Press Release: Real-world data show Novartis drug -2-

in the ankles, feet, and legs.

The most common side effects of Promacta when used to treat severe

aplastic anemia (SAA) are: nausea, feeling tired, cough, diarrhea,

headache, pain in arms, legs, hands or feet, shortness of breath, fever,

dizziness, pain in nose or throat, abdominal pain, bruising, muscle

spasms, abnormal liver function tests, joint pain, and runny nose.

Laboratory tests may show abnormal changes to the cells in bone marrow.

The most common side effects of Promacta when used to treat adults and

pediatric patients 2 years and older with SAA in combination with

standard immunosuppressive therapy are: abnormal liver function tests,

rash and skin discoloration including darkening of skin patches

(hyperpigmentation).

Please see full Prescribing Information:

https://www.pharma.us.novartis.com/sites/www.pharma.us.novartis.com/files/promacta.pdf

, including Boxed WARNING and Medication Guide, for Promacta(R).

Disclaimer

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the

meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of

1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words

such as "potential," "can," "will," "plan," "expect," "anticipate,"

"look forward," "believe," "committed," "investigational," "pipeline,"

"launch," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions

regarding potential marketing approvals, new indications or labeling for

the investigational or approved products described in this press release,

or regarding potential future revenues from such products. You should

not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking

statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding

future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks

and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties

materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual

results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking

statements. There can be no guarantee that the investigational or

approved products described in this press release will be submitted or

approved for sale or for any additional indications or labeling in any

market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that

such products will be commercially successful in the future. In

particular, our expectations regarding such products could be affected

by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and

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AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange

Commission. 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.

Optum(R) is a registered trademark of UnitedHealth Group.

About Novartis

Novartis is reimagining medicine to improve and extend people's lives.

As a leading global medicines company, we use innovative science and

digital technologies to create transformative treatments in areas of

great medical need. In our quest to find new medicines, we consistently

rank among the world's top companies investing in research and

development. Novartis products reach nearly 1 billion people globally

and we are finding innovative ways to expand access to our latest

treatments. About 125 000 people of more than 140 nationalities work at

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References

[1] National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Immune

Thrombocytopenia.

https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/immune-thrombocytopenia.

Accessed October 2, 2018.

# # #

Novartis Media Relations

Central media line: +41 61 324 2200

E-mail: media.relations@novartis.com

Eric Althoff Michael Billings

Novartis Global Media Relations Benign Hematology Communications

+41 61 324 7999 (direct) +1 862 778 8656 (direct)

+41 79 593 4202 (mobile) +1 201 400 1854 (mobile)

eric.althoff@novartis.com michael.billings@novartis.com

Novartis Investor Relations

Central investor relations line: +41 61 324 7944

E-mail: investor.relations@novartis.com

Central North America

Samir Shah +41 61 324 7944 Richard Pulik +1 212 830 2448

Pierre-Michel Bringer +41 61 324 1065 Cory Twining +1 212 830 2417

Thomas Hungerbuehler +41 61 324 8425

Isabella Zinck +41 61 324 7188

Media release (PDF): http://hugin.info/134323/R/2227503/874517.pdf

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The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely

responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information

contained therein.

Source: Novartis International AG via Globenewswire

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Novartis International AG

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http://www.novartis.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

December 02, 2018 10:15 ET (15:15 GMT)