Animals used for research and development
Animal research is key to many of the great medical advances of today, including vaccines for diseases like polio; cancer treatments; medicines to treat neurological diseases such as epilepsy, schizophrenia and depression; medicines for diseases that have high morbidity and mortality rates around the world like high blood pressure, diabetes, malaria and much more.
While the end of medical research involving animals might be a future possibility, it is not possible today. Often, animal studies are required by regulatory agencies around the world to better understand complex disease mechanisms and to prove that medicines are safe and effective.
Relevant links and disclosures
Clinical trials
Clinical trials are at the heart of our work to bring innovative medicines to people with a particular disease or condition. These studies ensure that an investigative medicine is effective and safe, and rely entirely on patients and healthy volunteers. For every Novartis clinical trial our primary responsibility is to protect the safety, well-being and legal rights of all participants and ensure adherence to the highest ethical standards for clinical research.
Relevant links and disclosures
- Commitment to patients and caregivers
- Clinical Study Transparency: Clinical Study Registration, Results Reporting and Data Sharing
- Guidelines for the Publication of Results from Novartis-Sponsored Research
- Commitment to Diversity in Clinical Trials
- Position on Investigator Initiated Trials (IITs) and Investigator Initiated Research (IIRs)
- Novartis Clinical Trials Results Website
- Position on Responsible Clinical Trials
- Position on Ethical Principles for Transplantation Studies
- Ethics in Clinical Trials
- Position on Post-Trial Access
- Position on Collaborating with Patient Organizations
Innovation for neglected diseases
Under the “Access to Medicines” section please see: