Alcon's Simbrinza® approved in the EU to treat patients living with glaucoma, a chronic sight-threatening eye disease

Novartis International AG / Alcon's Simbrinza® approved in the EU to treat patients living with glaucoma, a chronic sight-threatening eye disease . Processed and transmitted by NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

• Simbrinza provides a convenient option to reduce treatment burden versus concomitant administration of single drugs

Simbrinza is the only beta blocker-free formulation combining two approved therapies, Brinzolamide 10mg/mL and Brimonidine 2mg/mL, in one single bottle

Largely underdiagnosed, glaucoma is a life-long, irreversible eye disease that can progressively lead to blindness if left untreated or not adequately managed

Clinical study results of Simbrinza to be presented at ESCRS congress and Glaucoma Day Programme on September 12, 2014, London, UK

Basel, July 28, 2014 - Alcon, the global leader in eye care and a division of Novartis, announced that Simbrinza^® eye drops suspension (brinzolamide 10mg/mL and brimonidine tartrate 2mg/mL) has been approved by the European Commission to decrease elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in adult patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension, for which monotherapy provides insufficient IOP reduction.[1]

Simbrinza, administered with one drop into the affected eye(s) twice daily, combines two well-established treatments for elevated IOP into one multi-dose bottle, offering a simplified schedule compared to brinzolamide and brimonidine administered separately. Simbrinza is also the only fixed-combination glaucoma treatment without a beta-blocker. Beta blockers are commonly prescribed to lower IOP, but are contraindicated for many glaucoma patients suffering from certain respiratory or cardiac conditions.[2]

"Simbrinza complements Alcon's glaucoma portfolio by addressing a significant unmet patient need. We are pleased to introduce the only fixed combination therapy without a beta-blocker to help more glaucoma patients manage their progressive eye condition," said Jeff George, Global Head of Alcon. "As the leader in eye care, Alcon will continue to invest in R&D to expand our broad portfolio of glaucoma treatment options and to further reduce the burden of this silent, sight-threatening disease."

Glaucoma is a group of chronic diseases with no cure and one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. Open-angle glaucoma accounts for 74% of all cases worldwide.[3] This eye condition is asymptomatic, and less than 50% of those with glaucoma are aware of their disease before blindness.[4] Elevated IOP is the only known modifiable risk factor for glaucoma and can typically be controlled with daily administration of eye drops several times a day, or in the most severe cases, with surgery. In clinical studies, Simbrinza^® showed strong efficacy to lower the IOP level from baseline by 23%-37%, while providing sustained IOP control throughout the day.[1]