The 15 World’s Biggest Pharmaceutical Companies in 2023
The 15 World’s Biggest Pharmaceutical Companies–There are 15 World’s Biggest Pharmaceutical Companies in 2023. This data is obtained from the Annual reports of each company in 2023. Commonly, pharmaceutical companies or drug companies are actually commercial companies that focus on researching, developing, and distributing drugs, especially in terms of health. They can manufacture generic drugs, branded drugs, medical devices, health supplements, and various health products.
In terms of health, many of us as humans depend on these companies. Of course, of all the pharmaceutical companies scattered around the world, only a few companies are able to become the leader of the world’s drug and supplement business with the various brands that exist today. Here are the 10 World’s Biggest Pharmaceutical Companies Based on Annual Report Data for each company in 2023. This ranking order is based on the amount of profit/ net income obtained by each company in 2023.
Ranking table of 15 world’s Biggest Pharmaceutical Companies in 2023 Based on Net Income
Table of Assets and Liabilities of 15 world’s Biggest Pharmaceutical Companies in 2023
Brief Description of 15 World’s Biggest Pharmaceutical Companies
1. Hoffman-La Roche
Founded in 1896 by Fritz Hoffmann-La Roche, F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG is the world’s biggest pharmaceutical company in 2020. This company has main office in Bassel, Switzerland. Initially, the company produced a variety of multivitamin products and in 1934, it became the first to mass-produce synthetic vitamin C, under the brand name Redoxon but it has been owned by Bayer. Specificially, Hoffman-La Roche focussed on Pharmaceticals and Diagnostics activities, Roche Pharmaceuticals focused on finding new medicines and diagnostics that help patients live longer, better lives and evolve the practice of medicine. Menawhile, Roche Diagnostics provide tools that diseases can be prevented, diagnosed and monitored.
Commonly, as one of the world’s biggest pharmaceuthical companies, Roche has some top-selling pharmaceuticals products , namely Ocrevus (Neurology), Hemlibra (Haemophilia A), Perjeta (Oncology), Tecentriq (Oncology), Actemra/RoActemra (Immunology), Vabysmo (Ophthalmology), Xolair (Immunology), Kadcyla (Oncology), MabThera/Rituxan (Oncology/Immunology), and Herceptin (Oncology) with total selling around CHF 6.3 billion, CHF 4.1 billion, CHF 3.7 billion, CHF 3.7 billion, CHF 2.6 billion, CHF 2.3 billion, CHF 2.1 billion, CHF 1.9 billion, CHF 1.63 billion, and CHF 1.62 billion, respectively.
Financially, during 2023, the company earned revenues of 60.4 billion CHF (Swiss Franc) or equivalent to 66.4 billion US Dollars with a net income of 12.4 billion CHF (Swiss Franc) or equivalent to 13.6 Billion US Dollars.
2. Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson (J&J) is one the world’s biggest pharmaceutical companies in 2023 from the United States. Historically, this company was founded in 1886 in New Brunswick, New Jersey, the United States of America by Robert Wood Johnson, James Wood Johnson, and Edward Mead Johnson. Along with the development of time dan business progression, many healthcare products produced by this company and have been marketed in various parts of the world.
As of 2023, the company’s operations include approximately 250 subsidiaries operating in 60 countries with products sold in more than 175 countries and have approximately 131,900 employees worldwide engaged in the research and development, manufacture and sale of a broad range of products in the healthcare field. Operationally, Johnson&Johnson is now organized into two business segments, namely Innovative Medicine and MedTech.
In addition, in medicine segments, Johnson&Johnson has the Company’s key pharmaceutical products, namely STELARA (ustekinumab) accounted for approximately 12.8% of the Company’s total revenues for fiscal year of 2023, followed by DARZALEX (daratumumab) and DARZALEX FASPRO (daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj), accounted for approximately 11.4% of the Company’s total revenues in 2023. In addition, a variety of healthcare products produced by Johnson-Johnson such as Clean and Clear, Listerine, Johnson Baby Powder, Mylanta, Visine eye drops. Regarding the Covid pandemic, this company is one of the producers and makers of the Covid-19 vaccine. Financially in 2023, this company earned revenues of 85.1 billion dollars with a net income of 35.1 billion dollars.
3. Sanofi
Founded in 1973, Sanofi S.A is one of the world’s biggest pharmaceutical companies in the world by 2023. This company has its main office in Paris, France. In 2004, Sanofi-SynthĂ©labo merged with Aventis and changed its name to Sanofi-Aventis. However, the company later changed its name back to Sanofi in May 2011. Some of Sanofi’s medicinal products include platogrix, Amaryl, Lantus Solostar, and Toplexil. Commonly, sanofi has engaged in research and development, manufacturing, and marketing of pharmacological products, focussing in Immunology Research and development (R&D), Neurology R&D, Oncology R&D, Rare Blood Disorders R&D, Rare Diseases R&D and Vaccines R&D.Financially, In 2023, this company earned revenues of 58.4 billion US Dollar and succesfully gained a net income of 2.1 billion USD.
4. Pfizer
Pfizer Inc. is an American multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company headquartered in Manhattan, New York City. Founded in 1849 in New York City by Charles Pfizer and Charles F. Erhart, the company has grown rapidly to become one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in the world. In 2023, this company earned revenues of 43 billion Euro or equivalent with 46.4 billion US Dollar and succesfully gained a net income of 5.4 billion euro or equivalen with 5.8 billion USD. Some of the famous products from Pfizer are Viagra (one of the phenomenal ones), Lipitor, Combantrin worm medicine. In relation to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, this company has also issued a Covid-19 vaccine and has been distributed in various countries around the world.
Along with business development, Pfizer has ten manufacturing sites and two distribution centers in Andover (MA), Franklin (OH), Kalamazoo (MI), MCPherson (KS), Middleton (WI), Pearl River (NY), Rochester (MI), Rocky Mount (NC), and Sanford (NC). In additions, Some of the pfizer products including Oncology, Primary care, and specialty care. Oncology (Ibrance, Xtandi, Inlyta, Bosulif, Lorbrena, Braftovi, Mektovi, Padcev, Adcetris, Talzenna, Tukysa, Elrexfio and Tivdak). Meanwhile, Primary Care including Internal medicine (Eliquis, the Premarin family and BMP2), Migraine (Nurtec ODT/Vydura and Zavzpret), Vaccines (Comirnaty, the Prevnar family, Abrysvo, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, Nimenrix and Trumenba), Treatment for COVID-19 (Paxlovid), Detection of COVID-19 and influenza (Lucira by Pfizer). In addition, Specialty Care including Inflammation & immunology (Xeljanz, Enbrel (outside the U.S. and Canada), Inflectra, Cibinqo, Litfulo and Velsipity), Rare disease (the Vyndaqel family, Genotropin, BeneFIX, Oxbryta, Somavert and Ngenla), Hospital (Sulperazon, Zavicefta, Zithromax, Medrol and Panzyga).
5.GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) is one of the world’s biggest pharmaceutical companies originating in the UK. The company’s head office is in London, England. Founded in 2000, through the merger of Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham, the company has grown rapidly and has become one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in the world alongside Pfizer, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, and Merck & Co.
Some of the products sold, namely Sensodyne toothpaste, and the headache reliever Panadol are some of the other products. As of 2023, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has Commercial operations in manufacturing Specialty Medicines, General Medicine, and Vaccines. Specifically, Specialty Medicines of GlaxoSmithKline’s products are Dovato (HIV treatment), Nucala (Respiratory eosinophil-driven diseases), Triumeq (HIV treatment), Tivicay (HIV treatment), Benlysta (Lupus and lupus nephritis), Cabenuva (HIV treatment), Juluca (HIV treatment), Zejula (Ovarian cancer), Jemperli (Endometrial cancer), Rukobia (HIV treatment), Xevudy (COVID-19 treatment), Blenrep (Blood cancer – multiple myeloma), Ojjaara/Omjjara (Myelofibrosis), and Jesduvroq/Duvroq Anaemia due to chronic kidney disease (CKD). In addition, the General Medicine of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) includes Trelegy Ellipta (COPD, asthma), Seretide/Advair (Asthma, COPD), Relvar/Breo Ellipta (Asthma, COPD), Ventolin (Asthma, COPD),Augmentin (Common bacterial infections), Anoro Ellipta (COPD), Avodart & Duodart (Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), Avamys/Veramyst (Allergic rhinitis), and Dermovate, Betnovate, Cutivate, Eumovate (Inflammatory skin conditions).
Furthermore, the vaccines produced by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) are Shingrix (Herpes zoster (shingles)), Arexvy (RSV), Bexsero (Meningitis group B), Boostrix (Diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis booster), Rotarix (Rotavirus), Fluarix, FluLaval (Seasonal influenza), Infanrix, Pediarix (Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, hepatitis B, haemophilus influenza type B), Engerix, Twinrix, Havrix (Hepatitis), Menveo (Meningitis group A, C, W and Y), Synflorix (Invasive disease, pneumonia, acute otitis media), Priorix, Priorix Tetra, Varilrix (Measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox), and Cervarix (Human papilloma virus).
In 2023, based on the company’s 2023 annual report, the company earned a revenue of 30.3 billion pounds, equivalent to 38.4 Billion US dollars, with a net income of 5.3 billion pounds, equivalent to 6.7 Billion US Dollars.
6. Novartis
Novartis International AG is a Swiss multinational pharmaceutical company based in Basel, Switzerland and Novartis has employed 76,057 of employees as of December 31, 2023. This company is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world which was founded in December 2000 in London, England. Along with business developmetn, Sanovi has sold its medicine products in approximately 130 countries around the world. Basically, some of the novartis’s medicines products in treating different treatments ,namely Cardiovascular, renal and metabolic ( Entresto, Leqvio (inclisiran), Immunology (Cosentyx (secukinumab), Xolair (omalizumab), Ilaris (canakinumab)), Neuroscience (Kesimpta (ofatumumab), Zolgensma (onasemnogene abeparvovec)), Oncology (Promacta/Revolade (eltrombopag), Kisqali (ribociclib), Tafinlar + Mekinist (dabrafenib + trametinib), Tasigna (nilotinib), Jakavi (ruxolitinib), Pluvicto (lutetium (177Lu) vipivotide tetraxetan), Lutathera (lutetium Lu 177 dotatate/lutetium (177Lu) oxodotreotide)). Financially, in 2023, this company earned revenues of 46.6 billion dollars with a net net income that reached 14.8 billion dollars.
7. Merck & co
Merck & Co., Inc. or Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) is an American multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Kenilworth, New Jersey. The founders of this company are Theodore Weicker and George Merck. Financially, in 2023, this company earned revenues of 60.1 billion dollars with a net income that reached 0.3 billion dollars.
In pharmaceutical industries, Merck & Co., Inc has some popular medicine products. These are Keytruda with sales of $ 25 billion in 2023, Gardasil/Gardasil 9 ($ 8.8 billion), Januvia/Janumet ($ 3.3 billion), ProQuad/M-M-R II/Varivax ($ 2.3 billion), Bridion ( $ 1.8 billion), Lagevrio ( $ 1.4 billion), Lynparza ( $1.1 billion), Lenvima ($ 960 million), RotaTeq ($ 769 million), and Vaxneuvance ($ 665 million).
8. AbbVie
AbbVie is a pharmaceutical company that has its main office in North Chicago, Illinois, the United States of America which was founded in 2013. Actually, Abbvie was formed due to the divestment of Abbot Laboratories which used to be one with Abbot Laboratories. Financially, in 2023, this company earned revenues of 54.3 billion dollars with a net income of 4.8 billion dollars.
Commonly, AbbVie has some different medicinal products for different diseases and cases. These AbbVie’s portf olio of products includes Immunology products (Humira (adalimumab), Skyrizi (risankizumab)), Oncology products (Imbruvica (ibruti nib), Venclexta (venetoclax), Epkinly (epcoriti mab), Elahere (mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx)), Aesthetics products ( Botox Cosmetic, The Juvederm Collecti on of Fillers), Neuroscience products( Botox Therapeutic, Vraylar (cariprazine), Duopa and Duodopa (carbidopa and levodopa), Ubrelvy (ubrogepant), Qulipta (atogepant)), Eye care products (Ozurdex (dexamethasone intravitreal implant), Lumigan (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution), Alphagan (brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution), Restasis)) and other key products ( Mavyret (glecaprevir/pibrentasvir), Creon (pancrelipase), Lupron (leuprolide acetate), Linzess (linacloti de), Synthroid (levothyroxine sodium tablets, USP)).
9. Abbott Laboratories
Abbott Laboratories is a medical and healthcare equipment company headquartered in Abbott Park, Illinois, United States. Based on its history, this company was founded by a doctor named Wallace Calvin Abbott in 1888 and as of 2023, Abbot has employed of 114 thousand people. Financially, according to annual report in 2023, this company earned revenues of 40.1 billion dollars with a net profit of 5.7 billion dollars.
Commonly, with experince more than 135 years, Abbot laboratories has some medicine products. These are Creon, Duspatal and Dicetel, Heptral, Transmetil, and Samyr, Duphalac, Duphaston, Femoston, Lipanthyl and TriCor, Teveten and Teveten Plus, Physiotens, Synthroid, Serc, Brufen, Sevedol, Klacid, Claribid, Klaricid, and Influvac.
10.Astra Zeneca
AstraZeneca plc is a British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company headquartered at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus in Cambridge, England. Perhaps, one of the most popular products is the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, which has been widely marketed in various countries around the world. The foundation of this company was in 1999 through the merger of Astra AB of Sweden and the Zeneca Group of the UK. Financially, in 2023, this company earned revenues of 45.8 billion dollars with a net income of 5.9 billion dollars.
Commonly, Astra Zeneca focussed on Oncology and BioPharmaceuticals (including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology); and Rare Disease. On Oncology, Astra Zeneca has some medicine products, namely Tagrisso (osimertinib), Imfinzi (durvalumab), Lynparza (olaparib), Calquence (acalabrutinib), Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan), Orpathys (savolitinib), Truqap (capivasertib), Zoladex (goserelin acetate implant), Faslodex (fulvestrant). Meanwhile in Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, Astra Zeneca has some medicine products, namely Farxiga/Forxiga (dapagliflozin), Brilinta/Brilique (ticagrelor), Lokelma (sodium zirconium cyclosilicate), Roxadustat, Andexxa/Ondexxya (andexanet alfa), Crestor (rosuvastatin calcium), Seloken/Toprol-XL (metoprolol succinate), Onglyza family, (exenatide, Qtern, Symlin, Atacand and other established brands), Bydureon (exenatide XR injectable suspension).
In Respiratory & Immunology, Astra Zeneca has medicine products i.e. Symbicort (budesonide/ formoterol), Fasenra (benralizumab), Breztri/Trixeo (budesonide/ glycopyrrolate/ formoterol), Tezspire (tezepelumab), Saphnelo (anifrolumab), Pulmicort (budesonide), Bevespi (glycopyrrolate/formoterol), Daliresp/Daxas (roflumilast). Furthermore, in Vaccines & Immune Therapies, the products of Astra Zeneca are COVID-19 mAbs (tixagevimab and cilgavimab), Beyfortus (nirsevimab), Vaxzevria (ChAdOx1-S [Recombinant]), Synagis (palivizumab), Fluenz Tetra/FluMist Quadrivalent (live attenuated influenza vaccine). In addition of Rare Disease, the products are Soliris (eculizumab), Ultomiris (ravulizumab), Strensiq (asfotase alfa), Koselugo (selumetinib), Kanuma (sebelipase alfa).
11. Bristol Myers Squibb
The Bristol Myers Squibb corporation was founded in 1858 by Edward Robinson Squibb in Brooklyn, New York. Operationally, this company has Headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey. To date Bristol Myers Squibb has manufacturing operations in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Switzerland, Ireland, and the Netherlands. Meanwhile, Some of the Bristol Myers Squibb products are In-Line Products (Eliquis Eliquis (apixaban), Opdivo (nivolumab), Orencia (abatacept), Pomalyst /Imnovid Pomalyst/Imnovid (pomalidomide), Yervoy (ipilimumab), Sprycel (dasatinib)), New Product Portfolio (Reblozyl (luspatercept-aamt), Opdualag (nivolumab and relatlimab-rmbw), Abecma (idecabtagene vicleucel), Zeposia (ozanimod), Breyanzi (lisocabtagene maraleucel), Camzyos (mavacamten), Sotyktu (deucravacitinib), Onureg (azacitidine), Inrebic (fedratinib), Augtyro), Recent LOE Products ( Revlimid (lenalidomide), and Abraxane).
In the year 2023, Bristol Myers Squibb had assets of 95.1 billion USD with the liabilities around 65.6 billion USD. According to business performance, Bristol Myers Squibb successfully generated revenue of 45 billion USD with net income around 8 billion USD.
12. Takeda Pharmaceuticals
Historically, the journey of Takeda pharmaceutical was started in 1781 with the innitiative of Chobei Takeda who started a business selling traditional Japanese and Chinese medicines in Doshomachi, Osaka. Along with business development, Takeda pharmaceuticals have presence in approximately 80 countries, with leading positions in Japan and the U.S and more than 25 manufacturing sites. Operationally, Takeda Pharmaceticals still has headqurtered in Tokyo, Japan. Based on the products, Some of the Takeda pharmaceuticals products are Entyvio, Alofisel , TAKHZRO, Livtencity, Cuvitru, Flexbumin, Alunbrig, EXKIVITY, Qdenga, spikevax, and ohers.
Financially in 2023, according financial report, Tekeda Pharmaceuticals has assets of 13,957 billion JPY or equivalent with 93.5 billion USD. In Business performance, Takeda generated Revenue of 4,027 billion JPY or equivalent with 26.9 billion USD and succesfully gained net income of 317 billion JPY or equivalent with 2.1 billion USD.
13. Eli Lilly
Historically, Eli Lilly was found by Colonel Eli Lilly in 1876 and has headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Based on products, some of the Eli Lly products are Diabetes, Obesity and Other Cardiometabolic (Basaglar, Humalog, Insulin Lispro, Humulin, Jardiance, Mounjaro, Trulicity), Oncology products ( Alimta, Cyramza, Erbitux, Jaypirca, Retevmo, Tyvyr), Immunology prodcuts (Ebglyss, Olumiant, Omvoh, Taltz), Neuroscience (Cyambalta, Emgality).
Financially, acording to its annual report in 2023, Eli Lily has assets around 64 billion USD in 2023. In business performance, Eli Lily generated revenue of 34.1 billion USD and gained Net income of 5.2 billion USD.
14. Novo Nordisk
Novo Nordisk is a Danish multinational pharmaceutical company which had founde in December 21st, 1923. Operationally, this company has main office in Bagsværd, Denmark. As of 2023, Novo Nordisk has employed more than 64 thousand people with 5 R&D Facilities in 5 different countries.
As of business development, Novo Nordisk has some medicine products in Obesity medications (Saxenda and Wegovy), Diabetes medications (Tresiba, Xultophy,levemir, Insulatard, Actrapid, Mixtard, NovoMix, Ryzodeg, Rybelsus, Victoza, Ozempic, Fiasp,Novorapid, GlucaGen) Haemophilia medications (NovoSeven, NovoEight, Refixia, Esperoct) , Growth disorder medications (Norditropin and Sogroya), Hormone replacement therapy (vagifem, Activelle, Kliogest, Novofem, and others).
Financially, according to Annual Report in 2023, Novo Nordisk has assets around 314 billion DKK or equivalent with 47.1 billion USD . Based on performance in 2023, Novo Nordisk generated revenue of 122 billion DKK or equivalent with 18.3 billion USD and gained Net income of 38.9 billion DKK or equivalent with 5.8 billion USD.
15. Amgen
Amgen is American-based pharmaceutical company which was incorporated in California in 1980 and became a Delaware corporation in 1987. As of business development, Amgen have a presence in approximately 100 countries worldwide. Commonly, Amgen has some medicine products including Prolia, ENBREL ,Otezla XGEVA, Repatha, Nplate, KYPROLIS, Aranesp, EVENITY, Vectibix, BLINCYTO, TEPEZZA, KRYSTEXXA.
In the financial positions and business performance of 2023, Amgen had assets around 97.1 billion USD with liabilities around 90.9 billion USD. According to business performacnce in 2023, Amgen successfully generated revenue of 28.1 billion USD with net income around 6.7 billion USD.
The Summary of 15 World’s Biggest Pharmaceutical Companies in 2023
Bibliography of 15 world’s Biggest Pharmaceutical Companies in 2023
Hoffman-La Roche. 2024. Annual Report 2023. Accessed via https://www.roche.com/investors/annualreport20.htm#contributions On January 30th, 2024.
Johnson& Johnson. 2024. Annual Report 2023. Accessed via https://johnsonandjohnson.gcs-web.com/financial-information/sec-filings on January 30th, 2024.
Sanofi. 2024. Annual Report 2023. Accessed via https://www.sanofi.com/en/investors on January 30th, 2024.
Pfizer. 2024. Annual Report 2023. Accessed via https://investors.pfizer.com/financials/annual-reports/default.aspx on January 30th, 2024.
GlaxoSmithKline. 2024. Annual Report 2023. Accessed via https://www.gsk.com/en-gb/investors/ on January 30th, 2024.
Novartis. 2024. Annual Report 2023. Accessed via https://www.novartis.com/investors on January 30th, 2024.
Merck & co. 2024. Annual Report 2023. Accessed via https://www.merck.com/investor-relations/ on January 30th, 2024.
AbbVie.2024. Annual Report 2023. Accessed via https://investors.abbvie.com/ on January 30th, 2024.
Abbott Laboratories.2024. Annual Report 2023. Accessed via https://www.abbott.com/investors.html on January 30th, 2024.
Astra Zeneca. 2024. Annual Report 2023. Accessed via https://www.astrazeneca.com/investor-relations.html on January 30th, 2024.