Top 5 NASDAQ Genetics Stocks (Updated April 2022)

1. Checkmate Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:CMPI)

Year-to-date gain: 262.02 percent; market cap: US$224.74 million

The first genetics stock on this list is Checkmate Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage biotechnology company that is developing and commercializing proprietary technology aimed at using the immune system to fight cancer.

The company’s product candidate vidutolimod (CMP-001) is designed to trigger the human body’s immune system to attack tumors, in combination with other therapies. Vidutolimod is currently being studied along with other treatments for melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancers and head and neck cancer. In mid-April, major pharmaceutical company Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:REGN) announced a definitive agreement to acquire Checkmate for US$250 million; the deal is expected to close in mid-2022.

Shares of the NASDAQ genetics stock peaked at C$10.45 on April 26.

2. Voyager Therapeutics (NASDAQ:VYGR)

Year-to-date gain: 168.63 percent; market cap: US$279.57 million

Voyager Therapeutics is advancing early stage programs using its proprietary adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsids to develop gene therapies for central nervous system and other diseases. Its pipeline includes gene therapies for Huntington’s Disease, monogenic ALS, spinal muscular atrophy, GBA1 mutations and HER1+ brain metastases.

Voyager recently inked an agreement to give Novartis (NYSE:NVS) “options to license novel AAV capsids generated from Voyager’s RNA-driven TRACERTM capsid discovery platform for potential use with three undisclosed CNS targets and options to access capsids for two additional targets to be agreed on in the future.”

This NASDAQ genetics stock spiked to its highest point in 2022 on April 20, hitting C$10.60.

3. Sierra Oncology (NASDAQ:SRRA)

Year-to-date gain: 150.69 percent; market cap: US$1.24 billion

Sierra Oncology is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company advancing targeted therapies for treating rare forms of cancer. The company’s pipeline of products includes momelotinib, which has the potential to address the critical unmet medical needs of myelofibrosis patients with anemia. The company has plans to submit a new drug application to the US Food and Drug Administration in the second quarter of 2022.

On April 13, Sierra’s share price hit C$54.97, its highest point so far in 2022, on news that GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:GSK,LSE:GSK) will be acquiring the company for US$1.9 billion.

4. Mirum Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:MIRM)

Year-to-date gain: 64.39 percent; market cap: US$834.21 million

Mirum Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of a late-stage pipeline of novel therapies targeting rare diseases, including liver diseases. The company’s LIVMARLI (maralixibat) is an oral solution that is approved in the US for the treatment of cholestatic pruritus in child and adult patients with Alagille syndrome. Mirum has submitted a marketing authorization application to the European Medicines Agency for maralixibat. Additionally, the company has two other late-stage investigational treatments for debilitating liver diseases affecting both children and adults.

In March, Mirum reported net product revenue of US$3.1 million for the first quarter of maralixibat's launch at the end of 2021, contributing to the total company revenue of US$19.1 million for the year. The firm expects at least US$8 million in maralixibat net product sales in Q1 2022.

Shares of the NASDAQ genetics stock peaked at C$28.65 on April 11.

5. Ionis Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:IONS)

Year-to-date gain: 30.99 percent; market cap: US$5.65 billion

Last on this NASDAQ genetics stocks list is Ionis Pharmaceuticals, which is discovering and developing RNA-targeted therapies through its novel antisense technology platform. The company’s portfolio includes three marketed medicines and a late-stage pipeline of neurological and cardiometabolic therapies.

In April, Ionis reported positive data from a ETESIAN Phase 2b study of ION449, an investigational antisense medicine designed to reduce blood cholesterol levels in patients with hypercholesterolemia by targeting proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9. The drug is being developed by in partnership with AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN,LSE:AZN). Ionis soared to its highest point in 2022 on April 21, hitting C$44.42.