Asthma affects 358 million people globally and, despite available therapies, many patients’ lives are still impacted by the disease.1,2 Uncontrolled asthma can cause a significant personal, health and financial burden to those living with it. Bertrand Bodson, the Chief Digital Officer of Novartis, has had asthma for over 10 years. He shares his experience of living with asthma, and how this drives his work at Novartis to reimagine medicine using the power of data and digital.

My journey with asthma

  • High-dose, once-daily Enerzair® Breezhaler® [IND/GLY/MF] reduced asthma exacerbation rates by 21% (moderate or severe) and 31% (severe) versus medium-dose, over 52 weeks1
  • Once-daily Enerzair Breezhaler, which includes an optional digital companion (sensor and app), is the first LABA/LAMA/ICS* fixed-dose combination approved for patients whose asthma is uncontrolled with a LABA/ICS2
     
  • Post hoc analysis complements findings from pivotal Phase III IRIDIUM study recently published …
  • Tabrecta™ (capmatinib, formerly INC280) is the first and only therapy approved by the FDA to specifically target metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with a mutation that leads to MET exon 14 skipping (METex14)
  • METex14 is an important biomarker for physicians to consider when selecting metastatic NSCLC treatment options1
     
  • In the US, METex14 metastatic NSCLC is diagnosed in ~4,000-5,000 patients annually and typically indicates aggressive disease with a poor prognosis2-3

Basel, …

Novartis has renamed the previously acquired AveXis to Novartis Gene Therapies. The change signifies the growing importance of gene therapy to building a leading, focused medicines company with advanced therapy platforms.

Building on the success of Zolgensma® (onasemnogene abeparvovec), Novartis Gene Therapies will be responsible for the research, development, manufacturing and commercialization of the next wave of AAV-based innovative gene therapies. Novartis Gene Therapies will also provide manufacturing support for gene therapy work conducted by other Novartis units. Dave Lennon, …

  • The collaboration aims to help alleviate supply and logistical constraints in the African Union member states
     
  • Portfolio of 15 generic and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines from Sandoz division will be sold at zero-profit to governments through Africa Medical Supplies Platform (AMSP) to 55 African and 15 Caricom eligible countries
     
  • The African Union through the AMSP has integrated vetted medical suppliers to ensure rapid access to affordable COVID-19 related supplies

Basel, …

  • 2025 target to increase patients reached in LMICs with strategic innovative medicines by 200% and the Novartis Flagship Programs by 50% – bringing potential reach to over 23 million patients across these initiatives
     
  • Enhanced target for full carbon neutrality across all company operations and entire supply chain by 20301
     
  • New collaboration with the African Union initiated Africa Medical Supplies Platform to aid supply of Novartis COVID-19 Pandemic Response Portfolio
     
  • Company completed …
  • The collaboration aims to help alleviate supply and logistical constraints in the African Union member states
  • Portfolio of 15 generic and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines from Sandoz division will be sold at zero-profit to governments through Africa Medical Supplies Platform (AMSP) to 55 African and 15 Caricom eligible countries
  • The African Union through the AMSP has integrated vetted medical suppliers to ensure rapid access to affordable COVID-19 related supplies

Basel, Switzerland, September …

September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month. Get to know the stories of people living with, or advocating for those impacted by blood cancers and blood disorders. People who, in their own bold way, challenge the status quo – for themselves and those around them.

Support among patients brings out hope for the future in Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)

Land ho! Now what?

Without a map or the notion of a GPS, ancient explorers ventured into unfamiliar territory searching for a place to settle. Cliffs, steep mountains and impassable rivers thwarted their efforts as time ticked on and supplies dwindled.

Drug hunters face a similar challenge. When scientists discover a new disease-related biological mechanism, researchers looking for ways to interrupt that mechanism have a continent’s worth of possible chemical options to navigate – without a signpost in sight.

To help, Novartis researchers have developed a guidance system …

  • Pooled data from Phase III ORION-10 and -11 showed highly consistent efficacy, tolerability and safety profile over 17 months on twice-yearly subcutaneous dosing in 2,300 patients (of which 1,164 were on inclisiran) 1
     
  • New post-hoc analysis demonstrates 99% of patients treated with inclisiran showed placebo-adjusted reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) of ≥30% with a mean reduction of 54.1% from baseline (observed values)2
     
  • 88% of inclisiran-treated patients achieved LDL-C …