Novartis Pharma

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.

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

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

• Prescription pharmaceuticals
• Cell and gene therapy
• Radioligand therapy
• Monoclonal antibody drugs
• Rare disease treatments

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Markets served

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

Core 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

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BioArctic ABcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 June 2026Option, 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 ConsortiumminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 202634-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 PharmaceuticalscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 January 2026Licensing 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.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 November 2024Exclusive 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 CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2023License 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) EngineeringminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration 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

Broad 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

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments8 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Novartis Pharma