LogiPharma Europe 2025: The Evolving Role of Operations in Advancing Therapeutic Delivery

PC: What general advice do you have for other pharma supply chain stakeholders when it comes to delivering change that boosts growth, augments pipelines, and increases productivity?

Lang: First of all, I think there needs to be alignment and a clear understanding at the executive level that operations is a strategic enabler. For the past 10 to 20 years, operations have often been viewed as a tactical function. However, with the emergence of pioneering technologies and the urgent need for change, operations now play a critical role. To fully realize this potential, organizations must invest in the right people, develop the right skills, and create an environment that empowers teams to adopt and implement new technologies—ultimately accelerating the delivery of therapies to patients.

Full Interview Summary: At LogiPharma, Steffen Lang outlined Novartis’ vision as a focused medicines company, emphasizing its ongoing transformation across operations to support the delivery of individualized, next-generation therapies. With many of today’s treatments tailored to smaller patient populations, Novartis is reimagining how it forecasts, manufactures, and delivers medicines to meet evolving patient needs.

A central theme of the discussion was the elevation of operations as a strategic function. No longer viewed as a purely tactical task, operations now serve as a key enabler of innovation—particularly as technological advancements drive significant changes across the value chain. To support this, Novartis prioritizes investment in the right talent, skills, and environment, enabling its teams to adopt and apply cutting-edge technologies in meaningful ways.

Technology was highlighted as a critical driver of transformation. At Novartis, digital tools are not implemented for their novelty, but for their measurable impact on key outcomes—such as GMP compliance, patient safety, environmental sustainability, supply reliability, and cost efficiency. From planning and forecasting to manufacturing and distribution, technology is embedded end-to-end to ensure patients receive their therapies on time, every time.

Looking ahead, Novartis remains focused on four core therapeutic areas: oncology, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, neuroscience, and immunology. The company’s pipeline is supported by five key technology platforms—small molecules, biologics, cell and gene therapies, xRNA, and radioligand therapies—with the expectation of a sixth platform emerging in the near future. Operations teams are preparing now to scale delivery once these products are ready.

Finally, Lang noted key areas for continued industry collaboration, including digital transformation, sustainability, and workforce training. As Novartis continues to pioneer new ways to bring breakthrough therapies to patients, the company remains committed to sharing insights and driving collective progress across the pharmaceutical ecosystem.