The Swiss pharma company Novartis ranks in the top 10 of pharma companies, and boasts drugs ranging from Ritalin and Lamisil to clozapine, Diovan and Gilenya. It also owns the generic giant Sandoz. Unlike its competitor, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis did not offer free flu vaccines during the H1N1 flu epidemic.

In March 2011, Novartis gained FDA approval for Gilenya, its multiple sclerosis drug. The nod came on the heels of a narrower EMA approval, which grants second-line treatment status. According to experts, the drug could be worth $3 billion in annual sales as the first oral MS drug on the market.

Novartis purchased the remaining portion of eye care company Alcon in a $12.9 billion deal at the end of 2010, marking the end of one of the biggest battles in biopharma. Although many analysts predicted heavy layoffs in 2010 from the company, only 1,400 jobs were cut in December 2010, with the disclaimer that more could be on the way as Novartis, like others in the industry, analyzes its efficiency.

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Latest Headlines

Is Novartis seriously scouting for new Alzheimer's drug candidates?

According to an analysis by Bloomberg , Novartis is interested in finding a competitive Alzheimer's drug program. But it's hard to determine from the story if the pharma giant--always reluctant to detail partnering efforts or in-house strategies--has anything specific in mind.

Novartis' Sandoz unit recalls products from U.S., Poland

Generic drugmaker Sandoz is recalling two lots of an injectable drug, making yet another manufacturing problem for its parent, Novartis.

Worker hurt in 'flash fire' at Amgen facility

A worker at an Amgen research facility in South San Francisco has been hospitalized after a "flash fire" involving hazardous materials.

WSJ: Novartis said to eye $16B offer for Actavis

Actavis has suddenly become the belle of the ball. The Wall Street Journal reports that Novartis is now entertaining a $16 billion bid for the generics maker after a $13 billion offer from Valeant and a $15 billion bid from Mylan both fell flat.

Novartis properly warned of Zometa's risks, jury decides

Novartis prevailed in the latest court battle over jawbone injuries in Zometa patients. The company did properly warn patients about the drug's risks, a New Jersey jury determined after a 13-day trial.

Novartis taps synthetic biology to speed vax development

The agenda for the mammalian synthetic biology workshop held at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology last weekend demonstrates that renewed interest in vaccines has opened up new therapeutic targets, which in turn has driven new approaches to manufacturing. And the threats of pandemic flu and bioterrorism have acted as an extra innovation driver.

Amgen, Novartis aim to fuel biotech startups in alliances with Atlas Venture

For Amgen and Novartis, investing in the latest fund from Atlas Venture wasn't enough. The Cambridge, MA-based venture firm has struck separate agreements with the two major drugmakers to join forces on biotech startups.

Jury is out in another case linking Novartis' Zometa to jawbone death

Novartis is one step closer to knowing how its latest round of Zometa litigation works out. After 11 days of testimony, the jury has started deliberating its verdict on plaintiff Beverly Meng's claims that the Swiss drugmaker downplayed the bone drug's risks.

FDA gives Novartis' Ilaris big boost with nod for rare juvenile arthritis

Novartis has grabbed one of two new indications it was shooting for with its rare disease drug Ilaris, one step toward turning the drug into a blockbuster.

Sale of plant to Novartis doesn't reverse Dendreon's ill fortunes

Biotech Dendreon, the maker of prostate cancer vaccine Provenge, continues to struggle with earnings even after undertaking a restructuring program which included unloading one of its manufacturing plants.