5 DNA Stocks Billionaires Are Loading Up On

In this article, we discuss 5 DNA stocks that billionaires love. If you want to read our detailed analysis of the DNA market, check out 10 DNA Stocks Billionaires Are Loading Up On. 

5. Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:SGMO)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 14

Number of Billionaire Investors: 9

Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:SGMO) is a clinical-stage genomic medicine company that caters to serious diseases including kidney transplantation, hemophilia, sickle cell disease, and neurological disorders. On May 22, the US FDA allowed Fast Track status to be designated to Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:SGMO)’s gene therapy, isaralgagene civaparvovec, for Fabry disease. The candidate earlier had a Orphan Drug designation and is currently in a phase 1/2 study. It is one of the best DNA stocks to watch. 

According to Insider Monkey’s first quarter database, 14 hedge funds were bullish on Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:SGMO), and 9 of them are run by billionaire investors. Billionaire Chris Rokos’ Rokos Capital Management is the largest position holder in the company, with 6.4 million shares worth $11.4 million. 

Here is what Wasatch Ultra Growth Fund has to say about Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:SGMO) in its Q1 2021 investor letter:

“Another weak stock in the Fund was Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc. (SGMO). Some investors may have been spooked by the resignation of Sangamo’s chief financial officer (CFO) after a tenure of less than one year. After conducting our own research, which included a conversation with the departing CFO, we believe the move was purely for personal reasons. Sangamo specializes in the treatment and cure of single-gene disorders. We remain optimistic about its future prospects, current partnerships and development pipeline— which includes gene therapy, in-vivo gene editing and ex-vivo genome medicine. (Current and future holdings are subject to risk.)”

4. Invitae Corporation (NYSE:NVTA)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 22

Number of Billionaire Investors: 9

Invitae Corporation (NYSE:NVTA) is a genetics company that offers genetic information to enhance healthcare in the United States, Canada, and internationally. The company offers genetic testing for hereditary cancer, precision oncology, women’s health, and rare diseases. Invitae Corporation (NYSE:NVTA) also specializes in pharmacogenomics, digital health solutions, and health data services. It is one of the most popular DNA stocks among billionaires as of Q1 2023. 

On May 9, Invitae Corporation (NYSE:NVTA) reported a Q1 non-GAAP EPS of -$0.37 and a revenue of $117.36 million, outperforming Wall Street estimates by $0.03 and $0.79 million, respectively. 

According to Insider Monkey’s first quarter database, 22 hedge funds were long Invitae Corporation (NYSE:NVTA), with collective stakes worth $81.1 million. Billionaire David Shaw’s D E Shaw is a prominent position holder in the company. 

3. Qiagen N.V. (NYSE:QGEN)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 26

Number of Billionaire Investors: 9

Qiagen N.V. (NYSE:QGEN) is a Netherlands-based company that provides combination kits for the analysis of gene expression, genotyping, and gene regulation instruments and technologies. It is one of the best DNA stocks to watch. Billionaires are steadily loading up on Qiagen N.V. (NYSE:QGEN). In Q1 2023, 9 billionaires were bullish on the stock, including Ray Dalio of Bridgewater Associates. 

On May 3, Qiagen N.V. (NYSE:QGEN) reported a Q1 non-GAAP EPS of $0.51 and a revenue of $485 million, outperforming Wall Street estimates by $0.05 and $6.77 million, respectively. 

According to Insider Monkey’s first quarter database, 26 hedge funds were bullish on Qiagen N.V. (NYSE:QGEN), compared to 29 funds in the earlier quarter. 

2. Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 44

Number of Billionaire Investors: 11

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX) is a Massachusetts-based biotechnology company that announced in February 2023 its plans to venture into CRISPR gene editing therapy. It is one of the top DNA stocks to monitor. In Q1 2023, Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX) stock was found in 11 billionaire portfolios. 

On May 1, Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX) reported a Q1 non-GAAP EPS of $3.05, beating market estimates by $0.05. The revenue of $2.37 billion outperformed Wall Street consensus by $30 million. 

According to Insider Monkey’s first quarter database, 44 hedge funds were long Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX), compared to 60 funds in the prior quarter. Billionaire Cliff Asness of AQR Capital Management is a prominent stakeholder of the company, with a position worth $180 million. 

Baron Health Care Fund made the following comment about Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX) in its Q1 2023 investor letter:

“Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX) is a leader in the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF). Vertex has three approved and marketed drugs, each for treatment of differing subsets of CF. These drugs represent paradigm shifts for CF patients hoping to extend their lives beyond their 30s or 40s. Shares increased primarily due to underlying business fundamentals, including strong free cash flow generation that is largely unmatched in the biopharmaceutical universe. In addition to its core treatment program for CF, Vertex has a robust pipeline of drugs that is starting to become value inflecting. We are looking to Vertex’s APOL1 kidney disease program and updates on its treatment for Type 1 diabetes, in particular, to drive future upside.”

1. Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ:ILMN)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 44

Number of Billionaire Investors: 13

Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ:ILMN) designs and manufactures life science tools and solutions for the analysis of genetic variation and function. It is one of the premier DNA stocks to watch. On April 25, Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ:ILMN) reported a Q1 non-GAAP EPS of $0.08 and a revenue of $1.09 billion, outperforming Wall Street estimates by $0.05 and $20 million, respectively. The company also maintained fiscal year 2023 consolidated revenue guidance of 7% to 10% growth as compared to last year. 

According to Insider Monkey’s first quarter database, 44 hedge funds were bullish on Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ:ILMN), with combined stakes worth $1.68 billion. Billionaire Ken Griffin of Citadel Investment Group is a prominent stakeholder of the company, with a position worth $238.2 million. 

Baron Partners Fund made the following comment about Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ:ILMN) in its Q1 2023 investor letter:

“Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ:ILMN), the market leader in DNA sequencing technology, detracted from performance for the period held. During the quarter, activist investor Carl Icahn nominated three directors to the Illumina board and criticized the current management team’s decisions with respect to Grail, an acquisition that has developed an early cancer detection test called Galleri. Icahn is urging Illumina to sell the Grail business as soon as possible to eliminate the near-term earnings dilution and allow investors to participate in the core Illumina business. In early April, the FTC ordered the divestment of Grail. We exited our position early in the quarter.”

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