The top 10 biggest pharma companies in the world in 2020

The top 10 biggest pharma companies in the world in 2020: In 2019, the global pharmaceutical industry continued to grow making an estimated $1.3 trillion. The US FDA approved 48 new drugs and biologics in 2019. The FDA approved an impressive number of generics with a huge 1,171 approvals, breaking its previous record of 971 in 2018.

American multinational, Amgen. With its “biology-first approach”, Amgen produces innovative medicines and delivers them to 100 countries and regions worldwide.

French multinational pharmaceutical giant, Sanofi. Sanofi provides healthcare solutions to 170 countries worldwide and has three core focuses: speciality care, vaccines and general medicines. Sanofi’s pharmaceutical segment grew by 4% on a year-on-year basis, with recently launched Eczema treatment Dupixent, which is set for further growth as Sanofi plans to extend its reach to another 89 countries.

Founded 133 years ago, Bristol-Myers Squibb is a leading global pharmaceutical company that specialises in medicinal advancements in four key areas: oncology, haematology, immunology and cardiovascular disease.

Headquartered in Osaka, Japanese multinational Takeda is the largest pharmaceutical company in Asia. Takeda focuses its efforts in four core areas: oncology, rare diseases, neuroscience, and gastroenterology.

AbbVie was created in 2013, when the company separated from Abbott. Employing 47,000 experts, AbbVie tends to drive its R&D efforts towards difficult-to-cure diseases and successfully acquired Allergan in May 2019. 

Swiss multinational pharmaceutical company Novartis has developed, manufactured and marketed breakthrough medicines for over 250 years. Now with presence in 155 countries across the world, Novartis focuses on innovative medicines as well as generics and biosimilars. Key brands Cosentyx, Entresto and Zolgensma.

American pharmaceutical company Merck was founded in 1891. With 71,000 employees worldwide, the company is well known for its contributions to diabetes and cancer care. Key growth drivers included Keytruda, Gardasi and Varivax.

With headquarters based in New Jersey, Johnson & Johnson develops and produces pharmaceuticals, medical devices and consumer health goods. Key brands Strelara, Darzalex and Imbruvica.

Pfizer takes second place in 2020. Pfizer specialises in the development of medicines and vaccines across a wide range of disciplines including immunology, oncology, cardiology and neurology. The company employees over 88,000 people and delivers its healthcare solutions to over 150 countries across the world. Pfizer has dealt with some costly patent expirations including Viagra and Lyrica. Key performers in medicine included Irbrance, Eliquis, Lyrica and Xeljanz. In 2019, Pfizer took bold steps to position the company for sustained growth with the plan to combine Upjohn and Mylan’s strengths, resources and access.

Roche has taken the top spot in 2020, surpassing Pfizer as the biggest pharmaceutical company in the world. With a workforce of over 90,000 and headquarters based in Basel Switzerland, Roche is at the forefront of oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and neuroscience. In 2019, sales of Roche’s pharma segment rose by a healthy 16% to $53bn. Roche’s best-selling drugs included multiple sclerosis medicine Ocrevus, haemophilia medicine Hemlibra and cancer medicines Tecentriq and Perjeta. Looking to the future, Roche will continue to focus on prescription medicines.