2019 news highlights

February

Complete acquisition of CellforCure The deal expands our manufacturing capacity for cell and gene therapies
Announce FDA approval of Egaten It is the only medicine recommended by the WHO for liver fluke, a neglected tropical disease

March

Announce FDA approval of Mayzent It treats active secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. EU approval announced in January 2020
Receive Kymriah approval in Japan It follows the launch of the CAR-T therapy in the US, the EU and other countries

April

Complete Alcon spin-off The move enables Novartis to focus fully on medicines Announce acquisition of IFM Tre It is developing a potentially effective new way to treat inflammatory diseases

May

Announce FDA approval of Zolgensma gene therapy It is a treatment for children with spinal muscular atrophy Announce acquisition of Xiidra It is the only prescription medicine that addresses both the signs and symptoms of dry eye Receive FDA approval of Piqray The treatment can improve survival for patients with advanced breast cancer

July

Launch Sandoz generic gefitinib in Europe It is expected to expand access to a first-line lung cancer treatment Begin phased launch of new global parental leave policy All Novartis employees will be eligible for a minimum of 14 weeks’ paid leave

October

Announce data science collaboration with Microsoft The alliance focuses on using AI to discover, develop and produce medicines more quickly and efficiently Receive FDA approval for Beovu It treats a leading cause of vision loss that affects 20 million people worldwide

November

Receive FDA approval for biosimilar Ziextenzo It is the fourth Sandoz biosimilar approved in the US Announce Sandoz purchase of Japan generics business The planned acquisition from Aspen Pharmacare would complement our generics portfolio and pipeline Announce acquisition of The Medicines Company Its experimental drug may help high-risk patients who struggle to lower their cholesterol. The deal closed in January 2020 Receive FDA approval for Adakveo The medicine reduces the frequency of pain crises in patients with sickle cell disease

December

Announce collaboration with Amazon Web Services It will use cloud-based AI software to improve how we manufacture and deliver medicines