Novartis AG is a leading global healthcare company headquartered in Basel, Switzerland. Founded in 1996 through the merger of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz, Novartis has established itself as a major player in the pharmaceutical industry[^1].
## Company Overview
Novartis focuses on the discovery, development, manufacture, and marketing of prescription and generic pharmaceutical products, as well as eye care products. The company's portfolio covers a wide range of therapeutic areas, including:
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Dermatological conditions
- Neurological disorders
- Ophthalmic and respiratory diseases
- Immune disorders
- Infections
Novartis operates through two main divisions:
1. Innovative Medicines: Prescription drugs
2. Sandoz: Generic medicines and biosimilars
## Key Figures
- Revenue (2023): US$45.44 billion[^2]
- Operating income (2023): US$9.77 billion[^2]
- Employees: Approximately 108,000[^3]
- Global presence: Operations in over 90 countries[^3]
## Research and Innovation
Novartis places a strong emphasis on research and development:
- The Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR) conducts research in various disease areas[^4].
- As of 2024, the company has over 710 pipeline drugs in development[^4].
- Novartis has been involved in more than 6,700 clinical trials[^4].
## Recent Developments
- **Q3 2024 Financial Results**:
- Revenue: US$13.2 billion (up 8.9% from Q3 2023)
- Net income: US$3.19 billion (up 111% from Q3 2023)
- Profit margin: 24% (up from 13% in Q3 2023)[^5]
- **Strategic Focus**: Novartis has transformed from a broadly based health company to a focused drug company[^6].
- **Key Acquisitions and Divestitures**:
- 2018: Acquired AveXis (gene therapy specialist)
- 2019: Spun off Alcon (eye care division) as an independent company
- 2020: Acquired The Medicines Company (biotechnology firm)[^6]
## Leadership
- CEO: Vasant Narasimhan, M.D. (since 2018)
- Chairman: Joerg Reinhardt, Ph.D. (since 2013)[^4]
Novartis continues to innovate and adapt to the changing healthcare landscape, focusing on developing breakthrough treatments and improving patient outcomes worldwide.
## Citations
[^1]: https://www.globaldata.com/store/report/novartis-ag/
[^2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novartis
[^3]: https://www.globaldata.com/company-profile/novartis-ag/
[^4]: https://www.novartis.com/about
[^5]: https://simplywall.st/stocks/ch/pharmaceuticals-biotech/vtx-novn/novartis-shares/news/novartis-third-quarter-2024-earnings-beats-expectations
[^6]: https://www.novartis.com/sites/novartis_com/files/q3-2024-media-release-en.pdf