The biotech industry has been at the center of investor attention over the past year thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic and an accompanying global race for a vaccine. A rising incidence of chronic disorders has also been creating solid growth opportunities for the industry in recent years. With substantial investments in R&D to develop regenerative therapies and new treatments, the industry is expected to thrive this year and beyond. The industry’s solid performance over the past three years is…
evidenced by the iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF’s (IBB) 45.6% returns over this period.
Government support in speeding up the drug approval process, coupled with the rising advancements in the field of genomics, may further accelerate the industry’s growth. The size of the global biotechnology market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.0% over the next six years to reach $833.34 billion in 2027.
Amid such a favorable backdrop, many well-known biotech stocks are currently trading at high prices. So, it could be wise to bet on relatively smaller and affordable biotech stocks with appealing drugs in their pipelines. We think Siga Technologies. Inc. (SIGA – Get Rating), Jounce Therapeutics, Inc. (JNCE) and BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc. (BDSI – Get Rating) fit the bill. They are currently trading below $10 and are nicely positioned to capitalize on the industry tailwinds.
Click here to checkout our Healthcare Sector Report for 2021
Siga Technologies, Inc. (SIGA – Get Rating)
Founded in 1995, SIGA is a commercial-stage pharmaceutical company that focuses on infectious diseases as well as the health security markets in the United States. The company’s lead product, TPOXX, is an orally administered antiviral drug used for treating human smallpox disease caused by the variola virus.
In March, SIGA and Cipla Therapeutics formed a strategic partnership to offer access to novel antibacterial drugs and deliver innovative solutions for biothreat and public health needs, like AMR (anti-microbial resistance). The collaboration is expected to benefit from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) and other government customers that are providing patients with innovative and advanced drug development solutions.
In January, the Public Health Agency of Canada signed a contract with Meridian Medical Technologies, Inc. for the purchase of approximately $33 million of SIGA’s lead product, oral TPOXX, to protect Canada’s military and civilian population from smallpox. This contract award should help increase SIGA’s revenue and create greater awareness of TPOXX around the world.
SIGA’s total revenue increased significantly year-over-year to $37.8 million in the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2020. It reported operating income of $26.8 million for the quarter compared to an operating loss of $3.4 million in the fourth quarter ended 2019. Its net income came in at $20.1 million for this period. The company’s EPS was $0.26 compared to a loss per share of $0.06.
A consensus EPS estimate of $0.81 for fiscal 2022 represents a 6.6% improvement year-over-year. The consensus revenue estimate of $124.50 million for the next year represents a 4.4% increase from the same period last year. Currently trading at $7.26, the stock has gained 30.8% over the past year.
SIGA’s POWR Ratings reflect this promising outlook. The company has an A overall rating, which translates to Strong Buy in our proprietary ratings system. The POWR Ratings assess stocks by 118 different factors, each with its own weighting.
SIGA is also rated an A for Value Grade and Quality Grade, and a B for Growth. Within the F-rated Biotech industry, it is ranked #1 of 494 stocks.
To see additional POWR Ratings for Momentum, Stability, and Sentiment for SIGA, Click here.
Jounce Therapeutics, Inc. (JNCE)
Incorporated in 2012, JNCE is a clinical-stage immunotherapy company that develops therapies for treating cancer. Its clinical-stage monoclonal antibody vopratelimabis is in its Phase II clinical trials. The company is also developing JTX-4014, an anti-PD-1 antibody for combination therapy.
Last month, JNCE closed a public offering of 5.75 million shares of its common stock. Gross proceeds from the offering were approximately $64.7 million.
In January, JNCE initiated the patient enrollment in its Phase 1 INNATE study of JTX-8064 (LILRB2/ILT4 Inhibitor) Monotherapy and PD-1 Inhibitor Combination Therapy in patients with advanced solid tumors. This study should…
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