In this article, we will take a detailed look at the 10 Worst Cancer Stocks To Buy Now According to Short Sellers.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, just behind cardiovascular disease, making oncology one of the largest sectors in the life sciences. As of 2024, 11 of the top 15 diseases globally by the number of active drugs were cancer-related. Breast cancer led the pack with approximately 1,031 active drugs in development. According to WHO, by 2050, over 35 million new cancer cases are projected, marking a 77% increase from the estimated 20 million cases in 2022. This sharp rise in the global cancer burden is driven by an aging and expanding population, along with increased exposure to various risk factors, many of which are linked to socioeconomic development. Additionally, low- and middle-income countries have access to less than half of the cancer medications deemed essential by the World Health Organization (WHO), while the cancer burden in these areas continues to grow. Without action, nearly 75% of global cancer deaths are projected to occur in these regions within the next decade.
Traditionally, cancer drugs were designed to slow cell replication or kill cancer cells more quickly than healthy ones. While effective for certain cancer types, new methods are now emerging, such as modifying immune cells, utilizing mRNA, and enabling early detection through simple blood tests. Advancing the understanding, prevention, screening, and treatment of cancer is critical to reducing its global burden, but it comes at a rising cost, with global oncology spending projected to surpass $250 billion this year.
With this in mind, biotech and pharmaceutical companies are racing to develop cutting-edge therapies for cancers such as lung, breast, and prostate. As no single cure for cancer exists, developing a cancer drug that can treat multiple types of the disease is highly lucrative. For instance, Merck’s Keytruda generated $25 billion in revenue last year alone. Even in its fourth year on the market, back in 2018, the drug brought in $7.2 billion for the company. Moreover, In 2023, German biotechnology company BioNTech SE and the UK government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deliver personalized mRNA-based cancer immunotherapies to up to 10,000 patients by 2030.
These factors are driving ongoing breakthroughs in the oncology market and enhancing its prospects. Back in 2023, over 25 new oncology active substances were introduced globally, along with the initiation of more than 2,000 new clinical trials. These trials span innovative treatments such as cell and gene therapies, antibody-drug conjugates, multispecific antibodies, and radioligand therapies. In 2023, the global oncology market was valued at around $201.75 billion and is projected to surpass $518.25 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.3% from 2024 to 2032 (as per estimates by Fortune Business Insights). This growth is driven by the increasing prevalence of cancer, the introduction of new drugs, product approvals, and expanding research in the field.
With that, let’s look at the 10 Worst Cancer Stocks To Buy Now According to Short Sellers.
A hand holding cancer cells with a magnifying glass, highlighting the company’s target of curing diseases.
Our Methodology
To compile our list of the 10 worst cancer stocks to buy according to short sellers, we focused on cancer-related stocks with substantial short interest (at least 10%). Despite this, these stocks remain favored by hedge funds and market analysts. The list is ranked based on the percentage of outstanding shares that have been sold short, in ascending order.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).
10. Geron Corp. (NASDAQ:GERN)
Short % of Float: 11.65%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 26
Geron Corp. (NASDAQ:GERN) is a biotechnology company focused on developing and commercializing cancer therapies, with its primary product being imetelstat, marketed under the brand name Rytelo, an anti-cancer medication.
Leerink Partners recently initiated coverage on Geron Corp. (NASDAQ:GERN), assigning an Outperform rating and setting a price target of $7.00. The firm’s optimism is based on Rytelo’s potential to be a blockbuster treatment for lower-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (LR-MDS). Approved in June 2024, Rytelo is a first-in-class telomerase inhibitor for LR-MDS patients with transfusion-dependent anemia who are intolerant or unresponsive to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs). With over 15,000 eligible patients in the U.S. as of 2024 and limited alternative treatments, Leerink Partners projects Rytelo could achieve peak sales of around $1.4 billion in the U.S.
Despite being shorted to some degree, Geron Corp. (NASDAQ:GERN) has built a strong commercial presence and expects national payer coverage by Q1 2025. Financially, the company is in a solid position with $430 million in cash and equivalents as of mid-2024, and its 2024 operating expenses are projected to be between $270 million and $280 million.
In Q2 2024, 26 hedge funds held positions in the company, with Darwin Global Management being the largest shareholder, holding a stake worth $106 million.
9. Immunocore Holdings plc (NASDAQ:IMCR)
Short % of Float: 12.18%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 24
Immunocore Holdings plc (NASDAQ:IMCR) is a biotechnology company focused on developing immunomodulatory drugs to treat cancer, infectious diseases, and autoimmune disorders.
In Q2 2024, Immunocore Holdings plc (NASDAQ:IMCR) reported $75 million in revenue from its lead product, marking a 32% year-over-year growth, driven by increased treatment penetration and longer treatment durations. Overall quarterly revenue reached $75.3 million, up from $56.9 million in the same period last year.
While short sellers believe IMCR will fall, analysts seem to disagree. H.C. Wainwright recently reaffirmed its Buy rating on Immunocore Holdings plc (NASDAQ:IMCR), maintaining a $100 price target, citing the company’s solid quarterly performance and progress in its T cell receptor (TCR) immunotherapy programs. Some of the company’s key developments include the expected release of top-line data from a Phase 2 trial of KIMMTRAK for advanced cutaneous melanoma in Q4 2024.
Immunocore Holdings plc (NASDAQ:IMCR) is also advancing its Phase 3 PRISM-MEL301 trial, which is evaluating brenetafusp, another TCR bispecific immunotherapy, in first-line advanced cutaneous melanoma. The trial’s enrollment is projected to accelerate as additional clinical sites become operational.
As of Q2 2024, 24 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey held positions in Immunocore Holdings plc (NASDAQ:IMCR), with Baker Bros. Advisors, led by Julian and Felix Baker, being the largest shareholder, holding shares valued at $51.35 million.
8. Merus NV (NASDAQ:MRUS)
Short % of Float: 12.18%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 54
Merus NV (NASDAQ:MRUS) is a biotechnology company specializing in the development of antibody-based cancer therapies. The company is advancing several antibody treatments in its pipeline.
Merus recently launched the Phase 3 LiGeR-HN2 trial for petosemtamab, targeting head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in patients undergoing second- or third-line treatment. The company plans to present additional data from the Phase 1/2 dose optimization cohort later this year. Additionally, Merus NV (NASDAQ:MRUS) aims to initiate the Phase 3 LiGeR-HN1 trial by year-end, evaluating petosemtamab in combination with pembrolizumab.
Stifel has raised its price target for Merus NV (NASDAQ:MRUS) shares to $99.00, driven by promising Phase 1b data for petosemtamab, estimating a market potential of $3 billion, potentially increasing to $4-5 billion with longer treatment durations. BofA Securities also revised its price target on MRUS to $76, maintaining a Buy rating after successful fundraising and encouraging trial results.
As of Q2 2024, 54 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey held stakes in Merus NV (NASDAQ:MRUS). Commodore Capital, managed by Egen Atkinson and Michael Kramarz, was the largest shareholder, with a $189.34 million position.