<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001171843-17-006974.txt : 20171114
<SEC-HEADER>0001171843-17-006974.hdr.sgml : 20171114
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20171114122829
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001171843-17-006974
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	6-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20171113
FILED AS OF DATE:		20171114
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20171114

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NOVARTIS AG
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001114448
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
		IRS NUMBER:				000000000
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			V8
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		6-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-15024
		FILM NUMBER:		171199780

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		LICHTSTRASSE 35
		CITY:			BASEL
		STATE:			V8
		ZIP:			CH 4056
		BUSINESS PHONE:		01141613241111

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		LICHTSTRASSE 35
		CITY:			BASEL
		STATE:			V8
		ZIP:			CH 4056
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<P STYLE="font-size: 18pt; text-align: center; margin: 0pt 0"><B>UNITED STATES</B></P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 18pt; text-align: center; margin: 0pt 0"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B></P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; text-align: center; margin: 0pt 0"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B></P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; text-align: center; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 18pt; text-align: center; margin: 0pt 0"><B>FORM 6-K</B></P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 18pt; text-align: center; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; text-align: center; margin: 0pt 0"><B>REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER</B></P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; text-align: center; margin: 0pt 0"><B>PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 or 15d-16 OF</B></P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; text-align: center; margin: 0pt 0"><B>THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934</B></P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; text-align: center; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; text-align: center; margin: 0pt 0"><B>Report on Form 6-K dated November 13, 2017</B></P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; text-align: center; margin: 0pt 0"><B>(Commission File No. 1-15024)</B></P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; text-align: center; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; text-align: center; margin: 0pt 0">____________________</P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; text-align: center; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 18pt; text-align: center; margin: 0pt 0"><B>Novartis AG</B></P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; text-align: center; margin: 0pt 0">(Name of Registrant)</P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; text-align: center; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; text-align: center; margin: 0pt 0"><B>Lichtstrasse 35</B></P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; text-align: center; margin: 0pt 0"><B>4056 Basel</B></P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; text-align: center; margin: 0pt 0"><B>Switzerland</B></P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; text-align: center; margin: 0pt 0">(Address of Principal Executive Offices)</P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; text-align: center; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; text-align: center; margin: 0pt 0">____________________</P>

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<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0pt 0 3pt">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under
cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:</P>

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<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 50%; text-align: right; font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>Form 20-F:&nbsp;&#9746;</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 3%; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 47%; font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Form 40-F:&nbsp;&#9744;</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0pt 0 3pt">Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted
by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):</P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

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<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 50%; text-align: right"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Yes:&nbsp;&#9744;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 47%"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>No</B>:&nbsp;<B>&#9746;</B></FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0pt 0 3pt">Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted
by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font-size: 10pt">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 50%; text-align: right"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Yes:&nbsp;&#9744;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 47%"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>No</B>:&nbsp;<B>&#9746;</B></FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0pt 0 3pt">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 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934.&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font-size: 10pt">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 50%; text-align: right"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Yes:&nbsp;&#9744;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 47%"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>No</B>:&nbsp;<B>&#9746;</B></FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>


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<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; text-align: left">
    <TD STYLE="width: 33%"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt"><IMG SRC="logo.jpg" ALT=""></FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 34%"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 33%"><P STYLE="color: #0460A9; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt">Novartis&nbsp;International&nbsp;AG<BR>
                           Novartis&nbsp;Global Communications<BR>
                           <FONT STYLE="font-weight: normal; color: windowtext">CH-4002 Basel</FONT><BR>
                           <FONT STYLE="font-weight: normal; color: windowtext">Switzerland</FONT></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="color: #0460A9; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt">http://www.novartis.com</FONT></P>



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<P STYLE="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0px"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0px"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: #999999; color: white"><B>MEDIA
RELEASE &bull; COMMUNIQUE AUX MEDIAS &bull; MEDIENMITTEILUNG</B></P>



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<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: 39.75pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 12pt"><B>Novartis
canakinumab (ACZ885) reduced cardiovascular risk by 25% in subgroup of CANTOS Phase III trial participants</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0pt 0"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

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<TD STYLE="width: 18pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Symbol; font-style: normal">&middot;</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="padding-right: 32.45pt">Subgroup of patients had a 25% reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events when treated
with canakinumab in a new analysis of Phase III CANTOS trial presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2017<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">1</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0pt 0"><I>&nbsp;</I></P>

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<TD STYLE="width: 18pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Symbol">&middot;</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="padding-right: 24.25pt"><I>The analysis showed a 31% reduction in cardiovascular death and a 31% reduction in all-cause
mortality in patients whose inflammation &ndash; as measured by hsCRP &ndash; decreased below 2mg/L three months after initiating
canakinumab1</I></TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0pt 0"><I>&nbsp;</I></P>

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<TD STYLE="width: 18pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Symbol">&middot;</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="padding-right: 35.55pt"><I>hsCRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) is a simple, inexpensive and widely available
biomarker test for residual inflammatory risk</I>2</TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 18pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Symbol">&middot;</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="padding-right: 35.55pt"><I>Results suggest that in the future, physicians may be able to identify patients who can achieve the greatest cardiovascular
benefit from long-term canakinumab treatment</i></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 18pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Symbol">&middot;</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="padding-right: 24.4pt"><I>Analysis showed that the estimated number of patients needed to treat (NNT) for the subgroup
was 16; the NNT for the CANTOS cohort as a whole was 24</I>1</TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: 18.45pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left"><B>Basel, November
13, 2017 &ndash; </B>Novartis today announced results from a new analysis of the Phase III CANTOS study presented by Dr. Paul
Ridker at the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2017 and published simultaneously in <I>The
Lancet</I><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">1</FONT>. The pre-planned secondary analysis of an exploratory endpoint showed that
people with a prior heart attack who achieved hsCRP levels below 2mg/L at three months after the first dose of canakinumab
had a 25% reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) versus placebo (HR<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">adj</FONT>=0.75,
95% CI 0.66-0.85, p&lt;0.0001)<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">1</FONT>. These patients also had a significant reduction of 31%
in the rate of cardiovascular (CV) death (HR<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">adj</FONT>=0.69, 95% CI 0.56-0.85, p=0.0004) and
all-cause death (HR<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">adj</FONT>=0.69, 95% CI 0.58-0.81, p&lt;0.0001)<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">1</FONT>.
There was no significant reduction in these endpoints observed among those treated with canakinumab who achieved hsCRP
levels equal to or above 2mg/L<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">1</FONT>. This analysis indicates that on-treatment hsCRP testing
may offer a quick and reliable way to identify the patients most likely to achieve the greatest benefits from long-term
canakinumab treatment<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">1,2</FONT>. It also demonstrates that treating inflammation in addition to
lowering cholesterol may significantly reduce the risk of recurrent CV events<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">1</FONT>.</P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: 26.3pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left">&ldquo;This CANTOS
analysis suggests that the initial biologic response to canakinumab may provide a simple method to identify which patients
are most likely to obtain long-term benefits,&rdquo; said Dr. Paul Ridker, MD, CANTOS Study Chairman and Director of the
Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention at Brigham and Women's Hospital. &ldquo;Importantly, these data also support the
value of targeting inflammation when treating patients who have had a heart attack in the past, reinforcing that &lsquo;lower
is better&rsquo; when it comes to levels of inflammation.&rdquo;</P>



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<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: 18.45pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left">&ldquo;This outcome is an exciting new development in the field of personalized
cardiovascular medicine,&rdquo; said Vas Narasimhan, Global Head, Drug Development and Chief Medical Officer, Novartis. &ldquo;In
addition to offering targeted cardiovascular benefits for patients, personalized treatment approaches can also be more cost-efficient
for the overall healthcare system. We hope we can bring this innovative treatment to patients in the near future.&rdquo;</P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: 18.45pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left">The analysis also
evaluated the number of patients needed to treat (NNT). NNT is an epidemiological measure used to communicate the
effectiveness of a health-care intervention in which the lower the NNT, the more effective the intervention. The estimated
NNT of the subgroup of patients was 16, indicating that 16 patients treated with canakinumab whose hsCRP values dropped below
2mg/L would need to be treated for five years to prevent one death, heart attack, stroke or coronary revascularization<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">1</FONT>.
The NNT for the CANTOS cohort as a whole was 24<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">1</FONT>.</P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: 18.45pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left">Canakinumab has
been shown to have major effects on inflammation, which is associated with atherothrombosis, the main cause of acute coronary
syndromes and CV death<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">1,3</FONT>. People with elevated inflammatory biomarkers, such as hsCRP
(high-sensitivity C-reactive protein), are at an increased risk of CV events<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">3</FONT>. The hsCRP
test is a simple, inexpensive and widely available blood biomarker test that may also be used for residual inflammatory
risk<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">2</FONT>. This subgroup analysis by Dr. Paul Ridker included patients whose level of hsCRP
at three months was 2mg/L or greater, as well as those whose level was less than 2mg/L, which is a commonly used clinical cut
point for hsCRP measuring residual inflammatory risk<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">1,4</FONT>. The analysis supports that
patients who achieve an hsCRP level of less than 2mg/L by the third month on treatment may receive the greatest benefit from
long-term treatment with canakinumab<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">1</FONT>. The safety profile of canakinumab in the subgroup
of patients whose hsCRP levels dropped below 2mg/L was consistent with the overall study population. The overall rates of
adverse events (AEs), serious AEs, and discontinuations due to AEs in CANTOS were similar to placebo across all canakinumab
doses. There was no relationship between on-treatment hsCRP levels and adverse events<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">1</FONT>.</P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: 18.45pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left">With more than
10,000 patients enrolled in the study over six years, CANTOS was one of the largest and longest-running clinical trials in
Novartis history. As previously announced, initial data from the CANTOS study showed that quarterly treatment with 150mg
canakinumab resulted in a statistically significant 15% reduction in MACE - a composite of CV death, non- fatal myocardial
infarction, and stroke - in people with a prior heart attack and inflammatory atherosclerosis<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">5</FONT>.
Pending final regulatory discussions, Novartis plans to file CANTOS CV data for regulatory approval in Q4 2017.</P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: 18.45pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left"><B>About CANTOS (NCT01327846)</B></P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: 18.45pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left">The Canakinumab
Anti-inflammatory Thrombosis Outcomes Study (CANTOS) (NCT01327846) is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled,
event-driven Phase III study designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of quarterly subcutaneous injections
of canakinumab (also known as ACZ885) in combination with standard of care in the prevention of recurrent cardiovascular (CV)
events among 10,061 people with a prior myocardial infarction (MI) and with a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP)
level of &ge;2mg/L. The study evaluated three different doses of canakinumab vs placebo. The primary endpoint of the study
was time to first occurrence of major adverse CV events (MACE), a composite of CV death, non-fatal MI, and non-fatal stroke.
Initial results showed that canakinumab met the primary endpoint and led to a statistically significant 15% reduction in the
risk of MACE, compared to placebo (p-value 0.021)<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">5</FONT>. This benefit was sustained
throughout the duration of the study (median follow up 3.7 years) and was largely consistent across key pre-specified
baseline subgroups<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">5</FONT>. Secondary endpoints included time to first occurrence of the
composite CV endpoint consisting of CV death, non-fatal MI, non-fatal stroke and hospitalization for unstable angina
requiring unplanned revascularization; time to</P>

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<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: 18.45pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left">new onset type 2 diabetes among people with pre-diabetes at randomization;
time to occurrence of non-fatal MI, non-fatal stroke or all-cause mortality; and time to all-cause mortality. The study ran for
approximately six years. The overall rates of adverse events (AEs), serious AEs, and discontinuations due to AEs were similar to
placebo across all canakinumab doses. During the average follow-up time of 3.7 years, serious infections were reported in 11.3%
vs 10.2% and malignancies were reported in 6.4% vs 7.1% of participants (canakinumab 150mg vs placebo, respectively)<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">5</FONT>.
Fatal infections were rare and occurred in about one per 1,000 patients on placebo<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">5</FONT>.</P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: 18.45pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left">In a pre-specified secondary analysis designed to address the relationship
of hsCRP reduction to event reduction in CANTOS the researchers evaluated the effects of canakinumab on rates of MACE, CV mortality,
and all-cause mortality according to on- treatment levels of hsCRP. The researchers used multivariable modeling to adjust for baseline
factors associated with achieved hsCRP and multiple sensitivity analyses to address the magnitude of residual confounding.</P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: 18.45pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left"><B>About heart attack
and inflammatory atherosclerosis</B></P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: 18.45pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left">Heart attack occurs in about 580,000 people every year in the five largest
European Union countries and 750,000 people in the United States alone<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">6,7</FONT>. Despite optimal
standard treatment, patients who have had a prior heart attack live with a higher ongoing risk of secondary major adverse cardiovascular
events (MACE), a composite of cardiovascular (CV) death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and non-fatal stroke<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">7</FONT>.
It has been shown that in about four in 10 people, this risk is directly related to the increased inflammation associated with
inflammatory atherosclerosis as measured by a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) biomarker level of &ge;2mg/L<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">8</FONT>.
The recurrent MACE in people with inflammatory atherosclerosis are associated with increased morbidity, mortality and reduced quality
of life and currently represent a major economic burden on patients and healthcare systems around the world.</P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: 18.45pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left"><B>About ACZ885 (canakinumab)</B></P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: 18.45pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left">Canakinumab (ACZ885) is a selective, high-affinity, fully human monoclonal
antibody that inhibits IL-1&beta;, a key cytokine in the inflammatory pathway known to drive the continued progression of inflammatory
atherosclerosis<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">9-13</FONT>. Canakinumab works by blocking the action of IL-1&beta; for a sustained
period of time, therefore inhibiting inflammation that is caused by its over-production<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">14,15</FONT>.
Canakinumab is the first and only investigational treatment which has shown that selectively targeting inflammation significantly
reduces cardiovascular risk.</P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: 18.45pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left"><B>Disclaimer</B></P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: 18.45pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left">This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning
of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by
words such as &ldquo;potential,&rdquo; &ldquo;can,&rdquo; &ldquo;will,&rdquo; &ldquo;plan,&rdquo; &ldquo;expect,&rdquo; &ldquo;anticipate,&rdquo;
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&ldquo;launch,&rdquo; or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals, new indications
or labeling for the investigational or approved products described in this press release, or regarding potential future revenues
from such products. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current
beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should
one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary
materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that the investigational or approved
products described in this press release will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labeling in
any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that such products will be commercially successful in the
future. In particular, our expectations regarding such products could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent
in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions
or delays or government regulation generally; our ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; the
particular prescribing preferences of physicians and patients; global trends</P>

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<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: 18.45pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left">toward health care cost containment, including government, payor and
general public pricing and reimbursement pressures; general economic and industry conditions, including the effects of the persistently
weak economic and financial environment in many countries; safety, quality or manufacturing issues, and other risks and factors
referred to in Novartis AG&rsquo;s current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. 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.</P>

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<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: 18.45pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left"><B>About Novartis</B></P>

<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: 18.45pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left">Novartis provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving
needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these
needs: innovative medicines, cost-saving generic and biosimilar pharmaceuticals and eye care. Novartis has leading positions globally
in each of these areas. In 2016, the Group achieved net sales of USD 48.5 billion, while R&amp;D throughout the Group amounted
to approximately USD 9.0 billion. Novartis Group companies employ approximately 121,000 full-time-equivalent associates. Novartis
products are sold in approximately 155 countries around the world. For more information, please visit <FONT STYLE="color: blue">http://www.novartis.com</FONT>.</P>

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<P STYLE="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: 18.45pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left"><B>References</B></P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 18pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt">1.</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="padding-right: 6.3pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt">Ridker PM, et al. Relationships of
                               C-Reactive Protein Reduction to Cardiovascular Event Reduction Following Treatment with Canakinumab:
                               Analyses from the Canakinumab Anti-inflammatory Thrombosis Outcomes Study (CANTOS). <I>The Lancet.
                               </I>2017.</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 18pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt">2.</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="padding-right: 23.15pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt">WebMD. Heart Disease and C_Reactive
                               Protein (CRP) Testing. Available at: http://www.webmd.com/heart- disease/guide/heart-disease-c-reactive-protein-crp-testing#1.
                               Last accessed: November 2017.</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 18pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt">3.</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="padding-right: 13.65pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt">Ridker PM. Testing the inflammatory
                               hypothesis of atherothrombosis: scientific rationale for the cardiovascular inflammation reduction
                               trial (CIRT). <I>J Throm Haemost</I>. 2009; 7(Suppl.1):332&ndash;9.</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 17.9pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt">4.</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.25pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt">Goff DC Jr, et al. ACC/AHA guideline
                                 on the assessment of cardiovascular risk: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American
                                 Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines. <I>Circulation</I>. 2014; 129:S49-S73.</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 17.9pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt">5.</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="padding-right: 5pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt">Ridker PM, et al. Anti-inflammatory
                                 Therapy with Canakinumab for Atherosclerotic Disease. <I>N Engl J Med. </I>2017. 377:119-1131.</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 17.9pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt">6.</FONT></TD><TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt">EU5 MI trend. Based on Eurostat discharge data. Novartis data
                                 on file.</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 18pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt">7.</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="padding-right: 30.55pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt">Benjamin E, et al. Heart Disease
                               and Stroke Statistics&mdash;2017 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association. <I>Circulation.
                               </I>2017; 135:e146-e603.</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>

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<TD STYLE="width: 18pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt">8.</FONT></TD><TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt">Ridker PM. How Common Is Residual Inflammatory Risk? <I>Circ Res.
                               </I>2017; 120:617-619.</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>

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<TD STYLE="width: 18pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt">9.</FONT></TD><TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt">Fearon WF, Fearon DT. Inflammation and cardiovascular disease:
                               role of the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist. <I>Circulation</I>. 2008; 117:2577-2579.</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>



<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 18pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt">10.</FONT></TD><TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt">Duewell P, et al. NLRP3 inflammasomes are required for atherogenesis
                                and activated by cholesterol crystals. <I>Nature.</I> 2010; 464(7293):1357-61.</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>



<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 18pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt">11.</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="padding-right: 20.3pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt">Rajamaki K, et al. Cholesterol
                                Crystals Activate the NLRP3 Inflammasome in Human Macrophages: A Novel Link between Cholesterol
                                Metabolism and Inflammation. <I>PLoS One</I>. 2010; 5(7):e11765.</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 18pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt">12.</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="padding-right: 6.35pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt">Ridker PM, Luscher TF. Anti-inflammatory
                                therapies for cardiovascular disease. <I>Eur Heart J</I>. 2014; 35(27):1782- 91.</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>

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<TD STYLE="width: 18pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt">13.</FONT></TD><TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt">Ridker PM. From C-Reactive Protein to Interleukin-6 to Interleukin-1.
                                <I>Circ Res. </I>2016; 118:145-156.</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 18pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt">14.</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="padding-right: 17.5pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt">Ridker PM, et al. Interleukin-1&beta;
                                inhibition and the prevention of recurrent cardiovascular events: rationale and design of the
                                Canakinumab Anti-inflammatory Thrombosis Outcomes Study (CANTOS). <I>Am Heart J. </I>2011; 162(4):597-605.</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 18pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt">15.</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="padding-right: 9.35pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt">Ridker PM, et al. Effects of Interleukin-1&beta;
                                Inhibition with Canakinumab on Hemoglobin A1c, C-Reactive Protein, Interleukin-6 and Fibrinogen.
                                <I>Circulation. </I>2012; 126(23):2739-48.</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>

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    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Date: November 13, 2017</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">By:</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: black 1pt solid"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">/s/ PAUL
    PENEPENT</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Name:&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Paul Penepent</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Title:</FONT></TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Head Group Financial Reporting and
    Accounting</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>


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end
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
