What Novartis Foundation does

The Novartis Foundation is a Basel-headquartered non-profit philanthropic organization established in 1979 and operating as the global health arm of Novartis AG. It focuses on reimagining population health in low- and middle-income countries — and increasingly in underserved U.S. urban populations — by applying data science, predictive analytics, and AI to shift health systems from reactive to proactive and preventive models. Its portfolio centers on two interlocking programs: CARDIO4Cities, a city-led methodology that uses data and AI-driven insights to design cardiovascular intervention roadmaps translated into action through intersectoral collaboration, and AI4HealthyCities, which surfaces the social, economic, and environmental determinants of cardiovascular outcomes to feed back into CARDIO4Cities. Additional technology assets include the AI4leprosy computer-vision diagnostic assistant (co-developed with Fiocruz and Microsoft AI for Health, reporting over 90% detection accuracy), the eHTN.Tracker digital hypertension management tool with SMS reminders, the AI Maturity in Health self-assessment tool deployed across six countries, and the HealthTech Hub Africa incubator in Kigali supporting African health-tech startups.

The Foundation does not generate commercial revenue. It is funded by Novartis AG — operating budget disclosed at CHF 15 million in 2017 — and distributes its programs at no cost through partnerships with national health authorities (e.g., Ghana Health Service, Ho Chi Minh City Provincial Health Department), multilateral organizations (WHO, Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy), academic institutions (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, University of Basel, Swiss TPH), and technology partners (Microsoft AI for Health, Norrsken Foundation). Reported outcomes include tripled blood pressure control rates in São Paulo, Dakar, and Ulaanbaatar programs; hypertension control improvement in Ghana's ComHIP program from 36% to 72%; and cumulative reach of over 30 million people. Governance sits with a Board of Trustees chaired by Novartis AG Chairman Joerg Reinhardt, with Dr. Ann Aerts leading day-to-day operations.

Name

Novartis Foundation

Legal name

Novartis Foundation

Website

https://novartisfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Novartis Foundation is a Basel-based non-profit arm of Novartis AG that uses data, AI, and cross-sector partnerships to shift urban health systems in low- and middle-income countries from reactive to preventive care, primarily through its CARDIO4Cities and AI4HealthyCities programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Basel

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Novartis Foundation is a non-profit philanthropic organization that helps cities use data, AI, and cross-sector collaboration to improve population health outcomes, particularly cardiovascular health, in low- and middle-income countries. It runs two flagship program initiatives—CARDIO4Cities (city-led cardiovascular intervention using AI-driven insights) and AI4HealthyCities (AI analytics identifying social, economic, and environmental determinants of health)—and develops supporting digital tools such as the AI4leprosy diagnostic assistant and eHTN.Tracker.

Product overview

The Novartis Foundation operates a portfolio of population health programs focused on using data, AI, and cross-sector collaboration to improve urban health outcomes. The organization runs two core program initiatives: CARDIO4Cities (city-led cardiovascular health improvement using data and AI-driven insights) and AI4HealthyCities (identifying social, economic, and environmental determinants of health through AI). These work as a continuous cycle where AI4HealthyCities uncovers factors driving health outcomes and CARDIO4Cities turns insights into targeted actions. Additional initiatives include the Reimagining Women's Heart Health Social Innovation Challenge, the AI4leprosy diagnostic tool (over 90% accurate for leprosy detection), the eHTN.Tracker digital patient management system, HealthTech Hub Africa incubator program, and an AI Maturity in Health Assessment Tool. The foundation has shifted its strategic focus to concentrate fully on how digital, data, and AI can transform global health, moving from reactive to proactive and predictive health systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CARDIO4Cities: City-led approach improving cardiovascular outcomes using data and AI-driven insights to design precision health intervention roadmaps translated into action through intersectoral collaboration.
• AI4HealthyCities
• AI4leprosy

Products and services

• CARDIO4Cities A proven, city-led approach that improves cardiovascular outcomes by using data and AI-driven insights to design precision health intervention roadmaps translated into action through intersectoral collaboration. Targeted at city governments, health systems, and communities seeking to reduce cardiovascular mortality at scale.
• AI4HealthyCities A global initiative that applies data and AI to identify the social, economic, and environmental determinants most associated with health outcomes and inform targeted action. Uncovers factors driving cardiovascular outcomes in cities through continuous integration of scientific evidence. Targeted at city and national health authorities seeking population health insights.
• AI4leprosy An AI-enabled diagnostic assistant that assesses skin lesion images in combination with patient symptoms to help identify suspected leprosy lesions, with over 90% accuracy. Built for frontline health workers to accelerate leprosy detection globally.
• eHTN.Tracker Digital patient tracker for people with hypertension that enables health workers to track and follow up with diagnosed patients, connected with SMS service reminders for treatment and self-care regimens. Designed for community health programs in low- and middle-income settings.
• HealthTech Hub Africa A health technology incubator at Norrsken House in Kigali, Rwanda, supporting up to 30 African health tech startups with grant funding and programmatic support. Focused on technologies addressing heart disease, breast cancer, and virtual health services.
• AI Maturity in Health Assessment Tool A self-assessment tool launched with PATH to help countries evaluate their readiness and maturity in adopting AI in healthcare. Deployed in six countries to benchmark national AI health capabilities.
• Reimagining Women's Heart Health Social Innovation Challenge A Social Innovation Challenge seeking bold ideas to transform how cardiovascular risk in women is detected, managed, and prevented. Offers seed funding ranging from USD 50,000 to USD 500,000 for selected proposals, targeting innovators addressing gender gaps in cardiovascular health.

Quantifiable outcome

• Tripled blood pressure control rates within two years in São Paulo, Dakar, and Ulaanbaatar programs.
• +4 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability8 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Swiss TPHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 January 2025Swiss TPH leads the COVCO+ long-term population cohort study examining how biological, environmental, and urban factors influence health outcomes in the Basel region, with collaboration from the Novartis Foundation and University of Basel.
• University of BaselminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 January 2025Collaborates with Swiss TPH and the Novartis Foundation on the COVCO+ population cohort study to identify risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
• IntraHealth InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 May 2023IntraHealth International partners with the Novartis Foundation on the CARDIO4Cities Accelerator, aiming to replicate the successful CARDIO4Cities approach in 30 major cities within three years to transform cardiovascular population health globally.
• Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 February 2022Fiocruz led an international team of scientists including Microsoft AI for Health team and the Novartis Foundation to develop AI4leprosy, an AI-enabled diagnostic assistant that is over 90% accurate in detecting leprosy. The tool works by assessing skin lesion images in combination with patient symptoms.
• Norrsken FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 December 2021The Norrsken Foundation collaborates with the Novartis Foundation on the HealthTech Hub Africa, a new facility in Kigali, Rwanda that hosts African health technology start-ups. Norrsken provides the infrastructure at Norrsken House while Novartis Foundation provides funding and programmatic support for health innovations.
• Ho Chi Minh City Provincial Health DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 November 2019The Ho Chi Minh City Provincial Health Department partnered with PATH and the Novartis Foundation on the Communities for Healthy Hearts initiative, which screened over 120,000 people for hypertension in Vietnam and integrated the program into national health policy.
• PATHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2019PATH is a global health organization that works with the Novartis Foundation on multiple initiatives including the AI Maturity assessment tool launched in six countries, digital health programs, and cardiovascular health initiatives like Communities for Healthy Hearts. The partnership leverages PATH's expertise in accelerating health equity through innovative approaches.
• Microsoft AI for HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2019Microsoft AI for Health partners with the Novartis Foundation on AI initiatives including the AI4HealthyCities Health Equity Network and the AI4leprosy diagnostic tool. Microsoft co-chairs the Broadband Commission Working Group on Digital and AI in Health with the foundation. The partnership applies AI technology to improve urban heart health equity and accelerate disease detection.
• Graduate Institute GenevaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2019Host of the Global Health Center that co-hosted the Universal Health Coverage 2030 event with the Novartis Foundation, PATH, and Global He@lth 2030 Innovation Task Force.
• Global He@lth 2030 Innovation Task ForceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2019Multi-stakeholder public-private partnership dedicated to supporting next generation UHC 2030 and health-related SDGs, co-hosting events and initiatives with the Novartis Foundation.
• Ghana Health ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 November 2018The Ghana Health Service partnered with the Novartis Foundation on the ComHIP (Community-based Hypertension Improvement Project) program, which doubled hypertension control rates from 36% to 72%. The Ghanaian government has since integrated the project's training curriculum and treatment guidelines into national policy.
• London School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Academic partner in the ComHIP program in Ghana, providing research expertise on non-communicable diseases and community-based healthcare approaches.
• FHI360minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Implementing partner in the ComHIP program in Ghana, contributing to the community-based hypertension improvement project that doubled control rates.
• Ghana School of Public HealthminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Academic partner in the ComHIP hypertension program in Ghana, supporting research and implementation capacity.
• World Health Organization (WHO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018WHO has incorporated the Novartis Foundation's leprosy post-exposure prophylaxis program strategy into global guidelines for leprosy prevention. The foundation co-chairs the Broadband Commission Working Group on Digital and AI in Health with Microsoft.
• Global Partnership for Zero LeprosycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018The Novartis Foundation is a founding partner in the Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy, bringing together partners in the leprosy community to align behind a coordinated approach to achieving a leprosy-free world.
• Syngenta FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Supporting the Better Hearts Better Cities multisector approach by investigating how to improve availability of healthy food in Dakar, Senegal.
• Association SamaritanominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Partner providing financial and strategic support for the Better Hearts Better Cities initiative in São Paulo, Brazil.
• Babylon HealthminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Private sector partner in Rwanda working with the government to provide digital health consultations using AI-powered triage and symptom checker platform.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI): Global health organization focused on HIV/AIDS, malaria, and health system strengthening in LMICs with strong data analytics and government partnership model. Comparable as a non-profit operating data-driven population health programs through government partnerships in low- and middle-income countries.
• Norrsken Foundation: Swedish impact foundation operating Norrsken House hubs (including Kigali) supporting social entrepreneurs in East Africa. Directly comparable as an active partner on the HealthTech Hub Africa incubator program and as a similarly structured European-based impact foundation with African healthtech focus.
• IntraHealth International: Global health nonprofit focused on health workforce development and primary care in LMICs. Directly comparable as a core CARDIO4Cities Accelerator partner with operational capacity for community health programs and similar target geographies in Africa and Asia.
• Resolve to Save Lives: Global health initiative focused on cardiovascular disease prevention and epidemic preparedness in LMICs. Directly comparable as a non-profit operating cardiovascular population health programs with data-driven interventions and city/country-level policy integration, including hypertension control initiatives.
• PATH: Global nonprofit health organization that works on digital health, AI maturity, and cardiovascular health in LMICs. Closely comparable as a core implementation partner and operational peer in population health programs; both organizations co-developed the AI Maturity Assessment and collaborate on Communities for Healthy Hearts in Vietnam.

Broad incumbents

• Bloomberg Philanthropies: Major philanthropic organization with substantial global health portfolio including tobacco control, road safety, and cardiovascular disease prevention. Comparable as a corporate-affiliated foundation with cardiovascular health focus and large-scale grantmaking to LMICs and U.S. cities.
• Wellcome Trust: UK-based charitable foundation with USD 30B+ endowment funding global health research, mental health, and infectious disease. Comparable as a major health-focused foundation investing in data-driven health interventions and AI for health, with broader research orientation but similar grantmaking and population health mandate.
• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: The world's largest philanthropic foundation focused on global health, with a USD 70B+ endowment funding disease elimination (malaria, polio, HIV) and global health system strengthening. Directly comparable as a non-corporate-affiliated global health grantmaking foundation operating across LMICs, though substantially larger and more diversified than Novartis Foundation.
• Rockefeller Foundation: Major philanthropic foundation with Smart Power Market Initiatives and health equity programs targeting urban and underserved populations. Comparable as an established global health foundation investing in data-driven and AI-for-health interventions, including AI for public health applications in cities.

Emerging players

• HealthAI (formerly International Digital Health & AI Research Collaborative): Nonprofit organization promoting responsible AI adoption in healthcare globally. Comparable as a thought-leadership and convening organization focused on AI maturity, governance, and best practices in healthcare AI, intersecting with Novartis Foundation's AI Maturity Assessment Tool work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/novartisfdn
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/novartisfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/novartis-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Novartis Foundation