Does Novartis support Israel?

Novartis Pharma AG invested $35 million for approximately 15% of Gamida Cell under option and investment agreements closed on September 2, 2014, which also gave Novartis an option to buy out the remaining shareholders for roughly $165 million plus milestone payments that could have reached a further $435 million. The buyout option later lapsed unexercised, but Novartis stayed on as a major shareholder.

Made a $10 million equity investment for about 12.8% of Jerusalem-based BioLineRx and paid a $5 million option fee under a multi-year strategic collaboration in which Novartis screens and co-develops Israeli-sourced drug candidates identified through BioLineRx's ties to Israeli academic institutions, hospitals and biomedical companies.

Under an October 2015 agreement, Novartis immediately invested $5 million in Gamida Cell for a further 2.5% stake, taking its holding to approximately 18% on a fully diluted basis, on top of the $35 million/15% investment from September 2014. The agreement also entitled Gamida Cell to a further investment of up to $10 million from Novartis, contingent on Gamida closing a qualifying equity financing by the end of 2017 — trade press described the combined package as "up to $15 million in current and future equity." Novartis remained a Gamida Cell shareholder through the company's 2017 private financing round and its October 2018 Nasdaq IPO.

Backed Gamida Cell through its October 2018 Nasdaq IPO, after also participating (with other investors) in the company's $40 million private round in 2017. Globes reported Novartis planned to invest in the roughly $60 million offering, and in a November 2018 Schedule 13D Novartis AG and Novartis Pharma AG reported beneficial ownership of 5,192,135 shares — 20.7% of the newly listed Israeli company.

Issued an official statement: "Novartis condemns the terrorist actions that have been committed against people in Israel. Our thoughts are with all those affected by the tragic events, and with their families and loved ones," adding that it remained committed to its associates' safety and to providing medicines in every country where it operates.

Operates in Israel through wholly owned subsidiary Novartis Israel Ltd., headquartered on Totzeret Haaretz Street in Tel Aviv, which handles marketing as well as medical and clinical-research activity; Novartis Israel is a member of Pharma Israel, the association of international research-based pharmaceutical companies operating in the country.