BASEL, Switzerland (Novartis), April 23, 2008:

Thousands of Novartis associates worldwide are taking part tomorrow in the company's Community Partnership Day by engaging in volunteer activities to benefit people in their local communities. This year marks the 12th Community Partnership Day, established to commemorate the creation of Novartis in 1996.

About 10,000 associates worldwide joined in the event in 2007, engaging in volunteer work for a wide range of charitable causes, according to Novartis International AG.