Novartis Pharma, Rich History, Mission and Values, and 17 Products

Introduction

Novartis Pharma is a global pharmaceutical company headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, with a rich history of over a century. With a mission to reimagine medicine and improve people’s lives, Novartis Pharma operates in over 150 countries and employs more than 100,000 individuals. The company focuses on various therapeutic areas, including oncology, cardiovascular diseases, neurology, immunology, ophthalmology, and respiratory diseases.

Oncology

• Breast cancer
• Lung cancer
• Melanoma
• Lymphoma
• Leukemia
• Kidney cancer
• Other rare and aggressive cancers

Cardiovascular Diseases

• Heart failure
• High blood pressure
• Atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in arteries)
• Angina pectoris (chest pain)
• Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
• Stroke

Neurology

• Multiple sclerosis
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Epilepsy
• Migraine
• Neuropathic pain
• Other rare neurological disorders

Immunology

• Autoimmune diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, lupus)
• Transplant rejection
• Inflammatory bowel diseases (e.g., Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis)
• Psoriasis
• Asthma
• Allergies

Ophthalmology

• Age-related macular degeneration
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Retinal vein occlusion
• Wet age-related macular degeneration
• Other rare ophthalmic conditions

Respiratory Diseases

• Asthma
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Chronic bronchitis
• Emphysema
• Cystic fibrosis
• Pulmonary fibrosis
• Other rare respiratory disorders

Historical background

Novartis Pharma traces its origins back to two renowned Swiss pharmaceutical companies: Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz Laboratories.

Ciba-Geigy

Ciba-Geigy was formed in 1970 through the merger of Ciba AG and J.R. Geigy AG. Both companies had long histories dating back to the late 19th century. Ciba was known for its expertise in chemicals and dyes, while Geigy had a strong foundation in pharmaceuticals. The merger created a global powerhouse with diverse interests in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and chemicals.

Sandoz Laboratories

Sandoz Laboratories was founded in Basel, Switzerland, in 1886. Originally a manufacturer of synthetic dyes, Sandoz expanded into the pharmaceutical industry in the early 20th century. It gained recognition for its innovative research, particularly in the fields of antibiotics and psychoactive drugs. Sandoz was notably responsible for the discovery and development of LSD and the first oral contraceptive pill.

The merger of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz in 1996 gave rise to Novartis. This union created one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, with a broad portfolio of products and a strong focus on research and development. Novartis quickly established itself as a leader in the global healthcare industry, with a presence in over 150 countries.

Mission

At Novartis Pharma, our mission is to discover, develop, and deliver innovative medicines and healthcare solutions that improve lives and address some of the world’s most pressing health challenges. We strive to make a meaningful impact on patients, caregivers, and healthcare systems, and to create long-term value for our stakeholders.

Values

1.  Patient-Centricity: We put patients at the heart of everything we do, working tirelessly to understand their needs and deliver solutions that improve their lives.
2.  Innovation: We embrace a culture of innovation, leveraging cutting-edge science, technology, and collaboration to drive medical progress and stay ahead of the curve.
3.  Integrity: We operate with transparency, accountability, and ethical standards, always doing the right thing for patients, our people, and the environment.
4.  Inclusion & Diversity: We celebrate individual differences and foster an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive, contribute, and grow.
5.  Sustainability: We prioritize environmentally and socially responsible practices, ensuring a healthier planet for future generations.
6.  Collaboration: We partner with others to accelerate medical breakthroughs, share knowledge, and address global healthcare challenges.
7.  Excellence: We strive for excellence in everything we do, setting high standards and continuously improving our performance.
8.  Agility: We embrace change and adapt quickly to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.

Quality Assurance

At Novartis Pharma, we are dedicated to ensuring the highest quality of our products and services, from research and development to manufacturing and distribution. Our Quality Assurance program is designed to guarantee compliance with regulatory requirements, industry standards, and stringent quality policies.

Key Elements

1. Compliance: We adhere to global regulatory requirements, including FDA, EMA, and WHO guidelines, ensuring our products meet the highest standards.
2. Risk Management: We identify, assess, and mitigate risks throughout our processes, implementing corrective actions and continuous improvement measures.
3. Quality Management System: Our robust QMS framework ensures consistency, transparency, and accountability across all operations.
4. Validation and Verification: We validate our processes, systems, and equipment, and verify the quality of our products through rigorous testing and inspection.
5. Training and Development: Our employees undergo regular training and development programs to ensure they have the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their tasks effectively.
6. Audits and Inspections: We conduct regular internal audits and inspections to ensure compliance and identify areas for improvement.
7. Supplier Management: We work closely with our suppliers to ensure they meet our quality standards and requirements.
8. Continuous Improvement: We encourage a culture of continuous improvement, soliciting feedback from employees, customers, and patients to drive innovation and excellence.
9. Patient-Centric Approach: We prioritize patient safety and well-being, ensuring our products and services meet their needs and expectations.
10. Transparency and Accountability: We maintain open communication channels, providing clear and timely information about our quality performance and any issues that may arise.

Research and Development

The research and development of Novartis Pharma focuses on the following areas:

Disease Areas: The company works across several disease areas to uncover insights into the origins and pathogenesis of diseases to drive drug discovery and early development.

Technology Platforms: The company uses technology platforms to innovate across its core therapeutic areas: Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic, Oncology, Immunology, and Neuroscience.

Advanced Platforms: The company focuses on three advanced platforms – xRNA, radioligand therapy, and gene and cell therapy – that it believes will continue to play an increasingly important role in delivering new medicines for patients.

Data Science: The company harnesses advances in machine learning and predictive analytics to transform the way it works.

Clinical Trials: The company conducts clinical trials to bring innovative medicines to patients.

Global Health: The company aims to make its products available in countries with the highest burden of the disease to be treated.

Neglected Diseases: The company invests in research and development for neglected diseases such as malaria, leishmaniasis, and Chagas disease.

Adaptive R&D: The company modifies existing medicines to improve therapeutic efficacy, safety, and access to medicine, with a focus on poor and vulnerable patient groups.

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Products portfolio 

Aclasta (Zoledronic Acid 5 mg)

• Used to treat osteoporosis, Paget’s disease, and hypocalcemia (low calcium levels)
• Reduces the risk of fractures and helps strengthen bones
• Administered intravenously once a year

Afinitor (Everolimus)

• Used to treat certain types of cancer, including breast, lung, and kidney cancer
• Also used to treat tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and renal angiomyolipoma
• Works by inhibiting cell growth and proliferation

Anafranil (Clomipramine Hydrochloride BP)

• Used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and anxiety disorders
• Belongs to the tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) class of medications
• Works by increasing the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain

Anuva (Diclofenac Potassium)

• Anuva used to treat pain, inflammation, and swelling. It contain active ingredient Diclofenac Potassium.
• Belongs to the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) class of medications
• Available in various formulations, including tablets, capsules, and topical gels

Asunra (Deferasirox)

• Used to treat iron overload, which can occur in patients with thalassemia or sickle cell disease
• Works by removing excess iron from the body
• Available in tablet and oral liquid formulations

AZYTH (Azithromycin)

• Used to treat bacterial infections, including pneumonia, sinusitis, and skin infections
• Azithromycin belongs to the macrolide class of antibiotics
• Available in various formulations, including tablets, capsules, and oral suspension

Beovu (Brolucizumab)

• Used to treat wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
• Works by inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
• Administered via intravitreal injection

Certican (Everolimus)

• Used to treat certain types of cancer and tumors
• Works by inhibiting cell growth and proliferation
• Available in various formulations, including tablets and oral solution

Ciprodex (Ciprofloxacin, Dexamethasone)

• Used to treat ear infections, including otitis externa and otitis media
• Combines an antibiotic (ciprofloxacin) with a steroid (dexamethasone)
• Available in ear drop formulation

Comtan (Entacapone)

• Used to treat Parkinson’s disease
• Works by inhibiting the breakdown of dopamine
• Administered orally, usually in combination with other Parkinson’s medications

Cosentyx (Secukinumab)

• Used to treat psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis
• Works by inhibiting interleukin-17A (IL-17A)
• Administered via subcutaneous injection

Adakveo (Crizanlizumab)

• Used to treat sickle cell disease
• Works by inhibiting P-selectin
• Administered via intravenous infusion

Aimovig (erenumab)

• Used to treat migraine
• Works by inhibiting calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)
• Administered via subcutaneous injection

Arzerra (Ofatumumab)

• Used to treat certain types of cancer, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
• Works by targeting CD20-positive cells
• Administered via intravenous infusion

Cibacen (Benazepril hydrochloride)

• Used to treat high blood pressure
• Works by inhibiting angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)
• Available in tablet formulation

Amlodipine/Valsartan Novartis (Amlodipine besilate with valsartan)

• Used to treat high blood pressure
• Combines a calcium channel blocker (amlodipine) with an angiotensin II receptor antagonist (valsartan)
• Available in tablet formulation

Amlodipine/Valsartan (Amlodipine besilate with valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide)

• Used to treat high blood pressure
• Combines a calcium channel blocker (amlodipine) with an angiotensin II receptor antagonist (valsartan) and a diuretic (hydrochlorothiazide)
• Available in tablet formulation

Manufacturing Facilities

Novartis has pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities in several locations around the world. Here are some of them:

Switzerland:

• Basel
• Stein
• Schweizerhalle

Europe:

• Austria: Schaftenau, Unterach
• France: Huningue, Sainte-Foy-lès-Lyon
• Germany: Nuremberg, Berlin
• Italy: Torre Annunziata
• Spain: Barcelona

Americas:

• USA: Morris Plains (New Jersey), Suffern (New York), Durham (North Carolina)
• Canada: Montreal (Quebec)
• Brazil: Campinas (São Paulo)

Asia:

• China: Beijing, Shanghai, Changshu
• India: Hyderabad, Mumbai
• Japan: Tokyo, Kashiwa
• South Korea: Seoul

Novartis Pharma (Pakistan) Pvt. Ltd.

Manufacturing facility: Karachi, Pakistan

The facility is located in the Korangi Industrial Area of Karachi and produces a range of pharmaceutical products for the local market. Novartis Pakistan is a subsidiary of the global Novartis group and has been operating in the country since 1963.

Other regions:

• Australia: Macquarie Park (New South Wales)
• Russia: St. Petersburg

Awards and Recognition