Shares of pharmaceutical giant Novartis fell nearly 10% on Tuesday, putting the company on course for its worst day on record after three drug trial setbacks, including disappointing results from its del-desiran trial.
Key facts
- Novartis shares fell nearly 10% on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
- The drop put the company on track for its worst trading day on record.
- The decline followed three drug trial setbacks, according to CNBC.
- Results from the company's del-desiran drug trial disappointed investors.
Shares of Novartis tumbled close to 10% on Tuesday, putting the Swiss pharmaceutical major on course for its worst trading day on record, according to CNBC.
The sell-off followed three drug trial setbacks, with CNBC reporting that results from the company’s del-desiran drug trial disappointed investors.
CNBC’s coverage of the decline evolved over the course of the trading day, with the drop reported at around 9% in the morning before deepening to nearly 10% as trading continued.
The scale of the fall stands out even among the routine volatility that accompanies clinical trial announcements in the pharmaceutical sector, with CNBC noting the move would mark a record single-day loss for the company.
Beyond the reference to the del-desiran trial results, further specifics about the setbacks were not detailed in the available reporting.
Why it matters
Drug trial results can move billions of dollars in market value for major pharmaceutical companies, and a record one-day drop signals significant investor concern about Novartis's product pipeline. For patients and the broader health sector, trial outcomes shape which treatments may eventually reach the market.
Frequently asked questions
How much did Novartis stock fall?
Novartis shares fell nearly 10% on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, according to CNBC. Earlier in the day the drop was reported at around 9%.
Why did Novartis shares drop?
According to CNBC, the shares tanked after three drug trial setbacks, including disappointing results from the company's del-desiran drug trial.
Was this a significant decline for Novartis?
Yes. CNBC reported the move put Novartis on course for its worst trading day on record.

