Switzerland’s Novartis to lift investment in medical research in SA
Swiss drug manufacturer Novartis has signed a memorandum of agreement with the South African Medical Research Council and the department of science and technology that paves the way for the company to increase its investments in local medical research. Basel-headquartered Novartis is one of the world’s biggest multinational pharmaceutical companies. In addition to its innovative drug business, it owns generic drug maker Sandoz and eye care unit Alcon. The agreement commits the parties to exploring the scope for collaborating in research along the entire drug development value chain, improving the scope for local patients to get personally tailored drug treatment, and building local research and development capacity. Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor said building local research capacity was critical to ensure studies were undertaken to meet the needs of South Africans and create career opportunities for scientists. “We are tired of exporting our best,” she said. SA’s act...
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