Novartis Quiz: Swiss Pharma Giant Challenge

Novartis was formed in 1996 through the merger of two long-established Swiss pharmaceutical companies, both headquartered in Basel. At the time of completion, this was the largest corporate merger ever recorded in global business history, creating an instant pharmaceutical giant.

It is known as a major centre of the pharmaceutical industry and is home to several leading drug companies. Its strength in pharmaceuticals goes back to the 19th century, when a local chemical dye industry developed strong expertise in chemistry that later led to drug research and production.

When two Swiss pharmaceutical giants merged in 1996, they selected a new corporate name rooted in Latin - the traditional language of medicine and scholarship. The chosen phrase reflected the combined company's central ambition: to pioneer entirely new capabilities across the life sciences.

In 2000, Novartis and AstraZeneca combined their agricultural chemical and seeds divisions to create a new independent company, listed simultaneously on three major stock exchanges. Both parent companies made this move to redirect their full focus and resources towards human healthcare.

Ophthalmology is one of healthcare's fastest-growing fields, driven by ageing populations and rising prevalence of cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. In 2010, Novartis acquired majority ownership of a world-leading eye care company that had previously been owned by Nestle.