Novavax, XPhyto Therapeutics, Bayer - Corona shares for 2022!

Novavax - All good things come in fives?

As the fifth Corona vaccine, Novavax's product was recently approved in the EU. The so-called protein vaccine is to be administered in two doses about three weeks apart. Effectiveness in protecting against symptomatic infections is about 90%, according to the EU Medicines Agency (EMA). However, data on protection against the Omicron variant is not yet available. The Novavax vaccine contains components of the so-called spike protein, a protein on the surface of Sars-CoV-2 viruses. The body's defense system reacts to these protein components.

According to German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, the US company's vaccine will also be available in Germany from the beginning of 2022. Four million doses have been ordered. Currently, Novavax is successively expanding approvals in other countries. Numerous contract manufacturers are also being brought on board. The share is now correcting, but if the global roll-out goes smoothly, this will undoubtedly help the stock to get back on its feet.

XPhyto Therapeutics - Acquisition creates potential

The Canadian Company focuses on accelerating new and innovative medical solutions. The fields include drug formulations, diagnostics, drug delivery, and neurological medications. The Company's hope is a novel rapid corona PCR test that delivers meaningful results within 25 minutes.

XPhyto CEO Hugh Rogers elaborated, "Our test is designed to detect individuals infected with coronavirus before an antigen test can, which is only effective at higher viral loads. As a result, many sufferers have a negative test, feel safe, go to work, go shopping, meet friends and may spread the virus in the process."

The technology was created in collaboration with Stuttgart-based 3a-diagnostics GmbH. The Germans are among the world's leaders in developing medical innovations to detect disease. The Canadians recently acquired the biosensor development company and can now position themselves in the rapid point-of-care testing industry, a fast-growing and technology-driven sector.

According to Allied Market Research, the global coronavirus testing market is expected to grow strongly to approximately USD 39 billion by the end of 2023. Currently, XPhyto focuses on Germany, Israel, and the Middle East. Given the growth potential, the Company is moderately valued with a current market capitalization of CAD 93 million.

Bayer - DAX outperformer for 2022!

2021 was not an easy year for the Group from Leverkusen. Bayer is active in the two life science areas of health care and nutrition, particularly pharmaceuticals and agribusiness. While BioNTech launched the first Corona vaccine with partner Pfizer, Bayer's partner CureVac failed to gain regulatory approval because the vaccine's efficacy was too low.

The latest company announcement that the Leverkusen-based Company's kidney drug Finerenon could also be sold in the European Union in the future did not positively impact the share's performance. Experts believe the new drug could generate annual sales of more than USD 1 billion.

When evaluating the shares, analysts are currently focusing in particular on the risks of the agricultural division. Following the controversial takeover of US seed producer Monsanto in 2018, the Group could now also face a capital investor test case in Germany. Court cases have been taking place in the US for several years due to alleged cancer risks of weed killers containing glyphosate.

Most analysts recommend the DAX stock as a buy with an average price potential of 38%. The share has a favorable valuation and attractive key figures. The 2022 P/E ratio is 10, and the dividend yield is 4.7%.

The three stocks discussed should be among the winners next year. Novavax is a pure-play Corona winner. Bayer is much more broadly based, with pharmaceuticals and agriculture as its mainstays. Analysts rate the stock positively. XPhyto should benefit from the rising demand for coronavirus PCR rapid tests with its latest acquisition. For us, this is the most exciting investment story.