Novartis relocates vaccines business unit

Novartis has announced that the company is making “significant” progress in the creation of a strategic growth platform in human vaccines. The company stated that the division would have a new global headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The business division for vaccines and diagnostics will encompass 250 staff employed in a range of capacities, including research and development, marketing, human resources, general management, finance and information technology.

Staff from a number of existing sites, including Oxford, England, will be given the opportunity to relocate to the new site in Massachusetts. An additional 50,000 sq ft of space will be used in constructing the new headquarters.

Jorg Reinhardt, chief executive officer of the vaccines and diagnostics division, said that the decision to relocate the business unit to the US reflected the company’s belief in the country as a growth market.

“Centralising our global operations in Cambridge will also allow us to capitalise on the city’s vibrant biotechnology environment, the excellent talent pool as well as foster greater collaboration within Novartis.”

In October, Novartis announced the results of a phase III clinical trial showing that its novel cell culture-derived influenza vaccine was well-tolerated and capable of producing an immune response as strong as traditional vaccines.