Top Biotech and Pharma Stocks to Bet on Cancer Cure & Control

Melisa R. H. Posted On October 10, 2019

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Cancer fighting drugs and therapy companies are poised to profit from long term aging trends of the population as well as the rise of cancer in general. There are now companies that are trying to personalize treatments with gene therapy.

Here are Canadian and US companies that are producing innovative methods to control and cure cancer.

👨‍⚕️ Healthcare

Canada Stocks

Oncolytics Biotech (ONC-T)
A company that specializes in treating solid tutors. There is still a long way to go but the product has huge potential.

Oncolytics Biotech (ONC-T) — Stockchase

The technicals do not look good at all – with a decline lasting over the past two months. He would not touch this one at all. A 50 day moving average would be a buy signal if it can trade back above it.

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Concordia International Corp (CXR-T)
The company focuses on treating ADHD, cancer and asthma. They went through a restructuring, along with many other Canadian drug manufacturers.

Concordia International Corp (CXR-T) — Stockchase

Likes turnarounds, but it’s not ready. Want to see two things: 1) the stock hitting a 52-week high, and 2) the numbers moving in the right direction. Don’t do anything until then. Odds are this is going to zero.

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Medx Health Corp. (MDX-X)
A company that has recently changed their President and CEO. It is a medical device manufacturer that helps diagnose skin cancer, and they are now entering Spanish-speaking countries.

Medx Health Corp. (MDX-X) — Stockchase

Brazilian order? He owns warrants and his wife works as a consultant for them. They have orders for 500 units for a melanoma testing product. The delivery is subject to approval by authorities in Brazil. This could lead to hardware sales by June and revenues that begin to show up in Q4. The company thinks…

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U.S Stocks

Amgen Inc. (AMGN-Q)
A developer and manufacturer of biotechnology based therapy. They have several cancer fighting drugs in their repertoire including a new colorectal cancer drug. They have surpassed earning estimates in the last year and pays a dividend of 3%.

Amgen Inc. (AMGN-Q) — Stockchase

It has been under-performing the overall market. Biotechs don't do well at this point seasonally. Its seasonal period starts in June and the trade could setup quite well. Don't look at it at this time.

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Celgene Corp (CELG-Q)
An American biotech company that specializes in cancer and inflammatory disorder therapy. They are starting the process of merging with BMY-N. A good cash flow generator.

Celgene Corp (CELG-Q) — Stockchase

(A Top Pick Dec 03/18, Up 47%) Celgene had made a number of mis-steps, including management applying for multiple FDA approvals. One thing he really liked about the acquisition was the price it was bought. The acquisition by BMY helped them diversify and it seems to be going well.

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Bristol Myers Squibb (BMY-N)
The company has several blockbuster immunotherapy drugs in their pipeline, as well as some chemotherapy products for leukaemia. The company has announced plans to acquire Celgene that will add several other high profile drugs.

Bristol Myers Squibb (BMY-N) — Stockchase

They report Friday. He likes the CEO, but isn't sure if this stock can break from the pack.

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Pfizer Inc (PFE-N)
One of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. It is currently in its seasonal weakness which is mid-October. It has enjoyed long term support levels and is consolidating well.

Pfizer Inc (PFE-N) — Stockchase

Their vaccine has been a boon to their revenues, which jumped 30% in a one year, but this is likely a round trip. Also, margins on this vaccine are fairly low. The vaccine offers some benefit to PFE, but it's limited. Look elsewhere.

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AbbVie Inc. (ABBV-N)
Their blood cancer drug is projected to be one of the top best selling drugs in the world in the near future. The company also has other oncology drugs such as a top-selling immunology drug called Humira. They are currently in the process of acquiring Allergan.

AbbVie Inc. (ABBV-N) — Stockchase

(A Top Pick May 12/20, Up 24%) He's sticking with it. There's more upside to come. Their biggest product was Humera, a massive drug. A few years ago, they bought Allergan and their Botox drug, which reduced company dependence on Humera for company revenues. ABBV has some new drugs in the pipeline that are reaching…

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Johnson & Johnson (JNJ-N)
A global medical devices, pharmaceutical and consumer goods company. Their drugs are doing well and the company remains very profitable but volatile. They are going through a litigation for opiates and a ruling against their anti-psychotic drug.

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ-N) — Stockchase

They report Tuesday. The CDC, he feels, has unfairly punished JNJ over its Covid vaccine. He expects JNJ to release a strong quarter and pipeline of drugs.

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Novartis AG (NVS-N)
One of the world’s largest pharmaceutical company based out of Switzerland. They sold off their ophthalmology business and are refocusing on generic drugs. The company also has many drugs that are close to approval that could become blockbuster drugs.

Novartis AG (NVS-N) — Stockchase

A joint pharmaceutical company that has two businesses: branded and generic. The generic side will be very interesting post-covid when countries will be indebted and must provide cost-effective health care. The product pipeline looks reasonable. 6% dividend growth in the past 10 years. A safe steady growth opportunity. (Analysts’ price target is $102.00)

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GlaxoSmithKline PLC (GSK-N)
A British pharma company that is refocusing away from consumer products to pharmaceuticals. The company is doing well with 5% dividend. However, there is a hard brexit risk.

GlaxoSmithKline PLC (GSK-N) — Stockchase

A big disappointment. He had hoped GSK could collaborate with another company on a vaccine, but he's been wrong. Sorry. Don't sell it with its 7% yield, but don't buy.

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Astrazeneca P L C (AZN-N)
A well diversified and global pharmaceutical company that specializes in oncology. They pay a great dividend and are focusing on less price-sensitive areas.

Astrazeneca P L C (AZN-N) — Stockchase

Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly AZN is the COVID-19 vaccine producer that has been granted emergency use authorization in over 50 countries. It also has one of the best pipelines for new biotech drugs. They just acquired a strategic company that will further "boost" their immunology presence. The company pays a good dividend that is…

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Gilead Sciences Inc. (GILD-Q)
An American biopharmaceutical company. They consolidated for the last year and a half. The company is doing well, with a 4% yield. They have a history of blockbuster drugs with Hepatitis C and HIV.

Gilead Sciences Inc. (GILD-Q) — Stockchase

It is a healthcare name recently valued by investors. She likes to see a more visible pipeline in companies she buys. But this is a reasonable investment in this space.

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Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc (REGN-Q)
A biotech company with good free cash flow. They have some drugs for niche markets. Their earnings don’t come from one specific sector of their activity.

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc (REGN-Q) — Stockchase

It confuses him. They produce great drugs and are run by a fine CEO, but they aren't making a lot of money on their Covid cocktail. The stock has been struggling, but he would not sell.

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CRISPR Therapeutics AG (CRSP-Q)
A smaller company that is developing gene medications. They have a gene-editing tool that has the potential to cure several diseases, including some cancers.

CRISPR Therapeutics AG (CRSP-Q) — Stockchase

A great spec. It's a genetic engineering company so it's bought on spec, not earnings.

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Varian Medical Systems (VAR-N)
The company specializes in radiation therapy equipment to treat cancer. The trend for cancer radiation therapy is still positive and analysts think there will be an up-tick in sales.

Varian Medical Systems (VAR-N) — Stockchase

(A Top Pick Aug 29/14. Up 2.34%.) Radiation therapy equipment for treating cancer. Have been affected a little by foreign exchange rates. These are big ticket purchases, so she expects purchases have been delayed, but she has seen this come back. On the emerging-market side, it is a little bit more challenging. Still thinks the…

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Merck & Company (MRK-N)
Their main drugs are for treating diabetes and oncology. They have a great pipeline of new drugs that are coming up and will drive revenues over the long term. They pay a dividend of 2.65%

Merck & Company (MRK-N) — Stockchase

Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly MRK returns as a TOP PICK. Trading at 17 times earnings, compared with its peers at 40x it is good value here. It pays an excellent dividend, backed by payout ratio of only 50% of cash flow. We would buy it here with a stop-loss at $65, looking to achieve…

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Eli Lilly & Co. (LLY-N)
A global pharmaceutical company that recently made an acquisition in oncology. It has been one of the best growth companies with a rate of 10% EPS.

Eli Lilly & Co. (LLY-N) — Stockchase

A fave of his, up 19% YTD. Last month they delivered a terrific quarter and strong phase 2 data on their Alzheimer's drug, a possible game-changer. They also have a Covid antibody treatment that's already selling well. Most recentlty they delivered good phase 3 trial results on their cholesterol, weighr-loss drug for diabetes.

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Abbott Labs (ABT-N)
A diversified healthcare company. It sells generic drugs to emerging markets. They also have medical devices and are diversified globally. A very safe play, especially considering that they have raised dividends for 47 years straight. Yield of 1.50%.