Bloomberg Talks Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan Talks Psoriasis Drug, China Growth, M&A
7 snips
Jul 17, 2025 
Vasant Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis, dives into the world of pharmaceuticals with fascinating insights on the challenges and opportunities facing the industry. He discusses the disappointing sales of the psoriasis drug Cosentix and its growth potential, particularly in China's market. Narasimhan also addresses how U.S. pharmaceutical tariffs and shifting political landscapes impact strategic investments. He highlights the importance of maintaining a competitive edge in biotech, emphasizing innovation and federal support to ensure continued leadership in the sector.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
U.S. Production Investment Strategy
- Novartis is investing $23 billion in U.S. drug production to offset uncertain tariff impacts.
- The goal is to produce all key medicines domestically for the U.S. market within four years.
Confidence in Cosentyx's Peak Sales
- Despite slower growth in key markets, Novartis maintains $8 billion+ peak sales forecast for Cosentyx by 2029.
- Competitive market reactions are temporary, and the drug's long-term growth remains confident.
Kiskali's Surging Breast Cancer Impact
- Kiskali's uptake for early breast cancer has exceeded expectations, achieving market leadership in the U.S.
- Expanding indications for earlier-stage patients could significantly increase the drug's market potential.