Basel, June 22, 2021?? Today, Novartis disclosed new data showing mean IgG and IgM levels remain unchanged in adults with relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) treated with Kesimpta^??(ofatumumab) over 3.5 years. The ongoing open label extension of the ALITHIOS study includes 1,703 people living with MS taking Kesimpta for up to 5 years. At the time of analysis, 456 of these people had reached 3.5 years of Kesimpta treatment duration. The long-term findings were consistent with the Phase III ASCLEPIOS trials data, which demonstrated that the overall incidence of infections was low, and no association was observed between decreased immunoglobulin levels and the risk of serious infections¹. These data reinforce Kesimpta as a well-tolerated treatment option for people living with RMS. ?Evidence shows that low immunoglobulin levels have been linked to an increased risk of infection, which is why testing of these levels is recommended for people living with MS prior to taking any anti-CD20 treatment,? said Professor Heinz Wiendl, Director of the Clinic of Neurology at UKM M?nste. ?It?s encouraging to see that over a long period of time, IgG levels remained stable and IgM levels remained well within the reference ranges in all groups treated with ofatumumab, with no increased risk of infections.? The results will be presented at the 7^th?Congress of the European Academy of Neurology ? Virtual 2021, together with other wide-ranging data to further the understanding of how Kesimpta might impact immune response to a variety of standard vaccinations. ?Patient safety is of the utmost importance to Novartis and these long-term results continue to support Kesimpta as a high-efficacy, first-choice treatment with a favorable safety profile for people living with RMS,? said Marcia Kayath, Global Head Medical Affairs, Novartis Pharmaceuticals. ?Preservation of immunoglobulin levels is important to fight infections, like COVID-19, so we?re very happy to share long-term data showing Kesimpta had unchanged IgG levels, providing physicians with important information relevant to the long-term benefit/risk of treating with Kesimpta.? Disclaimer This media update contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. 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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. Jasinska E, Habek M, Wynnet D, et al. Impact of Ofatumumab on Immune Responses Post-vaccination in RMS Patients: ALITHIOS Vaccination Sub-study Design. Oral presentation at: EAN 2021; June 19-22, 2021.
2. Furst D. Serum immunoglobulins and risk of infection: how low can you go??Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism. 2009;39(1):18-29.
3. Tallantyre E, Whittam D, Jolles S, et al. Secondary antibody deficiency: a complication of anti-CD20 therapy for neuroinflammation.?J Neurol. 2018;265(5):1115?1122.
4. Hauser S, Bar-Or A, Cohen J, et al. Ofatumumab versus teriflunomide in relapsing multiple sclerosis.?N Engl J Med. 2020;383(6):546-557.

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