R&D Investor Update focused on potential blockbusters and next-gen therapies.

Novartis has placed significant emphasis on expanding its pipeline of drug candidates, investing heavily in its Innovation Medicines Division. In a recent R&D Update, the company indicated that these efforts have proven favorable.

The company intends to introduce new drugs that have the potential to change the standard of care in diseases with significant negative impacts on patients, including multiple sclerosis (Mayzent, Siponimod; OMB157, ofatumumab); moderate to severe asthma (the oral biologic QAW039, fevipiprant); sickle cell disease (SEG101, crizanlizumab); and lung cancer (ACZ885, canikinumab).

Novartis is also developing numerous next-generation cell, gene and radioligand therapy platforms, with 13 medicines in clinical development and 9 more expected to enter the clinic in 2019.

The company is also looking to expand the approved indications for existing products such as Cosentyx, Entresto and Gilenya by building out their data profiles.