Novartis announced that it condemns the war in Ukraine: "The continued acts of unprovoked violence are harming innocent people, and this defies our mission to improve human health globally.

"As a medicines company, we have delivered more than one million packs of antibiotics, painkillers, cardiovascular, and oncology treatments which amounts to more than USD 25 million in medical aid to maintain the supply to those who rely on these drugs in Ukraine and in the border areas where people are seeking refuge."

Novartis also made an initial USD 3 million donation to charities supporting refugees and displaced people in Ukraine and bordering countries: "We continue to support our employees and their families in Ukraine and those who have left the country. Our thoughts are with the citizens of Ukraine; Novartis will continue to contribute to the humanitarian efforts in and for the country's people.

"We remain committed to providing access to medicines to patients in every country where we operate. At the same time, we are careful to comply with the international sanctions imposed upon Russia.

"A package of measures has been implemented that includes suspending capital investments, media advertising, and other promotional activities in Russia. In addition, while we remain committed to providing access to our medicine in Russia, we responsibly pause the initiation of new clinical trials and the enrolment of new study participants in existing trials. These measures will be kept under review.

"We are hopeful that the war in Ukraine will soon reach a peaceful resolution."

About Novartis

Novartis is reimagining medicine to improve and extend people’s lives. As a leading global medicines company, we use innovative science and digital technologies to create transformative treatments in areas of great medical need. In our quest to find new medicines, we consistently rank among the world’s top companies investing in research and development. Novartis products reach nearly 800 million people globally and we are finding innovative ways to expand access to our latest treatments. About 109,000 people of more than 140 nationalities work at Novartis around the world.