Novartis employees complete 14th annual 600-km Ride for Life raising funds for Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation

• Employees complete four-day cycle ride from Toronto to Novartis headquarters in Dorval
  
  
• More than $1 million raised for cancer research by Novartis employees through Ride for Life event since 2005

DORVAL, QC, Sept. 11, 2018 /CNW/ - Novartis employees in Canada today complete their 14^th annual Ride for Life, a long-distance cycling event that has raised more than $1 million for breast cancer research since it was started in 2005.

Over four days, 43 employees representing the Novartis group of companies across Canada took part in the Toronto-to-Montreal event. Thirty-one employees cycled the full 600 km, with seven others joining the cyclists at the Quebec border on the final day and arriving with them at Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. headquarters in Dorval. The team was rounded out by five employees who drove, accompanying the cyclists and transporting equipment.

"The Ride for Life has become a very important annual event for all of us at Novartis because it demonstrates our commitment to helping fight cancer in Canada by many means, not just our innovative treatments but also by personally supporting cancer research and fundraising efforts," said Janice Murray, President of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. "The company recognizes and applauds the determination and commitment shown by members of our team who take part in the Ride for Life, many of whom have been personally affected by cancer."

Each participant is responsible for raising sponsorship funds for the event, which this year totaled more than $70,000 to support the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation research programs. The Ride for Life extends beyond the four-day cycling event, with many employees – both riders and committed supporters – actively engaged in a broad range of fundraising events and awareness-raising activities throughout the year.

"We greatly admire the dedication of Novartis employees who devote themselves to raising funds for cancer research year after year," said Nathalie Tremblay, Chief Executive Officer of the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation. "Since it was founded, the Foundation has been able to invest more than $44 million into its mission. More than $30 million of this has directly funded breast cancer research, and the support and generosity of the Novartis team have contributed to this."

The Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation is the only philanthropic organization whose research investments in the fight against breast cancer are exclusively made here in Quebec. Funds raised by the Foundation are also invested to support innovation, awareness and education. For more information, visit rubanrose.org .

About Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc., a leader in the healthcare field, is committed to the discovery, development and marketing of innovative products to improve the well-being of all Canadians. In 2017, the company invested $51 million in research and development in Canada. Located in Dorval, Quebec, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. employs approximately 750 people in Canada and is an affiliate of Novartis AG, which provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. For further information, please consult www.novartis.ca.

About Novartis
Novartis provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, cost-saving generic and biosimilar pharmaceuticals and eye care. Novartis has leading positions globally in each of these areas. In 2017, the Group achieved net sales of USD 49.1 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 9.0 billion. Novartis Group companies employ approximately 125,000 full-time-equivalent associates. Novartis products are sold in approximately 155 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.

SOURCE Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc.

Novartis Media Relations: Daphne Weatherby, Novartis Corporate Communications, [phone], E-mail: [email protected]; Spectrum Advisors: [phone], [email protected]