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Case Study

Sandoz (A): Breaking free to stand alone

By Jim Pulcrano

18 pages

September 2025

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Reference: IMD-2669

This case series explores Sandoz’s spin off from Novartis, which was finalized on 4 October 2023. Case A follows Richard Saynor’s (CEO, Sandoz) ruminations as he builds the company strategy in preparation for the board’s approval of Sandoz as a standalone company. The narrative outlines the key strategic areas that Richard, along with his senior leadership team, considered and which strategy was eventually approved by the board of directors (i.e. product portfolio mix), the direction of the growth strategy (i.e. top vs. bottom line approach), target geography regions and ownership model. Case A focuses on the dilemmas and considerations of each strategic area.

Learning Objective

Understand the impact of accessibility and affordability of medicines on global health.
Explore the global dynamics of the off-patent drugs industry.
Recognize key opportunities and dilemmas of generics and biosimilar industries.
Grasp the impact of strategic decisions on execution.

Keywords

Strategy, Leadership, Global Business, Generic Drug, Spin-off, Healthcare, Life Science, Board Conflict, Chief Executive Officer, Good Health, Well-being, Reduced Inequalities

Settings

World/global, Switzerland
Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals
2022-2024

Type

Field Research

Available Languages

English

Related material

Teaching note

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Case reference: IMD-2670 ©2025

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This case series explores Sandoz's spin off from Novartis, which was finalized on 4 October 2023. Case B looks at Sandoz once it has become independent. The hard work of figuring out the best way to spin off is done, a new strategy created, and some difficult choices made. But now how will CEO Richard Saynor and his leadership team ensure that Sandoz is fit for purpose?

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Organization Sandoz

Industry Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals

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Sandoz (A): Breaking free to stand alone

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Case reference: IMD-2669 ©2025

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This case series explores Sandoz's spin off from Novartis, which was finalized on 4 October 2023. Case A follows Richard Saynor's (CEO, Sandoz) ruminations as he builds the company strategy in preparation for the board's approval of Sandoz as a standalone company. The narrative outlines the key strategic areas that Richard, along with his senior leadership team, considered and which strategy was eventually approved by the board of directors (i.e. product portfolio mix), the direction of the growth strategy (i.e. top vs. bottom line approach), target geography regions and ownership model. Case A focuses on the dilemmas and considerations of each strategic area.

Reference IMD-2669

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Industry Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals

Available Languages English

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Related topics

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Leadership

Global Business

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Lean and clean are perfect partners, says CEO of engineering giant

By Jean-François Manzoni
in I by IMD

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ABB CEO Morten Wierod on leaner cleaner strategy, electrification, automation, robotics, AI, digital transformation, sustainability, leadership.

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Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

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Sustainability

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