Life sciences industry in Asia grew 3.4% in 2009: survey

The Life Sciences industry in Asia clocked a growth of 3.4 per cent to record revenues of $110.89 billion in calendar year 2009, according to a survey by BioSpectrum Asia, a journal for life sciences industry in the Asia Pacific region. Listed companies contributed nearly half the revenues  at $54.24 billion as they grew at 24.03 per cent.

BioSpectrum Asia estimates the growth of Life Sciences, covering pharma, biotech and medtech segments, in 2010 to surpass that of 2009, even though the range is likely remain the same: 3 to 5 per cent, as the economic climate begins to change for the better.

The combined revenues of Indian life sciences companies was $21 billion taking India to the number two spot behind China. India accounted for 19 per cent of the total revenues in Asia Pacific. South Korea, Australia and Singapore followed India in terms of revenue.

With revenues of $22 billion Chinese publicly listed companies grew the fastest at 51.82 per cent, followed by Taiwan. With revenues of $2 billion, Taiwan posted a robust 46.29 per cent growth. Indian publicly listed with revenues of $14.59 billion grew the slowest, at 1.42 per cent.

Seven Indian companies were in the Asia’s Top 20 Publicly Listed Life Science Companies, which accounted for 82% of the overall revenues of publicly listed companies. These include Cipla, Ranbaxy Laboratories, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Cadila Healthcare, Lupin, Aurobindo Pharma and Sun Pharma.

Cipla became India’s No. 1 company, clocking revenues of $1.17 billion. It also became the one of the two Indian companies in the billion-dollar club. Last year, Ranbaxy held India’s Top slot. The India Top 20 Life Sciences list comprises pharma companies with the lone exception of a biopharma—Biocon, at Rank 16.