The pharmaceutical industry is a vital sector that produces life-saving medicines, vaccines, and treatments that improve global health. The top five largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, as of 2025, are Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, AbbVie, Merck & Co., and Roche. These companies drive innovation in healthcare and supply essential drugs to the global market.
Pfizer remains the largest pharmaceutical company in 2025, with a revenue of $58.5 billion. Despite a decline in sales of pandemic-related products, Pfizer still grew by 7% in 2023, excluding COVID medicines. The company specializes in immunology, oncology, cardiology, neurology, and vaccines, and has made key moves such as acquiring Seagen Inc. to strengthen its oncology pipeline.
Johnson & Johnson ranks second, with a revenue of $54.8 billion. The company is known for its wide range of healthcare products and continues to perform strongly in pharmaceuticals. Its top medicines include Darzalex, Stelara, Tremfya, and Erleada, which treat multiple myeloma, autoimmune diseases, psoriasis, and prostate cancer.
AbbVie ranks third, with a revenue of $54.3 billion. However, its sales dipped due to the loss of exclusivity for Humira, once the world’s bestselling drug. The company is investing heavily in research and development and has made acquisitions such as ImmunoGen and Cerevel Therapeutics to strengthen its pipeline.
Merck & Co. ranks fourth, with a revenue of $53.6 billion. The company has a history of over 130 years and focuses on pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and animal health. Its top product, Keytruda, contributed nearly half of its pharma revenues, reaching $25 billion. The company is preparing for Keytruda’s patent expiry in 2028 and has made acquisitions such as Prometheus Biosciences and Harpoon Therapeutics to expand into immunology.
Roche rounds out the top five, with a revenue of $49.9 billion. The company has a history of over 128 years and focuses on oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology, and neuroscience. Despite lower sales in COVID-related products, new drugs like Vabysmo grew rapidly, up 85% in 2023. The company is expanding into cardiometabolic diseases and inflammatory conditions through partnerships and acquisitions.
These top five pharmaceutical companies are driving innovation in healthcare and shaping the future of global medicine. They are investing heavily in research and development, making strategic acquisitions, and expanding their product portfolios to meet the evolving needs of the global market. As the pharmaceutical industry continues to evolve, these companies are well-positioned to remain leaders in the sector.