Novartis announced the appointment of Timothy Wright, M.D. as Global Head, Development, Novartis Pharmaceuticals effective immediately.

Dr Wright joined Novartis in 2004 and most recently served as Senior Vice President and Global Head of Translational Sciences at Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR). His group included Translational Medicine, Biomarker Development, Preclinical Safety (toxicology), and Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics. Previously, he worked for Pfizer Global Research and Development as the Exploratory Therapy Area Leader for Inflammation. He also served as Chief of the Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology and an endowed professor at the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr Wright received a B.A. in Biology from the University of Delaware and a medical degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

About Novartis
Novartis provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, eye care, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, preventive vaccines and diagnostic tools, over-the-counter and animal health products. Novartis is the only global company with leading positions in these areas. In 2010, the Group's continuing operations achieved net sales of USD 50.6 billion, while approximately USD 9.1 billion (USD 8.1 billion excluding impairment and amortization charges) was invested in R&D throughout the Group. Novartis Group companies employ approximately 121,000 full-time-equivalent associates and operate in more than 140 countries around the world.