Novartis Delivers Dynamic Sales and Earnings Growth in the First Nine Months of 2006, Reaffirms Outlook for Record Full-Year Results

This release contains certain forward-looking statements relating to the Group's business, which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "potential", "pipeline", "confident", "expectations", "expected", "planned", "anticipated", "expects", "outlook", "preparing to launch", "are seen growing", "awaiting regulatory approval", "set to be completed", "scheduled", "remains on track", "plans" "is set for", "late-stage", "about to enter", "potentially", or similar expressions, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential future financial results or sales of new or existing products; potential new products, or potential new indications for existing products; or by other discussions of strategy, plans, expectations or intentions. Such statements reflect the current views of management with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. There can be no guarantee that the Group will achieve any particular financial results, or that any particular products will reach any particular sales levels. Neither can there be any guarantee that any new products will be approved for sale in any market, or that any new indications will be approved for existing products in any market. In particular, management's expectations could be affected by, among other things, uncertainties involved in the development of new pharmaceutical products, including unexpected clinical trial results; unexpected regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; the Group's ability to obtain or maintain patent or other proprietary intellectual property protection; competition in general; government, industry, and general public pricing pressures; the risk that the businesses Novartis has acquired will not be integrated successfully; the risk that the cost savings and any other synergies from the transactions may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; the risk that disruptions from the transactions may make it more difficult to maintain relationships with customers, employees or suppliers; and other risks and factors referred to in the Group's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. 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 AG (NYSE: NVS) is a world leader in offering medicines to protect health, cure disease and improve well-being. Our goal is to discover, develop and successfully market innovative products to treat patients, ease suffering and enhance the quality of life. Novartis is the only company with leadership positions in both patented and generic pharmaceuticals. We are strengthening our medicine-based portfolio, which is focused on strategic growth platforms in innovation-driven pharmaceuticals, high-quality and low-cost generics, human vaccines and leading self-medication OTC brands. In 2005, the Group's businesses achieved net sales of USD 32.2 billion and net income of USD 6.1 billion. Approximately USD 4.8 billion was invested in R&D. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ approximately 99,000 people and operate in over 140 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com .