UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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SCHEDULE 13G
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
HESKA CORPORATION
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock, $0.001 Par Value
(Title of Class of Securities)
42805E108
(CUSIP Number)
Wayne P. Merkelson, Esq.
Novartis Corporation
556 Morris Avenue
Summit, NJ 07901-1398
Telephone: (908) 522-6777
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of
Person Authorized to Receive Notices and
Communications)
Copy to:
Spencer D. Klein, Esq.
Shearman & Sterling
599 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Telephone: (212) 848-4000
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<PAGE>
CUSIP No. 42805E108
(1) Name of Reporting Person
S.S. or I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Person
Novartis AG
(2) Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of Group (See Instructions)
|_| (a)
|_| (b)
(3) SEC Use Only
(4) Citizenship or Place of Organization Switzerland
Number of (5) Sole Voting Power 0
Shares ---
Beneficially (6) Shared Voting Power 3,705,389
Owned by -----------
Each (7) Sole Dispositive Power 0
Reporting ---
Person (8) Shared Dispositive Power 3,705,389
With -----------
- ----
(9) Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person 3,705,389
----------
(10) Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See
Instructions)
(11) Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9)
19.7%
(12) Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions) CO
<PAGE>
CUSIP No. 42805E108
(1) Name of Reporting Person
S.S. or I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Person
Novartis Produkte AG
(2) Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of Group (See Instructions)
|_| (a)
|_| (b)
(3) SEC Use Only
(4) Citizenship or Place of Organization Switzerland
Number of (5) Sole Voting Power 0
Shares ---
Beneficially (6) Shared Voting Power 3,705,389
Owned by -----------
Each (7) Sole Dispositive Power 0
Reporting ---
Person (8) Shared Dispositive Power 3,705,389
With -----------
- ----
(9) Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person 3,705,389
----------
(10) Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See
Instructions)
(11) Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9)
19.7%
(12) Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions) CO
<PAGE>
Item 1. Issuer
(a) Heska Corporation
(b) 1825 Sharp Point Drive
Fort Collins, Colorado 80525
Item 2. Person Filing
(a) Name of Person Filing: Novartis AG ("Novartis") and
Novartis Produkte AG.
(b) Address of Principal Office: The principal offices of
Novartis and Novartis Produkte AG are located at
Schwarzwaldallee 215, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland.
(c) Citizenship: Novartis and Novartis Produkte AG are
Swiss corporations.
(d) Title of Class of Securities: Common Stock, $0.001
par value.
(e) CUSIP Number: 42805E108
Item 3. This statement is filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1(c).
Item 4. Ownership
(a) Amount Beneficially Owned: 3,705,389
(b) Percent of Class: 19.7%
(c) Number of shares as to which each person has:
(i) Sole Voting Power: 0
(ii) Shared Voting Power: 3,705,389
(iii) Sole Dispositive Power: 0
(iv) Shared Dispositive Power: 3,705,389
Item 5. Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class
Not applicable.
Item 6. Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person
Not applicable.
Item 7. Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the
Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company
Not applicable.
Item 8. Identification and Classification of Members of the Group
Not Applicable.
Item 9. Notice of Dissolution of Group
Not Applicable.
<PAGE>
Item 10. Certification if Statement Filed Pursuant to Rule 13d-1(b)
Not Applicable.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry to the best of my knowledge and
belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true,
complete and correct.
Date: February 13, 1998
NOVARTIS AG
By: /s/ Dr. Urs Barlochar
-----------------------------
General Counsel
By: /s/ Christoph Mader
-----------------------------
Senior Corporate Counsel
<PAGE>
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry to the best of my knowledge and
belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true,
complete and correct.
Date: February 13, 1998
NOVARTIS PRODUKTE AG
By: /s/ Dr. Urs Barlocher
-----------------------------
Authorized Signatory
By: /s/ Anita Buchli
-----------------------------
Authorized Signatory