Novartis adds to its cache of Alnylam shares

Novartis has added to its cache of Alnylam stock, purchasing 55,223 shares at $17.99 each. The purchase maintains Novartis' 13.4 percent stake in the company. "This is now the third year that Novartis has elected to fully exercise their right to purchase additional shares under the Investor Rights Agreement, maintaining their current ownership percentage of Alnylam common stock," says CEO John Maraganore. "In addition, late last year Novartis elected to extend our collaboration for a fifth and final planned year, through October 2010." Novartis release