Top-5 Largest Pharmaceutical Companies in the World 2025

The pharmaceutical industry is one of the most important sectors in the world, responsible for producing life-saving medicines, vaccines, and treatments that improve global health. Some companies stand out for their huge revenues, advanced research, and worldwide presence. These giants not only supply essential drugs but also drive innovation in healthcare. Let’s explore the top five largest pharmaceutical companies in the world.

Top-5 Largest Pharmaceuticals Companies in the World by 2025

The global pharmaceutical industry is led by a few powerful companies that produce life-saving medicines, vaccines, and treatments. By 2025, giants like Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, AbbVie, Merck & Co., and Roche dominate the market, driving healthcare innovation and shaping the future of global medicine.

Here are the names of top-5 largest pharma companies in the world in 2025:

Pfizer, World’s Largest Pharma Company

Pfizer remains the largest pharmaceutical company in 2025. Known worldwide for its COVID-19 vaccine, Pfizer’s revenue dropped compared to 2022 due to declining sales of pandemic-related products. However, excluding COVID medicines, Pfizer still grew by 7% in 2023.

• Specializations: Immunology, oncology, cardiology, neurology, vaccines.
• Key Moves: Acquisition of Seagen Inc. to strengthen its oncology pipeline.
• Future Focus: Expanding innovative cancer treatments and new drug launches.

Johnson & Johnson

Based in New Jersey, Johnson & Johnson (J&J) climbed to second place in 2025. Famous for its wide range of healthcare products, J&J continues to perform strongly in pharmaceuticals.

• Top Medicines: Darzalex (for multiple myeloma), Stelara (autoimmune diseases), Tremfya (psoriasis), Erleada (prostate cancer).
• Strengths: Balanced product portfolio and consistent revenue growth.
• CEO Note: J&J expects to remain a leader in health innovation for years ahead.

AbbVie

Formed in 2013 after separating from Abbott, AbbVie continues to rank among the top three. However, its sales dipped due to the loss of exclusivity for Humira, once the world’s bestselling drug.

• Challenges: Decline in Humira and Imbruvica revenues.
• New Growth Drivers: Skyrizi and Rinvoq, both showing strong double-digit growth.
• Future Plans: Heavy investments in R&D and acquisitions of ImmunoGen and Cerevel Therapeutics to strengthen its pipeline.

Merck & Co.

With a history of over 130 years, Merck & Co. remains a major player, focusing on pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and animal health.

• Top Product: Keytruda, a cancer immunotherapy, contributed nearly half of pharma revenues, reaching US$25 billion.
• Other Growth Areas: Gardasil (HPV vaccine) and MMRV vaccines.
• Acquisitions: Prometheus Biosciences and Harpoon Therapeutics to expand into immunology.
• Challenge: Preparing for Keytruda’s patent expiry in 2028.

Roche

Swiss giant Roche rounds out the top five. With over 128 years of history, Roche focuses on oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology, and neuroscience.

• Steady Performance: Despite lower sales in COVID-related products, new drugs like Vabysmo (ophthalmology) grew rapidly, up 85% in 2023.
• Pipeline Highlight: Inavolisib, an oral drug for advanced breast cancer, showed promising trial results.
• Future Direction: Expanding into cardiometabolic diseases and inflammatory conditions through partnerships and acquisitions.