Top 31 Biopharma Companies in 2024

Author: Nataliia Vietchinkina, MBA Clinical Research University of Liverpool, 18.03.2024

Despite continuous declining trend in market capitalization of the top biotechnology companies, the 25 largest market players achieved the overage capitalization of $1.711 trillion in 2023  (GEN’s Top 25 Biotech Companies of 2023).

The top players on the market remain a profitable investment in the long term. Below we provide an overview of the biggest biopharma players in 2024 on the market:

 

1. Novo Nordisk  A/S - Stock price: NOVO-B (CPH); is a Danish multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Bagsværd, Denmark, with production facilities in nine countries and affiliates or offices in five countries. Its shares hit a record high after rising sales of its obesity and diabetes drugs Wegovy and Ozempic, reaching share market value over $500bn and becoming Europe’s most valuable company.
    
2. Pfizer Inc- Stock price: 1PFE (BIT), is a research-based, global biopharmaceutical company that applies science and global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives through the discovery, development and manufacture of medicines and vaccines. The company exceeded $100 billion in revenues for the first time, secured eight key regulatory approvals, completed thirteen regulatory submissions, initiated 10 pivotal study starts and completed four acquisitions.
   
   Pfizer also led the charge for equitable access by launching An Accord for a Healthier World, which offers, on a not-for-profit basis, the full portfolio of medicines and vaccines for which the company has global rights to 45 lower-income countries.
    
3. F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, commonly known as Roche - Stock price: ROG (SWX), is a Swiss multinational healthcare company that operates worldwide under two divisions: Pharmaceuticals and Diagnostics. Its holding company, Roche Holding AG, has shares listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. The company headquarters are in Basel. Wikipedia. Roche exceeds guidance and achieves sales growth of 1% (CER) for 2023 despite sharp COVID-19 sales decline. Commenting on the results, Roche CEO Thomas Schinecker said: “We achieved good sales growth that more than offset the sharp drop in COVID-19 sales.” The company had the highest R&D budget in 2022 among pharmaceutical companies.
    
4. Genentech, Inc. is an American biotechnology corporation headquartered in South San Francisco, California. Considered the founder of the industry, Genentech, now a member of the Roche Group, has been delivering on the promise of biotechnology for more than 45 years. It became an independent subsidiary of Roche in 2009. Genentech Research and Early Development operates as an independent center within Roche. Wikipedia. Genentech is a biotechnology company dedicated to pursuing groundbreaking science to discover and develop medicines for people with serious and life-threatening diseases. Our transformational discoveries include the first targeted antibody for cancer and the first medicine for primary progressive multiple sclerosis.
    
5. Sanofi S.A. Stock price: 1SAN (BIT), is a French multinational pharmaceutical and healthcare company headquartered in Paris, France. Sanofi is dedicated to supporting people through their health challenges. We are a global biopharmaceutical company focused on human health. We prevent illness with vaccines, provide innovative treatments to fight pain and ease suffering. We stand by the few who suffer from rare diseases and the millions with long-term chronic conditions.
   
   With more than 100,000 people in 100 countries, Sanofi is transforming scientific innovation into healthcare solutions around the globe. Sanofi has entered into a definitive merger agreement with Kadmon Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: KDMN) a biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and markets transformative therapies for disease areas of significant unmet medical needs. The acquisition supports Sanofi’s strategy to continue to grow its General Medicines core assets and will immediately add Rezurock™(belumosudil) to its transplant portfolio. Kadmon’s pipeline includes drug candidates for immune and fibrotic diseases as well as immuno-oncology therapies.
    
6. AstraZeneca plc is an Anglo-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company with its headquarters at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus in Cambridge, England. Wikipedia. “As AstraZeneca celebrates its 25th anniversary, we are pleased to report another year of strong financial performance and scientific progress, with double-digit earnings growth, and investment in exciting areas of science, including antibody drug conjugates and cell therapies, that lay the foundations for long-term success.
   
   We expect another year of strong growth in 2024, driven by continued adoption of our medicines across geographies. Our differentiated and growing portfolio of approved medicines, global reach and rich R&D pipeline give us confidence that we will continue to deliver industry-leading growth,” Pascal Soriot, Chief Executive Officer, AstraZeneca.
   
   The drugmaker’s total revenues increased by 41% to a record $37.4bn in 2021, boosted by cancer drugs. In the final quarter, sales rose 62% to $12bn, a quarterly record. AstraZeneca raised its dividend for the first time in 10 years, paying out $2.87 per share for 2021, with plans to pay $2.90 in future years.
    
7. GSK plc - Stock price: GSK (LON) is a British multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company with global headquarters in London Wikipedia, with the turnover £30.3bn in 2023. GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together that aims to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of 2030. This is a company where outstanding people can thrive. R&D focus is on four therapeutic areas: infectious diseases, HIV, respiratory/immunology and oncology.
    
8. Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited - Stock price: 4502 (TYO), is a Japanese multinational pharmaceutical company, with partial American and British roots. It is the third largest pharmaceutical company in Asia, behind Sinopharm and Shanghai Pharmaceuticals, and one of the top 20 largest pharmaceutical companies in the world by revenue Wikipedia. Takeda is a patient-focused, R&D-driven global biopharmaceutical company committed to bringing Better Health and a Brighter Future.
    
9. Thermo Fisher Scientific - Stock price: (TMO); Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is an American supplier of analytical instruments, life sciences solutions, specialty diagnostics, laboratory, pharmaceutical and biotechnology services. Based in Waltham, Massachusetts, Thermo Fisher was formed through the merger of Thermo Electron and Fisher Scientific in 2006. Wikipedia long term Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO) shareholders would be well aware of this, since the stock is up 118% in five years. It's also good to see the share price up 20% over the last quarter.
    
10. Amgen - Stock price: 1AMGN (BIT); Amgen Inc. is an American multinational biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Thousand Oaks, California. Amgen is one of the world’s leading biotechnology companies. Amgen is a values-based company, deeply rooted in science and innovation to transform new ideas and discoveries into medicines for patients with serious illnesses.
     
11. Gilead  Sciences, Inc. - Stock price: 1GILD (BIT); is an American biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Foster City, California that focuses on researching and developing antiviral drugs used in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, influenza, and COVID-19, including ledipasvir/sofosbuvir and sofosbuvir. Wikipedia.
     
12. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. - Stock price: 1REGN (BIT);  is an American biotechnology company headquartered in Westchester County, New York. The company was founded in 1988. Wikipedia. Regeneron is a leading biotechnology company that invents, develops, and commercializes life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases. Founded and led for 35 years by physician-scientists, Regeneron's unique ability to repeatedly and consistently translate science into medicine has led to numerous FDA-approved treatments and product candidates in development, almost all of which were homegrown in Regeneron's laboratories.
    Regeneron's medicines and pipeline are designed to help patients with eye diseases, allergic and inflammatory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, pain, hematologic conditions, infectious diseases, and rare diseases.
     
13. Vertex Pharmaceuticals - Stock price: 1VRTX (BIT); is an American biopharmaceutical company based in Boston, Massachusetts. It was one of the first biotech firms to use an explicit strategy of rational drug design rather than combinatorial chemistry. Wikipedia. focused on discovering, developing and bringing innovative medicines to people with serious diseases so they can lead better lives. In pursuit of this mission, we are advancing a robust research pipeline that includes potentially transformative treatments for cystic fibrosis, pain, sickle cell disease, beta thalassemia, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, APOL1-mediated kidney disease, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, type 1 diabetes and more.
     
14. CSL Limited - Stock price: CSL (ASX); is an Australian multinational specialty biotechnology company that researches, develops, manufactures, and markets products to treat and prevent serious human medical conditions. Wikipedia. CSL has delivered biotechnology excellence for over a century. Today, with the combined expertise of CSL Behring, CSL Plasma, CSL Seqirus and CSL Vifor, CSL’s offerings are more diverse than ever to help ensure patients and people everywhere get the treatments they need. We’re always improving so life can, too.
     
15.  Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Hoffmann-La Roche) - Stock price: 4519 (TYO); is a drug manufacturer operating in Japan. It is a subsidiary controlled by Hoffmann-La Roche, which owns 62% of the company as of 30 June 2014. The company is headquartered in Tokyo. Osamu Nagayama is the current representative director and chairman. Wikipedia Based on the strategic alliance with Roche, we will continue to place innovative new drugs at the core of our business, while aiming to become a top-class innovator in the global healthcare industry, where not only pharmaceutical companies but also a variety of other players take on the challenge of innovation.
    
    The two pillars of TOP I 2030 are “Global first-class drug discovery” and a “Futuristic business model.” We aim to become a company that can launch innovative, in-house developed global products every year by further strengthening our drug discovery technology platforms, which is one of our strengths, utilizing digital technology, proactively collaborating with external parties, and intensively investing company-wide resources in drug discovery and early development.
     
16. Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited - Stock price: 4568 (TYO); is a global pharmaceutical company and the second-largest pharmaceutical company in Japan. It achieved JPY 1,278 billion in revenue in 2022. The company owns the American pharmaceutical company American Regent. Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. began operating in the U.S. in 2006. Wikipedia
    
    Daiichi Sankyo is a global pharmaceutical company with corporate origins in Japan. We provide innovative products and services in 29 countries/regions around the world. With more than 120 years of scientific expertise, our company draws upon a rich legacy of innovation and a robust pipeline of promising new medicines to help patients. Through the outstanding knowledge and commitment of our 17,000 + employees worldwide, we create innovative new and generic medicines, and new methods of drug discovery and delivery.
17. Seagen Inc. (Pfizer group) – Stock price: SGEN ; is an American biotechnology company focused on developing and commercializing innovative, empowered monoclonal antibody-based therapies for the treatment of cancer. Wikipedia Seagen discovers, develops, manufactures, and commercializes TCTs (targeted cancer therapeutics) with ADCs (antibody-drug conjugates) at core.
     
18. Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals Company Ltd. - Stock price: 600276 (SHA);  also known as Jiangsu Hengrui,  is a Chinese pharmaceutical company that manufactures and distributes various types of drug packaging materials, cancer-treating antineoplastics, cardiovascular medication, painkillers, antibiotics, and related products. Wikipedia Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. is a leading global pharmaceutical company headquartered in China with a focus on research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of innovative and high-quality healthcare products. Innovation is the core development strategy. we have focused our R&D efforts in antineoplastic drugs, surgery medications, and medicines that treat autoimmune diseases, metabolic diseases and cardiovascular diseases.
    
    Hengrui Pharma has been on the Pharma Exec’s annual listing of the top 50 global pharmaceutical companies for the fifth consecutive year. Hengrui Pharma ranked 24th among the top 1,000 global pharma companies announced by the Torreya in 2021. Hengrui Pharma ranked 13th in the "Top 25 global pharma companies by pipeline size " selected by Informa Pharma Intelligence in 2023.
     
19. Samsung Biologics - Stock price: 207940 (KRX); is a South Korean biotechnology company headquartered in Songdo, Incheon, South Korea. The biotech division of Samsung Group, it provides contract development and manufacturing services to the biopharmaceutical industry. Wikipedia Samsung Biologics is a fully integrated, end-to-end CDMO service provider offering seamless development and manufacturing solutions from cell line development to final aseptic fill/finish as well as laboratory testing services at every stage for biopharmaceutical products.
    
    With the facilities that are all cGMP compliant with bioreactors ranging from small to large scales to serve varying client needs. To maximize operational efficiency and expand capabilities in response to growing biomanufacturing demands, Samsung Biologics launched Plant 4, which will further advance the company’s standing as the world’s largest manufacturing facility at a single site—holding a 604KL total capacity—and announced plans to construct Plant 5, which will be operational in 2025.
     
20. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited - Stock price: SUNPHARMA (NSE); is an Indian multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Mumbai, that manufactures and sells pharmaceutical formulations and active pharmaceutical ingredients in more than 100 countries across the globe. Wikipedia Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Sun Pharma) is the fourth largest specialty generic pharmaceutical company in the world with global revenues of over US$ 5.1 billion.
    
    Sun Pharma has built a portfolio of patent protected speciality medicines for global markets. Over the years, we have nurtured this evolving business through increased focus and investments. The key segments we are targeting are dermatology, ophthalmology and oncology. Our focus is on improving patient outcomes either by addressing unmet medical needs or by enhancing patient convenience through differentiated dosage forms. Our initiatives in this segment cover the entire value chain, from in-licensing early-to-late stage clinical candidates, as well as getting access to on-market patented products. Today, we are among the leading branded companies in the US with several speciality products launched in the country.
     
21. Biogen Inc. - Stock price: 1BIIB (BIT); is an American multinational biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States specializing in the discovery, development, and delivery of therapies for the treatment of neurological diseases to patients worldwide. Wikipedia
    Biogen is a leading global biotechnology company that pioneers science and drives innovations for complex and devastating diseases. Biogen is advancing a pipeline of potential therapies across neurology, neuropsychiatry, specialized immunology and rare disease and remains acutely focused on its purpose of serving humanity through science while advancing a healthier, more sustainable and equitable world.
    
    Founded in 1978, Biogen has pioneered multiple breakthrough innovations including a broad portfolio of medicines to treat multiple sclerosis, the first approved treatment for spinal muscular atrophy, and two co-developed treatments to address a defining pathology of Alzheimer’s disease.
     
22. WuXi AppTec - Stock price: 603259 (SHA); is a global pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, and medical device company. As a global company with operations across Asia, Europe, and North America, WuXi AppTec provides a broad portfolio of R&D and manufacturing services that enable the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry around the world to advance discoveries and deliver groundbreaking treatments to patients.
    
    Through its unique business models, WuXi AppTec’s integrated, end-to-end services include chemistry drug CRDMO (Contract Research, Development and Manufacturing Organization), biology discovery, preclinical testing and clinical research services, and cell and gene therapies CTDMO (Contract Testing, Development and Manufacturing Organization), helping customers improve the productivity of advancing healthcare products through cost-effective and efficient solutions. WuXi AppTec received AA ESG rating from MSCI in 2023 and its open-access platform is enabling more than 6,000 customers from over 30 countries to improve the health of those in need – and to realize the vision that "every drug can be made and every disease can be treated."
     
23. Moderna, Inc. - Stock price: 1MRNA (BIT); is a pharmaceutical and biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, that focuses on RNA therapeutics, primarily mRNA vaccines. These vaccines use a copy of a molecule called messenger RNA to carry instructions for proteins to produce an immune response. Wikipedia Delivering the greatest possible impact through mRNA medicines.
     
24. Lonza Bioscience (Lonza Group) - Stock price: LONN (SWX); is a Swiss multinational manufacturing company for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and nutrition sectors, headquartered in Basel, with major facilities in Europe, North America and South Asia. Lonza was established under that name in the late 19th-century in Switzerland. Wikipedia The company provides life science researchers with the tools they need to develop and test therapeutics, from basic research to final product release. Lonza’s Bioscience products and services range from cell culture and discovery technologies for research, to quality control tests and software for biomanufacturing.
     
25. argenx SE - Stock price: ARGX (EBR).Biotechnology company. argenx created an antibody innovation ecosystem where pioneering scientists and antibody engineers work side-by-side to accelerate the discovery of novel targets, disease pathways and differentiated therapeutic antibodies.
     
26. BioNTech SE – Stock price: BNTX (ADR) is a German biotechnology company based in Mainz that develops and manufactures active immunotherapies for patient-specific approaches to the treatment of diseases. Wikipedia.
    
    With decades of deep immunology expertise and experience in developing and optimizing mRNA as part of its broad suite of novel technologies, the company is working with the global community to defeat life-threatening and serious diseases such as cancer, COVID-19, malaria and tuberculosis. The first ever approved mRNA vaccine was created in the labs of BioNTech in Mainz, Germany.
     
27. Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.- Stock price: ALNY (NASDAQ); is an American biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of RNA interference therapeutics for genetically defined diseases. The company was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Wikipedia
    
    Alnylam has led the translation of RNA interference (RNAi) from Nobel Prize-winning discovery into an entirely new class of medicines, which we believe has the potential to help people all over the world to live longer, healthier, and fuller lives. Through pioneering science, unwavering commitment to patients, and our approved therapies and deep pipeline of investigational RNAi therapeutics, we have cemented our reputation for innovation and leadership in RNAi.
     
28.  Genmab A/S- Stock price: GMAB (CPH); is a Danish biotechnology company, founded in February 1999 by Florian Schönharting, at the time managing director of BankInvest Biomedical venture fund. Wikipedia
    
    Founded in 1999 in Copenhagen, Denmark, it is a dual-listed, international biotechnology company specializing in the creation and development of differentiated antibody therapeutics to fight against cancer and other serious diseases. An experienced international management team sets the direction for our growth. The proprietary product pipeline and next-generation antibody technologies result from a strong company culture and passion for innovation. Genmab is rooted in science and inspired by patients.
     
29. BeiGene – Stock names BGNE; SEHK: 6160; SSE: 688235; is a global biotechnology company that specializes in the development of drugs for cancer treatment. Founded in 2010 by Xiaodong Wang and chief executive officer John V. Oyler, the company has offices in Asia, North America, Australia and Europe. Wikipedia
    
    Change is the Cure delivers in the mission and codifies the work BeiGene is doing to go beyond their life-saving medicines to meet the diverse needs of the global population – from patients and colleagues to investors and the communities in which they serve. 
     
30. Illumina, Inc. - Stock price: 1ILMN (BIT); is an American biotechnology company, headquartered in San Diego, California, and it serves more than 155 countries. Incorporated on April 1, 1998, Illumina develops, manufactures, and markets integrated systems for the analysis of genetic variation and biological function. Wikipedia.
    
    At Illumina, the mission is to improve human health by unlocking the power of the genome. By delivering breakthroughs that redefine what's possible in genomics, they empower visionaries around the globe to uncover answers and make life-changing advances.
     
31. Celltrion, Inc. - Stock price: 068270 (KRX); is a biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Incheon, South Korea. Celltrion Healthcare conducts worldwide marketing, sales, and distribution of biological medicines developed by Celltrion. Celltrion's founder, Seo Jung-jin, is the richest person in South Korea. Wikipedia
    
    With top-notch R&D specialists and facilities for the development of biopharmaceuticals and novel therapeutics, Celltrion is also a national core technology holder in biotechnology designated by the Industrial Technology Protection Act. The Global R&D Center is equipped with the full spectrum of R&D capabilities, encompassing development of biopharmaceuticals, small molecules, platform technology, clinical trials, and regulatory approval. By leveraging these capabilities, they create synergies through collaborations among different fields, enhancing the research capabilities and efficiencies, while identifying new drivers for future growth.