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Click here to read the previous top Canadian pharma stocks article. The Canadian pharmaceutical industry has positioned itself firmly on the global map thanks to advances in biotechnology and investments in medical research and development.
The life science sector is one of Canada’s key industries, and as a sub-sector the pharmaceutical industry represents 41 percent of Canada’s life science gross domestic product.
“Canada’s commercially oriented research network takes innovation from lab to market; joint investment opportunities in research allow for R&D result optimization; and the responsive and efficient regulatory environment facilitates business operations,” according to Invest in Canada .
The life science and healthcare market is a booming, multi-billion dollar industry. Read our 2021 life science outlook report!
In fact, the organization notes that 5 percent of the world’s clinical trials take place in Canada, making the country one of the 10 top medical research nations in the world.
Overall, the Canadian pharma sector is the 10th largest in the world and accounts for 2 percent of the global market. With a population that’s roughly 37.4 million, Canada’s pharmaceutical market share is profound, and the country is home to companies making moves.
Below, the Investing News Network profiles the top Canadian pharma stocks on the TSX and TSXV in terms of year-to-date performance. This top Canadian pharma stocks list below was compiled using TradingView’s stock screener , with all numbers current as of April 14, 2021. Each pharma stock on the list had a market capitalization of between C$10 million and C$500 million at that time.
1. Advanced Proteome Therapeutics (TSXV: APC )
Market cap: US$13.18 million; current share price: C$0.40; yearly gain: 166.67 percent
First of the list of top Canadian pharma stocks is Advanced Proteome Therapeutics, a biotechnology company developing anti-cancer therapeutics. The company is also commercializing a technology platform that is intended for the chemical modification of protein therapeutics.
Advanced Proteome recently raised C$1.5 million in a private placement. APC’s stock reached a year-to-date high of C$0.51 on April 12.
2. AEterna Zentaris Inc. (TSX: AEZS )
Market cap: C$145.38 million; current share price: C$1.27; yearly gain: 133.33 percent
Specialty biopharmaceutical company AEterna Zentaris is commercializing and developing therapeutics and diagnostic tests.
In late January the company announced that it had licensed the exclusive worldwide rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize targeted auto-immunity modifying proteins for the potential treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, from the Julius-Maximilians-University Wuerzburg. Auto-immune diseases represent a large therapeutics market expected to be worth US$149.4 billion by 2025.
Shares of AEZS spiked on February 8 to reached a year-to-date high of C$4.64.
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3. Sernova (TSXV: SVA )
Market cap: C$401.17 million; current share price: C$1.52; yearly gain: 126.87 percent
Sernova is a clinical stage regenerative medicine company developing technologies for the treatment of chronic debilitating metabolic diseases such as diabetes, blood disorders and other diseases treated through replacement of proteins and hormones missing within the body. Sernova’s Cell Pouch System is in US Phase 1/QQ clinical evaluation for the treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes. The company has earned a spot on the TSX Venture Stock Exchange’s 2021 Venture 50 List of Top Performing Listed Companies.
In January, Sernova presented positive preliminary safety and efficacy data for the Cell Pouch System which shows sustained clinical benefit in study patients with type 1 diabetes through multiple efficacy indicators and ongoing safety and tolerability. The company’s success recently attracted C$23 million in investments from Canaccord Genuity Corp. and Leede Jones Gable Inc. Sernova’s stock price hit a year-to-date high of C$2.87 on January 19.
4. IntelGenx Technologies (TSXV: IGX )
Market cap: C$72.93 million; current share price: C$0.64; yearly gain: 124.58 percent
Oral drug delivery company IntelGenx Technologies develops and manufactures pharmaceutical oral films based on its proprietary VersaFilm technology platform. IntelGenx also offers pharmaceutical services, such as pharmaceutical R&D, clinical monitoring, regulatory support, tech transfer and manufacturing scale-up, and commercial manufacturing
In late March, IntelGenx reported Q4 2020 revenues of C$790,000, compared to C$68,000 in the same period for the previous year, and full year 2020 revenues of C$1.5 million, compared to C$742,000 in 2019. IGX’ stock price reached a year-to-date high of C$0.67 on April 13.
5. Devonian Health Group (TSXV: GSD )
Market cap: C$24.6 million; current share price: C$0.27; yearly gain: 107.69 percent
Late-stage pharmaceutical company Devonian Healh Group develops novel therapeutic including prescription botanical drugs and cosmeceuticals from plant materials and algae. The company’s pipeline of product candidates target worldwide unmet medical needs, including the treatment of inflammatory-autoimmune diseases such ulcerative colitis and atopic dermatitis.
In February, Devonian announced positive topline results from its phase 2 clinical trial of Thykamine™ in adult patients with mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis. The pharmaceutical’s stock price hit a year-to-date high of C$0.41 on February 19.
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Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
The life science and healthcare market is a booming, multi-billion dollar industry. Read our 2021 life science outlook report!