ALZHEIMER'S MEDICATION, EXELON*(R), DEMONSTRATES ROBUST EFFECT ON COGNITIVE FUNCTION AND FUNCTIONAL ABILITY

Amsterdam, The Netherlands, (OTS) - The largest impact on
cognitive function published to date in Phase lll trials with
Alzheimer's disease patients was demonstrated in trials of Exelon®
(rivastigmine, ENA-713), according to new research published in the
current issue of the International Journal ofGeriatric
Psychopharmacology (volume I, issue 2). Exelon belongs to a new
generation of potent, brain-selective acetylcholinesterase (AChE)
inhibitors.

According to newly published results of this 26-week
placebo-controlled study involving nearly 700 participants, more than
half (56%) of patients treated with 6-12 mg/day of Exelon showed
either improvementor stabilization in their cognitive function at the
completion of thetrial according to the ADAS-Cog, a common cognitive
measurement scale. In contrast, the majority of patients receiving
placebo experienced the progressive deterioration in cognitive
abilities generally observed in mild to moderately severe Alzheimer's
disease.

The study findings also confirm that many patients treated with
Exelon maintained, and in some cases improved their functional
ability. As such, these patients were better able to perform both
simple andcomplex activities of daily living, such as dressing
independently andtraveling without getting lost as measured by the
PDS scale, a caregiver rated measure of activities of daily living.

"On all outcomes measures, Exelon provided meaningful benefit for
patients with Alzheimer's disease," said Dr. Jody Corey-Bloom, MD,
Ph.D., lead author of the study group. "By improving or stabilizing
cognition and prolonging patients' ability to engage in activities of
daily living, Exelon helps enhance their functional ability and
offersa measure of relief for increasingly burdened caregivers."

Alzheimer's is a progressive, degenerative disease that alters brain
activity and causes impaired memory, thinking and behavior. It
affects more than 10 million people worldwide and is often diagnosed
late and therefore can remain untreated. Diagnosing and treating
Alzheimer's disease with drug therapies that enhance cognition and
functional ability have the potential to help preserve or improve the
quality of life for patients, their relatives and caregivers.

Exelon, a new medication for Alzheimer's disease marketed by Novartis
Pharma, is indicated for the treatment of mild to moderately severe
Alzheimer's dementia in the European Union and numerous countries
worldwide, including Switzerland, Mexico and Argentina. The published
study results are part of the multi-national, Phase III program
knownas ADENA, which involved more than 100 centers and 3,300
patients withmild to moderately severe Alzheimer's disease. The most
common side effects seen with Exelon are consistent with this class
of medication and include those that were gastro-intestinal in
nature, which were mild to moderate in intensity and occurred during
the titration phase of the study.

Novartis is a world leader in Life Sciences, with core business in
Healthcare, Agribusiness and Nutrition. In 1997, Novartis Group
sales were 31.2 billion Swiss francs, of which 18.8 billion were in
Healthcare, 8.3 billion in Agribusiness and 4.1 billion in Nutrition.
The company annually invests more than 3.6 billion Swiss francs in
R&D. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis employs about
87,000 people and operates in more than 100 countries around the
world.

* Exelon(R) is a trademark of Novartis AG

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