Prospectus Filing: Global Top 10 Diabetes Pharmaceutical Companies Overview and Product Portfolio (2019)

According to the latest report from NAVADHI Market Research, the global diabetes drug market is expected to reach $56.18 billion by 2023.

Based on the diabetes drug revenue of each company in 2018, the top 10 global diabetes drug companies are:

1. Novo Nordisk

Novo Nordisk is currently the world’s largest company specializing in antidiabetic medications. Headquartered in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, it has a 95-year history, employs 43,200 people worldwide, and operates three business segments: Diabetes Care, Obesity Care, and Biopharmaceuticals.

The story of Novo Nordisk began in 1923 and 1925, when two small Danish companies—Nordisk Insulinlaboratorium and Novo Terapeutisk Laboratorium—were established respectively and commenced production of insulin, a revolutionary new drug recently discovered by Canadian scientists.

In 1989, the two companies decided to merge and restructure, establishing Novo Nordisk. Since then, it has rapidly developed and assumed a leading position in the field primarily focused on diabetes treatment.

In 2018, Novo Nordisk’s diabetes care revenue amounted to USD 14.26 billion, with each of its major anti-diabetic medications generating over USD 1 billion in annual sales. These included NovoMix/NovoLog Mix, NovoRapid/NovoLog, Victoza, Tresiba, and Levemir.

In addition, Novo Nordisk also produces the obesity treatment drug Saxenda (liraglutide), which generated $613 million in revenue in 2018.

2. Eli Lilly

Eli Lilly and Company was officially established in Indiana, USA, in 1901, originating from the pharmaceutical manufacturing business founded locally by Colonel Eli Lilly in 1876.

In 1982, Eli Lilly launched Humulin, the world’s first synthetic human insulin produced via recombinant DNA technology. In addition, Eli Lilly has introduced several other classic products well-known in the industry, such as the vancomycin brand Vancocin, the cephalosporin Ceclor, and the antidepressant Prozac. Of course, there is also Cialis, a medication dedicated to enhancing sexual intimacy.

Eli Lilly is the world’s second-largest diabetes drug company, with diabetes medication revenue of $9.71 billion in 2018. Products exceeding $1 billion in sales included Humalog, Humulin, and Trulicity.

3. Sanofi

Sanofi, headquartered in France, operates five global business units: Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease, Specialty Care (Genzyme), Vaccines (Pasteur), General Medicines and Emerging Markets, and Consumer Healthcare.

In 2018, Sanofi’s diabetes drug revenue amounted to $6.1 billion, with the highest-revenue-generating diabetes medications being Lantus, Toujeo, Apidra, and Amaryl.

4. MSD

Merck & Co., Inc. is headquartered in Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA, with approximately 69,000 employees worldwide (as of the end of 2017).

MSD’s history dates back to 1891, when Merck KGaA entered the United States to expand its market. In 1953, Merck & Co., Inc. merged with Sharp & Dohme. The company operates under the name “Merck” in North America and as “MSD” (Merck Sharp & Dohme) in all other regions worldwide.

In 2018, Merck Sharp & Dohme’s diabetes drug revenue amounted to $5.91 billion, with Januvia and Janumet each generating over $1 billion.

5. Boehringer Ingelheim

Boehringer Ingelheim, founded in 1885, remains a family-owned company to this day. It currently focuses on three core business areas: human pharmaceuticals, animal health, and contract manufacturing for biopharmaceuticals, employing approximately 50,000 people worldwide.

In 2018, Boehringer Ingelheim’s diabetes drug revenue amounted to $3.37 billion, with Jardiance (Onglyza) and Trajenta (Jentadueto) each generating over $1 billion in sales.

6. AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is also a multinational pharmaceutical company with which we are quite familiar. Headquartered in Cambridge, UK, it was formed in 1999 through the merger of the former Swedish company Astra AB and the former British company Zeneca Group PLC. Currently, its business is primarily focused on three therapeutic areas: oncology, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, and respiratory diseases. The company employs more than 60,000 people worldwide.

In 2018, AstraZeneca’s diabetes drug revenue amounted to $2.6 billion, with its top-selling diabetes medications being Farxiga (dapagliflozin), Onglyza (saxagliptin), and Bydureon (exenatide extended-release).

7. Johnson & Johnson

Johnson & Johnson was founded in 1886 in New Jersey, United States, and is divided into three business segments: Consumer Health, Pharmaceutical, and MedTech.

In 1886, Robert Wood Johnson, together with his brothers James and Edward, founded Johnson & Johnson in the United States, aiming to establish the first enterprise for the mass production of sterile surgical dressings and sutures, thereby initiating more than 130 years of development history for Johnson & Johnson.

In 1961, Johnson & Johnson acquired Janssen Pharmaceutica, founded by Dr. Paul Janssen (pictured right), thereby making Janssen a pharmaceutical division under Johnson & Johnson.

In 2018, Johnson & Johnson’s diabetes drug revenue amounted to $880 million, with its primary products being Invokana and Invokamet.

8. Merck

Merck is headquartered in Darmstadt, Germany, and currently employs over 50,000 people worldwide. Outside of North America, "Merck" refers to this company.

Merck has a history spanning 351 years. The company founded by Friedrich Jacob Merck in Darmstadt, Germany, in 1668 marks the origin of the Merck family business.

In 2018, Merck & Co., Inc. generated $860 million in revenue from its diabetes medications, with Glucophage being the highest-revenue diabetes drug.

9. Bayer

Founded in 1863, Bayer focuses its business on prescription pharmaceuticals, consumer health, crop science, and animal health. Currently, Bayer employs 117,000 people worldwide and generates sales revenue of €39.6 billion.

In 2018, Bayer's diabetes drug revenue amounted to US$620 million, with Glucobay being its highest-grossing diabetes medication.

10. Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited is a Japanese pharmaceutical company headquartered in Tokyo. In early 2019, Takeda completed the acquisition of Shire. Currently, it focuses on five major therapeutic areas: gastroenterology, oncology, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, plasma-derived therapies, and rare diseases.

In 2018, Takeda’s diabetes drug revenue amounted to $490 million, with Nesina being its highest-grossing diabetes medication.