CHIR Chiron (MM)

Chiron Corporation (NASDAQ:CHIR) today announced that on February 6, 2006, the European Commission adopted a decision pursuant to Article 6(1)(b) of the Council Regulation (EC) No. 139/2004 declaring the combination compatible with the common market. This follows approval by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in December 2005 and clearance by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) under Exon-Florio in January 2006. Subject to stockholder approval and other customary conditions, Chiron and Novartis expect that this transaction will be completed in the first half of 2006. About Chiron Chiron delivers innovative and valuable products to protect human health by advancing pioneering science across the landscape of biotechnology. The company works to deliver on the limitless promise of science and make a positive difference in people's lives. For more information, please visit www.chiron.com. This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change. In particular, there can be no guarantee that the transaction contemplated by the merger agreement will be consummated. A discussion of the company's operations and financial condition, including factors that may affect its business and future prospects that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements, is contained in documents the company has filed with the SEC, including the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, and the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005, and will be contained in all subsequent periodic filings made with the SEC. These documents identify important factors that could cause the company's actual performance to differ from current expectations. Chiron does not undertake an obligation to update the forward-looking information the company is giving today. RULE 14a-12 LEGEND Participants in Solicitation Chiron Corporation and Novartis AG and their respective directors and officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Chiron shareholders in connection with the merger. Information about the directors and executive officers of Chiron and their ownership of Chiron's stock is set forth in the proxy statement for Chiron's 2005 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Investors can obtain more information when the Schedule 13e-3 and the proxy statement become available. Investors should read the Schedule 13e-3 and proxy statement carefully when they become available before making any voting decision.