SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 or 15d-16 UNDER
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Report on Form 6-K dated March 24, 2004
(Commission File No. 1-15024)
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Novartis AG
(Name of Registrant)
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Lichtstrasse 35
4056 Basel
Switzerland
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:
Form 20-F: |X| Form 40-F: |_|
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as
permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):
Yes: |_| No: |X|
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as
permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):
Yes: |_| No: |X|
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes: |_| No: |X|
Enclosure: Press release, dated March 23, 2004
[NOVARTIS LOGO]
Novartis International AG
Novartis Global Communications
CH-4002 Basel
Switzerland
Internet Address:
http://www.novartis.com
Nehl Horton
Novartis Global Media Relations
Tel + 41 61 324 2200
nehl.horton@group.novartis.com
MEDIA RELEASE o COMMUNIQUE AUX MEDIAS o MEDIENMITTEILUNG
Novartis clarifies position regarding Aventis
Basel, 23 March 2004 - Following a second request from the French market
authority (AMF) to clarify its position regarding Aventis, Novartis confirmed
today that it had completed its feasibility study on a potential combination
with Aventis. This study concluded that a business case is viable.
A working hypothesis included a potential spin-off of non-core Aventis and
Novartis products into a new entity that would preserve jobs, specifically in
France and Germany, creating a pharmaceutical company with product development,
licensing and commercial operations including manufacturing.
Although the business case looks viable, the negative attitude of the French
Government has influenced Novartis' consideration to a point that it will only
enter into a negotiation phase if formally invited by the Aventis Supervisory
Board and if the French Government assumed a neutral position.
The company stated that neither negotiations nor discussions about price have
taken place.
Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS) is a world leader in pharmaceuticals and consumer
health. In 2003, the Group's businesses achieved sales of USD 24.9 billion and a
net income of USD 5.0 billion. The Group invested approximately USD 3.8 billion
in R&D. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ
about 78,500 people and operate in over 140 countries around the world.
This release contains certain "forward-looking statements" relating to the
Group's business, intentions or expectations. Such statements reflect the
current views of the Group with respect to future events and are subject to
certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. There can be no guarantee
regarding the existence or nonexistence of any major acquisitions in the future.
Many factors can cause actual events to be materially different from the Group's
current intentions or expectations.
For further information please consult http://www.novartis.com.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
Novartis AG has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
NOVARTIS AG
Date: March 24, 2004 By: /s/ URS BAERLOCHER
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Name: Urs Baerlocher
Title: General Counsel