CORV - 5 Top Pharma Stocks on the TSX Year-to-Date

The Canadian pharmaceutical industry has been on a steady incline over the last several years thanks to new developments in medicine and exciting opportunities presenting themselves, according to a 2018 report from Research and Markets.

Separately, analysis from PwC Canada indicates the growing need for cheap medicine remains consistent while demands from patients and healthcare professionals for better value for their money when it comes to drugs also remains.

However, in late 2018 the CBC reported that Health Canada has begun the groundwork for cost-effective patented drugs in the country, although it’s anticipated it won’t happen soon. According to the report, Canada is second in the world — only behind the US — when it comes to high drug costs.

Still, it’s nonetheless promising that lower drug costs in Canada are — at least potentially — on the way.

With the first quarter of the year officially over, the end of each quarter presents an opportunity to reflect back on the top performing stocks year-to-date, in this case pharmaceutical companies on the TSX.

The list below was compiled using TradingView’s stock screener, with all numbers and figures current as of April 10, 2019. Companies on this list have market caps between C$10 million and C$500 million for investor consideration.

1. Crescita Therapeutics (TSX:CTX)

Market cap: C$15.34 million; current share price: C$0.73; year-to-date gain: 64.04 percent

Crestica Therapeutics is a company in the field of dermatology working on a range of non-prescription skincare treatments.

In its pipeline are three products: flexicaine, to treat local anesthesia before cosmetic procedures; Mical (1), which is for psoriasis, and Mical (2) for dermatological skin treatments.

The company’s most pivotal announcement came in early February when it announced a collaboration with Tetra Bio-Pharma’s (TSXV:TBP, OTCQB:TBPMF) subsidiary, Tetra Natural Health. The purpose of the partnership will be improving Tetra’s dermatology products with Crestica’s patented transdermal delivery technologies.

2. Bellus Health (TSX:BLU)

Market cap: C$252.73 million; current share price: $1.60; year-to-date gain: 56.86 percent

Bellus Health is focused on developing treatments for chronic coughs and related hypersensitization disorders, which are conditions resulting from overreactions of the immune system.

The company is advancing the development of its drug candidate, BLU-5937, which is to treat chronic coughing conditions. In February, Bellus Health detailed its 2018 highlights and intentions for 2019. This year, the company expects to begin a Phase 2 study for its lead drug candidate and expects to have topline results available sometime in mid-2020.

3. Acerus Pharmaceuticals (TSX:ASP)

Market cap: C$41.38 million; current share price: $0.16; year-to-date gain: 39.13 percent

Acerus Pharmaceuticals’ focus is on men’s health and women’s health, particularly in the fields of urology, hormone replacement therapy and female sexual dysfunction, respectively.

The company has several products in its pipeline, including: ESTRACE, which is to relieve menopause symptoms; NATESTO, which is the only currently approved testosterone nasal gel in Canada and available in the US as a replacement thereapy in men with hyogonadism; GYNOFLOR, which is a low-dose vaginal estrogen therapy; and TEFINA, a testosterone gel in development for women with female sexual dysfunction.

In early March, Acerus Pharmaceuticals announced a new drug submission for Avanafil to Health Canada. Avanafil is a treatment for erectile dysfunction.

4. Cardiol Therapeutics (TSX:CRDL)

Market cap: C$158.42 million; current share price: $6.14; year-to-date gain: 31.24 percent

While Cardiol Therapeutics is a biotechnology company, it has dipped its toes into the pharmaceutical cannabidoil (CBD) sector thanks to a partnership with Dalton Pharma Services. With this collaboration, Cardoil is developing products to treat heart failure.

At the end of March, Cardiol Therapeutics released its full year 2018 financial results, highlighting that it made strides with its CardiolRx pharmaceutical CBD program.

5. Correvio Pharma (TSX:CORV; NASDAQ:CORV)

Market cap: C$154.46 million; current share price: C$3.94; year-to-date gain: 16.72 percent

Correvio Pharma closes out the five top TSX pharma stocks year-to-date list. The company is focused on providing products for acute care health care professionals and its patients.

In its pipeline are a variety of products, including: Xydalba, to treat acute bacterial skin and skin strucutre infections; Zevteram, which treats pneumonia; Brinavess, for onset atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm; Aggrastat, which aims to reduce thrombotic cardiovascular instances resulting from acute coronary syndrome; and Esmocard and Esmocard Lyo, which controls heart rates in cardiovascular conditions.

In the company’s Q4 and full year 2018 results released in March, Correvio said that it is on track to resubmit its new drug application for Brinavess to the US Food and Drug Administration sometime in Q2 this year.

 Don’t forget to follow us @INN_LifeScience for real-time news updates!

Securities Disclosure: I, Jocelyn Aspa, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.