Basel, April 16, 2021?? Novartis announced today new post hoc data from the Phase III ASCLEPIOS trials showing Kesimpta^??(ofatumumab) reduced the risk of disability progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA) at three and six months vs teriflunomide in a subgroup of newly diagnosed, treatment-na?ve patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (RMS)¹. These data, to be presented at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting being held virtually on April 17-22, 2021, further support Kesimpta as a first-choice treatment option for adults with RMS. ?This PIRA analysis shows more than half of the disability worsening events experienced by patients with early RMS were occurring regardless of whether they experienced relapses,? said Jacqueline A. Nicholas, MD, MPH, System Chief Neuroimmunology & MS, OhioHealth MS Center, Riverside Methodist Hospital, Columbus, Ohio. ?Kesimpta reduced this risk of progression by up to almost 60% versus teriflunomide, reinforcing the importance of early intervention with high-efficacy treatment to address underlying disease progression before irreversible damage occurs.? ?Evidence shows that progression occurs in people living with MS in the early stages of disease. This reinforces the need to treat early with a first-choice treatment like Kesimpta, which combines powerful efficacy with a favorable safety profile and can be self-administered at home,? said Estelle Vester-Blokland, Global Head Neuroscience Medical Affairs, Novartis Pharmaceuticals. ?We are dedicated to advancing the scientific understanding of underlying progression so that we can ultimately improve the quality of life for people living with this chronic disease.? All abstracts will be published in the journal?Neurology?following the meeting. Disclaimer This media update contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as ?potential,? ?can,? ?will,? ?plan,? ?may,? ?could,? ?would,? ?expect,? ?anticipate,? ?look forward,? ?believe,? ?committed,? ?investigational,? ?pipeline,? ?launch,? or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals, new indications or labeling for the investigational or approved products described in this media update, or regarding potential future revenues from such products. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. 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Sign up to follow @Novartis at?https://twitter.com/novartisnews For Novartis multimedia content, please visit?https://www.novartis.com/news/media-library For questions about the site or required registration, please contact?media.relations@novartis.com References

1. Kappos L, Montalban X, Coyle P, et al. Ofatumumab reduces disability progression independent of relapse activity in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis. ePoster presentation at Virtual AAN Meeting; April 2021.
2. Cross AH, Delgado S, Habek M, et al. Characteristics and outcome of COVID-19 in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis receiving ofatumumab. ePoster presentation at Virtual AAN Meeting; April 2021.

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