February 09, 2010
Novartis gains exclusive rights to Debio 025, an antiviral agent in Phase IIb development as potential first-in-class hepatitis C therapy
- Phase II results demonstrate efficacy of Debio 025, a cyclophilin inhibitor, against hepatitis C virus when used alone or in combination with current standard therapy1
- Cyclophilin inhibitors evolving as new class of medicines with potential to become part of future standard of care for treating hepatitis C
- Hepatitis C is one of the world's most common liver diseases, current therapies may only be effective in around 50% of patients2
- Novartis to make upfront payment to Debiopharm Group(TM), with Debiopharm eligible for milestones and royalties on future sales
January 26, 2010
Novartis achieves record results in 2009 as momentum from recently launched products drives growth across its entire healthcare portfolio
January 20, 2010
Novartis oral MS therapy FTY720 shows reduced risk of confirmed disability progression as published in New England Journal of Medicine
- Combined data from TRANSFORMS and FREEDOMS studies show significant efficacy in reducing relapses, disability progression and MRI lesions in MS
- In FREEDOMS, FTY720 0.5 mg dose reduced the risk of 3-month and 6-month confirmed disability progression by 30% and 37% over two years versus placebo
- FTY720 clinical program provides safety experience in over 2,300 MS patients, including some patients in their sixth year of therapy
- Robust clinical trial program strengthens potential for oral FTY720 to be the first approved product in new therapeutic class called S1P receptor modulators
- FTY720 0.5 mg dose submitted for regulatory approval in US and EU in December 2009
January 20, 2010
Three new Novartis medicines approved in Japan for patients with type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and advanced kidney cancer
- Equa®, Exforge® and Afinitor® provide new treatment options for unmet medical needs
- Three major approvals for innovative medicines to treat serious and life-threatening diseases affecting millions of Japanese patients
- Approvals follow six product launches in 2009, reinforcing the strong presence of Novartis in Japan, the company's second-largest pharmaceutical market
January 18, 2010
Novartis providing equivalent of over USD 2.5 million in immediate emergency aid for victims of Haiti earthquake
Support includes direct financial assistance to relief organizations and donation of essential medicines, including antibiotic and pain relieving drugs
Employees encouraged to make personal contributions to nationally recognized relief organizations to be matched with company funds
January 11, 2010
Novartis launches schizophrenia treatment Fanapt in the US, offering patients an attractive alternative to existing medications
Fanapt proven effective for the acute treatment of schizophrenia in adults
Fanapt offers patients a proven tolerability profile with discontinuation rates similar to placebo
Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe and disabling mental disorder, affecting 2.4 million Americans
Despite available medications, there remains a need for additional treatment options
January 04, 2010
Novartis to acquire majority control of Alcon, a global leader in eye care, and proposes merger for full ownership
- Novartis strengthens its presence in growing eye care sector with Alcon
- Novartis and Alcon have highly complementary product portfolios covering more than 70% of global vision care sector: pharmaceuticals, surgical products, contact lenses and OTC brands
- Eye care offers dynamic growth opportunities underpinned by high unmet needs of an aging population
- Alcon to become a 77% majority-owned Novartis subsidiary upon completion of the April 2008 agreement with Nestlé
- After purchasing a 25% stake in April 2008 for USD 143 per share, Novartis exercises its call option to buy additional 52% stake from Nestlé for USD 180 per share[1], or USD 28.1 billion
- Total cost for 77% majority stake of USD 38.5 billion, or USD 168 per share
- Proposal for subsequent all-share direct merger of Alcon into Novartis to avoid uncertainty and speculation on Alcon's future in interest of all stakeholders
- Fixed exchange ratio proposal of 2.80 Novartis shares for each remaining Alcon share, a 12% premium to unaffected Alcon share price of USD 137
- Merger proposal subject to closing of Nestlé transaction, implied cost for 23% minority stake of USD 11.2 billion, or USD 153 per Alcon share
- After merger, new Novartis eye care division to include Alcon, CIBA Vision and selected ophthalmic medicines
