Leading with Innovation, Ethics and Impact

Hungary’s leading innovative pharmaceutical company, Novartis has been present in this country since the early nineties. The head of the local subsidiary, Novartis Hungary Ltd., Colette Matz tells Diplomacy&Trade about the company’s activities on the Hungarian market with special regard to the company’s contribution to Hungarian healthcare.

The General Manager states that Novartis is proud to maintain its position as the number one company in the innovative pharmaceutical sector in Hungary. “This underscores our ability to provide timely access to groundbreaking treatments.”

The company’s portfolio has reached approximately 1.83 million patients in Hungary and includes innovative oncology, cardiology, immunology and neurology therapies that have advanced patient care. In addition, Novartis invests HUF billions annually in clinical research, and over the last decade, it has provided more than 10,000 Hungarian patients with access to cutting-edge treatments through its clinical trial programs, spanning a diverse range of therapeutic areas. “Beyond our products, we actively contribute to Hungary’s broader healthcare system by partnering with government bodies, academia, healthcare providers, and patient organizations to drive systemic improvements in care delivery,” she adds.

Innovation, the driving force
Guided by the principle of ‘reimagining medicine’, Novartis focuses on creating transformative therapies that address unmet medical needs and redefine patient care. As Colette Matz puts it, “innovation is the driving force behind everything we do.”

The company’s research spans many areas, including oncology, cardiovascular diseases, immunology and neuroscience as well as gene and cell therapies. They continue to invest significantly in biomarker research, real-world evidence generation and personalized medicine to tailor treatments to individual needs. “Over the next few years, we plan to launch more than a dozen new therapies globally. Hungary plays a strategic role in this process due to its strong academic institutions and advanced clinical research capabilities, which contribute to testing and refining treatments that ultimately benefit patients both locally and globally.”

To stay at the forefront of scientific innovation, Novartis is also increasingly integrating cutting-edge digital tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), into its research and development processes. “These technologies enhance our ability to expedite discovery, improve patient outcomes and develop even more precise therapies,” she points out.

Adopting advanced technologies
“At Novartis, digital innovation lies at the heart of our mission to transform medicine. We are exploring advanced tools and digital platforms to improve decision-making and streamline care delivery, while maintaining strict data security and privacy standards,” the General Manager notes.
One example is the ‘Dr. BetMen’ platform, a digital solution designed to help optimize patient pathways by streamlining care delivery. Novartis is committed to advancing its capabilities with targeted digital initiatives aimed at improving care coordination and patient engagement. These efforts reflect our commitment to exploring personalized approaches to healthcare, while ensuring responsible data use. This innovative tool reflects the company’s dedication to driving meaningful improvements in care delivery.

Beyond digital tools like ‘Dr. BetMen’, Hungary’s robust health data infrastructure provides transformative opportunities to accelerate clinical research and improve healthcare outcomes. “We actively engage with stakeholders on the policy and regulatory environment surrounding health data, aiming to ensure that innovation aligns with patient needs, safeguards data privacy and contributes to a sustainable healthcare system. By collaborating with government bodies, academia and healthcare providers, Novartis seeks to expand industry-sponsored clinical research in Hungary, opening the door to more innovative treatment options for Hungarian patients,” she adds.

Clear goals
Colette Matz took over at the helm of the company more than a year ago. “When I joined Novartis Hungary as Country President, I was excited to work with such a talented and accomplished team, especially considering Hungary's potential as a research and innovation hub within the Novartis global network. My goals were clear from the start. First, I aimed to strengthen Hungary’s leadership in clinical research across the region. Second, I aimed to forge strong partnerships across sectors to address public health priorities. Third, I aimed to advance Novartis Hungary’s position as a leader in bringing innovative, life-saving treatments to Hungarian patients, ensuring continued excellence both medically and from a business perspective. Finally, I wanted to promote an empowering workplace culture where every employee could thrive creatively and purposefully.”
She mentions that over the past 15 months, she has been proud to see significant progress in these areas, whether through new healthcare collaborations, increased R&D investments, organizational growth or initiatives that boost company morale and engagement.

Swiss values
Novartis is one of the best-known Swiss companies in Hungary. As to the Swiss (business) values it represents, the General Manager stresses that Novartis embodies the values synonymous with Switzerland: precision, reliability and quality. “These values are complemented by our deep commitment to innovation, sustainability and ethical business practices. In Hungary, these principles are evident in our long-term strategic approach, transparent communication and trust-based partnerships. Whether we're introducing advanced treatments, strengthening educational programs for future medical and pharmaceutical professionals or investing in the development of our own teams, we focus on continuous improvement and creating meaningful, sustainable change. Internally, this means nurturing talent, fostering collaboration, and empowering employees to hone their skills and contribute to driving impactful healthcare solutions.”

Reimagining possibilities
The company’s social responsibility activities are tied to the fundamental issues it is involved in professionally. With respect to that, Colette Matz emphasizes that “at Novartis, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is central to who we are. Our strategy rests on three pillars: improving access to healthcare, developing talent and education, and promoting environmental sustainability.”
Recent initiatives include cardiovascular screening programs aimed at the early detection and prevention of heart-related illnesses, as well as awareness campaigns that support breast cancer patients by empowering their recovery journeys and reducing the risk of relapse. Supporting women’s health is a key priority for the company.

In the realm of education, Novartis collaborates with vocational colleges and sponsors competitions to nurture the knowledge and skills of the next generation of medical and pharmaceutical professionals. In terms of the environment, the company has implemented energy-saving initiatives, efficient waste management and sustainable supply chain collaborations to reduce its carbon footprint.

The General Manager concludes as saying that “as we look to the future, Novartis Hungary remains steadfast in its commitment to driving transformative change – not just in healthcare, but also in how society embraces bold thinking, innovation and responsibility for better lives. Together, we’re not just shaping medicine; we’re reimagining possibilities.”