July 4th, 2025 | 07:10 CEST
Biotech stocks with a safety net and double bottom: Vidac Pharma, BioNTech, and Gilead Sciences
For many years, biotech stocks were considered speculative bets on a single, all-important active ingredient. For seasoned biotech investors, it was once clear that there was little gray area between multiplication and total loss. But the biotech landscape has changed. Innovative technologies and modern processes ensure that even smaller biotech companies have several arrows in their quiver that can hit the mark. We explain what has changed in the biotech sector and what opportunities for collaboration could exist between BioNTech, Gilead Sciences, and Vidac Pharma.
time to read: 3 minutes | Author: Nico Popp
ISIN: VIDAC PHARMA HOLDING PLC | GB00BM9XQ619 , BIONTECH SE SPON. ADRS 1 | US09075V1026 , GILEAD SCIENCES DL-_001 | US3755581036
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Author
Nico Popp
At home in Southern Germany, the passionate stock exchange expert has been accompanying the capital markets for about twenty years. With a soft spot for smaller companies, he is constantly on the lookout for exciting investment stories.
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BioNTech: One technology, many possibilities
BioNTech is still widely known as the Company behind the COVID-19 vaccine. Looking at the Mainz-based company's revenue streams, that reputation holds true. However, everything suggests that BioNTech is evolving into a broadly diversified biotech company in the coming years. Why? Because the mRNA technology behind the COVID-19 vaccine is highly versatile. For example, it enables the development of vaccines and active ingredients against cancer to be tailored to the individual patients. BioNTech has long been working on several projects, such as the bispecific antibody BNT327 targeting various tumors and the mRNA-encoded bispecific antibody BNT142 against advanced solid tumors.** BioNTech is also advancing projects against known infectious diseases.
The Mainz-based company continues to rely on cooperation with other corporations and young start-ups. Examples include the acquisition of AI start-up InstaDeep and the collaboration with Chinese company Triastek, which specializes in 3D printing of pharmaceuticals. Although BioNTech is posting losses due to high research and development expenses and the weakening business with the COVID-19 vaccine, the Mainz-based company's finances are more than solid. At the end of the first quarter, BioNTech reported EUR 5.9 billion in cash, cash equivalents, and securities investments. Further research or even one or two acquisitions are therefore no problem for BioNTech.
Vidac Pharma brings death back to cancer cells
One company that, despite its low market capitalization, has several promising projects in its portfolio without spreading itself too thin is Vidac Pharma. Founded in Jerusalem in 2011, the Company also operates a location in London, among other places. Vidac Pharma's business model focuses on reversing the Warburg effect, a metabolic characteristic of cancer cells. Unlike normal cells, cancer cells do not undergo programmed cell death – apoptosis fails to occur. As a result, the cancer grows unchecked. Vidac Pharma aims to switch off this effect in oncological and oncodermatological diseases, thereby ensuring that even cancer cells die off again.
The technology is so versatile that Vidac Pharma can advance several projects even as a small company. The most important active ingredient is VDA-1102, an ointment for actinic keratosis (AK) and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, which, unlike existing drugs, is said to spare healthy tissue and have significantly fewer side effects. There is no such solution in dermatology to date. Phase 2a studies on the two applications of VDA-1102 have been completed. Since the indication targets cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, the active ingredient would qualify as an orphan drug, meaning a drug for rare diseases. As a result, Vidac Pharma can even benefit from fast approval or extended market exclusivity periods.**
Collaborations for mutual success – Where Vidac Pharma can contribute
However, Vidac Pharma has another project in the pipeline: The active ingredient VDA-1275 targets solid tumors and has shown statistically significant efficacy as a monotherapy in mice and synergistic effects in combination with standard cancer treatments. A human trial is scheduled to follow in the third quarter of 2025. Overall, Vidac Pharma has a patent portfolio comprising seven patent families. In conjunction with strategic research collaborations such as the Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Consortium, Vidac Pharma not only protects its core assets but also opens up new therapeutic avenues and expands its scientific network, which is essential for long-term growth and innovation in the biotech sector.
Since even large companies such as BioNTech and Gilead Sciences rely on cooperation and collaboration, this could result in potential opportunities for Vidac Pharma. While BioNTech focuses primarily on mRNA technology, Gilead has long been considered a specialist in the fight against viruses. However, analysts have recently recognized the Company's new projects in the field of oncology. This also creates potential links to Vidac Pharma. BioNTech could also benefit from Vidac's approach of disrupting tumor metabolism and increasing the effectiveness of immunotherapies. It is often the interaction of different technologies that leads to significant improvements for patients.
Conflict of interest
Pursuant to §85 of the German Securities Trading Act (WpHG), we point out that Apaton Finance GmbH as well as partners, authors or employees of Apaton Finance GmbH (hereinafter referred to as "Relevant Persons") may hold shares or other financial instruments of the aforementioned companies in the future or may bet on rising or falling prices and thus a conflict of interest may arise in the future. The Relevant Persons reserve the right to buy or sell shares or other financial instruments of the Company at any time (hereinafter each a "Transaction"). Transactions may, under certain circumstances, influence the respective price of the shares or other financial instruments of the Company.
In addition, Apaton Finance GmbH is active in the context of the preparation and publication of the reporting in paid contractual relationships.
For this reason, there is a concrete conflict of interest.
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