• Sandoz is the first company to receive US approval to market a more affordable generic version of the leading hospital-based medication in the US
• US 2009 sales of Lovenox® were USD 2.7 billion
• Enoxaparin launch demonstrates Sandoz focus on differentiated and complex products, and underscores status as a global leader

According to IMS data enoxaparin sodium injection is the best-selling hospital medicine in the US, and has been described as the 'gold standard' for anti-thrombotic treatments.[2] Lovenox®, the reference product, recorded US sales of USD 2.7 billion in 2009  and has been used to treat an estimated 200 million patients worldwide since it was launched.[3]

"Sandoz is the first company to launch generic enoxaparin sodium in the US, delivering on our strategy of being first-to-market with key products, and underscoring our leadership in differentiated products," said Jeff George, global head of Sandoz. "We welcome the FDA decision to approve our enoxaparin application, and are now looking forward to significantly increasing patient and payor access to this vital medicine, by providing a high-quality, more affordable version."

The Sandoz product, developed in collaboration with Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc., is indicated for use in prophylaxis and for treatment of deep vein thrombosis, prophylaxis of ischemic complications of unstable angina and non-Q-wave myocardial infarction, and the treatment of acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI]

Enoxaparin, a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is an anticoagulant that helps to prevent thrombosis. Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot in the blood vessels in the absence of bleeding. Enoxaparin is made up of a complex blend of low molecular weight substances (oligosaccharides) derived from heparins, and therefore requires sophisticated analytical methods on the part of the manufacturer to ensure accurate and reliable characterization, development and production.   

Collaborating since 2003, Sandoz and Momenta provided the FDA with substantial data that demonstrated the equivalence of the Sandoz generic to Lovenox, and addressed potential immunogenicity issues. The FDA also denied two related Citizens' Petitions.

Sandoz specializes in the development, production and marketing of differentiated products ranging from biosimilars to complex injectables and inhalables. These products leverage complex ingredients, formulations, delivery mechanisms or underlying technologies to add value for patients and payors by going well beyond "standard" generics.

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Disclaimer

The foregoing release contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by terminology such as “should,” “potential,” “likelihood,” “will,” or similar expressions, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential future revenues from Omnitrope or any of Sandoz’s other biosimilar products. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements reflect the current views of the Company regarding future events, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. There can be no guarantee that Omnitrope or any of Sandoz’s other biosimilar products will achieve any levels of revenue in the future. In particular, management’s expectations regarding such products could be affected by, among other things, unexpected regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; competition in general; unexpected clinical trial results, including unexpected new clinical data and unexpected additional analysis of existing clinical data; government, industry and general public pricing pressures; the impact that the foregoing factors could have on the values attributed to the Group's assets and liabilities as recorded in the Group's consolidated balance sheet, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG’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 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.

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About Sandoz

Sandoz, a Division of the Novartis group, is a global leader in the field of generic pharmaceuticals, offering a wide array of high-quality, affordable products that are no longer protected by patents. Sandoz has a portfolio of approximately 1000 compounds and sells its products in more than 130 countries. Key product groups include antibiotics, treatments for central nervous system disorders, gastrointestinal medicines, cardiovascular treatments and hormone therapies. Sandoz develops, produces and markets these medicines along with pharmaceutical and biotechnological active substances and anti-infectives. In addition to strong organic growth in recent years, Sandoz has made a series of acquisitions including Lek (Slovenia), Sabex (Canada), Hexal (Germany) and Eon Labs (US), and EBEWE Pharma (Austria). In 2009, Sandoz employed around 23,000 people worldwide and posted sales of USD 7.5 billion.

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For further information

Eric Althoff, Novartis Global Media Relations, +41 61 32 47999,
eric.althoff@novartis.com

Chris Lewis, Sandoz Global Communications, +49 8024 476 2550,
chris.lewis@sandoz.com

Ted Deutsch, Sandoz US Communications, +1 609 6278500,
ted.deutsch@sandoz.com

Novartis Investor Relations

International:
Susanne Schaffert
Pierre-Michel Bringer
Thomas Hungerbuehler
Isabella Zinck

Central phone no: +41 61 324 7944

E-mail: investor.relations@novartis.com

North America:
Richard Jarvis +1 212 830 2433
Jill Pozarek +1 212 830 2445
Edwin Valeriano +1 212 830 2456

E-mail: investor.relations@novartis.com

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Footnotes:

[1] Lovenox® is a registered trademark of Sanofi-Aventis

[2] 2009 Sanofi-Aventis Shareholder Letter

[3] 2008  Sanofi-Aventis Annual Report