Novartis (NVS) will keep manufacturing treatments for malaria and leprosy even if regular orders stop due to global health funding cuts, Reuters reported Monday, citing its global health president.
Dr. Lutz Hegemann told the outlet the company intends to maintain output regardless of demand fluctuations after a recent order tied to the US President's Malaria Initiative was paused and later reinstated under a policy exemption.
Novartis typically supplies 28 million malaria treatment courses annually, sold nearly at cost to governments and aid groups such as PMI, which faces uncertainty amid President Donald Trump's broad international aid reductions, the news outlet reported.
The Global Fund, the primary purchaser of Novartis' malaria drugs, has reportedly avoided recent funding losses but is currently seeking new financial commitments in a more challenging environment.
Novartis now expects to invest $490 million in research and development for malaria and neglected tropical diseases by 2025-nearly twice its original $250 million pledge, Reuters reported.
Shares of Novartis were down more than 3% in recent Monday premarket activity.
(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)
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