UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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SCHEDULE 13G
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
TANOX, INC.
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value
(Title of Class of Securities)
87588Q
(CUSIP Number)
April 6, 2000
(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)
Wayne P. Merkelson, Esq.
Novartis Corporation
564 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
Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which
this Schedule is filed:
|_| Rule 13d-1(b)
|X| Rule 13d-1(c)
|_| Rule 13d-1(d)
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<PAGE>
CUSIP No. 87588Q
(1) Name of Reporting Person
S.S. or I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Person
Novartis AG
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(2) Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of Group (See Instructions)
|_| (a)
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|_| (b)
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(3) SEC Use Only
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(4) Citizenship or Place of Organization Switzerland
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Number of (5) Sole Voting Power 6,373,732
Shares --------------------------
Beneficially --------------------------------------------
Owned by (6) Shared Voting Power 0
Each -------------------------
Reporting --------------------------------------------
Person (7) Sole Dispositive Power 6,373,732
With ----------------------
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(8) Shared Dispositive Power 0
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(9) Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
6,373,732
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(10) Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain
Shares (See Instructions)
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(11) Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9)
15.37%
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(12) Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions) CO
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<PAGE>
Item 1. Issuer
(a) Name of Issuer: Tanox, Inc.
(b) Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices:
10301 Stella Link
Houston, Texas 77025
Item 2. Persons Filing
(a) Name of Person Filing: Novartis AG ("Novartis")
(b) Address of Principal Office:
The principal offices of Novartis are located at
Schwarzwaldallee 215, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland.
(c) Citizenship: Novartis is a Swiss corporation.
(d) Title of Class of Securities: Common Stock, $0.01 par value.
(e) CUSIP Number:
Item 3. This statement is filed pursuant to ss.240.13d-1(c).
Item 4. Ownership
(a) Novartis AG owns 6,373,732 shares of Common Stock.
(b) The shares of Common Stock held by Novartis constitute
approximately 15.37% of the outstanding Common Stock of the
Issuer.
(c) Novartis has the sole power to vote or to direct the vote or to
dispose or direct the disposition of 6,373,732 shares of Common
Stock.
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.
<PAGE>
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.
Item 10. Certification if Statement Filed Pursuant to Rule 13d-1(c)
(a) Not applicable.
(b) By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and
belief, the securities referred to above were not acquired and
are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or
influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were
not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a
participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and
belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true,
complete and correct.
Date: April 17, 2000
NOVARTIS AG
By: /s/ Roland Bettex
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Name: Roland Bettex
Title: Empowered Signatory
By: /s/ Herbert Gut
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Name: Herbert Gut
Title: Empowered Signatory
