Novartis Pharma
Novartis Pharma K.K. is the Japanese operating subsidiary of Swiss-headquartered Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS), commercializing innovative prescription medicines across oncology, immunology, cardiovascular, neuroscience, and rare diseases via four technology platforms: molecular targeted therapy, cell and gene therapy, cancer immunotherapy, and radioligand therapy.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Novartis Pharma does
Novartis Pharma K.K. (ノバルティス ファーマ株式会社) is the Japanese operating subsidiary of Novartis AG, a Swiss-headquartered global pharmaceutical group formed through the 1996 merger of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz and listed on the NYSE under ticker NVS. The Japanese entity was established in 1997 and operates from Tokyo with 1,001-5,000 employees, commercializing a broad portfolio of innovative prescription medicines across oncology, immunology, cardiovascular/renal/metabolic, central nervous system, respiratory, and rare disease therapeutic areas.
The company monetizes its portfolio through traditional pharmaceutical commercialization: field-based Medical Representatives (MR) and Medical Science Liaisons (MSL) engage healthcare professionals and institutional prescribers, supported by a members-only HCP portal (drs-net-connect.novartis.co.jp), patient-facing medication information sites (okusuri.novartis.co.jp), and disease awareness portals covering oncology, rare diseases, cardiovascular/renal/metabolic conditions, and severe pollenosis. Product economics are driven by prescription drug pricing across payors (Japan's national health insurance system and equivalents elsewhere for the parent), with pricing not publicly disclosed for individual products.
Underlying the commercial portfolio are four treatment technology platforms: molecular targeted therapy, cell and gene therapy (including the CAR-T therapy Kymriah/キムリア), cancer immunotherapy, and radioligand therapy (RLT, exemplified by Pluvicto/プルヴィクト for prostate cancer and Lutathera/ルタテラ for neuroendocrine tumors). Notable products include Zolgensma (gene therapy for SMA), Cosentyx (immunology), Leqvio (siRNA for hypercholesterolemia), Kesimpta (multiple sclerosis), Entresto (heart failure), Fabhalta (rare kidney disease), and Lucentis (ophthalmology). The proprietary BrainTransporter technology for crossing the blood-brain barrier and multiple recent high-value licensing deals (BioArctic, SciNeuro, Ratio Therapeutics, Legend Biotech) signal an R&D model that combines internal platform investment with targeted external in-licensing.
Novartis Pharma firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Novartis Pharma
- Legal name
- Novartis Pharma K.K.
- Website
- https://novartis.co.jp
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1996
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Novartis Pharma K.K. is the Japanese operating subsidiary of Swiss-headquartered Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS), commercializing innovative prescription medicines across oncology, immunology, cardiovascular, neuroscience, and rare diseases via four technology platforms: molecular targeted therapy, cell and gene therapy, cancer immunotherapy, and radioligand therapy.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Novartis Pharma industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Pharmaceuticals
- NAICS
- Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)
- SIC
- Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Primary Care & General Medicine Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Immunology & Inflammation Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAD), Neurology & Psychiatry (CNS) Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAF), Nephrology & Urology Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAH), Neurology & CNS Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAC), Immunology & Autoimmune Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAB)
Keywords
Where Novartis Pharma is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Markets served
Novartis Pharma business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Novartis Pharma product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Novartis Pharma (Novartis Pharma K.K. / ノバルティス ファーマ株式会社) develops, manufactures, and commercializes innovative prescription pharmaceutical products in Japan across four proprietary treatment technology platforms: molecular targeted therapy, cell and gene therapy (including CAR-T), cancer immunotherapy, and radioligand therapy. Its marketed portfolio includes CAR-T cell therapies (Kymriah), radioligand therapies (Pluvicto, Lutathera), gene therapy (Zolgensma), monoclonal antibodies (Cosentyx, Kesimpta, Xolair), siRNA therapy (Leqvio), tyrosine kinase inhibitors (Glivec, Votrient), and other specialty medicines addressing oncology, immunology, cardiovascular/renal/metabolic, central nervous system, and rare diseases.
Product overview
Novartis Pharma is a global pharmaceutical company offering a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines and patient support services. The core product portfolio includes innovative pharmaceutical products across four therapeutic technology platforms: molecular targeted therapy, cell and gene therapy, cancer immunotherapy, and radioligand therapy. Key products include Kymriah (CAR-T cell therapy for B-cell cancers), Cosentyx (monoclonal antibody for immunology), Pluvicto and Lutathera (radioligand therapies for prostate cancer and NET), Zolgensma (gene therapy for SMA), and Leqvio (siRNA therapy for hypercholesterolemia). The company also provides patient support through disease education portals covering oncology, immunology, cardiovascular, CNS, and rare diseases, as well as the Breezhaler inhaler device system for respiratory medications.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Kymriah (キムリア) Autologous CAR-T cell therapy engineered to target and eliminate malignant B cells in patients with B-cell malignancies such as relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
- Cosentyx (コセンティックス) Monoclonal antibody (anti-IL-17A) indicated for psoriasis, pediatric psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and axial spondyloarthritis.
- Zolgensma (ゾルゲンスマ) Adeno-associated virus (AAV9)-based gene therapy delivering a functional copy of the SMN1 gene for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).
- Xolair (ゾレア) Anti-IgE monoclonal antibody for the treatment of asthma, chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), and seasonal allergic rhinitis.
- Entresto (エンレスト) Sacubitril/valsartan combination therapy indicated for chronic heart failure (including pediatric heart failure), reducing cardiovascular death and hospitalization.
- Kesimpta (ケシンプタ) Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody administered subcutaneously for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis.
- Pluvicto (プルビクト) PSMA-targeted radioligand therapy for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, delivering targeted radiation to PSMA-expressing cells.
- Leqvio (レクビオ) Inclisiran-based siRNA therapy administered twice yearly as a subcutaneous injection to lower LDL cholesterol in patients with hypercholesterolemia.
- Lucentis (ルセンティス) Anti-VEGF antibody fragment (ranibizumab) administered by intravitreal injection for ophthalmic conditions including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, and retinal vein occlusion.
- Lutathera (ルタテラ) Somatostatin receptor-targeted radioligand therapy for the treatment of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs).
- Fabhalta (ファビハルタ) Oral complement factor B inhibitor for the treatment of C3 glomerulopathy (C3G), a rare complement-mediated kidney disease.
- Mayzent (メーゼント) S1P receptor modulator (siponimod) for the treatment of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, reducing immune cell migration into the central nervous system.
- Glivec (グリベック) Imatinib tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting BCR-ABL, KIT, and PDGFR for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and KIT-positive gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST).
- Afinitor (アフィニトール) Everolimus mTOR inhibitor indicated for tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)-associated seizures and subependymal giant cell astrocytoma, and for certain advanced breast cancer indications.
- Votrient (ヴォトリエント) Pazopanib tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting VEGF and PDGF receptors for the treatment of advanced soft tissue sarcoma and renal cell carcinoma.
- Clozaril (クロザリル) Clozapine atypical antipsychotic indicated for treatment-resistant schizophrenia.
- CARVYKTI (ciltacabtagene autoleucel) BCMA-directed autologous CAR-T cell therapy for the treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, demonstrating sustained efficacy with 30-month overall survival rates exceeding 85% in clinical trials.
- Breezhaler (ブリーズヘラー) Single-dose dry powder inhaler device used to deliver multiple Novartis respiratory medications including Enerzair, Atectura, Ultibro, Onbrez, and Seebri for COPD and asthma.
Quantifiable outcome
- LB2102 CAR-T therapy demonstrated 28.6% objective response rate (ORR) and 78.6% disease control rate at higher dose levels in relapsed/refractory small cell lung cancer.
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Novartis Pharma
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Novartis Pharma technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Novartis Pharma partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- BioArctic ABcoreOption, collaboration, and license agreement for neurodegenerative disease treatment using BioArctic's proprietary BrainTransporter technology, which facilitates drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier. BioArctic receives $30 million upfront and is eligible for milestone payments up to $772 million, plus tiered mid-single-digit royalties on future global product sales. If Novartis exercises its option after evaluating initial research results, Novartis will assume full responsibility for global development and commercialization.
- FORTIFY Project Consortiumminor34-partner public-private initiative funded by the Innovative Health Initiative and aligned with the European Health Data Space, aimed at enabling trusted secondary use of health data while protecting intellectual property and trade secrets. Over three years (May 2026–April 2029), the project will develop legal guidance, governance tools, and technical solutions including traceability and watermarking systems for data owners to track usage.
- SciNeuro PharmaceuticalscoreLicensing and collaboration agreement for a novel antibody program targeting Alzheimer's disease, leveraging proprietary shuttle technology to enhance brain delivery. SciNeuro receives $165 million upfront and potential milestone payments up to $1.5 billion. Novartis leads subsequent development and commercialization efforts.
- Ratio Therapeutics Inc.coreExclusive worldwide license and collaboration agreement for a Somatostatin Receptor 2 (SSTR2) radiotherapeutic candidate for cancer treatment. Ratio conducts preclinical activities to select a development candidate, while Novartis assumes responsibility for all remaining development, manufacturing, and commercialization. Ratio receives combined upfront and potential milestone payments up to $745 million, plus tiered royalty payments.
- Legend Biotech CorporationcoreLicense agreement (November 2023) for DLL3-targeted CAR-T cell therapy (LB2102) for relapsed or refractory small cell lung cancer. Legend Biotech retains responsibility for the ongoing U.S. Phase 1 trial while Novartis holds exclusive worldwide rights for other development, manufacturing, and commercialization of DLL3-targeted CAR-T therapies. LB2102 demonstrated 28.6% ORR and 78.6% disease control rate at ASCO 2026.
- University of Missouri (Mizzou) EngineeringminorCollaboration with Mizzou Engineering researchers who developed an AI tool called REPACT to help chemists predict and optimize chemical reactions, making drug production safer, faster and more sustainable using micellar catalysis instead of toxic organic solvents. The model predicts yields within 2–10% of real lab results and was validated on drug-like molecules by collaborating with Novartis Pharma researcher Dr. Fabrice Gallou to ensure industrial relevance.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Novartis Pharma competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Eli Lilly: Diversified innovative pharma major with growing oncology and immunology pipelines. Overlaps with Novartis in cardiovascular, neuroscience, and immunology, though Lilly's growth is currently anchored by metabolic disease franchises.
- GSK: Global pharma major with comparable specialty medicine focus in oncology, immunology, and respiratory. Increasingly competes in radioligand therapy following its acquisition of RayzeBio.
- Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine: Large pharmaceutical segment of J&J with significant overlap in oncology, immunology, and neuroscience. Operates a broader portfolio across consumer health and medical devices alongside pharma.
Direct peers
- Pfizer: Global pharmaceutical major with a diversified innovative-medicine portfolio across oncology, immunology, and rare diseases. Directly competes with Novartis in multiple therapeutic categories and shares the same scale of R&D and commercialization infrastructure.
- Merck & Co. Innovative pharma leader with strong oncology (Keytruda) and vaccine franchises. Comparable in scale and in operating model of pairing in-house R&D with major external licensing deals.
- AstraZeneca: Global pharma major with overlapping oncology, cardiovascular, renal, and respiratory portfolios. Comparable focus on innovative specialty medicines and recent expansion into radioligand therapy.
- Roche: Swiss-headquartered global pharmaceutical major with overlapping oncology, immunology, and neuroscience portfolios. Comparable scale, therapeutic breadth, and biologics manufacturing depth make it the closest global peer.
- Bristol-Myers Squibb: Direct competitor in CAR-T cell therapy (Breyanzi, Abecma) and immuno-oncology. Highly relevant peer given the head-to-head overlap with Kymriah and CARVYKTI.
- Sanofi: European pharma major with comparable immunology (Dupixent), rare disease, and oncology footprints. Operates a similar platform-based R&D approach across specialty therapy areas.
Regional players
- Takeda Pharmaceutical: Japan-headquartered global pharma major with overlapping specialty, oncology, and rare disease portfolios. Most relevant Japan-headquartered peer given shared home-market regulatory and commercialization dynamics.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Novartis Pharma social profiles
Digital presenceNovartis Pharma financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Novartis Pharma leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Novartis Pharma subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Novartis Pharma funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Novartis Pharma M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments8 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Novartis Pharma
What does Novartis Pharma do?
Novartis Pharma (Novartis Pharma K.K. / ノバルティス ファーマ株式会社) develops, manufactures, and commercializes innovative prescription pharmaceutical products in Japan across four proprietary treatment technology platforms: molecular targeted therapy, cell and gene therapy (including CAR-T), cancer immunotherapy, and radioligand therapy. Its marketed portfolio includes CAR-T cell therapies (Kymriah), radioligand therapies (Pluvicto, Lutathera), gene therapy (Zolgensma), monoclonal antibodies (Cosentyx, Kesimpta, Xolair), siRNA therapy (Leqvio), tyrosine kinase inhibitors (Glivec, Votrient), and other specialty medicines addressing oncology, immunology, cardiovascular/renal/metabolic, central nervous system, and rare diseases.
Is Novartis Pharma a public or private company?
Novartis Pharma is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Novartis Pharma founded?
Novartis Pharma was founded in 1996. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Novartis Pharma based?
Novartis Pharma is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
Who are Novartis Pharma's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Eli Lilly, GSK and Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine. Direct peers are Pfizer, Merck & Co., AstraZeneca, Roche, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Sanofi. Takeda Pharmaceutical is listed as a regional player.
Does Novartis Pharma have an API?
No public API is recorded for Novartis Pharma.
What industry is Novartis Pharma in?
Novartis Pharma's product category is Pharmaceuticals. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAIAAAA, Primary Care & General Medicine Pharmaceuticals, with a secondary code of HLAIAAAD, Immunology & Inflammation Pharmaceuticals. Its NAICS code is 325412 and its SIC code is 2834.