Novartis: cross-border access for the specialty portfolio

Quick orientation

Novartis AG is a Swiss multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Basel, with US operations in East Hanover, New Jersey. Novartis spun off its generics arm Sandoz in 2023 to focus exclusively on innovative medicines. The specialty footprint is anchored in oncology (radioligand franchise Pluvicto and Lutathera, CDK4/6 inhibitor Kisqali, BCR-ABL inhibitors Scemblix and Tasigna, CAR-T product Kymriah), immunology and dermatology (Cosentyx), cardiovascular (Entresto, Leqvio), hematology (Jakavi, Fabhalta), and neurology (Kesimpta, Aimovig co-marketed with Amgen).

For cross-border named-patient programs, the radioligand oncology franchise (Pluvicto for metastatic prostate cancer, Lutathera for GEP-NETs) generates the highest single-product volume of inquiries because the cyclotron and radiopharmaceutical supply chain creates real geographic access bottlenecks even where the indication is technically registered.

Portfolio in cross-border NPP scope

Pluvicto (lutetium Lu 177 vipivotide tetraxetan)

PSMA-targeted radioligand therapy approved for PSMA-positive metastatic CRPC previously treated with androgen receptor pathway inhibition and taxane-based chemotherapy, with expanded labeling for pre-chemotherapy use. US WAC per administered dose is approximately $42,500 per cycle (six cycles per full course). Reserve Meds works case-by-case on cyclotron-source-to-clinic logistics rather than warehousing the product.

Lutathera (lutetium Lu 177 dotatate)

Radioligand therapy for somatostatin-receptor-positive gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. International requests come from GEP-NET patients in MENA and India where local nuclear-medicine capacity exists but radioligand supply has not been established.

Kisqali (ribociclib)

CDK4/6 inhibitor approved for HR-positive HER2-negative metastatic and early breast cancer in combination with an aromatase inhibitor or fulvestrant. US WAC at the 600mg daily three-weeks-on schedule runs at approximately $15,000 per cycle. International demand favors Kisqali specifically where the treating oncologist has selected ribociclib over palbociclib based on overall-survival data, or in early breast cancer where the adjuvant indication has not yet been added locally.

Cosentyx (secukinumab)

IL-17A inhibitor approved for plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, non-radiographic axSpA, hidradenitis suppurativa, and enthesitis-related arthritis. Cross-border requests cluster around the newer HS indication where local approval has lagged, and around pediatric weight-banded dosing for juvenile psoriasis.

Entresto (sacubitril and valsartan)

Angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor approved for heart failure across the ejection-fraction spectrum, including preserved-EF heart failure. International requests come from cardiology patients in MENA where the HFpEF indication has not yet been added locally.

Leqvio (inclisiran)

Twice-yearly subcutaneous siRNA targeting PCSK9 for primary hyperlipidemia and heterozygous FH. International requests come from patients in MENA who prefer twice-yearly dosing over the every-two-weeks or monthly PCSK9 antibody alternatives.

Kesimpta (ofatumumab)

Anti-CD20 monthly subcutaneous monoclonal antibody for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. Reserve Meds coordinates Kesimpta primarily for MS patients in the Gulf and India who prefer home-administered subcutaneous over the infusion-center burden of ocrelizumab or rituximab.

Scemblix (asciminib) and Tasigna (nilotinib)

STAMP-class allosteric BCR-ABL inhibitor (Scemblix) and second-generation BCR-ABL TKI (Tasigna), both for chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia. International requests cluster around CML patients in MENA and India who have failed earlier-generation TKIs and where Scemblix specifically is not yet locally available.

Fabhalta (iptacopan)

Oral factor B complement inhibitor approved for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and C3 glomerulopathy. International requests come from PNH patients in MENA and India where the oral route is preferred over the intravenous Soliris and Ultomiris alternatives.

Why patients route Novartis products through cross-border NPP

Three patterns dominate. First, the radioligand franchise (Pluvicto, Lutathera) is supply-chain-bottlenecked: even where the indication is locally registered, the cyclotron and isotope distribution may not extend to the patient's country. Second, indication-expansion lag is most visible in Entresto (HFpEF), Cosentyx (HS), Leqvio (newer LDL targets), and Kisqali (adjuvant breast). Third, the Novartis Patient Assistance Foundation is restricted to US residents.

Manufacturer engagement posture

Reserve Meds coordinates Novartis-manufactured US product through DSCSA-compliant specialty wholesaler channels. We are not an authorized Novartis distributor. PAF and copay support do not extend to cross-border patients. All Reserve Meds orders are cash-pay at firm-quote pricing.

For Novartis market access, medical affairs, and international new product planning teams: Reserve Meds carries structured demand visibility across the radioligand, oncology, cardiovascular, and immunology franchises. If your group is sizing pre-registration demand in MENA and India, we are open to a structured conversation under NDA.

Common cross-border destinations for the Novartis portfolio

Pluvicto and Lutathera concentrate in the UAE and Saudi Arabia where nuclear-medicine specialist clinics exist. Oncology and hematology (Kisqali, Scemblix, Fabhalta) skews to India, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and UAE. The cardiovascular franchise (Entresto, Leqvio) is broadest, with significant demand from the Gulf and India.

What Reserve Meds provides

For every Novartis product order, Reserve Meds coordinates DSCSA chain-of-custody documentation from the US specialty wholesaler through to the patient's destination clinician; cold-chain validated logistics where required; country regulatory pathway expertise covering named-patient import approval, customs clearance, and any required physician declaration; and a single patient-facing coordinator who carries the case from initial inquiry through delivery confirmation. We do not replace the patient's treating physician. A US-licensed pharmacist reviews every prescription before the order is released for dispensing.

Next step for patients

Patients or caregivers who have a treating physician's prescription for a Novartis product and want a firm quote can start a request below.

Start a request for a Novartis product

Next step for Novartis teams

If you are on the Novartis access, medical affairs, or international market access team and want to discuss coordinated named-patient program demand from MENA and India, reach us at [email protected]. We will share aggregated demand views under NDA.

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