Cancer is the second most common cause of death in Switzerland, accounting for around one quarter of all deaths. Each year some 46,500 people here die of malignant tumours, with prostate cancer topping the list for men and breast cancer for women. Thanks to constant improvements in treatment options, however, the chances of survival are also increasing. According to the Swiss Cancer League, there has for years been a sharp increase in the number of people living with and after a cancer diagnosis. At present there are estimated to be around 45,000 such cancer survivors in Switzerland. One of those making a huge contribution here is the domestic pharmaceuticals giant, Roche. Two of its cancer drugs, Perjeta (breast cancer) and Tecentriq (lung cancer), are among the ten biggest-selling products in the world. The global number one in 2023 was Merck & Co.’s Keytruda, which pulled in revenue of USDbn 25. The monoclonal antibody is used for the treatment of a variety of tumours.
It is not only the best-selling drugs that are leading the fight against cancer, though: progress is also being driven by constant innovations in processes and products. Amgen recently delivered a huge boost to the latter segment, with the US biotech firm achieving significant progress in oncology in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic. An active agent that targets mutations in what is known as the KRAS gene, which is one of the most frequent and at the same time most problematic causes of cancer, has been approved in the USA for the first time. On the subject of the pandemic, this was when the foundation for innovative mRNA technology was laid. This could have fewer side-effects compared to treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy and would therefore help to improve the quality of life of cancer patients and increase their cure rate. While the US group Moderna is looking to bring a first active agent onto the market as early as this year, its German competitor, BioNTech, is planning to offer personalised cancer therapies – either within the scope of clinical trials or as approved treatments – for up to 10,000 patients by the end of 2030.
The continuing rise in deaths worldwide – according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, almost 12 million people could succumb to the disease by 2030, and as many as 18.5 million by 2050 – shows the urgency of the issue and underlines the growth prospects for the pharmaceutical industry. The Swissquote Cancer Fighters Index offers a targeted and diversified way of investing in companies which have declared war on cancer. The barometer brings together the pioneers in the field of targeted therapies, immunotherapies, early detection and messenger RNA vaccines which are revolutionising diagnostics and healthcare provision. Investors can participate in the progress achieved in the fight against cancer in a diversified manner by supporting these major players. The index also benefits from a fast-growing industry that is at the heart of the global challenges facing public healthcare.
Investors have been able to take a position in the Swissquote Cancer Fighters Index since November 2024. Denominated in Swiss francs, the tracker was issued at a price of CHF 25. There are 17 companies in the barometer at present. The regulations state that the index must always be broadly diversified and have between a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 60 components. The USA leads the way from a regional perspective. Only stocks which meet both qualitative and quantitative criteria are selected. Among the qualitative requirements are that the companies have committed themselves to fighting cancer. The quantitative criteria include a minimum market capitalisation of CHFmn 100 and an average daily trading volume of CHF 100,000. To ensure that the index is always kept up to date, a management fee of up to 0.1% is charged for every adjustment to the components. Administration fees totalling 0.60% p.a. are also deducted.
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