)N/50=M5!I'G7@NKR3S7'11]T5J45G4P]
M.I;GUM]P*I*-^72X=*@O;=KJSE@60QF12NX=LU/16ZT,FKJS,K0-'.AZ:MB+
MAIHT)VENHJ&V\,6-GXDDUJV!CEEC*2(OW6YZ_6MNBKYY7;ON1[*%DK;;%>]L
MK?4;.2UNHQ)#(,,IKG;'PI>:3&;;3]:N$LSG$;\F//\`=-=511&I**LM@G2A
M-\S6IF:/H=KHT4@AW/-*VZ69^7D/J36C(BR1LC#*L""*=14N3;NRHQ45RI:&
M1X?\/VOAZSEM[;E9)#(2>O--U_0VUV&*!KIXH4<.RK_'CL?:MFBJ]I+FYKZD
M^RAR<EM#-U?1X=9T633;@GRW4`L.HQWI-$TN72--6R:[>X6,81WZ@>E:=%+G
M?+R]!^SCS<_4YS2O"W]F:[>ZJ+MY)+T_OD8<&BT\)QZ;K,M_IUW+;QSG=+;#
M[A/K71T57M9]R%0IJVFVIE>(-&_M[2WL&N&ACD^^5ZD5-H^GOI>G16;3F98@
M%5FZXJ_14\[Y>7H7[.//S]3%\2^'U\1Z>+*2X>&/<&)3J2*T;"V>SL8K>24R
MF-0H<]2!5FBCG?+R]`5.*DY]6<S+X7NF:[BCU:=+.Z8L\?<9Z@'TK=L+&#3;
7&&SMEVQ1*%459HIRJ2DK,4*4(.Z1_]D_
`
end
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
