This new thematic ETF is different from the GERM ETF by ETFMG.

Pacer ETFs announced the launch of a new ETF, that, in a sign of the times, invests in companies dealing with the fallout from natural or man-made biological threats. The Pacer BioThreat Strategy ETF (VIRS) will offer exposure to companies that will offer protection and relief in the event of a biothreat such as a pandemic. (BusinessWire)

Pacer BioThreat Strategy ETF (VIRS)

The companies that VIRS will invest in will be involved in

• the research of current and future pandemics,
• combatting biological warfare,
• biological threat detection, homeland security,
• disaster relief supply storage,
• food and water safety and security, and
• work and live from home technology.

“As the world reconfigures the way businesses operate and populations protect themselves, certain companies will be critical to the integrity of the economy with this in mind,” says Sean O’Hara, president of Pacer ETFs Distributors. “VIRS allows investors to directly access companies at the forefront of this and future health crises.”

VIRS Fund details

The ETF has listed on the Cboe BZX Exchange and charges an expense ratio of 0.70%.  It tracks the LifeSci BioThreat Strategy Index. The index screens the US companies that protect people and nations from bio-threats to safety and health.

The VIRS fund had net assets of $2.5 million as of June 30.

How GERM is faring

The ETFMG Treatments Testing and Advancements ETF (GERM) is designed to give direct exposure to biotech companies engaged in the testing and treatments of infectious diseases.

The fund commenced on June 17, a week before VIRS.

Its expense ratio is 0.68%.

The chart below shows it is moving up steadily since listing.

Related Story: Corona Spawns a Scarily-named ‘Biothreat’ ETF Theme