Asia’s life sciences sector continues to evolve into a global talent hub, attracting both homegrown champions and multinational heavyweights competing for skilled employees.
Reflecting this shift, the Financial Times, in partnership with Statista, has released the second edition of its annual Best Employers Asia-Pacific ranking of the best employers across the Asia-Pacific region, based on one of the largest workforce perception surveys of its kind.
The list highlights the top 500 companies viewed most favorably by employees across the region. The list was based on independent employee surveys across Asia-Pacific. More than 50,000 employees were surveyed, most recently between May and June 2026, with respondents asked to evaluate employers on criteria such as workplace culture, working conditions, career development and overall satisfaction.
The results were aggregated into a composite score for each company, offering a data-driven snapshot of how organizations are perceived internally by their own workforce. Companies included in the ranking do not need to be headquartered in Asia.
This year, US-based firms once again dominated the broader list, with JPMorgan Chase taking the top overall spot, followed by semiconductor supplier KLA and tech giant Microsoft, with KLA maintaining a top-three position for the second consecutive year. By geography, the US accounted for the largest share of ranked companies, followed by Japan and India.
Japan, India and the US topped the rankings as key hubs for pharma and biotech employers in Asia-Pacific. Japan leads with strong innovation-driven companies like Daiichi Sankyo and Takeda Pharmaceutical, while India’s prominence is driven by its generics and biosimilars powerhouses such as Biocon and Cipla. Meanwhile, US-based multinationals continue to dominate through their extensive operations and talent footprint across the region.
The companies on the list reflect both the diversity and competitiveness of the Asia-Pacific life sciences workforce in 2026.
Get industry leading pharma and biotech news, events and expert insights delivered to your inbox.
1. Daiichi Sankyo
Headquarters: Japan
Overall Ranking: 38
Score: 87.62
Daiichi Sankyo led the pharma and biotech cohort, reflecting its strong employer standing alongside its growing global oncology profile. The Japanese drugmaker has continued to build momentum around antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and, in 2026, entered a collaboration with Shanghai-based ATLATL Innovation Center to source regional technologies and deepen its Asia-Pacific innovation network. ATLATL’s global life sciences innovation platform integrates R&D infrastructure, technical services and investment support through its “Super Server” model. In January this year, Daiichi Sankyo’s launched its Toronto, Canada headquarters to mark a major expansion of its Canadian presence, aimed at accelerating investment, R&D and access to its oncology pipeline. The move also underscores Canada’s growing role as a life sciences hub.
2. United Laboratories
Headquarters: Philippines
Overall Ranking: 78
Score: 83.33
United Laboratories, commonly known as Unilab, is one of the Philippines’ best-known healthcare companies, with a broad portfolio spanning prescription medicines, consumer health and community health programs. In 2026, the Unilab Foundation committed to supporting pharmaceutical ecozones in the Philippines, aligning with broader efforts to strengthen local drug manufacturing capacity. Novo Nordisk and United Biotechnology’s experimental triple-agonist, or “triple G,” GLP-1-based obesity drug, UBT251, showed promising early results, achieving up to 19.7% average weight loss after 24 weeks in a China-based trial, significantly outperforming placebo, supporting its further clinical development. UBT251 targets the GLP-1, GIP and glucagon receptors, hence the name “triple G.”
3. AbbVie
Headquarters: US
Overall Ranking: 87
Score: 82.54
AbbVie ranked third among the selected pharma and biotech employers. The company has been active in oncology dealmaking, including a partnership announced in January 2026 with China’s RemeGen for the company’s PD-1/VEGF-targeted bispecific antibody RC148 in a deal involving $650 million upfront and up to $4.95 billion in milestones. The therapy is being developed across multiple advanced solid tumors.
4. Merck Sharp & Dohme
Headquarters: US
Overall Ranking: 91
Score: 82.27
Merck Sharp & Dohme, known as MSD outside the US and Canada, remains one of the world’s biggest oncology players, anchored by blockbuster oncology drug Keytruda (pembrolizumab). In its first-quarter 2026 results, Merck reported total worldwide revenues of $16.3 billion, driven by continued Keytruda growth ($8 billion in sales) and highlighted newer contributors such as Winrevair (sotatercept-csrk) (with $525 million in earnings), while investors watched its pipeline diversification strategy ahead of Keytruda’s patent cliff. Winrevair is a first-in-class medication approved for treating adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) to improve exercise capacity and reduce risks of disease progression, including hospitalization and death.
5. Pfizer
Headquarters: US
Overall Ranking: 92
Score: 82.02
Pfizer continues to reshape its post-COVID portfolio through oncology, obesity and specialty care partnerships. Recent activity includes its global licensing agreement with China’s 3SBio in 2025 for cancer drug candidate SSGJ-707, worth $1.25 billion upfront and up to $4.8 billion in milestones, as well as a 2025 GLP-1 collaboration with YaoPharma. On May 1, 2026, the FDA approved Veppanu (vepdegestrant), an oral PROTAC protein degrader developed by Arvinas and Pfizer, for treating adults with ER-positive, HER2-negative, ESR1-mutated advanced or metastatic breast cancer. It is the first PROTAC therapy approved for breast cancer and is used for patients who have progressed after at least one line of endocrine therapy. The FDA approved the drug despite mixed clinical results, with the therapy showing benefits in certain mutation-defined patients but relatively modest overall efficacy.
6. Novartis
Headquarters: Switzerland
Overall Ranking: 97
Score: 81.83
Novartis has kept Asia central to its growth strategy, particularly in China. In 2026, the Swiss pharma announced plans to invest more than 3.3 billion yuan, or roughly $460 million to $480 million, to expand manufacturing in Beijing and strengthen its Shanghai R&D campus. In April 2026, Novartis finalized a major expansion of its US manufacturing and R&D footprint by adding a seventh new facility in North Carolina as part of its broader $23 billion investment plan. The expansion is designed to enable end-to-end domestic production, including advanced therapies like RNA-based medicines, while strengthening supply chain resilience and accelerating delivery of innovative treatments to patients.
7. Johnson & Johnson
Headquarters: US
Overall Ranking: 105
Score: 81.37
Johnson & Johnson (J&J) remains a major employer across pharmaceuticals, medtech and vision care. In 2026, the company announced a more than $1 billion investment in a next-generation cell therapy manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, the pharma giant continues to be plagued by talcum baby powder lawsuits. The number of claimants in the UK lawsuit against J&J over its talcum powder products has risen to around 7,000, significantly expanding what is already one of the largest group product liability cases in the country. Claimants, many diagnosed with cancers such as ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, allege the products were contaminated with asbestos, while the company continues to deny the allegations. In the US, the company has faced tens of thousands of lawsuits alleging its talc-based products caused cancer.
8. GSK
Headquarters: UK
Overall Ranking: 118
Score: 80.97
GSK has been sharpening its focus on respiratory, immunology, oncology, HIV and infectious diseases. The company reported new approvals recently, including Exdensur (depemokimab-ulaa) in the EU, China and the US for severe asthma, Nucala (mepolizumab) for the treatment of COPD in the US and EU, along with ADC Blenrep (belantamab mafodotin-blmf), which was approved for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma by the FDA in October 2025. GSK reported a strong start to 2026, with first-quarter sales rising to about £7.6 billion ($9.63 billion), driven by double-digit growth in specialty medicines and solid vaccine performance. The company also reaffirmed its full-year outlook, expecting 3% to 5% revenue growth and 7% to 9% increases in operating profit and earnings, while continuing to invest in its pipeline and shareholder returns.
9. Amgen
Headquarters: US
Overall Ranking: 124
Score: 80.53
Amgen remains a major biotech employer with a growing footprint in Asia. In April 2026, Amgen was among strategic enterprises, including Pfizer, reported to be expanding in Hong Kong, while the company has also been investing heavily in global manufacturing capacity. In the US, Amgen announced an additional $300 million investment in its American manufacturing network, bringing its total commitments to nearly $2 billion over the past year. The investments aim to expand production capacity, enhance next-generation technologies and strengthen supply chain resilience, particularly through its Puerto Rico biologics facility.
10. Abbott Laboratories
Headquarters: US
Overall Ranking: 126
Score: 80.38
Abbott Laboratories sits at the intersection of pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, medical devices and nutrition. In 2026, Abbott completed its acquisition of Exact Sciences, strengthening its position in oncology diagnostics. In April 2026, the company received FDA clearance and CE Mark for its next-generation Ultreon 3.0 AI-powered coronary imaging platform.
11. Lupin
Headquarters: India
Overall Ranking: 176
Score: 77.73
Lupin is one of India’s leading pharmaceutical companies, with strengths in generics, respiratory, cardiovascular and chronic disease therapies. Recent developments include FDA approvals in the US for dapagliflozin and dapagliflozin/metformin products as bioequivalent to AstraZeneca’s Farxiga (dapagliflozin) for the indications in the approved labeling, which include to improve glycemic control in type 2 diabetes, reduce hospitalization risk for heart failure in adults with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk, reduce cardiovascular death/hospitalization risk in adults with heart failure and reduce the risk of kidney disease progression in adults with chronic kidney disease. The company also has partnerships in semaglutide, antidepressants and mycobacterial disease therapies. In February 2026, Lupin resolved a key US patent dispute with Astellas Pharma by agreeing to a $90 million settlement, allowing it to continue selling its generic version of mirabegron in the US. The deal removes legal uncertainty and may delay competition from other generics, giving Lupin a temporary market advantage.
12. Biocon
Headquarters: India
Overall Ranking: 312
Score: 71.94
Biocon has built a strong global identity as a leader in biosimilars and affordable biologics. In April 2026, Biocon received Health Canada approval for denosumab biosimilars Bosaya and Vevzuo, which are biosimilars to Amgen’s Prolia and Xgeva. So far, only Bosaya has been approved by the FDA in the US. Biocon Biologics also outlined plans to expand its oncology biosimilar portfolio with assets referencing Herceptin, Opdivo and Keytruda.
13. Mankind Pharma
Headquarters: India
Overall Ranking: 313
Score: 71.84
Mankind Pharma has grown into one of India’s most prominent domestic pharma players, with a large branded generics and consumer healthcare presence. In March 2026, the company acquired exclusive rights to market Roche’s epilepsy and seizure drug Rivotril (clonazepam) in India, strengthening its chronic central nervous system portfolio.
14. Roche
Headquarters: Switzerland
Overall Ranking: 326
Score: 71.42
Roche remains a global leader in oncology, diagnostics, immunology and neuroscience. In 2026, Roche announced plans to invest about 710 billion won, or roughly $480 million, in South Korea’s biopharma industry to support clinical trials and talent development. Roche continues to build on its strong presence in Asia across key cities and life science hubs, including Shanghai, Seoul and Tokyo. It has a defined Asia partnering strategy that focuses on building a collaborative innovation ecosystem by working with biotech companies, academic institutions and investors across the region to accelerate drug discovery and development. The company says it leverages local partnerships and its global R&D network to translate regional scientific advances into globally scalable therapies.
15. Bristol-Myers Squibb
Headquarters: US
Overall Ranking: 328
Score: 71.32
Bristol Myers Squibb continues to reposition around newer oncology, hematology, immunology and cardiovascular assets as legacy products face patent pressure. In 2026, the company reported stronger-than-expected first-quarter results, an increase of 3% to $11.5 billion, supported by Eliquis (apixaban) and newer growth brands including CAR T-cell therapies Breyanzi (lisocabtagene maraleucel) and Camzyos (mavacamten).
16. Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical
Headquarters: Japan
Overall Ranking: 335
Score: 70.89
Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical is a Japanese pharmaceutical company best known for its transdermal drug-delivery and pain-relief products. In 2026, the company announced plans for a management buyout worth about 400 billion yen ($2.55 billion) as part of a move to go private.
17. Sanofi
Headquarters: France
Overall Ranking: 338
Score: 70.74
Sanofi remains a major vaccines, immunology, rare disease and specialty care player. In 2026, Sanofi struck a licensing deal worth up to $1.53 billion with Sino Biopharmaceutical for rovadicitinib, a blood cancer drug currently approved in China. As part of the deal, Sino is eligible for an upfront payment of $135 million from Sanofi, which will give the company the exclusive right to develop, manufacture and commercialize the biotech’s investigational oral anti-inflammatory JAK/ROCK inhibitor, which simultaneously targets inflammation and tissue scarring, worldwide. The company is also eligible to receive up to $1.40 billion in potential development, regulatory and sales milestone payments.
18. Cipla
Headquarters: India
Overall Ranking: 381
Score: 68.86
Cipla is one of India’s most recognizable pharma companies, with strengths in respiratory, chronic therapies, generics and global access. Recent moves include launching a generic version of Eli Lilly’s GLP-1 drug Saxenda (liraglutide) in the US and partnering with the pharma giant to sell tirzepatide in India under a new brand name, India, and a second brand name, Yurpeak. In April 2026, Cipla received FDA approval for the first AB-rated generic version of GSK’s Ventolin HFA (albuterol inhaler).
19. Illumina
Headquarters: US
Overall Ranking: 409
Score: 67.81
Laboratory tech giant Illumina also made Fortune’s list. Although a lab tech genomics leader rather than a traditional drugmaker, its sequencing platforms are central to development across precision medicine, oncology and population genomics. In January 2026, Illumina Taiwan Biotechnology, the local subsidiary or regional arm of the company operating in Taiwan, partnered with PREMIA to expand clinical genomic oncology access in Asia. Also in 2026, Illumina and Labcorp expanded their collaboration to broaden access to precision oncology testing by developing new genomic tests, co-commercializing complementary tissue and liquid biopsy assays and bringing advanced biomarker testing closer to patients through distributed testing models.
20. Takeda Pharmaceutical
Headquarters: Japan
Overall Ranking: 497
Score: 57.42
Takeda Pharmaceutical rounds out the top 20 pharma and biotech employers in Asia for 2026. Takeda has one of the strongest footprints in Asia among global biopharma companies, with Japan as its core market and significant commercial, manufacturing and R&D operations across China and other Asia-Pacific countries. The company continues to expand its regional presence through clinical trials, partnerships and innovation hubs. In 2026, Takeda deepened its AI drug discovery push through a partnership with Iambic worth more than $1.7 billion. In May 2026, the company reported positive Phase II/III trial results for its investigational next-gen immune drug TAK-881 (immune globulin subcutaneous (human), 20% solution (SCIG 20%) with recombinant human hyaluronidase), which showed comparable efficacy, safety and immune protection to its existing lower dose immune globulin therapy HyQvia (immune globulin infusion (human) 10% with recombinant human hyaluronidase) in primary immunodeficiency disease, while offering the potential for lower infusion volumes and shorter treatment times.
Join or login to leave a comment
JOIN LOGIN