Eli Lilly vs Novartis: Founders, CEOs and History
Eli Lilly was founded in 1876 by Colonel Eli Lilly and is led by David A. Ricks. Novartis was founded in 1996 by Daniel Vasella, Alex Krauer and is led by Vasant Narasimhan.
Company facts
Founders
Eli Lilly
Colonel Eli Lilly
Following his military service and early experiences in the apothecary trade, Lilly worked in various pharmaceutical and business ventures, eventually amassing enough capital to strike out on his own.
Novartis
Daniel Vasella
Novartis was formed in December 1996 when Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz merged in a deal valued at roughly $27 billion, then among the largest corporate mergers on record.
Alex Krauer
Alex Krauer was the first chairman of Novartis, serving from the company's formation through the roughly $27 billion merger of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz in 1996 until 1999, when the board named CEO Daniel Vasella to replace him as chairman.
CEOs and their tenures
Eli Lilly
- Randall L. Tobias1993–1998
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Lilly launched Zyprexa and Humalog under him. Sidney Taurel succeeded him in 1998.
Source - Sidney Taurel1998–2008
Former Chair and CEO
Taurel's focus on targeted, personalized medicine anticipated the future direction of the pharmaceutical industry, shifting the company's research paradigm toward more precise and effective treatments.
Source - John C. Lechleiter2008–2016
Chairman, President and CEO
Lilly restructured and launched new products during his tenure. David Ricks became chief executive in 2017.
Source - David A. Ricks2017–present
Chair and Chief Executive Officer
Ricks's aggressive restructuring and cultural overhaul have been widely credited with revitalizing Eli Lilly's pipeline and driving a notable period of financial growth and market capitalization expansion.
Source
Novartis
- Joseph Jimenez2010–2018
Chief Executive Officer
Serving as CEO from 2010 to 2018, he fundamentally transformed the massive Swiss conglomerate, heavily trimming its bloated divisions to create a highly focused, pure-play innovative medicines company.
Source - Vas Narasimhan2018–present
Chief Executive Officer
Narasimhan, a physician who previously led global drug development, became CEO on February 1, 2018.
Source - Giovanni Caforio2025–present
Chair of the Board
As a highly influential Board Member (and former BMS CEO), he brings unmatched global oncology expertise to Novartis's executive committee.
Source - Mukul Mehta2026–present
Chief Financial Officer
As CFO, he aggressively deploys massive amounts of capital toward high-risk, high-reward biotech acquisitions, ensuring Novartis maintains a dominant pipeline of blockbuster drugs.
Source
Timeline: Eli Lilly and Novartis side by side
1859Novartis
Founding of Ciba
Silk dyer Alexander Clavel began producing the synthetic dye fuchsine in Basel, Switzerland, marking the origin of Ciba, part of the Ciba-Geigy half of the Novartis merger.
1876Eli Lilly
Eli Lilly Founded
Colonel Eli Lilly founds the company in Indianapolis.
1886Novartis
Founding of Sandoz
Alfred Kern and Edouard Sandoz founded the chemical company Kern & Sandoz in Basel, establishing the second half of the corporate lineage that would eventually merge to form Novartis.
1923Eli Lilly
Insulin Commercialization
Lilly helps commercialize insulin at industrial scale, shaping its long-term diabetes identity.
1950Eli Lilly
Antibiotic Expansion
The company expands through antibiotics and broader prescription medicines.
1982Eli Lilly
Humulin Approved
Lilly introduces Humulin, one of the first recombinant DNA human insulin products.
1996Novartis
Merger of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz
Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz completed their merger in December 1996, a deal valued at roughly $27 billion, creating Novartis AG.
2006Novartis
Acquisition of Chiron Corporation
Novartis acquired the US biotechnology company Chiron Corporation for $5.1 billion, significantly expanding its vaccine and oncology franchises.
2010Novartis
Acquisition of Alcon
Novartis completed the acquisition of the remaining stake in Alcon, the world's largest eye care company, for approximately $28 billion, creating a dominant position in ophthalmology.
2015Novartis
DOJ Settlement
Novartis paid $390 million to resolve US allegations that it gave kickbacks to specialty pharmacies to promote Exjade and Myfortic.
2017Eli Lilly
David Ricks Becomes CEO
David A. Ricks becomes Chair, President, and CEO.
2018Novartis
Vas Narasimhan Appointed CEO
Vas Narasimhan became CEO at age 41, one of the youngest leaders of a major pharmaceutical company, initiating a strategic review that would eventually lead to the Sandoz spin-off.
2019Eli Lilly
Loxo Oncology Acquired
Lilly bought the cancer-drug developer Loxo Oncology in 2019 for about $8 billion.
2022Eli Lilly
Mounjaro Approved
Mounjaro receives U.S. approval for type 2 diabetes, beginning a major growth cycle.
2023Eli Lilly
Zepbound Approved
Zepbound receives U.S. approval for chronic weight management.
2023Novartis
Acquisition of Chinook Therapeutics
Novartis acquired Chinook Therapeutics for $3.2 billion upfront plus $300 million in milestones, securing late-stage assets for rare kidney diseases.
2023Novartis
Spin-off of Sandoz
On October 4, 2023, Novartis completed the 100% spin-off of its Sandoz generics division, transforming into a pure-play innovative medicines company.
2024Novartis
Acquisition of MorphoSys
Novartis acquired German biotech MorphoSys for about EUR 2.7 billion ($2.9 billion), adding the investigational myelofibrosis drug pelabresib.
2025Eli Lilly
Revenue Reaches $65.179B
Lilly reports $65.179B in 2025 revenue and $20.640B in net income.
2025Eli Lilly
First $1 Trillion Drugmaker
Lilly's market value crosses $1 trillion on November 21, 2025, a first for a healthcare company.
2025Novartis
FY2025 Financial Results
Novartis reported FY2025 net sales of $54.5 billion, up 8%, with a core operating margin above 40% and free cash flow of $17.6 billion.
2025Novartis
Entresto Generic Entry
US generic versions of Entresto, Novartis's largest product, launched in 2025, starting the steepest patent cliff in the company's post-Sandoz history.
2026Eli Lilly
Foundayo Approved
FDA approves Foundayo (orforglipron), Lilly's oral GLP-1 pill for obesity, on April 1, 2026.
2026Novartis
Avidity Biosciences Acquisition Closes
On February 27, 2026, Novartis completed its roughly $12 billion acquisition of Avidity Biosciences, adding antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates for DM1, Duchenne and FSHD.
2026Novartis
HARBOR Phase 3 Miss
In September 2026, del-desiran missed the primary endpoint of the 159-patient Phase 3 HARBOR trial in myotonic dystrophy type 1, and NVS shares fell about 12.5% in pre-market trading.
Acquisitions
Eli Lilly
- Morphic Holding2024$3.2B
- POINT Biopharma2023$1.4B
- Prevail Therapeutics2021$1B
- Loxo Oncology2019$8B
- Elizabeth Arden1971Undisclosed
Novartis
- Avidity Biosciences2026$12B
- MorphoSys AG2024$2.9B
- Chinook Therapeutics2023$3.5B
- The Medicines Company2020$9.7B
- Advanced Accelerator Applications2018$3.9B
- Chiron Corporation2006$5.1B
Questions about Eli Lilly vs Novartis
Who is the CEO of Eli Lilly and Company and Novartis AG?
Eli Lilly and Company is led by David A. Ricks and Novartis AG is led by Vasant Narasimhan. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Eli Lilly and Company founded vs Novartis AG?
Eli Lilly and Company was founded in 1876 — 120 years before Novartis AG, which was founded in 1996. Eli Lilly and Company's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Novartis AG.
How many employees does Eli Lilly and Company have compared to Novartis AG?
Eli Lilly and Company employs approximately 50,000 people, while Novartis AG employs approximately 75,267. Novartis AG has the larger workforce at 75,267 employees, compared to Eli Lilly and Company's 50,000. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are Eli Lilly and Company and Novartis AG headquartered?
Eli Lilly and Company is headquartered in United States and Novartis AG is headquartered in Switzerland. Their different home markets mean they may face different regulatory frameworks, tax regimes, and currency exposure.
Who founded Eli Lilly and Company and Novartis AG?
Eli Lilly and Company was founded by Colonel Eli Lilly. Novartis AG was founded by Daniel Vasella, Alex Krauer.
Which company has a longer operating history — Eli Lilly and Company or Novartis AG?
Eli Lilly and Company has been operating for approximately 150 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Novartis AG has been in operation for around 30 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Eli Lilly vs Novartis overview