These firms are currently doing the best in the business, based on market capitalization at the end of Q2 2012, and Q2 2011. [© Lane Erickson - Fotolia.com]
Below are the top 25 biotechnology companies based on market capitalization at the end of the second quarter 2012, and Q2 2011, calculated by multiplying the number of outstanding shares by the share price. U.S. companies generally report their numbers of outstanding shares in their 10-Q quarterly earnings filings with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Companies based outside the U.S. either disclose market cap directly, or their numbers of shares “in issue” or “in free issue” in half-year and full-year results disclosures.
For all companies, closing share prices as of the dates of their outstanding-shares figures can be found through any of several free stock information websites. Figures of non-U.S. companies were converted to U.S. dollars from various currencies. 2012 market cap for companies reporting numbers of outstanding shares as of June 30 was calculated using share prices as of June 29, since markets were closed on June 30.
#25. Seattle Genetics
2012 Market Cap: $2.92 billion (8/2: 118,207,214 shares at price $24.72)
2011 Market Cap: $1.89 billion (8/1: 114,730,639 shares at price $16.45)
% Change: 54.5%
#24. Ariad Pharmaceuticals
2012 Market Cap: $3.18 billion (7/31: 166,204,624 shares * price $19.13)
2011 Market Cap: $1.58 billion (7/29: 132,547,176 shares * price $11.89)
% Change: 101.3%
#23. Medivation
2012 Market Cap: $3.65 billion (8/3: 36,832,178 shares * price $99.04)
2011 Market Cap: $683.85 million (8/3: 34,907,994 shares *price $19.59)
% Change: 433.4%
#22. Ranbaxy Laboratories
2012 Market Cap: $3.71 billion (6/30: 422,112,588 shares * price Rs. 490.55)
2011 Market Cap: $4.08 billion (6/30: 421,363,230 shares * price Rs. 540.35)
% Change: -9.1%
#21. Warner Chilcott
2012 Market Cap: $4.49 billion (7/20: 250,482,397 shares * price $17.91)
2011 Market Cap: $5.69 billion (7/25: 254,075,621 shares * price $22.40)
% Change: -21.1%
#20. Actelion
2012 Market Cap: $4.65 billion (6/30: 116,860,000 shares * price €32.20)
2011 Market Cap: $5.02 billion (6/30: 119,164,000 shares * price €34.09)
% Change: -7.4%
#19. Onyx Pharmaceuticals1
2012 Market Cap: $5.06 billion (7/27: 65,095,777 shares * price $77.73)
2011 Market Cap: $2.10 billion (7/29: 63,544,578 shares * price $32.98)
% Change: 141.0%
#18. Amylin Pharmaceuticals1,2
2012 Market Cap: $5.06 billion (7/27: 164,283,038 shares * price $30.80)
2011 Market Cap: $1.74 billion (7/27: 145,893,374 shares * price $11.96)
% Change: 190.8%
#17. Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories3,4
2012 Market Cap: $5.35 billion (3/31: 169,470,729 shares * price: Rs 1758.65)
2011 Market Cap: $5.03 billion (3/31: 169,128,649 shares * price: Rs. 1638.55)
% Change: 6.4%
#16. BioMarin Pharmaceuticals4
2012 Market Cap: $5.35 billion (7/13: 123,555,244 shares * price $43.30)
2011 Market Cap: $3.32 billion (7/15: 111,827,290 shares * price $29.69)
% Change: 61.1%
NOTES:
1 Amylin Pharmaceuticals was listed ahead of Onyx Pharmaceuticals based on calculated market cap of $5.059,917,570.40, compared with $5,059,894,746.21.
2 Acquired by Bristol-Myers Squibb in a $7 billion deal completed Aug. 8.
3 Market cap figures calculated as of March 31, since outstanding shares figures were published in company’s annual report but not in Q1 results materials.
4 Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories was listed ahead of BioMarin Pharmaceuticals based on calculated market cap of $5,349,942,065.20, compared with $5,345,899,863.0831.