Approximately 30 major pharmaceutical firms worldwide have spent a combined $112bn on R&D in 2013, an increase of $723m compared with the previous year, according to research and consulting firm GlobalData.

The firm’s report revealed Roche was the spending leader of R&D with $10bn in 2013, while Novartis and Johnson & Johnson (J&J) increased R&D spending in 2012 and 2013, with each adding $500m to their respective clinics.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Premium Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

Novartis’s R&D spending increased by 5.6% to $9.8bn, while J&J spent $8.2bn, an increase of 6.8% from 2012.

GlobalData industry analyst Adam Dion said the increase in R&D spending was partly due to drug makers advancing pipeline programmes into later-stage clinical trials, which are generally more expensive.

"GlobalData industry analyst Adam Dion said the increase in R&D spending was partly due to drug makers advancing pipeline programmes into later-stage clinical trials, which are generally more expensive."

Mr Dion said: "Roche’s R&D spending was bolstered by continued investments in its oncology and neuroscience therapeutic areas, such as the company’s investigational anti-PD-L1 antibody targeting lung cancer and the advancement of its programs for Alzheimer’s disease."

See Also:

"Novartis’s R&D spending grew largely due to its Alcon subsidiary, which allocated additional resources to R&D to develop new eye care products.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

"The company’s vaccine and diagnostics products business invested heavily to bring to market its meningitis B vaccine, Bexsero."

Multiple large pharmaceutical firms withdrew clinical investment in 2013, despite the sector increase in R&D spending.

Mr Dion said: "In efforts to improve profit margins, cost-cutting still remains a strategic necessity for some players.

"Many companies reduced their workforces to help stabilise profits in the aftermath of patent losses."