Top 10 Pfizer Competitors & Alternatives

Established in 1849, Pfizer was started by Charles Pfizer and Charles F. Erhart. The multinational pharmaceutical company is the biggest in the world. Operating out of New York, Pfizer has an extremely diversified portfolio in terms of vaccine development and produces medications and vaccines for a slew of different medical fields such as oncology, neurology, cardiology, and much more.

Some of Pfizer’s most popular brands include Flagyl, Accupril, Medrol, and Mannitol, amongst various others. The company has up to 79,000 employees across the globe [1] and earned a massive revenue of $81.3 billion in 2021. [2]

List of Some of the Best Competitors of Pfizer Pharmaceuticals

1. Johnson & Johnson

Year founded: 1886
Headquarter: New Jersey, USA

Johnson & Johnson is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world with a diversified portfolio of reputed brands. With 142,000 employees, the company is renowned for manufacturing various lifesaving therapies and drugs for numerous health segments such as Erleada (for prostate cancer) and Darzalex (for multiple myeloma).

Moreover, the company also developed a single-shot Covid-19 vaccine in 2021 [3]. Johnson & Johnson earned a whopping $93.77 billion in revenue in 2021 [4].

While navigating the flu season, it’s important to learn how best to protect yourself as #COVID19 continues on. Jonathan Uy, M.D., Global Medical Affairs Leader, Respiratory Infections, @JanssenGlobal shares flu prevention tips as the pandemic continues.

— Johnson & Johnson (@JNJNews) January 26, 2022

2. AbbVie Inc.

Year founded: 2013
Headquarter: Illinois, USA

While being a relatively younger company, AbbVie is one of the best alternative to Pfizer. The company is renowned for manufacturing various biological therapies and drugs for different types of autoimmune disorders like Crohn’s disease and arthritis.

The company focuses on a dearth of medical health segments such as neuroscience, oncology, immunology, and much more. AbbVie has more than 50,000 employees across the world [5].

Moreover, pharmaceutical giant made $14.88 billion in revenue in 2021 [6].

Addressing unmet needs in eye care is our mission. Every day we strive to turn possibilities into reality for more patients. Learn more about our work in #EyeCare: https://t.co/Kt8e0rMmPS #EGS2022 pic.twitter.com/NEhsaPb1ZP

— AbbVie (@abbvie) June 6, 2022

3. Merck & Co.

Year founded: 1891
Headquarter: New York, USA

Founded in 1891, Merck was initially owned by a German pharmaceutical company. Eventually, the company became independent and started operating in the US. In countries other than the US and Canada, Merck operates under the name MSD and has 68,000 employees across the globe. [7]

Some of the most renowned Merck brands include Propecia, Zocor, and Gardasil. In terms of revenue growth, Merck has always been a step ahead of Pfizer.

Moreover, the company also has a larger cancer drug production portfolio than Pfizer and is close to wearing the crown of the biggest pharmaceutical company in the world.

In 2021, Merck earned $48.7 billion in revenue and is perhaps the biggest alternative to Pfizer. [8]

Heart failure is a long-lasting condition in which the heart can’t pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs for blood and oxygen. There are ways to lower your chances of developing #heartfailure. Learn more at the link below. #AtTheHeartOfTheMatter

— Merck (@Merck) March 9, 2022

2. Amgen

Year founded: 1980
Headquarter: California, USA

Amgen is at the forefront of being one of the best biotechnology companies across the globe. The pharmaceutical giant manufactures medications, vaccines, and other medical products focusing mainly on biochemistry and molecular biology.

Some of the most popular and reputable brands of the company include Nplate, Sensipar, Epogen, and many more. Founded in 1980, the company has more than 24,000 employees and is at the helm of producing highly effective cancer-fighting drugs [9].

Moreover, Amgen was also ranked the 5^th most technologically innovative pharmaceutical company. The company earned $26 billion in revenue in 2021 and is one of the biggest competitors to Pfizer. [10]

We are excited to announce that @FastCompany has named Amgen as one of the most innovative medicine and therapeutics companies in 2022. This recognition is based on our KRAS G12C research, a mutation that has been one of cancer’s toughest challenges. pic.twitter.com/cGpqeWu5Ms

— Amgen 🧪🔬🧬 (@Amgen) March 19, 2022

3. Bristol-Myers Squibb

Year founded: 1887
Headquarter: New York, USA

Founded in 1887, Bristol-Myers Squibb formerly operated under the name Bristol-Meyers Corporation. However, after the company merged with another pharmaceutical company, Squibb, the name was changed to Bristol-Meyers Squibb in 1989.

The pharmaceutical company has more than 32,000 employees and manufactures innovative cancer medication and therapies for several chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hepatitis, arthritis, psychiatric conditions, and HIV [11].

In 2021, the company earned $46 billion in revenue and is another great alternative to Pfizer. [12]

#MEDIA: #FDA approves first-in-class immunotherapy treatment option for patients with advanced melanoma. https://t.co/99zDPalEv6 pic.twitter.com/UHeMAPaMb1

— Bristol Myers Squibb (@bmsnews) March 18, 2022

4. Eli Lilly & Company

Year founded: 1876
Headquarter: Indianapolis, USA

The Eli Lilly company was formed by Eli Lilly, who was also a Civil War veteran. The company was founded in 1876 and operates in 18 countries and its products are sold in over 120 locations around the world [13].

Being one of the biggest Pfizer competitors, Eli Lilly is most renowned for the mass manufacturing of the polio vaccine. Moreover, the company also has a diversified product portfolio and manufactures medications and therapies in different health segments such as immunology, diabetes, and cancer.

In 2021, the Eli Lilly & Company earned $28.32 billion in revenue. [14]

To create the innovative medicines that change and save people’s lives, we all need to be united in robust R&D investments. Thank you to @SenatorBraun, @RepWalorski, and @RepSpartz who joined us for #PhRMAFlyIn22 and support our efforts to create breakthroughs for patients. pic.twitter.com/zCBVnUVkxZ

— Eli Lilly and Company (@LillyPad) June 10, 2022

5. Roche

Year founded: 1896
Headquarter: Basel, Switzerland

Founded in 1896, Roche is renowned for producing various vitamin supplements and derivatives. Moreover, it was the first pharmaceutical company to have successfully mass-manufacture vitamin C synthetic formulation [15].

In addition, it was also the first pharmaceutical to manufacture and launch benzodiazepine tranquilizers. Also, Roche also has an independent diagnostic business segment and is a major player in the biotech industry with various biopharmaceuticals.

Roche made $14.94 billion in revenue in 2021 and is one of the biggest Pfizer competitors. [16]

Our digital ecosystems in #healthcare bring together data-driven insights across all points of care. That can improve efficiency of care delivery for patients and bring in new insights. Learn more: https://t.co/Ow9EITmkbJ pic.twitter.com/VCI5a5qiMa

— Roche (@Roche) June 13, 2022

6. GlaxoSmithKline(GSK)

Year founded: 2000
Headquarter: Brentford, UK

A fairly new company, GSK was founded in 2000. It was formerly known as Glaxo Wellcome but after a merger with SmithKline Beecham, the company rebranded to GlaxoSmithKline. As one of the biggest competitors to Pfizer, GSK is the manufacturer of various renowned medication, therapies, and lifesaving drugs.

Moreover, the company was also the first to produce the malaria vaccine. Some other world-renowned products of GlaxoSmithKline include amoxicillin, pyrimethamine, and zidovudine.

The 10^th largest pharmaceutical in the world [17], the company made more than $44 billion in revenue in 2021. [18]

This year, we launched the Frontiers in Myeloma event to bring together the #multiplemyeloma community to find solutions to the most pressing challenges facing patients.

Read more from GSK’s Tania Small about the inspiring discussion held at #EHA2022. #mmsm

— GSK (@GSK) June 14, 2022

7. Bayer

Year founded: 1863
Headquarter: Barmen, Germany

With more than 99,000 employees in the world, Bayer is renowned for being one of the best pharmaceutical and science companies across the globe [19]. The company manufactures a slew of consumer health, bioscience, agriculture science, and animal health products.

Established in 1863, Bayer was the first company to produce aspirin. Moreover, it has a plethora of renowned medical brands such as ciprofloxacin, birth control medication, and prontosil antibiotics. Bayer made more than $48 billion in revenue in 2021. [20]

Together, we can build a healthier future. Comprehensive cancer care is currently out of reach for more than 85% of low-income countries, which is why we’re collaborating worldwide to help advance better standards of care for everyone. https://t.co/ut4hrtvHuA

— Bayer AG (@Bayer) June 13, 2022

8. Novartis AG

Year founded: 1996
Headquarter: Basel, Switzerland

Novartis was formed after a merger of Ciba-Geicy and Sandoz in 1996. The company is hailed as one of the leading pharmaceutical giants across the globe. Novartis is at the forefront of developing lifesaving cancer treatments and drugs as well various other products.

Some of the most recognized Novartis brands include Voltaren, Lamisil, Exjade, Femara, and many more. Moreover, as per a medical publication known as FiercePhrama, it is speculated that the company is well on the path to overtaking Pfizer and becoming the largest pharma company in the world by 2024. [21]

The company made $51.6 billion in revenue in 2021 and could become the biggest Pfizer competitor. [22]

In the first concrete step for the Access to Oncology Medicines (ATOM) Coalition, Novartis has licensed its blood cancer drug to the United Nations' Medicines Patent Pool, allowing generic manufacturers to #access the know-how to produce the drug at scale and at a lower cost. https://t.co/Wb87wU85qE

— Novartis (@Novartis) May 25, 2022

9. Takeda Pharmaceutical

Year founded: 1781
Headquarter: Osaka, Japan

One of the earliest pharmaceutical companies in the world, Takeda was founded in 1781. The company was initially built to sell traditional herbal medications. Today, it has become one of the top rated and largest pharmaceutical companies in Asia.

The company mainly manufactures biopharmaceutical products and therapies primarily used in metabolic disorders, neurology, inflammation, and much more. Being one of the best alternative to Pfizer, Takeda has more than 47,000 employees. [23]

Takeda Pharmaceuticals made $9.3 billion in revenue in 2021. [24]

Welcome back to #SanDiego, @BIOConvention. We are proud to conduct our early-stage drug discovery research in San Diego, surrounded by the world’s best research institutions, academic organizations & the brightest minds around. We truly are #LimitlessTogether. #BIO2022 pic.twitter.com/GJ7nOXhHiL

— Takeda (@TakedaPharma) June 14, 2022

10. Cipla

Year founded: 1935
Headquarter: Mumbai, India

Established in 1935, Cipla pharmaceuticals first operated under the name CIPL (Chemical, Industrial, & Pharmaceutical Laboratories). Eventually, the company was renamed Cipla in 1984. The company was the first to develop the world-renowned Deferiprone, an oral iron chelator.

However, Cipla has an extensive portfolio of reputed generic medical products used in a wide variety of treatments such as respiratory illnesses, diabetes, cardiovascular, mental health, and much more. Cipla is India’s 4^th largest pharmaceutical company. [25]

In 2021, the company made $2.5 billion in revenue. [26]

Cipla’s #BerokZindagi campaign continues its winning spree.
– Mad Over Marketing Award for Health and Wellness Sector
– E4M Indian Marketing Award for Healthcare & Pharmaceutical Category
– Drivers of Digital Award for Best Digital Strategy for a Healthcare Enterprise pic.twitter.com/jZRnzzSY10

— Cipla (@Cipla_Global) June 15, 2022

Bottom Line

These are 10 of the best Pfizer competitors with world-renowned medical products and therapies for a large assortment of chronic illnesses. However, it’s worth mentioning that Novartis AG might become the largest pharmaceutical company in the world in 2024.

 References & more information

 

1. Pfizer’s Employees 2006- 2021, (Matej Mikulic, March 2022), Statista.com
2. Pfizer Revenue Analysis, (February, 2022), PharmaceuticalTechnology.com
3. Johnson & Johnson Single-Dose Covid-19 Vaccine, (February, 2021), Jnj.com
4. J&J Annual Revenue Review, (Spencer Kimball, January, 2022), Cnbc.com
5. AbbVie Employee Stats 2013-2022, (Matej Mikulic, February 2022), Statista.com
6. AbbVie Revenue News Center, (February, 2022), Abbvie.com
7. Merck Company Overview, Merck.com
8. Merck Revenue Statistics 2006-2021, (Matej Mikulic, March 2022), Statista.com
9. Amgen Employee Stats 2010-21, Macrotrends.net
10. Amgen 2021 Revenue, (February 2022), Biospace.com
11. Bristol-Meyers Squibb Employee Stats, Macrotrends.net
12. Bristol-Meyers Squibb 2021 Revenue, (February 2022), PharmaceuticalTechnology.com
13. Eli Lilly & Company History, Wikipedia.org
14. 15% in Eli Lilly 2021 Revenue, (February 2022), PharmaceuticalTechnology.com
15. Roche Company History, Roche.com
16. Roche Revenue Analysis, (February 2022), Genomeweb.com
17. GlaxoSmithKline Wiki, Wikipedia.org
18. GSK Financial Report 2021, GSK.com
19. Bayer Group Employee Stats, (Matej Mikulic, March 2022), Statista.com
20. Bayer Group Total Sales, (Matej Mikulic, March 2022), Statista.com
21. Top Drug Makers 2024, FiercePharma.com
22. Novartis AG Revenue Stats, (Matej Mikulic, February 2022), Statista.com
23. Takeda Employee Stats, (July 2021), Statista.com
24. Takeda 2021 Financial Report, Takeda.com
25. Top 2022 Pharmaceuticals in India, (March 2022), Startuptalky.com
26. Cipla Group Revenue Analysis, (September 2021), Statista.com
27. Featured image by  Michał Parzuchowski

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