The Novartis Biome SSA is an industry-first in sub-Saharan Africa: an innovation hub that will spearhead the further development of innovative business models and technology-driven solutions to improve healthcare in the region. The hub will focus on cross-sectoral partnerships to accelerate innovative approaches to increase affordable access to high-quality medicines and sustainably strengthen health systems.
Today, access to medicines remains one of the world’s biggest healthcare challenges, with Africa being home to the largest underserved population in the world. A quarter of the global disease burden weighs on the continent, but only 3% of the world’s health workers are based there and the share of the world’s health expenditure for Africa is below 1%.
To help transform healthcare in the region and support the continent’s tremendous potential, the Novartis Biome SSA reinforces Novartis’ bold patient reach aspiration in sub-Saharan Africa. Our vision is to provide every patient on the continent with affordable access to high-quality medicines and sustainably strengthen health systems.
Novartis Biome SSA covers 46 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and is regional in its scope and ambition. Our approach allows for partnerships with regional organizations with localized knowledge, who can effectively deliver on our innovation community’s shared objectives at a grassroots level, while being connected to Novartis’ growing network of digital innovation hubs around the world.