For the first time this year, BioWorld’s Biopharmaceutical Index has entered positive territory, now showing a modest rise of 3.2% as the world limps further away from the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the Russian invasion of Ukraine, rising inflation, and skyrocketing gas prices, the biopharma industry remains center-stage when it comes to preparing for another unexpected health crisis and for harnessing the knowledge of the last two years to fight stubborn diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.

A spring of hope has emerged for BioWorld’s Drug Developers Index (BDDI) with stocks moving in a positive direction in recent weeks, much in line with the broader markets. The BDDI is currently down for the year by 15.5%, but that is an improvement over the 21% decline at the end of February. Likewise, the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index and the Dow Jones Industrial Average are showing similar upward trajectories, but are still down by 11.1% and 4.2%, respectively. It is the first time this year stocks have begun to rise.

As interest in digital health increases and pandemic efforts decline, both med-tech deals and mergers and acquisitions this year continue to climb.