Why I’d buy into the biotech revolution with AstraZeneca plc, Roche Holding Ltd. and Amgen, Inc.

AstraZeneca plc (LON:AZN), Roche Holding Ltd. (VTX:RHHBY) and Amgen, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN) are 3 plays on a new healthcare boom.

| More on:

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.

Read More

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice. Investments in a currency other than sterling are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in sterling terms. You could lose money in sterling even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

The first age of the pharmaceutical industry ran from the 1960s to the early years of this century. It was the age of the chemical drug. These drugs are chemical compounds, that had been found to have a beneficial effect on the human body and which were synthesized in the laboratory.

Think of paracetamol, Lipitor (atorvastatin) and Viagra (sildenafil). This led to the first boom in the drugs industry, when patent-protected blockbuster medicines made billions of pounds for these firms. Yet recently we have seen a decline in this industry, with a series of key patent expiries, and declining profits as more as more doctors and patients turned to generic medicines.

The second age of pharmaceuticals has begun

But reports of the demise of the pharmaceutical industry have been greatly exaggerated. That’s because we are now at the beginning of the second age of the healthcare sector — the age of biotechnology.

In research laboratories from Oxford and Harvard, to ETH and Stanford, scientists are coming up with new innovations in the biosciences. Papers and patents are being published, spin-out companies created and new products are being devised and launched.

The innovations are coming in many different areas. Genetics and gene sequencing are yielding a huge amount of information about how our bodies function. Stem cell science will lead to the hope that the paralysed will be able to walk again, and that replacement organs can be grown. The science of vaccines means that we are protected from many common diseases. And the development of antibody-based biological drugs means that cancer is a disease that finally can be defeated.

A great time to invest in biotech

In the UK, I think the leader in these new treatments is AstraZeneca (LSE: AZN), a drugs company that has set out its stall to be a world-leading innovator in healthcare. A recent pull back in the share means that, at a 2016 P/E ratio of 13.61, and with a dividend yield of 5.14%, this firm offers good value.

In Switzerland, another pharma company with a similar outlook to AstraZeneca is Roche (NASDAQOTH:RHHBY). It also has substantial strengths in biotech and produces a range of drugs including anti-cancer treatments Avastin and Herceptin. It is a highly acquisitive firm that has taken over many biotech businesses, including Genentech. It is highly rated, with a P/E ratio of 24.06, and a dividend yield of 3.22%, but, to many investors and analysts, it represents as clear a vision as you can get of the future of pharma.

In the US, the leading biotech firm is Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN). Headquartered in Thousand Oaks, California, you might be surprised to hear that its $116bn valuation makes it worth more than AstraZeneca. Like Roche, it buys up promising spin-out businesses so that it can remain at the cutting edge of this fast-moving industry.

It produces treatments for arthritis, anaemia and osteoporosis. And it is a firm that is steadily growing revenues and earnings. A P/E ratio of 16.92, with a dividend yield of 2.31%, means you can buy into growth at a reasonable price, and the scale of this business means it is nowhere near as risky as taking a punt on a small cap biotech start-up.

Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

Prabhat Sakya has no position in any shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended AstraZeneca. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

More on Investing Articles

US Stock

The Nvidia share price falls! Here’s what I think happens next for the S&P 500

Jon Smith reviews the overnight results from Nvidia and explains why this could stall the S&P 500 performance through to…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Down 15% today, is this FTSE 100 share too cheap for me to miss?

JD Sports' share price has tanked after the FTSE 100 share released another profit warning. Is this the opportunity I've…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Up 8% today, is this FTSE 100 growth stock a slam-dunk buy for me?

Halma's share price is soaring thanks to another headline-grabbing trading update. Is the FTSE 100 stock now too good for…

Read more »

Investing Articles

With a P/E ratio of just 10.5 is now a brilliant time to buy a cut-price FTSE 250 tracker?

Harvey Jones says a recent dip in the FTSE 250 leaves the index trading at bargain levels. One stock in…

Read more »

Warren Buffett at a Berkshire Hathaway AGM
Investing Articles

To build a passive income flow, I’d follow this Warren Buffett approach

Warren Buffett has set up passive income streams most people can only dream about. Our writer sees some practical lessons…

Read more »

Growth Shares

As the boohoo share price falls, could it become a penny stock in 2025?

Jon Smith outlines some of the recent problems involving the boohoo share price and considers if things could get even…

Read more »

Young Asian woman with head in hands at her desk
Investing Articles

Here are the worst-performing FTSE 100 shares over the last 5 years

These five FTSE 100 shares have been complete duds over the last half decade. But is there potential for a…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Nvidia stock has tripled this year! Can it keep rising?

Nvidia's latest sales update showed strong growth and the stock's been on a tear so far in 2024. So is…

Read more »