Do you invest in companies that make/sell diabetes-related products or provide diabetes-related services?
Yes, yes, I know. Of course, you spend your dollars on insulin, pumps, supplies, medications! You pay for medical insurance premiums and copays! You take many hours of your valuable time each week in managing your diabetes, making phone calls regarding insurance claims and refills, driving to the pharmacy and doctors! 
And you idle away time on the internet or diabetes blogs to further your knowledge or ask questions.
But I mean, really, INVEST in these companies and services?
So it just hit me the other day … why shouldn’t I make money on my disease like so many others are?! Of course, investing in the stock market is risky … but if the company hits it big, so do you and me!
As the worldwide diabetes market is growing at a record-breaking pace and the incidence of new cases of diabetes (both Type 1 and Type 2), it doesn’t take a math genius to figure out that the companies that provide products and services stand to make lots of money for themselves and their investors. After all, it is well over a $50 billion industry worldwide!
Not all companies will succeed … but it’s certainly worth looking at. It’s a market you know intimately and passionately. Now, I am not a seasoned investor and I certainly wouldn’t make a move with consulting a financial expert.
But we all know the companies that are dominant in certain markets (insulin, pumps, cgm, infusion sets, meters, etc.). So maybe, if you have a free moment, take a look at the quotes and charts for some of your “favorite” companies. Maybe something will catch your fancy!
DISCLAIMER: I am not employed by any of these publicly held companies in the diabetes arena nor am I, in any way, certified to give financial advice or counsel. Below is a list of some of the publicly traded corporations involved in the diabetes world. It is not an exhaustive list but a good starting place to just see how they are doing. Any brokerage site (such as Fidelity, TD Ameritrade, Charles Schwab, etc.) offers free symbol/stock look-up.
Stock Symbol Some diabetes-related companies
LLY Eli Lilly
NVO Novo Nordisk
SNYNF Sanofi
AZN AstraZeneca
MDT Medtronic
JNJ Animas
TNDM Tandem
PODD Insulet
RHHBY Roche Diagnostics
DXCM Dexcom
SNN Smith-Nephew
ABT Abbott Diabetes Care
Have fun researching and dreaming of being the next Apple computer bazillionaire!
Great article and smart thinking. My first pump was a MiniMed and I was so impressed I invested, despite my broker discouraging me labeling it an “emotional” decision. It turned out to be one of my best performing stocks and my broker eventually invested too. When the company was acquired by Medtronic (MDT) I received a large pay out which I reinvested.
Thanks Dale … and yes, we should at least be able to make some money on their “ride to success!”
Haha, great post! I wish I had invested in one of those companies a while ago (like Dale did!) Smart!
I know, Kelley, like, REALLY?!?!?!? I actually jumped in last week, kicking myself for not having done it sooner!
An interesting discussion. I’ve thought of making money in the field in which I’m intimately (but not financially) invested, but could never come to grips with the concept of taking money from those who can barely afford to spend it. As an investor, rather than an inventor, that would take some of the internal conflict away. Still, I would caution against investing in a company just because they have a brilliant product, without looking at the present and projected value of the company; the two may not go hand-in-hand. Look at Asante.
Scott, I couldn’t agree with you more. I would never suggest an investment, as I’m not at all trained to give financial advice. I’m just saying that if you are going to look at emerging technologies and you truly believe in something, it is worth analyzing, with the help of a trained financial advisor.
The loss of Asante is a loss to all of us. They introduced some amazing features not found elsewhere … and it will be hard to go backwards.
Many thanks for your feedback … hope you enjoyed D Blog Week!