In the following list covers the Top 10 Pharmaceutical Companies in World 2015 based on two key parameters: a. Revenue b. R&D Spend Revenue and R&D spend are parameters that are complementary in assessing a company’s position over the long run. While some would argue that Profit would be a more suitable parameter, revenue in this case would be an ideal parameter in the evaluation of the top pharma companies. In the pharmaceutical industry developing a drug takes several years and the new drug would not be an immediate source of income. However one might see it as the only way to ensure a company is sustainable in the long run. 10. AbbVie (US): With an annual revenue of 18.8$bn and an R&D expenditure of 2.9$bn, this bio-pharmaceutical company was formed when Abbott Pharmaceutical split into two separate entities. With its strong focus on research and strategic acquisitions it provides stiff competition to the leading companies in this industry. It recently announced it would acquire the oncology firm Pharmacyclics. Abbvie has 25000 employees worldwide. Abbvie is focussed on helping people manage serious health conditions. It comprises of scientists, researchers, specialists, and regulatory experts. It has diverse portfolio and a 100+ year old legacy. It has over 40 brands in its portfolio. It came into existence in 2013. Annual Revenue : 18.8$bn R&D Spent : 2.9$bn 9. Eli Lilly (US): With annual revenue of $23.1bn and an R&D expenditure of $5.5bn, this Global pharmaceutical company was formed by an American Pharmaceutical chemist. Lilly was pioneering in several fields including being the first to mass-produce pencillin,polio vaccine and insulin.It is also the world’s largest distributer and manufacturer of psychiatric medications. The company was founded in 1876 making it one of the oldest in the trade. It has approximately 41000 employees worldwide. It has a large global presence (120 countries). It has its R&D centres in 6 countries (8000 employees are involved in R&D) and manufacturing units in 13 countries. Eli Lilly is known for its focus on R & D. It is present in various fields of medicine like bio-medicine, diabetes, oncology and even Animal Health. Annual Revenue : $23.1bn R&D Spent : $5.5bn 8. AstraZeneca (UK): With annual revenue of $25.7bn and an R&D expenditure of $4.3bn, this British multinational pharmaceutical company was formed by the result of a merger itself. It has an extremely diverse portfolio of drugs in several departments including neuroscience and cancer. It has operations in several countries including India. It focuses extensively on R&D and acquisition activities all built around extending its pipeline. The company employs 57500 employees worldwide distributed across various geographies. It has manufacturing centres in 16 countries and sells in approximately 100 countries. It was formed on 1999. It has large portfolio across various fields of medicine (CVMD, Oncology, Respiratory, autoimmunity, neuroscience etc). Annual Revenue : $25.7bn R&D Spent : $4.3bn 7. GSK (UK): With annual revenue of $41.4bn and an R&D expenditure of $5.3bn, this British multinational pharmaceutical company was formed through a merger in 2000(Beecham Group and SmithKline Beckman). Its extensive consumer portfolio includes consumer healthcare products like Sensodyne toothpaste and the malted drink Horlicks apart from a wide range of drugs for several areas of illness. GSK has global presence with operations in more than 150 countries. It has manufacturing units in 36 countries and R&D centres in 5 countries. It has products in pharma, vaccines and consumer segment. It has total employee strength of 98000 employees. The history and legacy of the company goes back as far as 1715. It has products across various areas of healthcare like oncology, asthma, diabetes etc. Annual Revenue : $41.4bn R&D Spent : $5.3bn 6.Sanofi (France): With annual revenue of $44.4bn and an R&D expenditure of $6.3bn, this French multinational pharmaceutical company was the result of a merger between Sanofi and Aventis. It deals with seven major therapeutic areas including oncology and thrombosis primarily for the prescription market .It also develops OTC medicines. Sanofi has presence in Pharmaceuticals, Human Vaccines and animal health. Its main business is pharmaceuticals. It has 110000 employees across world. It has 107 manufacturing sites and 20 R&D centres. The history of the current company can be traced back to 1718. The current name Sanofi came into effect from 6th May 2011. In 2004, Sanofi- Synthélabo and Aventis to form the current day Sanofi. Annual Revenue : $44.4bn R&D Spent : $6.3bn 5. Merck (US): With annual revenue of $44bn and an R&D expenditure of $7.5bn, this American multinational pharmaceutical company has produced several pioneering drugs including Gardasil, the cervical cancer vaccine. It spends heavily on R&D and acquisitions. It has 70000 employees across world. Its main businesses include pharmaceuticals, vaccines and animal health. It spends $6.5 billion on Research and development. It is based in New Jersey. It dates back to 1891. Merck has got approval of many new drugs more than other companies. Annual Revenue : $44bn R&D Spent : $7.5bn 4. Pfizer (US): With annual revenue of $51.6bn and an R&D expenditure of $6.6bn, this American multinational pharmaceutical company saw itself become research oriented following its discovery of the drug Terramycin. It is known for several other pioneering drugs like Lipitor.Its acquisition of Wyeth made it one of the biggest pharma companies in the world. 3. Hoffmann-La Roche (Swiss): With annual revenue of $50.3bn and an R&D expenditure of $9.3bn, this Swiss multinational healthcare company has one of the highest R&D spends.It owns several companies through acquisitions and aims to expand its presence in different areas through acquisitions in pharmaceutical and diagnostics. Pfizer employees 78000 people across the world. Annual Revenue : $51.6bn R&D Spent : $6.6bn 3. Hoffmann-La Roche (Swiss) With annual revenue of $50.3bn and an R&D expenditure of $9.3bn, this Swiss multinational healthcare company has one of the highest R&D spends. It owns several companies through acquisitions and aims to expand its presence in different areas through acquisitions in pharmaceutical and diagnostics. Hoffmann-La Roche has approx 88500 employees across the world. It covers various disease areas oncology, neuroscience, infectious diseases, immunology, cardiovascular etc. It has three business areas pharmaceuticals, diagnostics and researchers. The company Hoffmann-La Roche was founded in 1896. It is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland. Annual Revenue : $50.3bn R&D Spent : $9.3bn 4. Pfizer (US): With annual revenue of $51.6bn and an R&D expenditure of $6.6bn, this American multinational pharmaceutical company saw itself become research oriented following its discovery of the drug Terramycin. It is known for several other pioneering drugs like Lipitor.Its acquisition of Wyeth made it one of the biggest pharma companies in the world. 3. Hoffmann-La Roche (Swiss): With annual revenue of $50.3bn and an R&D expenditure of $9.3bn, this Swiss multinational healthcare company has one of the highest R&D spends.It owns several companies through acquisitions and aims to expand its presence in different areas through acquisitions in pharmaceutical and diagnostics. Pfizer employees 78000 people across the world. Annual Revenue : $51.6bn R&D Spent : $6.6bn 2. Novartis (Swiss): With annual revenue of $58.8bn and an R&D expenditure of $9.9bn, this Swiss pharmaceutical company ranks one in drug sales. Its research work conducted through the "Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR)" focus on several arenas including diseases in the developing world. It lost the rights to patent its cancer drug ‘ Gleevec’ in India. Novartis is focused in three broad areas: Pharmaceuticals, Alcon and Sandoz. Alcon is the Eye Care division and Sandoz is the generic division which is retail focused. Novartis employees approximately 136000 employees worldwide. Novartis came into existence in 1996 with merger of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz. Novartis also has opened a R&D Centre in Hyderabad India for R&D and other administrative taks. Annual Revenue : $58.8bn R&D Spent : $9.9bn 1. Johnson & Johnson (US): With annual revenue of $71.3bn and an R&D expenditure of $8.2bn, this American company is in the fortune 500 list. It produces packaged consumer goods, medical devices and pharmaceuticals.Its portfolio includes several over the counter drugs as well as well known consumer goods like Band-aid.In the pharmaceutical area it deals with mainly immunology, neuroscience and oncology. Johnson & Johnson is involved in multiple businesses like devices, pharmaceutical and packaged goods. It has 126000 employees approximately across the world. Johnson & Johnson has operations in about 60 countries with 265 operating companies. The history of Johnson & Johnson can be traced back to 1886 when it was founded in New Jersey by three Johnson brothers. Their famous brand Band-Aid was launched in 1921. Annual Revenue : $71.3bn R&D Spent : $8.2bn Source
