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Highlights
- The Australian healthcare sector includes companies engaged in biotechnology and research, food and drug retailing, health care equipment, service providers, and pharmaceuticals.
- On a YTD basis, the healthcare index is running low at -12.68%, aligning with the benchmark S&P/ASX 200, which is also down by nearly 0.12%.
- IMC, NEU, LCT, BOT, and ALA have provided notable returns to investors on a YTD basis.
Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) healthcare is a vast sector with a diverse range of companies. It includes businesses involving biotechnology and research, food and drug retailing, health care equipment, service providers, and pharmaceuticals.
On a year-to-date (YTD) basis, the healthcare index is running low at -12.68%, aligning with benchmark S&P/ASX 200, which is also down by nearly 0.12% on a YTD basis as on 28 March 2022. However, few small-cap stocks from healthcare have grown positively since 01 January 2022 to date.
Here we discuss the top five ASX healthcare stocks that have provided the highest returns on a YTD basis.
Immuron Limited (ASX:IMC)
Immuron Limited is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercialising novel polyclonal antibodies to treat unmet medical needs. The Company's flagship products include Travelan® and Protectyn®.
In the half-year ended 31 December 2021, Immuron increased its revenue by 1,037.2%. However, the Company incurred a net loss of nearly AU$1.8 million.
Major operational highlights for the period are:
- Completed development of drug product targeting Campylobacter and Enterotoxigenic Escherichia Coli (ETEC)
- Secured European Patent on Drug Composition to Treat Travellers’ Diarrhea
- Achieved encouraging results for IMM-124E's antiviral T-cell immunity trials against the SAS-CoV-2 virus
Stock information: Immuron has a market cap of 27.33 million and has provided nearly 20% return on a YTD basis. The price of the stock on 28 March 2022 was noted at AU$0.120.
Neuren Pharmaceuticals Limited (ASX:NEU)
Neuren Pharmaceuticals Limited, a biopharmaceutical company, is currently developing two new drug therapies to treat multiple neurological disorders that do not have any approved medicines to date.
Significant achievements of Neuren since 1 January 2022 include the following:
- Received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to proceed with the Phase 2 trial of NNZ-2591 in Angelman syndrome (AS).
- Received approval from the Human Research Ethics Committee for its Phase 2 clinical trial of NNZ-2591 in AS.
- Received approval from the US FDA to proceed with the Phase 2 trial of NNZ-2591 in Pitt Hopkins syndrome (PTHS).
- Received approval from the US FDA to proceed with the Phase 2 trial of NNZ-2591 in PhelanMcDermid syndrome (PMS).
Neuren has Orphan Drug designation from the FDA for NNZ-2591 in four serious neurodevelopmental disorders.
Stock information: Neuren has a market cap of AU$521.02 million and has provided nearly 7.96% return on a YTD basis. The price of the stock on 28 March 2022 was noted at AU$4.07.
Related read: PLS, NEU, CNB: 3 ASX stocks with over 100% past-year returns
Image source: © Marcpk | Megapixl.com
Living Cell Technologies Limited (ASX:LCT)
Living Cell Technologies Limited (LCT) is a biotechnology company focused on developing treatments for certain diseases. The Company's product pipeline consists of LP-003 for anti-obesity, LC-002 for migraine treatment and NTCELL for Parkinson's disease.
In the half-year ended 31 December 2021, LCT signed an MOU with NZeno, a New Zealand-based biotech company, for the third clinical trial of NTCELL. The Company reported a consolidated loss after tax of AU$734,003 for the period. LCT successfully raised AU$3.5 million through placement for financing a third clinical trial of NTCELL.
Stock information: LCT has a market cap of AU$6.68 million, and its share value has increased by nearly 40% on a YTD basis. LCT’s stock price on 28 March 2022 was noted at AU$0.007.
Botanix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX:BOT)
Botanix Pharmaceuticals Limited is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on developing dermatology and antimicrobial products based on synthetic cannabinoids. Botanix has a drug delivery technology known as Permetrex.
In the half-year ended 31 December 2021, Botanix continuously advanced its dermatology products pipeline and discovered new solutions for bacterial infections. The Company incurred a net loss after income tax of AU$6,508,794 in the same period because of the continued advancement of its clinical pipeline, which has provided solid results to date.
Stock information: BOT has a market cap of AU$75.90 million, and its share price has surged by nearly 41.07% on a YTD basis. BOT’s stock price as of 28 March 2022 was AU$0.079.
Arovella Therapeutics Limited (ASX:ALA)
Arovella Therapeutics Limited, formerly SUDA Pharmaceuticals Limited, is an Australia-based biotechnology company. The Company focuses on specific disease areas, oncology and conditions that affect the central nervous system.
ALA recorded a net loss of nearly AU$3.9 million for the period ended 31 December 2021, and its revenue from ordinary activities also decreased by 90.7%. In the same period, the Company acquired exclusive global rights to the DKK1-peptide mAb/CAR to treat various forms of cancer.
Moreover, Arovella entered into a Collaborative Research Agreement (CRA) with Imperial College London for its iNKT cell therapy platform.
Also read: Why ESG matters for healthcare organisations
Stock information: ALA has a market cap of AU$26.32 million, and its share price has risen by nearly 5.13% on a YTD basis. The stock’s closing price as of 28 March 2022 was AU$0.041.
