Without much research needed, everyone in the healthcare circle would agree that largest drug makers of the world have been dominated by American or European multinationals. They often got bigger due to their hugely successful blockbuster drugs, or through relentless M&A (merger and acquisition); and more often, both strategies applied smartly together!
For many years, the US-based company, Pfizer, has topped the list of the world largest pharma with its chart topper drug – Lipitor. With the Lipitor patent expiring, the chart topper will shift to Europe instead. Soon, Sanofi is expected to take over the top spot as the No. 1 drug maker and stay there for a few more years. Next in the list will be Swiss-based Novartis and Pfizer will likely to stay in No. 3 position. This is according to estimation made by EvaluatePharma. According to EvaluatePharma’s prediction, the world’s top 15 drug makers by 2016 will appear as below. It’s interesting to see that for once a generic maker will make it to the top 10 chart, marking the challenge of keeping the focus of continuing to drive value through R&D but to enter into the generic drug space! Another noteworthy point being an  Asian company – Japan-based Takeda – inches close to the top 10 list.

1. Sanofi
2. Novartis
3. Pfizer
4. Glaxo
5. Roche
6. Merck
7. Johnson & Johnson
8. AstraZeneca
9. Teva
10. Abbott
11. Bayer
12. Takeda
13. Bristol-Myers
14. Novo
15. Eli Lilly

 

 

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