Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation is a multinational pharmaceutical company based in Basel, Switzerland. It is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, both by revenue and by the number of prescriptions. Novartis manufactures drugs in several therapeutic areas, including oncology, neurology, and cardiology.

History

Novartis was formed in 1996 through the merger of two Swiss companies, Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz Laboratories. Both companies had a rich history of pharmaceutical development and had contributed numerous significant medical innovations. The merger was aimed at creating synergies in research and development efforts to accelerate the pace of innovation.

Products

Novartis has a diverse portfolio of medications. Some of its most well-known products include:

• Gleevec (imatinib mesylate), a breakthrough treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST).
• Cosentyx (secukinumab), used for the treatment of psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis.
• Entresto (sacubitril/valsartan), for heart failure.

Research and Development

The company is known for its significant investment in R&D, focusing on areas of high unmet medical need. Novartis operates the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR), which is dedicated to the discovery and development of innovative medicines.

Corporate Responsibility

Novartis has initiatives aimed at increasing access to healthcare in developing countries. This includes drug donation programs and differential pricing strategies to make treatments more affordable in less developed economies.

Controversies

Like many large pharmaceutical companies, Novartis has faced its share of controversies, including issues related to patent laws in various countries, pricing strategies, and legal challenges related to marketing practices.

See Also

• Pharmaceutical industry
• List of pharmaceutical companies
• Healthcare in Switzerland