Registry · NVS
Does Novartis AG support Israel?
Yes — Novartis AG has documented support for Israel on record. Every claim below links to its source.
Filed under: Pharma & healthcare companies · Companies that support Israel
Timeline of documented support
Documented support
| Type | Date | Amount | Recipient | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Investment / program | 2014-09 | $35,000,000 | Gamida Cell Ltd. (Jerusalem-based cell-therapy developer) 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. | |
| Investment / program | 2014-12 | $10,000,000 | BioLineRx Ltd. (Israeli clinical-stage biopharma) 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. | |
| Investment / program | 2015-10 | $15,000,000 | Gamida Cell Ltd. Invested a further $15 million in Gamida Cell, lifting its stake to 17.5% and its total investment in the Israeli company to $50 million at that point. | |
| Investment / program | 2018-10 | — | Gamida Cell Ltd. 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. | |
| Public statement | 2023-10-13 | — | People of Israel (official corporate statement) 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. | |
| Operations in Israel | 2026 | — | State of Israel (local subsidiary and employment) 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. |
Frequently asked questions
Did Novartis AG donate money to Israel or Israeli causes?
We have no records of cash donations, but Novartis AG has documented support of other kinds (Investment / program, Public statement, Operations in Israel). See the records on this page.
Where does this information come from?
Every record on this page links to its source — news reports, official company statements, tax filings, or government records. 12 distinct sources are cited for Novartis AG. Our methodology page explains the full verification process.
Sources & citations
Record last updated: 2026
- SEC — Elbit Imaging 6-K (Gamida Cell option and investment agreements) sec.gov
- PharmaTimes pharmatimes.com
- Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News genengnews.com
- BioSpace biospace.com
- Times of Israel timesofisrael.com
- BioPharma Dive biopharmadive.com
- SEC — Schedule 13D filed by Novartis AG / Novartis Pharma AG on Gamida Cell sec.gov
- Globes en.globes.co.il
- Times of Israel timesofisrael.com
- Novartis (official statement) novartis.com
- Dun & Bradstreet — Novartis Israel Ltd (Tel Aviv) dnb.com
- Pharma Israel — member companies pharma-israel.org.il