What Novartis China does

Novartis China is the China operations of Novartis AG, a publicly listed Swiss multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Basel, Switzerland (SIX Swiss Exchange: NOVN). The entity operates in China through four wholly-owned subsidiaries — Beijing Novartis Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (北京诺华制药有限公司), Novartis (China) Biomedical Research Co., Ltd. (诺华（中国）生物医学研究有限公司), Shanghai Novartis Trading Co., Ltd. (上海诺华贸易有限公司), and Novartis Pharmaceutical Technology (Zhejiang) Co., Ltd. (诺华医药科技（浙江）有限公司) — covering pharmaceutical manufacturing, biomedical research, trading, and pharmaceutical technology respectively.

The company markets an extensive portfolio of innovative pharmaceuticals across oncology (Kisqali, Tabrecta, Pluvicto, Scemblix, Tibsovo, Piqray, Tafinlar+Mekinist), immunology (Cosentyx, Zhuole), neuroscience (Kesimpta, Wanlena), cardiovascular (Leqvio, Nuoxintuo), ophthalmology (Beovu, Xiidra), and rare diseases (FABhalia/Iptacopan for PNH, cGVHD, IgAN; Adakveo for sickle cell disease; Zolgensma for SMA; Revellan). The portfolio spans multiple technology modalities including small molecules, monoclonal antibodies, siRNA therapy (Leqvio), radioligand therapy (Pluvicto), gene therapy (Zolgensma), and complement pathway inhibition (FABhalia), reflecting direct transfer of the parent's advanced R&D pipeline into the China market.

Novartis China monetizes through pharmaceutical product sales distributed via a direct medical-representative field force covering hospitals and healthcare institutions nationwide, complemented by strategic retail partnerships, hospital and retail pharmacy channels, and dedicated product/adverse-event hotlines for original pharma and oncology. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; commercial economics in China for innovative drugs are shaped by inclusion in the National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL) through government-mediated negotiations, which the company has actively pursued — securing inclusion of multiple innovative drugs in the 2025 NRDL. Customers are ultimately patients (via hospitals and retail pharmacies) across oncology, immunology, cardiovascular, and rare-disease therapeutic areas.

Name

Novartis China

Legal name

Novartis AG

Website

https://novartis.com.cn

Company type

Public

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Novartis China markets an innovative pharmaceutical portfolio spanning oncology, immunology, cardiovascular, neuroscience, ophthalmology, and rare diseases — including radioligand therapy, siRNA, and gene therapy — through four wholly-owned subsidiaries and a direct field force, with recent growth driven by multiple NMPA approvals and 2025 NRDL inclusions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Innovative Pharmaceuticals

NAICS

Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)

akta.pro primary industry

Neurology & Psychiatry (CNS) Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Neurology & CNS Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAC), Cardiometabolic Pharmaceuticals (Cardiovascular/Diabetes/Obesity) (HLAIAAAE)

Keywords

• Innovative pharmaceuticals
• Oncology medicines
• Rare disease therapies
• Cardiovascular drugs
• Biomedical research

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Novartis China develops, manufactures, and commercializes innovative pharmaceutical medicines across multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, neuroscience, cardiovascular, ophthalmology, and rare diseases. The company operates through wholly-owned subsidiaries handling pharmaceutical manufacturing, biomedical research, and trading, distributing products via medical representatives to hospitals and healthcare institutions across mainland China.

Product overview

Novartis China operates as a diversified pharmaceutical company offering an extensive portfolio of innovative medicines and pipeline candidates across multiple therapeutic areas. The product portfolio includes: Cosentyx (Secukinumab) for immunology/dermatology; Kisqali (Ribociclib) and Piqray (Alpelisib) for oncology; Kesimpta (Ofatumumab) and Wanlena (Siponimod) for neuroscience/MS; Leqvio (Inclisiran) for cardiovascular disease; Tabrecta (Capmatinib) for lung cancer; FABhalia (Iptacopan) for rare diseases (PNH, cGVHD, IgAN); Beovu (Brolucizumab) for ophthalmology; Nuoxintuo (Sacubitril Valsartan) for heart failure; and Pluvicto (177Lu-PSMA-617) for radioligand therapy. The company also maintains a robust R&D pipeline and offers Sandoz generic antibiotics through its subsidiary. Products span both launched commercial medicines and investigational candidates in development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cosentyx (Secukinumab) IL-17A inhibitor for treatment of psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, pediatric arthritis, and enthesitis-associated arthritis; available as self-injection pen for patient convenience.
• Kisqali (Ribociclib) CDK4/6 inhibitor for HR+/HER2- breast cancer; first-line therapy for advanced breast cancer and adjuvant treatment for early breast cancer.
• Kesimpta (Ofatumumab) B-cell targeted therapy for relapsing multiple sclerosis; first and only self-injectable B-cell therapy for MS patients, providing at-home treatment.
• Wanlena (Siponimod) S1P receptor modulator for active secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) and relapsing forms of MS.
• Leqvio (Inclisiran) First siRNA therapy for cardiovascular disease; twice-yearly dosing for sustained LDL cholesterol lowering.
• Tabrecta (Capmatinib) MET inhibitor for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with MET exon 14 skipping mutations; precision medicine for molecularly selected patients.
• FABhalia (Iptacopan) First oral monotherapy for Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH), chronic graft-versus-host disease, and IgA nephropathy (IgAN); complement pathway inhibitor.
• Beovu (Brolucizumab) Anti-VEGF therapy for wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD); up to 16 weeks between doses.
• Nuoxintuo (Sacubitril Valsartan) ARNI (Angiotensin Receptor-Neprilysin Inhibitor) for chronic heart failure; won International Galen Awards Best Pharmaceutical Product.
• Zhuole (Omalizumab) Anti-IgE therapy for chronic spontaneous urticaria and asthma; available as prefilled injection for home use.
• Pluvicto (177Lu-PSMA-617) Radioligand therapy for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC); targeted radiation therapy using PSMA-binding molecule linked to lutetium-177.
• Scemblix (Asciminib) STAMP inhibitor for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML); treatment option for patients who have failed prior therapies.
• Tibsovo (Ivosidenib) IDH1 inhibitor for relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with IDH1 mutation.
• Revellan (Eltrombopag) Thrombopoietin receptor agonist for chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in adults and children.
• Adakveo (Crizanlizumab) Anti-P-selectin antibody for vaso-occlusive crisis prevention in sickle cell disease.
• Zolgensma (Onasemnogene abeparvovec) Gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA); one-time intravenous treatment with potential lifetime benefit.
• Xiidra (Lifitegrast) LFA-1 antagonist for treatment of dry eye disease; addresses ocular inflammation.
• Tafinlar (Dabrafenib) + Mekinist (Trametinib) BRAF/MEK inhibitor combination for BRAF V600 mutation-positive melanoma, NSCLC, and pediatric low-grade glioma.
• Piqray (Alpelisib) PI3K inhibitor for PIK3CA-mutated breast cancer; first targeted therapy for PIK3CA mutation.
• Sandoz Antibiotics Portfolio Sandoz generic antibiotics including cephalosporins; essential medicines for infectious disease treatment.

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Roche China: Roche China is the China subsidiary of F. Hoffmann-La Roche, a direct multinational peer with overlapping oncology, ophthalmology, and immunology portfolios, including breast cancer and ophthalmology assets that compete directly with Novartis's Kisqali and Beovu.
• Eli Lilly China: Eli Lilly China competes with Novartis in oncology, immunology, and diabetes/obesity (cardiometabolic), with overlapping self-injection and self-administration platforms and similar NRDL negotiation dynamics.
• Sanofi China: Sanofi China is a direct peer in immunology, rare disease, and specialty care, operating comparable hospital sales, patient support, and NRDL inclusion processes for high-cost innovative biologics.
• Bristol-Myers Squibb China: Bristol-Myers Squibb China directly competes with Novartis in oncology (immuno-oncology vs. Kisqali/Tabrecta) and operates a similar NRDL-driven access model for innovative specialty drugs in mainland China.
• AstraZeneca China: AstraZeneca China is a leading multinational oncology and rare disease franchise with strong NRDL inclusion rates, competing with Novartis in lung cancer (Tabrecta), breast cancer, and specialty cardiovascular therapy.
• AbbVie China: AbbVie China directly competes with Novartis's immunology franchise (Cosentyx vs. Humira/Skyrizi/Rinvoq) and operates similar specialty biologic reimbursement and NRDL access strategy in mainland China.
• Merck & Co. (MSD) China: MSD China competes directly with Novartis in oncology (Keytruda versus Kisqali/Tabrecta) and runs a parallel NRDL negotiation and hospital sales infrastructure, making it a near-comparable multinational peer in oncology access strategy.
• GSK China: GSK China competes in specialty pharmaceuticals and vaccines in China with parallel hospital sales models and NRDL negotiation dynamics, making it a relevant multinational peer for portfolio and channel comparison.
• Bayer China: Bayer China competes with Novartis's cardiovascular franchise (Leqvio, Nuoxintuo) and oncology offerings, operating comparable hospital-focused sales and NRDL inclusion processes for innovative chronic disease drugs.
• Pfizer China: Pfizer China operates a similarly diversified innovative pharmaceutical franchise across oncology, rare disease, and immunology in mainland China, making it a comparable multinational peer for portfolio breadth, hospital channel coverage, and NRDL strategy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries4 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 China