Best Cortellis Alternatives for Pharma BD Teams (2026)
Comparing Cortellis alternatives? See how PharmaDB and other pharma intelligence platforms stack up for business development, pipeline tracking, and trade data analysis.
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Query pharmaceutical trade data in plain English with our AI copilot. All your data in one place with the simplest user experience in the industry. Try it below with Atorvastatin exports from India.
| Date | HS Code | Product | Generic | Dosage | Qty | Value | Exporter | Dest. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-07-29 | 29420090 | atorvastatin | - | 2,000 | $270,000 | USA | ||
| 2025-07-29 | 30049079 | atorvastatin | 10mg | 6,082,310 | $139,061 | UK | ||
| 2025-07-29 | 30049079 | atorvastatin | 10mg | 6,018,333 | $137,598 | Germany | ||
| 2025-07-29 | 30049099 | atorvastatin | 10mg | 14,928,000 | $77,917 | Brazil | ||
| 2025-07-29 | 30049099 | atorvastatin | 40mg | 4,374,000 | $77,781 | Canada |
Quick Comparison: PharmaDB vs Cortellis
| Feature | PharmaDB | Cortellis | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trade/Export Data | 10M+ shipment records | No trade data | PharmaDB |
| Drug Pipeline Coverage | Limited to trade signals | 35,000+ drugs | Cortellis |
| AI Natural Language | Full copilot | Basic search | PharmaDB |
| Clinical Trial Data | No | Comprehensive | Cortellis |
| Supplier Discovery | 3,000+ exporters tracked | Not available | PharmaDB |
| Deal Intelligence | Via trade relationships | Detailed terms & values | Cortellis |
| Real-time Updates | Monthly trade data | Daily news/updates | Tie |
| Pricing | Transparent, from free | $30,000+/year | PharmaDB |
What is Cortellis?
Cortellis (by Clarivate) is a comprehensive drug pipeline and competitive intelligence platform. It provides detailed drug profiles, clinical trial data, deal intelligence, and regulatory information. Originally part of Thomson Reuters, Cortellis is widely used by R&D, business development, and competitive intelligence teams at large pharmaceutical companies.
Why Teams Switch from Cortellis
No Trade Intelligence
Cortellis tracks what's in development but can't tell you who's actually manufacturing and shipping products. Critical gap for BD teams sourcing suppliers.
R&D Focus Over Commercial
Built for pipeline analysis and drug development tracking. Commercial and BD teams need supplier relationships and trade patterns.
High Cost Barrier
Enterprise-only pricing starting at $30,000+/year makes it inaccessible for smaller teams or specific use cases.
Complex Interface
Powerful but complex, requiring training and expertise. PharmaDB's AI copilot makes data accessible to anyone.
One Platform, All Pharma Data
We're building the unified data layer for pharmaceutical BD teams. Trade data is live today. More datasets coming soon.
Trade Data
LiveGlobal import/export records for APIs, FDFs, and intermediates
MA Holders Registry
SoonMarketing authorization holders across global markets
IP Landscape
SoonPatent expiries, exclusivities, and freedom to operate
Pharma Tenders
SoonGovernment and institutional procurement opportunities
Drug Shortages
SoonReal-time shortage notices and supply disruptions
Companies & People
SoonPharma company profiles and key decision makers
All datasets accessible through one AI copilot, one subscription.
Why BD Teams Choose PharmaDB Over Cortellis
Cortellis and PharmaDB serve fundamentally different intelligence needs. Cortellis tracks what's in development. PharmaDB tracks who's actually manufacturing and shipping products.
Pipeline vs Production Intelligence
Different questions require different data sources.
- Which companies have Gabapentin products in their pipeline or portfolio.
- All Gabapentin API exporters with shipment history
- Their volumes, destinations, and pricing
- Export track record to FDA-regulated markets
- Quarter-over-quarter volume trends
This is the difference between strategic planning and tactical execution.
Real-World Use Cases
API Sourcing
Find actual manufacturers with proven export records, not just companies with pipeline assets.
Geographic Expansion
Track competitor actual shipments by market, not just announced deals.
Supplier Verification
Validate supplier claims with real export data and regulatory market experience.
Volume Analysis
Understand actual production capacity from shipment data, not estimates.
When to Use Each Platform
- Find and qualify API suppliers
- Track competitor shipments and volumes
- Monitor market-level trade flows
- Benchmark supplier pricing
- Track drug pipeline and development stages
- Monitor clinical trial progress and results
- Analyze M&A deals and licensing terms
- Research regulatory pathways
Enterprise teams combine both: Cortellis for R&D intelligence and PharmaDB for trade and manufacturing visibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PharmaDB better than Cortellis?
They serve different purposes. Cortellis excels at drug pipeline intelligence, clinical trials, and R&D-focused competitive analysis. PharmaDB focuses on trade data: who's manufacturing, exporting, and at what volumes and prices. For BD teams doing supplier sourcing or tracking competitor shipments, PharmaDB fills gaps Cortellis doesn't address.
How much does Cortellis cost?
Cortellis pricing starts around $30,000/year for basic access, scaling significantly higher for enterprise features and multiple users. PharmaDB offers a free tier and transparent pricing, making trade intelligence accessible at any budget level.
Does Cortellis have trade data?
No. Cortellis focuses on drug development intelligence: pipelines, clinical trials, deals, and regulatory information. It doesn't include actual trade/export data showing manufacturer shipments, volumes, or pricing. For that information, you need a trade data platform like PharmaDB.
What's the difference between Cortellis and PharmaDB?
Cortellis answers 'What drugs are in development?' PharmaDB answers 'Who's manufacturing and shipping products?' Cortellis tracks the pharmaceutical pipeline from preclinical through approval. PharmaDB tracks what happens after: actual production, export volumes, supplier relationships, and market-level trade flows.
Can I use PharmaDB and Cortellis together?
Yes, many teams use both platforms complementarily. Use Cortellis for pipeline intelligence and drug development tracking, and PharmaDB for supplier identification, trade pattern analysis, and export monitoring. Together they provide complete lifecycle coverage.
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