Top 10: Pharmaceuticals in APAC

The pharmaceutical industry focuses on research & development, manufacturing and commercialisation of drugs and medical treatments.

In the Asia-Pacific (APAC) market, pharmaceuticals is a rapidly expanding sector, expected to reach US$207.2bn by 2030.

The sector is highly regulated, in order to ensure safety and quality while supplying medicines to patients across the region.

Healthcare Digital explores the top 10 pharmaceutical companies in the Asia-Pacific region, ranked by market capitalisation.

10. Celltrion

Market cap: US$28.3bn
CEO: Seo Jin-seok
HQ: Incheon, South Korea

Celltrion specialises in developing biosimilars, helping provide accessible treatment options for patients in the APAC region and around the world.

It strives to be the world leaders in the bio industry and lead the global market.

Its biosimilars are primarily made for treatment in oncology, haematology and autoimmune diseases.

Biosimilars can provide patients with alternative treatment options and provide cost effective options for healthcare services.

9. Astellas Pharma

Market cap: US$28.8bn
CEO: Naoki Okamura
HQ: Tokyo, Japan

Astellas Pharma's portfolio includes transformative therapies in oncology, ophthalmology, urology, immunology and women's health.

It prioritises collaboration with partners around the world to drive advancements in science and healthcare.

It has end-to-end capabilities from drug discovery to development to commercialisation of drugs and treatments.

Astellas is working on tackling cancers, helping people with chronic conditions to live with fewer limits and helping people reimagine life after organ transplantation.

8. Otsuka Holdings

Market cap: US$37.2bn
CEO: Makoto Inoue
HQ: Tokyo, Japan

Otsuka Holdings manages the manufacturing, sales, imports and exports of pharmaceuticals, clinical testing and medical equipment.

Makoto Inoue, CEO of Otsuka Holdings, says: "In order to continue being creative, we will not be bound by past successes, and will continue to take on the challenge of creating innovative products and taking initiatives that no one has ever done before, without fear of failure.

"We will remain a company that does not settle for conventional ways, but instead pursues new ways of doing things that no one else has thought of, and technologies that no one has seen before."

7. Daiichi Sankyo

Market cap: US$44.1bn
CEO: Hiroyuki Okuzawa
HQ: Tokyo, Japan

With more than 120 years of scientific history, Daiichi Sankyo specialises in oncology and cardiovascular research.

It creates new and generic medicines and new methods of drug discovery and delivery.

Hiroyuki Okuzawa, President and CEO of Daiichi Sankyo, says: "By providing effective treatments to more patients, we can contribute to the overall health of society, aligning with our Purpose, which is to contribute to the enrichment of quality of life around the world.

"By truly living our corporate slogan – Passion for Innovation. Compassion for Patients – we drive patient centricity initiatives across the entire value chain."

6. Sun Pharma

Market cap: US$49.3bn
CEO: Kirti Ganorkar
HQ: Mumbai, India

Sun Pharma's products are the most prescribed by doctors in India and it provides 1,000 prescriptions per minute globally.

It has 41 manufacturing facilities, providing medicines to more than 100 countries around the world.

Its portfolio spans multiple forms, including tablets, capsules, injectables, inhalers, ointments, creams and liquids.

Sun Pharma is working on making medicine more accessible to communities across the world.

5. Samsung Biologics

Market cap: US$56bn
CEO: John Rim
HQ: Incheon, South Korea

Samsung Biologics offers development and manufacturing solutions and comprehensive laboratory testing services at every stage of biopharmaceutical products.

It works alongside its clients to deliver the speed, flexibility and trust needed to advance the future of biomanufacturing.

Its vision is to enrich human life with technology and innovation, through solutions to help meet the needs of its partners and the patients they serve.

Samsung Biologics aims to improve the lives of millions of people around the world.

4. Takeda Pharmaceutical

Market cap: US$58.7bn
CEO: Christophe Weber
HQ: Tokyo, Japan

Takeda Pharmaceutical focuses on delivering medicines in oncology, rare diseases, neuroscience, gastroenterology, plasma-derived therapies and vaccines.

It aims to deliver life-transforming treatments while making a positive impact on patients, its people and the planet.

Takeda is committed to improving the patient experience with a new range of treatment options developed through its pharmaceutical pipeline.

Its plan is to streamline its corporate functions to bring annual gross savings of more than JPY200bn (US$1.26bn), in order to strengthen its competitiveness and bring long-term growth.

3. Hengrui Medicine

Market cap: US$64bn
CEO: Jo Feng
HQ: Lianyungang, China

Hengrui manufactures and distributes a variety of drug packaging materials, cancer treatments, cardiovascular medication, painkillers and antibiotics.

It was founded in 1970 with the core principle of putting patients first and is committed to advancing human health by conquering diseases and extending lives through science and technology.

Its long-term development strategy is globalisation, with its products reaching more than 50 countries.

Hengrui has built 15 R&D centres across the world, including in Asia, Europe, the US and Australia.

2. CSL

Market cap: US$67.3bn
Interim CEO: Gordon Naylor
HQ: Melbourne, Australia

CSL says that it is committed to protecting public health and improving and saving the lives of patients with rare and serious diseases through the development, manufacture and reliable supply of high-quality medicines.

Its product areas are blood plasma derivatives, vaccines, antivenom and cell culture reagents used in medical and genetic research.

Its achievements include early production of insulin for treatment of diabetic patients in Australia, development of a tetanus vaccine, rapid adoption and production of a polio vaccine and pioneering heat treatment to protect blood and plasma products from infection with HIV.

CSL's biotherapies are derived from human plasma and undergo rigorous safety controls and inspections throughout the manufacturing process.

1. Chugai Pharmaceutical

Market cap: US$90.2bn
CEO: Osamu Okuda
HQ: Tokyo, Japan

Chugai Pharmaceutical is working to satisfy unmet medical needs through the development of new drugs using its unique technology and science.

In collaboration with Roche, it aims to provide patients with innovative drugs and services.

It has become known worldwide for its high level of drug discovery capabilities and its diverse research infrastructure.

Osamu Okuda, CEO of Chugai Pharmaceutical, says: "There are many diseases in the world for which there is still no effective treatment. There are also many patients in the world who are waiting for treatment.

"Chugai's mission is to continue addressing these unmet medical needs, driven by our strong desire to deliver therapeutics that patients are waiting for and to contribute to their happiness.

"We are dedicated to pursuing innovation in order to become a top innovator in the global healthcare industry."