Novartis stock gains after MS pill trial success despite cell therapy setback

Novartis stock climbed on September 1, 2026 after positive late-stage trial results for its multiple sclerosis pill remibrutinib, even as the company paused eight autoimmune cell therapy studies following three patient deaths.

Novartis (ISIN CH0012005267) stock jumped sharply on September 1, 2026, with shares on the SIX Swiss Exchange rising about 6.3% intraday to 131.06 CHF after investors reacted to strong late-stage trial data for the companys oral multiple sclerosis drug remibrutinib and looked past a concurrent pause in high-risk cell therapy studies.

MS pill data drives Novartis stock higher

According to a current price overview from finanzen.ch, the Novartis share traded at 131.06 CHF on the SIX Swiss Exchange at 16:28 local time on September 1, 2026, up 6.3% on the day, after touching a session high of 132.48 CHF that also marked a new 52 week high compared with its previous range.

The rally followed Novartis announcement from Basel on September 1, 2026 that its Phase III REMODEL 1 and REMODEL 2 trials in relapsing multiple sclerosis showed that remibrutinib, an oral Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor, significantly reduced annualized relapse rate and inflammatory brain lesions versus the established therapy teriflunomide while maintaining a favorable safety profile, as detailed in a regulatory filing summarizing the topline results.The filing highlights superiority in reducing relapses and MRI lesions, a combination that investors often treat as a strong commercial signal in neurology.

Cell therapy trial pause tempers the story

At the same time, Novartis confirmed that it has paused eight clinical trials of its experimental CAR T like cell therapy rap cel for autoimmune and neurological disorders after three patients suffered a severe immune effector cell associated reaction that proved fatal, a move first reported by The Wall Street Journal and later summarized by Reuters and Swiss media.Reuters notes that the halt, implemented on August 24, 2026, affects autoimmune and neurology indications but leaves oncology trials in lymphoma and leukemia unaffected, underscoring that Novartis oncology revenue streams remain intact while safety reviews proceed.

A separate Swiss news report explains that the Basel based group is conducting a comprehensive review of the safety events and working with independent monitoring boards to refine risk detection in these next generation cell therapies.The Swiss report stresses that such immune reactions are a known risk in CAR T approaches, indicating that safety management rather than complete program abandonment is the likely medium term focus.

Analyst view and valuation context

Market commentary compiled on September 1, 2026 indicates that multiple analysts have a Hold stance on Novartis stock, with an average price target of 144.15 USD, a high estimate of 177.50 USD and a low of 106.21 USD, according to a stock mover note covering Novartis American depositary shares.This overview portrays a balanced risk reward profile with upside potential from successful remibrutinib commercialization offset by uncertainty around the paused cell therapy programs.

On the valuation side, a same day analysis using the GF Value framework points to a fair value estimate of 130.52 USD for Novartis American depositary shares compared with a current share price of 152.06 USD, suggesting the stock is about 16.5% above that intrinsic value measure as of September 1, 2026.The valuation note emphasizes dividend sustainability as a key factor and implies that a portion of the recent price advance already prices in remibrutinib success.

Key product: remibrutinib for multiple sclerosis

Remibrutinib now stands at the center of Novartis neurology pipeline, with the Phase III data showing reduced relapse rates and fewer inflammatory brain lesions versus teriflunomide in relapsing multiple sclerosis and a favorable safety profile, as laid out in the companys September 1, 2026 topline announcement.The document describes remibrutinib as a highly selective Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor that is designed to offer convenient oral dosing compared with infusions or injectable therapies and may therefore compete for a meaningful share of the global RMS market once regulatory approvals are secured.

Novartis stock near new 52 week high

Based on the SIX Swiss Exchange quote data reported by finanzen.ch for September 1, 2026, Novartis stock closed the afternoon at 131.06 CHF after opening at 129.02 CHF and reaching an intraday and 52 week high of 132.48 CHF, giving the share a gain of about 6.3% on the day and placing the price very close to that new high watermark.The same source notes that the move pushed Novartis ahead of other Swiss pharma names in midday trading, underlining its relevance for DACH investors who monitor the SMI and broader Swiss market.

Novartis stock key data

• Company: Novartis AG
• ISIN: CH0012005267
• Ticker: NOVN
• Trading venue: SIX Swiss Exchange
• Price (as of September 1, 2026, 16:28): 131.06 CHF
• Sector / Industry: Healthcare / Pharmaceuticals
• Index membership: SMI