Novartis AGEuropean health authorities have supported changes proposed by Novartis to prescribing information for Galvus® (vildagliptin), opening the way for the formal regulatory approval of these changes as well as the launch in the European Union of this new oral treatment for patients with type 2 diabetes.

Galvus received European Union approval in September 2007 for use in patients in combination with the anti-diabetes medicines metformin, thiazolidinedione (TZD) or a sulphonylurea (SU). This approval included the use of Galvus in 50 mg once-daily, 50 mg twice-daily and 100 mg once-daily doses.

In November 2007, Novartis provided a safety update to European regulators of pooled data that showed liver enzyme elevations were numerically less frequent in patients taking the 50 mg once-daily or 50 mg twice-daily doses compared to the 100 mg once-daily dose.

As a result, Novartis proposed changes to the prescribing information of Galvus to the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use. The CHMP has issued a positive opinion recommending approval of Galvus at 50 mg once-daily in combination with an SU, or 50 mg twice-daily in combination with metformin or a TZD. The 100 mg once-daily dose will not be available.

The European Commission generally follows the CHMP's recommendations and is expected to issue a decision within three months. As a result, Galvus is expected to be made available to patients in the first European Union countries in the first half of 2008.

The analysis of pooled data further characterized a known imbalance in liver enzyme levels, resulting in a recommendation not to prescribe Galvus to patients with liver impairment and to conduct liver monitoring at the start of treatment, every three months for the first year, and then periodically thereafter.

As a member of the new class of DPP-4 inhibitors, Galvus works through a novel mechanism of action by targeting the dysfunction in the pancreatic islets that causes high blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Islet dysfunction, along with insulin resistance, is a contributory factor to type 2 diabetes, a progressive disease in which control of blood sugar deteriorates over time.

Controlling blood sugar levels is difficult even among patients receiving treatment, and more than half of patients with type 2 diabetes currently taking medicines are still not reaching their blood sugar goals[3]. When left untreated or not kept under control, type 2 diabetes can lead to heart and kidney disease, blindness, and vascular or neurological problems[2].

More than 21,000 patients have participated in the Galvus clinical trial program to date, including approximately 10,000 treated with Galvus. The medicine is currently available in Brazil and Mexico. In February 2007, Novartis received an "approvable letter" from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is in discussions with the agency. Novartis will continue working with health authorities to review the recent analysis and to revise prescribing information for Galvus as appropriate.

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. 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. Novartis is the only company with leadership positions in these areas. In 2006, the Group's businesses achieved net sales of USD 37.0 billion and net income of USD 7.2 billion. Approximately USD 5.4 billion was invested in R&D. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ approximately 100,000 associates and operate in over 140 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.

References
[1] International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Diabetes Atlas estimates there are 31 million people with diabetes in the European Union. The IDF estimates that in developed nations, 85-95% of all cases of diabetes are type 2 diabetes. 90% of those with diabetes equates to 28 million with type 2 diabetes in the European Union.
[2] International Diabetes Federation Diabetes Atlas. Third edition 2006: http://www.eatlas.idf.org/
[3] Saydah S. et al. Poor Control of Risk Factors for Vascular Disease Among Adults With Previously Diagnosed Diabetes. JAMA 2004: 291(3): 335-342.