Novartis: What Are the Major Growth Drivers for 2018? On August 30, 2017, Novartis’ (NVS) CAR T-cell therapy, Kymriah, secured approval from the FDA as a treatment option for patients below 25 years of age who have B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (or ALL). This drug, which is developed by the company in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania, is indicated only in cases when ALL is refractory or has relapsed a second time or more.