STAT+: A new ranking of pharma companies by R&D performance

STAT PlusNewsletterThe Readout A new ranking of pharma companies by R&D performance Maryland drug board to cap price of Ozempic, TrumpRx partners with Cuban, GoodRx, and more biotech news Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Elaine ChenMay 19, 2026 National Biotech Reporter Elaine Chen[email protected]Elaine Chen covers biotech, co-writes The Readout newsletter, and co-hosts STAT’s weekly biotech podcast, The Readout Loud. You can reach Elaine on Signal at elaineywchen.70. Good morning. I’m feeling jealous of my colleagues who get to enjoy some good weather today in San Francisco for our Breakthrough West Summit. The need-to-know this morning Relay Therapeutics reported promising Phase 2 data of its drug zovegalisib in a group of rare diseases that cause abnormal vasculature development, sending company shares up 9% in premarket trading. Lilly tops peers on R&D performance, report finds Eli Lilly ranked first in not one, but two categories in a prominent analysis of drugmakers’ R&D activity.Advertisement Every year, the consulting firm IDEA Pharma ranks companies on innovation, which takes into account revenue from new drugs; and invention, which looks at the number of drugs a company has in development and its R&D investment. This is the first time that one company has ranked first in both categories. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In biotechnology, drug development, Drug prices, research Submit a correction requestReprints Elaine Chen National Biotech Reporter Elaine Chen covers biotech, co-writes The Readout newsletter, and co-hosts STAT’s weekly biotech podcast, The Readout Loud. You can reach Elaine on Signal at elaineywchen.70. Newsletter Your morning rundown of the science, politics, and money driving biotech today Recommended The Readout May 18, 2026 STAT Plus: AstraZeneca picks up FDA approval for hypertension drug Biotech May 18, 2026 STAT Plus: Supreme Court rejects challenge to Medicare drug price negotiation Advertisement Special Report May 18, 2026 STAT Plus: The China question is tearing biotech apart The Readout May 15, 2026 STAT Plus: A political contest in the U.K. could shake up drug pricing D.C. Diagnosis May 14, 2026 STAT Plus: The hunt for FDA’s next leader Subscriber Picks