Pharmaceutical Brand Ownership: A Complete Guide
Who makes your medications? Discover which corporations own the biggest pharmaceutical brands, from Ozempic to Tylenol, and how pharma M&A affects you.
The Companies Behind Your Medicine Cabinet
Open your medicine cabinet and you will likely find products from a small number of pharmaceutical giants. The pill you take for allergies, the painkiller you reach for after a workout, and the prescription your doctor wrote last month are all produced by companies locked in a complex web of mergers, acquisitions, and licensing deals.
The global pharmaceutical market reached approximately $1.6 trillion in 2025, according to IQVIA. Just 20 companies account for more than half of that revenue. Understanding who owns these pharmaceutical brands matters because it affects drug pricing, research priorities, and the availability of medications.
This guide maps out the major pharmaceutical corporations, the brands they own, and the recent M&A activity reshaping the industry.
The Major Pharmaceutical Companies and Their Brands
Johnson & Johnson / Kenvue
Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) underwent a historic transformation in 2023 when it spun off its consumer health division into Kenvue (NYSE: KVUE). This split separated J&J's pharmaceutical and medical device business from its consumer brands.
- Tylenol (acetaminophen pain relief)
- Listerine (mouthwash)
- Neutrogena (skincare)
- Zyrtec (allergy relief, OTC)
- Pepcid (acid reducer)
- Johnson's Baby (baby care)
- Band-Aid (adhesive bandages)
- Neosporin (antibiotic ointment)
- Motrin (ibuprofen)
- Stelara (immunology)
- Tremfya (immunology)
- Darzalex (oncology)
- Erleada (oncology)
- Spravato (depression)
The Kenvue separation was completed in August 2023, with Kenvue beginning trading as an independent public company. J&J retained its pharmaceutical and MedTech divisions, which generate the majority of its revenue.
Pfizer
Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) became a household name during the COVID-19 pandemic through its mRNA vaccine partnership with BioNTech. But Pfizer's brand portfolio extends far beyond vaccines.
- Paxlovid (COVID-19 antiviral)
- Lipitor (cholesterol, now generic)
- Viagra (erectile dysfunction, now generic)
- Eliquis (blood thinner, co-marketed with Bristol-Myers Squibb)
- Prevnar (pneumococcal vaccine)
- Ibrance (breast cancer)
- Xeljanz (rheumatoid arthritis)
Major 2023 acquisition: Pfizer acquired Seagen for $43 billion in December 2023, the largest pharma deal of that year. Seagen specializes in antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for cancer treatment, giving Pfizer a significant oncology pipeline.
In 2025, Pfizer faced headwinds as COVID-19 product revenue declined sharply. The company launched a cost-cutting program targeting $4 billion in savings and has been focusing on integrating Seagen's oncology portfolio.
Novo Nordisk
Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO) has become one of the most valuable pharmaceutical companies in the world, driven almost entirely by the success of its GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs.
- Ozempic (semaglutide for type 2 diabetes)
- Wegovy (semaglutide for weight management)
- Rybelsus (oral semaglutide)
- Lantus (insulin, biosimilar competition)
- NovoLog (insulin)
Ozempic and Wegovy generated combined revenues exceeding $30 billion in 2024, making semaglutide the best-selling pharmaceutical product class in history. Novo Nordisk's market capitalization briefly exceeded $600 billion in 2024, making it Europe's most valuable company.
In 2025, Novo Nordisk continued investing heavily in manufacturing capacity to address persistent supply shortages of Wegovy. The company also advanced its next-generation obesity drug, CagriSema, through late-stage clinical trials.
Eli Lilly
Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) emerged as Novo Nordisk's primary competitor in the GLP-1 obesity and diabetes market.
- Mounjaro (tirzepatide for diabetes)
- Zepbound (tirzepatide for weight loss, FDA approved November 2023)
- Verzenio (breast cancer)
- Taltz (psoriasis)
- Jardiance (diabetes, partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim)
- Humalog (insulin)
Eli Lilly's market capitalization surpassed $800 billion in 2024, driven by investor enthusiasm for Mounjaro and Zepbound. The company invested over $10 billion in new manufacturing facilities in 2024 and 2025 to meet demand for its GLP-1 drugs.
Merck & Co.
Merck (NYSE: MRK) is anchored by Keytruda, the world's best-selling drug.
- Keytruda (cancer immunotherapy, $25 billion+ in 2024 revenue)
- Gardasil (HPV vaccine)
- Januvia (diabetes, facing generic competition)
- Bridion (anesthesia reversal)
- Lagevrio (COVID-19 antiviral)
Keytruda alone accounts for approximately 45% of Merck's total revenue. With Keytruda's U.S. patent expiring in 2028, Merck has been actively acquiring companies to diversify its pipeline. In 2024, Merck acquired EyeBio for up to $3 billion (eye disease treatments) and Harpoon Therapeutics for $680 million (cancer).
Roche
Roche (SIX: ROG), based in Basel, Switzerland, is the world's largest pharmaceutical company by prescription drug sales.
- Tecentriq (cancer immunotherapy)
- Hemlibra (hemophilia)
- Ocrevus (multiple sclerosis)
- Perjeta (breast cancer)
- Herceptin (breast cancer, now biosimilar)
- Tamiflu (influenza)
Roche also owns Genentech (acquired in 2009 for $46.8 billion) and holds a majority stake in diagnostics through its Roche Diagnostics division.
Novartis
Novartis (NYSE: NVS), also Swiss-based, has been simplifying its portfolio to focus exclusively on innovative medicines.
- Entresto (heart failure)
- Cosentyx (psoriasis)
- Kisqali (breast cancer)
- Zolgensma (gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy)
- Pluvicto (prostate cancer)
In 2023, Novartis completed the spinoff of its generics division, Sandoz, as a separate publicly traded company. This mirrored the broader industry trend of large pharma companies divesting non-core divisions to focus on high-margin innovative drugs.
Sanofi
Sanofi (NASDAQ: SNY), the French pharmaceutical giant, has a diversified portfolio spanning vaccines, rare diseases, and consumer health.
- Dupixent (eczema, asthma; co-developed with Regeneron, $13 billion+ revenue in 2024)
- Aubagio (multiple sclerosis)
- Lantus (insulin, facing biosimilar competition)
Sanofi separated its consumer health division (including brands like Allegra, Mucinex, and Dulcolax) into a standalone company called Opella in 2024, following the trend set by J&J/Kenvue and GSK/Haleon.
GSK / Haleon
GSK (formerly GlaxoSmithKline) completed the separation of its consumer health division in 2022, creating Haleon (NYSE: HLN).
- Advil (ibuprofen)
- Theraflu (cold and flu)
- Sensodyne (toothpaste)
- Voltaren (topical pain relief)
- Centrum (vitamins)
- Tums (antacid)
- Flonase (allergy)
Haleon is now the world's largest standalone consumer health company, with approximately $13 billion in annual revenue.
The Consumer Health Spinoff Trend
A defining trend in recent pharmaceutical history is the separation of consumer health divisions from pharmaceutical businesses:
| Year | Parent Company | Consumer Spinoff | Key Brands |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | GSK | Haleon | Advil, Sensodyne, Centrum |
| 2023 | Johnson & Johnson | Kenvue | Tylenol, Listerine, Neutrogena |
| 2024 | Sanofi | Opella | Allegra, Mucinex, Dulcolax |
Why are they separating? Pharmaceutical companies argue that innovative drugs and consumer health products require different business models. Drug development demands massive R&D spending and tolerance for regulatory risk. Consumer health requires marketing expertise and retail distribution. Separating the two allows each entity to focus on its core strengths and attract appropriate investors.
The GLP-1 Revolution and Pharma Consolidation
The success of GLP-1 drugs (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound) has reshaped the pharmaceutical industry. These weight loss and diabetes medications represent what analysts call the largest new drug class in pharmaceutical history, with combined sales projected to exceed $100 billion annually by 2030.
- AstraZeneca acquired Eccogene for up to $2 billion to access an oral GLP-1 candidate
- Roche acquired Carmot Therapeutics for $3.1 billion for its GLP-1 pipeline
- Amgen is developing MariTide, a long-acting injectable competing with Wegovy/Zepbound
- Viking Therapeutics' oral GLP-1 candidate generated significant investor interest in 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes Ozempic?
Ozempic is manufactured by Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceutical company. Ozempic contains semaglutide, the same active ingredient found in Wegovy (also by Novo Nordisk), which is approved for weight management.
Who owns Tylenol?
Tylenol is now owned by Kenvue (NYSE: KVUE), which was spun off from Johnson & Johnson in 2023. Kenvue owns J&J's former consumer health brands including Tylenol, Listerine, Neutrogena, and Band-Aid.
What is the most expensive pharmaceutical acquisition ever?
As of 2026, the largest pharmaceutical acquisition is AbbVie's $63 billion purchase of Allergan (completed in 2020). Pfizer's $43 billion acquisition of Seagen in 2023 ranks as one of the largest recent deals.
Why are pharma companies spinning off consumer health divisions?
Pharmaceutical companies are separating consumer health brands because the two businesses require different strategies. Drug development needs heavy R&D investment and regulatory expertise, while consumer health requires marketing and retail distribution. Separation allows each business to focus and attract investors suited to its profile.
The Bottom Line
The pharmaceutical industry is undergoing significant restructuring. Consumer health spinoffs are creating new standalone companies like Kenvue and Haleon. The GLP-1 weight loss revolution is driving billions in M&A activity. And ongoing patent cliffs are forcing established pharma giants to acquire new pipeline drugs to sustain growth.
For consumers, understanding who owns your medications and health products helps you follow pricing trends, anticipate product availability, and evaluate the corporate practices behind the brands you trust.
Want to explore pharmaceutical brands? Browse our healthcare and pharmaceutical brands or search for a specific brand.
Explore Related Brands
- Ozempic - Blockbuster diabetes drug, owned by Novo Nordisk
- Tylenol - Leading pain reliever, now owned by Kenvue
- Keytruda - World's best-selling drug, owned by Merck
- Listerine - Iconic mouthwash, now owned by Kenvue
- Mounjaro - Eli Lilly's diabetes and weight loss treatment
- Neutrogena - Dermatologist skincare, now owned by Kenvue
Browse all Healthcare & Pharmaceutical brands
Sources
1. IQVIA. "Global Use of Medicines 2025." iqvia.com 2. Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2024. novonordisk.com/investors 3. Pfizer Annual Report 2024. pfizer.com/investors 4. Merck & Co. Annual Report 2024. merck.com/investors 5. Johnson & Johnson. "Kenvue Separation Complete." Press release, August 2023. 6. Reuters. Various pharmaceutical M&A coverage, 2024-2025.
All brand ownership data verified through WhoBrands.com's research methodology. Last updated: February 4, 2026.
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Brands & Companies Mentioned
Tylenol
Owned by Kenvue
American brand of pain relief medication and analgesic drugs, flagship product of Kenvue Inc., the consumer health company spun off from Johnson and Johnson in 2023.
Listerine
Owned by Procter & Gamble
American antiseptic mouthwash brand known for its germ-killing formula and distinctive blue-green color, pioneering oral hygiene beyond brushing.
Neutrogena
Owned by Johnson & Johnson
American brand of skincare products specializing in dermatologist-recommended cosmetics and treatments for various skin conditions.
Johnson & Johnson
American multinational pharmaceutical and consumer goods company specializing in healthcare products, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals.
15 brands in portfolio
Pfizer
American multinational pharmaceutical company specializing in prescription medications, vaccines, and consumer healthcare products across multiple therapeutic areas.
14 brands in portfolio
Merck & Co.
American multinational pharmaceutical company specializing in prescription medications, vaccines, and oncology treatments across multiple therapeutic areas.
13 brands in portfolio