Animal Research at Novartis

Novartis is committed to transparent reporting of the numbers of animals needed for research and developmentthe discovery and study of molecules and chemical compounds to find out if they are safe and effective for treating specific diseases. purposes.

At Novartis, 79% of the animals used in 2011 were mice and rats. Only 3% of the total animals involved were animals such as sheep, dogs, cattle, horses, non-human primates, pigs, cats, rabbits, poultry, goats or ferrets. The remainder were species such as fish, guinea pigs, gerbils and hamsters.

An issue of particular ethical concern is the use of non-human primatesanimals such as monkeys. Novartis policy states that we will not use great apes unless required or recommended by regulatory bodies or where necessary to answer a biomedically relevant scientific question – and then only when no alternative is available. In these rare cases, such experiments must be supported by the Global Animal Welfare Committee and subsequently approved by the Corporate Animal Welfare Officer in consultation with the Chairman and the CEO of Novartis.

Numbers and types of animals used

Animals vs. R&D

Number of animals used at Novartis vs R&D spend.

Novartis is committed to the 3Rs; reducing, refining and replacing the use of animals wherever possible. In 2011, Novartis formed a new Division, Alcon, and increased our investment in Research & Development by more than 1 billion USD, while reducing our total animal use by 4% percent.