The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Co-Diagnostics, Moderna And Vertex Pharmaceuticals

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – March 17, 2020 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include:Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:REGN) ,Co-Diagnostics, Inc. (NASDAQ:CODX) , Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRNA) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:VRTX) .

Here are highlights from Monday’s Analyst Blog:

4 Top Biotech Stocks to Buy in the Time of Coronavirus

Stock markets around the world continue to take a beating as the coronavirus outbreak shows no sign of ebbing. Major U.S. markets recently saw their worst losses in years despite President Trump’s stimulus measures and the Fed’s aggressive monetary policies.

For markets to bounce back, the development of a coronavirus vaccine or treatment is of utmost importance. So, is it the best time to scoop up biotech stocks that are especially working on a potent vaccine?

It certainly is. Moreover, President Trump signed a $8.3-billion spending package last month to stimulate the economy. The emergency fund will be used to help slow down the impact of the virus on the economy. The package in particular will help companies that are involved in research and development of vaccines for the deadly virus as well as those that are aiming to prevent its rapid spread.

However, most of the biotech companies’ efforts are in early stages of development of the drug. Thus, investors should keep an eye on a company’s fundamentals, management team and history, to name a few.

A handful of biotech companies are widely expected to efficaciously develop a vaccine for coronavirus, fighting off the worst stock market carnage since the 2008 financial crisis. Here’re the notable picks.

Regeneron Builds on Ebola Knowledge

Based on Ebola knowledge, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REGN) is making a vaccine to tackle COVID-19. The company’s initiative to prepare such a potent weapon helped its shares increase leaps and bounds this year, especially when compared to the mere 2.5% it brought in over the last 12 months.

Regeneron, in itself, is doing pretty well. The company’s key drugs — Eylea and Dupixent – have been performing well. Label expansion into additional indications should further increase the commercial potential of the drugs.

Regeneron currently possesses a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current-year earnings has moved up 8.8% over the past 60 days. The company’s expected earnings growth rate for the current and next quarter is 41.4% and 21.3%, respectively. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Co-Diagnostics Focuses on Logix Smart Coronavirus COVID-19 Test

Molecular diagnostics company Co-Diagnostics, Inc. (CODX) has introduced an easier-to-use molecular diagnostic test known as the Logix Smart Coronavirus COVID-19 test. And the company has received a CE mark approval from the European Union to make this test commercially available.

With the rapid spread of coronavirus, the need for a molecular diagnostic test will increase, and in turn, Co-Diagnostics’ will benefit. Co-Diagnostics currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its next-quarter earnings has moved up 28.6% over the past 60 days. The company’s expected earnings growth rate for the next quarter is 44.4%.

Moderna Focuses on Developing mRNA Treatments

Clinical stage biotechnology company, Moderna, Inc. (MRNA) has manufactured a new vaccine for coronavirus treatment. Unlike DNA-based treatments, Moderna focuses on developing mRNA treatments, which should help in treating the virus better. DNA-based treatments generally require the nucleus of the cell but mRNA can be found across the cell which makes it easily accessible.

Moderna, by the way, has been pretty impressive. After getting to know the virus’ genetic composition, it took the company less than two months to develop the vaccine. Moderna currently flaunts a Zacks Rank #2. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current-year earnings has moved up 6.2% over the past 60 days. What’s more, the company’s expected earnings growth rate for the current and next quarter is 7.5% and 9.8%, respectively.

Vertex Donates $500,000 to Counter Coronavirus Outbreak

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VRTX) recently announced that the Vertex Foundation is willing to provide $500,000 to Partners HealthCare to enhance testing capacity.

Jeffrey Leiden, M.D., Ph.D., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vertex said that “as a health care company and a member of the Boston and Massachusetts communities, we are committed to doing our part to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. Expanding testing capacity is vital to limiting the spread of this virus and helping protect the health of our community.”

Vertex, in fact, dominates the cystic fibrosis (CF) market. Several deals especially in the Europe has helped the company boost sales of its CF drugs. Notably, Vertex has won approval in the United States of the newest CF drug in the market — Trikafta. The drug will be able to address more than 50% of patients that need CF therapies.

Vertex currently has a Zacks Rank #2. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current-year earnings has moved up 13.3% over the past 60 days. The company’s expected earnings growth rate for the current quarter and year is 55.3% and 42%, respectively.

Today's Best Stocks from Zacks

Would you like to see the updated picks from our best market-beating strategies? From 2017 through 2019, while the S&P 500 gained and impressive +53.6%, five of our strategies returned +65.8%, +97.1%, +118.0%, +175.7% and even +186.7%.

This outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. From 2000 – 2019, while the S&P averaged +6.0% per year, our top strategies averaged up to +54.7% per year.

See their latest picks free >>

Media Contact

Zacks Investment Research

800-767-3771 ext. 9339

support@zacks.com

http://www.zacks.com

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.