Nintendo’s gaming console, the Nintendo Switch also faced a 7.8% year-on-year decrease in hardware sales during the quarter, according to its most recent earnings report. Software sales for the Switch also declined by 4.7% year-on-year for the quarter.
In this article, we will be taking a look at the 30 biggest biotechnology companies in the world. If you do not want to learn about the global biotech market, head straight to the 5 Biggest Biotechnology Companies in the World.
In the ever-evolving landscape of biotechnology, several companies like Novo Nordisk, Regeneron, and United Therapeutics, among others stand out for their innovative approaches and groundbreaking contributions to the field. These behemoths in biotech represent the forefront of scientific advancement, pioneering new therapies, diagnostics, and solutions to address pressing global challenges. From developing life-saving drugs to revolutionizing agricultural practices, the biggest biotechnology companies in the world play a pivotal role in shaping the future of healthcare, agriculture, and beyond.
The global biotechnology market is experiencing significant growth, with a projected value of USD 5.01 trillion by 2032. This market has been expanding rapidly due to various factors such as favorable government initiatives, plummeting sequencing prices, and increased demand for synthetic biology. Health-related applications have dominated the market, accounting for a substantial share in 2022. The market is characterized by key players like Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) Services, Inc., F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Pfizer, and others.
In medicine, modern biotechnology has many applications in areas such as pharmaceutical drug discoveries and production, pharmacogenomics, and genetic testing (or genetic screening). In 2021, nearly 40% of the total company value of pharmaceutical biotech companies worldwide were active in Oncology with Neurology and Rare Diseases being the other two big applications.[36]
Pharmacogenomics (a combination of pharmacology and genomics) is the technology that analyses how genetic makeup affects an individual's response to drugs.[37] Researchers in the field investigate the influence of genetic variation on drug responses in patients by correlating gene expression or single-nucleotide polymorphisms with a drug's efficacy or toxicity.[38] The purpose of pharmacogenomics is to develop rational means to optimize drug therapy, with respect to the patients' genotype, to ensure maximum efficacy with minimal adverse effects.[39] Such approaches promise the advent of "personalized medicine"; in which drugs and drug combinations are optimized for each individual's unique genetic makeup.[40][41]
Biotechnology has contributed to the discovery and manufacturing of traditional small molecule pharmaceutical drugs as well as drugs that are the product of biotechnology – biopharmaceutics. Modern biotechnology can be used to manufacture existing medicines relatively easily and cheaply. The first genetically engineered products were medicines designed to treat human diseases. To cite one example, in 1978 Genentech developed synthetic humanized insulin by joining its gene with a plasmid vector inserted into the bacterium Escherichia coli. Insulin, widely used for the treatment of diabetes, was previously extracted from the pancreas of abattoir animals (cattle or pigs). The genetically engineered bacteria are able to produce large quantities of synthetic human insulin at relatively low cost.[42][43] Biotechnology has also enabled emerging therapeutics like gene therapy. The application of biotechnology to basic science (for example through the Human Genome Project) has also dramatically improved our understanding of biology and as our scientific knowledge of normal and disease biology has increased, our ability to develop new medicines to treat previously untreatable diseases has increased as well.[43]
Genetic testing allows the genetic diagnosis of vulnerabilities to inherited diseases, and can also be used to determine a child's parentage (genetic mother and father) or in general a person's ancestry. In addition to studying chromosomes to the level of individual genes, genetic testing in a broader sense includes biochemical tests for the possible presence of genetic diseases, or mutant forms of genes associated with increased risk of developing genetic disorders. Genetic testing identifies changes in chromosomes, genes, or proteins.[44] Most of the time, testing is used to find changes that are associated with inherited disorders. The results of a genetic test can confirm or rule out a suspected genetic condition or help determine a person's chance of developing or passing on a genetic disorder. As of 2011 several hundred genetic tests were in use.[45][46] Since genetic testing may open up ethical or psychological problems, genetic testing is often accompanied by genetic counseling.
Genetically modified crops ("GM crops", or "biotech crops") are plants used in agriculture, the DNA of which has been modified with genetic engineering techniques. In most cases, the main aim is to introduce a new trait that does not occur naturally in the species. Biotechnology firms can contribute to future food security by improving the nutrition and viability of urban agriculture. Furthermore, the protection of intellectual property rights encourages private sector investment in agrobiotechnology.
Examples in food crops include resistance to certain pests,[47] diseases,[48] stressful environmental conditions,[49] resistance to chemical treatments (e.g. resistance to a herbicide[50]), reduction of spoilage,[51] or improving the nutrient profile of the crop.[52] Examples in non-food crops include production of pharmaceutical agents,[53] biofuels,[54] and other industrially useful goods,[55] as well as for bioremediation.[56][57]
Farmers have widely adopted GM technology. Between 1996 and 2011, the total surface area of land cultivated with GM crops had increased by a factor of 94, from 17,000 square kilometers (4,200,000 acres) to 1,600,000 km2 (395 million acres).[58] 10% of the world's crop lands were planted with GM crops in 2010.[58] As of 2011, 11 different transgenic crops were grown commercially on 395 million acres (160 million hectares) in 29 countries such as the US, Brazil, Argentina, India, Canada, China, Paraguay, Pakistan, South Africa, Uruguay, Bolivia, Australia, Philippines, Myanmar, Burkina Faso, Mexico and Spain.[58]
Genetically modified foods are foods produced from organisms that have had specific changes introduced into their DNA with the methods of genetic engineering. These techniques have allowed for the introduction of new crop traits as well as a far greater control over a food's genetic structure than previously afforded by methods such as selective breeding and mutation breeding.[59] Commercial sale of genetically modified foods began in 1994, when Calgene first marketed its Flavr Savr delayed ripening tomato.[60] To date most genetic modification of foods have primarily focused on cash crops in high demand by farmers such as soybean, corn, canola, and cotton seed oil. These have been engineered for resistance to pathogens and herbicides and better nutrient profiles. GM livestock have also been experimentally developed; in November 2013 none were available on the market,[61] but in 2015 the FDA approved the first GM salmon for commercial production and consumption.[62]
There is a scientific consensus[63][64][65][66] that currently available food derived from GM crops poses no greater risk to human health than conventional food,[67][68][69][70][71] but that each GM food needs to be tested on a case-by-case basis before introduction.[72][73][74] Nonetheless, members of the public are much less likely than scientists to perceive GM foods as safe.[75][76][77][78] The legal and regulatory status of GM foods varies by country, with some nations banning or restricting them, and others permitting them with widely differing degrees of regulation.[79][80][81][82]
GM crops also provide a number of ecological benefits, if not used in excess.[83] Insect-resistant crops have proven to lower pesticide usage, therefore reducing the environmental impact of pesticides as a whole.[84] However, opponents have objected to GM crops per se on several grounds, including environmental concerns, whether food produced from GM crops is safe, whether GM crops are needed to address the world's food needs, and economic concerns raised by the fact these organisms are subject to intellectual property law.
Biotechnology has several applications in the realm of food security. Crops like Golden rice are engineered to have higher nutritional content, and there is potential for food products with longer shelf lives.[85] Though not a form of agricultural biotechnology, vaccines can help prevent diseases found in animal agriculture. Additionally, agricultural biotechnology can expedite breeding processes in order to yield faster results and provide greater quantities of food.[86] Transgenic biofortification in cereals has been considered as a promising method to combat malnutrition in India and other countries.[87]
Industrial biotechnology (known mainly in Europe as white biotechnology) is the application of biotechnology for industrial purposes, including industrial fermentation. It includes the practice of using cells such as microorganisms, or components of cells like enzymes, to generate industrially useful products in sectors such as chemicals, food and feed, detergents, paper and pulp, textiles and biofuels.[88] In the current decades, significant progress has been done in creating genetically modified organisms (GMOs) that enhance the diversity of applications and economical viability of industrial biotechnology. By using renewable raw materials to produce a variety of chemicals and fuels, industrial biotechnology is actively advancing towards lowering greenhouse gas emissions and moving away from a petrochemical-based economy.[89]
Synthetic biology is considered one of the essential cornerstones in industrial biotechnology due to its financial and sustainable contribution to the manufacturing sector. Jointly biotechnology and synthetic biology play a crucial role in generating cost-effective products with nature-friendly features by using bio-based production instead of fossil-based.[90] Synthetic biology can be used to engineer model microorganisms, such as Escherichia coli, by genome editing tools to enhance their ability to produce bio-based products, such as bioproduction of medicines and biofuels.[91] For instance, E. coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a consortium could be used as industrial microbes to produce precursors of the chemotherapeutic agent paclitaxel by applying the metabolic engineering in a co-culture approach to exploit the benefits from the two microbes.[92]
Another example of synthetic biology applications in industrial biotechnology is the re-engineering of the metabolic pathways of E. coli by CRISPR and CRISPRi systems toward the production of a chemical known as 1,4-butanediol, which is used in fiber manufacturing. In order to produce 1,4-butanediol, the authors alter the metabolic regulation of the Escherichia coli by CRISPR to induce point mutation in the gltA gene, knockout of the sad gene, and knock-in six genes (cat1, sucD, 4hbd, cat2, bld, and bdh). Whereas CRISPRi system used to knockdown the three competing genes (gabD, ybgC, and tesB) that affect the biosynthesis pathway of 1,4-butanediol. Consequently, the yield of 1,4-butanediol significantly increased from 0.9 to 1.8 g/L.[93]
Environmental biotechnology includes various disciplines that play an essential role in reducing environmental waste and providing environmentally safe processes, such as biofiltration and biodegradation.[94][95] The environment can be affected by biotechnologies, both positively and adversely. Vallero and others have argued that the difference between beneficial biotechnology (e.g., bioremediation is to clean up an oil spill or hazard chemical leak) versus the adverse effects stemming from biotechnological enterprises (e.g., flow of genetic material from transgenic organisms into wild strains) can be seen as applications and implications, respectively.[96] Cleaning up environmental wastes is an example of an application of environmental biotechnology; whereas loss of biodiversity or loss of containment of a harmful microbe are examples of environmental implications of biotechnology.
Many cities have installed CityTrees, which use biotechnology to filter pollutants from urban atmospheres.[97]
The regulation of genetic engineering concerns approaches taken by governments to assess and manage the risks associated with the use of genetic engineering technology, and the development and release of genetically modified organisms (GMO), including genetically modified crops and genetically modified fish. There are differences in the regulation of GMOs between countries, with some of the most marked differences occurring between the US and Europe.[98] Regulation varies in a given country depending on the intended use of the products of the genetic engineering. For example, a crop not intended for food use is generally not reviewed by authorities responsible for food safety.[99] The European Union differentiates between approval for cultivation within the EU and approval for import and processing. While only a few GMOs have been approved for cultivation in the EU a number of GMOs have been approved for import and processing.[100] The cultivation of GMOs has triggered a debate about the coexistence of GM and non-GM crops. Depending on the coexistence regulations, incentives for the cultivation of GM crops differ.[1
Biotechnology has applications in four major industrial areas, including health care (medical), crop production and agriculture, non-food (industrial) uses of crops and other products (e.g., biodegradable plastics, vegetable oil, biofuels), and environmental uses.
For example, one application of biotechnology is the directed use of microorganisms for the manufacture of organic products (examples include beer and milk products). Another example is using naturally present bacteria by the mining industry in bioleaching. Biotechnology is also used to recycle, treat waste, clean up sites contaminated by industrial activities (bioremediation), and also to produce biological weapons.
A series of derived terms have been coined to identify several branches of biotechnology, for example:
Calico, short for the California Life Company,[6][7] was announced on September 18, 2013, prior to Google's restructuring and was co-founded by former Genentech chairman and CEO Arthur D. Levinson.[8] In Google's 2013 Founders Letter, Larry Page described Calico as a company focused on "health, well-being, and longevity."[9] It was incorporated into Alphabet with Google's other sister divisions in 2015.[10][11]
The Calico team has included a number of pioneering researchers in the field of ageing research, including members of the National Academy of Sciences, Cynthia Kenyon and Daniel E. Gottschling.[12] Some of the company’s earliest employees included the geneticist David Botstein, and cancer drug developer Robert L. Cohen, MD. [13], Eric Verdin, CEO of The Buck Institute for Research on Aging, served as a consultant to the Calico team.[14]
At the end of 2017 and the beginning of 2018, Calico lost two top scientists; in December 2017 Hal Barron, MD, its head of R&D, left for GlaxoSmithKline, and in March 2018 chief computing officer Daphne Koller, who was leading their computational biology efforts, left to pursue a venture in applying machine learning techniques to drug design
In September 2014, Calico and AbbVie announced an R&D collaboration focused on aging and age-related diseases such as neurodegeneration and cancer.[18] Working together with AbbVie, Calico pursues discovery-stage research and development utilizing state-of-the-art technology and advanced computing capabilities. [19] AbbVie provides scientific and clinical development support and lends its expertise to commercialization activities.[20] To date, the companies have committed to invest more than $1 billion into the collaboration.[21]
In 2015, the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard announced a partnership with Calico to "advance research on age-related diseases and therapeutics",[22] a further partnership also was announced with the Buck Institute for Research on Aging.[23] Also in 2015, Calico announced a partnership with QB3 based on researching the biology of aging and identifying potential therapeutics for age-related diseases[24] and one with AncestryDNA based on conducting research into the genetics of human lifespan.[25]
In October 2023, Nature, a weekly British scientific journal, published preclinical research findings that showed ABBV-CLS-484, a PTPN2/N1 phosphatase inhibitor being co-developed by AbbVie and Calico, provokes a potent dual response in cancer and immune cells.[26] [27] [28]
When Calico was formed, Google did not disclose many details, such as whether the company would focus on biology or information technology.[29] The company issued press releases about research partnerships, but not details regarding the results of its research or the specifics of what it was working on.[7][30] This led to frustration by researchers regarding Calico's secrecy[30] and questions as to whether Calico had produced any useful scientific advancements.[31] Calico said the business' purpose was to focus on long-term science not expected to garner results for 10 or more years, leaving nothing to report on in its first five years
Biotechnology is a multidisciplinary field that involves the integration of natural sciences and engineering sciences in order to achieve the application of organisms and parts thereof for products and services.[1]
The term biotechnology was first used by Károly Ereky in 1919[2] to refer to the production of products from raw materials with the aid of living organisms. The core principle of biotechnology involves harnessing biological systems and organisms, such as bacteria, yeast, and plants, to perform specific tasks or produce valuable substances.
Biotechnology had a significant impact on many areas of society, from medicine to agriculture to environmental science. One of the key techniques used in biotechnology is genetic engineering, which allows scientists to modify the genetic makeup of organisms to achieve desired outcomes. This can involve inserting genes from one organism into another, and consequently, create new traits or modifying existing ones.[3]
Other important techniques used in biotechnology include tissue culture, which allows researchers to grow cells and tissues in the lab for research and medical purposes, and fermentation, which is used to produce a wide range of products such as beer, wine, and cheese.
The applications of biotechnology are diverse and have led to the development of essential products like life-saving drugs, biofuels, genetically modified crops, and innovative materials.[4] It has also been used to address environmental challenges, such as developing biodegradable plastics and using microorganisms to clean up contaminated sites.
Biotechnology is a rapidly evolving field with significant potential to address pressing global challenges and improve the quality of life for people around the world; however, despite its numerous benefits, it also poses ethical and societal challenges, such as questions around genetic modification and intellectual property rights. As a result, there is ongoing debate and regulation surrounding the use and application of biotechnology in various industries and fields.[5]
he concept of biotechnology encompasses a wide range of procedures for modifying living organisms for human purposes, going back to domestication of animals, cultivation of the plants, and "improvements" to these through breeding programs that employ artificial selection and hybridization. Modern usage also includes genetic engineering, as well as cell and tissue culture technologies. The American Chemical Society defines biotechnology as the application of biological organisms, systems, or processes by various industries to learning about the science of life and the improvement of the value of materials and organisms, such as pharmaceuticals, crops, and livestock.[6] As per the European Federation of Biotechnology, biotechnology is the integration of natural science and organisms, cells, parts thereof, and molecular analogues for products and services.[7] Biotechnology is based on the basic biological sciences (e.g., molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, embryology, genetics, microbiology) and conversely provides methods to support and perform basic research in biology.
Biotechnology is the research and development in the laboratory using bioinformatics for exploration, extraction, exploitation, and production from any living organisms and any source of biomass by means of biochemical engineering where high value-added products could be planned (reproduced by biosynthesis, for example), forecasted, formulated, developed, manufactured, and marketed for the purpose of sustainable operations (for the return from bottomless initial investment on R & D) and gaining durable patents rights (for exclusives rights for sales, and prior to this to receive national and international approval from the results on animal experiment and human experiment, especially on the pharmaceutical branch of biotechnology to prevent any undetected side-effects or safety concerns by using the products).[8][9][10] The utilization of biological processes, organisms or systems to produce products that are anticipated to improve human lives is termed biotechnology.[11]
By contrast, bioengineering is generally thought of as a related field that more heavily emphasizes higher systems approaches (not necessarily the altering or using of biological materials directly) for interfacing with and utilizing living things. Bioengineering is the application of the principles of engineering and natural sciences to tissues, cells, and molecules. This can be considered as the use of knowledge from working with and manipulating biology to achieve a result that can improve functions in plants and animals.[12] Relatedly, biomedical engineering is an overlapping field that often draws upon and applies biotechnology (by various definitions), especially in certain sub-fields of biomedical or chemical engineering such as tissue engineering, biopharmaceutical engineering, and genetic engineering.
Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), a key player in healthcare, plans to split into two companies focused on pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and consumer products. Their groundbreaking single-dose COVID-19 vaccine underscores their commitment to innovation, despite challenges. The company's medtech growth strategy, including investments in robotics and strategic acquisitions, positions it as a leader in the sector. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ)'s Q1 2024 financial report showed a 22% sales decline to $138.6 million, with a net income of $4 million. Despite the decrease, the gross margin increased to 38.1%, with no debt and active inventory reduction plans.
The U.S. biotechnology market size was USD 246.18 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach around USD 763.82 billion by 2033 with a CAGR of 11.90%. North America dominated the global biotechnology market in 2023 due to strong R&D initiatives and high healthcare expenses in the region. The U.S. market has seen significant contributions from major players and increased R&D activities, driving its growth trajectory. AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN), Gilead Sciences, Inc., Novo Nordisk A/S, and Abbott Laboratories are prominent companies driving innovation in therapeutics development within the biotechnology sector.
AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN), a global biopharmaceutical company, led by CEO Pascal Soriot and CFO Aradhana Sarin, focuses on innovative medicines, notably Tagrisso, a leading lung cancer treatment with sales exceeding $5.44 billion in 2022. Their pipeline includes Orpathys and Lynparza, expected to bolster lung cancer treatment. Despite a decline in COVID-19 medicine revenue, Q1 2024 saw a 6% total revenue increase to $45,811 million, with core EPS up by 15% to $7.26. AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) anticipate FY 2024 revenue and core EPS to increase by a low double-digit to low teens percentage. AstraZeneca emphasizes ethical practices, sustainability, and inclusivity, investing $400 million in reforestation and making management changes. They've also announced collaborations for a novel RNA-based pandemic influenza vaccine and acquired Pfizer's early-stage rare disease gene therapy portfolio.
In the realm of healthcare, genomic research and precision medicine have emerged as transformative forces, ushering in a new era where treatments are tailored to individual genetic profiles. Illumina, a leading figure in this field, has played a pivotal role in driving forward genomic progress through its innovative technologies and strategic collaborations. At the helm of this endeavor is Rami Mehio, the head of software and informatics at Illumina, whose contributions have been instrumental in spearheading major genomic initiatives such as the UK Biobank's whole-genome sequencing project.
One of Illumina's standout contributions lies in its DRAGEN pipeline, a groundbreaking technology that has revolutionized genomic data analysis by significantly enhancing sensitivity and precision in detecting genetic variants. Moreover, Illumina's collaborations with esteemed programs like the UK Biobank have facilitated large-scale whole-genome sequencing efforts, crucial for identifying rare variants associated with various diseases. Through strategic partnerships with research cohorts such as the All of Us program, Illumina has further accelerated drug discovery by leveraging genetic evidence to identify new drug targets.
Financially, Illumina has demonstrated a significant commitment to advancing genomic research. The company has made substantial investments in developing cutting-edge technologies like the DRAGEN pipeline. Notably, its support for the Precision Medicine Initiative, underscored by a $215 million investment in 2016, underscores its dedication to driving forward personalized healthcare.
Looking ahead, the future holds promise for even more precise medical treatments, particularly within the realm of synthetic biology. This advancement stands to have profound implications for drug discovery and disease management. However, it's essential to acknowledge the substantial financial investment required in pharmaceutical research and development. With the average pre-tax cost of developing a new drug or biologic standing at approximately $1.39 billion, the industry faces significant financial challenges.
The burgeoning field of genetic engineering, particularly advancements in gene-editing technologies, is poised to revolutionize healthcare by introducing new therapeutic categories such as cell therapy and gene editing. The genomic medicines industry is projected to grow substantially, with estimates suggesting it could reach $50 billion by 2028. Genomic sequencing technology, which has already transformed the healthcare industry, is anticipated to become more accessible, with the price per genome expected to decrease to $100 by 2025.
Despite the promise of gene therapy in treating previously intractable diseases, concerns about affordability persist due to the high prices of existing therapies. Nonetheless, gene therapy is expected to have a significant financial impact on the healthcare industry, with annual spending on approved therapies projected to reach $25.3 billion in 2026.