Swiss pharma major Novartis is sharpening its strategy in India as a pure-play innovator across core therapy segments, including cardiovascular, oncology and immunology, after divesting its stake in its listed arm earlier this year. Significantly, India increasingly contributes to nearly every molecule that Novartis commercialises globally, and is moving further up the value chain, with early scientific discovery Phase I studies, beginning to take shape in the country, Novartis India country president and MD Amitabh Dube told TOI. In Feb, Novartis under a strategic review announced the sale of its 71% stake in its listed subsidiary, Novartis India, effectively exiting its legacy portfolio for about Rs 1,446 crore to a clutch of private equity investors, led by ChrysCapital. It retained its unlisted commercial arm, Novartis Healthcare, to drive its innovative medicines business in the country.