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The announcement of a $2.8 million dollar investment by Novartis Animal Health Canada Inc. in its research and development (R&D) facilities in Victoria is welcome news for the Prince Edward Island economy, says Premier Robert Ghiz.

“We are proud to be working with Novartis as it continues to invest in and expand its Island operations, and employ more than 95 individuals,” says Premier Ghiz. “The addition of new laboratories and office space in Victoria means more jobs, a stronger economy and significant research contributions for the sustainability of our fisheries. On behalf of all Islanders, I applaud this important corporate citizen as a vital part of Prince Edward Island’s bioscience cluster.”

Representing a major expansion of its facilities, this new investment enhances Novartis’ capabilities in vaccine and novel pharmaceutical drug development focused on the aquaculture industry and further strengthens the company’s presence on the Island. Premier Ghiz, joined by senior Novartis representatives and staff from the Victoria research facility, highlighted the important and ongoing contributions Novartis has made to the province’s lifesciences industry through investments in research, human resources and infrastructure in Charlottetown and rural areas.

“Innovation and long-term sustainable growth are shared priorities for Novartis and the Government of Prince Edward Island,” says Dr. Riad Sherif B., President of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. “Today’s announcement was made possible by the government’s commitment to leading and advancing its lifesciences industry now and into the future. We look forward to continuing to grow our Novartis presence on the Island.”

The expansion of the Novartis facility in Victoria will take place in two phases over the coming months and into 2012. Fourteen new employees have already been hired to support increased R&D activity. Phase I will provide new state-of-the-art laboratory space for the end of 2011 and Phase II will provide increased office and meeting space in 2012.

“Prince Edward Island is an ideal location for our aqua health research and development and manufacturing activities because of the dedication of the Province of Prince Edward Island to aquaculture, and organizations such as the PEI BioAlliance,” says Frank Carochi, Business Unit Head, Novartis Animal Health Canada Inc. “Furthermore, the Island is an excellent place to live and a natural fit for our employees who not only like to work in a dynamic environment, but also want to be active members of their communities.”

In addition to the research and development plant located in Victoria, Novartis has three locations in the Charlottetown area, two for product development and one housing vaccine production. Novartis has recently completed the second phase of expansion at its Charlottetown facilities, allowing for greater production and enhanced development laboratories.

Bioscience is one of four strategic sectors targeted for investment and development identified in the Prince Edward Island government’s Island Prosperity Strategy. Since the implementation of the Island Prosperity Strategy in 2009, the bioscience sector has increased revenues to $78 million and added 200 full-time positions. In 2009, Bioscience made up 2.1 per cent of PEI’s GDP.

For more information on the Island Prosperity Strategy, visit www.gov.pe.ca/ial.

For more information on Novartis in Canada, visit www.novartis.ca.

BACKGROUNDER

Novartis Animal Health Canada Inc. ─ Prince Edward Island Investments & Activities

Novartis Animal Health Canada Inc. is dedicated to developing highly effective fish health management tools. These will enable aquaculturists to meet the growing demand for fish production with improved health management solutions for farmed fish.

Novartis developed the first licensed vaccines against several salmon viruses including infectious salmon anaemia and infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus. Both were world “firsts,” as were several other Novartis Aqua Health products. More are in the pipeline, with researchers actively pursuing several other viral pathogens of salmon and other cultured fish species.

Much of this research takes place at the Novartis Centre for Aqua Research and Development on Prince Edward Island. This state-of-the-art facility is designed to bring to the marketplace new and innovative vaccine and pharmaceutical solutions for preventing and controlling disease-causing pathogens in farmed fish. This facility is one of six R&D centres for the global Novartis Animal Health business, which also develops medicines for pets and livestock.

As another demonstration of its ongoing commitment to the global aquaculture industry, Novartis has funded a Research Chair in Fish Health at the Atlantic Veterinary College at the University of Prince Edward Island.

In all, Novartis Animal Health Canada has 95 associates at four different sites on the island. Prince Edward Island has been a beneficial place for Novartis to invest. The company receives excellent support from the PEI government and from the PEI BioAlliance, while also benefiting from its relationships with the University of PEI and the Atlantic Veterinary College.

In Victoria, a group of about 30 scientists works on the research and development of innovative vaccines for the prevention of viral and bacterial diseases in fish, as well as control of sea lice.

Over the past five years, Novartis Animal Health Canada has continued to invest in the company’s facilities on PEI, with a new vaccine manufacturing plant adjacent to the original facility in Charlottetown (which itself has received recent investment in renovation and expansion), and the purchase of another building in the West Royalty Business Park that will be converted into a warehouse/distribution centre. In addition, Novartis is currently making a number of laboratory additions at the R&D centre in Victoria.

The current and planned expansion of the Novartis Animal Health Canada PEI facilities and operations include:

• The recent hiring of 14 new employees in R&D at the Victoria R&D centre.

• The investment of $2.8 million in two phases at the Victoria R&D centre:

- Phase 1 (2011): Expansion of laboratory and office space to create a new state-of-the-art laboratory

- Phase 2 (2012): Construction of additional office and meeting space

• There is a plan for ongoing investment in the PEI manufacturing and R&D facilities and activities, the details of which will be shared as plans are finalized.

About Novartis Animal Health

Novartis Animal Health researches, develops and commercializes leading animal treatments that meet the needs of pet owners, farmers and veterinarians. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland and present in almost 40 countries, Novartis Animal Health employs about 2,300 people worldwide. For more information on aquaculture, please consult www.ah.novartis.com/aqua_health/en/index.shtml.

About Novartis

Novartis provides healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Focused solely on healthcare, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, eye care, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, consumer health products, preventive vaccines and diagnostic tools. Novartis is the only company with leading positions in these areas. In 2010, the Group’s continuing operations achieved net sales of USD 50.6 billion, while approximately USD 9.1 billion (USD 8.1 billion excluding impairment and amortization charges) was invested in R&D throughout the Group. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ approximately 121,000 full-time-equivalent associates and operate in more than 140 countries around the world. For more information, please visit www.novartis.com.