Novartis AG is a Swiss multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Basel, Switzerland. It was founded in 1996 through the merger of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz, two prominent pharmaceutical companies with long histories dating back to the 19th century.
Novartis operates in the healthcare sector, focusing on the development, manufacturing, and marketing of a wide range of innovative pharmaceuticals, generic drugs, and consumer health products. The company has a diversified portfolio that includes prescription medicines, eye care products, over-the-counter drugs, and animal health products. Novartis is committed to improving the health and well-being of people around the world through its research and development efforts.
As a global healthcare company, Novartis has a significant presence in various markets worldwide. It is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol NVS. Novartis is also a component of major stock market indices such as the Swiss Market Index (SMI) and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA).
One exceptionally noteworthy aspect of Novartis is its strong focus on research and development (R&D) to drive innovation in the pharmaceutical industry. The company invests heavily in R&D activities to discover and develop new treatments for a range of diseases and medical conditions. Novartis has been involved in groundbreaking advancements in areas such as oncology, immunology, neuroscience, and cardiovascular diseases.
Novartis' flagship product is the cancer drug Gleevec (also known as Glivec or Imatinib). Gleevec was one of the first targeted therapies to be approved for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and certain types of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). The drug revolutionized the treatment of CML, offering improved outcomes and significantly prolonging the lives of patients. Gleevec's success exemplifies Novartis' commitment to developing innovative medicines that address unmet medical needs.
In addition to Gleevec, Novartis has a diverse portfolio of other blockbuster drugs, including drugs for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, cancer, and other chronic diseases. The company also collaborates with academic institutions, research organizations, and biotechnology companies to foster innovation and expand its product pipeline.