In this article, we will be taking a look at the 11 Best Cancer Stocks to Buy Right Now.
Cancer remains the second leading cause of death globally, after heart disease. In the U.S., over 1.95 million new cancer cases were projected in 2023, a 28% increase from 2010, with more than 600,000 deaths expected in 2024. Rising patient numbers have significantly increased treatment costs, with total U.S. cancer care spending projected to reach $245 billion by 2030, up from around $200 billion in 2020.
Global funding for cancer research has surged over the past 20 years. Between 2017 and 2022, the FDA approved 161 new cancer drugs, reflecting rapid advancement in therapies spanning diagnosis, treatment, and patient management. The global oncology drugs market, valued at $201.75 billion in 2023, is expected to grow to $518.25 billion by 2032 at a CAGR of 11.3%. This expansion is driven by rising cancer incidence and the development of targeted immunotherapies, with North America holding the largest market share at 45.9%.
Precision oncology, which tailors treatment based on a patient’s tumor DNA profile, is also growing rapidly. Valued at $115.8 billion in 2024, this market is projected to expand at a CAGR of 8.05% through 2030, supported by improved diagnostics, reduced side effects, and avoidance of drug resistance.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming cancer care by enabling faster, more accurate analysis of complex oncology datasets, improving diagnostics, and streamlining treatment planning. The AI oncology market is projected to grow from $1.98 billion in 2025 to $9.04 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 35.5%, with North America leading and Asia-Pacific experiencing the fastest growth.
These trends, rising incidence, growing treatment costs, precision medicine advancements, and AI integration, underscore the long-term potential in oncology. As a result, investments in cancer-focused biotech and pharmaceutical companies are expected to be increasingly profitable, making certain cancer stocks attractive for long-term growth.
A scientist in a lab researching the biology of a cancer cell.
Our Methodology
For our methodology, we picked cancer stocks from the iShares Genomics Immunology and Healthcare ETF and then ranked them in ascending order based on their total number of hedge fund holders as of Q2 2025, as tracked by Insider Monkey database.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).
Here is our list of the 11 best cancer stocks to buy right now.
11. BioNTech SE (NASDAQ:BNTX)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 16
BioNTech SE (NASDAQ:BNTX), a German biotechnology company, specializes in mRNA-based immunotherapies for cancer and infectious diseases and stands eleventh on our list among the best cancer stocks. Following its global recognition for the COVID-19 vaccine, the company has been expanding its oncology pipeline with personalized cancer immunotherapies, next-generation immunomodulators, and targeted therapies.
In June 2025, BioNTech SE (NASDAQ:BNTX) entered a global collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) to co-develop and commercialize BNT327, a bispecific antibody targeting PD-L1 and VEGF-A across multiple solid tumors. The deal, worth up to $11.1 billion, underscores the business’s commitment to advancing oncology beyond its COVID-19 vaccine success.
BioNTech SE (NASDAQ:BNTX) also announced the acquisition of CureVac, a company with proprietary mRNA technology. The company has initiated multiple Phase 1/2 clinical trials with BNT327 and other novel mRNA and antibody-drug conjugate candidates, focusing on combination therapies for breast, lung, colorectal, and other solid tumors. These trials aim to validate synergistic approaches targeting multiple tumor-specific pathways.
10. Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (NYSE:TAK)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 18
Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (NYSE:TAK), a global biopharmaceutical leader, is advancing cancer treatment through novel immuno-oncology strategies focused on the innate immune system. A major development is the company’s planned acquisition of Adaptate Biotherapeutics, which specializes in gamma delta (γδ) T cell engager therapies for solid tumors.
The company also received a positive CHMP opinion in Europe for ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) for advanced Hodgkin lymphoma, enhancing its oncology portfolio. Additionally, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (NYSE:TAK) presented encouraging clinical data for rusfertide at the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting, highlighting ongoing late-stage pipeline progress in cancer and related diseases.
Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (NYSE:TAK)’s strategic focus emphasizes building an immuno-oncology portfolio around innate immunity, including γδ T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. Through acquisitions and R&D collaborations, the company is integrating cutting-edge platforms to develop innovative cancer therapies.
9. Genmab A/S (NASAQ:GMAB)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 19
Genmab A/S (NASDAQ:GMAB), a Danish biotechnology leader, specializes in antibody-based therapies for cancer and serious diseases, with notable successes including Darzalex (daratumumab) for multiple myeloma and epcoritamab for B-cell malignancies. Strategic partnerships with AbbVie and Johnson & Johnson support the company’s expanded oncology portfolio and commercialization efforts.
At ASCO 2025, Genmab A/S (NASDAQ:GMAB) presented key data highlighting its pipeline progress. Early results from a Phase 1/2 trial of Rina-S, a folate receptor-alpha targeted antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) for advanced endometrial cancer, showed promise in addressing this hard-to-treat women’s cancer. Long-term follow-up from the EPCORE NHL-1 study demonstrated durable complete responses at two years for epcoritamab in relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), underscoring its potential as a core therapy alongside AbbVie.
The company also reported positive Phase 3 EPCORE FL-1 results for epcoritamab in follicular lymphoma, where combination therapy with rituximab and lenalidomide achieved a 95.7% overall response rate and reduced progression risk by 79%, further strengthening its position among the best cancer stocks in the immuno-oncology space.
In May 2025, the business expanded its ADC capabilities through a $1.8 billion acquisition of ProfoundBio, adding next-generation ADC candidates to accelerate the development of transformative cancer treatments. The company continues to advance innovative platforms such as DuoBody and HexaBody, as well as research into immune complement system modulation, aimed at improving therapeutic efficacy and safety.
