Novartis to boost multidimensional investments

Novartis, an innovative medicines company based in Basel, Switzerland, will continue to boost its multidimensional investment strategy in China, by expanding innovation, building manufacturing capacity and increasing collaborative research and development, in order to grow together with the Chinese biopharmaceutical industry, a senior executive said.

Reflecting the pharmaceutical company's investment and focus on China, Novartis grew by 8 percent in the China market last year, one of its top priority markets and second-biggest market globally, making the company one of the fastest-growing multinationals in the country's pharmaceutical sector.

"We became the No 2 multinational company in China's pharmaceutical sector last year, according to data by information consultancy IQVIA," said Patrick Horber, president of the international unit for Novartis, during an interview in Shanghai on March 12.

Talking of investment, he said the most important thing is to bring innovation to China. Unlike in the past, 100 percent of the company's new drug applications are now submitted to China and other major markets simultaneously.

"Last year, many of our products were approved in China earlier than in Europe, which just shows the commitment that we have. We will continue to do the same in the future — bringing all innovation, the greatest innovation to the China market," said Horber, who added that he visits China at least four times per year.

He said the company will further invest in its manufacturing capacity, and noted that its manufacturing site for radioligand therapy, which treats certain cancers, in Haiyan county in Shanghai's neighboring Zhejiang province, is advancing the implementation of local manufacturing as planned.

Once the site, which involves an investment of 600 million yuan ($87.17 million), reaches full production capacity, it will help Novartis meet Chinese patients' demand for the innovative radioligand therapy faster.

The company also plans to invest in partnerships with local biotech firms for licensing and co-development, Horber said, adding that he believes such a strategy brings huge opportunities for both Novartis and the local pharmaceutical biotech sector in China. The company is looking to partner with local firms to bring Chinese innovation to the rest of the world.

"The contribution of business development deals for China-originated assets went up to 49 percent last year from less than 10 percent years ago, and much of the value went into early stage deals. That just shows the quality of China's current biopharmaceutical innovation," said Horber.

Besides the high-speed of biopharmaceutical innovation, the fast pace of new drug approvals is another factor that makes the healthcare market in China attractive, he said, adding that the number of listed clinical trials in the country outnumbers those listed in the US.

"When it comes to new drug approvals, there were 48 and 50 products approved in China and the US, respectively, in 2024, and 76 and 46 in the two countries, respectively, in 2025, which shows how China's entire regulatory reform has changed to allow it to approve innovations much faster," he said, adding that the company had 13 approvals for new drugs or indications last year, and two additional ones already so far this year.

zhouwenting@chinadaily.com.cn