The list has been compiled by online news publication Investing News and puts molecular diagnostics company Interleukin Genetics at the top of the pile, which Utah-based Nu skin scooped up the fifth position.
With ever-growing life expectancy in developed countries, investors believe that companies successfully navigating the anti-aging arena will make some of the best long-term investments as an aging population turns to solutions to keep them feeling and looking younger.
Nu Skin longevity research hits the spot
The list put Australia-based Prana Biotechnology in second position a development stage medical biotech company, Finland based drug development company Biotie Therapies in third place and stem cell specialist Bio Time got the fourth slot.
Nu Skin Enterprises caught the eye of Investing News thanks to its work on longevity research that has resulted in a line of anti-aging personal care products and nutritional supplements that is currently distributed in 53 countries worldwide.
With an estimated market value of $1.89bn, the list entry for Nu Skin highlighted the nutritional supplement, ageLOC R2, which is designed to recharge and renew the body, and is also sold in conjunction with the company skin care lines.
A difficult period, backed by innovation pipeline
Nu Skin has had a difficult few years, having hit by a temporary sales ban in its biggest market, China, at the beginning of last year, while authorities investigated its sales techniques.
Its most recent third quarter results showed that the company has still not recovered from the sales ban in China, with sales for the quarter down 17% compared to 2014, but this figure was also impacted by currency translation. Overall group sales were down 11% to $571.3.m.
However, the company is trying to bounce back with a strong innovation pipeline, which in June of this year included the launch of its Epoch brand, a range of essential oil skin care and aromatherapy products formulated with specialized natural essential oils.