12/10/2004

CIBA Vision's Leading Lens Care Brands Undergo Dramatic Packaging Makeover
AQuify® Comfort Drops, Clear Care® and AOSEPT® Lens Care Brands Given New Packaging Design

ACADEMY 2004, Tampa, Fla. â?? CIBA Vision announced today that packaging for its AQuify® long-lasting comfort drops as well as its Clear Care® and AOSEPT® lens care brands will undergo a dramatic makeover, contemporizing their presence on retail shelves with more modern and eye-catching colors and graphics as well as messaging that more clearly communicates the unique benefits of each brand. The CIBA Vision logo also will consistently appear at the bottom of the new packaging, better conveying the brands' maker. In addition, packaging for AQuify long-lasting comfort drops will be updated to mirror the look of its companion product, CIBA Vision's new AQuify® 5 Minute Multi-Purpose Solution (MPS), a breakthrough one-bottle lens care solution that locks in moisture and helps prevent lens dehydration.

The new packaging designs were developed based on extensive qualitative and quantitative research with consumers in North America to ensure that they are more compelling and modern and will drive greater consumer preference and trial.

"Our new high impact package graphics are designed to draw more consumers to try our unique lens care products," said Jeff Cohen, vice president of Marketing for CIBA Vision Lens and Lens Care in North America. "It further presents a strong image for CIBA Vision at the retail shelf, helping patients more easily locate these brands after learning about them from their eye care professional."

The new packages will begin appearing on shelves over the next five months. It's important to note, that while CIBA Vision is enhancing the look of its lens care packaging, the actual lens care solutions inside have not changed.

"They are the same, great lens care solutions consumers and eye care professionals love and trust," said Cohen.

With worldwide headquarters in Atlanta, CIBA Vision is a global leader in research, development and manufacturing of optical and ophthalmic products and services, including contact lenses and lens care products. CIBA Vision products are available in more than 70 countries. For more information, visit the CIBA Vision web site at www.cibavision.com.

CIBA Vision is the eye care unit of Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS), 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 80,000 people and operate in over 140 countries around the world. For further information please consult www.novartis.com.