Novartis Responds to Request by French Market Authority


BASEL, Switzerland, March 12, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Responding to a request by AMF, the French market authority, Novartis AG confirms they are exploring the feasibility of a combination with Aventis. No decision has been taken yet whether or not to pursue such a transaction.

Please see full press release under the following link:

http://hugin.info/134323/R/937772/130081.pdf