SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 6-K

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 or 15d-16 OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Report on Form 6-K dated Febraury 22, 2005

 

(Commission File No. 1-15024)

 


 

Novartis AG

(Name of Registrant)

 

Lichtstrasse 35

4056 Basel

Switzerland

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 


 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:

 

Form 20-F: ý      Form 40-F: o

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):

 

Yes: o      Noý

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):

 

Yes: o      Noý

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

Yes: o      Noý

 

Enclosures:

 


 

 

Link to searchable text of slide shown above

 


 

 

Link to searchable text of slide shown above

 


 

 

Link to searchable text of slide shown above

 


 

 

Link to searchable text of slide shown above

 


 

 

Link to searchable text of slide shown above

 


 

 

Link to searchable text of slide shown above

 


 

 

Link to searchable text of slide shown above

 


 

 

Link to searchable text of slide shown above

 


 

 

Link to searchable text of slide shown above

 


 

 

Link to searchable text of slide shown above

 


 

 

Link to searchable text of slide shown above

 


 

 

Link to searchable text of slide shown above

 


 

 

Link to searchable text of slide shown above

 


 

 

Link to searchable text of slide shown above

 


 

 

Link to searchable text of slide shown above

 


 

 

Link to searchable text of slide shown above

 


 

 

Link to searchable text of slide shown above

 


 

 

Link to searchable text of slide shown above

 


 

 

Link to searchable text of slide shown above

 


 

 

Link to searchable text of slide shown above

 


 

 

Link to searchable text of slide shown above

 


 

 

Link to searchable text of slide shown above

 


 

 

Link to searchable text of slide shown above

 


 

 

Link to searchable text of slide shown above

 


 

 

Link to searchable text of slide shown above

 


 

 

Link to searchable text of slide shown above

 


 

 

Link to searchable text of slide shown above

 


 

 

Link to searchable text of slide shown above

 


 

 

Link to searchable text of slide shown above

 


 

 

Link to searchable text of slide shown above

 


 

 

Link to searchable text of slide shown above

 


 

 

Link to searchable text of slide shown above

 


 

 

Link to searchable text of slide shown above

 


 

 

Link to searchable text of slide shown above

 


 

 

Link to searchable text of slide shown above

 


 

 

Link to searchable text of slide shown above

 


 

 

Link to searchable text of slide shown above

 


 

 

Link to searchable text of slide shown above

 


 

 

Link to searchable text of slide shown above

 


 

Searchable text section of graphics shown above

 



 

Focus on Medicines:

 

Creating A Global Leader
in Generics

 

Analyst Conference Call

February 21, 2005

 

[LOGO]

 

1



 

The following information contains certain “Forward-looking Statements” relating to the transaction and resulting business combination described herein, which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “will” or “expect”, or by discussions of strategy, plans, intentions or potential outcomes (including synergies). Such statements include the ability to obtain governmental approvals for the transaction on the proposed terms and schedule; the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully; the risk that the cost savings and any other synergies from the transaction may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; disruption from the transaction making it more difficult to maintain relationships with customers, employees or suppliers; social and political conditions such as war, political unrest and terrorism or natural disasters; general economic conditions and normal business uncertainty and competition and its effect on pricing, spending, third-party relationships and revenues. Such statements reflect the current plans, expectations, objectives, intentions or views of management with respect to future events, are based on the current beliefs and expectations of management and are subject to significant risks, uncertainties and assumptions.  Management’s expectations could be affected by, among other things, competition in general, the general economic environment and other risks such as, but not limited to, those referred to in Novartis AG’s Form 20-F on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may differ materially from those set forth or implied by the forward-looking statements.

 

Security holders of Eon Labs Inc. are urged to read the tender offer statement relating to the tender offer, when such document becomes available. The tender offer statement will contain important information. Securityholders will be able to obtain a free copy of the tender offer statement and other filed documents when they become available on the SEC’s internet site (http://www.sec.gov).

 

The information presented in this presentation represents management’s expectations and intentions as of February 21st, 2005. Novartis expressly disavows any obligation to update the information presented in this program.

 

2



 

Agenda

 

 

Transaction rationale

D. Vasella

 

Creating a global leader

A. Rummelt

 

Financials

R. Breu

 

3



 

Novartis Purpose — Focusing on Patient Needs

 

A commitment to

•       Better therapeutic benefit through a continuous flow of innovative, branded pharmaceuticals

•       Rapid market entry of high quality and best cost generics

         Convenient, easily available quality OTC products

 

4



 

Novartis Strategy —
Consistently Focusing the Portfolio on Medicines

 

Novartis net sales in % by
division for the full year
2004

 

Novartis net sales in % by
division for the full year
2004E(1)

 

 

 

[CHART]

Sales contribution

[CHART]

 

Hexal & Eon Labs

 

 


(1) based on unaudited, preliminary financial consolidated statements 2004

 

5



 

Generics Market Place —
High Demand and Double-Digit Growth

 

Generics retail market segment estimates in USD bn(1)

 

 

 

 

CAGR in %
2004-2009E

 

 

 

Worldwide

 

10.0

 

Global CAGR 2004–2009E: 10%

[CHART]

Japan

 

4.8

[GRAPHIC]

US and Western Europe

 

Rest of America

 

9.7

 

expected to grow fastest

 

Western Europe

 

10.5

 

 

 

US

 

12.6

 

 

 

Other

 

9.3

 

 

 


(1)

Biopharmaceuticals excluded, after rebates

Source:

Internal estimates Sandoz based on IMS Health at ex-manufacturer prices

 

6



 

Generics Market Offers Significant Opportunities

 

Total value of US drugs going off-patent per year(1)

 

[CHART]

 


(1) Value of patent expiries by 2010 based on 2003 sales in USD m

Source: Global Generic Drug Stocks, Citigroup – Smith Barney, September 21 2004

 

7



 

Generics Penetration is Expected to Increase in Key Markets

 

Generics penetration by value 2004–2009

 

Market

 

Charge Q3 2004(1)-2009
(% pts)

 

Q3 2004(1)
(in %)

 

2009E
(in %)

 

Germany

 

[CHART]

 

19.5

 

24.9

 

France

 

 

 

5.6

 

10.3

 

Italy

 

 

 

1.9

 

5.3

 

Spain

 

 

 

4.7

 

7.1

 

Canada(1)

 

 

 

13.7

(2)

16.0

 

US(2)

 

 

 

6.7

(2)

7.7

 

 


(1)           Moving annual total per Q3 2004

(2)           MAT Q2 2004

Source:  Sandoz estimates

 

8



 

Building a Global Generics Leader

 

                  Strong competitive position in relevant markets

                  First entry and broad product offering

                  Continuous productivity gains and cost leadership intent

                  Technological differentiation (difficult to make biopharmaceuticals)

                  Skilled and engaged team

 

9



 

A Transformational Transaction for Sandoz

 

[CHART]

 

10



 

Moving into the Top Rank

 

Nine-Month 2004 sales (in USD m)
Excluding branded product sales for Teva, Watson and Mylan

 

Sandoz
(pro forma)

 

3’631

 

Teva

 

3’105

 

Sandoz

 

2’178

 

Merck Gx

 

1’452

 

Ivax

 

1’328

 

Ratiopharm

 

1’136

 

Hexal

 

1’132

 

Watson

 

947

 

Alpharma

 

925

 

Barr

 

869

 

Mylan

 

779

 

Eon Labs

 

321

 

 

Source: Quarterly company reports, Ratiopharm based on IMS and internal assumptions

 

11



 

A Compelling Business Portfolio

 

[CHART]

 

12



 

Complementary Geographic Contributions

 

Sandoz

Hexal(1)

Eon Labs

USD 3.0 bn

USD 1.6 bn

USD 0.4 bn

 

 

 

[CHART]

[CHART]

[CHART]

 

 

 

 

 

Sandoz

 

[CHART]

Global annual

 

 

sales of

 

 

USD 5.1 bn

 


(1)                   2004 estimates for retail sales by region

(2)                   Global sales in biopharmaceuticals and anti-infectives

(3)                   Includes Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa

 

13



 

Leading Positions in Key European Markets

 

[CHART]

 

Source: Sandoz Business Intelligence, IMS/MAT Q3/04

 

14



 

Strong Business Logic

 

Sandoz

 

                  Global organization, production and R&D network

                  World leader in anti-infectives

                  Vertically integrated

                  Advanced in biopharmaceuticals

 

Hexal

 

                  Best in class registration and development

                  Market leader in Germany and strong in other key markets

                  Strong marketing and licensing capabilities

                  Strong know-how in:

                  Patches & implants

                  Advanced formulations

                  Biopharmaceutical formulations

 

Eon Labs

 

                  One of the most effective product development teams in US

                  Leading market share for most of its products

                  Proven track record of ANDA filings

 

15



 

A Transaction that Meets Strategic Objectives

 

                  Highly complementary (geography, portfolio and technologies)

                  Top positions in key markets, particularly in US and in Germany

                  Significantly broadened product portfolio

                  One of the largest pipelines in the industry covering most generic opportunities

                  Best-in-class development teams with proven track record of being first to market

                  Leadership in high-value delivery technologies and biopharmaceuticals

                  Scale in manufacturing and infrastructure in low-cost countries

                  Entry into key emerging markets: Japan and China

 

16



 

Transaction Synergies

 

                  Transformational transaction

                  Sales synergies through broader geographic coverage of complementary product line

                  Potential sales synergies between generics and branded, innovative pharmaceuticals with large customers, e.g. governments, pharmacy-chains

                  Production synergies between generics and branded pharmaceuticals (e.g. biopharmaceuticals)

                  Cost synergies of USD 200 m p.a. within three years

 

17



 

Experienced Leadership Team in Place(1)

 

[CHART]

 


* Bernhard Hampl, currently CEO of Eon Labs, has been designated as new head of the US operations of Sandoz and will report to Thomas Strüngmann.

 

(1) The chart reflects the nominated leadership team, effective as of closing of transaction. Also this chart indicates the functional reporting relationship of the leadership team to Andreas Rummelt.

 

The members actual reporting is within the companies which employ them.

 

18



 

Agenda

 

      Transaction rationale

 

D. Vasella

      Creating a global leader

 

A. Rummelt

      Financials

 

R. Breu

 

19



 

Key Success Factors in the Generics Market

 

                  Strong market position in most key markets

                  First to the market – and last in market

                  Broad product portfolio including “difficult-to-make” generics

                  Biopharmaceuticals market opportunities

                  Cost competitiveness (production, sourcing and vertical integration)

                  Quick and creative response to changing market conditions

 

20



 

Sandoz — A Powerhouse in the Making

 

Strongest brand names in Generics coming together

# 1 worldwide

# 1 in Europe

# 1 in Germany

# 2 in US

# 1 in antibiotics

A pioneer in biopharmaceuticals

Strengthened position in injectables

 

21



 

Strong Presence Across the Globe

 

[GRAPHIC]

 


(1) Based on in-market sales (includes also countries without local subsidiaries)

 

22



 

Broad Product Portfolio

 

Top marketed brands

 

[CHART]

 

23



 

Centers of Excellence in Development

 

[GRAPHIC]

 


(1) API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients),

(2) Antibiotics,

(3) Oncology

 

24



 

Strong Pipeline —
Major Launches in 2005 in the US and Germany

 

Number of planned launches 2005

 

[CHART]

 

 

 

 

 

Brand sales(1)
2003, in USD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sandoz (US, Ger)

 

33

 

8.5 bn

 

Hexal (Ger)

 

24

 

0.8 bn

 

Eon Labs (US)

 

13

 

6.5 bn

 

 

70 planned launches in 2005

 


(1) Source: IMS for brand sales 2003

 

25



 

Powerful Position in Biopharmaceuticals

                  Leading position in biopharmaceuticals

                  Combined company with more than 10 year track record in developing and producing biopharmaceutical products

                  Development centers in Kundl, Schaftenau, Ljubljana and Munich

                  Many advanced development programs

                  Highly complementary geographic and portfolio split

                  Sandoz provides manufacturing expertise in biopharmaceutical API and finished dosage forms

                  Hexal offers a highly complementary network of partner companies

 

26



 

Global Production Network and Strong Technology Centers of Excellence

 

[GRAPHIC]

 

27



 

Positioned for Dynamic Growth

 

Market presence

                  No. 1 player in Germany, No. 2 player in US

                  No. 1 or 2 position in 7 key European markets

                  Stronger foothold in Asia and Latin America

 

Technologies

                  Strengthened technology base in development and production

                  Extended capabilites in Biopharmaceuticals

 

Costs

                  Strengthend capabilities in vertical integration to secure future cost competitiveness

                  Scale in manufacturing and infrastructure in low cost regions

 

Pipeline

                  70 planned launches in 2005 (US and Germany)

                  More than 250 development projects

 

28



 

Integration Strategy

 

                  Significant work already done

                  Decision on top positions taken

                  “Best of all three” people concept

                  Excellent talent in all three companies

                  Best skills and abilities to match jobs

                  Integration of a global manufacturing network

                  Centers of expertise in development

                  Local sales and marketing

                  Entrepreneurial spirit and speed

 

29



 

Significant Synergies To be Captured Short-, Mid- and Long-Term

 

                  Short term

                  Reduced need for licensing in

                  Reduction of overlapping development projects

                  Capture early entry opportunities as preferred partner

 

                  Mid term

                  Consolidation of operations and distribution in M&S

                  Savings in shared services

                  Consolidation of development activities

                  Increased negotiation power for sourcing

 

                  Long term

                  Consolidation of global production network

                  COGS reduction due to vertical integration

 

30



 

Integration Process

 

Announcement

 

Targets / Governance

                  Define integration governance / structure

                  Decide key staffing

                  Set synergy targets

 

Close

 

Integration planning

                  Create task forces and integration office

                  Develop master plan

                  Make and finalize recommendations

                  Confirm synergies

 

Implementation

                  Kick-off integration

                  Identify and capture quick wins

                  Establish budget, financial and non-financial targets

                  Integrate development and production network

                  Harmonize pipelines

 

31



 

Conclusions

 

                  Excellent strategic rationale

                  Highly complementary assets

                  Experienced management team

                  Industry leading development platform

                  Well-positioned for future growth

 

32



 

Agenda

 

•     Transaction rationale

D. Vasella

•     Creating a global leader

A. Rummelt

•     Financials

R. Breu

 

33



 

Transaction Terms

 

                  Two separate agreements to acquire in cash for EUR 5.65 bn 100% of Hexal and 67.7%(1) of Eon Labs

                  This will be entirely financed by available cash reserves and by the ongoing generation of free cash flow

                  The acquired companies will be fully consolidated at closing

                  Closing is expected in H2 2005

                  60 m share block purchase subject to closing of Hexal deal

                  Subject to customary regulatory approvals

 


(1)         60 m shares held by the Strüngmann family, remaining shares held by Hexal

 

34



 

Transaction Terms for Eon Labs Minority Shareholders

 

                  Tender offer to acquire the 31.9 m remaining fully diluted shares at USD 31.00 per share representing a total value of USD 1.0 bn

                  A premium of 25 % over the unaffected price and a premium of 9% to the price paid for controlling block

                  Transaction unanimously recommended by Board of Eon Labs

                  Financed from Group cash reserves

                  Closing expected in H2 2005

                  Subject to customary US regulatory approvals

                  Subject to acquisition of the 60 m share block purchase

 

35



 

All Three Companies Have a History of Above Market Growth

 

CAGR 1997-2004(1)

 

[CHART]

 


(1)  Growth in USD, Source: Sandoz analysis for global market, internal data for companies

 

36



 

Overview of Key Financials(1)

 

2004 pro forma figures
in USD m

 

Hexal(1)

 

Eon Labs(1)

 

Sandoz

 

Sandoz
(combined)

 

Sales

 

1 605

 

431

 

3 045

 

5 081

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

945

(2)

240

 

1 422

 

2 607

 

in percent of sales

 

58.9

%

55.8

%

46.7

%

51.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

R&D

 

156

 

22

 

286

 

463

 

in percent of sales

 

9.7

%

5.0

%

9.4

%

9.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SG&A

 

545

(2)

46

 

710

 

1 301

 

in percent of sales

 

33.9

%

10.7

%

23.3

%

25.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

244

(3)

173

 

235

 

652

 

in percent of sales

 

15.2

%

40.0

%

7.7

%

12.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employees

 

~ 7 000

 

~ 500

 

~ 13 000

 

>20 000

 

 


(1) Based on unaudited, preliminary consolidated financial statements 2004

(2) Normalized for one-time effects

(3) Excl. amortisation of intangibles

 

37



 

USD 200 m in Annual Cost Synergies to be Realized Within 3-Year Time Period

 

Realized cost synergies by year in %

 

[CHART

 

38



 

Financial Conclusions

 

                  Valuation underpinned by growth prospects and synergies

                  13.9 x EBIT and 11.7 x EBITDA (after synergies)

                  Accretive to reported earnings in 2006, even including all acquisition related expenses and amortisation

                  Financing out of Group cash reserves and strong free cash flow generation

                  No change in AAA rating expected

                  Continuation of share buy-back policy – up to 50% of Free Cash Flow generated and not reserved for acquisitions is available for share buy backs

 

39


 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

Novartis AG

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: February 22, 2005

By:

 /s/ MALCOLM B. CHEETHAM

 

 

Name:

Malcolm B. Cheetham

 

Title:

Head Group Financial
Reporting and Accounting