Acing the first tests
Recently approved drugs with blockbuster potential will be the first tests for the high-growth biotech bunch, although all seem to have the winds at their backs initially. Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ:CELG)’s Pomalyst was approved as a third-line treatment for multiple myeloma in February. The drug should get a boost over Onyx‘s injectable Kyprolis for being orally administered and easily capture a chunk of the $6.5 billion multiple myeloma market, which is expected to double by 2017. Analysts believe the initial approved indication will be worth $1 billion in annual sales.
Biogen Idec Inc. (NASDAQ:BIIB) received approval for multiple sclerosis pill Tecfidera in late March. Fellow Fool Keith Speights believes it won’t have a problem ripping market share away from current therapies offered by Novartis and Sanofi thanks to a squeaky clean safety profile. Consensus forecasts call for the drug to hit $2.6 billion in sales by 2016 and nearly $4 billion by 2019.
Not to be outdone by its peers, Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) has received a string of approvals dating back to last August when its 4-in-1 HIV pill Stribild got the nod from the Food and Drug Administration. The drug is expected to rake in close to $5 billion in peak sales, according to Deutsche Bank, although the revenue stream will likely offset declining sales from aging therapies currently offered by Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD). The company still has plenty to look forward to, especially with a recently submitted application for its newest hepatitis C pill, sofosbuvir. The all-oral therapy would be a first for the market, which is expected to reach $20 billion before the end of the decade.
Foolish bottom line
Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ:CELG), Biogen Idec Inc. (NASDAQ:BIIB), and Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) could all see earnings per share more than double in the next few years if leading drug candidates gain approval and enjoy a successful launch. But with failures imminent, why try to pick just one? Investors should instead consider spreading the risk and reward across the group. Would you rather gamble trying to choose the best biotech company, or check your ego at the door and own three great growth stocks (poor you)? If you weigh the risk and reward equally, the answer should be obvious.
The article Don’t Try to Pick the Best Biotech Company originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Maxx Chatsko.
Fool contributor Maxx Chatsko has no position in any stocks mentioned. Check out his personal portfolio, his CAPS page, or follow him on Twitter @BlacknGoldFool to keep up with his writing on energy, bioprocessing, and emerging technologies.The Motley Fool recommends Celgene and Gilead Sciences.
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