During the first serious economic downturn in almost a decade, some are cheering for biotechnology companies to carry investors through the slump. Given the biotech sector's volatility, it seems an ironic place to look for a safe haven. This unique position goes beyond supply and demand. Biotech has the best of both worlds because the companies are both defensive and high growth, Becker said. They hold long-term promise, and are part of a relatively new industry with lots of room to grow.
Biotechnology is one of the few markets in that exact type of scenario.
The early '90s didn't look good for the economy, including biotech companies. But the attitude among the industry was optimistic in the hopes of new therapies and tools they foresaw in the coming decade. And now, it's about that time. The outlook for future output is even better today, with biotech products making up about half of the approximately 700 drugs now in clinical trials with the Food and Drug Administration . But they don't need to, analysts say.