Press Release: Novartis' Xolair(R) confirms -2-

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&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD

9.0 billion. Novartis Group companies employ approximately 119,000

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] Gulliver W et al. Omalizumab Dose Step-Up and Treatment Response in

Patients With Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria / Chronic Spontaneous

Urticaria: Results from the OPTIMA Study. Poster presented at the 26th

Congress of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV),

13-17 September 2017.

[2] Lynde C et al. Omalizumab Retreatment of Patients With Chronic

Idiopathic Urticaria / Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria Following Return of

Symptoms: Primary Results of the OPTIMA Study. Presented at the 26th

Congress of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV),

13-17 September 2017.

[3] Maurer M et al. The burden of chronic spontaneous urticaria is

substantial: Real-world evidence from ASSURE-CSU. Allergy 2017. Advanced

online publication. DOI:10.1111/all.13209

[4] Saini S, Bindslev-Jensen C, Maurer M et al. Efficacy and Safety of

Omalizumab in Patients with Chronic Idiopathic/Spontaneous Urticaria Who

Remain Symptomatic on H1 Antihistamines: A Randomized,

Placebo-Controlled Study. J Investigative Dermatology 2014;135:67-75

[5] Zuberbier T et al. The EAACI/GA(2) LEN/EDF/WAO Guideline for the

definition, classification, diagnosis, and management of urticaria: the

2013 revision and update. Allergy 2014; 69(7):e1-29.

[6] Maurer M et al. Unmet clinical needs in chronic spontaneous

urticaria. A GA2LEN task force report. Allergy 2011; 66: 317-330.

[7] Maurer M, Rosén K, Hsieh HJ et al. Omalizumab for the treatment

of chronic idiopathic or spontaneous urticaria. NEJM. 2013;

368(10):924-35.

[8] Kaplan A, Ledford D, Ashby M et al. Omalizumab in patients with

symptomatic chronic idiopathic/spontaneous urticaria despite standard

combination therapy. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2013 Jul;132(1):101-9.

[9] British Association of Dermatologists. Urticaria and angioedema.

Available online at:

http://www.bad.org.uk/shared/get-file.ashx?id=184&itemtype=document.

Last accessed June 2017.

[10] Sánchez-Borges M et al. Diagnosis and Treatment of Urticaria

and Angioedema: A Worldwide Perspective. WAO Journal 2012; 5: 125-147.

[11] O'Donnell BF et al. The impact of chronic urticaria on the quality

of life. British Journal of Dermatology 1997; 136: 197-201.

# # #

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 16, 2017 10:00 ET (14:00 GMT)