Biotechnology
Biotechnology stocks continue to be some of the strongest performers in the markets as favourable legislation introduced in the US in 2012, has helped boost investor optimism within the industry. Total venture capital financing was about 30% up in the first quarter of 2012 com- pared with the same period a year earlier, and a few acquisitions have occurred this year, in- cluding Amgen’s takeover of Micromet, Biogen Idec’s buyout of Stromedix, and Celgene’s ac- quisition of Avila Therapeutics. Biotech mergers & acquisitions activity is currently at a four-year high as large pharmaceutical companies are facing
bio-industries, recently announced the five can- didates that will compete for its Most Innova- tive EU Biotech SME Award 2012. Global Bioenergies (France) is developing more effi- cient ways to convert renewable resources such as agricultural waste, sugar and starch into chem- ical key building blocks and drop-in fuels. Green Biologics Ltd (UK) is an industrial biotechnology company that produces environmentally sustain- able bio-chemicals and bio-fuels with a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Promethera BioSciences (Belgium) is devel- oping cell therapy products that treat severe
legislation introduced in the US in 2012, has helped boost investor optimism within the industry.
Biotechnology stocks continue to be some of the strongest performers in the markets as favourable
potential sharp drops in revenue as patents expire. Investing in biotechnology stocks is risky. The majority of biotechnology firms have less than 50 employees, and they are difficult to re- search due to their relatively small size. As they often do not have any cash flow and investors have little indication of the status of their re- search, big announcements often come by sur- prise. Investing in these stocks can be a long-term play, but it can pay off handsomely. On the other hand, the sector is comprised of companies that have a high failure rate on every- thing they attempt to invent. Investing in a biotechnology exchange-traded fund may be the safest way to commit funds to the sector, but for those keen on due diligence, the sector can prove very profitable.
The problem of raising enough funding for re- search and development, as well as product inno- vation, is often cited by biotechnology companies and industry associations. Adequate access to finance is difficult for SMEs with no proven track record. Industry groups suggest that to take advantage of the unique opportunities presented by biotechnology, it is essential that the EU develops workable policy meas- ures that support research and innovation in the bio-economy and that problems surround- ing access to finance are solved.
EuropaBio, the European association for 40 New European Economy
genetic liver diseases mainly affecting children as well as acquired liver diseases. ProtAffin AG (Austria) is developing more effective therapies for key global diseases with major unmet need such as Chronic Obstructive Pul- monary Disorder. Finally, to-BBB (Netherlands) has discovered a new technology to enhance drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier to treat medical condi- tions such as brain cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis.
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