July 25, 2008
Once-yearly Aclasta® recommended in EU to treat male osteoporosis and reduce risk of new fractures in patients after hip fracture
- Male indication important as osteoporosis often neglected in men - estimated one in five men aged over 50 may suffer an osteoporosis-related fracture[1]
- Positive opinion also expands once-yearly Aclasta indication to include osteoporosis patients who recently suffered a low-trauma hip fracture
- EU label to include data showing 35% reduction in new fractures and 28% reduction of all-cause mortality[2] in post-hip fracture patients treated with Aclasta
- Recommendation comes shortly after similar change to US label for Reclast[3][*]
July 17, 2008
Novartis gains momentum with strong performance in first half of 2008 from portfolio focused on growth areas of healthcare
- First-half results for continuing operations led by improving Pharmaceuticals performance ahead of expectations and expansion in Vaccines and Diagnostics
- Net sales rise 11% (+2% in local currencies) to USD 20.6 billion
- Operating income advances 12% to USD 4.9 billion on business expansion, productivity gains and currency benefits
- Net income up 13% to USD 4.6 billion; basic EPS rises 17% to USD 2.01
- Dynamic growth from new products - including Tekturna/Rasilez, Exforge, Lucentis, Exelon Patch and Aclasta/Reclast - provides USD 1.3 billion in first-half net sales
- Key R&D projects on track for 2008 submissions, particularly Afinitor (RAD001) for advanced kidney cancer and Menveo meningococcal meningitis vaccine
- 25% stake in Alcon, the world leader in eye care, purchased in July; strategic acquisitions strengthen portfolio and complement internal growth drivers
- Novartis on track for record sales and earnings in 2008 from continuing operations
July 11, 2008
Novartis enters strategic partnership with Lonza to accelerate growth of biologics pipeline
- Alliance enables Novartis to rapidly scale up development and production for rich biological pipeline, which accounts for a quarter of its development portfolio
- Strong Novartis R&D capabilities coupled with Lonza's leadership in process development and manufacturing, provides ideal long-term partnership
July 10, 2008
Novartis buys additional 51.7% stake in Speedel and announces plans to acquire remaining shares in a mandatory public tender offer
- Novartis and Speedel have a long-standing collaboration based on financial support for Speedel creation in 1998 and development of Tekturna/Rasilez
- Speedel pipeline provides access to many R&D projects targeting cardiovascular disease, including a range of direct renin inhibitors
- Ownership of Speedel provides greater flexibility and speed in development of Tekturna/Rasilez and also ends royalty and manufacturing fee payments
- After acquiring a 51.7% stake directly from major Speedel shareholders for CHF 130 per share in cash, Novartis now holds 61.4% of Speedel
- Novartis will commence a mandatory tender offer to acquire the remaining Speedel shares at the same price
July 08, 2008
Novartis completes acquisition of 25% stake in Alcon from Nestlé, first step toward majority ownership of the world leader in eye care
- Strong strategic fit with Novartis thanks to Alcon's pharmaceutical, surgical and consumer eye care products businesses
July 02, 2008
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation to Appeal Judgment in Alabama Pricing Case
- Jury verdict in Montgomery County Circuit Court awards $33 million in compensatory damages
- Jury decides in favor of Novartis and rejects claims for punitive damages
- NPC maintains it reported true and accurate prices and will file appeal
June 24, 2008
Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases and Global Alliance for TB Drug Development announce five-year collaboration targeted to accelerate TB treatment R&D
- The NITD and the TB Alliance's collaboration aims to move projects quickly from the research phase through the translational stage and into development
- Both partners will leverage their broad networks of expertise and resources to rapidly bring effective, simpler treatments to patients
June 17, 2008
Rasilez®[*] ASPIRE HIGHER clinical program expands to 35,000 patients in 14 trials, the largest cardio-renal outcomes program ever
- Novartis to study organ protection potential of Rasilez beyond documented ability to provide powerful blood pressure reductions that last beyond 24 hours[1],[2]
- Three megatrials explore Rasilez benefits in difficult-to-treat patients with life-threatening co-morbidities - heart failure, cardiovascular events in elderly and diabetic kidney disease
- Data presented at "Hypertension 2008" congress highlight impressive efficacy of Rasilez in managing high blood pressure in elderly, the fastest growing patient demographic segment with climbing healthcare costs[3],[4],[5]
June 13, 2008
Higher initial dose of Glivec achieved better early responses than standard dose for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia
- Efficacy and safety profile in large randomized Phase III study consistent with landmark IRIS trial, which established Glivec as standard of care
- Study did not meet primary endpoint at 1 year, yet shows faster time to molecular responses with 800 vs. 400 mg dose
- Findings reinforce that monitoring blood levels of Glivec may help optimize treatment benefit for individual patients
- Novartis committed to improving first-line treatment through additional study follow-up and completing enrollment to Tasigna vs. Glivec trial
June 12, 2008
Novartis recommends rejection of ''mini-tender'' offer by TRC Capital for American Depositary Shares
- Conditional offer made by TRC Capital Corporation for up to two million Novartis American Depositary Shares
- Novartis recommends against shareholders tendering their shares in response to TRC Capital's unsolicited mini-tender offer
