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Novartis International AG (NVS) Corporate news announcement processed and transmitted by Hugin ASA. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- * Strong strategic fit with Novartis thanks to Alcon's pharmaceutical, surgical and consumer eye care products businesses
* Strong strategic fit with Novartis thanks to Alcon's pharmaceutical, surgical and consumer eye care products businesses
Basel, July 8, 2008 - Novartis has acquired a 25% stake in Alcon Inc. (NYSE: ACL) as part of a definitive agreement with Nestlé S.A. reached in April 2008 that provides the right to acquire majority ownership of the world leader in eye care in two steps.
The first step was completed on July 7 when Novartis purchased the Alcon stake from Nestlé for approximately USD 10.4 billion in cash. This purchase price was approximately USD 200 million less than previously announced to account for the Alcon dividend paid in May 2008 for these shares to Nestlé rather than Novartis.
The optional second step provides rights for Novartis to acquire, and Nestlé to sell, the remaining 52% stake held by Nestlé between January 2010 and July 2011 for a price not exceeding approximately USD 28 billion.
Completion of the optional second step would make Alcon a majority-owned subsidiary of Novartis, strengthening a portfolio focused on growth areas of healthcare. This portfolio include innovative medicines, generic pharmaceuticals, preventive vaccines, diagnostics and consumer health products.
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.
Disclaimer This release contains forward-looking statements relating to the acquisition by Novartis of a minority stake in Alcon Inc., the proposed acquisition by Novartis of a majority stake in Alcon and to the Novartis' and Alcon's respective businesses. Such forward-looking statements are not historical facts and can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "would", "strengthen", or similar expressions, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential future sales or earnings of Novartis or Alcon; or by discussions of strategy, plans, expectations or intentions or potential synergies, strategic benefits or opportunities that may result from the minority stake acquisition or the proposed majority stake acquisition. Such forward-looking statements reflect the current plans, expectations, objectives, intentions or views of Novartis with respect to 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. In particular, there can be no guarantee that the proposed majority stake acquisition will be completed in the expected form or within the expected time frame or at all. Nor can there be any guarantee that Novartis or Alcon, or any of their divisions or business units, will achieve any particular future financial results or future growth rates or that Novartis and Alcon will be able to realize any of the potential synergies, strategic benefits or opportunities as a result of the minority stake acquisition or the proposed majority stake acquisition. Among other things, Novartis' expectations could be affected by unexpected regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally as well as other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's and Alcon Inc.'s current Forms 20-F on file with the U.S.Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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.
