Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Novartis achieved high single-digit growth with an 8% increase in sales and a 14% rise in core operating income for the full year 2025, reaching a core margin of 40.1% [4][35] - For Q4, sales declined by 1%, while core operating income increased by 1%, with core EPS rising 2% to $2.03 [5][38] - Free cash flow reached an all-time high of CHF 17.6 billion, growing 8% year-over-year [35][39] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Kisqali sales grew 57% year-over-year to CHF 4.8 billion, with Q4 growth at 44% [6][7] - Kesimpta saw a 36% increase to $4.4 billion, with a 27% growth in Q4 [10] - Pluvicto achieved $2 billion in global sales, with a 75% increase in the U.S. [12] - Leqvio reached blockbuster status with 57% growth for the year [14] - Scemblix also reached blockbuster status with 87% growth in Q4 [15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Kisqali's U.S. sales growth was 62%, with over 80% NBRX share in Germany for early breast cancer [7][9] - Kesimpta is leading in NBRX share in 9 out of 10 major markets outside the U.S. [10] - Pluvicto secured approvals in Japan and China, contributing to strong growth outside the U.S. [12] - Scemblix has a 41% NBRX share in the U.S. and 72% in the third-line setting across major markets [17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Novartis aims to grow through the largest patent expiry in its history, focusing on key growth brands and pipeline replacement [6] - The company plans to continue investing in R&D while managing productivity improvements [43][44] - Novartis is committed to maintaining a 5%-6% sales CAGR from 2025 to 2030 [44][49] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving mid-single-digit sales growth in 2026 despite anticipated challenges from generic entries [43][44] - The company expects to return to a core margin of over 40% by 2029 [44] - Management highlighted the importance of pipeline advancements and upcoming pivotal readouts in 2026 [32][50] Other Important Information - Novartis has completed its CHF 15 billion share buyback program and initiated a new CHF 10 billion program [41] - The proposed dividend for 2025 is CHF 3.70 per share, marking a 6% increase [41][42] Q&A Session Questions and Answers Question: Insights on remibrutinib and FDA conversations - Management noted that remibrutinib has an approved label without liver safety discussions, and they plan to advocate for limited liver monitoring based on FDA feedback [53][54] Question: Commercial opportunities for remibrutinib in MS - Management indicated that the commercial opportunity will depend on data-driven results, with a significant market for oral options in MS [60][61] Question: Thoughts on Pelacarsen's event-based study risks - Management expressed confidence in the study's design and powering assumptions, despite lower than expected event rates [62][63] Question: Launch plans for Rhapsido and Ianalumab in an MFN world - Management acknowledged the importance of adjusting launch strategies for significant assets like Rhapsido and Ianalumab in the ex-U.S. market [73]

Summary of Novartis Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Novartis - **Focus**: Transitioned from a diversified healthcare conglomerate to a pure-play innovative medicines company, emphasizing four core therapeutic areas and advanced technology platforms [3][4][5] Key Industry Insights - **Global Health Pipeline**: Novartis is committed to addressing neglected diseases, particularly malaria, with a focus on drug discovery, development, and delivery [8][9][10] - **Malaria Focus**: The company is developing new antimalarial treatments to combat rising resistance and improve patient outcomes, including a new formulation for infants [12][13][18][25] Core Strategic Priorities 1. **Global Health Innovation**: Aiming to find breakthroughs for neglected diseases and ensure access to innovative medicines in low and middle-income countries [4][5][6] 2. **Inclusion and Access**: Addressing healthcare disparities by embedding access principles across research, development, and commercialization [5][46] 3. **Environmental Sustainability**: Committed to reducing the environmental footprint and achieving net zero emissions by 2040 [52][53] Financial and Operational Highlights - **Clinical Trials**: Currently running 11 clinical trials across 14 low and middle-income countries, focusing on diseases with significant unmet needs [12] - **Investment in R&D**: Over $200 million invested in environmental sustainability initiatives, yielding measurable financial benefits [68][69] Social Impact and Sustainability - **Inclusive Health Accelerators**: Designed to reach underserved populations in priority markets, focusing on specific therapeutic areas like prostate cancer and cardiovascular disease [46][47] - **Partnerships**: Collaborations with organizations like Medicines for Malaria Venture to enhance global health outcomes and drive innovation [19][32] Challenges and Future Outlook - **Public Funding Constraints**: Noted reductions in official development assistance impacting health systems, but Novartis' self-sustainable programs remain unaffected [73][74] - **Innovation in Malaria Treatment**: The development of Ganaplacide-Lumefantrine is seen as a significant advancement in the fight against malaria, with potential for high barriers to resistance [35][36][38] Recognition and Achievements - **Access to Medicines Index**: Novartis has been recognized as a leader in the Access to Medicines Index for the past 10 years, achieving the number one position this year [60] - **Sustainability Ratings**: Achieved AAA rating from MSCI and improved controversy scores, reflecting strong commitment to social impact and sustainability [60] Conclusion - Novartis is focused on delivering innovative medicines while addressing global health challenges, enhancing access, and committing to sustainability, positioning itself as a leader in the pharmaceutical industry [61][62]

Summary of Novartis Update / Briefing December 01, 2025 Company Overview - **Company**: Novartis (NYSE:NVS) - **Industry**: Pharmaceuticals, specifically focusing on malaria treatment and global health initiatives Key Points and Arguments Malaria Treatment Innovations - Novartis is committed to developing new medicines to combat malaria, emphasizing the need for innovation in pharmaceuticals to stay ahead of the malaria parasite's resistance [1][4] - The company has a partnership with Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) that has lasted for 20 years, focusing on delivering new medicines and formulations [3] - Recent clinical trial data for the ganaplacide-lumefantrine combination shows promising efficacy and a high barrier to resistance, marking a significant advancement in malaria treatment [5][6] - The ganaplacide-lumefantrine combination is expected to have transmission-blocking properties, which could be game-changing in the fight against malaria [6][7] Future of Malaria Innovation - There is optimism about entering a new age of malaria innovation, focusing not only on treatment but also on prevention and eventual elimination of the disease [9][10] - New technologies being explored include long-acting injectables and single-dose cures, which could significantly improve treatment accessibility and effectiveness [11][10] Social Impact and Sustainability Strategy - Novartis is enhancing its social impact and sustainability strategy through inclusive health accelerators aimed at reaching underserved populations in priority markets [15][18] - The company recognizes that disparities in healthcare access are driven by socioeconomic conditions, geography, and healthcare system capacity [16] - Initiatives are being launched in the U.S. focusing on prostate cancer, cardiovascular disease, and breast cancer, with a phased approach starting in 2026 [19] Addressing Health Disparities - The inclusive health accelerators aim to identify and address barriers to care for underserved populations, particularly in low-income areas [18][20] - Specific strategies include community-based education, navigation support for patients, and training for healthcare providers [21] Environmental Sustainability Efforts - Novartis has updated its environmental sustainability framework, focusing on climate and nature, with a goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2040 [24][25] - The company has made significant progress towards its 2025 targets, including a 90% reduction in scope one and two emissions by 2030 [25][26] Financial and Operational Resilience - Novartis has invested over $200 million in environmental sustainability efforts, which have resulted in measurable financial benefits through reduced energy consumption and waste [40][41] - The company is also focusing on supply chain resilience, with a recent $23 billion investment in new manufacturing facilities in the U.S. to ensure uninterrupted supply of medications [45][46] Future Outlook - Novartis is on track to meet its current social impact targets and is working on new targets to be announced in early 2026, which will continue to focus on access to medicines and climate-related commitments [51] Additional Important Content - The partnership with MMV has been crucial in developing new malaria treatments, highlighting the importance of collaboration in pharmaceutical innovation [3][4] - The discussion around the financial rationale for global health programs emphasizes that societal impact is the primary motive, with financial sustainability being a secondary consideration [36] - The company is committed to addressing the impact of climate change on health, recognizing the need for a climate-resistant pipeline [22][23] This summary encapsulates the key insights from the Novartis briefing, focusing on their commitment to malaria treatment innovation, social impact initiatives, and sustainability efforts.

Core Insights - Novartis announced positive results from the Phase III KALUMA study for KLU156 (ganaplacide/lumefantrine, or GanLum), demonstrating a 97.4% PCR-corrected cure rate, surpassing the 94.0% rate of the current standard of care [1][7] - GanLum is positioned as a significant advancement in malaria treatment, particularly effective against drug-resistant strains [4][6] Study Details - The KALUMA trial involved 1,688 participants across 34 sites in 12 African countries, with GanLum administered once daily for three days [2][9] - The treatment showed high efficacy against mutant malaria parasites and rapid response against mature gametocytes [2][4] Drug Mechanism and Development - GanLum combines ganaplacide, which disrupts the malaria parasite's protein transport systems, and a new formulation of lumefantrine [5][6] - The drug was developed with support from Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) and is part of a broader initiative to combat malaria [8][11] Regulatory and Market Implications - Novartis plans to seek regulatory approvals for GanLum, which has already received Fast Track and Orphan Drug Designations from the FDA [6][7] - If approved, GanLum would be the first major innovation in malaria treatment since the introduction of artemisinin-based therapies [7][8] Industry Context - The announcement comes amid increasing concerns over antimalarial drug resistance in Africa, highlighting the urgent need for new treatment options [3][9] - Novartis has committed significant resources to malaria research and development, with over USD 500 million invested since 2021 [11][12]