Tema launches actively managed oncology ETF: investing in the cancer life-science revolution
Tema ETFs (“Tema”) launches the Tema Oncology ETF (CANC), the first actively managed ETF listed in the United States seeking to provide long-term growth by investing in oncology companies leading the fight against cancer. The portfolio will be managed by David K. Song, MD, PhD, CFA, who has led biotechnology and healthcare investment teams throughout his extensive 25-year career, including roles at Rockefeller Capital Management, Millennium and Balyasny. The portfolio will be balanced across key oncology areas and company profiles, ranging from diagnostics and care to therapeutics and clinical products, and with exposure to both established and emerging biopharma companies.
“We’re excited to bring the first oncology ETF to market that offers investors the opportunity to get risk managed exposure to arguably the biggest biotech megatrend.” said Maurits Pot, Chief Executive Officer and founder of Tema. “Oncology is a critical yet complex sector, where the number and nature of risks as well as the need for expertise cannot be underestimated. These include scientific, regulatory, financial, and clinical risks. Regulation plays a critical role but varies by jurisdiction and requires experience to interpret and position accordingly. The confluence of these complex risks we believe warrants an active approach to manage. We believe deep biomedical and investing background combined with Tema’s risk management process is critical to effectively manage an oncology ETF.”
Cancer is the world’s second deadliest killer [1] . Reports estimate that 1 in 2 people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime [2] . The population of individuals over 60 years old is forecast by the UN to grow 2.5 times by 2050 reaching 2.5 billion people [3] , with that age segment representing 70% of cancer diagnoses [4] . This ageing population, together with developing adverse lifestyle factors, will mean that cancer will only become more prevalent in the future. As of now, the economic cost to society is forecasted to be $25.2 trillion from 2020 to 2050 [5] .
A revolution in biology and biotechnology is driving significant advances in diagnosing and treating cancer. The cost of genomic sequencing has fallen exponentially over the past 15 years [6] , dramatically increasing R&D productivity. This has contributed to an innovation boom with new technologies such as cell therapy, liquid biopsies, and precision oncology, leading the way for safer and more effective treatments and diagnoses. Oncology is leading the way amidst a sustained boom of new drugs, representing over 30% of approvals of new drug approvals in 2021, up from 25% in the 2010-2019 period, and well ahead of other drug classes [7] . Oncology spending is also accelerating, with an expected $1.5 trillion to be spent between 2023 and 2027 [8] .
“The progress and speed of innovation we’re witnessing in oncology is very exciting and from an investment perspective, oncology is more accessible than ever before.”, said David K. Song, CANC portfolio manager. “This innovation has led to a burst of new companies, with 70% of the oncology universe listing on public markets in the last decade alone [9] bringing the industry to a combined market capitalization of $2.5 Tn [10] . Oncology is one of the largest and fastest growing segments of broader healthcare globally. There is significant value in the life science sector, following the recent sell-off, as one-quarter of small biotech firms trade at market caps below the net cash on their balance sheet.”
For a list of current fund holdings, please visit the fund web page at www.temaetfs.com/canc. All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. For a more complete discussion of the potential investment risks to the topics discussed below see the disclosure section at the end of the document.
Endnotes
[1] Our World In Data, 2019
[2] NCI (National Cancer Institute), 2020, USA only. 40% of Americans are forecasted to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.
[3] UN (2017). World Population Prospects: the 2017 Revision
[4] National Cancer Institute, 1975-2020 data as of June 2023. Both sexes and all ages included.
[5] Jama Network. Scope: cost of 29 cancers in 204 countries and territories. International dollars at constant 2017 prices.
[6] National Human genome Research Institute
[7] Nature analysis of FDA data
[8] IQVIA Oncology Link, April 2023.
[9] Bloomberg, Tema proprietary oncology universe defined by all companies that derive at least 50% of revenues from oncology.
[10] Tema proprietary oncology universe as of 06/30/20
Risk Information
Carefully consider the Fund’s investment objectives, risk factors, charges and expenses before investing. This and additional information can be found in the Fund’s prospectus or summary prospectus, which may be obtained by visiting www.temaetfs.com.
Read the prospectus carefully before investing
Important risks
Investing involves risk including possible loss of principal. There is no guarantee the adviser’s investment strategy will be successful.
Industry Concentration Risk: Because the Fund's assets will be concentrated in an industry or group of industries, the Fund is subject to loss due to adverse occurrences that may affect that industry or group of industries.
Biotechnology Industry Risk: The biotechnology industry can be significantly affected by patent considerations, including the termination of patent protections for products, intense competition both domestically and internationally, rapid technological change and obsolescence, government regulation and expensive insurance costs due to the risk of product liability lawsuits. In addition, the biotechnology industry is an emerging growth industry, and therefore biotechnology companies may be thinly capitalized and more volatile than companies with greater capitalizations.
Oncology Companies Risk: Oncology companies are highly dependent on the development, procurement and marketing of drugs and the protection and exploitation of intellectual property rights. A company's valuation can also be greatly affected if one of its products is proven or alleged to be unsafe, ineffective or unprofitable. The stock prices of oncology companies have been and will likely continue to be very volatile. The costs associated with developing new drugs can be significant, and the results are unpredictable. Newly developed drugs may be susceptible to product obsolescence due to intense competition from new products and less costly generic products. Moreover, the process for obtaining regulatory approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or other governmental regulatory authorities is long and costly and there can be no assurance that the necessary approvals will be obtained or maintained.
Tema Global Limited serves as the investment adviser to Tema Oncology ETF (the “Fund”), and NEOS Investments, LLC serves as a sub adviser to the Funds. The Fund is distributed by Foreside Fund Services LLC, which is not affiliated with Tema Global Limited nor NEOS Investments, LLC. Check the background of Foreside on FINRA’s BrokerCheck.
For inquiries: info@temaetfs.com
