Valneva, Defence Therapeutics, Bayer - Blockbusters: Turbos for your share portfolio!

Valneva - Still in play

The long wait continues. While the responsible regulatory authority in the UK, MHRA, was the first to approve the Corona vaccine of the French pharmaceutical company Valneva back in April, the situation in the EU is much more difficult. These uncertainties have led to great volatility in share prices in recent weeks and months.

Although the European Medicines Agency, EMA, accepted the marketing authorization application for the vaccine VLA2001, it is still examining, and has been doing so since last December, whether approval will be granted. If the EMA gives the thumbs up, the EU still has to give its approval, but this is generally regarded as a mere formality. The French vaccine would then be the fifth approved vaccine in the EU.

The Valneva vaccine is the first non-mRNA vaccine to be launched on the market. It contains inactive, i.e. killed viruses. These cannot lead to infection or disease, but they stimulate the formation of immune substances. It is referred to as a dead vaccine. The hope is often expressed that previous opponents of vaccination will become more sympathetic to this proven vaccination method.

Analysts are confident about the Company and formulate average price targets corresponding to an upside potential of just under 80%. For the current fiscal year, the experts still expect the Company to be in the red with sales of EUR 343 million. In 2023, revenues are expected to rise to EUR 1.2 billion. The 2023 P/E ratio is a moderate 6.

Defence Therapeutics - Impressive news

Biotech company Defence Therapeutics focuses on immuno-oncology and infectious disease research. With the help of the proprietary and patented Accum technology, the Canadians have the potential to bring blockbusters to market in the future.

In May, Defence Therapeutics published very good results for its novel vaccine ACCUVAC-PTE7, which was developed based on Accum technology. A complete protective effect against cervical cancer (HPV - Human Papillomavirus) was documented. The outstanding efficacy was demonstrated as success was seen not only in the treatment of patients with existing tumors but also in preventive vaccinations against cervical cancer. That is a critical win, as only preventive vaccines have existed on the market to date.

According to experts, the market for cervical cancer drugs is expected to grow to nearly USD 13 billion by 2028. Thus, the Canadians are on an exciting and extremely lucrative path. Given the potential, the market capitalization of around CAD 260 million can be considered moderate.

Bayer - Positive analyst opinion

Even though the problem child "glyphosate" is once again attracting more media attention, there has also recently been positive newsflow at the German life science company. The glyphosate weedkiller, which Bayer acquired during the takeover of the US company Monsanto a few years ago, led to waves of lawsuits for causing cancer and resulted in claims for damages worth billions.

Recently, a positive commentary by Citigroup on the drug candidate Asundexian boosted the share. The experts raised their price target from EUR 102 to EUR 106, which corresponds to an upside potential of almost 40%. The analysts believe that the anticoagulant will generate peak annual sales of more than USD 6 billion. Bayer had published positive data for the drug 2 months ago. Asundexian is seen as a potential successor to the blockbuster Xarelto.

Uncertainty still prevails at Valneva. If, after the UK, the EU now also gives the green light for approval of the Corona vaccine, the stock has the potential to catch up. Bayer is a fundamental investment in the life science sector, which analysts consider undervalued. Defence Therapeutics is on a very good path to launching a blockbuster in the field of cervical cancer in the next few years, making the stock the most promising of the trio.