Novartis is a global company that provides healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Novartis focuses solely on growth areas in healthcare, including a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, preventive vaccines and diagnostics tools, and consumer health products. Novartis is the only company with leading positions in these areas. The city of Cambridge is home to the global headquarters for the company's research division, the Novartis institutes for biomedical research and the global headquarters for the company's vaccines and diagnostics division. In addition Cambridge is home to the United State office of the Novartis Venture Fund.
Five years ago, the company decided to move its global headquarters for research as well as its global headquarters for Vaccines to Cambridge in order to tap into the tremendous pool of life sciences talent in the city. According to Jeff Lockwood, Novartis' executive director of communications for the institutes biomedical research, "Being in Cambridge allows us to hire the best and the brightest in life sciences and collaborate with innovative biotech companies and academic institutions." Holding true to that statement, Novartis currently employs 1,600 people.
The talent pool was not the only reason Novartis decided to move to Cambridge. The city government played a vital role in the decision and development process, and proved to be a great resource in that decision. Lockwood said, "The city staff in Cambridge has been great partners in our growth within the city. They are consistently "tough but fair" in working through issues. From top to bottom the staff is very professional, accessible and straightforward in their approach to permitting and other important issues. They were and are great to work with!"
Being a good global and local corporate citizen is important at Novartis, and they are involved in a wide variety of community and business activities in Cambridge. They are active members of the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, the Central Sq. Business Association and the Mass. Biotech Council. Their membership in these organizations allows them to network with other companies, keep up to date on city issues and be involved in civic activities in Cambridge. Novartis has an ongoing mentoring program with the Cambridgeport Middle School which matches our scientists up with students for a half year. In addition, they provide financial and in kind support to organizations such as the Science Club for Girls, Tutoring Plus, CASPAR, Community Arts Center, Salvation Army, Cambridge Family & Children's Services, East End House and Margaret Fuller House. Each year they sponsor a community Partnership Day where associates take a day off from the lab to volunteer with organizations throughout the city. This year more than 500 associates volunteered in 12 organizations in Cambridge and Greater Boston. According to Lockwood, the city government has been extremely helpful in facilitating our entrée to these organizations.