Novartis (NVS)

[DewDiligence]

Your timing in espousing the Pharma demographic tailwind was perfect since NVS just announced the launch of Galvus and Lucentis in china today.

I commented on this briefly in #msg-71019396.

As you know the FDA request for additional testing on Galvus has been a sore spot with me. The expansion of Galvus to China demonstrates continued worldwide expansion despite the FDA setback. I don't see that Januvia is available in Mainland China, so at least it appears that NVS has beaten Merck to at least one major market!

Galvus could do quite well in China insofar as 10% of adults there are diabetic. However, MRK knows this too, so I don’t expect NVS’ “monopoly” to last long.