In Good Company with Nicolai Tangen HIGHLIGHTS: Vasant Narasimhan - CEO of Novartis
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Jun 27, 2025 
Vasant Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis and a physician-scientist, shares insights on pharmaceutical innovation and the role of AI in drug discovery. He discusses cutting-edge breakthroughs in cell therapies aimed at treating previously untreatable diseases. With a keen focus on Europe's pharmaceutical competitiveness, Vasant emphasizes the need for reform to enhance innovation. His leadership philosophy as a 'chief energy officer' intertwines health optimization and productivity, showcasing how personal well-being fuels corporate success.
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Physician-Scientist CEO Journey
- Vas Narasimhan shares how being a physician-scientist shaped his data-driven and patient-focused leadership at Novartis.
- He learned business skills on the job, blending medical and commercial expertise to lead pharma innovation.
Breakthroughs in Early Intervention
- Early intervention in diseases like cancer can prevent severe stages needing hospitalization.
- Cell and gene therapies can reset the immune system, potentially reversing severe diseases by decades.
AI Transforming Drug Discovery
- AI accelerates drug discovery by optimizing drug candidates and predicting key properties.
- This technology can shorten early drug development by years, revolutionizing pharma R&D processes.