Get healthy returns from these three innovative healthcare stocks
Professional investor Michael Li of the American Century Advanced Medical Impact Fund looks at three healthcare stocks
Healthcare is an exciting sector. The incredibly rapid development of effective coronavirus vaccines is just one example of its tremendous potential for innovation and making a positive social impact. We also feel there is scope for healthy returns. Healthcare companies are innovating not just in therapeutics and medical devices, but also in terms of big data and analytics. As a result, we believe we are on the verge of a transformation in how care is delivered and diseases are treated.
Speeding up drug trials
Veeva Systems (NYSE: VEEV) is a cloud-software company whose technology helps plan drug trials safely and effectively. The process of developing a new drug takes over a decade and costs millions of dollars. This use of data analytics and information technology helps reduce approval times and costs, and raises the probability of success.
The company serves over 750 customers, including 20 of the largest pharmaceutical companies. Its technology typically accelerates regulatory submissions by 20%, which is crucial for patients likely to benefit from innovative treatments. Veeva’s platform also accelerates drug development by reducing the start-up time in clinical studies by 40%.
MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
A cocktail to combat Covid-19
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: REGN) is a biotechnology company engaged in the development of medicines for the treatment of serious diseases. It is pouring resources into research and development (R&D) and it maintains one of the world’s most comprehensive genetic databases, with a million people sequenced by the Regeneron Genetics Center. Regeneron is well known today for its Covid-19 antiviral drug cocktail, which has so far proved effective against the various strains of the disease, and is gaining market share from competing therapies. But Regeneron’s research effort goes far beyond Covid-19.
The company has developed and markets drugs addressing several serious medical conditions, including a type of inoperable skin cancer, wet age-related macular degeneration, asthma and eczema among others. Regeneron has approximately 30 potential treatments in clinical development.
Transforming diabetes care
DexCom (Nasdaq: DXCM) is an innovative medical-device company transforming the quality of life and standard of care for diabetics. The company produces a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system, which allows patients and care providers to evaluate and adjust care quickly and effectively in real time.
A sensor is placed under the patient’s skin and attached to a tiny transmitter that continuously relays data on blood-sugar levels. The data can be read on a dedicated receiver, displayed on an iPhone, or monitored remotely by a care provider. This technology is transformative: traditional glucose monitoring depends on intermittent, inconvenient and painful finger pricks and self-monitoring.
Not only is DexCom attractive for its positive impact on the lives of diabetics, but the company is also gaining market share, broadening the range of potential applications for its products and expanding geographically.
Get the latest financial news, insights and expert analysis from our award-winning MoneyWeek team, to help you understand what really matters when it comes to your finances.
-
UK state pension is least generous in the G7 – how do other rich countries compare?British retirees get substantially less in state pension than in other wealthy nations, and for fewer years, but the balance is a lower tax burden on working age people
-
Inside a Budget: ex-Treasury minister reveals the chess game behind your tax risesIn an exclusive interview with MoneyWeek former government insider David Gauke says chancellor Rachel Reeves will ‘need to show the richest are making a big contribution’ in the upcoming Autumn Budget
-
The Stella Show is still on the road – can Stella Li keep it that way?Stella Li is the globe-trotting ambassador for Chinese electric-car company BYD, which has grown into a world leader. Can she keep the motor running?
-
Global investors have overlooked these solid stocks going for growthOpinion Nisha Thakrar, investment specialist at Nedgroup Investments, selects three undervalued stocks with long-term growth potential
-
LVMH is set to prosper as the wealthy start shopping againAfter two years of uncertainty, the outlook for LVMH is starting to improve. Is now a good time to add the luxury-goods purveyor to your portfolio?
-
Japan is still rising to new highs – here's how to investOpinion Political ructions in Japan are no obstacle to gains, and the return of inflation may even benefit stocks, says Max King. What is Japan doing right?
-
Investors need to get ready for an age of uncertainty and upheavalTectonic geopolitical and economic shifts are underway. Investors need to consider a range of tools when positioning portfolios to accommodate these changes
-
Investing in UK universities: how to spin research into profitsUK universities are a vital economic asset, but they are also Britain's 'equivalent of Gulf oil.' There are opportunities here for investors
-
AI is a bet we’re forced to makeIt’s impossible to say yet if AI will revolutionise the world, but failure would clearly be very costly, says Cris Sholto Heaton
-
The MoneyWeek Wealth Summit 2025: how to invest for a volatile eraMoneyWeek's 25th birthday conference’s agenda offers investors a wide array of compelling themes
