Companies that are working on coronavirus (COVID-19) treatments or vaccines

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic sweeps across the globe and a definitive treatment or vaccine for the virus hasn’t yet been approved yet. National and international health agencies like WHO and CDC continue to monitor the situation very closely and continue to publish updates. –  Rolling updates on coronavirus disease (COVID-19). 

While most of us continue to await updates, some investors are also anxiously scanning the landscape for opportunities to invest in companies that are working on treatments or vaccines.

Check out Frobes’ Coronavirus Drug Update: The Latest Info On Pharmaceutical Treatments And Vaccines . This list includes

1. Gilead Sciences: A World Health Organization assessment from February described remdesivir as the “most promising candidate” against COVID-19.
2. AbbVie: Working with health authorities such as the CDC, WHO, and the National Institutes of Health regarding testing.”
3. Moderna: The vaccine was developed, manufactured and sent out for testing just 42 days after the coronavirus DNA sequence was first published.
4. Johnson & Johnson: In addition to looking at new therapies, Johnson & Johnson has sent batches of its HIV drug darunavir/cobicistat to China to test its efficacy against COVID-19.
5. Eli Lilly: “In 11 days, we’ve discovered hundreds of antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for the current outbreak,” AbCellera CEO Carl Hansen said in a statement.
6. Pfizer: On Friday, the company announced that part of its plan to combat COVID-19 would be sharing its expertise with smaller biotech companies and committed to using its excess manufacturing capacity to scale up any approved therapy or vaccine.
7. GlaxoSmithKline: Vaccines are still in early testing
   Regeneron Pharmaceuticals: Early StageOf note: Sarilumab, a rheumatoid arthritis treatment Regeneron developed with Sonfi, is reportedly on track to be tested as a potential COVID-19 treatment.
8. Inovio Pharmaceuticals: In development, with testing to begin soon
9. Vir Biotechnology: In February, Vir announced it’s working with Chinese pharmaceutical firm WuXi Biologics on this research as well.
10. Sanofi : Sarilumab, a rheumatoid arthritis treatment Sanofi developed with Regeneron, is reportedly on track to be tested as a potential COVID-19 treatment.

Marketwatch published a list on March 14, 2020 : “These nine companies are working on coronavirus treatments or vaccines — here’s where things stand” The list includes Gilead Sciences Inc. and Moderna Inc:

1. Gilead Sciences Inc. US:GILD
2. GlaxoSmithKline US:GSK
3. Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc. US:INO
4. Johnson & Johnson US:JNJ
5. Moderna Inc. US:MRNA
6. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. US:REGN
7. Sanofi US:SNY
8. Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd. US:TAK
9. Vir Biotechnology Inc. US:VIR

Other lists and investment tips include:

• investors.com: Coronavirus Infects Wall Street — Can Biotech Stocks Ride To The Rescue?
• Observer: 5 Promising Covid-19 Vaccines and Drugs That Could End Coronavirus Pandemic
• The theintercept – BIG PHARMA PREPARES TO PROFIT FROM THE CORONAVIRUS
• The Vox – A simple guide to the vaccines and drugs that could fight coronavirus

The company that is able to announce the first treatment for COVID-19 is not only going to benefit from it financially but will generate tremendous goodwill.

Note: This is not meant to be an exhaustive list of companies or investment ideas. Investing is generally fraught with risks, more so during uncertain times of market uncertainty and volatility.