Bayer Healthcare - which has its Asia-Pacific headquaters in Singapore - is the region's fastest-growing drug company, new figures reveal.

Global health information service IMS Health found regional sales of its drugs grew by 15 per cent to $5.3 billion last year.

The German pharmaceutical giant is ranked ninth in the region in terms of sales and 14th worldwide with sales of $22 billion.

Bayer has launched several new drugs including Eylea, which fights macular degeneration - a major cause of blindness among the elderly. It went on sale in Singapore at the end of last year and was Bayer's best-ever drug launch in Australia, with sales topping $108 million within seven months of the product entering the market.

Bayer's regional head for Asia-Pacific Mr Jiang Wei said the drug translates into fewer trips to see an eye specialist for injections. He predicted continued growth in the region as further products are launched, including cancer drug Xofigo. The supplementary treatment for late-stage prostate cancer will be available to doctors in Singapore from next month.