Novartis announced that applications for regulatory approval of a novel COX-2 selective inhibitor, Prexige (lumiracoxib), have been filed in the USA and the European Union.

The applications are based on data from clinical studies in osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, acute pain and primary dysmenorrhea, involving more than 13 000 adult patients around the world.

In 2001, Novartis' businesses achieved sales of CHF 32.0 billion (USD 19.1 billion) and a net income of CHF 7.0 billion (USD 4.2 billion). The Group invested approximately CHF 4.2 billion (USD 2.5 billion) in R&D. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ about 74 000 people and operate in over 140 countries around the world.