Novartis to showcase heart failure leadership at ESC Congress 2014 with results on new first of its type medicine LCZ696

• -- LCZ696 significantly reduced cardiovascular deaths in head to head study against enalapril, in addition to current best treatment, in patients with HF-REF
• -- PARADIGM-HF is the largest heart failure study ever conducted - stopped early in March 2014 due to compelling efficacy[1,2]
• -- LCZ696 recently granted FDA Fast Track status - rolling submission expected to be complete by end of year[3]

EAST HANOVER, N.J., Aug. 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- New data revealing the reduction in cardiovascular (CV) deaths with Novartis' LCZ696 in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HF-REF) will be presented at the world's largest cardiology congress, the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2014, on Sunday August 31^st at 08.30 CET (2:30AM EDT). The data will also be highlighted in the official ESC press conference on Saturday August 30^th at 13.00 CET (7:00AM EDT). The study met the primary endpoint showing LCZ696 reduced heart failure hospitalizations along with CV deaths.

The 8,442 patient study, PARADIGM-HF, was specifically designed to see if LCZ696 could increase survival over and above what can be achieved with ACE-inhibitor enalapril in addition to current best treatment in HF-REF patients¹. In March 2014 the Data Monitoring Committee overseeing the study confirmed those given LCZ696 were significantly less likely to die from CV causes, leading to the trial being closed early.

Over 5 million people suffer from heart failure in the United States, facing a high risk of death and poor quality of life, despite currently available medicines^4,5,6. As a serious condition with an urgent need for new treatments, the FDA has granted LCZ696 Fast Track designation, which can expedite the review of new medicines intended to treat serious or life-threatening conditions. Fast Track designation also allows for rolling submission in the US, which Novartis expects to complete by the end of 2014.

The scientific presentation at the ESC Congress 2014 will include safety data from the study showing LCZ696 was well-tolerated and side effects manageable. 10 further presentations throughout the ESC Congress 2014 will provide a wider overview of Novartis's ongoing research in heart failure and other areas of cardiology.

Novartis presentations on LCZ696 at ESC include:

• 7 abstracts (2 oral presentations and 5 posters):
  • Results of the Prospective comparison of ARNI with ACEI to Determine Impact on Global Mortality and morbidity in Heart Failure trial (PARADIGM-HF) (#881), M Packer - Hot Line: Cardiovascular disease: novel therapies – Sunday August 31^st, 08:30 - 10:20 (08:30 - 08:45)
  • Results of the Prospective comparison of ARNI with ACEI to Determine Impact on Global Mortality and morbidity in Heart Failure trial (PARADIGM-HF) (#1115), J McMurray, M Packer - Meet the Trialist I: PARADIGM-HF – Sunday August 31^st, 10:10 - 10:50 (10:10)
  • High prevalence of elevated high sensitivity troponin-T and reduction in levels by LCZ696 in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in the PARAMOUNT trial (#P5847), P S Jhund - Moderated Posters: Defining prognosis in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction – Tuesday September 2^nd, 15:30 - 16:30 (15:55)

About LCZ696 
LCZ696, an investigational twice a day tablet for heart failure, acts in a unique multimodal way to enhance the protective neurohormonal system of the heart (NP system) while simultaneously suppressing the harmful system (the RAAS)^7,8,9. Known as an ARNI (Angiotensin Receptor Neprilysin Inhibitor) LCZ696 is thought to reduce the strain on the failing heart, promoting the ability of the heart muscle to recover^7,9.

About the PARADIGM-HF study 
PARADIGM-HF is a randomized, double-blind, Phase III outcome study evaluating the efficacy and safety profile of LCZ696 versus enalapril (a widely used ACE inhibitor) in 8,442 patients with HF-REF^1,2. It was specifically designed to see if LCZ696 could increase survival by at least 15% over and above what can be achieved with enalapril in addition to current best treatment in HF-REF patients. The primary outcome is a composite of time to first occurrence of either cardiovascular death or heart failure hospitalization, and is the largest heart failure study ever done. It was initiated in December 2009 and in March 2014 the Data Monitoring Committee confirmed those given LCZ696 were significantly less likely to die from CV causes, leading to the trial being stopped early.

About heart failure 
Heart failure is a progressive, debilitating disease where the heart is unable to pump enough blood throughout the body. Symptoms such as breathlessness, fatigue and fluid retention can appear slowly and worsen over time, significantly impacting quality of life^10,11. Approximately half of patients have the HF-REF form of the disease¹².

Heart failure presents a major and growing health-economic burden that currently exceeds $30 billion in the United States, which accounts for both direct and indirect costs⁴. As such, there is a high unmet need for new treatments that reduce cardiovascular mortality and the frequency of hospitalization.

Disclaimer 
The foregoing release contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by words such as "to showcase," "expected," "will," "can," "expects," "investigational," "growing," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals for LCZ696, or regarding potential future revenues from LCZ696. 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 LCZ696 will be approved for sale in any market, or submitted for approval in any additional markets, or at any particular time. Neither can there be any guarantee that LCZ696 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 LCZ696 will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, management's expectations regarding LCZ696 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 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 Pharmaceuticals Corporation researches, develops, manufactures and markets innovative medicines aimed at improving patients' lives. We offer a broad range of medicines for cancer, cardiovascular disease, endocrine disease, inflammatory disease, infectious disease, neurological disease, organ transplantation, psychiatric disease, respiratory disease and skin conditions. 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, which 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, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, preventive vaccines, over-the-counter and animal health products. Novartis is the only global company with leading positions in these areas. In 2013, the Group achieved net sales of USD 57.9 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 9.9 billion (USD 9.6 billion excluding impairment and amortization charges). Novartis Group companies employ approximately 135,000 full-time-equivalent associates and sell products in more than 150 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.

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References

1. Clinicaltrials.gov. This Study Will Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of LCZ696 Compared to Enalapril on Morbidity and Mortality of Patients With Chronic Heart Failure (PARADIGM-HF). NCT01035255. http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01035255. Accessed July 29, 2014.
2. Novartis. PARADIGM-HF trial of Novartis' LCZ696 for chronic heart failure closes early based on strength of interim results. Novartis U.S. Newsroom. March 31, 2014. http://www.novartis.com/newsroom/media-releases/en/2014/1772754.shtml. Accessed July 31, 2014.
3. Novartis. Novartis maintained strong innovation momentum in second quarter, while reconfirming full year outlook. Media Release. July 2014.  http://www.novartis.com/newsroom/media-releases/en/2014/1828193.shtml. Accessed July 31, 2014.
4. Go A, Mozaffarian D, Roger V, et al. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics−−2014 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2014, 4; 129: e28-e292.
5. Junger J, Schellberg D, Kraemer S, et al. Health related quality of life in patients with congestive heart failure: comparison with other chronic diseases and relation to functional variables. Heart. 2002; 87(3): 235-241.
6. Tomaselli G, Zipes D. What causes sudden death in heart failure? Circulation Research. 2004; 95(8): 754-763.
7. McMurray JJ, Packer M, Desai AS, et al. Dual angiotensin receptor and neprilysin inhibition as an alternative to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition in patients with chronic systolic heart failure: rationale for and design of the Prospective comparison of ARNI with ACEI to Determine Impact on Global Mortality and morbidity in Heart Failure trial (PARADIGM-HF). Eur J Heart Fail. 2013;15: 1062-1073. doi:10.1093/eurjhf/hft052.
8. Gu J, Noe A, Chandra P, et al. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of LCZ696, a novel dual-acting angiotensin receptor−neprilysin inhibitor (ARNi). J Clin Pharmacol. 2010;50: 401-14.
9. Solomon SD, Zile M, Pieske B, et al. The angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor LCZ696 in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a phase 2 double-blind randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2012; 380:1387-95.
10. Fauci A, Longo D. Disorders of the Heart. Harrison's 'Principles of Internal Medicine. 17^th ed. 2008; 4: 1442-55.
11. Mosterd A and Hoes AW. Clinical Epidemiology of Heart Failure. Heart 2007;93: 1137-1146. doi:10.1136/hrt.2003.025270.
12. Vasan R, Larson M, Benjamin E, et al. Congestive Heart Failure in Subjects with Normal Versus Reduced Left Ventricle Ejection Fraction. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 1999; 33(7). 

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SOURCE Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation