Patrick Horber, M.D.

President, International, since December, 2023

Member of the Executive Committee

As President of the International unit for Novartis, Dr. Patrick Horber focuses on strengthening and growing the company’s business in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australasia, Canada and Latin America. 

Patrick has more than 20 years of experience in the biopharma sector. A proven leader with a deep understanding of the global pharmaceutical market, Patrick has significant experience enabling commercial performance on a global scale. 

‘’I am committed to bringing my commercial and marketing experience to reimagine medicine for and with patients around the globe. As a trained Swiss medical doctor, it is a privilege to join Novartis—a pillar of global biomedical innovation and scientific progress.’’

Patrick joined Novartis from AbbVie, where he served as senior vice president AbbVie and president, Immunology. He was responsible for their Immunology Business Unit, leading the global strategy including global commercial development and the US execution. Prior to this role, as president, US Commercial Operations, Immunology, he successfully led the launch of two major immunology medicines in multiple indications in the US market and held a variety of leadership and general management positions in the US and in Europe. 

Before joining AbbVie, Patrick held positions of increasing responsibility at Roche across diverse therapeutic areas including oncology, hematology, cardiometabolism, virology and anemia. He began his career in the healthcare practice of A.T. Kearney International.

Patrick holds a doctor of medicine from the University of Zurich in his native Switzerland. He speaks five languages. 

Outside of Novartis, Patrick enjoys diving, running, and spending time travelling with his wife and son. 

Nationality: Swiss | Year of birth: 1970

Professional experience 

  • Senior vice president, AbbVie, president Immunology, AbbVie, US (July 2023 – September 2023)
  • President, US commercial operations, Immunology, AbbVie, US (2020 – June 2023)
  • Vice president and head of global marketing and commercial operations, AbbVie, US (2019 – 2020)
  • Vice president and managing director, AbbVie, Germany (2015 – 2019)
  • Managing director, AbbVie, Switzerland (2013 – 2015)
  • Managing director, Abbott, Switzerland (2012 – 2012) 
  • Leadership roles at headquarters and country operations, Roche (2005 – 2012)
     

Mandates

  • Member of the board and chair of the Strategy and Politics Committee, Verband Forschender Arzneimittelhersteller, Germany (2016 – 2019)
  • Interpharma, the association of Switzerland’s research-based pharmaceutical industry 
    • Chair of the Executive Committee (2015 - 2015)
    • Member of the President’s Bureau (2015 - 2015) 
    • Member of the Executive Committee and the Board (2013-2015) 

Education 

  • Doctor of medicine (M.D.), University of Zurich, Switzerland