Novartis acknowledges Aventis invitation
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Basel. Novartis takes note of the invitation by the Aventis Supervisory Board to enter into negotiations regarding a potential transaction.
Novartis now expects that the Supervisory Board and management of Aventis will clarify with the French Government the importance of such a transaction for the shareholders of Aventis as well as its benefits for employment and for research and development.
Novartis AG is a world leader in pharmaceuticals and consumer health. In 2003, the Group's businesses achieved sales of USD 24.9 billion and a net income of USD 5.0 billion. The Group invested approximately USD 3.8 billion in R&D. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ about 78 500 people and operate in over 140 countries around the world.