Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan Expects AI Benefits for Pharmaceutical Sector in 7-10 Years
Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan expects the pharmaceutical sector to see tangible AI benefits within 7-10 years, with the company's Hyderabad facility serving as a key innovation hub. The CEO emphasized cost optimization goals and faster medicine delivery through AI technology, while expressing satisfaction with current workforce levels in India. Narasimhan also highlighted the importance of modernizing India's Ayushman Bharat system for broader patient access and revealed significant investments in neuroscience research targeting conditions like Huntington's, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's disease.

*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.
Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan has projected that the pharmaceutical industry will witness tangible benefits from artificial intelligence within the next seven to ten years, as companies increasingly integrate advanced technologies across their operations. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Narasimhan outlined the company's strategic approach to AI implementation and its broader growth objectives.
AI Innovation Hub in Hyderabad
The pharmaceutical giant has established a significant AI research and development presence in Hyderabad, where many of the company's leading scientists and engineers are spearheading innovation initiatives. According to Narasimhan, this facility serves as a crucial center for developing AI use cases aimed at modernizing the company's operations across research, development, and manufacturing processes.
| Focus Area: | Details |
|---|---|
| Location: | Hyderabad, India |
| Personnel: | Top scientists and engineers |
| Objective: | AI-driven company modernization |
| Timeline: | 7-10 years for tangible benefits |
Strategic Objectives and Cost Optimization
Narasimhan emphasized that Novartis has established ambitious goals for its workforce, with cost optimization serving as a key strategic objective. The company aims to leverage AI technology to accelerate medicine delivery processes, though the CEO noted that market development in India has not yet reached the desired pace.
The executive expressed satisfaction with the company's current employee numbers in India, indicating stability in the workforce structure as the organization pursues its AI-driven transformation initiatives.
Healthcare Access and Government Collaboration
Addressing healthcare accessibility in India, Narasimhan advocated for continued engagement with the Indian government to modernize the Ayushman Bharat system. This collaboration aims to enable wider access to innovative medicines for patients across the country, representing a significant opportunity for expanding healthcare reach.
Future Investment in Neuroscience
Looking toward future breakthroughs, Narasimhan highlighted neuroscience as a priority area for substantial investment. The company is focusing its research efforts on several critical areas:
- Neuromuscular diseases
- Huntington's disease
- Parkinson's disease
- Alzheimer's disease
These investments reflect Novartis' commitment to addressing some of the most challenging neurological conditions, potentially positioning the company at the forefront of breakthrough treatments in these therapeutic areas.
Historical Stock Returns for Novartis
| 1 Day | 5 Days | 1 Month | 6 Months | 1 Year | 5 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -1.35% | -2.05% | -2.40% | -27.79% | -11.67% | +14.00% |




























