In the world of healthcare stocks, a major innovation, new medical device, or successful drug treatment can cement a firm's position as a leader. Unfortunately, many firms chase after these goals and never achieve them. To truly achieve long-term success in this sector, a company must be able to provide a technology or group of products so compelling as to withstand competition, generic alternatives, and a host of other threats.
Predicting these firms—the pathbreakers with true staying power over the long term—is notoriously difficult. Analysts have homed in on three companies, based in the Netherlands, Ireland, and the United States, respectively, that may be positioned for extended success. We explore these firms—argenx SE (NASDAQ: ARGX), ICON plc (NASDAQ: ICLR), and Edwards Lifesciences Corp. (NYSE: EW)—more closely below.
