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Investing for A Good Cause: Breast Biopsy Space

If the thought of contributing to a meaningful cause through an investment, and profiting from that move appeals to you, consider one of these medical device publicly-traded companies.

Striving to make strides in the area of breast biopsies, these companies have shown an intense goal of addressing one of the world’s most deadliest cancers – breast cancer. Their research and development efforts have led to advanced medical devices that are used at the most crucial stage of addressing breast cancer – the biopsy.

In this piece, we will look at three of the medical device companies that have made devices that contributing to the early detection of breast cancer through biopsies. They are Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE: BDX), C.R. Bard (NYSE: BCR) and Hologic. (NASDAQ: HOLX).

 · Breast biopsy market


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Markets and Markets last month published a research report in which it found that the breast biopsy market could reach almost $730 million by 2020. This year, 2015, the market is estimated to be roughly $436 million. That kind of growth translates to a compound average growth rate of 10.8% from 2015 to 2020. The report, “Breast Biopsy Market by Product (Table, Needle, Localization wire, Guidance System), by Type (Open Biopsy- Excisional, Incisional, Needle- Core Needle Aspiration, Vacuum Assisted) & by Guidance system (Ultrasound, Stereotactic, MRI) – Forecast to 2020.”

Anyone, female or male, with a suspicious breast growth, abnormality detected on imaging study, or other symptoms of breast cancer should undergo a biopsy, notes Medicinenet.com.

 · Becton, Dickinson and Company

This medical device company makes the needles used in breast biopsies. It dibbles in many other areas, which leads to its roughly $31 billion market cap. Of the three medical device companies featured in this piece, its market cap is the largest.

Barron’s describes Becton Dickinson as a prize for investors because of its stable, predictable financial results. It has enjoyed at least 40 straight years of increasing its dividend, which is currently $2.40, yielding 1.6%.

Closing at $148.27 on Monday, Becton, Dickinson is within reach of its 52-week high of $154.98.

 · C.R. Bard

C.R. Bard boasts several breast biopsy products. They include a system aimed at delivering quality samples-even in the most difficult locations within the breast. Another of its systems is deemed the only self-contained, vacuum-assisted, single insertion, multiple sample, ultrasound-guided, breast biopsy system that aids in the utmost control of the biopsy.

When it reported its earnings for the second quarter of this year, officials highlighted that its biopsy family of products grew 11%, driven by more than 40% growth in emerging markets.

 

 

“Biopsy is one of our more global product lines in the portfolio, with approximately 60% of our sales coming from outside the United States,” said John Weiland, the company’s president and chief operating officer.

On Monday, the stock closed just shy of $200, and it is closing in on its 52-week high of $202.47, which it hit during the first week of August.

With a market cap of $14 billion and gross margins of roughly 62%, the stock is a strong investment opportunity.

 · Hologic

Hologic specializes in providing medical devices to women in the U.S. and internationally. It operates in four segments, with one of those being breast health. The Breast Health segment provides breast imaging and related products and accessories, including digital and film-based mammography systems; computer-aided detection (CAD) for mammography; invasive breast biopsy devices; breast biopsy site markers; breast biopsy guidance systems; and breast brachytherapy products. This segment also offers Dimensions platform, a mammography gantry for 2D and 3D image acquisition and display; C-View that provides a 2D image; breast MRI coils and workstations; and photoconductor coatings.


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Hologic has a market cap of about $12 billion. It also just broke its 52-week high, closing on Monday at $42.99. Part of the reason its stock has been on a tear stems from its 3D mammography systems. Called Genious 3D, the system replaces traditional 2D systems. The company sees multiple growth opportunities – not to mention multibillions of dollars in revenues – for its 3D system. It says that it’s only penetrated about 20% of the market, leaving 80% of it to be converted over into its 3D system.

 · In summary

The very important area of breast cancer research and development projects demands companies like those featured in this piece. As noted, the biopsy is credited with being key in detecting breast cancer early, and increasing survival rates. Watch the companies in this post closely, especially since they are approaching their 52-week highs. I see them continuing on their positive runs, and there is room for them to continue to move higher as they penetrate the breast biopsy market.





1 response to “Investing for A Good Cause: Breast Biopsy Space”

  1. DivHut says:

    Both BDX and BCR have been in my portfolio for many, many years with no intention of selling. I do wish the yield was significantly higher with BCR though but what that is lacking capital appreciation is making up. Thanks for sharing.

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