Our work is powered by a toolkit of five R&D approaches – two established platforms (chemistry and biotherapeutics) plus three advanced platforms (xRNA, radioligand therapy and gene and cell therapy) that will play an increasingly important role in making new medicines.
We seek out new drug targets and design therapeutic interventions with the potential to treat diseases with high unmet needs.
![Scientist looking at shelf Scientist looking at shelf](/https/www.novartis.com/sites/novartis_com/files/styles/cards_50_50/public/2023-03/chemistry-technology-platforms.jpg.webp?itok=be0fYEG5)
Chemistry
Chemistry is the discovery of low molecular weight synthetic molecules that can be optimized as medicines.
![Illuminated samples in lab Illuminated samples in lab](/https/www.novartis.com/sites/novartis_com/files/styles/cards_50_50/public/2023-03/biotherapeutics-technology-platforms.jpg.webp?itok=wkAD6F6k)
Biotherapeutics
Biotherapeutics, or biologics, are medicines derived from the molecules of life, carefully engineered to treat specific diseases.
![Two female scientist working in lab Two female scientist working in lab](/https/www.novartis.com/sites/novartis_com/files/styles/cards_1_3/public/2023-03/xrna-technology-platforms.jpg.webp?itok=rLYTAl95)
xRNA
RNA therapies use various forms of ribonucleic acids (RNA) to modify biological pathways in the body to treat or cure specific illnesses.
![Medical professional and patient smiling and holding hands Medical professional and patient smiling and holding hands](/https/www.novartis.com/sites/novartis_com/files/styles/cards_1_3/public/2024-06/hcp-and-patient-smiling-in-medical-office.jpg.webp?itok=aCOxJrGS)
Radioligand therapy
Radioligand therapy delivers precision-targeted radiation to cancer cells in the body with the goal of limiting damage to surrounding tissue.
![Cell culture Cell culture](/https/www.novartis.com/sites/novartis_com/files/styles/cards_1_3/public/2023-03/cell-culture-1.jpg.webp?itok=kZ3SFqVL)
Gene and cell therapy
Gene therapies modify part of a patient’s genetic makeup to help treat genetic or inherited diseases. Cell therapies treat diseases by restoring or altering certain sets of cells or by using cells to carry a therapy through the body.