Continuing its downward trend, BioWorld’s Cancer Index (BCI) has fallen by 19.16% this year, a stark contrast with the broader Nasdaq Biopharmaceutical Index and the Dow Jones Industrial Average, both of which are tracking up by 4.49% and 19.03%, respectively.

A surge in deal activity over the last few months has placed 2021 in the running for beating 2020, the best year on record, and becoming the top year for the biopharma industry to date. BioWorld has recorded 1,680 deals valued at $167.39 billion in 2021 vs. 1,744 deals valued at $159.98 billion by this point last year. That puts 2021 ahead by about 5% on deal values.

The top 10 biopharma stock gainers and losers for the week.

Biopharma money raised to-date and by quarter in 2021, including public, private and other financings.

Although the BioWorld Biopharmaceutical Index has recovered slightly within the last month, it is showing only a small gain since the start of the year. Up by 2.82%, it is somewhat in line with the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index gain of 4.83%, but significantly beneath the broader markets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, for example, was up by 17.03% at the end of October.

A comparison of the first 10 months of every year going back to 2000 indicates that the volume and value of IPOs and of venture capital financings are at their highest levels in 2021. Private placements and other similar financings are coming in second to last year, while follow-on offerings – the weakest type of financing this year – fall at about fourth place.