Top 5 Largest drug manufacturing companies in the world

The list of largest drug manufacturing companies is growing at an alarming rate. The Pharmaceutical industry is evolving at a rapid pace with the large-scale privatization of drug manufacturing and the ever advancing cutting-edge drug discovery. Most private drug manufacturing companies bring arguably better, competitive research and development facilities to the plate. However, only a few companies make it to the frontline of consumer outreach, patient care, technological advancement and business growth. These drug manufacturers are among the top 10 pharmaceutical companies in the world.

This blog article, within its scope, will elicit a few of the drug manufacturing companies and enterprises that have the leading edge in the industry as of 2017, in terms of revenue generation.

1. Roche
Swiss-based pharmaceuticals Roche has made it to the top three pharma companies, with net revenue of USD 50.11 billion. Roche produced three best-selling, life-saving drugs - Herceptin, Kadcyla and Perjeta - which increased its revenue by 4%, 7% and 26%, respectively.

The enterprise develops drugs and diagnostic instruments and supplies them in Europe, North America, South America, and Asia. It is constantly discovering new drugs. As per reports, Roche may push its on-development multiple sclerosis drug Ocrevus into the market over the next few years.

Roche jumped two positions from fifth in 2016 to third at present.

2. Pfizer
With a net revenue of USD 52.82 billion in 2017, American biopharmaceutical giant Pfizer has climbed two spots since then from fourth to second. The significant development and growth of several drugs including Ibrance (breast cancer), Lyrica (pain killer) and Eliquis (coagulant) contributed to an overall 5% spike in sales, which can be linked to the increase in revenue.

The healthcare conglomerate focuses on a wide range of therapeutic medicines in areas including oncology, metabolic diseases and rare diseases, neuroscience, and vaccines development.

Pfizer also acquired Anacor, a small pharmaceutical company based in California. This is expected to help the corporation’s inflammation and immunology portfolio in the coming years.

3. Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson gained an additional USD 20 billion, pushing its 2017 revenue to USD 71.89 billion and its rank to numero uno. It has become the world’s largest pharmaceutical company based on revenue.

Its revenue hike can be attributed to a 6.5% rise in pharmaceutical sales, although the large bulk of profits are from their consumer health products.

J&J applied an innovative formula and came up with the cancer drug Imbruvica, whose performance, as per experts, has been stellar. This has lead to a boost in their pharmaceutical sales by 86%.

In a stiff competition with Pfizer, J&J have struck a USD 30 billion-merger with Swiss biopharmaceutical company Actelion.

The US-based Pharma, medical devices and consumer health provider has always been a household name that has dominated the consumer goods market with staple products such as Johnson’s Baby and Clean & Clear.

4. Novartis
Novartis contains a market value of $11.74 billion as of 2017. This Swiss multinational pharmaceutical company produces medicines, preventive vaccines, generic pharmaceuticals, diagnostic tools, and animal, consumer healthcare products.

In addition, the company has recorded sales of 57.9bn and a profit of $9.2bn in 2013. This company has 135, 696 employees and it operates through five segments such as Pharmaceuticals (innovative patent protected prescription drugs, Alcon (surgical, ophthalmic pharmaceuticals and vision care products), Sandoz (generic pharmaceuticals), Vaccines and Diagnostics, and Consumer Health.

5. Merck & Co.
Merck & Co. is one of the leading drug manufacturing companies and it has 9.40 USD billion value in the year 2017. It is headquartered in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, Merck.

This company operates through four segments such as Pharmaceutical, Animal Health, Consumer Care and Alliances. Merck has 76, 000 employees across the globe. This company is engaged in the discovery, development and marketing of a broad range of human and animal health products including medicines and vaccines.