Novartis successfully completes acquisition of AveXis, Inc

The digital press release with multimedia content can be accessed here:  - Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS) ("Novartis") today announced that it has completed the acquisition of AveXis, Inc. ("AveXis") through the consummation of a merger of its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, Novartis AM Merger Corporation ("Merger Sub"), with and into AveXis without a vote of the AveXis stockholders in accordance with Section 251(h) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL"). In the merger, each share of AveXis common stock outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger (other than shares owned by Novartis, Merger Sub, AveXis or any subsidiary of Novartis or AveXis or by any AveXis stockholders who properly perfected their appraisal rights under the DGCL) has been converted into the right to receive USD 218.00 per share, net to the seller in cash, without interest and subject to any tax withholding. As a result of the merger, AveXis became an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Novartis and AveXis' shares have ceased to be traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. Vas Narasimhan M.D. CEO of Novartis, said: "We are delighted to add AveXis' leading gene therapy technology to our company and to welcome our AveXis colleagues to Novartis. Together, we now have the potential to bring to children the first one-time gene-based treatment for the devastating disease, spinal muscular atrophy.