Novartis

FRIMLEY, England, June 5, 2010 - - Data show zoledronic acid, a bisphosphonate, provided significant clinical anticancer benefit and significantly reduced risk of skeletal- related events(1,2) - Overall survival advantage observed with zoledronic acid plus chemotherapy versus oral clodronate plus chemotherapy is independent of skeletal-related event benefit(1) - Results from a separate five-year follow-up study of hormone receptor-positive premenopausal early breast cancer patients showed significant improvement in progression-free survival with zoledronic acid in this patient population(2) New data to be presented tomorrow at the 46th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago, IL, from the Myeloma IX study, show that zoledronic acid plus first-line chemotherapy significantly improved overall survival for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients by 16% (P=0.0118) and progression-free survival by 12%, (P=0.0179) compared to oral clodronate plus first-line chemotherapy(1).

FRIMLEY, England, June 1, 2010 - - Just for UK media, not for Ireland - This release is intended for consumer media - Add-On Omalizumab Reduces the Rate of Asthma Attacks in Children Aged 6 to 11 Years With Severe Persistent Allergic Asthma Whose Symptoms Remain Uncontrolled Despite Best Available Current Therapies[2] - Today's Decision Made Despite Pivotal Study Showing Omalizumab Halves Asthma Attacks at One Year With a Good Overall Safety and Tolerability Profile in Children Aged 6 to 11 Years [3,4] Novartis is disappointed that the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has decided against recommending omalizumab for children aged 6 to 11 years with severe, persistent allergic asthma in England and Wales because it does not consider it to be a cost-effective use of NHS resources1.

BRUSSELS, May 26, 2010 - The first major survey of European Multiple Sclerosis (MS) nurses revealed that nearly one in three nurses (31%) reported that standards of MS care are not adequately maintained in their country.

BASEL, Switzerland - - Not For US Media - Set to Become First Medicine in EU to Treat Patients Aged Four and Older Suffering From Life-Long Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndrome (CAPS)(1) - Ilaris Targets Interleukin-1 Beta (IL-1 Beta), a key Driver of Inflammation(1,2,3) - Studies Ongoing in Other Diseases Involving IL-1 Beta Such as Gout, COPD and Type 2 Diabetes - EU Opinion Follows US and Swiss Approvals Based on Data Showing Ilaris Produced Rapid and Sustained Remission in CAPS Patients After one Dose(2) - CAPS Comprises Three Disorders of Increasing Severity With Potentially Fatal Complications(2,3) - Most Patients Suffer From Severe and Disabling Symptoms(1,3) The biotechnology medicine Ilaris(R) (canakinumab) has passed another major milestone with a recommendation for approval in the European Union to treat patients with a life-long and potentially fatal auto-inflammatory disease called cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS).