Last year, the research and development expenditures have been increased by 11% to $86.3 billion by the 11 top pharmaceutical companies of the world. This is the highest annual increase in the past ten years, as the humongous discovery of innovative therapies for COVID-19 has boosted the investments to new extremes.
Pfizer and AstraZeneca both have experienced a 10% increase in investments, while Abbvie reported a 17% increase. Skyrizi and Rinvoq, the immunology products of the company, are undergoing an extravagant program of indications extension.
Only Sanofi, the leading pharmaceutical company, has seen a drop in revenue last year, as a result of the firm’s new CEO efforts to boost the production. Sanofi is also known for possessing one of the lowest Research & Development budgets among the biggest pharmaceuticals, as well as investing the least percentages of earnings back into its pipeline.
The figures indicated below are taken from the annual report of Evaluate Pharma and do not include special R&D costs. Merck & Co, for example, projected a cost of $13.6 billion for 2020, including the upfront cost for various agreements, and $2.7 billion invested on Veloso. As a result, the figures in this research accurately represent the R&D expenditure of these companies.
Roche is continuing to be the big pharmaceutical top clinical investor, both in terms of overall expenditure and reinvestment. Last year, the Swiss company invested 23.8% of its total medicine revenue ( OTC and prescription) into R&D. The company’s invoice undoubtedly rose as a result of its research for possible pandemic therapies.
Pfizer and Lilly invested a higher percentage of their revenues in R&D. However, Pfizer’s percentage was exalted by the spin-off of its Upjohn division. COVID-19 vaccine sales are expected to reach billions this year and will have the contrary impact.
The merger of Celgene with BMS ( Bristol Myers Squibb) has enhanced the R&D expenditure of the latter. Given that top-line variations have a big impact on the spending percentage, it is noted that the Celgene acquisition didn’t change it significantly for BMS.
While some companies reducing their investments in Covid-19 therapies, it’s possible that the R&D budget may be reduced in 2021.
