Press Release: New Novartis Phase III data for -2-

technology systems, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis

AG'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.

About Novartis

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 2017, the Group achieved net sales of USD 49.1

billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD

9.0 billion. Novartis Group companies employ approximately 124,000

full-time-equivalent associates. Novartis products are sold in

approximately 155 countries around the world. For more information,

please visit http://www.novartis.com.

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References

[1] Dugel P, et al. HAWK & HARRIER: 48-week results of 2

multi-centered, randomized, double-masked trials of brolucizumab versus

aflibercept for neovascular AMD. Presented at: The American Academy of

Ophthalmology 2017 Annual Meeting on November 10, 2017, New Orleans.

[2] Dugel P, et al. A Comparison of the Anatomical Efficacy of

Brolucizumab and Aflibercept in Neovascular Age-related Macular

Degeneration (nAMD): An Analysis over 16 Weeks of Matched Treatment in

the HAWK and HARRIER Studies. Presented at: the Association for Research

in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) 2018 Annual Meeting, Honolulu, HI.

[3] Data on file.

[4] Escher D, et al. Single-chain antibody fragments in

ophthalmology. Oral presentation at EURETINA congress. 2015. Abstract.

Available at:

http://www.euretina.org/nice2015/programme/free-papers-details.asp?id=4072&day=0

(link is external). Accessed November 2017.

[5] Nimz EL, et al. Intraocular and systemic pharmacokinetics of

brolucizumab (RTH258) in nonhuman primates. The Association for Research

in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) annual meeting. 2016. Abstract 4996.

[6] Gaudreault J, et al. Preclinical pharmacology and safety of

ESBA1008, a single-chain antibody fragment, investigated as potential

treatment for age related macular degeneration. ARVO Annual meeting

abstract. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2012;53:3025.

http://iovs.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2354604 (link is

external).

[7] Tietz J, et al. Affinity and Potency of RTH258 (ESBA1008), a

Novel Inhibitor of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A for the

Treatment of Retinal Disorders. IOVS. 2015; 56(7): 1501.

[8] Qazi Y, et al. Mediators of ocular angiogenesis. J. Genet.

2009;88(4):495-515.

[9] Kim R. Introduction, mechanism of action and rationale for

anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs in age-related macular

degeneration. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2007;55(6):413-415.

[10] ClinicalTrials.gov. Identifier NCT02307682. Available at

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02307682 (link is external).

Accessed November 2017.

[11] ClinicalTrials.gov. Identifier NCT02434328. Available at

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02434328 (link is external)

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02434328. Accessed November

2017.

[12] Schmidt-Erfurth U, et al. Guidelines for the management of

neovascular age-related macular degeneration by the European Society of

Retina Specialists (EURETINA). Br J Ophthalmol. 2014;98:1144-1167.

[13] Chopdar A, et al. Age related macular degeneration. BMJ.

2003;26(7387):485-488.

[14] World Health Organization. Priority eye diseases: Age-related

macular degeneration. Available at

http://www.who.int/blindness/causes/priority/en/index7.html (link is

external). Accessed November 2017.

[15] NHS Choices. Macular Degeneration. Available at

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Macular-degeneration/Pages/Introduction.aspx

(link is external). Accessed November 2017.

[16] National Eye Institute. Facts About Age-Related Macular

Degeneration. Available at

https://nei.nih.gov/health/maculardegen/armd_facts (link is external).

Accessed November 2017.

[17] NHS Choices. Macular degeneration - Symptoms. Available at

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Macular-degeneration/Pages/Symptoms.aspx

(link is external). Accessed November 2017.

[18] van Lookeren Campagne M, et al. Mechanisms of age-related macular

degeneration and therapeutic opportunities. J Pathol. 2014;

232(2):151-64. doi: 10.1002/path.4266.

# # #

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

April 30, 2018 16:05 ET (20:05 GMT)