Novartis Oncology

What Novartis Oncology does

Novartis AG, the entity described in this dataset under the "Novartis Oncology" framing, is a Swiss multinational pharmaceutical company (NYSE: NVS; SIX: NOVN) headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, with US operations centered in East Hanover, New Jersey. The company operates as an innovative medicines business developing therapeutics across oncology, immunology, neuroscience, and cardiovascular/renal/metabolic disease. It employs approximately 108,000–110,000 people across 30+ countries and its products reach nearly 800 million people globally. Revenue, derived from pharmaceutical product sales rather than disclosed licensing fees, was approximately USD 50–52 billion annually per the source material.

In oncology specifically, Novartis pursues multiple therapeutic modalities: CAR-T cell therapies that train patient T-cells to attack tumors; radioligand therapies (RLT) that attach radioactive isotopes to targeting proteins for precision tumor killing (e.g., Pluvicto for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer); and novel small molecules against previously undruggable targets (e.g., Scemblix for chronic myeloid leukemia). Beyond oncology, the portfolio spans gene therapy (Itvisma/Zolgensma for SMA), B-cell therapy (Kesimpta for MS), IL-17A inhibition (Cosentyx), endothelin receptor antagonism (Vanrafia for IgA nephropathy), and BTK inhibition (Remibrutinib). Supporting platforms include the DELIVER AAV capsid evolution system (combining capsid library generation with in vivo selection and machine learning) and the TRACER platform for CNS-tropic AAV vectors.

The business model is global direct sales of pharmaceutical products to physicians, hospitals, and healthcare systems, supplemented by patient engagement programs and managed access. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and varies by market, indication, and reimbursement arrangement. The company pursues an active M&A strategy, having completed acquisitions of AveXis (2018), DTx Pharma (2023), Kate Therapeutics (2024), and Avidity Biosciences (2026), with Myricx Bio announced in 2026 — collectively strengthening its gene therapy, xRNA, and antibody-drug conjugate capabilities. Sandoz was spun off in 2023 to refocus the parent on innovative medicines.

Name

Novartis Oncology

Legal name

Novartis AG

Website

https://novartis.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Novartis AG is a Swiss multinational pharmaceutical company (NYSE: NVS) that develops and commercializes innovative medicines across oncology, neuroscience, immunology, and cardiovascular/renal disease, serving patients and healthcare providers globally through CAR-T, radioligand, gene, and small molecule therapies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Oncology Pharmaceuticals

NAICS

Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254), 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

Oncology Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

CAR-T & TCR-T Therapies (HLAAABAC), Therapeutic Radiopharmaceuticals (Radioligand/Targeted Radionuclide Therapy) (HLAIAGAB), Oncology Gene Therapies (incl. oncolytic vectors & gene-modified approaches) (HLAAACAF), Oncology & Hematology Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAC)

Keywords

• Oncology pharmaceuticals
• Radioligand therapy
• Cell gene therapy
• Targeted cancer treatments
• Biopharmaceutical medicines

Headquarters

HQ city

East Hanover

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Personnel

Revenue model

1. Pharmaceutical Products: Novartis generates revenue through development and sale of innovative medicines across multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, neuroscience, and cardiovascular/renal/metabolic diseases

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Novartis Oncology develops and commercializes innovative oncology medicines across multiple modalities, including CAR-T cell therapies, radioligand therapies (RLT), gene therapies, novel small molecules against previously undruggable targets, and antibody-drug conjugates. The portfolio addresses solid tumors and hematologic malignancies, with key products including Pluvicto for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and Scemblix for chronic myeloid leukemia.

Product overview

Novartis Oncology operates as an innovative medicines company with a diverse portfolio of therapeutics across multiple modalities. The portfolio includes targeted B-cell therapies (Kesimpta), radioligand therapies (Pluvicto), gene therapies (Itvisma/Zolgensma), small molecules (Scemblix, Gilenya, Mayzent, Vanrafia, Remibrutinib), and biologics (Cosentyx, Rhapsido). In oncology, the company develops CAR-T cell therapies, radioligand therapies, and novel small molecules against previously undruggable targets. Recent acquisitions include Myricx Bio (antibody-drug conjugates), Avidity Biosciences (xRNA), and Kate Therapeutics (gene therapies for neuromuscular diseases). The research pipeline spans across therapeutic areas including oncology, neuroscience, immunology, and cardiovascular/renal conditions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Novartis Gene Therapies: A division focused on developing and commercializing gene therapies for genetic diseases
• Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR)

Products and services

• Pluvicto Radioligand therapy for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer that demonstrated consistent efficacy across key patient subgroups.
• Scemblix (Asciminib) Small molecule treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) showing superior efficacy and favorable safety/tolerability profile at week 144 in newly diagnosed patients.
• CAR-T Cell Therapies Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapies that train T-cells from the patient's own immune system to attack and kill tumors, used in hematologic malignancies.
• Radioligand Therapies (RLT) Platform Targeted radioligand therapies that attach radioactive isotopes to proteins that home in on cancer cell targets with high precision, sparing healthy tissues.
• Novel Small Molecules (Oncology) Novel small molecules being developed against cancer targets that were previously considered undruggable.
• Itvisma (Onasemnogene abeparvovec) Gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) that delivers a functional copy of the SMN1 gene to treat the genetic cause of SMA.
• Kesimpta (Ofatumumab) Targeted B-cell therapy for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (RMS) that demonstrated superior efficacy vs teriflunomide with preserved IgG levels over extended exposure.
• Cosentyx (Secukinumab) IL-17A inhibitor biologic for multiple inflammatory conditions including polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), showing sustained remission vs placebo.

Quantifiable outcome

• Novartis medicines reach 296 million people worldwide
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Avidity BiosciencescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 February 2026Completed acquisition strengthening late-stage neuroscience pipeline and advancing xRNA strategy.
• Kate TherapeuticscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 November 2024Acquisition of San Diego-based preclinical biotech company focused on AAV-based gene therapies for inherited neuromuscular diseases including DMD, FSHD, and DM1. Transaction value up to USD 1.1bn comprising upfront and milestone payments.
• DTx PharmacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Acquisition of DTx Pharma to strengthen neuroscience pipeline and xRNA platform capabilities. DTx focused on developing siRNA-based therapies for neuroscience indications.
• Voyager TherapeuticscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 March 2022License option agreement for three capsids for AAV gene therapies targeting neurological diseases, with options for two additional targets. Voyager's TRACER platform provides novel capsids for delivery to deep brain regions.
• AveXiscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Acquisition of AveXis (San Diego) establishing Novartis presence in gene therapy and neuroscience in San Diego area.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Eli Lilly: Lilly has built an oncology presence (Verzenio, Jaypirca) and made a major radioligand therapy bet through the POINT Biopharma acquisition. Comparable as a peer pursuing both radioligand and broader oncology growth, similar in modality focus to Novartis.
• Merck & Co. Merck's Keytruda anchors a leading oncology franchise, with a growing pipeline in ADCs (via Daiichi Sankyo partnership) and emerging modalities. Comparable to Novartis Oncology in oncology commercial scale and pipeline ambition.
• Roche: Roche is a global pharmaceutical leader with a deep oncology franchise (Tecentriq, Polivy, Hemlibra, Herceptin) and large-scale biotech manufacturing. Comparable to Novartis Oncology as a direct, broad-portfolio oncology competitor with similar CAR-T and radioligand ambitions (e.g., collaborations in radioligands).
• AstraZeneca: AstraZeneca has built a leading oncology franchise (Tagrisso, Imfinzi, Enhertu ADC partnership with Daiichi, and the Fusion Pharmaceuticals radioligand acquisition). Directly comparable in oncology breadth and modality investment strategy to Novartis Oncology.
• Pfizer: Pfizer operates a large oncology franchise (Ibrance, Padcev, Lorbrena, Bavencio) and has expanded into radioligand therapy via the Lantheus collaboration and Seagen acquisition. Comparable as a broad-portfolio oncology and innovative-medicines competitor to Novartis.
• Bayer: Bayer's Pharmaceuticals division, strengthened by the Algeta acquisition, pioneered radioligand therapy with Xofigo and continues to invest in the modality. Direct competitor to Pluvicto in the radioligand therapy space and to Novartis Oncology's RLT pipeline.
• Gilead Sciences: Through its Kite Pharma subsidiary, Gilead commercializes CAR-T therapies Yescarta and Tecartus, directly competing with Novartis's CAR-T franchise (Kymriah) in hematologic malignancies. Closely comparable in cell therapy oncology focus.
• Amgen: Amgen has a significant oncology and biologics franchise (Blincyto, Lumakras, Imdelltra) and is investing in next-generation modalities including ADCs and radioligands. Comparable to Novartis Oncology in biologics manufacturing scale and oncology pipeline breadth.
• GSK: GSK operates a sizable specialty oncology and immunology franchise (Jemperli, Blenrep relaunch, Ojjaara) and is rebuilding its innovative-medicines pipeline post-consumer spinoff. Comparable to Novartis Oncology as a broad innovative-medicines competitor.
• Bristol Myers Squibb: BMS is a major oncology competitor with CAR-T therapies Breyanzi and Abecma, the hematology franchise (Revlimid, Pomalyst), and a strong radioligand/ADC pipeline through its RayzeBio and Mirati acquisitions. Highly comparable in modality mix to Novartis Oncology.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/novartisnews
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/novartis-oncology

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles29 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Novartis Oncology