We recently published a list of 10 Best Immunology Stocks To Buy Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL) stands against other best immunology stocks to buy now.
The Growing Market for Immune System Treatments
Immunology is a rapidly advancing field with significant potential for growth, especially in the realm of biotech and pharmaceutical companies. As the global demand for innovative treatments for autoimmune diseases, cancer immunotherapies, and vaccines continues to rise, immunology stocks present lucrative investment opportunities. The market for immunotherapy medications is expected to rise at a high pace, from $240 billion in 2023 to $1.3 trillion in 2033. The rise in chronic illnesses like infections, autoimmune diseases, and various forms of cancer worldwide is what is causing the surge.
The prevalence of cancer in particular is rising worldwide. In its 2024 Global Cancer Statistics report, the American Cancer Society has brought attention to the rising global cancer burden. About 9.7 million individuals lost their lives to cancer in 2022 alone, while an estimated 20 million new cases were identified. About 35 million new cases of cancer are predicted to occur annually by 2050, increasing the need for cutting-edge therapies like immunotherapy.
Immunotherapy is a viable substitute for conventional treatments, and as research progresses, its uses are growing. It can be used alone or in conjunction with chemotherapy or other treatments for a variety of cancer types. A form of non-specific immunotherapy called immunomodulating drugs aids in enhancing the body’s immune system’s capacity to identify and combat cancer cells.
Investments and Advancements in Immunotherapy Treatments
Leading pharmaceutical companies are also making significant investments in research and development to increase the variety of immunotherapy medications available due to the rising demand for treatments. These consist of monoclonal antibodies, CAR-T cell treatments, and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Immunotherapy is being used in novel ways and is poised to transform cancer treatment and other medical fields by combining several therapies and customizing care for each patient.
Medical breakthroughs and regulatory approvals, especially in the US, propelled North America to the top of the worldwide immunotherapy medication market in 2023, accounting for about 48.19% of total revenue. The region’s expertise in cutting-edge treatments including tumor-agnostic medicines is highlighted by the FDA’s approval of immunotherapy for tumors with particular genetic features, regardless of origin.
In 2024, there will likely be more than 2 million new instances of cancer in the US, which will increase demand for efficient therapies like immunotherapy. To provide patients with incurable malignancies like lymphoma and B-cell leukemia hope, groups like Canada’s National Research Council are also creating novel immunotherapies.
Our Methodology
For this article, we selected the top 10 holdings from the iShares Genomics Immunology and Healthcare ETF. These immunology stocks were then ranked in ascending order based on the number of hedge fund holders as of Q4 2024.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).
Is Exelixis, Inc. (EXEL) The Best Immunology Stock To Buy Now?
A team of scientists in lab coats surrounded by pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, researching a life-saving oncology-focused biotechnology.
Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL) is focused on developing small-molecule therapies for cancer, with its flagship product being CABOMETYX (cabozantinib). The company utilizes a proprietary platform based on comparative genomics and model system genetics to rapidly translate genomic data into insights for drug discovery. This unique approach has enabled the company to build a strong pipeline of potential cancer treatments.
Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL) has been active in immunology research since the early 2000s, including a 2002 collaboration that identified a new role for the PGRP-LC gene in Drosophila immunity, suggesting similar pathways in humans. The company pursued immuno-oncology collaborations, such as a 2022 agreement with BioInvent, which was terminated in 2024, and a 2024 partnership with Merck to evaluate zanzalintinib in combination with Merck’s immunotherapies for head and neck cancer and renal cell carcinoma. Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL) is conducting clinical trials, including the STELLAR-001 and STELLAR-305 trials, to explore combinations of its compounds with immunotherapies, while continuing to expand its biotherapeutics pipeline with a focus on tyrosine kinase inhibitors and novel immuno-oncology therapies.
Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL) reported strong financial performance in Q4 2024, with total revenues of approximately $567 million, driven by a 20% year-over-year increase in U.S. cabozantinib (Cabo) franchise net product revenues, reaching $515 million. Global Cabo revenues totaled about $690 million for Q4, with full-year revenues of $2.5 billion. The company also earned $51.5 million in collaboration revenues, primarily from royalties on cabozantinib sales. Operating expenses were $403 million, and the company achieved a GAAP net income of $139.9 million. The company also repurchased $656 million worth of shares in 2024 and had $1.75 billion in cash and marketable securities at year-end. The growth reflects continued demand for its CABOMETYX treatment for renal cell carcinoma.
Overall, EXEL ranks 4th on our list of best immunology stocks to buy now. While we acknowledge the potential of EXEL as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than EXEL but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
