Significant transactions	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2022
Disclosure of significant transactions [abstract]
Significant transactions	2. Significant transactions The Group applied the acquisition method of accounting for businesses acquired, and did not elect to apply the optional concentration test to account for acquired business as an asset separately acquired. Significant transactions in 2022 Innovative Medicines – acquisition of Gyroscope Therapeutics Holdings plc On December 22, 2021, Novartis entered into an agreement to acquire all outstanding shares of Gyroscope Therapeutics Holdings plc (Gyroscope), a UK-based ocular gene therapy company. Gyroscope focuses on the discovery and development of gene therapy treatments for retinal indications. The purchase price consisted of a cash payment of USD 0.8 billion, subject to certain customary purchase price adjustments, and potential additional milestone payments of up to USD 0.7 billion, which Gyroscope shareholders are eligible to receive upon achievement of specified milestones. The acquisition closed on February 17, 2022. The fair value of the total purchase consideration was USD 1.0 billion. The amount consisted of an upfront cash payment of USD 0.8 billion (including customary purchase price adjustments) and the fair value of contingent consideration of USD 0.2 billion, which Gyroscope shareholders are eligible to receive upon achievement of specified milestones. The purchase price allocation resulted in net identifiable assets of USD 0.9 billion, consisting primarily of intangible assets of USD 1.1 billion and net deferred tax liabilities of USD 0.2 billion. Goodwill amounted to USD 0.1 billion. The results of operations since the date of acquisition are not material. Significant transactions in 2021 Sandoz – acquisition of GSK’s cephalosporin antibiotics business On February 10, 2021, Sandoz entered into an agreement with certain subsidiaries of GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) for the acquisition of the GSK’s cephalosporin antibiotics business. Under the agreement, Sandoz acquired the global rights to three established brands (Zinnat®, Zinacef® and Fortum®) in more than 100 markets. It excluded the rights in the US, Australia and Germany to certain of those brands, which were previously divested by GSK, and the rights in India, Pakistan, Egypt, Japan (to certain of the brands) and China, which will be retained by GSK. The transaction closed on October 8, 2021. The purchase price consisted of a USD 350 million upfront payment paid at closing and potential milestone payments up to USD 150 million, which GSK will be eligible to receive upon the achievement of certain annual sales milestones for the portfolio. The fair value of the total purchase consideration was USD 415 million. The amount consisted of a payment of USD 351 million, including purchase price adjustments, and the fair value of contingent consideration of USD 64 million, which GSK is eligible to receive upon the achievement of specified milestones. The purchase price allocation resulted in net identifiable assets of USD 308 million, consisting of USD 292 million intangible assets and USD 16 million deferred tax assets. Goodwill amounted to USD 107 million. The 2021 results of operations since the date of acquisition were not material. Corporate – divestment of the investment in Roche Holding AG On November 3, 2021, Novartis entered into a Share Repurchase Agreement with Roche Holding AG under which Novartis agreed to sell 53.3 million (approximately 33.3%) bearer shares of Roche Holding AG voting shares in a bilateral transaction to Roche Holding AG for a total consideration of USD 20.7 billion. As a result, Novartis discontinued the use of equity method accounting starting from November 3, 2021. The transaction closed on December 6, 2021. Novartis realized a gain of USD 14.6 billion, recorded in income from associated companies. Significant transactions in 2020 Innovative Medicines – acquisition of The Medicines Company On November 23, 2019, Novartis entered into an agreement and plan of merger (“the Merger Agreement”) with The Medicines Company, a US-based pharmaceutical company headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey, USA. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, on December 5, 2019, Novartis, through a subsidiary, commenced a tender offer to acquire all outstanding shares of The Medicines Company for USD 85 per share, or a total consideration of approximately USD 9.6 billion in cash on a fully diluted basis, including the equivalent share value related to The Medicines Company’s convertible notes, in accordance with their terms. The tender offer expired on January 3, 2020, and on January 6, 2020, the acquiring subsidiary merged with and into The Medicines Company, resulting in The Medicines Company becoming an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Novartis. Novartis financed the transaction through available cash, and short- and long-term borrowings. The Medicines Company is focused on the development of inclisiran, a potentially first-in-class, twice yearly therapy that allows administration during patients’ routine visits to their healthcare professionals and will potentially contribute to improved patient adherence and sustained lower LDL-C levels. The fair value of the total purchase consideration was USD 9.6 billion. The purchase price allocation resulted in net identifiable assets of approximately USD 7.1 billion, consisting of USD 8.5 billion intangible assets, USD 1.4 billion net deferred tax liabilities and goodwill of approximately USD 2.5 billion. The 2020 results of operations since the date of acquisition were not material. Sandoz – acquisition of the Japanese business of Aspen Global Incorporated On November 11, 2019, Sandoz entered into an agreement for the acquisition of the Japanese business of Aspen Global Incorporated (AGI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited. Under the agreement, Sandoz acquired the shares in Aspen Japan K.K. and associated assets held by AGI. The transaction closed on January 31, 2020. Aspen’s portfolio in Japan consisted of off-patent medicines with a focus on anesthetics and specialty brands. The acquisition will enable Sandoz to expand its presence in the third-largest worldwide generics marketplace. The purchase price consisted of EUR 274 million (USD 303 million) upfront payment, less customary purchase price adjustment of EUR 27 million (USD 30 million), plus potential milestone payments of up to EUR 70 million (USD 77 million), which AGI is eligible to receive upon the achievement of specified milestones. The fair value of the total purchase consideration was EUR 294 million (USD 324 million). The amount consisted of a cash payment of EUR 247 million (USD 273 million) and the fair value of contingent consideration of EUR 47 million (USD 51 million), which AGI is eligible to receive upon the achievement of specified milestones. The purchase price allocation resulted in net identifiable assets of USD 238 million, consisting of USD 196 million intangible assets, USD 26 million other net assets and USD 16 million net deferred tax assets. Goodwill amounted to USD 86 million. The 2020 results of operations since the date of acquisition were not material. Sandoz – retention of US dermatology business and generic US oral solids portfolio, previously planned to be divested On September 6, 2018, Novartis announced that it entered into a stock and asset purchase agreement (SAPA) with Aurobindo Pharma USA Inc. (Aurobindo) for the sale of selected portions of its Sandoz US portfolio, specifically the Sandoz US dermatology business and generic US oral solids portfolio, for USD 0.8 billion in cash and potential earnouts. The closing was conditional on obtaining regulatory approval. In March 2020, Novartis took the decision to retain the Sandoz US generic oral solids and dermatology businesses and on April 2, 2020 entered into a mutual agreement with Aurobindo to terminate the transaction. The decision was taken as approval from the US Federal Trade Commission for the transaction was not obtained within the agreed timelines. The cumulative amount of the depreciation on property, plant and equipment (USD 38 million) and amortization on intangible assets (USD 102 million) not recorded in the consolidated income statement since the date of classification as held for sale was recognized in the consolidated income statement in the first quarter of 2020. In addition, an impairment of currently marketed products of USD 42 million was recognized in the first quarter of 2020 consolidated income statement. As at March 31, 2020, the assets and liabilities of the Sandoz US generic oral solids and dermatology businesses were reclassified out of assets and liabilities of disposal group held for sale. The prior year balance sheet was not required to be restated. There were no cumulative income or expenses included in the other comprehensive income relating to the disposal group.

2. Significant transactions

The Group applied the acquisition method of accounting for businesses acquired, and did not elect to apply the optional concentration test to account for acquired business as an asset separately acquired.

Significant transactions in 2022

Innovative Medicines – acquisition of Gyroscope Therapeutics Holdings plc

On December 22, 2021, Novartis entered into an agreement to acquire all outstanding shares of Gyroscope Therapeutics Holdings plc (Gyroscope), a UK-based ocular gene therapy company. Gyroscope focuses on the discovery and development of gene therapy treatments for retinal indications. The purchase price consisted of a cash payment of USD 0.8 billion, subject to certain customary purchase price adjustments, and potential additional milestone payments of up to USD 0.7 billion, which Gyroscope shareholders are eligible to receive upon achievement of specified milestones. The acquisition closed on February 17, 2022.

The fair value of the total purchase consideration was USD 1.0 billion. The amount consisted of an upfront cash payment of USD 0.8 billion (including customary purchase price adjustments) and the fair value of contingent consideration of USD 0.2 billion, which Gyroscope shareholders are eligible to receive upon achievement of specified milestones. The purchase price allocation resulted in net identifiable assets of USD 0.9 billion, consisting primarily of intangible assets of USD 1.1 billion and net deferred tax liabilities of USD 0.2 billion. Goodwill amounted to USD 0.1 billion.

The results of operations since the date of acquisition are not material.

Significant transactions in 2021

Sandoz – acquisition of GSK’s cephalosporin antibiotics business

On February 10, 2021, Sandoz entered into an agreement with certain subsidiaries of GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) for the acquisition of the GSK’s cephalosporin antibiotics business.

Under the agreement, Sandoz acquired the global rights to three established brands (Zinnat®, Zinacef® and Fortum®) in more than 100 markets. It excluded the rights in the US, Australia and Germany to certain of those brands, which were previously divested by GSK, and the rights in India, Pakistan, Egypt, Japan (to certain of the brands) and China, which will be retained by GSK. The transaction closed on October 8, 2021.

The purchase price consisted of a USD 350 million upfront payment paid at closing and potential milestone payments up to USD 150 million, which GSK will be eligible to receive upon the achievement of certain annual sales milestones for the portfolio.

The fair value of the total purchase consideration was USD 415 million. The amount consisted of a payment of USD 351 million, including purchase price adjustments, and the fair value of contingent consideration of USD 64 million, which GSK is eligible to receive upon the achievement of specified milestones. The purchase price allocation resulted in net identifiable assets of USD 308 million, consisting of USD 292 million intangible assets and USD 16 million deferred tax assets. Goodwill amounted to USD 107 million.

The 2021 results of operations since the date of acquisition were not material.

Corporate – divestment of the investment in Roche Holding AG

On November 3, 2021, Novartis entered into a Share Repurchase Agreement with Roche Holding AG under which Novartis agreed to sell 53.3 million (approximately 33.3%) bearer shares of Roche Holding AG voting shares in a bilateral transaction to Roche Holding AG for a total consideration of USD 20.7 billion. As a result, Novartis discontinued the use of equity method accounting starting from November 3, 2021.

The transaction closed on December 6, 2021. Novartis realized a gain of USD 14.6 billion, recorded in income from associated companies.

Significant transactions in 2020

Innovative Medicines – acquisition of The Medicines Company

On November 23, 2019, Novartis entered into an agreement and plan of merger (“the Merger Agreement”) with The Medicines Company, a US-based pharmaceutical company headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey, USA. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, on December 5, 2019, Novartis, through a subsidiary, commenced a tender offer to acquire all outstanding shares of The Medicines Company for USD 85 per share, or a total consideration of approximately USD 9.6 billion in cash on a fully diluted basis, including the equivalent share value related to The Medicines Company’s convertible notes, in accordance with their terms. The tender offer expired on January 3, 2020, and on January 6, 2020, the acquiring subsidiary merged with and into The Medicines Company, resulting in The Medicines Company becoming an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Novartis. Novartis financed the transaction through available cash, and short- and long-term borrowings.

The Medicines Company is focused on the development of inclisiran, a potentially first-in-class, twice yearly therapy that allows administration during patients’ routine visits to their healthcare professionals and will potentially contribute to improved patient adherence and sustained lower LDL-C levels.

The fair value of the total purchase consideration was USD 9.6 billion. The purchase price allocation resulted in net identifiable assets of approximately USD 7.1 billion, consisting of USD 8.5 billion intangible assets, USD 1.4

billion net deferred tax liabilities and goodwill of approximately USD 2.5 billion.

The 2020 results of operations since the date of acquisition were not material.

Sandoz – acquisition of the Japanese business of Aspen Global Incorporated

On November 11, 2019, Sandoz entered into an agreement for the acquisition of the Japanese business of Aspen Global Incorporated (AGI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited. Under the agreement, Sandoz acquired the shares in Aspen Japan K.K. and associated assets held by AGI. The transaction closed on January 31, 2020.

Aspen’s portfolio in Japan consisted of off-patent medicines with a focus on anesthetics and specialty brands. The acquisition will enable Sandoz to expand its presence in the third-largest worldwide generics marketplace.

The purchase price consisted of EUR 274 million (USD 303 million) upfront payment, less customary purchase price adjustment of EUR 27 million (USD 30 million), plus potential milestone payments of up to EUR 70 million (USD 77 million), which AGI is eligible to receive upon the achievement of specified milestones.

The fair value of the total purchase consideration was EUR 294 million (USD 324 million). The amount consisted of a cash payment of EUR 247 million (USD 273 million) and the fair value of contingent consideration of EUR 47 million (USD 51 million), which AGI is eligible to receive upon the achievement of specified milestones. The purchase price allocation resulted in net identifiable assets of USD 238 million, consisting of USD 196 million intangible assets, USD 26 million other net assets and USD 16 million net deferred tax assets. Goodwill amounted to USD 86 million.

The 2020 results of operations since the date of acquisition were not material.

Sandoz – retention of US dermatology business and generic US oral solids portfolio, previously planned to be divested

On September 6, 2018, Novartis announced that it entered into a stock and asset purchase agreement (SAPA) with Aurobindo Pharma USA Inc. (Aurobindo) for the sale of selected portions of its Sandoz US portfolio, specifically the Sandoz US dermatology business and generic US oral solids portfolio, for USD 0.8 billion in cash and potential earnouts. The closing was conditional on obtaining regulatory approval.

In March 2020, Novartis took the decision to retain the Sandoz US generic oral solids and dermatology businesses and on April 2, 2020 entered into a mutual agreement with Aurobindo to terminate the transaction. The decision was taken as approval from the US Federal Trade Commission for the transaction was not obtained within the agreed timelines.

The cumulative amount of the depreciation on property, plant and equipment (USD 38 million) and amortization on intangible assets (USD 102 million) not recorded in the consolidated income statement since the date of classification as held for sale was recognized in the consolidated income statement in the first quarter of 2020. In addition, an impairment of currently marketed products of USD 42 million was recognized in the first quarter of 2020 consolidated income statement.

As at March 31, 2020, the assets and liabilities of the Sandoz US generic oral solids and dermatology businesses were reclassified out of assets and liabilities of disposal group held for sale. The prior year balance sheet was not required to be restated.

There were no cumulative income or expenses included in the other comprehensive income relating to the disposal group.