Over the past 12 months, the pharmaceutical market has shown steady growth, which means that the income of drug manufacturers is growing steadily. Pharmaceuticals is traditionally considered one of the most profitable sectors of the economy.

However, entering this market is not easy at all, as large manufacturers invest billions of dollars in drug development, patenting and marketing. Today we present rating of the largest pharmaceutical companies, which presents the world's leading players in the drug industry.

10. Bayer AG

The company was founded in 1863 in Germany. Bayer produces pharmaceuticals for humans and animals, nutritional supplements, and agrochemical fertilizers.

9. Merck & Co

The headquarters of this pharmaceutical company is located in New Jersey, USA. Merck & Co. was founded in 1891 as a subsidiary of the German company Merck KGaA. During the war years, the branch was confiscated by the American government and turned into an independent company.

8. Abbott Laboratories

The American pharmaceutical company was founded in 1888. And in 2010, Abbott Laboratories turnover exceeded $ 35 billion. The company employs more than 91 thousand people.

7. AstraZeneca plc

The Swedish-British company was founded in 1999 by merging the Swedish Astra AB with the British Zeneca. AstraZeneca's turnover is about $ 25 billion. Today, the pharmaceutical company employs more than 50 thousand people.

6. Sanofi

The French pharmaceutical company produces medicines for various diseases, vaccines, cancer drugs, etc. At the same time, Sanofi is an employer for 112 thousand people.

5. Novartis

The Swiss company was founded in 1996. Novartis subsidiaries are contact lens manufacturers Alcon and Ciba Vision, as well as Sandoz, a pharmaceutical company.

4. GlaxoSmithKline

The British pharmaceutical company has offices in 114 countries. GSK has 24 research laboratories. The company's employees are 99 thousand people.

3. F. Hoffmann-La Roche

The Swiss holding is active in the market of innovative drugs. Hoffmann-La Roche owns three subsidiaries working in the field of biotechnology. The holding is an employer for 85 thousand people.

2. Pfizer

The American company was founded in 1849 by two cousins ​​- immigrants from Germany. The company's turnover today exceeds $ 51 billion. Pfizer employees are 78 thousand people.

1. Johnson & Johnson

The world's largest pharmaceutical company produces, in addition to medicines and medical preparations, household chemicals, contact lenses, cosmetics and medical equipment. The company's turnover is 471 billion per year. Johnson & Johnson employs 128 thousand people.

Watch the video: The Top Ten Largest Pharmaceutical Companies by revenue (June 2025).