Shares of rare-disease specialist Amicus Therapeutics (NASDAQ: FOLD) have been tumbling for several months over competitive concerns for its lead drug candidate. While the first-mover advantage tends to be overblown in most investing discussions, that's typically not the case when it comes to launching new drug products, especially in rare diseases. Doctors and patients tend to stick with the first drug to claim market share unless a more effective, safer, or lower-cost option becomes available.
Considering the lead drug candidate was expected to generate peak annual sales of $1 billion or more, the potential of losing first-mover status to a competitor isn't something to be brushed aside. That said, Amicus recently reported preliminary third-quarter 2019 operating results that demonstrated reasons for optimism for the next several years. Is this gene therapy stock a buy?
Image source: Getty Images.