Top 10: Pharmaceutical Manufacturers

The global pharmaceutical industry is a powerhouse of innovation, advancing medical science and improving global health outcomes.

The top pharmaceutical manufacturers lead this dynamic sector, driving growth through extensive portfolios of life-saving drugs and therapies.

These companies invest heavily in research and development, addressing diuverse medical conditions as they bring groundbreaking treatments to market.

With this in mind, Manufacturing Digital has highlighted the top ten leading pharmaceutical manufacturers, ranked according to revenue. 

10. GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)

Revenue: $US35.4bn

Employees: Approximately 70,200

Founded: 2000 (from the merger of Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham)

CEO: Emma Walmsley​

GSK is a British pharmaceutical manufacturer that produces vaccines, specialty medicines, and general pharmaceuticals. 

The company is known for its solutions to address respiratory diseases, HIV, immuno-inflammation, and oncology.

GASK famously manufactures Shingrix, a vaccine for shingles, and Trelegy Ellipta, steroids to address chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, GSK crucially collaborated with other pharmaceutical companies like Sto develop and manufacture vaccines.

9. Sanofi

Revenue: $US39.7bn

Employees: Approximately 100,000

Founded: 1973

CEO: Paul Hudson​ (PharmExec)​​ (FiercePharma)​

Sanofi is a French multinational pharmaceutical manufacturer, renowned for its solutions that address diabetes, oncology and immunology.

Sanofi also manufacturers a diverse range of vaccines. Its most noteworthy solutions include Dupixent for atopic dermatitis and Lantus which helps patients manage diabetes.

Sanofi's vaccine division, Sanofi Pasteur, is critical to its overall business.​

8. AstraZeneca

Revenue: $US40.6bn

Employees: Approximately 83,000

Founded: 1999 (from the merger of Astra AB and Zeneca Group)

CEO: Pascal Soriot

AstraZeneca is a leading pharmaceutical manufacturer that gained significant attention for its development of a COVID-19 vaccine.

The manufacturer also devises and deploys solutions that address areas such as oncology, cardiovascular and metabolism conditions, and respiratory diseases.

AstraZeneca manufactures Tagrisso, a drug used to treat small cell lung cancer, and Farxiga, a drug used to improve glycaemic control in patients with type-2 diabetes.

AstraZeneca's acquisition of Alexion Pharmaceuticals has strengthened its portfolio of drugs that targets rare diseases.

7. Bristol Myers Squibb

Revenue: $US42.1bn

Employees: Approximately 32,200

Founded: 1858 (Bristol-Myers merged with Squibb in 1989)

CEO: Giovanni Caforio​

Bristol Myers Squibb 

Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) is a multinational pharmaceutical manufacturer known for its pioneering work in therapeutic drugs, specialising in addressing fibrosis, immunology and oncology. 

Bristol Myers Squibb recently acquired manufacturer Celgene, a pharmaceutical provider that specialises in cancer drugs. Due to this BMS's capacity in this area has grown. 

BMS offers solutions like Opdivo, a leading immunotherapy for various types of melanoma and renal cell cancer and Eliquis, a best-selling anticoagulant.

6. Pfizer

Revenue: $US43.8bn

Employees: Approximately 83,000

Founded: 1849

CEO: Albert Bourla​

Pfizer Inc. is an multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturer, one of the largest and most influential in the world.

Known for its diverse ray of medications, vaccines and consumer healthcare products, Pfizer was praised for its global leadership in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In partnership with BioNTech it famously developed the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, a mRNA-based vaccine which was vital to combatting the virus and preventing further loss of life. 

This vaccine was one of the first to receive emergency use authorization (EUA) and full approval by various regulatory agencies worldwide.

5. Roche

Revenue: $US46.9bn

Employees: Approximately 102,200

Founded: 1896

CEO: Thomas Schinecker

Roche is a Swiss pharmaceutical manufacturer and global oncology leader, having significant influence in the fields of immunology, infectious diseases and neuroscience. 

Its diagnostics division is the driving force behind its high revenue. 

Roche manufactures drugs such as Herceptin,  a monoclonal antibody used to treat breast cancer and stomach cancer and Avastin, which treats a range of cancers and specific eye diseases.

4. Merck & Co

Revenue: $US48.5 bn

Employees: Approximately 68,000

Founded: 1891

CEO: Robert M. Davis​

Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, is a pharmaceutical manufacturer renowned for its work in cancer research and drug development.

It's best known for the development of the cancer drug Keytruda, which has become a leading treatment for multiple types of cancer. For example it can be used to treat melanoma, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma, stomach cancer, cervical cancer, and certain types of breast cancer. 

Merck is also a major contributor in areas such as vaccine development, solutions to target infectious diseases and diabetes treatments.

3.Novartis

Revenue: $US49.48 bn

Employees: Approximately 108,000

Founded: 1996 (from the merger of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz)

CEO: Vasant Narasimhan​

Novartis is a Swiss multinational manufacturer with a strong focus on developing innovative medicines and consumer generics.

It's known for developing drugs such as Consentyx, used to treat psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis, and psoriatic arthritis and Entresto, which addresses chronic heart-failure. 

Novartis is a noted leader in gene therapies, with solutions like Zolgensma, used to treat children less than 2 years old with spinal muscular atrophy.

2. AbbVie

Revenue: $US52.73 bn

Employees: Approximately 50,000

Founded: 2013 (spun off from Abbott Laboratories)

CEO: Richard A. Gonzalez​

AbbVie, a global pharmaceutical manufacturer, was born out of Abbott Laboratories in 2013.

A leader in oncology and drug development, AbbVie is best known for Humiar, a blockbuster drug that treats multiple forms of autoimmune diseases.

AbbVie's robust drug portfolio includes Skyrizi, used to treat plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and Crohn's disease. 

AbbVie's recently acquired Allergan, another pharmaceutical manufacturer best known for creating botox.

Allergan leads in medical aesthetics, eye care solutions and gastroenterology, broadening AbbVie's offering in these areas.

1. Johnson & Johnson

Revenue: $US53.4bn

Employees: Approximately 152,700

Founded: 1886

CEO: Joaquin Duato

Johnson & Johnson is a healthcare giant, known for its work in pharmaceutical manufacturing, medical devices and consumer health products. 

The company's pharmaceutical division, Janssen, produces treatments for a wide range of medical conditions.

These include immunology, infectious diseases, neuroscience, oncology, and cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.

Johnson& Johnson produce the drug Stelara, which treats Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

They also make Darzalex, an anti-cancer monoclonal antibody medication.

These ten manufacturers not only lead in revenue but also in innovation, providing essential treatments that improve the quality of life for millions around the globe.

Their commitment to research, development, and patient care underscores their importance. 

As they continue to evolve and grow, these manufacturers are sure to remain at the forefront of medical breakthroughs.

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