Novartis (NVS) is on the hunt for next-generation obesity drug candidates, despite its main focus remaining on therapeutic areas where it has an established presence, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday, citing an interview with Chief Executive Vasant Narasimhan.

"The bar is very high, we need to find something that's truly differentiated, that brings something new," Narasimhan told the Journal.

(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

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