Worldwide sales increased 10.6 percent to nearly $8.8 billion, including a favorable 2.4 percent effect of exchange rates. Excluding the expected decline in Depakote(R) sales due to generic competition, worldwide reported sales increased 12.7 percent. Full-year 2009 sales were $30.8 billion.

Novartis ended 2009 strongly, delivering double-digit net sales and earnings growth that reflected operational progress in all divisions and more favorable currency conditions over the 2008 period.

Bayer Schering Pharma AG, Germany has announced that an independent Data Safety and Monitoring Board (DSMB) has completed an interim analysis of a phase II trial (the LIPLONG study) of the company's long-acting recombinant factor VIII, BAY79-4980. The DSMB concluded that the study will not be able to achieve the predetermined efficacy endpoint (non-inferiority). No safety concerns were raised.

Bayer Schering Pharma AG, Germany has announced that an independent Data Safety and Monitoring Board (DSMB) has completed an interim analysis of a phase II trial (the LIPLONG study) of the company's long-acting recombinant factor VIII, BAY79-4980. The DSMB concluded that the study will not be able to achieve the predetermined efficacy endpoint (non-inferiority). No safety concerns were raised.

Novo Nordisk announced that the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has approved Victoza® for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Victoza® is the brand name for liraglutide, the first Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue approved in Japan, developed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

In the face of the unprecedented earthquake that hit the island of Haiti, sanofi-aventis has committed 1 million Euros in financial aid to long-term reconstruction initiatives and the rehabilitation of the population of Haiti.

Patients in Japan will benefit from the approval of three new Novartis medicines - Equa® (vildagliptin), marketed as Galvus® in the European Union, for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, Exforge® (valsartan/amlodipine) for high blood pressure, and Afinitor® (everolimus) for advanced kidney cancer. These approvals reinforce the strong commitment of Novartis to helping patients in Japan, the company's second-largest pharmaceutical market.