Top 30 largest US healthcare companies 2021

The healthcare sector is not only critical for ensuring individuals receive proper health monitoring and treatment, but also as it represents an important share of the US economy. Especially stressed at a time of the Covid-19 pandemics, the healthcare sector is also among the winners of the economic upheaval it produced.

Companies evolving in the healthcare sector are engaged in a range of activities. Led above all by pharmaceutical companies, the top American healthcare companies also include companies operating healthcare plans and health insurance, medical devices and instruments, diagnostic and research laboratories, biotechnology companies, and tech companies dedicated to serving the actors of healthcare.

But pharmaceutical companies are really the major actors of the sector, counting 6 drug producers in the top 10 largest healthcare companies in the US. Since drug manufacturers require such large investments in research and development to produce viable medicine, it is no wonder that pharmaceutical companies need to concentrate into mega-corporations in order to raise and sometimes lose the capital needed.

The other leaders in this list include healthcare plans companies which consist of health insurance and managed healthcare businesses, and diagnostic and research companies, which are laboratories conducting various analyses. Medical devices and medical instruments and supplies companies are also high on the list, they produce the electronic and mechanical tools for diagnostic, surgery, and treatment.

This top is completed by a few biotechnology companies, innovators in biology and/or technology who apply new, cutting-edge research, methods and tools to diagnose, analyze and cure people. The last industry represented is technology and information dedicated to healthcare.

Remark that the Covid-19 crisis has reinforced the relative importance of the healthcare sector in the economy. As multiple industries have tumbled with the disease and the restrictions that were imposed to limit its spread, healthcare companies were generally left untouched or even reinforced as their products and services saw demand skyrocket.

For more information on the largest American companies, download our S&P 500 companies Excel file containing the complete list of the 500 largest publicly listed companies in the US, together with extensive business, market, financial, and digital information on each company. For even more data on the largest US companies, download our Excel files on the Russell 1000 companies, Russell 2000 companies, or Russell 3000 companies.

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Check our data platform for the latest ranking of US healthcare companies.

List of the top 30 largest American healthcare companies by market capitalization

To give you an overview of what companies are in the healthcare field in the US, details about the thirty largest public companies involved in this sector have been listed hereafter. Each company is detailed with presentations of its sector, sub-industry, activities, market capitalization, a direct link to its website, logo, and stock symbol.

The healthcare companies listed hereafter are ranked by market capitalization in United States Dollars, as of effective close on Friday, January 29, 2021.

For more information on other world-leading companies, check our series of posts on Top Companies, and for more information on the country, read our articles on Top Business Resources for the US.

Note that if you are searching for information on these companies to invest in their stocks, make sure you know what you are doing as your investment will be subject to significant risks with the evolution of stock prices. To learn more about investing in the stock market and managing your portfolio, check our post on the best online courses on stock investing and trading.

Shortcuts to each healthcare company

To facilitate your browsing in this long list, here are quick links to go directly to the details of any of the top 30 American healthcare companies. Be sure to also check the Top 10 US healthcare companies’ summary after the list!

30. Veeva

Industry: Health Information Services

Veeva Systems Inc. is a cloud-computing company dedicate to pharmaceutical and life sciences industry applications. Operating with a software as a service model, Veeva Systems primarily provides customer relationship management and data services through Veeva Commercial Cloud, and enterprise content, data management for commercial and R&D functions with Veeva Vault, as well as other applications dedicated to the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries.

Website: veeva.com – Market Cap.: $41.9 Billion – Stock ticker: VEEV

29. Walgreens Boots Alliance

Industry: Pharmaceutical Retailers

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. is a holding company that owns Walgreens, Boots, and a number of pharmaceutical manufacturing, wholesale, and distribution companies. It operates in 25 countries through three divisions: retail pharmacy USA (Walgreens), retail pharmacy international (Boots and other retail operations internationally), and pharmaceutical wholesale (Alliance Healthcare).

Website: walgreensbootsalliance.com – Market Cap.: $43.4 Billion – Stock ticker: WBA

28. Biogen

Industry: Pharmaceuticals

Biogen Inc. is a biotechnology company specialized in the treatment of neurological diseases. It researches, develops, and markets therapies for a range of diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, hemophilia, multiple sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy, plaque psoriasis, leukemia, rheumatoid arthritis, lymphoma, neurocognitive disorders, and pain.

Website: biogen.com – Market Cap.: $43.5 Billion – Stock ticker: BIIB

27. Boston Scientific

Industry: Medical Devices

Boston Scientific Corporation is a medical devices company. Primarily known for its drug-eluting stent which is used to open clogged arteries, Boston Scientific also designs, manufactures, and markets a number of devices for intervention and surgery in multiple medical specialties including radiology, cardiology, neurovascular intervention, endoscopy, oncology, urology and gynecology.

Website: bostonscientific.com – Market Cap.: $50.2 Billion – Stock ticker: BSX

26. Humana

Industry: Healthcare Plans

Humana Inc. is a health insurance and managed healthcare company. It provides medical and supplemental benefit plans to employer groups, government-sponsored plans, and individuals. Humana also offers financial protection products and administrative services, as well as a number of dedicated services for pharmacies, provider services, predictive modeling and informatics services, and clinical care services.

Website: humana.com – Market Cap.: $50.7 Billion – Stock ticker: HUM

25. Edwards Lifesciences

Industry: Medical Devices

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation is a medical technology company specialized in artificial heart valves and hemodynamic monitoring. Edwards Lifesciences designs, manufactures, and markets surgical valve technologies, transcatheter heart valves, transcatheter mitral and tricuspid therapies, and critical care catheters.

Website: edwards.com – Market Cap.: $51.5 Billion – Stock ticker: EW

24. Regeneron

Industry: Biotechnology

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biotechnology company dedicated to molecules signaling, and targeted antibody drugs. Thanks to its patented treatments and technologies, Regeneron provides remedies for eye diseases, allergic and inflammatory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, pain, hematologic diseases, infectious diseases, and rare diseases.

Website: regeneron.com – Market Cap.: $53.8 Billion – Stock ticker: REGN

23. HCA Healthcare

Industry: Medical Care Facilities

HCA Healthcare is a company operating hospitals and health care facilities in the United States and the United Kingdom. Owning and managing more than 180 hospitals and 2,000 health care facilities, such as surgery centers, freestanding emergency rooms, urgent care centers, and physician clinics, HCA Healthcare is also involved in clinical research and has been named one of the world’s most ethical companies.

Website: hcahealthcare.com – Market Cap.: $55 Billion – Stock ticker: HCA

22. Vertex

Industry: Biotechnology

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a pharmaceuticals and biotherapeutics company. It notably produces drugs and genetic therapies for cystic fibrosis and other skin conditions, such as pain, sickle cell disease, beta-thalassemia, hormonal deficiencies, kidney diseases, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and diabetes.

Website: vrtx.com – Market Cap.: $59.6 Billion – Stock ticker: VRTX

21. Illumina

Industry: Diagnostics & Research

Illumina, Inc. is a biotechnology company specialized in DNA sequencing. It develops, manufactures, and markets genetic and biological analysis systems dedicated to the markets of gene sequencing, genotyping and gene expression, and proteomics. Thanks to its products, Illumina has been able to dramatically reduce the cost of human genome sequencing.

Website: illumina.com – Market Cap.: $62.3 Billion – Stock ticker: ILMN

20. Moderna

Industry: Biotechnology

Moderna, Inc. is a biotechnology company, specialized in vaccine technology based on messenger RNA. It is notably famous for producing one of the first vaccines against Covid-19, and it is also developing and patenting other vaccine candidates for seasonal flu, HIV, the Nipah virus, and a second COVID-19 vaccine.

Website: modernatx.com – Market Cap.: $68.5 Billion – Stock ticker: MRNA

19. Zoetis

Industry: Specialty & Generic Pharmaceuticals

Zoetis Inc. is a pharmaceutical company particularly engaged in treatments for pets and livestock. It researches, develops, manufactures, and markets medicine, vaccines, and diagnostic products, as well as biodevices, genetic tests, services, and animal health solutions for pets and companion animals, farm animals, and precision livestock farming.

Website: zoetis.com – Market Cap.: $73.3 Billion – Stock ticker: ZTS

18. Anthem

Industry: Healthcare Plans

Anthem, Inc. is a medical insurance and managed health care company. It provides a range of health benefits products and insurance to employer groups and individuals through specialized local subsidiaries including Anthem Blue Cross in California, Empire BlueCross BlueShield in New York State, and as Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in ten other US states.

Website: antheminc.com – Market Cap.: $73.9 Billion – Stock ticker: ANTM

17. BD

Industry: Medical Instruments & Supplies

Becton, Dickinson and Company, more simply known as BD, is a medical technology company. It manufactures and markets medical devices, instrument systems, reagents, and provides consulting and analytics services. Founded in 1897, BD was a pioneer of syringes that expanded to other medical supplies such as needles, catheters, and developed a range of medical, diagnostic and research devices.

Website: bd.com – Market Cap.: $76.1 Billion – Stock ticker: BDX

16. Cigna

Industry: Healthcare Plans

Cigna Corporation is a managed healthcare and insurance company. With its Cigna Global Health Benefits subsidiary, it provides medical, dental, disability, life and accident insurance, and related products and services primarily through employers’ subscriptions. Cigna also offers a full-service health maintenance organization, with clinics in the region of Phoenix, Arizona, through its Cigna Medical Group subsidiary.

Website: cigna.com – Market Cap.: $78.4 Billion – Stock ticker: CI

15. Gilead

Industry: Pharmaceuticals

Gilead Sciences, Inc., is a pharmaceutical and biotechnology company focusing on antiviral drugs to treat HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and influenza, notably producing and commercializing the blockbuster drugs Harvoni and Sovald. Besides, Gilead conducts research to develop a pipeline of new drugs and treatments and it also considers the acquisition of other blockbuster drugs.

Website: gilead.com – Market Cap.: $82.2 Billion – Stock ticker: GILD

14. Stryker

Industry: Medical Devices

Stryker Corporation is a medical technology company. It produces and markets implants for joint replacement and trauma surgeries, as well as a number of equipment and systems for surgery, endoscopy, emergencies and patient handling, neurosurgical, neurovascular, and spinal devices, and a number of other medical device products for various medical specialties.

Website: stryker.com – Market Cap.: $83.1 Billion – Stock ticker: SYK

13. Intuitive

Industry: Medical Instruments & Supplies

Intuitive Surgical Inc. is a medical device company developing, manufacturing, and marketing minimally invasive surgical platforms and future diagnostic tools. Its flagship product, the da Vinci robotic-assisted system, allows surgeons to enter and explore the body through a single small incision; it was one of the first to be cleared by the American Food and Drug Administration.

Website: intuitive.com – Market Cap.: $87.9 Billion – Stock ticker: ISRG

12. CVS Health

Industry: Healthcare Plans

CVS Health is a healthcare company primarily operating in pharmacy retail, drug prescription benefits, health insurance, medical facilities, and services. The company’s flagship business and brand, CVS Pharmacy, manages more than 9,000 stores across the US. Other key businesses include CVS Caremark which provides prescription benefit management services, CVS Specialty, a chronic and genetic therapy pharmacy division, and the retail medical clinic MinuteClinic.

Website: cvshealth.com – Market Cap.: $93.8 Billion – Stock ticker: CVS

11. Bristol Myers Squibb

Industry: Pharmaceuticals

Bristol Myers Squibb Company, also known as BMS, is a multinational pharmaceutical company. Tracing its origins to1858, it develops and manufactures prescription pharmaceuticals and biologics for a diverse range of diseases including cancer, HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hepatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psychiatric disorders.

Website: bms.com – Market Cap.: $138.8 Billion – Stock ticker: BMY

10. Amgen

Industry: Pharmaceuticals

Amgen Inc. is a multinational biotechnology and pharmaceutical company. It produces various drugs, including Neulasta, which prevents infections for patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy, Enbrel, a necrosis blocker for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Focusing on molecular biology and biochemistry, Amgen aims at developing health care through recombinant DNA technology.

Website: amgen.com – Market Cap.: $140.6 Billion – Stock ticker: AMGN

9. Danaher

Industry: Diagnostics & Research

Danaher Corporation is a diversified multinational company providing professional, medical, industrial, and commercial products and services. It is especially involved in the design, manufacturing, and commercialization of medical and laboratory instruments for medical diagnosis, as well as specialized equipment, consumables, and software for the biopharmaceutical, packaging, food and beverage, aerospace, microelectronics, water utilities, and general industrial sectors.

Website: danaher.com – Market Cap.: $169 Billion – Stock ticker: DHR

8. AbbVie

Industry: Pharmaceuticals

AbbVie Inc. is a pharmaceutical company. It is dedicated to the research and development, manufacturing, and marketing of medicine for a number of chronic diseases including autoimmune diseases, leukemia, lymphoma, hepatitis C, and HIV. It is also engaged in the treatment of pancreatic, thyroidal, and other hormonal insufficiencies.

Website: abbvie.com – Market Cap.: $180.9 Billion – Stock ticker: ABBV

7. Merck

Industry: Pharmaceuticals

Merck & Company, Inc., known as Merck Sharp & Dohme, or MSD, outside the United States and Canada, is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. Founded in 1891 in the US, and independent since World War I from its parent company, now one of the largest companies in Germany, Merck provides prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, and animal health products.

Website: merck.com – Market Cap.: $195 Billion – Stock ticker: MRK

6. Lilly

Industry: Pharmaceuticals

Eli Lilly and Company, more simply known as Eli Lilly or just Lilly, is a pharmaceutical company. Founded in 1876, Eli Lilly is engaged in the research, development, manufacturing, and marketing of insulin and endocrinology products for diabetes, psychiatric medication including Prozac, as well as treatments for osteoporosis, human growth hormone deficiency, pediatric growth conditions, autoimmune diseases, and diverse types of cancers.

Website: lilly.com – Market Cap.: $198.9 Billion – Stock ticker: LLY

5. Pfizer

Industry: Pharmaceuticals

Pfizer Inc. is one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical corporations, developing and producing diverse medicines and vaccines. Its leading products include Lipitor (to lower LDL blood cholesterol), Lyrica (for neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia), Diflucan (antifungal medication), Zithromax (antibiotic), Viagra (for erectile dysfunction), and Celebrex (anti-inflammatory drug).

Website: pfizer.com – Market Cap.: $199.5 Billion – Stock ticker: PFE

4. Thermo Fisher Scientific

Industry: Diagnostics & Research

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. dedicated to biological and medical diagnostics and research. It manufactures and distributes scientific and medical instruments, laboratory equipment, software, reagents, consumables, chemicals, and services. Segmented into life sciences, analytical instruments, specialty diagnostics, and laboratory products, Thermo Fisher caters to the needs of multiple pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, agricultural, clinical, academic, and government actors.

Website: thermofisher.com – Market Cap.: $202 Billion – Stock ticker: TMO

3. Abbott

Industry: Medical Devices

Abbott Laboratories is a multinational health care and medical devices company. Founded in 1888, Abbot manufactures medical devices including cardiovascular and neuromodulation devices, diagnostics products, branded generic medicines, and nutritional products for children and adults including Pedialyte, Similac, Ensure, Glucerna, ZonePerfect, FreeStyle Libre, i-STAT, and MitraClip.

Website: abbott.com – Market Cap.: $219 Billion – Stock ticker: ABT

2. UnitedHealth Group

Industry: Healthcare Plans

UnitedHealth Group is the largest healthcare company in the world by revenue, offering diversified health care products and insurance services. It serves clients through two distinct platforms: UnitedHealthcare which provides health care coverage and benefits services, and Optum which provides information and technology-enabled health services.

Website: unitedhealthgroup.com – Market Cap.: $316.5 Billion – Stock ticker: UNH

1. Johnson & Johnson

Industry: Pharmaceuticals

Johnson & Johnson is a multinational medication, first aid supplies, and consumer packaged goods manufacturing and sales company founded in 1886. Regrouping numerous famous brands, Johnson & Johnson’s line of products notably includes Band-Aid, Tylenol, Johnson’s baby products, Neutrogena, Clean & Clear, and Acuvue.

Website: jnj.com – Market Cap.: $429.4 Billion – Stock ticker: JNJ

Summary: Top 10 US Healthcare Companies 2021

To give you a quick overview of the largest American healthcare companies in 2021, here is a synthesizing image regrouping the information of the top 10. Note that you can use this image to embed it on your website and other digital properties using the embed code below.

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Here are the 30 largest American healthcare companies. Do you think they are worth their market capitalization? Do they provide a valuable and convenient service? Do they have too much economic power… and maybe political power too?

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