BioNTech, Cardiol Therapeutics, Peloton: Future check on pandemic stocks

BioNTech: What comes after Omicron?

The BioNTech share has lost around 25% of its value in the past month alone. Over the course of a year, the stock is only up about 40%. Why did the mRNA hopeful take such a beating? The Omicron wave is both a blessing and a curse for BioNTech investors. In the beginning, the variant gave hope that new vaccines would be needed. In the meantime, it seems as if Omicron could pass so easily that an annual administration to particularly vulnerable groups will be sufficient in the future, similar to the flu.

In the meantime, almost every German has been able to get a glimpse of the Omicron course. Fortunately, Omicron is comparatively mild for those who have basic immunization. More and more people in a circle of acquaintances report symptoms that would not have had any consequences in 2019 - apart from a pack of tissues in their pocket. But it is a mistake to extrapolate personal experiences and draw generalized conclusions from them. In the end, studies will have to show how dangerous Omicron really is. That the results will give hope, however, already seems certain. BioNTech has long been focusing on new targets anyway and has set its sights on vaccines against cancer. The Company remains well positioned, has gained a lot of experience and trust in the market due to the pandemic, and will remain an important biotech player in the future. For investors, however, a turnaround is needed first. BioNTech remains a pandemic beneficiary with limitations.

Cardiol Therapeutics - A matter of the heart

While BioNTech has already put its horsepower on the road, Canadian biotech Cardiol Therapeutics is on the starting grid with its engine revving. The Company uses cannabinoids (CBD) in unique formulations to treat inflammatory diseases of the heart. Studies to date show that the effects of heart muscle inflammation can be well treated. In a research article by researchanalyst.com, the authors attest Cardiol Therapeutics a promising perspective: "The analysts' price targets range between CAD 5 and CAD 17.49 with an average price target of CAD 11. If one takes the lower limit of this target range, the shares have the potential to quadruple," the authors say.

The possibility of a takeover should not be neglected either. Currently, the Company is valued at only about CAD 170 million. "Cardiol, compared to the billion-dollar acquisitions made in the past, is a lightweight. Recently, US company Pfizer swallowed California-based Arena Pharmaceuticals for USD 6.7 billion. Arena has yet to bring a drug to market," according to researchanalyst.com. To assess the further prospects of the Nasdaq-listed biotech Company, investors should make a note of the International Investment Forum (IIF) virtual event. Cardiol CEO David Elsley will present the Company and answer the audience's questions live.

Peloton: End of the line for broom wagons?

Those responsible for the indoor training startup Peloton are likely to be somewhat speechless when asked about their plans to turn the tide. Peloton offers a smart spinning bike that provides coaching via video stream. Most recently, the former success story has faltered significantly, with Peloton CEO John Foley forced to leave and one-fifth of the jobs eliminated. Peloton may put more emphasis on selling subscriptions in the future rather than expensive hardware. In the past, the expensive Peloton bike was often an obstacle to convince customers in the first place. Recreational athletes, in particular, who have been runners or are just getting into the sport, may have been put off by four-figure sums. The share price has reacted positively to the latest personnel development, but this is far from a turnaround.

While Peloton may have seen its best days at the start of the pandemic, BioNTech still has potential beyond the epidemic. The mRNA technology is too powerful to be forgotten. Both in and out of the pandemic, heart disease plays a significant role in health risks in developed countries. Cardiol Therapeutics may be in its infancy, but it has already performed well in many areas. The share, therefore, holds a lot of interest. On February 17, interested parties can hear the CEO explain the business model live.