Novartis expects higher sales and profitability this year, lifted by its broad range of drugs, and minimal disruption to its supply chain from the coronavirus outbreak in China.

Novartis, the Swiss drugmaker which employs 1,600 people in Ireland, has agreed to acquire AveXis for $8.7bn (€7.1bn) to gain a promising drug to treat a rare disease that afflicts infants, hastening a shift towards gene therapy and precision medicines.

An “exciting” new study has revealed a drug that could help reduce the risk of heart attacks and cut cancer deaths.