---
title: "Oncology Biotechnology Industry"
description: "264 SEC filers are classified under the Standard Industrial Classification codes that describe the oncology biotechnology industry."
canonical: https://www.getswoopr.com/stocks/industries/health-care/oncology-biotechnology/
source: "Swoopr Investment: https://www.getswoopr.com"
---

# Oncology Biotechnology Industry

## Direct Answer

264 SEC filers are classified under the Standard Industrial Classification codes that describe the oncology biotechnology industry, and their latest annual reports show $546.7 billion of combined revenue and a median operating margin of -320.5%. Investors should still evaluate its revenue model, industry-specific KPIs, valuation framework and the risks that can change the group's economics.

## Industry Overview

Oncology biotechnology companies develop treatments for cancer, including targeted drugs, antibody-drug conjugates, immunotherapies and cell therapies. Trials are long and costly, and approvals can unlock large sales if outcomes improve survival. The first numbers to compare across companies here are clinical trial readouts and endpoints, approved product sales and pipeline breadth.

## Key Industry Metrics

- **Clinical trial readouts and endpoints**: Results from trials, such as response, progression-free or overall survival. Meeting the main endpoint and the size of benefit drive approval prospects.
- **Approved product sales**: Revenue from marketed cancer drugs. It shows launch traction and which indications are contributing.
- **Pipeline breadth**: Number of programs and variety of targets. A broader set diversifies trial risk, but spreads resources.
- **Cash runway**: Months of spending covered by cash on hand. Cancer trials are costly, so a short runway before results can mean dilution.
- **Partnerships**: Collaborations with larger drugmakers providing funding and development help. They validate science and share risk and reward.

## Primary Macro Drivers

- **Clinical data and regulatory approvals**: Positive results and approvals let companies sell to defined patient groups, so trial data and regulator decisions drive product sales and valuation.
- **Payer coverage**: Insurer coverage decides how many cancer patients receive a new drug, which moves sales of approved products.
- **Combination regimens**: Using a new drug with existing treatments can lengthen treatment and expand use, which raises product sales per patient.
- **Funding conditions**: Cancer trials are costly, so access to capital sets how many programs a company can run and how long it can operate.

## Major Risks

- **Trial failures**: Many cancer drug trials do not meet their goals, so a negative readout can remove expected sales; watch readout dates and endpoints.
- **Competition from large pharma**: Large drugmakers have more cash and trial capacity, so they can outpace smaller developers in a given target; watch competitor data.
- **Safety**: Serious side effects can stop a program or limit its label; watch safety updates and regulator communications.
- **Funding and dilution**: Small companies raise money by issuing shares, which dilutes existing holders; watch cash runway and recent offerings.

## Industry Characteristics

| Characteristic | Profile |
| --- | --- |
| Cyclicality | Defensive |
| Capital Intensity | Medium |
| Regulatory Intensity | High |
| Industry Maturity | Growth |
| Geographic Importance | U.S. / Global |

## Oncology Biotechnology Filers in the SEC Record

264 companies with annual reports in the dataset are classified by the SEC in the Standard Industrial Classification codes 2836, 2834. Their latest fiscal years end between 2022 and 2026, and together they reported $546.7 billion of revenue. Median revenue growth over the prior year was 11.6%. Median operating margin was -320.5% and median net margin -202.0%. Median total liabilities were 40% of total assets, and 57 of 264 reported a profit in their latest year.

| Company | Revenue | Growth | Operating margin | Net margin | Year |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Johnson & Johnson](https://www.getswoopr.com/stocks/companies/johnson-and-johnson/) | $94.2 billion | 6.0% | n/a | 28.5% | FY 2025 |
| [Eli Lilly & Co](https://www.getswoopr.com/stocks/companies/eli-lilly/) | $65.2 billion | 44.7% | n/a | 31.7% | FY 2025 |
| [Pfizer Inc](https://www.getswoopr.com/stocks/companies/pfizer/) | $62.6 billion | -1.6% | n/a | 12.4% | FY 2025 |
| [Abbvie Inc.](https://www.getswoopr.com/stocks/companies/abbvie/) | $61.2 billion | 8.6% | 24.6% | 6.9% | FY 2025 |
| [Bristol Myers Squibb Co](https://www.getswoopr.com/stocks/companies/bristol-myers-squibb/) | $48.2 billion | -0.2% | n/a | 14.6% | FY 2025 |
| [Abbott Laboratories](https://www.getswoopr.com/stocks/companies/abbott-laboratories/) | $44.3 billion | 5.7% | 18.2% | 14.7% | FY 2025 |
| [Amgen Inc](https://www.getswoopr.com/stocks/companies/amgen/) | $36.8 billion | 10.0% | 24.7% | 21.0% | FY 2025 |
| [Gilead Sciences, Inc.](https://www.getswoopr.com/stocks/companies/gilead-sciences/) | $29.4 billion | 2.4% | 34.0% | 28.9% | FY 2025 |

The 8 largest of 264 by revenue. Source: each company's own annual report as filed with the SEC (XBRL data), figures in U.S. dollars. A company's SIC code reflects its main business as the SEC records it, so it can differ from how an index provider or analyst classifies the company, and a diversified group appears under only one code.

## Where to Go Next

The Oncology Biotechnology guide describes how the industry earns money, what to measure and what can go wrong. To see how it compares, read the neighbouring industries in the same sector, then apply the same checks to a specific company.

### More in Health Care

- [Health Care sector overview](https://www.getswoopr.com/stocks/industries/health-care/)
- [Oncology Pharmaceuticals](https://www.getswoopr.com/stocks/industries/health-care/oncology-pharmaceuticals/)
- [Obesity & GLP-1 Therapeutics](https://www.getswoopr.com/stocks/industries/health-care/obesity-and-glp-1-therapeutics/)
- [Ophthalmic Devices](https://www.getswoopr.com/stocks/industries/health-care/ophthalmic-devices/)
- [Neuroscience Biotechnology](https://www.getswoopr.com/stocks/industries/health-care/neuroscience-biotechnology/)
- [Ophthalmology Pharmaceuticals](https://www.getswoopr.com/stocks/industries/health-care/ophthalmology-pharmaceuticals/)
- [mRNA Therapeutics](https://www.getswoopr.com/stocks/industries/health-care/mrna-therapeutics/)
- [Orthopedic Devices](https://www.getswoopr.com/stocks/industries/health-care/orthopedic-devices/)
- [Metabolic Disease Biotechnology](https://www.getswoopr.com/stocks/industries/health-care/metabolic-disease-biotechnology/)

### Put it to work

- [How to analyze a stock](https://www.getswoopr.com/stocks/how-to-analyze-a-stock/)
- [Fundamental analysis guides](https://www.getswoopr.com/learn/fundamental-analysis/)
- [Company research](https://www.getswoopr.com/stocks/companies/)
- [All industries](https://www.getswoopr.com/stocks/industries/)

## Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main KPIs for the Oncology Biotechnology industry?

Key performance indicators for the Oncology Biotechnology industry include: Clinical trial readouts and endpoints, Approved product sales, Pipeline breadth, Cash runway, Partnerships. Which matter most depends on the company's model, so compare them across several companies rather than relying on one.

How cyclical is the Oncology Biotechnology industry?

The Oncology Biotechnology industry is generally defensive, meaning demand tends to remain relatively stable regardless of the economic cycle. Companies in this space can provide portfolio stability during recessions, though growth may lag in strong expansions.

What are the biggest risks in the Oncology Biotechnology industry?

The primary risks for Oncology Biotechnology companies include: Trial failures, Competition from large pharma, Safety, Funding and dilution. Investors should assess each company's exposure to these factors and its track record of navigating them.

**[Swoopr Editorial Team](https://www.getswoopr.com/authors/swoopr-editorial-team/)**

Swoopr's editorial team produces independent investment education content reviewed for accuracy and clarity. We do not provide personalized financial advice. See our [editorial policy](https://www.getswoopr.com/legal/editorial-policy/) and [corrections policy](https://www.getswoopr.com/legal/corrections-policy/).
