Novartis : Alcon launches Dailies Total1® Multifocal contact lenses, the first and only water gradient lenses designed for people with presbyopia

Novartis International AG / Alcon launches Dailies Total1® Multifocal contact lenses, the first and only water gradient lenses designed for people with presbyopia . Processed and transmitted by NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

• Presbyopia is an eye condition that is part of natural aging affecting nearly 2 billion people worldwide.[1]
   
• Dailies Total1® Multifocal contact lenses provide a seamless visual experience offering an alternative to bifocals or reading glasses.
   
• They are designed to uniquely address end-of-day dryness and discomfort many contact lens wearers experience after age 40.[4]-[10]

Basel, July 14, 2016 - Alcon, the global leader in eye care and a division of Novartis, introduces Dailies Total1 Multifocal contact lenses for people with presbyopia. This innovative multifocal lens provides both seamless distant, intermediate and near vision, and the outstanding comfort of the Dailies Total1 water gradient lens technology.[1],[4]-[6] Dailies Total1 Multifocal contact lenses use Alcon's Precision Profile(TM) lens design, a design also included in Alcon's Air Optix® Aqua and Dailies Aqual Comfort Plus® multifocal contact lenses.

Presbyopia is an eye condition that is part of natural aging that generally begins after age 40.[1] It is the gradual decline of the eye's ability to focus on nearby objects, causing them to appear blurry and out of focus. Presbyopia affects nearly 2 billion people worldwide. Many contact lens wearers discontinue the use of contact lenses after age 40 due to dryness, discomfort and visual acuity issues.[2]-[3]

"Presbyopia can have a significant impact on people's quality of life as they get older", said Mike Ball, CEO, Alcon. "With Dailies Total1 Multifocal, Alcon has designed a unique contact lens that answers to the increased need for comfort and the expectation of a seamless visual experience of people with presbyopia."

The Dailies Total1 water gradient technology reduces end-of-day dryness, [4],[5] as the water content approaches nearly 100% at the outermost surface of the lens.[5],[6] The "hydrophilic" (water-loving) surface of the lens is almost as soft as the surface of the cornea (corneal epithelium) to enhance comfort,[6],[11]-[12] while the innovative optical design of this new multifocal lens offers a smooth progression of power designed to provide a seamless experience between distant, intermediate and near vision[13].

Dailies Total1 Multifocal contact lenses are commercially available in Australia, Canada, United States and Switzerland as of July 27 and are expected to be available in various EU countries by September 1.

About Dailies Total1^® Multifocal Contact Lenses
Dailies Total1^® Multifocal contact lenses are designed for people with presbyopia and are intended to be used on a daily disposable basis. The contact lenses are available with a power range of - 6.00 to + 3.00D and three ADD powers (Low, Med, High). In most markets, Dailies Total1 Multifocal contact lenses are medical devices that must be prescribed by an eye care professional. See product instructions for complete wear, care, and safety information.

About Presbyopia
Much like adjusting the focus on a camera, the natural lens within the eye of people under 40 years of age changes shape to properly focus on objects at different distances. As the eye ages, it loses its ability to adjust, resulting in diminished up-close vision. Presbyopia develops gradually, with most people developing symptoms by their early to mid-40s. The most common symptoms of presbyopia are blurred vision at normal reading distance, including while wearing normal glasses or contact lenses, headaches, eyestrain and fatigue while reading or doing close-up work. Nearly everyone experiences presbyopia; scientists believe this to be a natural part of aging that cannot be prevented; however, there are many treatment options for presbyopia including bifocals, reading glasses, and multifocal contact lenses.

Disclaimer
The foregoing release contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by words such as "launches," "introduces," "expected," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals for Dailies Total1 Multifocal contact lenses, or regarding potential future revenues from Dailies Total1 Multifocal contact lenses, Air Optix Aqua Multifocal contact lenses, Dailies AquaComfort Plus Multifocal contact lenses, and the other products in Alcon's multifocal contact lens portfolio. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of management regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that Dailies Total1 Multifocal contact lenses or any of the other products in Alcon's multifocal contact lens portfolio will be submitted or approved for sale in any additional markets, or at any particular time. Neither can there be any guarantee that Dailies Total1 Multifocal contact lenses or any of the other products in Alcon's multifocal contact lens portfolio will be submitted or approved for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that Dailies Total1 Multifocal contact lenses or any of the other products in Alcon's multifocal contact lens portfolio will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, management's expectations regarding Dailies Total1 Multifocal contact lenses and the other products in Alcon's multifocal contact lens portfolio could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including unexpected clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; unexpected regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; the company's ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; general economic and industry conditions; global trends toward health care cost containment, including ongoing pricing pressures; unexpected safety, quality or manufacturing issues, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Novartis
Novartis provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, eye care and cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals. Novartis is the only global company with leading positions in these areas. In 2015, the Group achieved net sales of USD 49.4 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 8.9 billion (USD 8.7 billion excluding impairment and amortization charges). Novartis Group companies employ approximately 118,000 full-time-equivalent associates. Novartis products are available in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.

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References
[1] Market Scope, Global Presbyopia-Correcting Surgery Market Report, April 2012
[2] Alcon data on file, 2013.
[3] Alcon data on file, 2015.
[4] Pérez-Gómez I, Giles T. European survey of contact lens wearers and eye care professionals on satisfaction with a new water gradient daily disposable contact lens. Clin Optom. 2014;6:17-23.
[5] Alcon data on file 2015.
[6] Dunn A, Uruena J, Huo Y, et al. Lubricity of surface hydrogel layers. Tribol Lett. 2013;49:371-378.
[7] Thekveli S, Qui Y, Kapoor Y, Liang W, Pruitt J. Structure-property relationship of delefilcon A lenses. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2012;35(Suppl 1):e14.
[8] Pruitt J, Qiu Y, Thekveli S, Hart R. Surface characterization of a water gradient silicone hydrogel contact lens (delefilcon A). Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2012;53:E-Abstract 6107.
[9] Alcon data on file, 2012.
[10] Alcon data on file, 2010.
[11] Angelini T, Nixon R, Dunn A, et al. Viscoelasticity and mesh size at the surface of hydrogels characterized with microrheology. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2013;54:E-Abstract 500.
[12] Alcon data on file, 2013.
[13] Alcon data on file, 2016.
[14] http://myeyes.com/presbyopia/what-is-presbyopia.shtml

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