Listed Biotechnology Companies P

This Page Last Updated On 25/12/20

PAA - PharmAust Ltd.

Relisting of Echo Technologies in October 2004 with emphasis on refurbished pharmaceutical facilities in Western Australia and drug discovery through subsidiaries Epichem and Mimotopes (now sold to Commonwealth Biotechnologies) as well as a 15% position in Advanced Molecular Technologies and 40% of Commonwealth Biotechnologies. Prices were relatively stable following relisting, but there was a noticeable decline after April 2006 with a recovery in November (down 31% in 2006). The value of $5 million for the company in 2008 following fund raising indicated vulnerability of the company. A proposal for merger with Advanced Health Group was a development depressing prices and when this did not proceed, the share price rebounded but fell 65% in 2007 due to questions about the Board and viability of the company with some shareholder revolt. This appeared to have been resolved but prices were erratic (down 48% in 2008) culminating in the manufacturing subsidiary going into voluntary administration. Prices rose 100% in 2009 to a market cap of $11 million without explanation although possibly related to sale of property to remove debt. There was an increase and decline to $6 million in 2010 (down 55%) with company moving to invest in oil and gas exploration. There was a recovery and decline to $5 million in 2011 associated with new mineral prospects (down 25%). There was a further 53% decline in 2012 to $4 million. There was a 57% increase to $16 million in 2013 and the company has completed the acquisition of Pitney Pharmaceuticals and its oncology platforms together with new fund raising. There was little movement in 2014 (down 27% at $12 million) with announcement of new anticancer discovery and clinical trials in dogs and humans proceeding. There was little change in 2015 with company value at $8 million in 2015 (down 47%) with a successful fund raising, 20:1 consolidation and promising results coming from clinical trials. There was a 32% decline in 2016 with company value at $7 million following some market promotion, indication of potential future cancer targets and raising of funds for a NASDAQ listing (75% shortfall on rights issue which is being made up). There was a 3% increase in 2017 to company value of $12 million with new funds raised and a 33% decrease in 2018 to $8 million. There was a 168% increase in 2019 and company value was $32 million with announcement of promising research results, clinical trials in dogs underway and new fundraising successful. There has been a 12% increase in 2020 to $38 million with a trial in animals being positive and promising results in laboratory tests with Covid-19. There has been a recent drop associated with Elanco deciding not to take up an option to Monepantel for cancer treatment. (11/12/20)

PAB - Patrys Ltd.

Recently established Australian company drawing together US and German technology to develop treatments for cancer and other diseases. Collaborations in place with Takeda, Astra Zeneca and Debiopharm. Company listed in July 2007 and prices rose 50% immediately but were barely 2% of the prospectus price a year later. Market cap of $23 million (down 79% in 2008 but up 25% in 2009 with a jump due to speculation over prospective clinical trials). Prices down 22% with a market cap of $23 million at the end of 2010 following R&D agreement with CSL, achievement of first milestone, a new funding facility, new funding and FDA approval for orphan drug indication. There was an increase and decline in 2011 (down 68% at $10 million) with further announcements of advancements, appointment of new Managing Director and new funds raised. New fund raising in 2012 increased company value to $18 million (shares down 8%). There was a 24% decrease in 2013 to $15 million with clinical trials promising and a recovery with product getting Orphan Drug Designation by FDA and new joint clinical trial (eventually up 37% at $34 million with new funds raised). There was a 69% decline in 2014 with company value at $11 million with limited positive clinical results and resignation of CEO. There has been a further 44% decline in 2015 to $6 million with continuing delay in clinical trial due to manufacturing issues, appointment of new CEO and new licensing deal with China. Restructuring of company was continuing with retirement of COO and closing of facility in Germany. Down 25% in 2016 at $4 million with acquisition of new technology from Yale for application to cancer treatment. Shares were down 17% in 2017 with company value of $4 million but promising preclinical results resulted in a speculative jump in prices (eventually up 283% at $18 million). There was a further 17% increase in 2018 to $29 million with release of positive preclinical data on efficacy and raising of further funds. There was a 26% decrease in 2019 to $21 million with an insurance payment boosting the company's coffers, promotion of new technology platform and promising preclinical results. There has been a 15% increase in 2020 to $42 million with new funds being raised. (20/11/20)

PAR - Paradigm BioPharmaceuticals Ltd.

Company repurposing pentosan polysulphate sodium for the treatment of bone marrow edema listed in late August 2015 In 2015 following listing, shares fell 6% to company value of $29 million but rose 18% in 2016 to $39 million with a move into clinical trials for treatment of allergic rhinitis and viral arthritis and fund raising oversubscribed. Shares up 73% to $69 million in 2017 with new application for treating Ross River virus infection indicated and clinical trial in hay fever almost completed. Clinical trial not meeting endpoints resulted in more than a 50% drop in share prices (then down 27% to $29 million), However a publication indicating the role of pentosan polysulphate sodium in treating osteoarthritis resulted in a 79% turnaround in September. Eventually down 28% at $34 million with positive trial results announced, new funds raised and new clinical trials on schedule. There was a 275% increase in 2018 to $147 million with continuing positive trial results fuelling speculation, successful new fund raising and new licensing agreement. There was a 179% increase to $577 million in 2019 with a substantial fund raising completed and clinical data continuing to look positive with first IND to the FDA accepted. There has been a 3% decrease in 2020 to $648 million with the strengthening of management. (7/12/20)

PBP - Probiotec Limited

Ten year old company which first started with the processing of animal byproducts in the dairy industry and through acquisitions of manufacturing facilities of Pharmaction and Milton has grown into a manufacturer and distributor of over the counter (OTC) pharmaceutical products. After raising $17 million in an IPO, company began trading on the ASX in mid November 2006 and by the end of the year prices had risen 14% with a fall then recovery in 2007 associated with legal proceedings (up 19%). There was a further fall, recovery and decline in 2008 associated with market downturn, a favourable outcome to legal proceedings, a claim on a subsidiary by Pfizer and an unexplained fall was of concern (up 10% in 2008 with improving financials and up 66% in 2009 but down 73% in 2010 without clear reason ). Market cap of company at the end of 2010 was $35 million and was trading significantly below fundamentals. There was a 40% decline in 2011 to $21 million due to costly and unsuccessful international market ventures. The company is now in the process of selling off assets to reduce debt exposure with the expectation of a return to profitability which was demonstrated in the half yearly results. Despite this, there was an initial 24% decline to $17 million in 2012 suggesting some pessimism about the outlook although the company is reporting a return to profitability with reduced revenues. Belief in this latter view may have affected price rise in August (eventually up 5% at $24 million). There was a 5% fall in 2013 to $22 million associated with lacklustre economic performance and a continuing subsequent decline (eventually down 38% to $13 million in 2014). There was a further 16% decline in 2015 to $11 million with significant write down of ADP plant for processing lactoferrin due to uncertainty about supply from dairy industry and notification of new CEO. There was some recovery in mid 2015 and a fall then recovery with announcement of sale of ADP plant to Beston Global Food Co (ASX:BFC) (up 80% to $24 million). There was a further decline, recovery and fall in 201619(eventually up 11% at $26 million) with improving outlook for the coming year and positive trial results. There has been a substantial changeover of the board. There was an 80% increase in 2017 with company value at $55 million with acquisition of a leading pharma contract packer. There was a 68% increase in 2018 to $97 million with financials indicating increasing revenues and income and sale of brands and assets to companies in Singapore and Australia. Company was buying back shares in 2019 which did not appear to be maintaining the share price but announcement of acquisition of pharma packaging company resulted in an increase (up 31% at $148 million in 2019). There has been a 15% increase in 2020 with company value at $170 million and reduced earnings but acquisition of a substantial packing company resulted in a 23% increase in value. (24 /12/20)


PIQ - Proteomics International Laboratories Ltd.

Company with the vague aim of development of diagnostic tests for common diseases and therapeutic drugs listed in April 2015 and prices increased 200% on listing but subsequently settled back (eventually up 27% at value of $14 million). There was a 12% decrease in 2016 with company value at $15 million following an analyst report and raising of funds and an 8% increase in 2017 to $15 million with partnership with Dimerix (AX:DXB) on diagnosis and treatment of chronic kidney disease. There was a 43% increase in 2018 to $31 million with strategic alliance with (10% investment in but now sold ) Adelaide diagnostic company, raising of further funds through options and agreements to launch diagnostic in US, Mexican and European markets and production of commercial kits as well as new agreement on kidney disease developments with Janssen Research and Development. There was an 18% decrease in 2019 with a temporary recovery to $21 million (down 31%) due to hiccups in developing US market for new product and good promotion in target US markets. However announcement of launch of kidney disease diagnostic in Spain resulted in a 30% increase to $31 million (down 29% at $25 million in 2019 with new funds raised). There has been a 193% increase in 2020 to $83 million with CE registration gained for its key diagnostic and validation of the diagnostic in an international study with new distribution in Italy. (22/12/20)

PNV - Polynovo Ltd.

Originally Metabolic Pharmaceuticals which listed in 1999 and by 2007, market cap had reached $245 million which in our view was very high as a result of speculation and we expected subsequent falls. in the share price. It was therefore not surprising that the stock fell 82% in February 2007 when trials of its lead compound for treating obesity were not successful. There was a further 50% fall with announcement that clinical trials on a pain drug were discontinued. Company halted work on oral peptide delivery, closed laboratories and was looking to outlicense its osteoporosis drug. This culminated in July 2008 with announcement to acquire PolyNovo Biomaterials which was rejected by shareholders in November but in December 2008, the company took a 66% position in PolyNovo and eventually 100%. Shares rose 15% in 2009 with market cap of $9 million. In November 2009, company changed name to Calzada and acquired Xceed Capital's and CSIRO's remaining shareholding in PolyNovo under a share swap. In 2010, shares fell then recovered and were down 13% at $9 million with the Xceed holding in Calzada sold and the Calzada 17% holding in Avexa sold. Calzada proposed to vend in Metabolic Pharmaceuticals and its IP into ATOS Wellness (ASX:ATW) for 50% of company but this was not successful. Through its shareholding, Calzada was seeking to exert influence over Avexa and this turned into an unpleasant and unedifying exchange between the Boards of the two companies. Eventually Calzada sold its holding in Avexa and concentrated on its deal with Phosphagenics for a cosmeceutical based on AOD9604 with some recovery in the share price. There was a 115% increase in 2011 to $19 million based on speculation on possible application of AOD9604 to treatment of osteoporosis and positive results from Polynovo leading to a clinical trial. There was a 16% decrease in 2012 to $16 million with no significant improvement in financials. There was a 68% recovery in 2013 to $33 million with announcement of positive clinical trials and new arrangements and a further 14% increase in 2014 to $38 million on speculation over FDA clearance and board and structural changes which resulted in a name change to Polynovo at the end of November 2014 and divestment of the Metabolic Pharmaceuticals business. There has been a 222% increase in 2015 to $159 million with new CEO promoting the business, clinical support staff engaged, a new clinical trial to obtain CE mark for BTM (Biodegradable Temporising Matrix), FDA approval, a new contract with US Department of Health and more funds raised. There was no change in 2016 with company value at $163 million with acquisition of new technology and a decision to use its own sale force to sell its product in the US market. There was a 79% increase in 2017 to $340 million with PNV's matrix product being successfully used in the US and a possible new application for NovoSorb, losses for the year up and new funds raised. There was a 14% increase in 2018 with company value at $393 million with revenues and losses increasing and signing of a new program for a breast device. There has been a 231% increase in 2019 to $1.302 billion with positive promotion overseas, appointment of VP to promote the US market, a COO to drive in house operations. NovoSorb BTM gaining CE Mark and revenue break even with sales of $1 million per month. There has been an 81% increase in 2020 to $2.353 billion with revenues up 60% and BARDA providing support for key clinical trial approved by FDA. (7/12/20)

PTX - Prescient Therapeutics Ltd.

Company previously called Virax Holdings Limited and name changed to Prescient Therapeutics after two cancer companies were acquired in 2014, Pathway Oncology and AKTivate Therapeutics, and a subsequent share consolidation. Shares down 58% in 2014 to company value of $5 million and down 13% in 2015 to $9 million with funds raised. There was a recovery in 2016 with FDA approval for trial and substantial funding raised (eventually down 10% at $18 million). There was an 8% increase in 2017 with company value at $20 million but the announcement in May of a severe adverse event during a clinical trial resulted in a 40% drop in prices. There has been some recovery following announcement of new indication for lead product PTX-100 (eventually down 22% at $14 million). There was a 3% increase in 2018 to $15 million with speculation about clinical trial results and new collaborations in the US and there was a 12% decrease in 2019 to $24 million with major fund raising completed and clinical trials producing promising results. There has been a 15% decrease in 2020 to $36 million with a recent 25% increase associated with licensing arrangement for a cancer treatment platform with universities in Pennsylvania and Oxford. (16/11/20)

PXS - Pharmaxis Ltd.

Company listed in November 2003 after which shares dipped but then rose over 700% on the launch price. Prices increased 174% in 2005, 43% in 2006 and 42% in 2007 but fell 71% in 2008 and recovered 125% in 2009. The market cap of the company was $697 million in mid June 2010 ($96 million in cash reserves) which in our view was high for this early stage of the commercialisation cycle. Because of a number of issues including the aggressive push to commercialisation and the global fund raising, speculation has maintained prices. There was a surge in price associated with positive clinical trial results and additional funds were raised in association with this. However the uncertainties on world stock exchanges and delays in critical clinical trials affected prices which fell 34% and recovered but eventually declined 71% in 2008 following publication of improving year end results and broader problems on the stock market. Prices rose 125% in 2009 with promising trial results indicating further price increases are possible. There was an increase of 14% in 2010 with acquisition of Canadian drug developer Topigen Pharmaceuticals in exchange for shares and slow growth in revenues. However announcement of medical intervention on CEO and announcement of Phase III results led to a steep fall in June with a recovery in October with FDA approval for Aridol (shares up 10% with a market cap of $674 million in 2010). There was little movement in 2011 until announcement of delay of European approval for Bronchitol led to a 69% drop to $210 million and this was partly reversed in October when a more positive response was announced (eventually down 65% at $318 million with new funds raised). There was a 20% increase to $400 million in 2012 with indications Bronchitol will be reimbursable in Australia, approvals in Europe and completion of clinical trials but there was a significant decline in May due to general market uncertainty followed by a recovery (eventually up 19% to $383 million). There was a 40% drop to $231 million in January 2013 with a negative recommendation by an advisory committee to the FDA followed up later by confirmation by the FDA (eventually down 91% at $34 million). There was a 51% decline in 2014 to $16 million with Bronchitol shortlisted for a prestigious prize and a legal dispute with key financier. This decline was more than erased at the end of the year when Pharmaxis signed a deal with Chiesi Farma on bronchitol and dispute with financier was settled (eventually up 29% in 2014 at $42 million.) There was a decline and recovery in 2015 with an agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim for a new product, a second agreement with Chiesi and positive clinical trial results of clinical trial of Bronchitol in children (eventually up 167% at $114 million). There was a 22% decline in 2016 to $89 million and a 9% decrease in 2017 to $82 million with improving likelihood of new drug development income and positive clinical trial although results were not as positive as expected. There was a 4% increase in 2018 with company value at $104 million with revenues and profitability up, a new substantial placement and Arix Bioscience taking an 11% holding in the company as well as relaunch of Aridol in the US market. There was a 40% decrease to $63 million in 2019 with positive expectations coming from the US but Boehringer's decision to discontinue work on a NASH product from Pharmaxis resulted in a 45% decrease in late December. There has been a further 44% decrease in 2020 to $36 million with clinical trials in process, Bronchitol cleared by the FDA for the US market and orphan drug status for a new product. (11/12/20)

PYC - PYC Therapeutics Ltd. (formerly Phylogica)

Drug discovery company which listed at the end of March 2005 at a premium of 30%, and retained this value through 2005. The company was promoted at a time of downturn in the sector and it was reasonable to expect that prices would decline once initial euphoria had dissipated. In 2006, the shares of the company rose, fell then recovered and rose 88% overall associated with heightened expectations for company developments and new indications. This continued initially into 2007 but with some subsequent fall in prices due to lack of noticeable progress. This resulted in decision to change CEOs at the end of the year. We consider that longer term share trends will be similar to current levels: market cap of $18 million at end of 2010 was fair (down 60% in 2007 and down 81% in 2008 but up 238% in 2009 associated with engagement of investment advisors and speculation over collaborations with large pharmas including Roche and Pfizer). There was a 53% decline in 2010 despite an agreement with Medimmune and Pfizer. There were price oscillations in 2011 to $18 million (eventually down 38%) due to speculation resulting from promotion by analysts, further fund raising and new and extended collaboration agreements. Improving financials in 2012 appeared to have had limited effect on prices with falls unexplained (down 38% to $11 million) with licensing of technology into the cosmetics industry and new fund raising. There was an extension of existing collaborative agreements and a new commercialisation agreement in 2013, none of which appeared to have had an effect on the bottom line or the share price although there was a 32% drop to $10 million with recapitalisation in train. Underwritten entitlement issue 87% acceptance and 59% share rise in 2014 to company value of $16 million with emphasis on international collaborations. However this was reversed when Janssen decided not to continue with collaboration and now a new agreement has been signed with Genentech (up 12% in 2014 at $19 million with more funds raised and new agreement with Genentech). There was a 26% increase in 2015 to $24 million without a satisfactory explanation by the company and then a doubling of price with announcement of positive research results with Phylogica's fusion products. This was followed by a fall with announcement of entitlement issue to raise further funds (in 2015 down 32% at $26 million) following fund raising. Shares up 92% in 2016 to company value of $50 million. There was a further 60% increase in 2017 to $85 million with funds raised and appointment of new CEO and CSO as well as new company strategy moving from product development to platform commercialisation. There was a 30% decrease in 2018 to $68 million with substantial changeover of Board and management and raising of funds and a 121% increase in 2019 to $182 million with preclinical trials promising and a move to rebrand the company as PYC Therapeutics. There has been a 150% increase in 2020 to $491 million with appointment of US-based Managing Director, opening of office in Boston MA, speculation over forthcoming clinical trial, announced treatment for retinitis pigmentosa and raising of substantial new funds. (28/11/20)