In this article, we will take a look at the 5 biggest immunotherapy companies in the world. If you want to see more companies in this selection, go to the 15 Biggest Immunotherapy Companies in the World.
5. AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)
Market Capitalization: $235.11 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 42
AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) is a Cambridge, UK-based biopharmaceutical company that has made significant investments in the area of immunotherapy, with several promising developments in the field. The corporation has created several checkpoint inhibitors, including Imfinzi (durvalumab) and tremelimumab, which have been approved for the treatment of several different types of cancer. In Q1 2023, AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) posted an EPS of $0.96, beating the analysts’ estimates by $0.14. Furthermore, the company recorded revenue of $10.88 billion, surpassing the analysts’ expectations by $319.8 million. AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) offers an attractive forward dividend yield of 3.26% as of April 28.
Artisan Partners shared its outlook on AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) in its Q4 2022 investor letter. Here’s what the firm said:
“In health care, an area where we have been very selective this year, we bought a stake in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN), a pharmaceutical and medical products company, after it presented its phase 3 data for Capivasertib, a potential treatment for certain patients with metastatic breast cancer. The data were very positive, and we believe it further solidifies AstraZeneca as a market leader in breast cancer treatments.”
4. Roche Holding AG (ROG.SW)
Market Capitalization: $255.13 billion (CHF227.37 billion)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: N/A
Roche Holding AG (ROG.SW) is a Basel, Switzerland-based global healthcare company involved in oncology, immunology, and other areas of medical research. Roche Holding AG (ROG.SW) has expanded its efforts to combat KRAS-mutated cancer by securing the rights to Hookipa Pharma’s HB-700 and an option for another arenaviral immunotherapy. In exchange, Roche Holding AG (ROG.SW) is making an upfront payment of $25 million and pledging up to $930 million in potential payments. Roche Holding AG (ROG.SW) offers an annual forward dividend yield of 3.38% as of April 28.
3. AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV)
Market Capitalization: $293.90 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 73
AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV) is a Chicago, Illinois-based global biopharmaceutical company. AbbVie’s key immunotherapy drug is Imbruvica (ibrutinib), which is a Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor. Imbruvica has been approved for the treatment of several different types of cancer, including mantle cell lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, and Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia. The drug works by blocking BTK, which is an enzyme that is involved in the growth and survival of cancer cells. In addition to Imbruvica, AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV) is also involved in the creation of other immunotherapies for cancer, including antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and bispecific antibodies. The stock has an annual dividend yield of 3.97% as of April 28.
Alger Capital shared its outlook on AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV) in its Q4 2022 investor letter. Here’s what the firm said:
“AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV) is a global biopharmaceutical company that develops and markets drugs in areas such as immunology. virology and oncology. Recently, the company expanded through the acquisition of Allergan, which added robust growth assets to help offset the loss of U.S. patent protection for Humira, a leading treatment used for rheumatology, and dermatology. gastroenterology, and ophthalmology. While AbbVie reported weak third-quarter revenues across the board, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Vraylar (an antipsychotic treatment) in December. Despite concerns around Humira’s loss of patent protection, we believe AbbVie has significantly diversified its revenue and that its launch of Rinvog for psoriatic arthritis and atopic dermatitis could be promising.”
2. Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK)
Market Capitalization: $297.18 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 77
Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is a Rahway, New Jersey-based pharmaceutical company. The company’s immunotherapy program is focused on the creation of checkpoint inhibitors and other types of immunotherapies. Merck & Co., Inc.’s (NYSE:MRK) key checkpoint inhibitor is pembrolizumab, which has been approved for the treatment of several different types of cancer, including melanoma, lung cancer, and head and neck cancer. Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is also involved in the formulation of therapies for infectious diseases, including HIV and COVID-19. The company has created several COVID-19 treatments, including the antiviral drug molnupiravir, which has been authorized for emergency use in the US.
Here’s what Aristotle Capital Management, LLC said about Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) in its Q4 2022 investor letter:
“Founded in 1891 and headquartered in New Jersey, Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is one the world’s largest pharmaceutical firms. The company’s drugs are used to treat conditions in a variety of areas, including oncology (~38% of revenue), vaccines (~19%), diabetes (~11%), animal health (~11%) and other (~21%). Merck produced over $48 billion in sales in 2021, just under half of which were generated in the United States. Within oncology, the firm’s immuno-oncology platform is becoming a major contributor to overall sales, driven by the blockbuster1 drug Keytruda. The company’s vaccine business is also significant and includes Gardasil for the prevention of HPV (the disease that can lead to cervical cancer in women), as well as vaccines for hepatitis B, pediatric diseases and shingles. In recent years, Merck has been shifting its focus toward unmet medical needs in specialty-care areas. As part of this shift in focus, in June 2021, Merck received $9 billion from the spinoff of its women’s health, established brands, and biosimilars businesses into the now independent, publicly traded company Organon…” (Click here to read the full text)
1. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ)
Market Capitalization: $515.34 billion
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 84
Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) is a New Brunswick, New Jersey-based global pharmaceutical corporation. The company’s key checkpoint inhibitor is called ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel), which is a CAR-T cell therapy created for the treatment of multiple myeloma. The corporation is also involved in the development of immunotherapies for other diseases, including autoimmune diseases and inflammatory disorders. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) has also developed a drug called ustekinumab, which is a monoclonal antibody used to treat autoimmune diseases like psoriasis and Crohn’s disease.
Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) was discussed in the Q2 2022 investor letter of Distillate Capital Partners LLC. Here’s what the firm said:
“Johnson & Johnson was among the 2 largest trims at around 1% each. Each stock was up 1% in the quarter compared to the 16% price decline for the S&P 500 and the positions were reduced as the valuations became somewhat less appealing, though still attractive enough to warrant inclusion.”
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