| Company | Headquarter | Annual Revenue (2021) | Year Established |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pfizer Inc. | New York, USA | $81.3 Billion | 1849 |
| Novartis AG | Basel, Switzerland | $52.7 Billion | 1996 |
| Bristol-Myers Squibb | New York, USA | $46.4 Billion | 1887 |
| Roche Holding AG | Basel, Switzerland | $62.8 Billion | 1896 |
| Merck & Co., Inc. | Kenilworth, USA | $48.0 Billion | 1891 |
| AstraZeneca PLC | Cambridge, UK | $37.4 Billion | 1999 |
| Johnson & Johnson (Janssen Pharmaceuticals) | New Brunswick, USA | $93.77 Billion | 1886 |
| Eli Lilly and Company | Indianapolis, USA | $28.3 Billion | 1876 |
| Amgen Inc. | Thousand Oaks, USA | $26.2 Billion | 1980 |
Headquartered in New York, USA, Pfizer was established in 1849. It is a global leader in the pharmaceutical industry, known for its focus on discovering, developing, and manufacturing healthcare products, including vaccines and biologic therapies.
Pfizer’s portfolio includes some of the most recognized medicines and vaccines in the world.
In 2021, Pfizer reported a record annual revenue of $81.3 billion, mainly driven by its COVID-19 vaccine sales.
Comirnaty (COVID-19 vaccine)
Ibrance (for breast cancer)
Eliquis (blood thinner)
Prevnar (pneumococcal vaccine)
Pfizer’s collaboration with BioNTech resulted in the development of Comirnaty, one of the world’s leading COVID-19 vaccines.
In 2020, Pfizer and Eli Lilly joined forces to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2021, Pfizer announced the acquisition of Trillium Therapeutics for $2.3 billion to expand its oncology pipeline.
Pfizer has historically maintained steady growth, with revenues rising significantly post-2010, largely attributed to its investments in vaccine development and oncology therapies.
Pfizer’s medicines and vaccines have a global reach, helping millions of people worldwide in managing chronic diseases, preventing infections, and enhancing overall quality of life.
Comirnaty alone has been administered to billions globally, contributing to pandemic control.
Pfizer announced the development of a next-generation COVID-19 vaccine designed to fight against new variants in 2022.
Pfizer’s acquisition of Biohaven Pharmaceutical for $11.6 billion in 2022 expanded its portfolio into the migraine treatment sector.
Based in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis was established in 1996, following the merger of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz.
It is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies, with a strong emphasis on both patented and generic medicines.
Novartis reported $52.7 billion in revenue for 2021, largely from its pharmaceuticals and oncology segments.
Kymriah (gene therapy for cancer)
Cosentyx (treats autoimmune diseases)
Entresto (heart failure treatment)
Gleevec (cancer treatment)
In 2021, Novartis acquired The Medicines Company for $9.7 billion, focusing on heart disease treatment.
It has formed a long-standing collaboration with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to combat infectious diseases.
In 2022, Novartis announced a partnership with Science 37 to enhance decentralized clinical trials.
Since its inception, Novartis has seen consistent growth, particularly post-2005, when it acquired the generics business Sandoz, which allowed it to expand its market presence significantly.
Novartis is involved in global health initiatives, providing affordable access to medicines through initiatives like the Novartis Access Program, which focuses on treating diseases like cancer and cardiovascular conditions in low-income countries.
In 2021, Novartis announced the approval of Kymriah for adult patients with large B-cell lymphoma.
The company also recently launched a new drug, Aimovig, for migraine prevention, further cementing its role in neuroscience.
Established in 1887 and headquartered in New York, BMS is a global biopharmaceutical leader.
In 2021, it posted a revenue of $46.4 billion, driven by oncology, immunology, and cardiovascular medicines.
BMS is recognized for its research in immuno-oncology.
Opdivo (cancer immunotherapy)
Eliquis (blood thinner, co-marketed with Pfizer)
Orencia (autoimmune disease treatment)
Revlimid (used for multiple myeloma)
In 2020, BMS acquired Celgene for $74 billion to enhance its oncology portfolio.
The company has a collaboration with Acceleron Pharma for the development of heart disease treatments.
BMS also formed an alliance with bluebird bio for gene therapy research.
The acquisition of Celgene in 2020 marked a major expansion for BMS, increasing its market share significantly and adding to its oncology drug pipeline.
BMS provides life-saving therapies in oncology, cardiology, and immunology, enhancing patient outcomes globally.
Its drug Opdivo is widely used to treat various cancers, benefiting millions of patients worldwide.
BMS launched Opdivo in combination with Yervoy for various cancers, significantly improving patient survival rates.
The company has also announced breakthroughs in its pipeline, including treatments for Alzheimer’s and other chronic diseases.
Roche, headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, was founded in 1896 and is a global leader in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.
With $62.8 billion in 2021 revenue, Roche continues to lead in diagnostics and personalized healthcare.
Herceptin (breast cancer treatment)
Avastin (cancer treatment)
Rituxan (used in autoimmune disorders)
Actemra (used for arthritis)
Roche acquired Genentech in 2009, expanding its oncology and biologic capabilities.
In 2020, Roche partnered with Regeneron for the development of COVID-19 treatments.
Roche has a strong collaboration with Foundation Medicine to personalize cancer treatments.
Roche has been a key player in personalized medicine, particularly in the field of oncology, with major advances made over the last two decades.
Roche's drugs and diagnostics are widely used to treat cancer, autoimmune disorders, and infectious diseases.
Its diagnostics division is critical in providing laboratory tests globally, helping healthcare providers make timely decisions.
Roche's launch of new cancer therapies, including Tecentriq, marked a major milestone in immuno-oncology.
The company is focusing on expanding its portfolio in digital health and diagnostics, with several initiatives in precision medicine.
Founded in 1891 and headquartered in Kenilworth, New Jersey, Merck is a global leader in healthcare and pharmaceuticals.
Merck posted a revenue of $48.0 billion in 2021, with its focus primarily on oncology, vaccines, and infectious diseases.
Keytruda (cancer immunotherapy)
Gardasil (HPV vaccine)
Januvia (diabetes treatment)
Bridion (muscle relaxant reversal)
Merck’s partnership with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics in 2021 for the development of Molnupiravir, a COVID-19 antiviral pill, showcased its ability to innovate quickly.
Merck’s acquisition of Acceleron Pharma in 2021 expanded its portfolio in heart disease treatments.
Merck has seen steady growth, driven by innovations in vaccine development and its successful oncology portfolio, especially with Keytruda, which has become one of the best-selling cancer drugs globally.
Merck’s contributions to public health, particularly with Gardasil and its infectious disease treatments, have had a global impact.
Merck’s focus on oncology, with Keytruda leading the way, has significantly enhanced cancer treatments worldwide.
Merck recently received approval for Keytruda in several new indications, further solidifying its position as a leading immuno-oncology treatment.
Merck’s ongoing development of antiviral drugs like Molnupiravir continues to provide important therapeutic options for COVID-19.
AstraZeneca, headquartered in Cambridge, UK, was founded in 1999 and is a leading player in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in oncology, cardiovascular, and respiratory treatments.
In 2021, AstraZeneca reported revenues of $37.4 billion.
Tagrisso (lung cancer treatment)
Imfinzi (cancer treatment)
Symbicort (respiratory treatment)
Farxiga (heart failure treatment)
AstraZeneca's acquisition of Alexion Pharmaceuticals for $39 billion in 2020 expanded its immunology portfolio.
The company formed a collaboration with Oxford University in 2020 to develop a COVID-19 vaccine.
AstraZeneca’s strategic acquisitions, such as the purchase of MedImmune and Alexion, have allowed it to diversify its portfolio and strengthen its position in immunotherapy and rare diseases.
AstraZeneca’s focus on life-threatening conditions like cancer, respiratory diseases, and cardiovascular diseases has helped improve global health outcomes.
The company’s involvement in the development of the COVID-19 vaccine has made it a key player in the pandemic response.
AstraZeneca's approval of Tagrisso and Imfinzi in new cancer indications has revolutionized cancer care.
The company’s COVID-19 vaccine has been a significant part of global vaccination efforts.
The global oncology API market size is calculated at USD 41.79 billion in 2024, grew to USD 43.95 billion in 2025, and is projected to reach around USD 69.55 billion by 2034. The market is expanding at a CAGR of 5.24% between 2025 and 2034.
Expanding Geographical Presence: Key players install their manufacturing facilities in different nations to deliver high-quality APIs to customers from the respective regions.
FDA Approval: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved API manufacturing facilities to ensure they comply with stringent safety standards.
The research activities in oncology API refers to the development of novel APIs for common and rare cancer types. APIs are also developed to act with a novel mechanism of action.
Key Players: Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Optimus Drugs, AstraZeneca, and Granules India
APIs are the main ingredients of the finished dosage forms. Drug formulation involves the process of designing the composition of a cancer drug by combining APIs and excipients.
Patient support & services refers to providing comprehensive support services to patients undergoing treatment for complex, rare, and oncological conditions.
In June 2025, EVA Pharma and CHICO Pharmaceutical signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for technology transfer and localized synthesis of oncology API. Riad Armanious, CEO of EVA Pharma, commented that the company is committed to relieving the health and economic burden of cancer across the Middle East & Africa. He also stated that oncology APIs are critical to the pharmaceutical supply chain, encouraging the company to reprioritize resources to invest in sustainable, high-quality production.
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