In this article, we will take a look at the 10 biotech stocks with huge potential. To skip our analysis of the recent trends, and market activity, you can go directly to see the 5 Biotech Stocks with Huge Potential.
Recent developments, technological as well as optimism related to interest rate reductions, have led to a significant rally for the biotech industry. S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index, an index that tracks stocks belonging to the biotechnology industry, is up 13.54% year to date.
The latest trend in the biotechnology industry, in addition to the long-standing affinity for rare and debilitating diseases, is the resurgence of therapies targeting obesity. In August 2023, Novo Nordisk released SELECT trial results which showed that its GLP-1 weight loss medicine Wegovy reduced the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults who are overweight or obese and have established cardiovascular disease with no prior history of diabetes. This has brought the possibility of GLP-1 drug class being broadly adopted in the U.S. On December 5, Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) announced the availability of Zepbound™ (tirzepatide) injection in U.S. pharmacies, indicated for adults with obesity. The drug was approved by the U.S. FDA on November 8 and is available through a prescription that can be filled at retail and mail-order pharmacies. You can read more about this in our recently published article: 11 Most Promising Biotech Stocks to Buy According to Analysts
The M&A activity in the biotech industry is picking up pace once again after a dismal performance last year. It has been a relatively strong year for the pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors with both deal value and volume of M&A close to pre-pandemic levels, according to PwC’s latest analysis. These sectors combined registered $238 billion worth of M&A deals during 2023. Some of the biggest transactions announced or closed during the period including Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) agreement to acquire Seagen Inc. (NASDAQ:SGEN) in a $43 billion transaction, acquisition of Prometheus Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:RXDX) by Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) for $10.8 billion, and AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV) agreement to acquire Cerevel Therapeutics (NASDAQ:CERE) for nearly $8.7 billion, among others.
Several other factors point to a potential recovery of the biotechnology sector in 2024. The IPO market is expected to improve, which would provide the companies operating at the earlier stage of product development with an important source of financing. In addition, the FDA approvals, which slowed down in 2022 picked up pace once again in 2023. The trend, expected to continue strongly in 2024, is going to generate optimism for the investors as well as existing shareholders. Several novel therapies have already been rewarded Priority Review status by the FDA, including Dupixent® (dupilumab), by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:REGN) in a sixth potential indication.
Many of the companies on our list of 10 biotech stocks with huge potential are late stage clinical-stage biotechnology companies working on the development of novel therapeutics for rare diseases. The list includes Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRNA), Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL), and Jazz Pharmaceuticals Plc (NASDAQ:JAZZ), among others.
A close up photograph of a vial of a new biotechnological drug candidate in development.
Methodology
For our list of 10 biotech stocks with huge potential we conducted a survey of mainstream financial media and checked multiple credible financial websites to see which biotechnology stocks have potential to grow in the coming weeks and months according to these websites. We picked 10 stocks which frequently appeared in our survey. These stocks have upside potential according to notable financial websites. We have also mentioned the number of hedge fund investors having stakes in each of these companies.
Data from around 900 elite hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey in the fourth quarter of 2023 was used to identify the number of hedge funds that hold stakes in each firm. Hedge funds’ top 10 consensus stock picks outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). That’s why we pay very close attention to this often-ignored indicator.
Rancho Cucamonga, California-based Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMPH) is a bio-pharmaceutical company that focuses primarily on developing, manufacturing, marketing, and selling technically challenging generic and proprietary injectable, inhalation, and intranasal products.
As of Q4 2023, Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMPH) shares were owned by 18 of the 933 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey, with a total value of $112 million. Jim Simons’ Renaissance Technologies was the lead hedge fund shareholder with ownership of 0.64 million shares valued at $40 million.
9. Harmony Biosciences Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:HRMY)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 29
Harmony Biosciences Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:HRMY) is a commercial-stage pharmaceutical company dedicated to developing and commercializing innovative therapies for people living with rare neurological disorders who have unmet medical needs.
Harmony Biosciences Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:HRMY) received FDA approval for its first commercial product, WAKIX® (pitolisant), for the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness or cataplexy in adult patients with narcolepsy in 2019. The drug has been commercially available in the U.S. since Q4 2019.
On February 22, Harmony Biosciences Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:HRMY) released its financial results for Q4 2023. Its revenue increased by 31% y-o-y to $168 million while its net income shrunk 45% y-o-y to $27 million.
Following the earnings release, Needham lowered the price target for H shares to $50 from $53 and maintained a ‘Buy’ rating for the shares. The price target represents a potential upside of 48.94% based on the latest share price.
Alameda, California-based Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL) is a biotechnology company focused on oncology. The company is evolving its product portfolio to target an expanding range of tumor types and indications with its clinically differentiated pipeline.
The product portfolio of Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL) is led by CABOMETYX, a prescription medicine used to treat people with kidney cancer, people with liver cancer, and adults and children above 12 years of age with differentiated thyroid cancer.
On February 6, Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL) released its financial results for Q4 2023. Its revenue increased by 13% y-o-y to $480 million while it generated a net income of $86 million, compared to a net loss of $30 million.
Novato, California-based Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. (NASDAQ:RARE) is a is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel products for the treatment of serious rare and ultra-rare genetic diseases.
The portfolio of Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. (NASDAQ:RARE) includes four commercial products: DOJOLVI® for patients with molecularly confirmed long-chain fatty acid oxidation disorders, MEPSEVII® for Mucopolysaccharidosis VII, CRYSVITA® for hypophosphatemic disorders, and EVKEEZA® for Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia.
On February 27, JP Morgan raised the price target for Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. (NASDAQ:RARE) shares from $84 to $88 and maintained an ‘Overweight’ rating for its shares. The target price represents a potential upside of 65.88%, the second highest on our list of 10 biotech stocks with huge potential.
Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Amylyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMLX) is a global company committed to the mission of discovery and development of treatments for relentless and progressing neurodegenerative diseases.
On January 3, Baird initiated coverage of Amylyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMLX) shares with a price target of $37 and an ‘Outperform’ rating. The target price represents a potential upside of 90.92%, the highest on our list of 10 biotech stocks with huge potential.
As of Q4 2023, Amylyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMLX) shares were held by 36 hedge funds with total value of $330 million. Andreas Halvorsen’s Viking Global held the most shares among hedge funds with ownership of 3.0 million shares valued at $44 million.
