Our Biomedical Research and Development organizations work together to discover and develop breakthrough medicines for some of the world’s toughest health challenges. Powered by bold science, advanced technologies, clinical trial excellence and collaborations worldwide, our teams work to bring transformative treatments to patients faster and help people live better, longer lives.
Illustration representing cells

In which therapeutic areas is Novartis developing potential new treatments?

We are committed to advancing new medicines with the potential to change the standards of care in Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic Diseases, Immunology, Neuroscience, Oncology, and other disease areas where there is high patient need.

Learn more about our core therapeutic areas of focus
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Which technology platforms enable Novartis medicines?

We are powering our pipeline at scale with two long-established therapeutic platforms—chemistry and biotherapeutics—and three advanced modalities —xRNA, radioligand therapy, and cell and gene therapy —that are redefining how diseases are treated across therapeutic areas.

Explore our technology platforms
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How is Novartis R&D harnessing digital technologies to deliver new medicines to patients?

We go faster by design, using AI and other digital tools to process vast amounts of information faster and make smarter decisions at scale, with greater confidence.

Learn how Novartis is using AI to advance R&D

Novartis R&D: Powered by science. Driven by patients.

From the lab to the clinic, we are guided by what matters most: bringing real-world benefits to patients. Learn how our strategic focus and groundbreaking R&D are changing the future of care.
3D rendering of a radioligand therapy targeting cancer cells. Novartis is building on its pioneering work developing RLT and other therapeutic technology platforms to design the next wave of prostate cancer treatments.

Pushing the prostate cancer treatment frontier: Radioligand therapy and beyond

Novartis continues to work on the next wave of innovations to bring new options to patients.
Three data and digital research experts working on computers in a Novartis office. Across Novartis R&D, teams are taking advantage of rapid advances in digital technologies to cut the time it takes to discover and develop drugs for patients while further improving on quality, safety, and the patient experience.

Smarter Decisions at Scale: How Novartis Is Using AI to Advance R&D

Novartis is harnessing digital technologies to help reduce the time it takes to deliver new medicines to patients.
A chemist experiments with covalency, a conformational state in which atoms share pairs of electrons in order to create a stable configuration. Medicinal chemists at Novartis are exploring ways to harness covalency to develop longer-acting medicines with benefits for patients.

Creating lasting bonds for the benefit of patients

Recent breakthroughs in covalent drug discovery could spark a sea change in the development of new medicines.
Architects’ rendering of a future, state-of-the-art global Biomedical Research center Novartis is planning to open in San Diego, California in 2029. The new facility will enable end-to-end discovery across key disease areas, including neuroscience, global health, oncology and age-related diseases, and technology platforms such as cell and gene therapies, RNA-based therapies, biologics and protein degradation. Image courtesy of Alexandria Real Estate.

Novartis breaks ground on new Biomedical Research center

The state-of-the-art global Biomedical Research center in San Diego, California is designed to provide world-class scientific infrastructure and drug-discovery capabilities to advance the company’s pipeline for patients.
Learn about our future San Diego site
Photo of Thierry Diagana, Head of Global Health and California Sites Head. Thierry was recognized by TIME for breakthrough innovation in malaria, while Victor Bulto, President of Novartis US, was recognized for his leadership in pioneering the adoption of radioligand therapy (RLT) in the US.

Novartis leaders make TIME 100 Health list

Thierry Diagana, Victor Bulto recognized for shaping the future of health
Photo of Arti, a neuroscientist, in a Cambridge, Massachusetts lab. She is one of multiple Novartis employees to share personal stories that led them to careers in drug development, pushing boundaries to create breakthroughs with the potential to transform lives.

A shared purpose that feels personal

Neuroscientists, an AI expert, and a public health lead share personal stories that led them to Novartis
Photo of Bryan Laffitte, Executive Director, Neuroscience, Biomedical Research

What’s next in Neuroscience drug discovery

How the tools of genetic medicine are enabling new therapies for neurological conditions.

Which disease areas are studied by Novartis R&D?

Novartis R&D is focused on therapeutic areas where the burden of disease and unmet patient need is high, and our scientific strengths run deep. Our core therapeutic areas of focus are Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic Diseases; Immunology; Neuroscience; and Oncology.

Heart muscle cells.

Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic Diseases (CRM)

In CRM, Novartis is innovating long-acting therapies and novel mechanisms that enable new paradigms in treatment and prevention.
Hidradenitis Suppurativa skin

Immunology

We’re leveraging our R&D expertise to pair deep disease understanding with next-generation technological platforms to build an industry-leading pipeline that brings a renewed sense of hope to people living with autoimmune and immune-mediated conditions.
Microscopic view of a mouse brain

Neuroscience

Novartis is advancing new medicines in neuroimmunology, neurodegeneration and neuromuscular disease, seeking to uncover root causes, slow progression, and deliver breakthroughs with the potential to transform care.
Breast cancer cells

Oncology

Novartis R&D is developing precision cancer therapies across solid tumors and hematology with the ambition of treatment-free remission or cure.
iPSC derived Hepatocytes sciart

Other areas of interest

We explore additional disease areas and white spaces through disciplined study anchored in scientific rigor and societal need.

What technology platforms power Novartis medicines?

Our technological leadership spans two long-established therapeutic platforms—chemistry and biotherapeutics—and three advanced modalities —xRNA, radioligand therapy, and cell and gene therapy —that are enabling the next generation of therapies across our pipeline, at scale.

Illustration representing Chemistry

Chemistry

Designing the next wave of small-molecule and novel chemical modalities, optimized with AI and data science to unlock drug targets.
Illustration representing Biotherapeutics

Biotherapeutics

Engineering targeted treatments using biologics such as monoclonal antibodies, bispecifics, and antibody-drug conjugates across our core therapeutic areas.
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Cell and gene therapy

Redefining medicine with next‑generation cell and gene therapies that target diseases at their roots, with the goal of developing potential one‑time treatments.
Illustration representing RLT

Radioligand therapy

Building on pioneering work in R&D and manufacturing to develop targeted radiation-based cancer therapies at scale across multiple tumor types.
Illustration representing xRNA

xRNA

Advancing siRNA and antisense medicines that modify disease-linked biological pathways in CRM and open new frontiers in Neuroscience.

Clinical trials

Clinical trials are at the heart of how Novartis turns molecules into medicines for patients. By combining cutting edge science, digital innovation, and patient partnership, we design smarter, more efficient trials to generate stronger evidence and bring medicines to patients faster. Every trial reflects our commitment to delivering high-value medicines that make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives.

Learn more about Novartis Clinical Trials

Collaborations

Novartis advances research through deep collaboration across academia, industry, and open science communities. These partnerships expand scientific insight, accelerate discovery, and translate bold ideas into viable medicines. By working openly and strategically with external innovators, Novartis R&D strengthens both its pipeline and the broader scientific ecosystem driving progress for patients.

Learn more about Novartis collaborations

Novartis publications

At Novartis, scientific publications are how bold research becomes shared progress. Through high quality, peer reviewed publications, we openly share breakthrough science, deepen disease understanding, promote clinical innovation, and enable others to build on our work. This commitment strengthens Novartis R&D and fuels progress across the scientific ecosystem.

Explore recent Novartis scientific publications

Careers in Novartis R&D

Novartis seeks dedicated team members to join its R&D efforts. We are recruiting curiosity-driven innovators at all levels of expertise.
Novartis seeks dedicated team members to join its R&D efforts. We are recruiting curiosity-driven innovators at all levels of expertise.
Research & Development, USA, Biomedical Research
Discovery Postdoctoral Fellow, cAMP Biology
Research & Development, China, Development
Associate Director, TPPM China
Research & Development, USA, Biomedical Research
Research Scientist I or II, Oligonucleotide Chemistry
Research & Development, USA, Biomedical Research
Principal Scientist I/II, Oligonucleotide Chemistry & Innovation

Postdoc programs at Novartis

This program grants appointments to postdocs at Novartis for up to four years under dual mentorship from a Novartis and academic mentor.

Learn more about postdoc programs