Both medical knowledge and pharmaceutical discovery have traditionally focused on organ/tissue systems and diseases. Novartis has a rich history of leadership in finding therapies for many different disease areas, including immunology/transplantation, the cardiovascular system, the nervous system, dermatology, the respiratory system, and oncology. In addition, we are building strong research programs in the musculoskeletal system and diabetes and metabolism. The expertise of our scientists in their respective areas of disease and physiology continues to drive many of our most promising new discoveries. In addition, our Disease Area scientists work closely together, along with our Expertise Platform scientists, sharing insights into fundamental mechanisms of disease and potential overlaps in the causes of diseases that appear clinically unrelated.

Although our current Disease Areas do not cover the entire spectrum of human diseases, we are committed to pursuing all true unmet medical need both through our Disease Areas, through Strategic Alliances with external collaborators, and through our ability to quickly refocus on new opportunities as they arise.