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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