Better Health for all

In recent history there have been substantial improvements across many areas of health and wellbeing. Global life expectancy has increased by 20 years since 1960, and global child mortality has more than halved since 1990. The number of people living in extreme poverty has decreased, from almost 2 billion in 1990 to an estimated 698 million in 2021. Although these figures and many others paint an encouraging picture, there is still more progress to be made.

To mark World Health Day, we are sharing some stories of how we’re helping to support better health outcomes through our investments, with the aim of investing in companies that deliver solutions to the challenges in health and wellbeing.

Illumina

Illumina is a global leader in the field of genomics (the study of genes). Its products are often used for sequencing human genomes, in other words, a human’s complete set of genetic information.

With its investment and innovation, Illumina has been instrumental in driving down the cost of sequencing the human genome, from millions of dollars to below $500, improving the accessibility and affordability of this exciting technology. As the price continues to drop and accessibility improves, we expect to see more clinical applications emerge, potentially driving faster diagnoses and new, tailored treatments for a variety of diseases.

Genomics offers massive potential for the diagnosis of rare diseases. More than 300 million people currently suffer from a rare disease, and they will often spend years visiting different specialists, facing multiple misdiagnoses, before the correct disease is identified. Genomic sequencers such as those sold by Illumina have the potential to speed up this process.

Illumina’s products also have huge potential for the diagnosis of cancer. Grail, which Illumina acquired in 2021, produces a Galleri device that can detect the early stages of 50 cancers with a simple blood test, helping to catch cancer before it spreads.

Autoliv

Autoliv specialises in the design and manufacture of safety products for vehicles, including seatbelts, airbags, steering wheels and pedestrian protection systems, helping to make travel safer for all road users.

Every year 1.35 million lives are lost on the road, more than half of which are vulnerable road users such as pedestrians or cyclists. Road traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for young people aged 5-29, and the eighth most common cause for the wider population. While reducing these numbers will require action from governments and road users, companies like Autoliv can play a huge role by developing innovative products that improve safety for those inside and outside the vehicle. In 2021, Autoliv’s products saved close to 35,000 lives while preventing 350,000 serious injuries.

Autoliv has partnered with safety institutions and universities to analyse the causes and outcomes of traffic accidents, alongside biomechanics and driver behaviours, driving improvements in their technology.

Autoliv was the first company to produce a pedestrian protection airbag and hood lifter, which protect pedestrians and cyclists from impact with the windshield or hard components under the bonnet in a collision. Autoliv has also developed airbags for motorbikes and is testing airbags for increasingly popular e-scooters.

The information provided should not be considered a recommendation to purchase or sell any particular security. Capital at risk.

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