INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR COMMITTEE RESPONDS TO NOVARTIS

INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR COMMITTEE RESPONDS TO NOVARTIS

HUENENBERG, Switzerland - January 04,

2010 - The Alcon, Inc. (NYSE: ACL) Independent Director Committee, in

response to comments made today by Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS), stated its belief

that Alcon has established certain important protections for the benefit of

Alcon's minority shareholders against a coercive takeover bid and is

disappointed that Novartis is attempting to circumvent those protections and

corporate governance best practices.

majority-controlled entity since it became a public company in 2002, established

certain protections in its governing documents for the benefit of its minority

shareholders. For example, Article V, Section 5 of Alcon's

Organizational Regulations requires approval by a committee of independent

directors (as defined under the New York Stock Exchange rules) in connection

with a number of transactions, including any proposed merger with a majority

shareholder. The full Organizational Regulations are available on

Alcon's website at www.alcon.com/en/investors-media/ (click through Corporate

Novartis' initial purchase from Nestle of an approximately 25 percent stake in

Alcon, the Alcon Board of Directors recognized the need for the establishment of

a standing committee of independent directors whose stated purpose is to protect

the minority shareholders in connection with a number of transactions, including

related party transactions between Alcon and major shareholders of

Alcon. This action was approved by the full Alcon Board of Directors

appears to be attempting to circumvent the minority protection principles

embodied in the actions noted above by claiming that the Alcon minority

shareholders are neither accorded minority protections under the Swiss Takeover

Code nor the rules under the NYSE.

circumstance, Swiss corporate law requires any merger proposal to be approved by

a majority of the Alcon Board of Directors with "interested" directors

abstaining. Assuming that the Novartis and Nestle board

representatives along with the Alcon executive board representative abstain,

approval by the independent directors comprising the Independent Director

Committee would be required to approve a merger with Novartis.

investor conference call this morning, Novartis expressed its view that, if it

were unable to obtain the required approval of the Alcon Board of Directors and

the Independent Director Committee, Novartis would simply wait until it owned 77

percent of Alcon to then unilaterally impose the terms of the proposed merger on

the minority shareholders. Such a unilateral action would clearly be

inconsistent with the minority protection principles upon which Alcon

established itself and Alcon shareholders rely.

Novartis has expressed its view that the merger proposal is fair, the

Independent Director Committee and its advisors will inform the Alcon

shareholders of its formal position once the Committee and its advisors complete

Inc. is the world's leading eye care company, with sales of approximately $6.3

billion in 2008. Alcon, which has been dedicated to the ophthalmic

industry for 65 years, researches, develops, manufactures and markets

pharmaceuticals, surgical equipment and devices,

lens solutions and other vision care products that treat diseases, disorders and

other conditions of the eye. Alcon operates in 75 countries and sells

products in 180 markets. For more information on Alcon, Inc., visit

the Company's web site at www.alcon.com.

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking

Statements. This press release may contain forward-looking statements

within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act

of 1995. Any forward-looking statements reflect the views of the Committee as of

the date of this press release with respect to future events and are based on

assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. Given these uncertainties,

you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. There

can be no guarantee that Novartis or Alcon will achieve any particular future

financial results or future growth rates or that Novartis or Alcon will be able

to realize any potential synergies, strategic benefits or opportunities as a

result of the consummation of the Novartis purchase or the proposed

merger. Also, there can be no guarantee that the Committee will

obtain any particular result. Except to the extent required under the

federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated by the

Securities and Exchange Commission, we undertake no obligation to publicly

update or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new

information or future events or circumstances or otherwise.

Lipin/Jennifer Lowney