And they're looking for entrepreneurs with solutions in the areas of surveillance and detection, diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics.

FORBES: Funding The Future

Novartis and its Novartis Vaccines Diagnostics Inc. unit lodged a complaint Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia seeking extensions on the patents ranging from five to 435 days.

FORBES: Novartis Challenges USPTO Patent Extension Policy

Novartis operates on four fronts: pharmaceuticals, vaccines and diagnostics, generics and consumer health.

FORBES: Magazine Article