Now Available, New Stalevo Addresses Top Parkinson's Disease Concern
Wednesday September 17, 8:32 am ET

EAST HANOVER, N.J., Sept. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation today announced that a new treatment
for Parkinson's disease, Stalevo(TM) (carbidopa, levodopa and entacapone) tablets, is now available in U.S. pharmacies.
Indicated for patients with signs and symptoms of end-of- dose "wearing off," this enhanced levodopa therapy
significantly improves Parkinson's disease patients' ability to control body movements and the ability to perform basic
functions such as walking and dressing versus previously available forms of levodopa. Stalevo is the first new
treatment for Parkinson's disease in three years, and the first new form of levodopa in more than a decade.

"Levodopa is the most effective drug for treating the symptoms of Parkinson's disease," said C. Warren Olanow, MD,
chairman and professor of Neurology at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. "With Stalevo, we can enhance
the effects of levodopa and more effectively treat problems such as end-of-dose 'wearing off' that complicate the long-
term use of regular levodopa and limit its utility. Stalevo thus represents an important advance in our ability to
treat Parkinson's disease patients."

A recent Harris Interactive survey found that 55 percent of Parkinson's disease patients on an older form of levodopa
cited "wearing off" of their medication as the biggest treatment challenge they face (n=300). In addition, 92 percent
of physicians surveyed said that the re-emergence of Parkinson's disease symptoms due to "wearing off" was a
significant concern about levodopa, with nearly half citing "wearing off" as the one biggest challenge (n=456). The
survey was conducted in partnership with the National Parkinson Foundation (NPF).

"This survey reinforces our belief that end-of-dose 'wearing off' is a major concern for both Parkinson's patients and
healthcare providers. Within only one to two years, nearly half of people receiving levodopa experience this
phenomenon, so many will potentially be aided by the benefits of Stalevo," noted Abraham Lieberman, MD, medical
director of the NPF.

About Stalevo

Stalevo is a new form of levodopa therapy that targets end-of-dose "wearing off" by combining levodopa, the most widely
used agent for treating Parkinson's disease, with carbidopa and entacapone. While carbidopa reduces the side effects of
levodopa, entacapone extends its benefits, permitting Parkinson's disease patients to have an improved ability to
perform everyday tasks, as well as a reduction in symptoms associated with the disease. Stalevo simplifies treatment
for many patients by providing three medications in one tablet, which reduces the number of tablets that patients need
to take daily.

The effectiveness of levodopa administered with carbidopa and entacapone in the treatment of Parkinson's disease was
established in three 24-week multicenter, randomized, double blind placebo-controlled trials in patients with
Parkinson's disease experiencing "wearing off." In these trials, this combination increased "on" time (the period where
patients experience no symptoms), reduced "off" time (the period where the patients' symptoms return) and improved
motor function and daily activities such as patients' ability to walk and dress. In addition, in a separate study, most
patients regarded Stalevo as easier to dose, use, handle and swallow.

The most common side effects of Stalevo therapy are dopaminergic in nature (e.g. dyskinesia, nausea). These side
effects may be manageable with alteration in the drug dosing schedule. Other common side effects include diarrhea,
hyperkinesias, urine discoloration, hypokinesia, abdominal pain, dizziness, constipation, fatigue, pain and
hallucinations. For full prescribing information, visit www.stalevo.com or call 1-866-STALEVO (866-782- 5386).

Stalevo was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in June 2003 and is marketed by Novartis
Pharmaceuticals Corporation and manufactured by Orion Pharma.

About Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease, a chronic and progressive neurological condition, affects approximately 1.5 million Americans.
While its cause is unknown, the symptoms of Parkinson's disease are primarily the result of degeneration of
dopaminergic cells, or neurons, in the substantia nigra, a part of the brain that controls and modulates movement.
Symptoms include limbs that tremble; slowness of movement; stiffness and rigidity of limbs and gait or balance
problems. As the disease progresses, these symptoms usually increase and impact a person's ability to work and
function.

This release contains certain forward-looking statements relating to Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation's business,
which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as "new", "can" and "will" or similar
expressions, or by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. Such forward looking statements involve known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from any
future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Commercialization can be affected
by, amongst other things, uncertainties relating to regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally,
the ability to obtain or maintain patent or other proprietary intellectual property protection and competition in
general, as well as factors discussed in the Company's Form 20F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect,
actual results may vary materially from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated or expected.

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation researches, develops, manufacturers and markets leading innovative prescription
drugs used to treat a number of diseases and conditions, including central nervous system disorders, organ
transplantation, cardiovascular diseases, dermatological diseases, respiratory disorders, cancer and arthritis. The
company's mission is to improve people's lives by pioneering novel healthcare solutions.

Located in East Hanover, New Jersey, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation is an affiliate of Novartis AG. Novartis AG
(NYSE: NVS - News) is a world leader in pharmaceuticals and consumer health. In 2002, the Group's businesses achieved
sales of USD 20.9 billion and a net income of USD 4.7 billion. The Group invested approximately USD 2.8 billion in R&D.
Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ about 77,200 people and operate in over 140
countries around the world. For further information please consult http://www.novartis.com.

For more information and for a copy of the complete prescribing information, please contact:

Media
Kate King, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
Office: 862 778 5588
Matthew Audette, Feinstein Kean Healthcare
Office:  413 585 8979

Investor Relations
Kamran Tavangar, Novartis Corporation
Office: 212 830 2433

Source: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation

SOURCE: Yahoo News (press release)
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030917/new001_1.html

* * *

----------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask]
In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn