Eliquis is made by Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) and Pfizer under a joint development and commercialization agreement, with BMS serving as the primary manufacturer and Pfizer handling co-promotion responsibilities globally.
Eliquis is known as one of the most prescribed medications in the United States, a blood thinner used primarily to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation and to treat blood clots such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
Eliquis (apixaban) was approved by the FDA in December 2012 and has grown to become the world’s best-selling anticoagulant by revenue, generating billions of dollars annually for both Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer.
Knowing who makes Eliquis helps patients and caregivers understand the pharmaceutical companies behind this widely prescribed medication and their respective roles in its development and supply.
This article covers Eliquis’s ownership, the BMS-Pfizer partnership, where the drug is manufactured, patent status, and how it compares to Xarelto and Warfarin as anticoagulants.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Owns Eliquis?
Eliquis is co-owned by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer through a collaboration agreement the two companies entered in 2007, years before the drug was approved.
Under the agreement, BMS leads manufacturing and takes the larger share of global revenue. Pfizer co-promotes the drug and shares in the economic benefits. The precise revenue split varies by market and has been adjusted over the life of the collaboration.
Both companies are publicly traded American pharmaceutical corporations. Bristol-Myers Squibb is headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey. Pfizer is headquartered in New York City. Neither owns the other; they are independent companies working under a specific product partnership.
Who Developed Eliquis?
Bristol-Myers Squibb discovered and developed the apixaban compound that became Eliquis. The drug was originally researched as part of BMS’s cardiovascular pipeline in the early 2000s.
BMS entered into a global co-development agreement with Pfizer in 2007 to jointly fund the large-scale clinical trials needed to bring apixaban through the FDA approval process. The combined investment in clinical development ran into the billions of dollars.
Eliquis received its first regulatory approval in Europe in 2011, followed by FDA approval in the United States in December 2012 for reducing stroke risk in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.
Where Is Eliquis Manufactured?
Bristol-Myers Squibb manufactures Eliquis at multiple facilities across its global pharmaceutical manufacturing network. Primary production of the active pharmaceutical ingredient and finished tablets occurs at BMS facilities in the United States and Europe.
BMS operates pharmaceutical manufacturing sites in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and other locations in the United States, as well as plants in Ireland, Germany, and other countries that support its global supply chain.
Like most branded pharmaceuticals, the exact manufacturing sites for Eliquis are subject to FDA registration and inspection requirements. BMS does not publicly disclose the specific facilities that produce each batch of Eliquis beyond what is required by regulatory filings.
Is Generic Eliquis Available?
Generic versions of apixaban (Eliquis) became available in the United States in 2023, when BMS’s primary US patent for the compound expired. Multiple generic manufacturers began producing and distributing apixaban tablets after the patent expiration.
Generic apixaban contains the same active ingredient at the same dosage as brand-name Eliquis and has been deemed bioequivalent by the FDA. Patients who wish to switch to generic versions should consult their prescribing physician and pharmacist.
Bristol-Myers Squibb continues to sell brand-name Eliquis alongside the generics, primarily to patients who prefer to stay on the branded product or whose insurance covers the brand over the generic.
Eliquis vs Xarelto vs Warfarin: Who Makes Each?
All three are anticoagulants used for similar purposes, but they come from different manufacturers and work through different mechanisms. Eliquis is co-owned by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer. Xarelto (rivaroxaban) is made by Bayer AG and Johnson & Johnson (Janssen Pharmaceuticals) under a similar co-development arrangement. Warfarin (Coumadin) is the original oral anticoagulant, a generic drug now available from many manufacturers at low cost.
Eliquis and Xarelto are both direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) that do not require routine blood monitoring, unlike warfarin. This convenience factor has driven widespread adoption of both drugs since their approval.
Eliquis surpassed Xarelto in global anticoagulant revenue around 2020 and has maintained its position as the world’s highest-selling anticoagulant. The choice between them for any individual patient is a medical decision made by the prescribing physician.
What Is Next for Eliquis?
With generic competition now established in the US, BMS and Pfizer are focused on maintaining brand loyalty among patients and healthcare systems where switching costs are high or where insurance structures still favor the branded product.
BMS has been diversifying its revenue base away from Eliquis, which has been the company’s top revenue generator, through acquisitions in oncology and immunology. Pfizer similarly continues to evolve its cardiovascular and other drug portfolios beyond the Eliquis collaboration.
Eliquis remains one of the most commercially successful pharmaceutical partnerships in history, having generated peak annual revenues of nearly $12 billion globally before generic competition began to erode its market share.
Frequently Asked Questions About Who Makes Eliquis
Is Eliquis made by Pfizer or BMS?
Eliquis is co-owned and co-commercialized by both Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer. BMS is the primary manufacturer and holds the larger economic stake. Pfizer co-promotes the drug globally. The two companies developed it together under an agreement signed in 2007.
When did Eliquis go generic?
Generic apixaban became available in the United States in 2023 following the expiration of BMS’s primary US patent. Multiple pharmaceutical companies now manufacture and sell generic versions of the drug. The generic contains the same active ingredient and is FDA-approved as bioequivalent to brand-name Eliquis.
Who discovered Eliquis?
Bristol-Myers Squibb discovered and developed the apixaban compound. BMS began researching Factor Xa inhibitors as anticoagulants in the early 2000s and partnered with Pfizer in 2007 to co-develop and co-commercialize what eventually became Eliquis.
Is Eliquis the same as apixaban?
Yes. Eliquis is the brand name for the drug apixaban. The active ingredient is identical whether you are taking brand-name Eliquis or a generic version. Apixaban works by inhibiting Factor Xa, an enzyme in the coagulation cascade that the body uses to form blood clots.
This article covers factual information about who manufactures Eliquis. Eliquis is a prescription medication. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before making any changes to your medication.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.