Novartis showcases nearly 20 key innovative products at 8th CIIE

On November 5, 2025, the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) officially commenced. As a regular participant with an eight-year perfect attendance record, Novartis, a globally leading innovative medicines company, presented under the theme "Value and Trust," centrally showcasing nearly 20 key innovative products, including multiple Prix Galien Award-winning drugs. The exhibition comprehensively demonstrated Novartis' innovation capabilities, its achievements in enhancing medicine accessibility, and its collaborative efforts to promote high-quality development in the pharmaceutical industry, highlighting the company's determination and commitment to deepening its roots in China.

At this year's CIIE, Novartis systematically displayed innovative medicines across four core therapeutic areas—Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism; Oncology; Immunology; and Neuroscience—as well as cutting-edge advancements from five key technology platforms (Radioligand Therapy, xRNA, Gene & Cell Therapy, Biotherapeutics, and Chemical Therapy).

Since its debut at the first CIIE in 2018, Novartis has secured approvals for over 40 innovative drugs and new indications in China. The CIIE has continually witnessed the successful transformation of multiple Novartis innovations from exhibition items to commercially available products, a success story that reached a new milestone this year. Pluvicto® (lutetium Lu 177 vipivotide tetraxetan), a radioligand therapy (RLT) drug that had previously garnered significant attention at the CIIE, received simultaneous approval for two indications in China just before the expo, for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Furthermore, the radioactive drug production base invested in by Novartis in Haiyan, Zhejiang in 2023, which officially commenced construction in July last year, successfully completed its main structure in October this year and is expected to be operational by the end of 2026, once again affirming the powerful "spillover effect" of the CIIE.

Simultaneously, Novartis' kidney disease treatment portfolio made its post-approval debut. Fabhalta® (iptacopan capsules), the world's first oral factor B inhibitor targeting the alternative complement pathway for its renal indication, and Vanrafia® (atrasentan tablets), the first and only highly selective endothelin-A receptor antagonist approved for IgA nephropathy in China, were both approved in China this year, becoming veritable "CIIE-born" products. Among them, Vanrafia® serves as a prime example of Novartis' strategy to accelerate the introduction of high-clinical-value drugs through strategic collaborations with local biotech companies, leveraging its established expertise in drug development and commercialization. A dedicated interactive experience zone at the booth allowed visitors to immersively explore the mysteries of the kidney and drug mechanisms of action.

Furthermore, Novartis centrally exhibited eleven innovative medicines that have received the Prix Galien Award. Founded in 1970, the Prix Galien Award aims to recognize outstanding biomedical innovations globally. Since the inception of the award, Novartis has received nearly 80 prizes, covering multiple disease areas including cardiovascular, oncology, immunology, central nervous system, and ophthalmology, fully demonstrating Novartis' profound innovative heritage and robust innovation capabilities.

China is Novartis' second-largest market globally. After years of deep cultivation, Novartis has entered a new phase of its development in China. This year, the company unveiled its vision to "become the most valued and trusted partner in healthcare in China," committing to deliver greater value for patients, the industry, and society, while continuing to make tangible contributions to the long-term development of China's healthcare sector.

To ensure Chinese patients benefit from global innovations at the earliest opportunity, Novartis has consistently accelerated the pace of new drug launches. Since 1987, over 100 innovative Novartis drugs and new indications have been approved in China. Since 2022, the development of new drugs and new indications in China has achieved 100% synchronization with the global timeline. The company is further committed to ensuring that over 90% of its new drug and new indication registration applications in China are submitted in sync with global filings within the next two years.

Novartis actively collaborates with the government, medical institutions, academic associations, and industry partners across all stages of the drug lifecycle, from R&D to commercialization. By fostering an innovation ecosystem built on deepened trust and open collaboration, Novartis contributes to the advancement of "Healthy China."

Furthermore, Novartis will continue to increase its investment in China. In December 2023, the company invested RMB 600 million to establish a radioactive drug production base in Haiyan, Zhejiang Province, which is expected to commence operations by the end of 2026. Novartis is also considering launching the second-phase expansion of its Shanghai campus, where its China headquarters is located.

As one of Novartis' three global headquarters campuses, the Shanghai campus sets a benchmark for green practices in the company's Chinese operations. Having integrated green development into its core operational strategy, the campus achieved zero-carbon operations in January 2025 and is projected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 1,600 metric tons annually.

Novartis has ranked among the top performers for over a decade in the Access to Medicine Foundation's Global Access to Medicine Index and claimed the top position in 2024. In China, the company is continuously expanding healthcare accessibility through concrete actions to ensure its innovative treatments reach patients faster and more broadly.

Through collaboration with the government and various sectors, Novartis explores innovative multi-tier payment models and channel expansions to alleviate patients' financial burden. Since 2017, nearly 40 innovative Novartis drugs have been included in China's National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL), placing the company among the top multinational pharmaceutical firms in this regard. Currently, six Novartis drugs are available in the Boao Lecheng Pilot Zone, with five additionally accessible in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Simultaneously, Novartis supports the government's "Strengthening Primary Care" strategy by helping to enhance diagnostic and treatment capabilities at the county level, benefiting patients in these regions. The company has now expanded its operations to approximately 1,000 county-level markets, covering major disease areas such as dermatology, rheumatology, cardiovascular, and renal diseases. As of December 2024, approximately 80.7 million patients in China have benefited from Novartis' innovative medicines.