Over the past 12 months, the pharmaceutical market has shown steady growth, which means that the income of drug manufacturers is growing steadily. Pharmaceuticals are traditionally considered one of the most profitable sectors of the economy.
However, entering this market is not easy at all, with major manufacturers investing billions of dollars in drug development, patenting and marketing. Today we present rating of the largest pharmaceutical companies, which represents the world's major players in the pharmaceutical industry.
10. Bayer AG
The company was founded in 1863 in Germany. Bayer manufactures pharmaceuticals for humans and animals, nutritional supplements, and agrochemical fertilizers.
9. Merck & Co
This pharmaceutical company is headquartered in New Jersey, USA. Merck & Co. was founded in 1891 as a subsidiary of the German company Merck KGaA. During the war years, the division was confiscated by the US 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 over 91 thousand people.
7. AstraZeneca plc
The Swedish-British company was founded in 1999 through the merger of the Swedish Astra AB with the British Zeneca. AstraZeneca's turnover is approximately $ 25 billion. Today the pharmaceutical company employs over 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. Subsidiary brands of Novartis are contact lens manufacturers Alcon and Ciba Vision, as well as the pharmaceutical company Sandoz.
4. GlaxoSmithKline
The British pharmaceutical company has offices in 114 countries. GSK has 24 research laboratories. The company employs 99 thousand people.
3. F. Hoffmann-La Roche
The Swiss holding is actively working in the market of innovative drugs. F. Hoffmann-La Roche owns three biotechnology subsidiaries. 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 employs 78,000 people.
1. Johnson & Johnson
The world's largest pharmaceutical company produces, in addition to drugs and medical supplies, household chemicals, contact lenses, cosmetics and medical equipment. The company's turnover is 471 billion per year. Johnson & Johnson employs 128 thousand people.