CLDX - Healthcare - The Silver Lining of 2020

Many of the best stocks in 2020 were healthcare companies focused on two disease areas: trying to stop the spread of COVID-19 and improving survival rates from deadly diseases. Their scientific achievements have been nothing less than extraordinary. By looking at healthcare companies with market caps above $200 million from the beginning of the year until December 1 ^st , here are the top ten that delivered highest returns during the unprecedented pandemic that caused nothing less than an economic turmoil.

1. Novavax

Novavax’s (NASDAQ:NVAX) journey from micro-cap to mid-cap has been nothing short of breath taking. The vaccine specialist has two potential blockbuster drugs in its pipeline: one for influenza and another for COVID-19. Back in March, the company reported positive phase 3 data from its flu shot candidate, Nano-Flu, and it is currently undergoing pivotal trials of its COVID-19 candidate with data expected in the first quarter of 2021.

1. Vaxart

Vaxart’s (NASDAQ:VXRT) also went from micro-cap to small-cap in 2020 due to its own development of a COVID-19 vaccine candidate. But while Novavax counted on $1.6 billion from Operation Warp Speed, Vaxart did not pull in any federal funding and had to issue stock to fund its phase 1 trial. Despite its slow progress, potential is immense as unlike all the major vaccine candidates, Vaxart’s COVID-19 vaccine is a pill, not a shot. Any piece of good news can further propel this stock to space.

1. Cardiff Oncology

Cardiff Oncology (NASDAQ:CRDF) had a minuscule $10.6 million market cap at the beginning of the year but to almost $700 million. Its cancer drug that it licensed for $2 million from a private company is its future billion-dollar opportunity but its lead drug candidate, Onvansertib, is reportedly achieving success in fighting colon tumour while simultaneously being tested for prostate cancer and leukemia in phase 2 trials. Pivotal trials have not been reached yet but the early data was enough to lure in investors.

1. Co-Diagnostics

Co-Diagnostics (NASDAQ:CODX) ran up from a $15 million valuation to $300 million when it provided an early diagnostic test for COVID-19. Co-Diagnostics already has products on the market and is highly profitable. Early sales of its diagnostics have caused revenue to jump to $47 million in the first three quarters of the year, its sales growth soared over 50,000% in the third quarter, and it boasts a 63% profit margin.

1. Trillium Therapeutics

Trillium Therapeutics (NASDAQ:TRIL) saw its market cap skyrocket from $29 million to $1.2 billion this year. The biotech company specializes in drugs that shut down the CD47 protein in cancer cells, which instructs the immune system to leave the cancer cells alone. When this protein is shut down, the immune system can kill the cancer cells. While Trillium’s drugs are only in phase 1 trials, early data is beyond promising.

1. Arcturus Therapeutics

mRNA vaccine developers Pfizer (NYSE: PFE), Moderna (NASDAQ:MRNA) and BioNTech (NASDAQ:BNTX) made headlines this year as their COVID-19 vaccines proved to be safe and effective. Arcturus Therapeutics (NASDAQ:ARCT) is another such specialist but it is lagging behind due to a lack of funds. Arcturus has vaccine candidates for COVID-19 and the flu, along with a variety of other mRNA drugs in clinical trials, including a possible treatment for cystic fibrosis. Still, it did go up 940% as the world is excited about this new technology.

1. Celldex Therapeutics

Celldex (NASDAQ:CLDX) shares sold for $2 in January and now, they are standing at approximately $19 as the company got its drugs into clinical trails. The biotech has two cancer drugs in phase 1 trials, and another phase 1 drug for an inflammatory disease that causes hives.

1. Retractable Technologies

Retractable Technologies (NYSEMKT:RVP) makes syringes with automatic retractable needles which became of vital importance during the pandemic because an accidental needle stick can infect medical workers with a patient’s disease. Retractable saw huge revenue gains this year as the government stockpiled syringes for upcoming vaccination.

1. Moderna

Moderna had a $6 billion market cap already at the beginning of the year when it did not have any existing drug on the market. But COVID-19 allowed the company to show what it’s got and Moerna delivered by producing a vaccine with 94.1% efficacy. Now Moderna’s market cap is $61 billion with rest of its pipeline that has been validated with mRNA evidence.

1. Seres Therapeutics

Seres Therapeutics (NASDAQ:MCRB) specializes in the genetic material of all the microscopic bacteria that exist in the gastrointestinal tract and seeks the beneficial gut bacteria. It has even joined forces with Nestle (OTC: NSRGY) on a drug in phase 3 trials for a type of colitis that affects half a million Americans every year, and a phase 2 drug for ulcerative colitis.

An even brighter outlook

Novavax, the best stock in 2020 will continue to soar if its phase 3 trials data is positive. Trillium and Seres have exciting drug platforms that are approaching deadly diseases in an entirely new way. 2020 has been a rough year for most, but investors in these 10 stocks sure had a silver lining and their future could be just as bright if they deliver on the promise.

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