Novartis has reached an agreement with Nestlé S.A. providing the right to acquire majority ownership of Alcon Inc. (NYSE: ACL) in two steps and add the world leader in eye care to its diversified portfolio focused on growth areas of healthcare.

The transaction's first step to purchase a 25% stake in Alcon from Nestlé for USD 11 billion is expected to be completed in the second half of 2008. The second step provides rights for Novartis to acquire, and Nestlé to sell, the remaining 52% Alcon stake held by Nestlé between January 2010 and July 2011.

Completion of these steps would make Alcon a majority-owned subsidiary of Novartis and further strengthen its healthcare-focused business portfolio of innovative medicines, high-quality low-cost generics, preventive vaccines, diagnostics and consumer health products, taking advantage of growth opportunities and cost synergies while mitigating risks.

The transition of Alcon's majority ownership to Novartis would also enhance the Group's longer-term growth prospects with greater access to the fast-growing eye care market, a specialty field with unmet patient needs and annual sales of about USD 25 billion in 2007.

Alcon is the world's largest and most profitable eye care company with 2007 annual sales of USD 5.6 billion, operating income of USD 1.9 billion and net income of USD 1.6 billion. Alcon offers a range of pharmaceutical, surgical and consumer eye care products used to treat diseases, disorders and other conditions of the eye.

"This acquisition furthers our strategy of accessing high-growth segments of the healthcare market while balancing inherent risks. The strategic fit of Alcon and Novartis is excellent with our complementary product portfolios and R&D synergies. Eye care will continue to grow dynamically as there is a growing unmet medical need driven primarily by the world's aging population," said Dr. Daniel Vasella, Chairman and CEO of Novartis.

Alcon leads the world eye care market
Alcon is a high-performing and well-managed global leader in eye care, with competitive leadership positions in all three of its business areas:

Surgical (2007 sales: USD 2.5 billion, +13%)
Alcon provides medical devices and products for ophthalmic surgery. The principal focus is cataract surgery where cataracts that cloud the eye's lens are broken up, removed and then replaced by an artificial intraocular lens. Other products include devices for vitreoretinal surgery involving conditions such as retinal detachment, macular holes and vitreous hemorrhage, as well as refractive laser surgical devices used primarily for vision correction procedures. The surgical business area offers attractive growth prospects given the rising incidence of eye diseases along with the world's aging population, medical advances and expansion in emerging markets.

Pharmaceuticals (2007 sales: USD 2.3 billion, +15%)
Alcon offers a range of specialized medicines for many eye diseases and conditions, including advanced treatments for glaucoma, eye infections and eye allergies. Leading products include TRAVATAN® solution for glaucoma, VIGAMOX® antibiotic solution for eye infections and the eye allergy solutions PATADAY® and PATANOL®. Strong double-digit sales growth has been achieved through market share gains, new product launches and global expansion.

Consumer (2007 sales: USD 0.8 billion, +15%)
Alcon provides an innovative portfolio of contact lens care products, including the OPTI-FREE® line, over-the-counter dry eye drops and ocular vitamins. Market share gains and expansion outside the US have supported recent growth.

Under the leadership of Cary Rayment, who has been with Alcon since 1989 and will remain as Chairman, President and CEO, Alcon has consistently outperformed its industry peers thanks to its focus on innovation, a broad product portfolio and strong sales force. Alcon's sales have risen 13% annually between 2002 and 2007, with operating income rising at a faster 22% annual pace during the same period.

With 14,500 associates in 75 countries, Alcon's sales are split nearly equally between the US and rest of the world, benefiting from both US and international expansion. Countries such as Brazil, Mexico, Russia and China are providing important contributions to Alcon's growth, with sales in emerging markets advancing 21% in 2007.

Alcon's broad and differentiated product range is underpinned by a consistent commitment to innovation, with R&D investments of USD 564 million in 2007 that represented 10% of sales. Over the next five years, Alcon plans to invest at least USD 3.5 billion to support the expansion of its pipeline, which includes more than 15 projects in late-stage development.

Founded in 1945, Alcon has maintained its focus on advancing standards for eye care. Alcon was acquired by Nestlé in 1978, and subsequently spun off in a partial initial public offering in 2002 on the New York Stock Exchange. Alcon is incorporated in Hünenberg, Switzerland, and its US operations are based in Fort Worth, Texas.

Transaction terms with Nestlé
Novartis and Nestlé have reached an agreement for a two-step transaction providing a path for the transfer and smooth transition to Novartis of Nestlé's ownership of 77% of Alcon's outstanding shares, which totaled 298.1 million as of April 4, 2008. These transactions will require regulatory approvals.

In the first step, Novartis will acquire a 25% stake in Alcon for about USD 11 billion through the purchase of approximately 74 million shares held by Nestlé. This reflects a per-share price of USD 143.18, which is Alcon's volume-weighted average share price between January 7, 2008, and April 4, 2008. Alcon's closing share price was USD 148.44 on April 4, the last trading day before the signing of this agreement.

In the second step, Novartis has the right to acquire Nestlé's remaining 52% majority stake in Alcon between January 1, 2010, and July 31, 2011, for a fixed price of USD 181 per share, or approximately USD 28 billion. During this period, Nestlé has the right to require Novartis to buy its remaining stake at a 20.5% premium to Alcon's share price at the time of exercise, but not exceeding USD 181 per share. Based on Alcon's closing share price on April 4, 2008, the combined premium would be a maximum of 13% to complete the two steps. Novartis has no obligation to purchase the remaining 23% of shares held by Alcon minority shareholders at any time.

Novartis intends to finance the purchase of the 25% Alcon stake in the first step from internal cash reserves and external short-term financing, with borrowing needs currently estimated at USD 5.5 billion. Financing for the second step would be supported by the Group's ongoing cash generation and further external borrowing.

Potential strategic benefits and synergies
Following completion of the transaction's first step, Novartis will have a representative on Alcon's Board of Directors. Alcon and Novartis will remain separate and independent companies.

If majority ownership is transferred from Nestlé during the second step, Novartis and Alcon will identify the best way to realize synergies from combining their complementary eye-related businesses.

Potential benefits could include creating a broader portfolio of eye care products, in particular with CIBA Vision's contact lens business and Novartis medicines such as Lucentis® for severe eye diseases not addressed by Alcon's portfolio. Other opportunities include R&D activities and an even more aggressive expansion in fast-growing regions, particularly Asia, where Novartis has long-standing operations. In addition, the relationships of Novartis with healthcare payors and strong health economics activities could contribute to Alcon's marketing programs.

On the other side, Alcon would help limit risks within the Novartis portfolio based on its diversified payor structure with reduced risks of price regulation, leadership in a specialty healthcare area, and greater access to businesses with discretionary consumer spending.

About Novartis
Novartis provides healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Focused on growth areas in healthcare, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, preventive vaccines and diagnostic tools, and consumer health products. Novartis is the only company with leading positions in these areas. In 2007, the Group's continuing operations (excluding divestments in 2007) achieved net sales of USD 38.1 billion and net income of USD 6.5 billion. Approximately USD 6.4 billion was invested in R&D activities throughout the Group. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ approximately 98,200 full-time associates and operate in over 140 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.