Close menu




August 16th, 2021 | 11:20 CEST

Defence Therapeutics, Moderna, Evotec - Bet on the front-runners!

  • Biotechnology
Photo credits: pixabay.com

Health is our most important asset. Biotech companies that protect it save not only human lives but also reap high profits. The price development of many biotech stocks over the past few months has been breathtaking. Investors are advised to focus on the frontrunners, as the market position gained as a first mover, the leadership position in a niche or innovative solution, will enable the companies to keep their competitors at bay for a long time to come.

time to read: 3 minutes | Author: Carsten Mainitz
ISIN: DEFENCE THERAPEUTICS INC | CA24463V1013 , MODERNA INC. DL-_0001 | US60770K1079 , EVOTEC SE INH O.N. | DE0005664809

Table of contents:


    Defence Therapeutics - The ADC pioneer

    Biotechnology Company Defence Therapeutics focuses on therapeutic methods to fight cancer and to develop vaccines against infectious diseases. The Canadians are driving an innovative approach. Based on the Company's proprietary Accum platform, the next generation of vaccines and ADC (Antibody Drug Conjugates) preparations are being developed. This process is considered particularly promising for cancer therapy. Recently, the Company was able to announce a significant success. The developed vaccine AccuVAC-PT001 showed serum cross-reactions with the spike protein of several SARS-CoV-2 variants in laboratory tests in vaccinated animals.

    Most notably, the highest efficacy was observed with the currently rampant Delta variant. Through the vaccine, an effective infection blockade of the parent strain was achieved. Further laboratory trials are underway to verify the neutralizing ability of the antibodies generated. The long-term goal is to develop a booster vaccine that blocks both virus transmission and immune evasion by further mutation.

    In order to strategically optimize the Accum platform and the clinical trials, the biotechnology Company recently brought a highly experienced consultant on board. PharmaLex GmbH's subsidiary, Biopharma Excellence, is a leading pharmaceutical consulting firm with expertise in all areas from development to regulatory affairs and biopharmaceutical collaborations with a focus on regulatory matters in Europe, the United States and Japan.

    Through Accum's technology, Defence Therapeutics expects to shorten treatment duration with fewer side effects while increasing efficacy through targeted drug positioning. The promising fields of cancer therapy and the fight against Covid-19 address huge markets. If successful, the market capitalization should increase significantly from the current value of CAD 226 million.

    MODERNA INC - Tailwind from FDA approval

    The US biotechnology company specializes in discovering and developing therapeutics and vaccines for infectious, autoimmune, and cardiovascular diseases. Like BionNTech/Pfizer, Moderna is a pioneer in the fight against Covid-19 with its mRNA preparations. Now the business development is getting another tailwind. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved the third vaccination with Covid-19 vaccines from Moderna and BionNTech/Pfizer for immunocompromised adults.

    The booster vaccine is intended for people who have undergone organ transplants, undergoing chemotherapy, and for patients whose immune systems are severely compromised. Moderna is valued at USD 157 billion at share prices of USD 390. The Company's high profitability results in a moderate valuation of the stock. The 2021 P/E ratio is only 13, while the 2022 P/E ratio is 16.

    EVOTEC SE - Growth scenario intact

    Active pharmaceutical ingredient researcher Evotec is entirely on track to achieve its annual targets. The benchmark for 2021 is sales of EUR 550 to 570 million, an increase of up to 14% compared to the previous year and an increase in operating income (EBITDA) to EUR 105 to 120 million from EUR 107 million.

    With the recently published half-year figures, however, the Hamburg-based Company disappointed at the profit level. Although sales rose by almost a fifth to just under EUR 280 million, EBITDA fell by nearly 25% to EUR 36 million due to higher investments and increased expenditure on research and development.

    However, investors should not overestimate this snapshot. The medium-term growth trajectory is right. As a contract researcher, Evotec benefits from high demand from pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions. In addition, the Company has expanded its drug development activities in recent years. Closed alliances and acquisitions also accelerated growth. In 2025, sales are expected to rise to more than EUR 1 billion and EBITDA to at least EUR 300 million. Evotec shares have almost doubled in the last 12 months. The Company is currently valued at around EUR 7 billion.


    Biotech stocks have been among investors' favorites in recent months. With the three stocks presented, investors can bet on the continuation of the success stories. The question is whether to do this with heavyweights like Moderna and Evotec or with still relatively young but very innovative companies like Defence Therapeutics. Should the Canadians achieve a breakthrough, a revaluation of the share is on the cards.


    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 in the future hold shares or other financial instruments of the mentioned companies or will bet on rising or falling on rising or falling prices and therefore a conflict of interest may arise in the future. conflict of interest may arise in the future. The Relevant Persons reserve the shares or other financial instruments of the company at any time (hereinafter referred to as the company at any time (hereinafter referred to as a "Transaction"). "Transaction"). Transactions may under certain circumstances influence the respective price of the shares or other financial instruments of the of the Company.

    Furthermore, Apaton Finance GmbH reserves the right to enter into future relationships with the company or with third parties in relation to reports on the company. with regard to reports on the company, which are published within the scope of the Apaton Finance GmbH as well as in the social media, on partner sites or in e-mails, on partner sites or in e-mails. The above references to existing conflicts of interest apply apply to all types and forms of publication used by Apaton Finance GmbH uses for publications on companies.

    Risk notice

    Apaton Finance GmbH offers editors, agencies and companies the opportunity to publish commentaries, interviews, summaries, news and etc. on news.financial. These contents serve information for readers and does not constitute a call to action or recommendations, neither explicitly nor implicitly. implicitly, they are to be understood as an assurance of possible price be understood. The contents do not replace individual professional investment advice and do not constitute an offer to sell the share(s) offer to sell the share(s) or other financial instrument(s) in question, nor is it an nor an invitation to buy or sell such.

    The content is expressly not a financial analysis, but rather financial analysis, but rather journalistic or advertising texts. Readers or users who make investment decisions or carry out transactions on the basis decisions or transactions on the basis of the information provided here act completely at their own risk. There is no contractual relationship between between Apaton Finance GmbH and its readers or the users of its offers. users of its offers, as our information only refers to the company and not to the company, but not to the investment decision of the reader or user. or user.

    The acquisition of financial instruments entails high risks that can lead to the total loss of the capital invested. The information published by Apaton Finance GmbH and its authors are based on careful research on careful research, nevertheless no liability for financial losses financial losses or a content guarantee for topicality, correctness, adequacy and completeness of the contents offered here. contents offered here. Please also note our Terms of use.


    Der Autor

    Carsten Mainitz

    The native Rhineland-Palatinate has been a passionate market participant for more than 25 years. After studying business administration in Mannheim, he worked as a journalist, in equity sales and many years in equity research.

    About the author



    Related comments:

    Commented by Nico Popp on September 27th, 2023 | 07:10 CEST

    Rich as a Sheikh? Here is what's happening: Schott Pharma, BioNTech, Cardiol Therapeutics

    • Biotechnology
    • Pharma

    High-tech or add-on? When Schott Pharma's shares go public in Frankfurt on Thursday, investors are likely to have a clear opinion. The manufacturer of pharmaceutical packaging may be attracting significant interest precisely because its business model is clearly defined. But what sets Schott apart, and which companies in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry might also become interesting? We provide insights and deliver answers!

    Read

    Commented by Juliane Zielonka on September 22nd, 2023 | 06:50 CEST

    Cardiol Therapeutics, BioNTech, BYD - At top speed to new markets

    • Biotechnology
    • Pharma
    • Electromobility

    Cardiol Therapeutics is enjoying a remarkable development. The biotech company is now rolling out its ARCHER patient recruitment trial internationally at 35 participating centers. This accelerates research in the development of their therapy to combat myocarditis, a heart inflammation which has been associated with COVID-19 vaccination. For Cardiol Therapeutics, this represents an opportunity to get its therapy approved as an orphan drug. Approval is also at stake for BioNTech. With a multimillion-dollar funding boost, the Company is working on accelerated approval for a vaccine against a virus that caused quite a stir last year. The shortened development time is likely to impress investors. While business nations agree on fighting viruses, they disagree on commodities for the road. The EU would prefer to restrict BYD's successful sales on domestic roads - by imposing tariffs. BYD, meanwhile, is tapping into a completely different market.

    Read

    Commented by André Will-Laudien on September 18th, 2023 | 06:30 CEST

    Unbelievable! Hands off AI, biotech in rebound! Bayer, Defence Therapeutics, Morphosys

    • AI
    • Biotechnology
    • Investments

    The big fall decline is now over. It is always a difficult time, but the so-called "Triple Witching" went relatively smoothly this time. The European Central Bank (ECB), in its first interest rate meeting after the summer break, decided to raise key rates by another quarter point to 4.00%, up from the previous 3.75% in July. At the same time, it lowered its inflation forecast for 2025 and the outlook for economic growth in the Eurozone for the years 2023 to 2025. Economic risks are increasing, but inflation remains the determining factor for interest rates. Expectations that the US Federal Reserve (FED) will announce an interest rate pause at its next meeting on Wednesday have boosted confidence. Last week's big losers were the recently favoured AI stocks Nvidia, Microsoft and C3.ai. However, the biotech sector has recently started to climb again. Where are the opportunities for investors?

    Read