A one-day gain of 148 per cent has Opthea as comfortably the best-performing small cap health or biotech stock on the ASX at a time when the majority are trending downwards.
Stockhead reported today on Opthea’s (ASX:OPT) positive results from its Phase IIb trial of its OPT-302 drug, designed to fight wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
The company’s shares jumped to $1.90, a 148 per cent gain, though they hit as high as $2.25.
The trial examined whether OPT-302, when combined with Lucentis, a standard treatment for wet AMD, achieved a statistically significant vision benefit over patients receiving just Lucentis. It enrolled 366 patients over 24 weeks.
The results were conclusive: patients receiving OPT-302 gained a mean of 14.2 letters of vision from baseline on a standardised eye chart at 24 weeks, compared with 10.8 letters for the control group.
CEO Megan Baldwin told Stockhead the company would now design third-phase studies.
“We’re designing [Phase III] with the input of US regulators, but we can move forward knowing we have good solid data…and sufficient capital to be undertaking these activities,” she said.
The next-best performing health company in the past fortnight was Race Oncology (ASX:RAC), up 40 per cent on news the first leukaemia patient had been treated in its clinical trial of Bisantrene.
Bisantrene is a chemotherapy drug that was the subject of more than 40 clinical studies during the 1980s and 1990s before the drug was abandoned after a series of pharmaceutical mergers.
Overall, the ASX’s near-140 health and biotech stocks have lost 4 per cent in the past fortnight, with 89 stocks losing ground. Only 31 saw gains, while 15 were stable.
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Here are the ASX’s near-140 small cap health and biotech stocks and their performance in the past fortnight:
| Code | Name | Price (3pm Thursday) | Market Cap | % Return (2 Weeks) | % Return YTD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PAA | PHARMAUST LTD | 0.14 | $ 39,230,968.00 | 61 | 306 |
| NEU | NEUREN PHARMACEUTICALS LTD | 2.18 | $ 235,227,648.00 | 58 | 50 |
| BWX | BWX LTD | 3.51 | $ 441,087,104.00 | 51 | -17 |
| RAP | RESAPP HEALTH LTD | 0.22 | $ 153,176,208.00 | 47 | 0 |
| PNV | POLYNOVO LTD | 2.21 | $ 1,500,669,824.00 | 45 | 298 |
| RAC | RACE ONCOLOGY LTD | 0.12 | $ 12,088,298.00 | 43 | 9 |
| OPT | OPTHEA LTD | 3.74 | $ 954,197,184.00 | 39 | 511 |
| PSQ | PACIFIC SMILES GROUP LTD | 1.69 | $ 256,868,832.00 | 35 | 22 |
| AVE | AVECHO BIOTECHNOLOGY LTD | 0.006 | $ 9,464,745.00 | 33 | -67 |
| SUD | SUDA PHARMACEUTICALS LTD | 0.004 | $ 14,225,487.00 | 33 | -16 |
| PYC | PHYLOGICA LTD | 0.047 | $ 114,814,264.00 | 31 | 57 |
| ADR | ADHERIUM LTD | 0.026 | $ 4,524,831.50 | 30 | -71 |
| PTX | PRESCIENT THERAPEUTICS LTD | 0.048 | $ 19,713,032.00 | 22 | -45 |
| GTG | GENETIC TECHNOLOGIES LTD | 0.005 | $ 17,628,804.00 | 20 | -40 |
| NHL | NOVITA HEALTHCARE LTD | 0.012 | $ 7,282,618.00 | 20 | -61 |
| ATX | AMPLIA THERAPEUTICS LTD | 0.092 | $ 4,735,294.00 | 19 | -73 |
| HCT | HOLISTA COLLTECH LTD | 0.068 | $ 15,914,658.00 | 19 | -23 |
| PCK | PAINCHEK LTD | 0.2175 | $ 201,114,160.00 | 19 | 349 |
| ICS | ICSGLOBAL LTD | 1.085 | $ 11,483,661.00 | 18 | -2 |
| DVL | DORSAVI LTD | 0.06 | $ 12,241,007.00 | 18 | -31 |
| CGS | COGSTATE LTD | 0.23 | $ 32,725,734.00 | 16 | -66 |
| MX1 | MICRO-X LTD | 0.34 | $ 56,106,920.00 | 15 | -3 |
| CTE | CRYOSITE LTD | 0.057 | $ 2,670,995.00 | 14 | -11 |
| OSL | ONCOSIL MEDICAL LTD | 0.073 | $ 45,411,032.00 | 13 | -67 |
| NVL | NATIONAL VETERINARY CARE LTD | 2.53 | $ 170,183,472.00 | 10 | 7 |
| LBT | LBT INNOVATIONS LTD | 0.11 | $ 25,887,376.00 | 10 | 0 |
| ONE | ONEVIEW HEALTHCARE PLC-CDI | 0.225 | $ 38,899,460.00 | 10 | -81 |
| VHT | VOLPARA HEALTH TECHNOLOGIES | 1.58 | $ 344,538,720.00 | 9 | 68 |
| PAR | PARADIGM BIOPHARMACEUTICALS | 1.6 | $ 307,532,416.00 | 9 | 64 |
| CDX | CARDIEX LTD | 0.026 | $ 18,083,058.00 | 8 | -40 |
| FFC | FARMAFORCE LTD | 0.14 | $ 17,892,138.00 | 8 | 40 |
| KZA | KAZIA THERAPEUTICS LTD | 0.375 | $ 23,312,502.00 | 7 | -18 |
| CAN | CANN GROUP LTD | 1.825 | $ 259,501,776.00 | 7 | -34 |
| ALC | ALCIDION GROUP LTD | 0.165 | $ 134,585,744.00 | 6 | 259 |
| KKT | KONEKT LTD | 0.27 | $ 28,562,446.00 | 6 | -7 |
| AVH | AVITA MEDICAL LTD | 0.4775 | $ 861,527,040.00 | 6 | 360 |
| AHX | APIAM ANIMAL HEALTH LTD | 0.47 | $ 49,242,444.00 | 6 | -14 |
| SOM | SOMNOMED LTD | 2.11 | $ 132,516,792.00 | 6 | 14 |
| BIT | BIOTRON LTD | 0.078 | $ 46,465,056.00 | 5 | 420 |
| NC6 | NANOLLOSE LTD | 0.089 | $ 6,674,999.50 | 5 | -26 |
| BOT | BOTANIX PHARMACEUTICALS LTD | 0.225 | $ 217,013,488.00 | 5 | 127 |
| LCT | LIVING CELL TECHNOLOGIES LTD | 0.023 | $ 13,143,143.00 | 5 | -23 |
| PAB | PATRYS LTD | 0.023 | $ 24,669,578.00 | 5 | -47 |
| JHC | JAPARA HEALTHCARE LTD | 1.105 | $ 296,644,544.00 | 4 | -35 |
| 1AD | ADALTA LTD | 0.13 | $ 21,359,260.00 | 4 | -57 |
| IPD | IMPEDIMED LTD | 0.13 | $ 68,479,688.00 | 4 | -68 |
| CMP | COMPUMEDICS LTD | 0.67 | $ 121,356,616.00 | 3 | 41 |
| GSS | GENETIC SIGNATURES LTD | 1.045 | $ 111,863,896.00 | 2 | 99 |
| OIL | OPTISCAN IMAGING LTD | 0.043 | $ 20,217,688.00 | 2 | -22 |
| OVN | OVENTUS MEDICAL LTD | 0.505 | $ 65,168,716.00 | 2 | 91 |
| SDI | SDI LTD | 0.79 | $ 93,903,768.00 | 2 | 36 |
| THC | THC GLOBAL GROUP LTD | 0.445 | $ 60,423,976.00 | 1 | -14 |
| MMJ | MMJ GROUP HOLDINGS LTD | 0.245 | $ 55,547,376.00 | 0 | -8 |
| IVX | INVION LTD | 0.015 | $ 82,509,096.00 | 0 | -59 |
| IMU | IMUGENE LTD | 0.02 | $ 72,196,952.00 | 0 | -9 |
| UCM | USCOM LTD | 0.11 | $ 15,204,944.00 | 0 | -29 |
| MEB | MEDIBIO LTD | 0.013 | $ 12,936,691.00 | 0 | -90 |
| BXN | BIOXYNE LTD | 0.02 | $ 12,802,908.00 | 0 | -33 |
| TDL | TBG DIAGNOSTICS LTD | 0.031 | $ 6,745,206.00 | 0 | -44 |
| CDY | CELLMID LTD | 0.215 | $ 17,976,038.00 | 0 | -43 |
| ZLD | ZELDA THERAPEUTICS LTD | 0.068 | $ 50,741,908.00 | 0 | -16 |
| BPH | BPH ENERGY LTD | 0.002 | $ 2,990,277.75 | 0 | 33 |
| RHT | RESONANCE HEALTH LTD | 0.11 | $ 49,120,404.00 | 0 | 379 |
| CAJ | CAPITOL HEALTH LTD | 0.215 | $ 169,057,856.00 | 0 | -21 |
| S66 | STAR COMBO PHARMA LTD | 0.52 | $ 44,999,032.00 | 0 | -40 |
| BNO | BIONOMICS LTD | 0.037 | $ 20,153,378.00 | 0 | -92 |
| DXB | DIMERIX LTD | 0.095 | $ 15,085,947.00 | 0 | -5 |
| RCE | RECCE PHARMACEUTICALS LTD | 0.215 | $ 23,032,932.00 | 0 | 19 |
| VBS | VECTUS BIOSYSTEMS LTD | 0.55 | $ 12,858,998.00 | 0 | -42 |
| OCC | ORTHOCELL LTD | 0.45 | $ 60,950,844.00 | -1 | 32 |
| LSH | LIFESPOT HEALTH LTD | 0.062 | $ 4,886,826.50 | -2 | -28 |
| BLT | BENITEC BIOPHARMA LTD | 0.052 | $ 13,365,530.00 | -2 | -72 |
| NSB | NEUROSCIENTIFIC BIOPHARMACEU | 0.245 | $ 18,392,436.00 | -2 | 21 |
| IMM | IMMUTEP LTD | 0.022 | $ 81,191,120.00 | -2 | -41 |
| CYP | CYNATA THERAPEUTICS LTD | 1.64 | $ 163,736,080.00 | -2 | 14 |
| ONT | 1300 SMILES LTD | 6 | $ 142,070,304.00 | -2 | 1 |
| AZV | AZURE HEALTHCARE LTD | 0.078 | $ 18,151,600.00 | -3 | -3 |
| PBP | PROBIOTEC LTD | 1.53 | $ 91,844,168.00 | -3 | -4 |
| PXS | PHARMAXIS LTD | 0.185 | $ 72,992,712.00 | -3 | -40 |
| CYC | CYCLOPHARM LTD | 1.35 | $ 93,013,480.00 | -3 | 53 |
| JHL | JAYEX HEALTHCARE LTD | 0.033 | $ 5,696,230.00 | -3 | -6 |
| TLX | TELIX PHARMACEUTICALS LTD | 1.28 | $ 330,141,472.00 | -3 | 42 |
| MVP | MEDICAL DEVELOPMENTS INTERNA | 4.65 | $ 300,721,856.00 | -3 | 12 |
| BD1 | BARD1 LIFE SCIENCES LTD | 0.029 | $ 39,648,364.00 | -3 | 130 |
| ATH | ALTERITY THERAPEUTICS LTD | 0.03 | $ 24,326,386.00 | -3 | -36 |
| IDT | IDT AUSTRALIA LTD | 0.14 | $ 33,173,442.00 | -3 | -7 |
| ELX | ELLEX MEDICAL LASERS LTD | 0.565 | $ 80,416,616.00 | -3 | -27 |
| HLA | HEALTHIA LTD | 0.92 | $ 57,991,884.00 | -4 | |
| NXS | NEXT SCIENCE LTD | 2.75 | $ 490,915,072.00 | -4 | |
| ANP | ANTISENSE THERAPEUTICS LTD | 0.049 | $ 20,585,070.00 | -4 | 133 |
| MDR | MEDADVISOR LTD | 0.048 | $ 65,922,356.00 | -4 | 14 |
| ESE | ESENSE-LAB LTD-CDI | 0.022 | $ 4,181,692.00 | -4 | -64 |
| ANR | ANATARA LIFESCIENCES LTD | 0.195 | $ 10,870,912.00 | -4 | -61 |
| SKN | SKIN ELEMENTS LTD | 0.021 | $ 3,411,740.25 | -5 | -19 |
| IMC | IMMURON LTD | 0.13 | $ 18,561,996.00 | -5 | -69 |
| UBI | UNIVERSAL BIOSENSORS INC-CDI | 0.1975 | $ 34,583,084.00 | -5 | -15 |
| NOX | NOXOPHARM LTD | 0.37 | $ 47,933,940.00 | -5 | -40 |
| PAL | PALLA PHARMA LTD | 1.07 | $ 86,761,584.00 | -5 | -33 |
| AGH | ALTHEA GROUP HOLDINGS LTD | 0.785 | $ 179,487,008.00 | -6 | |
| RHY | RHYTHM BIOSCIENCES LTD | 0.17 | $ 17,127,500.00 | -6 | 21 |
| OBJ | OBJ LTD | 0.016 | $ 28,951,402.00 | -6 | -33 |
| ACW | ACTINOGEN MEDICAL LTD | 0.008 | $ 8,953,851.00 | -6 | -86 |
| CPH | CRESO PHARMA LTD | 0.39 | $ 59,860,012.00 | -6 | -35 |
| SCU | STEMCELL UNITED LTD | 0.016 | $ 9,624,125.00 | -6 | -35 |
| VLS | VITA LIFE SCIENCES LTD | 0.65 | $ 36,259,804.00 | -6 | 5 |
| ADO | ANTEO DIAGNOSTICS LTD | 0.013 | $ 19,425,996.00 | -7 | 5 |
| PIQ | PROTEOMICS INTERNATIONAL LAB | 0.25 | $ 20,171,742.00 | -7 | 2 |
| AC8 | AUSCANN GROUP HOLDINGS LTD | 0.37 | $ 115,722,288.00 | -8 | -62 |
| ACR | ACRUX LTD | 0.175 | $ 29,178,224.00 | -8 | -19 |
| AMT | ALLEGRA ORTHOPAEDICS LTD | 0.11 | $ 10,951,496.00 | -8 | 22 |
| M7T | MACH7 TECHNOLOGIES LTD | 0.685 | $ 105,189,744.00 | -9 | 233 |
| MEM | MEMPHASYS LTD | 0.047 | $ 29,153,096.00 | -10 | 241 |
| RGS | REGENEUS LTD | 0.071 | $ 19,055,486.00 | -10 | -62 |
| PGC | PARAGON CARE LTD | 0.385 | $ 131,775,264.00 | -10 | -44 |
| RSH | RESPIRI LTD | 0.085 | $ 47,505,064.00 | -11 | 6 |
| MDC | MEDLAB CLINICAL LTD | 0.445 | $ 95,837,280.00 | -11 | -11 |
| IBX | IMAGION BIOSYSTEMS LTD | 0.039 | $ 12,948,213.00 | -11 | -49 |
| CP1 | CANNPAL ANIMAL THERAPEUTICS | 0.155 | $ 14,900,000.00 | -11 | -11 |
| FTT | FACTOR THERAPEUTICS LTD | 0.0035 | $ 3,649,924.75 | -13 | -93 |
| EXL | ELIXINOL GLOBAL LTD | 2.15 | $ 301,988,096.00 | -13 | 46 |
| IHL | IMPRESSION HEALTHCARE LTD | 0.076 | $ 44,947,044.00 | -15 | 310 |
| VTI | VISIONEERING TECH-CDI | 0.045 | $ 17,961,082.00 | -17 | -74 |
| GLH | GLOBAL HEALTH LTD | 0.125 | $ 4,209,824.00 | -17 | -38 |
| NTI | NEUROTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD | 0.014 | $ 1,900,414.13 | -18 | -88 |
| MXC | MGC PHARMACEUTICALS LTD | 0.04 | $ 54,288,844.00 | -20 | -27 |
| RNO | RHINOMED LTD | 0.25 | $ 35,483,320.00 | -22 | 14 |
| ALT | ANALYTICA LTD | 0.004 | $ 10,558,837.00 | -25 | -50 |
| OSP | OSPREY MEDICAL INC-CDI | 0.046 | $ 19,862,680.00 | -26 | -78 |
| SIL | SMILES INCLUSIVE LTD | 0.072 | $ 4,796,844.00 | -28 | -93 |
| SDX | SIENNA CANCER DIAGNOSTICS LT | 0.035 | $ 10,116,931.00 | -29 | -58 |
| 1ST | 1ST GROUP LTD | 0.055 | $ 19,546,238.00 | -29 | 62 |
| MVF | MONASH IVF GROUP LTD | 1.02 | $ 238,143,744.00 | -30 | -13 |
| SVA | SIMAVITA LTD-CDI | 0.01 | $ 2,924,447.00 | -30 | -80 |
| GMV | G MEDICAL INNOVATION HOLDING | 0.08 | $ 32,293,214.00 | -33 | -76 |
| EHH | EAGLE HEALTH HOLDINGS LTD | 0.155 | $ 40,452,076.00 | -46 | -58 |