The biopharmaceutical industry includes hundreds of global businesses that research and develop biopharmaceutical drugs, which are complex medicines made from living cells or organisms. Biopharmaceutical drugs advance more treatment options for patients, some who may suffer from untreated or undertreated conditions. 

Biopharmaceuticals have turned the pharmaceutical industry around; the treatment of serious illnesses are no longer exclusively being used traditional drugs, as they are starting to be replaced by the use of biologic, or biopharmaceutical, treatments. 

As such, this new frontier is one that those within the pharmaceutical industry have their eyes on, in addition to potential investors and those who are living within the stock market. There are new biopharmaceutical companies emerging on the market, though there are 10 clear leaders in this space on a global level. 

Here are the top 10 Global Biopharmaceutical companies in 2020 

The top 10 business on this list have all exceeded what we would define as being "blockbuster" in size; this means that they are recognized as truly being the most notable globally, or have an upside of potential to become notable globally. The companies included on this list may be added to your watch list as ones to keep aware of.

1. Gilead Sciences (NDX: GILD)

Gilead Sciences (NDX: GILD)  is a US-based biopharmaceutical company that researches, develops and commercializes drugs. This business is predominantly focused on the creation and development of antiviral drugs for HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and influenza. 

GIlead Sciences (NDX: GILD) has recently begun trials in hospitalized patients with severe manifestations of COVID-19. This business has operations in more than 35 countries globally. 

2. Amgen (NDX: AMGN)

Amgen (NDX: AMGN), also located and headquartered in the United States, is one of the world's largest independent biotechnology companies. Established in 1980, Amgen (NDX: AMGN) is focused on supporting the most vulnerable of the population, creating drugs for the treatment of leukemia, arthritis, migraine headaches and more. 

Recently, Amgen has shared that it will start testing its psoriasis therapy, Otezla, as a potential treatment for COVID-19, which is a trend we are seeing in the top 10 global pharmaceutical companies list.

3. Samsung Biologics (KRX: 207940)

Samsung Biologics (KRX: 207940) was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in South Korea. As a relatively new business in the global biopharmaceutical market, Samsung Biologics (KRX: 207940) has soared with success. Most recently, the business announced plans to expand globally with a CDO R&D center in San Francisco. Samsung Biologics (KRX: 207940) is poised as becoming a major blockbuster in this biopharmaceutical landscape.  

4. Genentech 

Genentech is a corporation that became a subsidiary of Roche in 2009. Acting as an independent center within the behemoth of Roche, Genentech is a research-driven company that is headquartered in California. Most recently, Genentech released a drug called Polivy, which treats large B-cell lymphoma. Genentech is the only independent on this list.

5. Roche (SWK: RO) 

As an evolving discussion from Genentech, we would be remiss to not include Roche (SWK: RO). Roche is a Switzerland based multinational healthcare business that operates within two divisions. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland - the same town as Novartis (SWK: NOVN). Roche has been in the news recently for their work and contribution to the development of a COVID-19 vaccine. 

6. Biogen (NDX: BIIB) 

Biogen (NDX: BIIB) is a biotechnology company based in Massachusetts. As a business specialized in the discovery and development of therapies for those with neurological treatments to patients on a global scale. Biogen (NDX: BIIB) manufactures drugs like Tecfidera, Avonex and Tysabri, which help to treat MS.

In the latest earnings call, Biogen (NDX: BIIB) shares did fall by 6.18% as the business said it would submit a key drug to the US Food and Drug Administration in a later timeline than was expected.

7. Celgene (NDX: CELG) 

Celgene (NDX: CELG) is a global biopharmaceutical company that has a core focus on delivering innovative medicines for cancer and inflammatory diseases. Celgene (NDX: CELG) a subsidiary of Bristol-Byers Squibb. Headquartered in New Jersey, US, Celgene's major product is Revlimid for the treatment of multiple myeloma patients. 

8. Teva Pharmaceuticals (NYSE: TEVA) 

Teva Pharmaceuticals (NYSE: TEVA) invests in biopharmaceuticals as part of a long-term strategy. Teva  (NYSE: TEVA) takes a somewhat pivoted approach to biopharmaceuticals as they integrate within original biologic medicines, which they refer to as biosimilars. Teva (NYSE: TEVA) has five biopharmaceuticals on the market at this time, and are investing in this unique future. 

Recently, Teva (NYSE: TEVA) won a ruling that is keeping its cancer drug, Bendeka, free from generic competition for more than one decade. This has a positive impact on the brand and elicited an increase in stock price.

9. Sanofi (EPA: SAN) 

Sanofi (EPA: SAN) is a global biopharmaceutical company that invests in healthcare solutions from initial heath prevention to extended treatment. In the early 1900s, Sanofi (EPA: SAN) enabled the mass production of insulin for diabetes. Over the decades, the business manufactured vaccines that controlled and supported diphtheria, eliminated smallpox, and worked toward building a polio-free world. Most recently, Sanofi (EPA: SAN) is set to enroll thousands of individuals into coronavirus vaccine trials. The business has a positive track record in influenza vaccinations. 

10. UCB (EBR: UCB) 

UCB (EBR: UCB) is a multinational biopharmaceutical business located in Brussels, Belgium. Focused on research and development specifically around epilepsy, Parkinson's and Crohn's diseases, UCB (EBR: UCB) has an ambition to transform the lives of people with severe diseases. 

Recently, UCB (EBR: UCB) completed an acquisition of Ra Pharmaceuticals that was priced at $2.3m, bringing in Zilucoplan, which is an investigational treatment and is now added to the UCB product pipeline. 

Biopharmaceutical companies are more important than ever, given the current global pandemic related to COVID-19 and the focus on research, development and resolution. As these businesses navigate the landscape of such research and development of biopharmaceutical drugs and solutions available to consumers, keep watch of these top 10 global pharmaceutical companies in 2020.