The origins of Novo Nordisk and Novartis products: piloting a framework to identify the public contributions
Background The objective of this case study is to pilot a framework of public contributions examining the origins of products from two major European pharmaceutical companies, Novartis and Novo Nordisk, that received approval from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) between January 2014 and May 2024...
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20523211.2025.2534919 |
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| author | Daniel Fabian Ozren Sehic Claudia Wild |
| author_facet | Daniel Fabian Ozren Sehic Claudia Wild |
| author_sort | Daniel Fabian |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background The objective of this case study is to pilot a framework of public contributions examining the origins of products from two major European pharmaceutical companies, Novartis and Novo Nordisk, that received approval from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) between January 2014 and May 2024. Our primary focus was to investigate the extent of public contributions, including government grants, public-private partnerships, and other forms of public funding, that supported the development of these products. Additionally, we explored whether these companies primarily relied on in-house research and development (R&D) capabilities or acquired these products at various stages of their development.Methods We conducted a thorough analysis of the products approved during the specified period, identifying the origins of each product. The analysis included detailed examination of public databases, financial disclosures, and scientific publications to trace the flow of public funding. We built on a list of sources from our previous studies to increase the level of detail.Results Novartis demonstrated a tendency to acquire promising products and technologies from smaller biotech firms and other pharmaceutical companies, particularly in therapeutic areas where it sought to strengthen its market position like oncology (16 out of 25 products acquired, licensed or co-developed). Conversely, Novo Nordisk predominantly advanced its products through internal R&D efforts, although it also engaged in selective acquisitions to complement its core capabilities (two out of six products acquired, licensed or co-developed). For Novartis eleven products received public support, for Novo Nordisk one product did.Conclusion Our findings reveal that both Novartis and Novo Nordisk use strategic acquisitions with Novartis relying more heavily on it than Novo Nordisk. Our framework for analyzing public contributions was sufficient for the product portfolios of the firms analyzed and helped us identifying public contributions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6572b73c9e8846f0afa2e1e59a2f0b6e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2052-3211 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice |
| spelling | doaj-art-6572b73c9e8846f0afa2e1e59a2f0b6e2025-08-20T03:44:01ZengTaylor & Francis GroupJournal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice2052-32112025-12-0118110.1080/20523211.2025.2534919The origins of Novo Nordisk and Novartis products: piloting a framework to identify the public contributionsDaniel Fabian0Ozren Sehic1Claudia Wild2Austrian Institute for Health Technology Assessment (AIHTA), Vienna, AustriaAustrian Institute for Health Technology Assessment (AIHTA), Vienna, AustriaAustrian Institute for Health Technology Assessment (AIHTA), Vienna, AustriaBackground The objective of this case study is to pilot a framework of public contributions examining the origins of products from two major European pharmaceutical companies, Novartis and Novo Nordisk, that received approval from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) between January 2014 and May 2024. Our primary focus was to investigate the extent of public contributions, including government grants, public-private partnerships, and other forms of public funding, that supported the development of these products. Additionally, we explored whether these companies primarily relied on in-house research and development (R&D) capabilities or acquired these products at various stages of their development.Methods We conducted a thorough analysis of the products approved during the specified period, identifying the origins of each product. The analysis included detailed examination of public databases, financial disclosures, and scientific publications to trace the flow of public funding. We built on a list of sources from our previous studies to increase the level of detail.Results Novartis demonstrated a tendency to acquire promising products and technologies from smaller biotech firms and other pharmaceutical companies, particularly in therapeutic areas where it sought to strengthen its market position like oncology (16 out of 25 products acquired, licensed or co-developed). Conversely, Novo Nordisk predominantly advanced its products through internal R&D efforts, although it also engaged in selective acquisitions to complement its core capabilities (two out of six products acquired, licensed or co-developed). For Novartis eleven products received public support, for Novo Nordisk one product did.Conclusion Our findings reveal that both Novartis and Novo Nordisk use strategic acquisitions with Novartis relying more heavily on it than Novo Nordisk. Our framework for analyzing public contributions was sufficient for the product portfolios of the firms analyzed and helped us identifying public contributions.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20523211.2025.2534919Public contributionsNovo NordiskNovartisproduct originpublic return on public investments (PRoPI)transparency |
| spellingShingle | Daniel Fabian Ozren Sehic Claudia Wild The origins of Novo Nordisk and Novartis products: piloting a framework to identify the public contributions Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice Public contributions Novo Nordisk Novartis product origin public return on public investments (PRoPI) transparency |
| title | The origins of Novo Nordisk and Novartis products: piloting a framework to identify the public contributions |
| title_full | The origins of Novo Nordisk and Novartis products: piloting a framework to identify the public contributions |
| title_fullStr | The origins of Novo Nordisk and Novartis products: piloting a framework to identify the public contributions |
| title_full_unstemmed | The origins of Novo Nordisk and Novartis products: piloting a framework to identify the public contributions |
| title_short | The origins of Novo Nordisk and Novartis products: piloting a framework to identify the public contributions |
| title_sort | origins of novo nordisk and novartis products piloting a framework to identify the public contributions |
| topic | Public contributions Novo Nordisk Novartis product origin public return on public investments (PRoPI) transparency |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20523211.2025.2534919 |
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