Novartis

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Novartis
TypePrivate pharmaceutical company
GenrePharmaceutical drug producer and biotechnological researcher
Founded1996
HeadquartersBasel, Switzerland
Employees67,653

Novartis is a pharmaceutical multinational from Switzerland that specializes in biotechnological drug production and distribution, as well as a vast array of consumer healthcare products, including the manufacturing of vaccines, the development of over-the-counter pharmaceuticals not requiring prescrptions, as well as animal healthcare products and the production of contact lenses and various lense care products. It is the world's 5th largest vaccine producer, and its presence is noted in over 140 countries worldwide through 100.000 or so associates[1]. The company formerly owned the Gerber Products Company, a major infant and baby products producer, but sold it to Nestlé on September, 2007.[2]

Contents

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Company History

Novartis was founded in 1996 as a result of the merger of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz, both Swiss companies with a long history of pharmaceutical experience.[3] Following the merger, Novartis reorganized its activities, and spun out its chemicals activities as Ciba Specialty Chemicals, which, in January 1997, became an independent company.[4] {In September 2008 BASF bought Ciba).[5][6]

Novartis combined its agricultural division with that of AstraZeneca to create Syngenta in November 2000.[7]

In 2003, Novartis created a new company named Sandoz, a subsidiary that bundles its generic drug production, reusing the predecessor brand.[8]

On 20 April 2006, Novartis acquired the California-based Chiron Corporation. Chiron was formerly divided into three units: Chiron Vaccines and Chiron Blood Testing, which now combine to form Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, and Chiron BioPharmaceuticals, to be integrated into Novartis Pharmaceuticals.[9]

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Financial Highlights

(In USD millions, unless indicated otherwise)[10]

Year Net sales R&D investments as a% of net sales Employees
2007 39,800 16.9% 98,200
2006 37,020 15.5% 94,241
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Business Strategy

NOVARTIS ASSOCIATES BY REGION AND BY BUSINESS
Enlarge
NOVARTIS ASSOCIATES BY REGION AND BY BUSINESS

Novartis' business strategy can be outlined through its 6 major product-lines:

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Pharmaceuticals

The company's Pharmaceuticals portfolio includes more than 45 key marketed products, among which the following can be found[11]:

  • Diovan HCT/Co-Diovan (valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide) for hypertension. (See [htttp://www.diovan.com here]
  • Gleevec/Glivec (imatinib mesylate/imatinib); marketed to treat certain forms of leukemia, gastrointestinal stromal (GIST) tumors and various rare cancers; see here
  • Lamisil (terbinafine), an antifungal agent (see here
  • Zometa (zoledronic acid) for cancers that have spread (or "metastasized") to the bones from solid tumors; see here
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Vaccines and Diagnostics

Novartis' Vaccines and Diagnostics Division has specialized in the development of products to combat over 20 vaccine-preventable viral and bacterial diseases, as well as an array of sophisticated blood-testing equipment. Novartis is the world’s fifth-largest vaccines manufacturer and the second-largest supplier of influenza vaccines in the US.[12]

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Sandoz

Sandoz is the generic pharmaceuticals branch of Novartis, specializing in distributing and manufacturing a vast array of low-cost pharmaceutical products no longer protected by patents.

"The key product groups of Sandoz include antibiotics, treatments for central-nervous-system disorders, gastrointestinal medicines, cardiovascular treatments and hormone therapies."[13]

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Over-the-counter drugs

"Over-the-Counter (OTC) is a world leader in the research, development, production and marketing of self-medication products that do not require prescriptions."[14]

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Animal Health

"Animal Health focuses on the well-being of companion animals and on the health and productivity of farm animals. Our product range provides solutions for the prevention and treatment of several widespread animal diseases and parasite infestations."[15]

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Ciba Vision

CIBA VISION specializes in contact lenses and lens-care production in over 70 countries[16]

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Animal testing

Novartis does animal testing.

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Animals by species, numbers & location

  • Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, New Jersey [17]
  • Novartis Institutes For Biomedical Research, [18]
  • Novartis Research Foundation Genomics Institute, San Diego, California [19]
  • Novartis Animal Health U.S., Inc., Larchwood, Iowa [20]

For links to copies of this facility's U.S. Department of Agriculture reports indicating species, number of animals used and other information visit Stop Animal Experimentation Now Facility Reports and Information, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Animal Plant Health Inspection reports. This Web site lists each of the 50 states; each state's name links to biomedical research facilities in that state, and to PDF copies of government documents where the facilities must report their animal usage.

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Contract testing

Novartis contract tests out to Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS). [21] HLS is the 3rd largest Contract Research Organization (CRO) in the world and the largest animal testing facility in all of Europe. Firms hire HLS to conduct animal toxicity tests for agrochemicals, petrochemicals, household products, pharmaceutical drugs and toxins. [22] HLS has a long history of gross animal welfare violations. See also Huntingdon Life Sciences, sections 2 & 3.

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Corporate Accountability

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Labor

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Human Rights

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Environment

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Consumer Protection and Product Safety

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Anti-Trust and Tax Practices

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Social Responsibility Initiatives

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Governance

Board of Directors

Executive Committee

Permanent Attendee of the Executive Committee

  • Andrin Oswald: CEO Vaccines and Diagnostics
  • David Epstein: President and CEO Oncology and Molecular Diagnostics
  • George Gunn: CEO Consumer Health, President and CEO Animal Health
  • Jeffrey George
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Contact Information

Head Office Novartis International AG
CH-4002 Basel
Switzerland
Phone: +41 61 324 11 11
Fax: +41 61 324 80 01
Website: http://www.novartis.com/
Monday - Friday, 8:30 - 17:00, GMT+1 (Central European Time)

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Articles & sources

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SourceWatch articles

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References

  1. ↑ "About Novartis: Facts"
  2. ↑ Novartis, "Novartis completes divestment program with transfer of Gerber baby foods business", Media Release, September 03, 2007.
  3. ↑ Novartis, "Novartis History", Novartis website, accessed December 2008.
  4. ↑ Ciba, "About Us", Ciba website, accessed December 2008.
  5. ↑ "BASF makes offer to acquire Ciba", Media Release, September 15, 2008.
  6. ↑ "BASF buys Swiss specialty chemicals maker Ciba", International Herald Tribune, September 15, 2008.
  7. ↑ Syngenta, "Company History", Syngenta website, accessed December 2008.
  8. ↑ Sandoz, "Return of a traditional name: Novartis Generics rebranded as Sandoz", Media Release, May 20, 2003.
  9. ↑ "Chiron Shareholders Approve Novartis Acquisition", Media Release, April 19 2006.
  10. ↑ Novartis, "Key Performance Indicators", 2007 Novartis Annual Financial report, page 61.(Pdf)
  11. ↑ "Novartis Pharmaceuticals Division"
  12. ↑ Novartis, "Novartis' Vaccines and Diagnostics Division", Novartis website, accessed December 2008.
  13. ↑ "About Sandoz: Novartis' generic pharmaceuticals division"
  14. ↑ "Novartis' Over-the-counter product line"
  15. ↑ "Novartis Animal Health"
  16. ↑ "CIBA Vision"
  17. ↑ Humane Society of the U.S. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, New Jersey, Research Facilities, accessed May 2009
  18. ↑ HSUS Novartis Institutes For Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, Research Facilities, accessed May 2009
  19. ↑ HSUS Novartis Research Foundation Genomics Institute, San Diego, California, Research Facilities, accessed May 2009
  20. ↑ HSUS Novartis Animal Health U.S., Inc., Larchwood, Iowa, Research Facilities, accessed May 2009
  21. ↑ Inside Huntingdon Life Sciences Inside Customers, accessed December 2008
  22. ↑ Inside HLS Frequently Asked Questions about Huntingdon Life Sciences, accessed December 2008
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External resources

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External articles

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