SEBIVO® RECEIVES FIRST MAJOR APPROVAL IN SWITZERLAND AS NEW TREATMENT FOR PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEPATITIS B

Sebivo® (telbivudine), a new treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis B shown to deliver more rapid and profound viral suppression than lamivudine, has received approval in Switzerland. This important approval provides access to an innovative new therapy for Swiss patients but also supports expanded regulatory submissions. More than 100 countries worldwide look to the approval of a medicine in the company's home country to serve as a reference for local regulatory reviews. Novartis (http://hugin.info/134323/R/1076869/185389.pdf)