Business Insight – Overview of the Candriam Equities L Oncology Impact Fund
World Cancer Day takes place on the 4th of February and is the uniting initiative led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). By raising worldwide awareness, improving education and catalysing personal, collective and government action, deaths are saved wordwide. The access to life-saving cancer treatment and care is equal for all – no matter who you are or where you live.
Created in 2000, World Cancer Day has grown into a positive movement for everyone, to unite under one voice to face one of the greatest challenges in the history of medicine and global healthcare.
Why invest in Oncology?
Being part of the solution: Investing in oncology companies is a way to join in the solution to one of our society’s great global problems.
A dramatic need: Despite scientific advances, the outlook for patients is not good enough. Agencies such as the National Institution of Health and the World Health Organization forecast a worldwide increase in cancer deaths between 2012 and 2030 from 8 million to 13 million annually.
Cancer is complex: it is not a single disease. The category encompasses solid tumors such as lung, skin, breast and kidney, as well as blood cancers such as lymphoma and leukaemia.
Possible investment opportunities on multiple fronts: Progress on many fronts offers opportunities for investors.
– Better Diagnosis methods, better ‘profiling’ to match the solution to the patient.
– Better Technology for precision treatment to improve outcomes and reduce side effects.
– Better Drugs to enable our own immune systems to fight these diseases.
Candriam Equities L Oncology Impact Fund
Source: Candriam website
Candriam Equities L Oncology Impact, a sub-fund of the Candriam Equities L SICAV, invests in listed companies that develop and or sell products and services for the treatment of cancer. The universe includes companies whose products make a difference to patients in the diagnosis, profiling and treatment of cancer. This includes companies that show innovation in surgery, radiation and oncology drugs. The universe ranges from big caps to smaller companies. Candriam’s Oncology Team is composed of investor-scientists; indeed, one manager has earned both a PhD and a CFA.
Principal assets traded
Shares of companies operating in the field of oncology (study, diagnosis, treatment, etc. of cancer) whose registered offices and/or principal activities are in the whole world.
Investment Strategy
The fund seeks to achieve capital growth by investing in the principal assets traded over the recommended investment period. The management team makes discretionary investment choices in the portfolio based on its analyses of the characteristics and growth prospects of the assets traded.
Fund Overlook 2019
“Looking back at 2019, we are very happy that our view that investment in companies that have had the most positive impact for patients will also offer the best returns turned out well. 2019 was a fruitful year in the fight against cancer: with the 10 new oncology drugs approved by the FDA this year providing patients new options. The strategy was invested in 7/10 companies that got those drugs approved. We look forward to 2020, and will do our utmost to again spot those companies and drugs that make a difference to patients, and in turn reward the investors that made it all possible by supporting the right companies.”
Monthly Fund Comment – Candriam
