Novartis has core businesses in pharmaceuticals, consumer health, generics, eye-care, and animal health. In 2003, the Group achieved sales of $24.9 billion and invested almost $3.8 billion in R&D. The Novartis Group employs about 78,500 people and operates in over 140 countries around the world. It holds more than 40,000 patents and provides thousands of products across virtually every category of life.