The top biotech companies in the USA include Amgen (US$36.8 billion revenue in 2025), Gilead Sciences (US$29.44 billion), Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (US$14.3 billion), Vertex Pharmaceuticals (US$12.0 billion) and Biogen (US$9.89 billion). Celgene and Alexion, often named in older lists, now belong to Bristol Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca.
Key Takeaways
- Among the companies on this list, Amgen is the largest US biotech by reported revenue (US$36.8 billion in 2025), followed by Gilead Sciences (US$29.44 billion in 2025).
- Celgene is part of Bristol Myers Squibb (November 2019, about US$74 billion) and Alexion is part of AstraZeneca (July 2021, about US$39 billion), so neither is an independent company today.
- The 2022 revenue projections in the original 2023 version were far off; this page now uses reported annual figures with their year.
- One entry, US Biotest, could not be verified and should be treated as unconfirmed.
- Most of the verified companies are based in two hubs: Massachusetts (Biogen, Vertex, Alexion) and California (Gilead, Amgen, Illumina).
Note (September 2026): This list was compiled in June 2023 and was re-checked in September 2026 against company data summarized on Wikipedia; figures that were wrong or unverifiable are corrected or flagged in place below. Since then, Celgene has been part of Bristol Myers Squibb since November 2019 and Alexion part of AstraZeneca since July 2021, so neither is an independent company. The 2022 revenue projections in the original version did not match what the companies later reported (Illumina, for example, reported US$4.37 billion for 2024, not the almost $27 billion once projected), so they have been replaced with reported figures. One entry, US Biotest, could not be verified at all; check each company’s own reports before relying on any figure.
The biotech sector in the US is flourishing. Leading biotech firms in the US are advancing cutting-edge technology to create treatments and cures for some of the deadliest diseases in the world. Well-known names in and around the industry include Celgene (part of Bristol Myers Squibb since November 2019), Gilead Sciences, Abbott Laboratories, Merck & Co., and Biogen.
Biotech Companies In USA – List of Top Biotech Companies In USA
This list provides a thorough overview of the present state of biotech development in the US, from established biotechnology businesses to up-and-coming pharmaceutical behemoths. The biotechnology industry in America has expanded quickly in recent years, and these businesses are just a few instances of the cutting-edge steps being taken all around the country!
We’ve compiled some of the most intriguing businesses to keep an eye on in this blog. This list was created using our expertise of the market and is not ranked in any particular order, but it does contain both well-known start-ups and industry leaders.
Celgene
The development of novel therapies and cures for a variety of ailments is a top priority for biotech companies. Celgene was one of the top biotech firms in the United States before its acquisition. Celgene was a multinational biopharmaceutical business founded in 1986 as a spin-off from Celanese, focused on treatments for cancer and other severe diseases. Its best-known drug is Revlimid (lenalidomide), used for multiple myeloma and certain anemias. Based in Summit, New Jersey, Celgene was one of the biggest biotech companies in the USA, with 7,467 employees as of 2017 and revenue of US$15.281 billion in 2018, its last full year as an independent company.
Celgene’s medicines, including Revlimid, became part of Bristol Myers Squibb’s portfolio through the acquisition, so Celgene no longer operates as a separate company. In November 2019 Bristol-Myers Squibb completed its purchase of Celgene, a deal valued at about $74 billion.
Gilead Sciences
Since its founding in 1987, Gilead Sciences has grown to become one of the industry’s top businesses. California’s Foster City serves as the company’s headquarters. The company’s goal is to discover, create, and market novel therapies that improve patient’s quality of life and length of life. A biopharmaceutical business called Gilead Sciences specializes in creating drugs to treat cancer, inflammation, liver conditions, and HIV/AIDS.
Gilead Sciences employed about 17,000 people as of 2025 and reported revenue of US$29.44 billion for fiscal year 2025. Treatments for cancer, hepatitis C, HIV, and other diseases are among the items offered by the company. Gilead Sciences was founded by Michael L. Riordan, originally under the name Oligogen, and its best-known medicines include the HIV treatments Biktarvy and Descovy, the hepatitis C drugs Sovaldi and Harvoni, the COVID-19 antiviral Veklury (remdesivir) and the cell therapy Yescarta.
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, one of the most successful biotechnology companies in the United States, was founded in 1988 by Leonard Schleifer and George Yancopoulos. Regeneron’s headquarters are in Tarrytown, New York. The company reported revenue of US$14.3 billion for 2025 and had 15,410 employees in 2025. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals specializes in monoclonal antibodies and receptor fusion proteins, with medicines for eye disease, atopic dermatitis, high cholesterol, cancer and rheumatoid arthritis.
The company is well-known for its several medications, including EYLEA, Praluent, Dupixent, Libtayo, etc., which are used to treat a number of conditions, including macular degeneration, high cholesterol, atopic dermatitis, and others. To create innovative goods and treatments, it works with numerous other businesses, including Bayer, Sanofi, Teva, and others.
Biogen
One of the top biotech firms in the US, Biogen focuses on creating drugs to treat autoimmune and neurological diseases. The business was established in 1978, and Cambridge, Massachusetts serves as its corporate headquarters. Biogen reported revenue of US$9.89 billion for 2025.
As of 2025, the company employs about 7,500 people. Tecfidera, which is used to treat multiple sclerosis, and Spinraza, which is used to treat spinal muscular atrophy, are examples of Biogen’s medicines. Additionally, Biogen is engaged in a number of clinical trials for potential novel therapies for the diseases Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s.
Alexion Pharmaceuticals
Finding treatments and cures for some of the deadliest diseases is a top priority for biotech businesses. Alexion Pharmaceuticals is one of these businesses. Alexion was established in 1992 at Science Park in New Haven, Connecticut, and moved its headquarters to Boston, Massachusetts, in 2018. Since July 2021 it has been a subsidiary of AstraZeneca. In 2020, its last full year as an independent company, Alexion reported revenue of US$6.069 billion and had 2,525 employees. AstraZeneca completed its roughly US$39 billion acquisition of Alexion in July 2021, so Alexion’s results are now part of AstraZeneca’s. Serving patients with uncommon and ultra-rare conditions is Alexion’s mission.
Alexion specializes in orphan drugs for rare diseases; the product and clinical-trial counts given in the original 2023 version of this entry could not be verified. Additionally, Alexion is developing a number of additional potential therapies for rare disorders. Alexion’s rare-disease work now continues inside AstraZeneca rather than as an independent US biotech company.
Illumina Inc
Illumina Inc., one of the top biotechnology firms in the US, was founded in 1998. Illumina is headquartered in San Diego, California, and reported 8,970 employees for 2024. Its roots are deep in the American healthcare sector. The business creates and markets next-generation sequencing technology for the purpose of sequencing the human genome.
Illumina’s core technology is short-read, image-based dye sequencing: DNA fragments are copied into clusters by bridge amplification and read using reversible terminators. The company also sells the reagents these instruments use. Illumina reported revenue of US$4.37 billion and a net loss of US$1.22 billion for 2024. The 2018 revenue and Fortune 500 rank stated in the original version of this entry could not be verified. Illumina completed its acquisition of GRAIL on August 18, 2021, amid regulatory investigations, and completed a spin-off of GRAIL in June 2024, keeping a 14.5% minority stake.
Amgen
Amgen has made a name for itself in the biotech sector since its founding in 1980. The business is dedicated to developing and disseminating cutting-edge medicines for the treatment of life-threatening conditions like cancer, arthritis, and heart disease. It’s not surprising that Amgen is still one of the most important biotech businesses in America today given its more than 40 years of experience developing ground-breaking therapies.
Amgen reported revenue of US$36.8 billion for 2025, and in October 2023 it acquired Horizon Therapeutics for US$27.8 billion, expanding its rare-disease portfolio. The corporation had about 31,500 employees in 2025, and its headquarters are in Thousand Oaks, California, where it was founded in April 1980 as Applied Molecular Genetics. The product line of Amgen includes biological medicines for the management of a range of illnesses, including osteoporosis, cancer, and blood problems.
US Biotest
This entry could not be verified: during the September 2026 review, no reliable source was found confirming a biotech company called US Biotest (the original text also calls it US Biotech) founded in 2002. The original text placed its corporate headquarters in Jersey City, New Jersey. US Biotest concentrates on developing plasma-based solutions to find novel therapies, but it also offers support services for clinical trials.
The revenue figure originally given here ($1.2 billion as of 2022) is unverified. The headcount originally given here (almost 3,000 people) is also unverified. Therapeutic proteins, monoclonal antibodies, and vaccines are all included in the company’s product line. The company offers a wide variety of items and a robust product portfolio. Readers should treat this entry as unconfirmed and should not rely on it for investment, job or business decisions.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc
Joshua Boger and Kevin Kinsella launched Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. in 1989, making it one of the biotech companies in the USA. Vertex is listed on Nasdaq under the ticker VRTX and is a component of the Nasdaq-100 and S&P 500. Its market capitalization moves daily with the share price, so the $62.4 billion figure cited in 2023 is out of date. Vertex reported revenue of US$12.0 billion for 2025 and had about 6,400 employees; its headquarters moved from Cambridge to Boston, Massachusetts, in January 2014.
Vertex’s principal medicines treat cystic fibrosis. Its hepatitis C drug Incivek (telaprevir) was approved in May 2011 and discontinued in 2014, and in January 2025 the FDA approved Journavx (suzetrigine), a new type of pain medicine. The FDA authorized Kalydeco in 2012 for the treatment of cystic fibrosis, making it the company’s most renowned product.
Myriad Genetics
One of the leading biotech firms in the United States, Myriad Genetics has transformed the sector with its revolutionary solutions resulting from extensive research. They were established in 1991, and Salt Lake City, Utah, serves as their headquarters. Myriad Genetics primarily focuses on genetic testing, with tests such as the myRisk Hereditary Cancer panel, the Prolaris prostate cancer test, the BRACAnalysis CDx companion diagnostic and the GeneSight psychotropic test; the annual test volume stated here originally could not be verified. Myriad Genetics reported revenue of $690.6 million for 2021 and has about 2,600 employees, according to Wikipedia’s company summary; the 2019 sales figure and 2022 projection in the original version could not be verified.
Top Biotech Companies in the USA at a Glance
The table below summarizes each company on this list as of September 2026, using the latest annual revenue and headcount figures available in Wikipedia’s company summaries. Revenue years differ by company, so compare them with care.
| Company | Founded | Headquarters | Status (Sept 2026) | Revenue (year) | Employees (year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amgen | 1980 | Thousand Oaks, California | Independent | US$36.8 billion (2025) | 31,500 (2025) |
| Gilead Sciences | 1987 | Foster City, California | Independent | US$29.44 billion (2025) | 17,000 (2025) |
| Regeneron Pharmaceuticals | 1988 | Tarrytown, New York | Independent | US$14.3 billion (2025) | 15,410 (2025) |
| Vertex Pharmaceuticals | 1989 | Boston, Massachusetts | Independent | US$12.0 billion (2025) | 6,400 (2025) |
| Biogen | 1978 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Independent | US$9.89 billion (2025) | 7,500 (2025) |
| Illumina | 1998 | San Diego, California | Independent | US$4.37 billion (2024) | 8,970 (2024) |
| Myriad Genetics | 1991 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Independent | US$690.6 million (2021) | About 2,600 |
| Celgene | 1986 | Summit, New Jersey (former) | Part of Bristol Myers Squibb since November 2019 | US$15.281 billion (2018, last independent year) | 7,467 (2017) |
| Alexion Pharmaceuticals | 1992 | Boston, Massachusetts | Subsidiary of AstraZeneca since July 2021 | US$6.069 billion (2020, last independent year) | 2,525 (2020) |
| US Biotest | Unverified | Unverified | Could not be verified | Unverified | Unverified |
Which Is the Largest Biotech Company in the USA?
Among the companies on this list, Amgen is the largest by revenue, reporting US$36.8 billion for 2025. Gilead Sciences is second at US$29.44 billion, followed by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (US$14.3 billion), Vertex Pharmaceuticals (US$12.0 billion) and Biogen (US$9.89 billion).
These rankings cover only the companies named on this page. Large drugmakers such as Merck and Abbott, mentioned in the introduction, are more often grouped with pharmaceutical and healthcare companies; see our separate guide to the top pharmaceutical companies in the USA for that side of the industry.
Which Biotech Companies on This List Are No Longer Independent?
Two of the ten companies in the original 2023 list are no longer stand-alone businesses, and a third could not be confirmed to exist:
- Celgene: Bristol-Myers Squibb acquired Celgene in November 2019 for about US$74 billion, described at the time as the largest pharmaceutical acquisition to date.
- Alexion Pharmaceuticals: AstraZeneca completed its roughly US$39 billion acquisition in July 2021, and Alexion now operates as an AstraZeneca subsidiary focused on orphan drugs for rare diseases.
- US Biotest: no reliable source confirming a company of this name in Jersey City, New Jersey, was found during the September 2026 review.
Illumina remains independent, but it changed shape: it bought GRAIL in August 2021 and spun it off again in June 2024, keeping a 14.5% stake.
Major Biotech Deals Involving These Companies
| Deal | Date | Reported value |
|---|---|---|
| Bristol-Myers Squibb acquires Celgene | November 2019 | About US$74 billion |
| AstraZeneca acquires Alexion Pharmaceuticals | July 2021 | About US$39 billion |
| Illumina completes acquisition of GRAIL | August 18, 2021 | About US$8 billion (announced September 2020) |
| Amgen acquires Horizon Therapeutics | October 2023 | US$27.8 billion |
| Vertex acquires Alpine Immune Sciences | April 2024 | US$4.9 billion |
| Illumina completes spin-off of GRAIL | June 2024 | Illumina kept a 14.5% minority stake |
Best-Known Products of Each Biotech Company
- Amgen: Prolia and Xgeva (bone disease), Repatha (cholesterol), Otezla (psoriasis), Enbrel (autoimmune diseases), Evenity (osteoporosis), Tepezza (an eye condition) and Blincyto (leukemia).
- Gilead Sciences: Biktarvy and Descovy (HIV), Sovaldi and Harvoni (hepatitis C), Veklury (remdesivir, COVID-19) and Yescarta (cell therapy).
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals: Eylea (eye disease), Dupixent (atopic dermatitis), Praluent (cholesterol), Libtayo (cancer immunotherapy) and Kevzara (rheumatoid arthritis).
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals: Kalydeco (approved January 31, 2012) and Trikafta (approved October 22, 2019) for cystic fibrosis, plus Journavx (suzetrigine) for pain, approved in January 2025.
- Biogen: Tecfidera, Avonex, Tysabri and Plegridy (multiple sclerosis), Spinraza (spinal muscular atrophy) and Leqembi (lecanemab), which treats Alzheimer’s disease at the mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia stage.
- Illumina: short-read DNA sequencing instruments and reagents.
- Myriad Genetics: the myRisk Hereditary Cancer test, Prolaris, BRACAnalysis CDx and GeneSight.
Where Are the Top US Biotech Companies Based?
Among the verified companies on this list, Massachusetts hosts Biogen (Cambridge), Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Boston) and Alexion (Boston). California hosts Gilead Sciences (Foster City), Amgen (Thousand Oaks) and Illumina (San Diego). Regeneron is in Tarrytown, New York, and Myriad Genetics is in Salt Lake City, Utah.
How to Check a Biotech Company Before You Rely on a List
Company lists age quickly because biotech firms are frequently acquired, merged or restructured. Before using any list, including this one, for a job search, a business decision or research:
- Confirm the company still exists independently. Search for recent acquisition news; Celgene and Alexion both stopped being independent within two years of each other.
- Use reported figures, not projections. Read the company’s latest annual report or investor-relations page and note the fiscal year of every number.
- Compare like with like. Revenue for 2021 and revenue for 2025 are not directly comparable.
- Check who owns it. Some well-known names in US biotech are subsidiaries of companies based abroad, as Alexion now is under AstraZeneca.
- Be wary of unverifiable names. If you cannot find a company’s own website, filings or news coverage, treat it as unconfirmed.
This page is general information, not investment advice. For related reading, see our overview of the largest healthcare companies in the USA, the security considerations biotechnology firms face, how AI and big data are changing the pharma industry, and whether the pharma industry is a good career option for graduates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest biotech company in the USA?
Among the companies on this list, Amgen is the biggest by revenue, reporting US$36.8 billion for 2025 and about 31,500 employees. Amgen is headquartered in Thousand Oaks, California, and was founded in 1980 as Applied Molecular Genetics.
Is Celgene still a company?
Celgene is no longer an independent company. Bristol-Myers Squibb acquired Celgene in November 2019 for about US$74 billion, and Celgene’s medicines, including Revlimid, became part of Bristol Myers Squibb.
Who owns Alexion Pharmaceuticals?
AstraZeneca owns Alexion Pharmaceuticals. AstraZeneca completed the roughly US$39 billion acquisition in July 2021, and Alexion now operates as its subsidiary specializing in orphan drugs for rare diseases.
Is Illumina a biotech company?
Illumina is a San Diego-based company best known for DNA sequencing instruments and reagents rather than medicines. It was founded in 1998 and reported revenue of US$4.37 billion for 2024.
What does Vertex Pharmaceuticals make?
Vertex Pharmaceuticals mainly makes cystic fibrosis medicines, including Kalydeco and Trikafta. In January 2025 the FDA also approved its pain medicine Journavx (suzetrigine). Vertex is based in Boston and reported US$12.0 billion in revenue for 2025.
Which US state has the most biotech companies on this list?
California and Massachusetts each host three of the verified companies on this list: Gilead, Amgen and Illumina in California, and Biogen, Vertex and Alexion in Massachusetts.
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