Novartis to showcase experimental Sjogren's drug at 9th CIIE

Novartis will showcase its experimental drug for Sjogren's disease, ianalumab, in China for the first time at the upcoming 9th China International Import Expo, the Swiss drugmaker said on Monday.

(Photo: China Daily)

The drug, which is not yet approved on the Chinese mainland, will feature alongside the company's research pipeline and efforts to improve access to innovative medicines.

The 9th CIIE will run from Nov 5 to 10 in Shanghai.

Novartis plans to display products across four core therapeutic areas: cardiovascular, renal and metabolic diseases; immunology; oncology; and neuroscience. It will also outline its pipeline across five key technology platforms.

The exhibition will include 12 medicines called "CIIE babies", highlighting products it says the expo has helped bring to China.

Having participated in every edition of the expo since its launch in 2018, the company said it has received more than 60 approvals in China for new medicines and additional indications over that period.

Beyond its medicines and research pipeline, the company will present initiatives to improve patient access to innovative treatments. It will also showcase work with partners exploring potential low-altitude transport solutions, which it described as being at the conceptual stage.

The company will also outline its broader strategy in China and efforts to work more closely with local innovation partners.

This year's exhibition coincides with the 30th anniversary of Novartis's establishment in 1996. The company traces its ties with China back 140 years and will also showcase its refreshed corporate brand at the expo.