2020 news highlights January Announce EU approval of Mayzent It treats active secondary progressive multiple sclerosis February Announce EU approval of Beovu It treats a leading cause of vision loss that affects 20 million people worldwide Launch research collaboration on leishmaniasis Novartis and the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative will pursue a potential new treatment for the tropical disease March Advance a broad range of initiatives in response to COVID-19 For further details, please see the section “Our response to COVID-19” April Announce EU approval of Cosentyx for a chronic inflammatory condition The approval for active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis adds to the strong position of Cosentyx May Announce FDA approval of Tabrecta It is the first approved treatment for a rare and aggressive type of lung cancer Announce EU approval of Zolgensma gene therapy It follows the launch of the treatment for spinal muscular atrophy in the US in 2019 June Announce five simultaneous approvals in Japan Tabrecta, Entresto, Mayzent, Enerzair Breezhaler and Atectura Breezhaler were all approved on the same day Expand sickle cell disease program to Uganda and Tanzania We plan to expand the program, first launched in Ghana, to 10 African countries by 2022 July Launch a not-for-profit portfolio of medicines to tackle COVID-19 The 15 medicines are available to low-income and lower-middle-income countries to help treat COVID-19 symptoms Introduce global flexible working policy It significantly expands flexible working opportunities for office-based associates Announce EU approval of Enerzair Breezhaler The treatment for uncontrolled asthma comes with an optional digital sensor Announce EU approval of Piqray The treatment can improve survival for patients with advanced breast cancer Receive approval for CAR-T production sites in Europe The new sites in France and Switzerland add to our production capacity for CAR-T therapies August Announce EU approval of Cosentyx for pediatric psoriasis It reinforces the position of Cosentyx in immuno-dermatology and rheumatology Announce FDA approval of Kesimpta It addresses an unmet need for patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis September Launch new access and environmental targets They underscore our commitment to environmental, social and governance (ESG) topics Issue a sustainability-linked bond It embeds key ESG targets into the core of our business Announce collaboration in Africa on COVID-19 supplies We are working with the Africa Medical Supplies Platform to get critical medicines to African Union countries October Announce EU approval of Adakveo It reduces the frequency of pain crises in patients with sickle cell disease Expand Kymriah manufacturing footprint The Japan site is the first approved commercial CAR-T manufacturing site in Asia Announce collaboration with Molecular Partners We will jointly develop two DARPin® therapies designed for potential use against COVID-19 December Announce FDA approval of Xolair for adults with nasal polyps Nasal polyps frequently co-occur with other respiratory conditions, such as allergies and asthma Announce EU approval of Leqvio It reduces cholesterol in patients with a life-threatening type of heart disease
