If there is one term that has been heard, discussed and debated heavily in 2021 it is “vaccine.” The Covid-19 pandemic has put vaccines back in the spotlight and prompted heavy debate regarding one of the most important inventions in medical history. Such a hot topic, which is essentially relevant to the world’s entire population, is also a source of great investment opportunity.
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The vaccine market
It is not often that a manufacturer can truly say that its target market is “everyone” — but that is the case with vaccines. From their earliest days, vaccines have always been relevant to almost every member of the human race. Some are given during the first year of a baby’s life, others later in adulthood, and some, like the recently developed Covid-19 vaccine, are given as part of a worldwide effort to combat a pandemic.
In 2019, the global vaccine market was estimated at just under $50 billion and it is expected to more than double by 2027.
Naturally, the research and development behind the creation of a vaccine is extensive and expensive. This is why, in today’s world, they are almost always developed by pharma giants. These multinational companies have the resources, infrastructure and facilities to see the entire process through. However, since human lives are at stake, these companies also have to adhere to strict limitations of health regulatory entities, such as the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Moreover, since they are also publicly traded companies, pharma giants are also under the constant scrutiny of their shareholders. Therefore, vaccines are a massive undertaking, and while carrying a significant potential profit, they also involve tremendous risk. So how should investors look at this market?
Clinical trials: The Covid-19 pandemic
The history of vaccines can be traced back to the 1500s, with the earliest testimonies of preemptive treatments utilised in China and India. However, it was not until the late 1700s that the term “vaccine,” was coined, derived from the Latin word for cow, as the bovine version of smallpox was used to inoculate humans. Over the years, vaccines have been part of the global medical effort, preventing diseases such as measles and tuberculosis, and even completely eradicating some diseases such as polio and smallpox.
Vaccines have been at the heart of many public debates in recent years, with so-called “anti-vaxxers” on one side and scientists and medical professionals on the other. However, the coronavirus pandemic has buoyed the discussion, and as new vaccines are being developed and rolled out, the importance of this medical tool has become all-the-more apparent.
Covid-19 has impacted the lives of almost everyone on the planet in one way or another. Different governments have taken different approaches to manage the pandemic, ranging from mild restrictions to comprehensive lockdowns.
It took just nine months for a vaccine to be developed and tested. After successful clinical trials, in late 2020, vaccines began to be approved. Pfizer and Moderna both received Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA and began shipping around the world. At present, the vaccines are still being administered in different countries and at different paces, but they will most likely hold the key to a return to normal life.
Investing in vaccine stocks
With so much growth potential and constant public debate, stocks from pharma companies that are developing vaccines are alluring to many investors. However, it is often difficult to sift through all of the companies and find the ones in which to invest. To present its users with exposure to this high-profile market segment, eToro has created the Vaccine-Med Smart Portfolio, which comprises stocks from pharma giants alongside pure players in the vaccine space.
This is a marketing communication and should not be taken as investment advice, personal recommendation, or an offer of, or solicitation to buy or sell, any financial instruments. This material has been prepared without taking any particular recipient’s investment objectives or financial situation into account, and has not been prepared in accordance with the legal and regulatory requirements to promote independent research. Any references to past or future performance of a financial instrument, index or a packaged investment product are not, and should not be taken as, a reliable indicator of future results. eToro makes no representation and assumes no liability as to the accuracy or completeness of the content of this publication, which has been prepared utilising publicly available information.
Data in this article was taken from this datasheet.