Novartis launches new research institute with developing world focus

Novartis has announced the opening of a new research institute in Siena that is to focus exclusively on the development of vaccines for diseases of the developing world.

A public-private partnership, the Novartis Vaccine Institute for Global Health (NVGH) is to concentrate on the development of vaccines specifically tailored for the poorest areas and will introduce any new candidates in the countries themselves.

It is to be headed by Allan Saul, who moves from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to take up the post in Siena on the same site as the Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics global research centre.

Dr Daniel Vasella, chairman and chief executive officer of Novartis, said that the NVGH’s launch reinforces Novartis’ commitment to research & development for neglected diseases.

“Novartis will continue to draw on our expertise and the skills of our associates to contribute to sustainable corporate citizenship initiatives,” he added.

NVGH’s activities will fall under the firm’s corporate research programme and will provide a boost to existing Novartis vaccines research expertise.

It emerged earlier this month that the head of Novartis’ North American pharmaceutical business Alex Gorsky was to move to Johnson & Johnson (J&J) to take up the role of group chairman of J&J subsidiary Ethicon.