Novartis Foundation commemorates World Leprosy Day with its continued efforts to go the last mile toward elimination

Novartis International AG / Novartis Foundation commemorates World Leprosy Day with its continued efforts to go the last mile toward elimination . Processed and transmitted by NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

• 2016 marks 30 years of commitment by the Novartis Foundation to support people affected by leprosy and to end this ancient disease
  

• New strategy from the Novartis Foundation to accelerate elimination is focused on interrupting transmission of the disease
  

• Last year Novartis renewed its commitment with the WHO to donate multidrug therapy to treat leprosy through the year 2020
  

• More than 200,000 people are diagnosed with leprosy every year; approximately 10% of those are children, indicating continued spread of the disease

The digital press release with multimedia content can be accessed here:

Basel, January 31, 2016 - On World Leprosy Day 2016, the Novartis Foundation calls for a greater global commitment to the fight against leprosy to support efforts towards zero transmission of the disease and to reduce stigma. The Novartis Foundation continues to work with partners around the world on early detection and treatment of leprosy, proactive surveillance, the development of diagnostic tools, and contact tracing with preventative treatment.

"The dream of the Novartis Foundation is that we see the day when the number of people newly diagnosed with leprosy - especially children - is zero," said Dr. Ann Aerts, Head of the Novartis Foundation. "Though we have seen a large reduction in the prevalence of the disease in the last 30 years, we cannot stop now. The last mile to eliminate leprosy will be tough, and to succeed we need greater awareness, more resources, and innovation. It is important for leprosy to be put back on the global health agenda to make this happen."

2016 marks 30 years of commitment from the Novartis Foundation in the fight against leprosy, beginning with initiatives to improve access to treatment, quickly followed by the development of innovative programs to improve access to healthcare services, reduce stigma and support patient rehabilitation. Now the goal of the Novartis Foundation is to accelerate the elimination of leprosy with a rigorous strategy to interrupt its transmission.