Dogs of the Dow

Coronavirus Treatment Stocks

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread around the world, the race for a cure is on. Several companies have stepped up to find treatments, vaccines, as well as more efficient COVID-19 tests. The following Coronavirus Treatment Stocks table shows how each of these companies are performing. Below this table, we grouped each company by the type of solutions they are working on (vaccine, treatment, or testing) with a short description of where they stand. And if you want to dig in even further, you can click on the ticker symbol next to the company name which will take you to company specific stock information (dividends, earnings, return history, company news, charts, etc.). As more companies join the fight, we will update both the live stock table and provide a company update on the status and timeline of their efforts. To be instantly notified of updates to this and other fast changing stock screens, be sure to click the bell notification icon located at the bottom right.

Coronavirus Treatment Stocks Table Description: The following table includes and can be sorted on: company name, market cap, dividend yield, stock price, and the intraday stock price percent change. This live table is updated throughout the trading day.

Companies Working on Coronavirus Vaccines: several companies have teamed up with other biotech companies, governmental agencies, and research institutions worldwide to develop an effective vaccine to target the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Below is a list of these companies and the vaccines they are working on.

  • AbbVie (ABBV) has a two-drug HIV regimen Kaletra (lopinavir-ritonavir combo), in combination with the steroid dexamethasone, that is in clinical trial at UK’s Oxford University. Note that AbbVie is a member of the Dividend Aristocrats.
  • Altimmune (ALT) is trying to leverage its proprietary technology used in the development of its flu vaccine candidate NasoVAX (currently in phase 2 clinical trial). Altimmune COVID-19 vaccine is in pre-clinical phase.
  • Applied DNA Sciences (APDN) & Takis Biotech, an Italian biotech company, joined forces to develop a linear DNA COVID-19 vaccine using Applied DNA Sciences’ patented and proprietary platform. It’s currently at the pre-clinical stage.
  • AstraZeneca (AZN), thru its proprietary antibody discovery technology, is researching novel coronavirus neutralizing antibodies as a preventive treatment. They are still in the identification phase of monoclonal antibodies that can target SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. Upon completion of the identication process, they move into clinical trial evaluation.
  • BioNTech (BNT) & Pfizer (PFE) have teamed up to work on a mRNA type vaccine they are calling BNT162. It is currently in the pre-clinical phase with plans to start clinical trials in April.
  • Dynavax Technologies (DVAX), in collaboration with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), is providing its proprietary adjuvant CpG 1018 to COVID-19 vaccines developers. Dynavax adjuvant is currently used and FDA approved for use in the Hepatitis B Vaccine HEPLISAV-B. Vaccine adjuvants are added to a vaccine formula to improve immune response. It also provides the added benefit of requiring less vaccine per dose which allows more people to be vaccinated.
  • GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), in collaboration with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), is providing their vaccine adjuvant technology to vaccines developers. Adding a vaccine adjuvant allows a better immune response and also requires less vaccine per dose.
  • Heat Biologics (HTBX) is leveraging it proprietary Heat’s gp96 platform to develop its COVID-19 vaccine and is currently in pre-clinical trial.
  • Inovio Pharmaceuticals (INO) is working on a COVID-19 vaccine they named INO-4800. Inovio Pharmaceuticals is one of several companies developing a COVID-19 vaccine with the help of a multi-million dollar grant from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). A phase 1 clinical trial is planned for April.
  • Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), thru its Janssen Pharmaceutical companies and in collaboration with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), has been working on a vaccine which they hope will be ready for human trials in November 2020.
  • Moderna (MRNA) is currently working on a mRNA type vaccine they have named mRNA–1273 — currently in phase 1.
  • Novavax (NVAX) is developing a vaccine derived from coronavirus spike (S) protein NVX-CoV2373 and using their proprietary Matrix-M adjuvant to boost immune responses. They received a multi-million dollar grant from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to support their research. Novavax vaccine candidates are currently in pre-clinical studies with a human trials planned to start mid-May with expected results in July 2020.
  • Sanofi (SNY) thru Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines global business unit of Sanofi, is working with Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to use its DNA recombinant technology platform to produce a COVID-19 vaccine. It is also working with BARDA on building state of the art facilities in the US for the production of an adjuvanted recombinant vaccine. Initially, these facilities were planned to be used in the event of a flu pandemic but these facilities could also be used for COVID-19 vaccines.
  • Vaxart (VXRT) and Emergent BioSolutions (EBS) have entered into an agreement whereby Emergent BioSolutions would help develop and manufacture Vaxart’s oral vaccines which are currently being evaluated.
  • Vir Biotechnology (VIR) and Biogen (BIIB) signed a letter of intent for the development and clinical manufacture of a COVID-19 vaccine derived from Vir Biotechnology’s proprietary antibody platform.

Companies Working on Coronavirus Treatments: while the companies above are working on a vaccine, other companies are exploring treatments for people that have already contracted the coronavirus. COVID-19 treatments range from brand new treatments to existing drugs that could also be effective to treat coronavirus infections. Below is a list of companies and the treatments they are working on.

  • CLS Behring (CSLLY): partnered with the private biotech SAB Therapeutics to develop antibodies that don’t requite \blood plasma donations from recovered COVID-19 patients using SAB’s immunotherapy platform. They are targeting clinical trials evaluation by the beginning of summer 2020.
  • CytoDyn (CYDY) received FDA approval to use its experimental drug Leronlimad (PRO 140) which is currently in clinical trial (Phase 2). Clinical trials have started for COVID-19 patients with mild to moderate symptoms in early April and more patients are expected to be enrolled. CytoDyn is also conducting a Leronlimad Phase 2b/3 clinical trial for severely ill COVID-19 patients which FDA approved under an emergency investigational new drug (EIND).
  • Gilead Sciences (GILD) received FDA approval to test its experimental drug Remdesvir which is currently in clinical trials (two phase 3 trials and one phase 2 trial). Initially developed as potential treatment against Ebola, it is now being tested to determine if it can safely be used as a treatment for COVID-19. Although results of the multiple ongoing clinical trials are pending, early indication from 100+ severely-ill patients being treated with daily infusions of Remdesvir at the University of Chicago showed promising results. All but two of these patients were discharged after treatment.
  • Novartis (NVS) and Incyte (INCY) are planning a Phase 3 clinical trial to evaluate the use of their cancer drug Jakavi (ruxolitinib) to treat COVID-19. FDA approved Jakavi back in 2011. It is sold in the US by Incyte and by Novartis outside the US.
  • Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (REGN) and Sanofi (SNY) are working together to study how the Kevzara, a drug approved by the FDA for rheumatoid arthritis can be used to treat severely ill COVID-19 patients. The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) is providing its support for a U.S. phase 2/3 clinical trial. Regeneron and Sanofi who developed Kevzara in collaboration back in 2017 will continue their collaboration with Regeneron leading U.S. clinical trials and Sanofi leading clinical trial outside the US.
  • Takeda Pharmaceutical (TAK) initiated the development of a plasma-derived immune globulin therapy drug to treat high-risk individuals suffering from COVID-19. Takeda named this drug TAK-888. Takeda is currently in discussions with various governmental and health care stakeholders worldwide to discuss the best way to proceed with the development of TAK-888.
  • Teva (TEVA) and Mylan (MYL) are planning to jump start manufacture of hydroxychloroquine, a drug that is typically produced in limited amount due to its intended purpose (i.e. FDA approved for malaria, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis). Studies are underway to evaluate its effectiveness and safety when combined with antibiotics. FDA will have to approve its potential use for Covid-19 treatment but in the meantime, Teva and Mylan are stepping up production and distribution.

Companies Working on Coronavirus Testing Solutions: being able to test as many people as possible and as quickly as possible is essential to tracking where the conoronavirus is spreading and ultimately eradicating it. The companies below are working on more efficient coronavirus testing solutions.

  • Abbott (ABT) received FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for two of its COVID-19 tests:
    • The Abbott ID NOW™ COVID-19 test: test results are available in as little as 5 minutes. The test runs on Abbott’s point-of-care ID NOW platform which is portable so it can be used wherever testing needs to be done.
    • The Abbot RealTime SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19 molecular test: this test takes longer to give results and must be done by authorized labs but by using the Abbott’s m2000 RealTime System more tests can be processed at once. Abbott will also step up production of their m2000 RealTime System to increase testing capacity.
  • Applied DNA Sciences (APDN) has completed the design of its COVID-19 detection assay and subsequently filed a provisional patent for high sensitivity COVID-19 diagnostic assay. They are in the process of manufacturing testing kits which will be sent to hospitals in New York State and Italy for validation.
  • Bioamerica (BMRA) has developed a 10 minute disposable point-of-care serology test to identify if a patient has been exposed to COVID-19 or has been recently infected. Bioamerica applied for a COVID-19 Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to get the test in the US. Right now, it is only shipped outside the US and is not allowed for sale or use in the US.
  • Cepheid (DHR) developed a 45 minutes rapid diagnostic test for COVID-19 which received FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization (EU). This test can be used in Cepheid’s GeneXpert diagnostic platform which is already in use by hospitals and laboratories. Cepheid is a subsidiary of Danaher (DHR) which acquired Cepheid on November 4, 2016.
  • Heat Biologics (HTBX) expanded its partnership with the University of Miami to also develop a speedier point-of-care diagnostic test. The test results would be available on-the-spot in less than 30 minutes.
  • PerkinsElmer (PKI) received FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for its new coronavirus RT-PCR test (the PerkinElmer New Coronavirus Nucleic Acid Detection Kit). In the US, per the EUA, this test can only by done in clinical laboratories certified to perform high complexity tests under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA).
  • Roche (ROG.SW) received FDA Emergency Use Authorization for its cobas SARS-CoV-2 test to detect novel coronavirus using Roche’s cobas 6800/8800 Systems. Test results can be obtained in three and half hours.