Novartis

Novartis develops medicines for cardiovascular, renal and metabolic diseases, immunology, neuroscience and oncology. Its products include Kisqali for early and metastatic breast cancer, Pluvicto for PSMA-positive metastatic prostate cancer, and Itvisma, a gene replacement therapy approved in the EU for eligible spinal muscular atrophy patients aged two and older. Its research combines chemistry and biotherapeutics with investment in cell and gene therapies, radioligand therapies and RNA technologies.

Created through the 1996 merger of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz, Novartis is led by CEO Vasant Narasimhan. Its completed 2023 Sandoz spin-off separated the generics and biosimilars business, concentrating Novartis on innovative medicines. A lasting research contribution is Kymriah, developed through collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania: this individualized CAR-T treatment uses a patient’s own T cells to fight cancer. It received FDA approval in 2017 for patients up to age 25 with refractory or repeatedly relapsed B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

In its July 2026 results, Novartis reported that its medicines reached more than 300 million people worldwide. It also completed its acquisition of Avidity Biosciences in 2026 at approximately $12 billion in fully diluted equity value. The acquisition added a muscle-directed antibody–oligonucleotide conjugate platform and three late-stage programs, expanding its RNA therapeutics capabilities.