LogiPharma Europe 2025: Driving Innovation in Core Therapeutic Areas

PC: Over the next decade or so, what can we expect from Novartis from an innovation/tech perspective? What future plans are in the works?

Lang: I shared the key focus areas we have in terms of therapeutic areas. Our four core therapeutic areas are oncology, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, neuroscience, and immunology. These are the areas where our R&D and imaging teams are relentlessly focused.

We are leveraging four key technology platforms: small molecules, biologics, cell and gene therapy, xRNA, and radioligand therapy. All of these platforms are active, ready to be deployed, and supported by a robust pipeline coming through operations.

It remains to be seen which specific molecule will ultimately succeed, but given the depth of our pipeline, we anticipate several potential breakthroughs. From an operations standpoint, we must ensure we’re ready to deliver these innovations to patients as soon as they become available—and that’s something we’re deeply passionate about.

Beyond the five current platforms, we also have a sixth platform on the horizon, driven by our strong innovation engine in R&D.

Full Interview Summary: At LogiPharma, Steffen Lang outlined Novartis’ vision as a focused medicines company, emphasizing its ongoing transformation across operations to support the delivery of individualized, next-generation therapies. With many of today’s treatments tailored to smaller patient populations, Novartis is reimagining how it forecasts, manufactures, and delivers medicines to meet evolving patient needs.

A central theme of the discussion was the elevation of operations as a strategic function. No longer viewed as a purely tactical task, operations now serve as a key enabler of innovation—particularly as technological advancements drive significant changes across the value chain. To support this, Novartis prioritizes investment in the right talent, skills, and environment, enabling its teams to adopt and apply cutting-edge technologies in meaningful ways.

Technology was highlighted as a critical driver of transformation. At Novartis, digital tools are not implemented for their novelty, but for their measurable impact on key outcomes—such as GMP compliance, patient safety, environmental sustainability, supply reliability, and cost efficiency. From planning and forecasting to manufacturing and distribution, technology is embedded end-to-end to ensure patients receive their therapies on time, every time.

Looking ahead, Novartis remains focused on four core therapeutic areas: oncology, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, neuroscience, and immunology. The company’s pipeline is supported by five key technology platforms—small molecules, biologics, cell and gene therapies, xRNA, and radioligand therapies—with the expectation of a sixth platform emerging in the near future. Operations teams are preparing now to scale delivery once these products are ready.

Finally, Lang noted key areas for continued industry collaboration, including digital transformation, sustainability, and workforce training. As Novartis continues to pioneer new ways to bring breakthrough therapies to patients, the company remains committed to sharing insights and driving collective progress across the pharmaceutical ecosystem.