The Nevian Lifescience PLC has officially started producing and marketing Novartis medicines in Bangladesh, marking a major step forward in local pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Following Novartis AG's divestment of its Bangladesh operations, the company has begun a new journey under a licensing agreement that allows Nevian to continue producing Novartis' globally trusted brands.
The first locally made Novartis product, Galvus Met, was unveiled at a ceremony in Dhaka, attended by senior government officials, diplomats, and industry leaders. The event drew praise for ensuring that Bangladeshi patients continue to access world-class, research-driven medicines despite the ownership transition.
Under the agreement, Nevian must maintain Novartis' global manufacturing and quality assurance standards. Managing Director Musawat Shams Zahedi said the same ingredients, processes, and skilled workforce are being used, guaranteeing there will be no change in quality.
Radiant Pharma Chairman and Nevian Director Nasser Shahriar Zahedi said Nevian's creation was driven by a vision to preserve Novartis' five-decade legacy of trust in Bangladesh. He emphasized that Novartis has been a global symbol of innovation for over 250 years, and its continued presence through Nevian reflects confidence in Bangladesh's growing capabilities.
BCIC Chairman Md. Fazlur Rahman said Nevian's production of Novartis medicines marks a milestone in the nation's journey toward self-reliance, ensuring safer and more reliable healthcare. Dr. Chowdhury Mahmud Hasan, former DGDA chief, noted that this partnership proves the strength and maturity of Bangladesh's pharmaceutical industry.
Established as Ciba-Geigy Bangladesh Ltd. in 1973, the company evolved into Novartis (Bangladesh) Limited after a global merger in 1996. With Radiant acquiring the majority shares while BCIC retained its stake, the new entity,
Nevian, will keep producing Novartis medicines locally and import new ones from Novartis' global pipeline.
Nevian's EU-GMP-certified facility in Tongi, which already manufactures for Sandoz and exports to Europe, plans to expand further into biotechnology and the US market. The transition not only secures global brands for local patients but also positions Bangladesh as a stronger player in the international pharmaceutical landscape.
