AstraZeneca working on a new vaccine for Omicron:3 stocks to eye on

FTSE 100 listed global pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca Plc (LON: AZN) said that it is working on developing a new vaccine for the Omicron variant. The company will work alongside Oxford University to develop the new variant-specific vaccine.  

Many vaccine makers like Pfizer and Moderna have previously announced that they are doing research work on their respective new vaccine that targets the new variants, Omicron. Also, Moderna expects to start the clinical trial of its new vaccine in January 2022; upon successful completion of clinical trials, the company will apply for vaccine approval from the health authority.

The pharmaceutical stocks witnessed a lot of buying interest from investors in the passing year. Many investors preferred investing in the pharma sector amid the vaccine development news by different companies. Many of these stocks have also given a good return to investors.

Let us explore 3 FTSE listed pharmaceutical stocks that are in focus today:

Tissue Regenix Group Plc (LON: TRX)

The company provides the technology platform for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. It has operations in the US and other countries. In the first half of 2021, the product shipment to the US market increased by 44% resulting in group revenue of £6.8 million, a rise of 12%. The gross profit stood at £3.1 million during the period. Also, the company restructured its US commercial operation, which led to savings of USD 350,000 in the first half of 2021.

Tissue Regenix Group Plc’s stock was up by 21.3% and finally closed at GBX 0.54 on 21 December 2021, with a market cap of £31.30 million.

Poolbeg Pharma Plc (LON: POLB)

FTSE AIM-listed company is engaged in the development of products to treat infectious diseases, which is one of the fastest-growing segments within the pharma industry. The market size for the infectious diseases segment is expected to surpass USD 250 billion by 2025. The company has agreed to partner with AnaBio Technologies to develop an oral vaccine to treat contagious diseases. The company has signed a binding term sheet with AnaBio Technologies, while the full license and collaboration agreement will be signed soon.

Poolbeg Pharma Plc’s last close was at GBX 9.25 on 21 December 2021, with a market cap of £46.25 million.

Dechra Pharmaceuticals Plc (LON: DPH)

The company is one of the major veterinary pharmaceutical companies listed on the LSE. It does the research and development of high-quality veterinary products.

For the financial year ended 30 June 2021, the company reported a 21% rise in revenue at £608 million driven by strong organic growth as most of its product category outperformed. The underlying operating profit stood at £162.2 million.

The company’s business continued the strong performance in the first quarter of the new financial year, reporting solid performance in the US market mainly due to growth in the companion animal market.

Dechra Pharmaceuticals Plc’s last close was at GBX 4,968 on 21 December 2021, with a market cap of £5,382.6 million.