Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS) is a world leader in pharmaceuticals and consumer health. In 2004, the Group's businesses achieved sales of USD28.2 billion and a net income of USD5.8 billion. The Group invested approximately USD2.4 billion in R&D. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ about 81,400 people and operate in over 140 countries around the world.

According to the Business Week's ranking in 2004 based on market capitalization, Novartis is the biggest company in Switzerland, the 21 in the world and the third in pharmaceuticals. Novartis is a leading innovative pharmaceutical and consumer health company in the world who has the strongest capability in R&D.

Geigy, one predecessor of Novartis, began to sell dyestuff in China as early as 1886. The other 2 predecessors, Ciba and Sandoz, set up their offices in Shanghai in the first half of the 20th century.

The real development came after 1979. Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz established several plants in China. Up to now, with a total investment of more than USD100 million, Novartis has 5 enterprises in China covering the fields of pharmaceuticals, consumer health, eye-care and animal health, and employs about 1,700 people in mainland China.

The total revenues of Novartis in China reached RMB1.56 billion in 2004, an increase of 36.3% year on year, including increase in these two main business operations: Innovative Medicines 39.1% and Consumer Health 15.5%.

International Tax Review's Top Ranking Tax Advisor (2004)

Fortune Top 25 Companies Favored by MBAs to Work For (2002)

CPA Personnel Report's Number 1 Professional Services Firm (2001)

Public Accounting Report Leader for New Audit Clients (2000 & 2001)

Editor: Donald