Novartis was created in 1996 through a merger of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz. Novartis and its predecessor companies trace roots back more than 250 years, with a rich history of developing innovative products. From beginnings in the production of synthetic fabric dyes, the companies that eventually became Novartis branched out into producing chemicals and ultimately pharmaceuticals.

The history of Novartis traces the converging destinies of three companies: Geigy, a chemicals and dyes trading company founded in Basel, Switzerland in the middle of the 18th century; Ciba, which began producing dyes in 1859; and Sandoz, a chemical company founded in Basel in 1886.

These companies shared a common trait which lives on at Novartis: a passion for developing and marketing new products that contribute to human progress through advances in science and health. Building on this heritage, today Novartis focuses its innovation prowess on addressing the unmet needs of patients worldwide.

Since 1947, Novartis has had a significant footprint in India - committed to drug development, manufacturing, commercial and social business services. It has three legal entities namely, Novartis Healthcare Private Limited, Novartis India Limited and Sandoz Private Limited employing thousands of people. It has a rich portfolio of both innovative and established medicines addressing various therapeutic needs: cardiovascular, eye care, immunology and dermatology, metabolics, neuroscience, oncology, respiratory and organ transplant, to meet the medical needs of patients in India.

Its social business -- Arogya Parivar -- is expanding access to community education, improved infrastructure and affordable healthcare products for underserved populations in rural India.

The company’s purpose is to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives. It uses innovative science and technology to address some of society’s most challenging healthcare issues. It discover and develops breakthrough treatments and find new ways to deliver them to as many people as possible. It also aims to reward those who invest their money, time and ideas in the company.

Business area of the company

As a science-based and patient-oriented healthcare company, it strives to be a global leader in growing areas of healthcare. Following a corporate transformation Novartis globally is focused on three divisions with global scale and innovation power - pharmaceuticals, eye care and generic medicines. This has strengthened the future growth prospects of the company.

In India, the Pharmaceutical business of Novartis India Limited is focused on Bone & Pain, Calcium portfolio, Gynecology and Neurosciences and the Generics business is focused on Gynecology, Anti-TB and Anti-infectives.