10 Biggest Antidepressant Drug Companies In 2017

The 10 biggest antidepressant drug companies in 2017 are committed to providing the safest and most cost-effective solution for consumers suffering from mental diseases worldwide. According to Journal of the American Medical Association, one out of six Americans consumes psychiatric medicine and about 12% of these drugs are antidepressants.

Depression is a state of mind, where a person is sad and experiences loss of interest in things. It is a common and serious medical illness that can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems.

Depression is caused primarily by changes in brain chemistry. The condition is, therefore, treatable and according to statistics, 80%-90% of patients are cured by treatment. Genetics, changes in hormone levels, medical conditions, difficult life circumstances etc. are the other factors contributing to the onset of depression. Medications play a vital role in the treatment and the 10 biggest antidepressant drug companies in 2017 manufacture some of the best drugs consumed worldwide.

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The depression medication is available in different chemical combinations ranging from Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). These antidepressants add specific chemicals in the human body which then reacts with one’s hormones to produce the desired effects. However, antidepressants also have potential side effects like nausea, weight gain, insomnia, fatigue, loss of sexual desire etc.

According to WHO, about 350 million people worldwide are affected by depression. According to a report by Zion Research, the global antidepressants market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 2.5% between 2015 and 2020. Prozac which was launched in the late 1980s and 90s revolutionized the whole antidepressant market. Since then, the USA FDA has approved many other anti-depression medications. SSRIs proved to be huge cash generators for the industry, however, the ‘big pharma’ stopped their R&D activities around psychiatric drugs as cheap generic competition crept in. In fact, the number of drugs developed by large companies for brain and CNS disorders fell by 50% over the last five years, according to NeuroPerspective. Many of these large pharma companies also got involved in lawsuits for illegally promoting the sale of these antidepressants.

According to our list of the 15 most depressed countries in the world in 2017, India is the most depressed country with over 50 million people suffering from depression. The Asia Pacific region is expected to show moderate growth due to an increasing population, rising consumerism, and approval for marketing the medicine.

Starting on the next page, we have listed the 10 biggest antidepressant drug companies in 2017. We found out the most prescribed and consumed antidepressant medicines using various sources, such as Consumer Health Digest, Verywell.com, Newsmax.com and Research and Markets. Based on the most common choices, we have listed the manufactures of those drugs and arranged them according to their last twelve months’ revenue. SSRIs, for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are the most commonly prescribed drug for depression. Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil manufactured by Eli Lilly and Co (NYSE:LLY), Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE), and GlaxoSmithKline plc (ADR) (NYSE:GSK), respectively are the best selling SSRIs.

Head to the next page to begin the list!

10. Sage Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:SAGE)

Sage Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:SAGE) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company. It focuses on central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Sage Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:SAGE) has a portfolio of products targeting critical CNS receptor systems, GABA and NMDA. The company recently announced positive results from a Phase 2 clinical trial of its Sage-217. Sage’s lead program, brexanolone (SAGE-547), is in Phase 3 clinical development for postpartum depression. The company internally-develops molecules designed to restore CNS balance by improving receptor sensitivity to natural nerve signals. The company has not generated any revenue till date, but has incurred net losses in each year since its inception in 2010.

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9. Alkermes Plc (NASDAQ:ALKS)

Annual Revenue – $0.75 billion

Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, Alkermes Plc (NASDAQ:ALKS) is a fully integrated global biopharmaceutical company, focusing on treatments for central nervous system disorders, such as schizophrenia, depression, addiction and multiple sclerosis. Alkermes Plc (NASDAQ:ALKS)’s diversified commercial product portfolio, late-stage pipeline, world-class manufacturing and strong global presence are its major advantages.

8. Lundbeck

Annual Revenue – $2.22 billion

Lundbeck is a global pharmaceutical company focusing on psychiatric and neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, depression, Parkinson’s disease, Schizophrenia etc. According to the company, one in every ten people has taken time off due to depression and hence Lundbeck is committed to improving the quality of life of people living with such diseases. The company has research facilities in Denmark and China, and employs about 1,000 people in its R&D units. Brintellix is Lundbeck’s most popularly used anti-depressant worldwide.

7. Allergan plc Ordinary Shares (NYSE:AGN)

Annual Revenue – $14.57 billion

Allergan plc (NYSE:AGN) was formed in 2015 as a result of Actavis Plc changing its name to Allergan, though the latter still continued to operate under the Actavis name for its US and Canadian generics business. Headquartered in Dublin, Allergan plc (NYSE:AGN) develops, manufactures, and markets generic pharmaceutical products for patients around the world. The company has commercial operations in approximately 100 countries. Lexapro, Celexa and Viibryd are its best-selling anti-depressant drugs, formerly produced by Forest Laboratories, which was also acquired by Actavis in 2014.

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6. Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd

$15.5 billion

With a history dating back to 235 years, today Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd has a global presence in more than 70 countries. Headquartered in Tokyo, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited is a global, research and development-driven pharmaceutical company. Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd has healthcare partners in more than 70 countries. Its drug Vortioxetine is used for the treatment of major depressive disorders.

5. Bristol Myers Squibb Co. (NYSE:BMY)

Annual Revenue – $19.4 billion

Ranking fifth on our list of 10 biggest antidepressant drug companies in 2017 is Bristol Myers Squibb Co. (NYSE:BMY), a global biopharmaceutical company. The U.S. is Bristol Myers Squibb Co. (NYSE:BMY)’s largest market followed by Europe and rest of the world. Its drug Abilify is an antipsychotic agent for the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar mania disorder, and major depressive disorder. It is one of the best-selling antidepressants in the market today in collaboration with the Japanese pharmaceutical company Otsuka as the alliance partner.

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4. Eli Lilly and Co (NYSE:LLY)

Annual Revenue – $21.22 billion

With a history of more than 140 years, Eli Lilly & Co. (NYSE:LLY) is known for producing some of the most revolutionary medicines for mankind – the world’s first insulin and polio vaccine. The company’s portfolio of medicines includes treatments in the areas of oncology, cardiovascular, diabetes, critical care, neuroscience, men’s health and musculoskeletal fields. Eli Lilly & Co. (NYSE:LLY)’s Prozac and Cymbalta are its best-selling antidepressant drugs.

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3. GlaxoSmithKline plc (ADR) (NYSE:GSK)

Annual Revenue – $34.31 billion

Headquartered in London, GlaxoSmithKline plc (ADR) (NYSE:GSK) is a global healthcare company. The company operates through Pharmaceuticals, Vaccines and Consumer Healthcare businesses. GlaxoSmithKline plc (ADR) (NYSE:GSK) has a worldwide reputation and is trusted by people globally with a geographical footprint extending in over 115 countries. Some of its medicines are even listed on the World Health Organization’s list of essential medications. GlaxoSmithKline’s Paxil is one of the largest selling antidepressant drugs in the market, which makes GSK one of the biggest antidepressant drug companies in 2017.

2. Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK)

Annual Revenue – $39.8 billion

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is a global healthcare company that delivers innovative health solutions. With a 125-year old history, Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is the manufacturer of some of the industry leading and globally known medicines. The company spent nearly 17% of its revenues on R&D activities in 2016. Remeron, developed by Merck is one of the top-selling antidepressant drugs on the market today.

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1. Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE)

Annual Revenue – $52.8 billion

Ranking first on our list of 10 biggest antidepressant drug companies in 2017 is Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE), one of the biggest global pharmaceuticals companies. The company was incorporated in 1942 and currently produces a vast variety of biopharmaceutical and biotechnology products for the healthcare sector. The company operates through three main business segments – Global Vaccines, Oncology and Consumer Healthcare segment, the Global Innovative Pharmaceutical segment and Global Established Pharmaceutical segment. Pfizer’s Zoloft and Pristiq are the largest selling antidepressant drugs in the market. Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) also completed the acquisition of Wyeth Limited, in 2014. Effexor, one of the popular and Wyeth’s largest selling antidepressant drug, has been discontinued in the US but its generic Venlafaxine is still available.

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Thus concludes the list of 10 biggest antidepressant drug companies in 2017.

Disclosure: None