35 global mid-cap biotech companies contributed 26.5 bn in 2014
Singapore: The combined total revenues of 35 global mid-cap biotech companies increased from $24.8 billion in 2013 to $26.5 billion in 2014, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.9 percent, according to research and consulting firm, GlobalData.
According to the analysis, growth was marginally slower than during the previous five years, as total revenues for this peer group expanded at a CAGR of 25.2 percent between 2009 and 2013.
Mr Adam Dion, healthcare industry analyst, GlobalData said, the rise in biotech peer group total revenue over the past year was driven by Regeneron and Alexion, both of which posted sales of more than $2 billion in 2014.
Mr Dion explained, "Regeneron's sales grew by 34 percent in 2014, as the company continued its commercialization of Eylea (afilibercept) to markets outside the US, including for the treatment of macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion in both the EU and Japan.
"Alexion saw sales from its orphan drug Soliris (eculizumab) increase from $1.6 billion in 2013 to $2.2 billion in 2014. Alexion reported a higher volume of unit shipments and better-than-expected demand for Soliris across all geographic regions, especially in the EU, thanks to a reimbursement agreement with the French government."
The analyst added that Pharmacyclics, which was recently acquired by pharmaceutical giant AbbVie, was the peer group revenue growth leader in 2014. Its sales shot up by 180 percent in 2014 to $729 million, representing an absolute dollar increase of nearly $470 million.
