Novartis AG Maintains Buy Rating with Deutsche Bank

Deutsche Bank analyst Emmanuel Papadakis maintains a Buy rating on Novartis AG with a price target of CHF120.00. The company's shares opened at CHF102.14. The analyst consensus is a Moderate Buy with an average price target of CHF102.08, a -0.06% downside from current levels. Novartis AG reported a quarterly revenue of CHF14.84 billion and a net profit of CHF4.04 billion.

Eligible Canadian patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) are one step closer to publicly funded access to cholesterol-lowering treatment. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. has successfully concluded negotiations with the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) for the public reimbursement of Leqvio® (inclisiran) for adults with HeFH [1]. This genetic condition, characterized by elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), significantly increases the risk of early cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes.

The agreement marks an important milestone in expanding treatment options for patients who face a higher risk of early heart disease. "At HeartLife, we believe that people living with FH deserve timely access to the most effective therapies available," said Marc Bains, Co-Founder of the HeartLife Foundation. "This agreement is an important step forward in closing long-standing gaps in care and expanding treatment options for patients who face a significantly higher risk of early heart disease" [1].

Dr. Liam Brunham, Canada Research Chair and Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia, echoed this sentiment: "Familial Hypercholesterolemia is underdiagnosed and undertreated, despite the significant cardiovascular risk it carries. For many patients with FH, it is challenging to control LDL-C levels with standard therapies. Having access to advanced therapies is an important advance in the treatment of these patients" [1].

While the milestone is significant, public reimbursement through provincial and territorial formularies has not yet been secured. As the next step, Novartis will collaborate with public drug programs to ensure timely access to treatment for eligible patients living with HeFH.

Leqvio® is indicated as an adjunct to lifestyle changes, including diet, to further reduce LDL-C levels in adults with HeFH who are on maximally tolerated doses of a statin, with or without other LDL-C-lowering therapies. It was first approved by Health Canada in 2021 and has made a difference in the lives of over 4,500 Canadians and 290,000 patients worldwide since its commercialization in 2022 [1].

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including heart disease, stroke, and vascular cognitive impairment, are responsible for the loss of one life every five minutes and are the second leading cause of death in Canada after cancer [2]. In Canada, heart disease is the leading cause of hospitalization among Canadian women, aside from giving birth, and CVD accounts for $22 billion annually within the healthcare system [2].

References:

[1] https://www.biospace.com/press-releases/leqvio-advances-toward-broader-access-with-agreement-between-novartis-and-the-pan-canadian-pharmaceutical-alliance
[2] 2019 Heart & Stroke Report. Accessed on August 8, 2025. Available at: https://www.heartandstroke.ca/articles/connected-by-the-numbers