Novartis Pharmaceuticals

Novartis Pharmaceuticals

Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Pharmaceuticals
Founded	1996
Headquarters	Basel , Switzerland
Products	Medications and vaccines
Parent	Novartis

Novartis Pharmaceuticals is a division of the Swiss multinational pharmaceutical company Novartis, headquartered in Basel, Switzerland. It is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, known for developing, manufacturing, and marketing a wide range of medications and vaccines. The company focuses on a variety of therapeutic areas, including oncology, neurology, immunology, and cardiology.

History

Novartis Pharmaceuticals was formed in 1996 through the merger of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz, two Swiss companies with a long history in the pharmaceutical industry. The merger was aimed at creating synergies in the development and marketing of pharmaceutical products.

Products

Novartis Pharmaceuticals has developed several notable drugs, including:

• Gleevec (imatinib), used in the treatment of multiple cancers, most notably chronic myeloid leukemia.
• Cosentyx (secukinumab), for the treatment of psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis, and psoriatic arthritis.
• Entresto (sacubitril/valsartan), for heart failure.

Research and Development

The company invests heavily in R&D, focusing on innovative therapies that address significant unmet medical needs. Novartis Pharmaceuticals has been involved in the development of gene therapies and personalized medicine, leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as CRISPR and CAR-T cell therapy.

Controversies

Novartis Pharmaceuticals has faced several controversies, including issues related to pricing and patenting of medications. The company has been involved in legal disputes over drug patents and has faced criticism over the high cost of some of its medications.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Novartis Pharmaceuticals engages in various corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, focusing on access to healthcare, patient advocacy, and sustainable business practices. The company has programs aimed at improving access to medications in developing countries.

See Also

• Pharmaceutical industry
• List of pharmaceutical companies
• Health care