In this article, we will be taking a look at the 10 largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. For a more comprehensive list, you can go directly to see the 30 Largest Pharmaceutical Companies in the World.
10. Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE)
Market Capitalization: $161.71 billion
Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) is the top drug company in the US by revenue. It is also one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, with a market capitalization of $161.71 billion as of December 12.
Its Covid-19 products — vaccine Comirnaty and antiviral pill Paxlovid — generated combined sales of US$ 56.7 billion in 2022.
9. Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT)
Market Capitalization: $184.40 billion
Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT), based in North Chicago, Illinois, is well-known for its branded generic pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, medical devices, and nutrition products.
It is also popular with hedge funds. As of the end of Q3 2023, 69 hedge funds in Insider Monkey’s database owned stakes in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT), up from 62 in the previous quarter.
8. AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)
Market Capitalization: $197.47 billion
AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN), headquartered in Cambridge is a science-led biopharmaceutical company. Tagrisso, primarily used to treat non-small-cell lung carcinomas, is the company’s highest-grossing pharmaceutical product as of 2022.
As of the end of Q3 2023, 49 hedge funds in Insider Monkey’s database owned stakes in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN), up from 41 in the previous quarter. Rajiv Jain’s GQG Partners is the biggest shareholder among these since it owns $951.18 million worth of shares.
7. Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS)
Market Capitalization: $199.95 billion
Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS), founded in 1996, is a Swiss multinational pharmaceutical corporation. With a market capitalization of $199.95 billion as of December 12, it is among the top 10 largest pharmaceutical companies in the world.
In 2022, the company’s total revenue amounted to $50.5 billion.
6. Roche
Market Capitalization: $234.87 billion
Founded in 1896, Roche is a multinational healthcare company based in Switzerland that operates globally through two divisions: Diagnostics and Pharmaceuticals. In 2022, the company generated over 63 billion Swiss francs in terms of total sales.
5. Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK)
Market Capitalization: $264.47 billion
Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK), is a Rahway, New Jersey-based pharmaceutical company which develops medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, and animal health products. With a market capitalization of $264.47 billion as of December 12, it is one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in the world.
According to Insider Monkey’s third quarter database, 85 hedge funds were bullish on Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK), compared to 78 funds in the preceding quarter.
4. AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV)
Market Capitalization: $267.02 billion
AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV), founded in 2012, is a pharmaceutical company with a strong exposure to immunology and oncology. The company sells a range of well-known medications, including Venclexta, Imbruvica, Skyrizi, and Humira—one of the most profitable drugs in the world.
According to Insider Monkey’s third quarter database, 73 hedge funds were bullish on AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV) and disclosed positions worth $3.27 billion in the company.
3. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ)
Market Capitalization: $373.27 billion
Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), one of the most profitable pharmaceutical companies in the world, was established in 1886. Stelara was its best selling drug in 2022, generating around $9.7 billion.
Moreover, the company announced a quarterly dividend of $1.19 per share on October 19, which was consistent with its previous dividend.
2. Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO)
Market Capitalization: $431.04 billion
Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO), founded in 1923, is a Danish multinational pharmaceutical company. As of December 12, the stock has returned 42.83% to investors on a year-to-date basis.
1. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY)
Market Capitalization: $554.43 billion
Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY), headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, tops our list of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. The company’s diabetes drug Trulicity generated over 7 billion dollars in revenue last year, or more than 25% of its $28.5 billion total.
Hedge funds like the company. According to Insider Monkey’s third quarter database, 102 hedge funds were bullish on Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY), compared to 87 funds in the prior quarter.
Insider Monkey focuses on uncovering the best investment ideas of hedge funds and insiders. Please subscribe to our daily free enewsletter to get the latest investment ideas from hedge funds’ investor letters by entering your email address below. You can also take a look at the 10 Best Small Cap Pharma Stocks to Buy and the 15 Largest Pharmacy Chains in the World.
