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Released 02/29/2008

CIBA VISION Investment Increases Manufacturing Capacity and Drives Proprietary Process Improvements

Leads to Improved Comfort and Consistency for NIGHT & DAY® and O2OPTIX™

Duluth, GA, Feb. 29, 2008 – Over the past year, CIBA VISION has made significant investments to increase manufacturing capacity, particularly for its silicone hydrogel lenses. This has resulted in a return to best-in-class customer service levels and is allowing increased speed-to-market for CIBA VISION’s future silicone hydrogel lens innovations. As part of these investments, CIBA VISION also implemented proprietary manufacturing process improvements, which have led to a new level of comfort and consistency for NIGHT & DAY® and O2OPTIX® lenses.^{i, ii}

New data shows that over 96 percent of patients now rate NIGHT & DAY® high for initial comfort*ⁱ -- an improvement of 58 percent over comfort ratings for NIGHT & DAY® prior to the process improvements. Additional research shows that patients' satisfaction with comfort and overwhelmingly positive ratings for NIGHT & DAY lenses start strong and grow even stronger over timeⁱⁱⁱ. With a Dk/t of 175 @-3.00D, NIGHT & DAY® leads the industry with the highest oxygen transmissibility of any available soft contact lens, making it an excellent choice for patients who want to sleep in their contact lenses, even for one night.

Ratings for O₂OPTIX® also increased, with over 92 percent of patients now rating the lens high for initial comfortii. Also, a survey conducted with current O₂OPTIX® wearers found that 81% who had previously worn other brands of soft lenses rated O₂OPTIX® better than their prior lenses^iv.

O2OPTIX combines high oxygen transmissibility; a patented, permanent, biocompatible plasma surface treatment and an advanced aspheric design for a healthy and comfortable lens wearing experience. Offering a Dk/t of 138 @-3.00D, O₂OPTIX® helps protect patients from the signs and symptoms of corneal oxygen deficiency for whiter, healthy-looking eyes^v.

“NIGHT & DAY® and O₂OPTIX® lenses have always offered good performance and comfort, and now they are both better than ever,” said Rick Weisbarth, O.D., F.A.A.O. and VP, Global Head Professional Development and Partnerships for CIBA VISION. “Eye care professionals are telling us that their NIGHT & DAY® and O₂OPTIX® wearers are noticing a more comfortable wearing experience with each lens -- and satisfied patients help to create a healthy practice.”

About CIBA VISION
With a focus on innovation, quality and strong partnerships with eye care practitioners, CIBA VISION is a global leader in the research, development and manufacturing of contact lenses and lens care products. CIBA VISION shares eye care practitioners' passion for healthy vision and dedication to improving the quality of patients’ lives around the world. With worldwide headquarters in Atlanta CIBA VISION is the eye care unit of Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS). For more information, visit the CIBA VISION web site at www.cibavision.com.

* Percent of patients rating NIGHT & DAY® comfort from 8 to 10, with 10 equaling Excellent/Completely Satisfied.

i CIBA VISION data on file, 2007. Compared to prior ratings of initial comfort for NIGHT & DAY.
ii CIBA VISION data on file, 2007. Compared to prior ratings of initial comfort for O2OPTIX.
iii CIBA VISION data on file, 2005.
iv CIBA VISION, data on file, 2005.
v Dillehay SM, Miller MB. Performance of lotrafilcon B silicone hydrogel contact lenses in experienced low-Dk/t daily lens wearers. Eye & Contact Lens. 2007;33(6):272-277.