Q2 2016 Share Price Performance (Part 2)

Tier 1 Canadian Healthcare Companies – Flat with less volatility

In this blog, I am going to comment on the Q2 and H1 performances of the group of 56 companies with share prices of $1.00 or more to start 2016 (Stellar Biotechnologies dropped from assessment).

• Advancers slightly outnumbered decliners by 29 to 27
• Average and median share price changes were +1% and +2%
• Four companies had share price increases of 40% or more
  • DelMar Pharmaceuticals (US listing only; +139%) – steady rise through Q2; completed a financing and announced plans to start a Phase 3 trial in refractory GBM
  • VBI Vaccines (+63%) – merger with SciVac Therapeutics and a subsequent financing were completed
  • Helius Medical Technologies (+51%) – completed a financing; announced positive results from a 6-patient, 6-month pilot study of its PoNS Therapy in multiple sclerosis
  • OncoGenex (US listing only; +49%) – appears to be a bounce from a share price bottom

• Two companies had share price declines of more than 40%
  • ProNAi Therapeutics (US listing only; -70%) – suspended development of lead product PNT2258 after seeing only modest efficacy in a Phase 2 trial
  • BELLUS Health (-81%) – did not meet the primary clinical endpoint in a Phase 3 trial of KIACTA in AA amyloidosis

The Q2 performance of the sector was flat with relatively low volatility, as only 6 of 56 companies had shares price changes of 40% or greater. However, the H1 performance closely reflected the negative and volatile performance in Q1, with almost one-third of the companies having share price changes of 40% or greater.

• Decliners outnumbered advancers by 33 to 23
• Average and median share price changes were -10% and -12%
• Six companies had share price increases of 40% or more
  • DelMar Pharmaceuticals (+119%)
  • CohBar (+88%)
  • VBI Vaccines +57%)
  • Medicure (+51%)
  • QHR Technologies (+48%)
  • Theratechnologies (+43%)

• Twelve companies had share price declines of more than 40%
  • Cardiome Pharma (-40%)
  • Aquinox Pharmaceuticals (-41%)
  • Polydex Pharmaceuticals (-41%)
  • QLT (-49%)
  • Acasti (-50%)
  • Concordia Healthcare (-51%)
  • TearLab Corporation (-61%)
  • BELLUS Health (-70%)
  • Valeant Pharmaceuticals (-81%)
  • ProNAi Therapeutics (-87%)
  • Eyecarrot Innovations (-88%)
  • Neovasc (-89%)
• 

 [The author and his immediate family members may have long or short positions in the shares of some companies mentioned in or assessed during the preparation of this blog. Past share price performance may not be an indicator of future share price performance. This blog does not consider the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person. Investors should obtain professional advice based on their own individual circumstances before making an investment decision.]

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