Novartis outlines refocusing of strategic priorities

Novartis has presented an outline of its long-term strategic plan, which is designed to help safeguard the company's sustainable growth.

The firm has revealed plans to review its manufacturing footprint to ensure maximum efficiency, as well as to simplify internal processes and create new centres of excellence to support its activities.

A key aspect of its future strategy is a reorganisation of its new drug portfolio, increasing its focus on specialty and oncology treatments, as well as maintaining growth in fields such as biosimilars and vaccines.

It will complete 13 regulatory submissions for new products in 2011, with a further nine following in 2012.

Joseph Jimenez, chief executive officer of Novartis, said: "Novartis has leading businesses in fast-growing segments of healthcare and by focusing on our strategic priorities we are well positioned to succeed in a rapidly changing healthcare environment."

Earlier this month, the company published clinical data for its new meningococcal disease vaccine 4CMenB, demonstrating its efficacy against a number of different strains.