5 Biggest Pharmaceutical ETFs for Investors in 2026

Big Pharma ETFs

To help investors learn more about ETFs focused on the pharmaceutical sector, the Investing News Network presents the five top pharma ETFs by total assets under management, according to ETFdb.com.

Many of these funds have diverse holdings across some of the most important sectors in the pharmaceutical industry, including pain therapeutics, oncology, vaccines and biotechnology. Data was gathered on May 11, 2026.

1. VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF (NASDAQ:PPH)

Total assets under management: US$921.6 million
Expense ratio: 0.36 percent

Established in late 2011, the VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF tracks the MVIS US Listed Pharmaceutical 25 Index. It has the capacity to provide big returns, even though there are some risks attached to the ETF. An analyst report indicates that investors looking for "tactical exposure" to the pharma sector might consider this ETF as an investment option.

The ETF has 26 holdings, with Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) accounting for about 20 percent of the ETF's portfolio by weight, and Novartis (NYSE:NVS) and Merck & Company (NYSE:MRK) combining for another 20 percent. Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO) and Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) round out its top five holdings.

2. iShares US Pharmaceuticals ETF (ARCA:IHE)

Total assets under management: US$882.04 million
Expense ratio: 0.38 percent

Created on May 5, 2006, the iShares US Pharmaceuticals ETF tracks some of the top US pharma companies. In total, the iShares US Pharmaceuticals ETF has 55 holdings, with three quarters being large-cap stocks.

Of its holdings, Eli Lilly and Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) are by far the largest portions in its portfolio, combining for about 42 percent, followed by Viatris (NASDAQ:VTRS), Royalty Pharma (NASDAQ:RPRX) and Merck & Co.

3. State Street SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF (ARCA:XPH)

Total assets under management: US$369.88 million
Expense ratio: 0.35 percent

The State Street SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF came into the market on June 19, 2006, and represents the pharmaceutical sub-industry sector of the S&P Total Market Index (INDEXSP:SPTMI).

This pharma ETF tracks 59 holdings, with its relatively close weighting among its holdings setting it apart from other entries on this list. XPH's top five holdings are Organon & Co (NYSE:OGN), Corcept Therapeutics (NASDAQ:CORT), MBX Biosciences (NASDAQ:MBX), Axsome Therapeutics (NASDAQ:AXSM) and Enliven Therapeutics (NASDAQ:ELVN).

4. Invesco Pharmaceuticals ETF (ARCA:PJP)

Total assets under management: US$333.92 million
Expense ratio: 0.57 percent

The Invesco Pharmaceuticals ETF is primarily focused on providing exposure to US-based pharma companies. An analyst report states that this ETF chooses individual securities based on an array of investment criteria, some of which are stock valuation and risk factors.

This ETF was started on June 23, 2005, and currently tracks 31 companies all weighted between 2 and 5 percent. Its top holdings are Pfizer, Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, Merck & Co and Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD).

5. KraneShares MSCI All China Health Care Index ETF (ARCA:KURE)

Total assets under management: US$83.45 million
Expense ratio: 0.65 percent

The KraneShares MSCI All China Health Care Index ETF was launched in February 2018 and tracks an index of large- and mid-cap Chinese stocks in the healthcare sector, all weighted by market capitalization.

The ETF tracks 50 holdings, and its top five are Innovent Biologics (HKEX:1801), BeOne Medicines (NASDAQ:ONC), WuXi Biologics (HKEX:2269), WuXi AppTec (OTCPK:WUXAY,SHA:603259) and Akeso (HKEX:9926).