Biotechnology is the application of biological processes and organisms to create useful products and services. It is one of the most innovative and dynamic sectors in the world, with applications ranging from healthcare and agriculture to energy and environment. Biotechnology companies are constantly developing new solutions to address some of the most pressing challenges facing humanity, such as disease, hunger, climate change, and pollution.
In this blog, we will take a look at the 10 biggest biotechnology companies in the world. These companies are leaders in their respective fields, with a diverse portfolio of products and a strong presence in the global market. We will also learn about their founding year, founder, what they do, and their products. Here are the 10 biggest biotechnology companies:
1. Novo Nordisk A/S:
Novo Nordisk is a multinational biotech company headquartered in Denmark with production facilities in seven countries and affiliates or offices in 16 countries. The company’s primary focus is diabetes care, hemophilia care, growth hormone therapy, and hormone replacement therapy. The company makes several drugs under various brand names, including Levemir, NovoLog, Novolin R, NovoSeven, NovoEight, and Victoza. Novo Nordisk was founded in 1923 by August Krogh, Marie Krogh, Hans Christian Hagedorn, August Kongsted, Harald Pedersen and Thorvald Pedersen. The company’s revenue in 2022 was $24.31 billion.
2. Moderna Inc.:
Moderna is headquartered in Cambridge, MA. It became incorporated in 2010, making it one of the youngest biotech firms on the list. The company develops medicines based on messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNA), a single-strand molecule that makes life-sustaining proteins. Moderna made headlines after developing an mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine in 2020. Moderna focuses its mRNA medicines on autoimmune disorders, rare and infectious diseases, and immuno-oncology. Moderna was founded by Derrick Rossi, Kenneth Chien, Robert Langer and Noubar Afeyan. The company’s revenue in 2022 was $20.68 billion.
3. BioNTech SE:
BioNTech is a German biotech company that specializes in developing and manufacturing immunotherapies for cancer and infectious diseases. The company is best known for co-developing the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, which was the first mRNA vaccine to receive regulatory approval in the world. BioNTech also has several other pipeline products for various types of cancer and infectious diseases, such as influenza, tuberculosis, HIV, and malaria. BioNTech was founded in 2008 by Ugur Sahin, Ozlem Tureci, Christoph Huber and Helmut Jeggle. The company’s revenue in 2022 was $15.28 billion.
4. Gilead Sciences Inc.:
Gilead Sciences is an American biotech company that focuses on developing and commercializing antiviral drugs for HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C, influenza, and COVID-19. The company also has products for other therapeutic areas, such as oncology, inflammation, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory disease. Some of the company’s best-selling drugs include Viread, Truvada, Atripla, Harvoni, Sovaldi, Biktarvy, Descovy, Yescarta, Trodelvy and Veklury (remdesivir). Gilead Sciences was founded in 1987 by Michael Riordan. The company’s revenue in 2022 was $14.38 billion.
5. Amgen Inc.:
Amgen is an American biotech company that develops and manufactures biologic medicines for various diseases and conditions. The company’s products include Enbrel for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis; Neulasta and Neupogen for neutropenia; Prolia and Xgeva for osteoporosis; Aranesp and Epogen for anemia; Sensipar for hyperparathyroidism; Repatha for high cholesterol; Blincyto for acute lymphoblastic leukemia; Otezla for psoriatic arthritis; Kyprolis for multiple myeloma; Aimovig for migraine; Evenity for osteoporosis. Amgen was founded in 1980 by George Rathmann, Winston Salser, and Joseph Rubinfeld. The company’s revenue in 2022 was $12.99 billion.
6. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. (REGN):
Regeneron is an American biotech company that develops and commercializes innovative medicines for serious diseases. The company’s products include Eylea for eye diseases, Dupixent for allergic and inflammatory diseases, Praluent for high cholesterol, Kevzara for rheumatoid arthritis, Libtayo for skin cancer, Inmazeb for Ebola virus infection, Evkeeza for rare genetic disorder, and REGEN-COV for COVID-19. Regeneron was founded in 1988 by Leonard Schleifer, George Yancopoulos, and Alfred Gilman. The company’s revenue in 2022 was $13.71 billion.
7. Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VRTX):
Vertex is an American biotech company that focuses on developing and delivering transformative therapies for cystic fibrosis (CF) and other serious diseases. The company’s products include Trikafta, Kalydeco, Orkambi, and Symdeko/Symkevi for CF, as well as VX-150 for acute pain and VX-814 and VX-864 for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Vertex was founded in 1989 by Joshua Boger and Kevin Kinsella. The company’s revenue in 2022 was $8.7 billion.
8. Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC (JAZZ):
Jazz is an Irish biotech company that specializes in developing and commercializing medicines for sleep disorders, neuroscience, hematology, and oncology. The company’s products include Xyrem and Xywav for narcolepsy, Sunosi for excessive daytime sleepiness, Erwinaze for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Vyxeos for acute myeloid leukemia, Zepzelca for small cell lung cancer, Defitelio for hepatic veno-occlusive disease, and Rylaze for asparaginase hypersensitivity. Jazz was founded in 2003 by Samuel Saks and Bruce Cozadd. The company’s revenue in 2022 was $3.58 billion.
9. Incyte Corp. (INCY):
Incyte is an American biotech company that discovers, develops, and commercializes medicines for oncology and inflammation. The company’s products include Jakafi/Jakavi for myelofibrosis and polycythemia vera, Pemazyre for cholangiocarcinoma, Monjuvi for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, Tabrecta for non-small cell lung cancer, Olumiant for rheumatoid arthritis, Iclusig for chronic myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and Tafasitamab for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Incyte was founded in 1991 by Roy Whitfield and Randall Riggs. The company’s revenue in 2022 was $3.05 billion.
10. Novavax Inc. (NVAX):
Novavax is an American biotech company that develops vaccines for infectious diseases. The company’s products include NVX-CoV2373 for COVID-19, NanoFlu for seasonal influenza, ResVax for respiratory syncytial virus infection, and RSV F Vaccine for older adults. Novavax was founded in 1987 by Stanley Erck and John Herrmann III. The company’s revenue in 2022 was $2.92 billion.
