The new CEO of Swiss pharmaceutical group Novartis, Joe Jimenez, left, and Daniel Vasella, chairman of the board, right, arrive at the annual results conference in Basle, Switzerland, Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010. Swiss drug maker Novartis AG on Tuesday reported a 54 percent rise in fourth-quarter net profit to US dlrs 2.32 billion on strong sales and favorable exchange rates, and announced the appointment of Joe Jimenez as its new chief executive.