The coronavirus pandemic has taken the world by storm in 2020, affecting societies and economies globally to an unprecedented degree. COVID-19, the name given to the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, is a severe infectious respiratory disease primarily transmitted through contact with respiratory droplets. Countries have struggled to manage the rapid spread of COVID-19 as well as its human and economic impacts. The initial response has consisted of a mix of public health measures and approaches including physical distancing, travel restrictions and use of personal protective equipment (PPE). A surge in healthcare demand has stressed capacity to the limit.
But humanity will not stand idly by. There has been an unprecedented eruption of global pharmaceutical research and development related to COVID-19. More than 330 clinical studies and 80 vaccine candidates are currently under review. The race for solutions is on, with regulatory bodies like the US FDA fast-tracking clinical trials. Big pharma and biotech companies are working to find an effective treatment for COVID-19.
With tracker certificate on the Swissquote Pharma Opportunity Index, investors can participate in the performance of companies that are actively working on medicines to combat the coronavirus or researching vaccines or effective treatments. Net dividends will be reinvested in the index.