Seven Indian companies among Asia's top 20 life science firms

The names include Cipla, Ranbaxy Laboratories, Dr Reddy's Laboratories, Cadila Healthcare, Lupin, Aurobindo Pharma and Sun Pharma, a survey conducted by life sciences journal BioSpectrum Asia said.

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

The life sciences industry in Asia saw a growth of 3.4 per cent to record revenues of USD 110.89 billion in calendar year 2009, with nearly half of the revenues -- USD 54.24 billion -- coming from the listed companies, the study said.

The publicly listed companies grew at 24.03 per cent. This figure includes total revenues from sales, licensing and service income of the companies in the Asia Pacific region, excluding Japan, it said.

General healthcare and equipment providers are excluded from this survey.
Executed over a period of two months April-May 2010 the survey was limited to publicly listed companies in the life sciences industry in the Asia Pacific region.

A sample survey of private companies has been factored into the survey numbers.
With revenues of USD 22 billion, Chinese publicly listed companies grew the fastest in 2009 at 51.82 per cent, followed by Taiwan.

With revenues of USD 2 billion, Taiwan posted a robust 46.29 per cent growth. Indian publicly listed firms with revenues of USD 14.59 billion grew the slowest, at 1.42 per cent, the survey said.