Most people have never heard of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a rare genetic disease that affects approximately 1 in 6,000 babies born worldwide each year. Innovative research may produce treatments for patients suffering from SMA and other rare diseases.
The incidence of leprosy, an infectious disease that causes lumps and skin sores, has decreased by roughly 95%, but 233,000 new cases were reported in 2012.
Professor Klaus M. Leisinger is stepping down as Chairman of the Board of the Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development (NFSD). Dr. Andrin Oswald will take on an additional role as Chairman of the Board overseeing the NFSD.
Malaria programs in sub-Saharan Africa are making progress by using insecticide-treated nets, diagnostic testing and Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy.
