Top companies in the major pharmaceuticals field include Pfizer, Roche, Novartis, Sanofi, and Merck & Co. The pharmaceutical industry is a vital component of the global healthcare sector. It includes companies engaged in the research, development, manufacture, and distribution of drugs and medicines. These are used to treat a wide range of diseases and conditions.
The industry is highly regulated, with strict guidelines on product safety, efficacy, and quality. According to a report by Grand View Research, the global pharmaceutical market size is valued at $1.17 trillion and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.8% from 2021 to 2028.
Overview of the Major Pharmaceuticals Market
The pharmaceutical industry is a good career path that plays a critical role in the healthcare sector. People rely on pharmaceutical companies to provide life-saving drugs and medications for a variety of diseases and conditions. Patients who suffer from chronic illnesses rely on medications to help manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Individuals with acute conditions such as infections, injuries, or allergies require drugs to treat the underlying causes of their conditions.
Pharmaceutical companies conduct extensive research and development to create new drugs and improve existing ones. They also work to ensure that the drugs they manufacture are safe, effective, and affordable for the general public. These companies collaborate with healthcare professionals, government agencies, and patient advocacy groups to better understand and meet the needs of their consumers.
In addition to developing drugs, pharmaceutical companies also engage in activities such as clinical trials, regulatory compliance, and manufacturing. Clinical trials are essential to determine the safety and efficacy of new drugs and are conducted under strict guidelines to protect patients. Regulatory compliance ensures that pharmaceutical companies follow laws and regulations governing drug development, testing, and marketing. Manufacturing involves the production, packaging, and distribution of drugs to healthcare providers and patients.
Types of Companies in Major Pharmaceuticals
There are different types of companies in the major pharmaceuticals field. These companies play a critical role in the development, manufacturing, and distribution of drugs and therapies.
Types of companies in major pharmaceuticals include:
Research and Development (R&D) companies
Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs)
Contract Research Organizations (CROs)
Generic Drug Manufacturers
Biotechnology Companies
Research and Development (R&D) companies
Research and Development (R&D) companies are involved in the discovery and development of new drugs and therapies. They employ scientists and researchers who work to identify potential new drugs and test them for safety and efficacy.
R&D companies work closely with regulatory agencies to ensure that their drugs meet strict safety and quality standards before approval for patients’ use. These companies invest heavily in research and development and have large portfolios of drugs in various stages of development.
Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs)
Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs) specialize in the manufacturing and packaging of drugs for other companies. CMOs provide a range of services, including formulation development, process optimization, and commercial-scale manufacturing.
They work with pharmaceutical companies to ensure that their drugs are manufactured efficiently and meet strict quality standards. CMOs can be a cost-effective solution for pharmaceutical companies looking to outsource their manufacturing operations.
Contract Research Organizations (CROs)
Contract Research Organizations (CROs) are companies that provide research and development services to other pharmaceutical companies. They specialize in conducting clinical trials and other research studies to help pharmaceutical companies bring new drugs to market.
CROs can be a valuable resource for pharmaceutical companies looking to outsource their research and development activities. They provide a range of services, including study design, patient recruitment, and data analysis.
Generic Drug Manufacturers
Generic Drug Manufacturers produce drugs that are identical to brand-name drugs in terms of active ingredients, dosage, and efficacy. These companies are less expensive than brand-name drug manufacturers and provide a cost-effective alternative for patients. Generic drug manufacturers must meet the same strict safety and quality standards as brand-name drug manufacturers.
Biotechnology Companies
Biotechnology Companies use advanced biotechnology techniques to develop drugs and therapies. They focus on developing drugs that target specific genes, proteins, and cellular processes.
They develop a wide range of drugs, including cancer treatments, vaccines, and gene therapies. These companies invest heavily in research and development and have a large number of drugs in various stages of development.
Top 20 Companies in Major Pharmaceuticals
These companies in major pharmaceuticals are leaders in developing and producing prescription drugs, vaccines, consumer healthcare products, and other medical treatments. They also have some of the best-paying jobs worldwide and serve millions of customers across the globe.
Here are the top 20 companies in Major Pharmaceuticals:
Johnson & Johnson was established in 1886 by Robert Wood Johnson I, James Wood Johnson, and Edward Mead Johnson. Its current CEO is Alex Gorsky. With a current market capitalization of $442.49 billion, their services/products include consumer healthcare products, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals. They serve customers globally with outlets present in over 60 countries.
Roche Holding AG was established in 1896 by Fritz Hoffmann-La Roche. Its current CEO is Severin Schwan. With a current market capitalization of over $323.28 billion, Roche Holding AG deals in pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and research products. They serve customers globally with their outlets present in over 100 countries.
Novo Nordisk A/S
Size: 45,000 employees
Headquarters: Denmark
Novo Nordisk A/S was established in 1923 by Harald Pedersen. Its current CEO is Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen. With a current market capitalization of $235.51 billion, their services/products include insulin products, and other prescription drugs. They serve customers globally with outlets present in over 170 countries.
Pfizer Inc.
Size: 78,500 employees
Headquarters: New York, United States
Pfizer Inc. was established in 1849 by Charles Pfizer and Charles Erhart. Its current CEO is Albert Bourla. With a current market capitalization of over $222.98 billion, Pfizer Inc. deals in prescription drugs, vaccines, consumer healthcare products, and more. They have users globally with their outlets present in over 175 countries.
Novartis International AG was established in 1996 by J.R. Geigy. Its current CEO is Vasant Narasimhan. With a current market capitalization of $218.66 billion, Novartis International AG deals in pharmaceuticals products/services, generics, biosimilars, and eye care products. They serve customers globally with their outlets present in over 155 countries.
Eli Lilly and Company
Size: 37,400 employees
Headquarters: Indiana, United States
Eli Lilly and Company was established in 1876 by Eli Lilly. Its current CEO is David A. Ricks. With a current market capitalization of $204.78 billion, their services/products are prescription drugs. They serve customers globally with outlets present in over 125 countries.
AbbVie Inc.
Size: 49,000employees
Headquarters: Illinois, United States
AbbVie Inc. was established in 2013 by Richard A. Gonzalez, who is also the current CEO. With a current market capitalization of $200.58 billion, their services/products are prescription drugs. They serve customers globally with outlets present in over 75 countries.
Merck & Co., Inc.
Size: 71,000 employees
Headquarters: New Jersey, United States
Merck & Co., Inc. was established in 1891 by George Merck. Its current CEO is Robert M. Davis. With a current market capitalization of $186.14 billion, Merck & Co., Inc. deals in prescription drugs, vaccines, and animal health products. They serve customers globally with outlets present in over 140 countries.
AstraZeneca PLC
Size: 70,600employees
Headquarters: Cambridge, United Kingdom
AstraZeneca PLC was established in 1999. Its current CEO is Pascal Soriot. With a current market capitalization of $139.94 billion, their services/products include prescription drugs, biologics, and more. They serve customers globally with outlets present in over 100 countries.
Bristol Myers Squibb was established in 1887 by William McLaren Bristol and John Ripley Myers. Its current CEO is Giovanni Caforio. With a current market capitalization of $139.47 billion, their services/products include prescription drugs, biologics, and more. They serve customers globally with outlets present in over 60 countries.
Sanofi
Size: 100,409 employees
Headquarters: Paris, France
Sanofi was established in 1973 by Jean-François Dehecq. Its current CEO is Paul Hudson. With a current market capitalization of $135.21 billion, their services/products include prescription drugs, vaccines, consumer healthcare products, and animal health products. They serve customers globally with outlets present in over 170 countries.
GlaxoSmithKline PLC
Size: 94,000 employees
Headquarters: Brentford, United Kingdom
GlaxoSmithKline PLC was established in 2000 by Beecham Group and SmithKline Beecham. Its current CEO is Emma Walmsley. With a current market capitalization of $92.33 billion, their services/products include prescription drugs, vaccines, and consumer healthcare products. They serve customers globally with outlets present in over 150 countries.
Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Size: 11,000 employees
Headquarters: California, United States
Gilead Sciences, Inc. was established in 1987 by Michael Riordan. Its current CEO is Daniel O’Day. With a current market capitalization of $83.25 billion, their services/products are prescription drugs. They serve customers globally with outlets present in over 35 countries.
Allergan PLC
Size: 17,000 employees
Headquarters: Dublin, Ireland
Allergan PLC was established in 1948 by Gavin S. Herbert. Its current CEO is Brent Saunders. With a current market capitalization of $73.72 billion, their services/products include development, manufacturing, and marketing of devices. These devices include pharmaceuticals, biologics, and medical in various therapeutic areas, including ophthalmology, aesthetics, central nervous system, and gastroenterology.
Bayer AG was established in 1863 by Friedrich Bayer and Johann Friedrich Weskott. Its current CEO is Werner Baumann. With a current market cap of $67.77 billion, their services/products include pharmaceuticals, consumer healthcare products, and agricultural products. They serve customers globally with outlets present in over 90 countries.
Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited was established in 1781 by Chobei Takeda I. Its current CEO is Christophe Weber. With a current market capitalization of $50.73 billion, their services/products include prescription drugs. They serve customers globally with outlets present in over 80 countries.
Biogen Inc.
Size: 7,800employees
Headquarters: Massachusetts, United States
Biogen, Inc. was established in 1978 by Phillip Sharp and Walter Gilbert. Its current CEO is Michel Vounatsos. With a current market capitalization of $47.84 billion, their services/products include prescription drugs, biosimilars, and more. They serve customers globally with outlets present in over 40 countries.
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
Size: 40,000 employees
Headquarters: Israel
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. was established in 1901 by Chaim Salomon. Its current CEO is Kåre Schultz. With a current market capitalization of $11.58 billion, their services/products include prescription drugs, generics, and more. They serve customers globally with outlets present in over 60 countries.
Mylan N.V.
Size: 35,000 employees
Headquarters: Pennsylvania, United States
Mylan, N.V. was established in 1961 by Milan Puskar and Don Panoz. Its current CEO is Heather Bresch. With a current market capitalization of $9.78 billion, their services/products include prescription drugs, generics, and more. They serve customers globally with outlets present in over 165 countries.
Celgene Corporation was established in 1986 by Sol Barer and David Stirling. Its current CEO is Mark J. Alles. It was acquired by Bristol Myers Squibb in 2019, so its current market capitalization is not publicly available. Their services/products include research, development, and commercialization of therapies for cancer and other immune-inflammatory related diseases.
The table below summarizes the details about these top 20 companies in Major Pharmaceuticals:
S/N
Name of Company
Headquarters
Number of Employees
Current Market Cap
1
Johnson & Johnson
New Jersey, US
134,000
$442.49 billion
2
Roche Holding AG
Basel, CH
101,465
$323.28 billion
3
Novo Nordisk A/S
Denmark
45,000
$235.51 billion
4
Pfizer Inc.
New York, US
78,500
$222.98 billion
5
Novartis International AG
Basel, CH
110,000
$218.66 billion
6
Eli Lilly and Company
Indiana, US
37,400
$204.78 billion
7
AbbVie Inc.
Illinois, US
49,000
$200.58 billion
8
Merck & Co., Inc.
New Jersey, US
71,000
$186.14 billion
9
AstraZeneca
Cambridge, UK
70,600
$139.94 billion
10
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
New York, US
30,000
$139.47 billion
11
Sanofi S.A.
Paris, FR
100,409
$135.21 billion
12
GlaxoSmithKline plc
London, UK
94,000
$92.33 billion
13
Gilead Sciences, Inc.
California, US
11,000
$83.25 billion
14
Allergan PLC
Dublin, IE
17,000
$73.72 billion
15
Bayer AG
Leverkusen, DE
103,824
$67.77 billion
16
Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
Tokyo, JP
49,578
$50.73 billion
17
Biogen Inc.
Massachusetts, US
7,800
$47.84 billion
18
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd
Israel
40,000
$11.58 billion
19
Mylan N.V.
Pennsylvania, US
35,000
$9.78 billion
20
Celgene Corporation (a subsidiary of Bristol-Myers Squibb)
New Jersey, US
6,000
N/A
What are the 5 Key Sectors of the Major Pharmaceuticals Industry?
The 5 key sectors of the major pharmaceuticals industry are:
Research and development (R&D)
This sector focuses on the discovery and development of new drugs and therapies to treat diseases and improve patient outcomes.
Manufacturing and distribution
This sector involves the large-scale production, packaging, and distribution of pharmaceutical products, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and medical devices.
Sales and marketing
This sector is responsible for promoting pharmaceutical products to healthcare professionals, patients, and other stakeholders.
Regulatory affairs
This sector is responsible for ensuring that pharmaceutical products meet all relevant regulatory standards and requirements, and for managing the regulatory approval process.
Clinical trials
This sector is responsible for conducting clinical trials to test the safety and efficacy of new drugs and therapies before they are approved for widespread use.
How to get a Job Offer from Companies in the Major Pharmaceuticals Field
To succeed in getting a job offer from a major pharmaceutical company, it’s crucial to showcase relevant experiences in your application materials. It’s also important to stay up-to-date with industry trends and advancements.
6 unique tips to help you get a job offer from companies in the major pharmaceuticals field:
Obtain relevant certifications
Pursue industry-specific certifications like Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP), Certified Regulatory Affairs Professional (RAC), or Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (CMAS). These certifications can help demonstrate your expertise and qualifications to potential employers.
Leverage your scientific background
If you have a strong scientific background, such as a degree in Chemistry, Biology, or Pharmacology, highlight this in your job application materials. Employers in the major pharmaceuticals industry often prefer candidates with a science background. It demonstrates their understanding of the technical aspects of drug development and manufacturing.
Be open to different roles and locations
The major pharmaceuticals industry offers a wide range of job opportunities in various locations around the world. Be open to exploring different roles, and consider relocating to a different city or country if necessary.
Understand the importance of compliance
The major pharmaceuticals industry is highly regulated, and compliance with regulations and laws is essential. Emphasize your understanding of compliance and demonstrate how you have followed compliance guidelines in previous roles.
Highlight your project management skills
The development of pharmaceutical products involves a significant amount of project management, from clinical trials to manufacturing to regulatory approval. Emphasize your project management skills, such as organization, time management, and attention to detail, to demonstrate your ability to manage complex projects.
Demonstrate your knowledge of technology and innovation
The major pharmaceuticals industry is continually evolving, and new technologies and innovations are changing the way drugs are developed and manufactured. Emphasize your knowledge of the latest technological advancements, and demonstrate how you have used technology to improve processes in previous roles.
What Do Companies in the Major Pharmaceuticals Field Look for when Hiring?
Companies in the major pharmaceuticals field typically look for candidates who have a combination of education, experience, and skills that are relevant to the industry.
7 specific things that companies in the major pharmaceuticals field may look for when hiring:
Educational background
Many positions in the major pharmaceuticals industry require a degree in a scientific field, such as Chemistry, Biology, Pharmacology, or Biochemistry. Advanced degrees, such as a Master’s or PhD, may be required for more specialized roles.
Industry experience
Experience in the pharmaceuticals industry is highly valued by employers. Candidates who have worked in the industry, whether in a research, development, manufacturing, or regulatory role, have an advantage when applying for positions.
Technical skills
Candidates who have a strong understanding of the technical aspects of drug development, are more competitive in the job market. Additionally, experience with specific tools or technologies, such as laboratory equipment or computer software, may be required for some positions.
Project management skills
The development of pharmaceutical products involves complex projects that require strong project management skills. Candidates who have experience managing projects or who have demonstrated these skills in previous roles are more competitive in the job market.
Communication skills
Effective communication is essential in the major pharmaceuticals industry, as teams must work together to develop and bring new drugs to market. Candidates who can communicate effectively with team members, stakeholders, and regulators may have an advantage when applying for positions.
Compliance knowledge
The major pharmaceuticals industry is highly regulated, and compliance with regulations and laws is essential. Candidates who have a strong understanding of compliance and who can demonstrate their understanding are more competitive in the job market.
Adaptability
The pharmaceuticals industry is constantly changing, and companies may look for candidates who can adapt to new technologies, regulations, or market conditions. Candidates who can demonstrate their ability to learn quickly, solve problems, and adapt to change are more competitive in the job market.
Conclusion: Top 20 Companies in Major Pharmaceuticals
Top companies in the major pharmaceuticals field look for candidates who have a combination of education, experience, and skills that are relevant to the industry.
Job seekers who possess these qualities and can effectively demonstrate them may have an advantage when applying for positions in the major pharmaceuticals industry.
FAQs on Top 20 Companies in Major Pharmaceuticals
How many major pharmaceutical companies are there?
There are around 50 to 100 major pharmaceutical companies globally.
What are examples of major pharmaceuticals?
Some examples of major pharmaceutical companies include Pfizer, Novartis, Roche, Merck & Co., Sanofi, and GlaxoSmithKline.
What is the biggest major pharmaceuticals brand?
The biggest major pharmaceuticals brand is currently Pfizer. It is easily the most popular pharmaceutical brand and one of the highest-paying companies.
How do major pharmaceutical companies make their money?
Major pharmaceutical companies typically make their money by developing and selling drugs, vaccines, and other medical products. They invest heavily in research and development, and often spend years developing new drugs before they can be brought to market. Once a drug is approved, the company can sell it at a premium price, often for many years before generic competitors can enter the market.
What are the challenges facing major pharmaceutical companies?
Major pharmaceutical companies face a range of challenges. These include increasing competition, rising regulatory requirements, and growing public scrutiny over drug production, prices and safety. They must also navigate complex supply chains and distribution channels, and respond to changing market conditions and global health crises.
