Why the Opthea share price has skyrocketed 350% in the past year

The Opthea Ltd (ASX: OPT) share price has been a standout performer in the mid-cap ASX healthcare sector, up more than 350% in the past 12 months.

| More on:

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

As a sector, healthcare has provided some of the strongest returns over the past year. The S&P/ASX 200 Health Care Index (ASX: XHJ) has returned more than 26% over the last 12 months, comfortably outperforming the benchmark indexes for other sectors.

But one ASX healthcare share that has blown this return out of the water is Opthea Ltd (ASX: OPT). Impressively, the Opthea share price has skyrocketed more than 350% compared to this time last year.

Opthea is a developer of novel biologic therapies for the treatment of eye diseases. The company specialises in the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME). Wet AMD is the leading cause of visual impairment in the elderly, while DME is the leading cause of visual impairment in diabetic populations.

What's put a rocket under the Opthea share price?

Investors have been buying up Opthea shares in a hurry ever since the company delivered strong clinical trial results in August last year.

These results related to the company's flagship OPT-302 combination therapy for treatment-naïve patients with wet AMD. 

According to the release, the OPT-302 (2.0 mg) combination therapy showed statistical superiority for mean visual acuity – the most accepted and sensitive primary efficacy outcome.

These results are significant given that wet AMD is the leading cause of vision loss in people over the age of 50 across the Western world. And from an investor's perspective, the current standard of care treatments for wet AMD and DME generated more than US$10 billion of revenue in 2018 – so the addressable market opportunity is significant.

What else has Opthea announced?

Another major announcement came this morning when Opthea reported a further set of trial results. However, this time the results related to the OPT-302 combination therapy for the treatment of DME. 

The phase 2a trial found that when OPT-302 was used in conjunction with existing medication, 52.8% of the refractory DME patients gained ≥ 5 letters of visual acuity after 12 weeks.

"These positive topline Phase 2a results in a second disease indication of DME, build on our extensive prior clinical studies in wet AMD which demonstrated superiority in visual improvement with OPT-302 combination therapy compared to anti-VEGF-A monotherapy standard of care," said CEO and managing director Dr Megan Baldwin.

Although the company viewed the topline results of its phase 2a trial positively, it appears investors were expecting a stronger result. At the time of writing, the Opthea share price is down 9.52%, while the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is edging 0.20% higher.

The phase 2a trial is ongoing, with the final participants due to complete the week 24 follow-up visit later this month. The company expects the final outcomes for longer-term safety and treatment durability to be available in the second half of this year.

Meanwhile, Opthea noted that it is continuing to plan for its phase 3 program in wet AMD and progress its manufacturing of OPT-302 for phase 3 clinical trials.

Should you invest $1,000 in Affirm right now?

Before you buy Affirm shares, consider this:

Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Affirm wasn't one of them.

The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys...

See The 5 Stocks *Returns as of 30 April 2025

Motley Fool contributor Cathryn Goh has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Healthcare Shares

Two doctors wearing white coats look closely at a medical imaging x-ray as the share prices of ASX 200 healthcare shares improve in FY23
Healthcare Shares

Pro Medicus shares climb 33% in less than a month, have I missed the dip?

Pro Medicus shares have soared. Is it the right time to invest?

Read more »

Man with rocket wings which have flames coming out of them.
Share Gainers

Guess which ASX All Ords share just rocketed 19% on BIG news

Investors are sending this ASX All Ords share flying on Monday. But why?

Read more »

A young male ASX investor raises his clenched fists in excitement because of rising ASX share prices today
Healthcare Shares

Why is this ASX All Ords stock surging 14% today?

This stock is starting the week strongly. But why? Let's find out.

Read more »

A man has a surprised and relieved expression on his face. as he raises his hands up to his face in response to the high fluctuations in the Galileo share price today
Healthcare Shares

Guess which ASX All Ords stock is rocketing 58% on big US news

What is getting investors excited today? Let's find out.

Read more »

Cropped shot of an attractive young female scientist working on her computer in the laboratory.
Healthcare Shares

3 reasons to buy this quality ASX 200 healthcare share today

A leading expert expects this outperforming ASX 200 healthcare share will keep running hot.

Read more »

A woman reclines in a comfortable chair while she donates blood holding a pumping toy in one hand and giving the thumbs up in the other as she is attached to a medical machine to collect her blood donation.
Healthcare Shares

Brokers tip 4 ASX 200 healthcare shares to buy now

Healthcare is a defensive sector that can provide useful cover for investors when the market is volatile.

Read more »

Shot of a scientist using a computer while conducting research in a laboratory.
Healthcare Shares

How Trump's tariffs have created 'upside potential' for CSL shares

A leading expert says CSL shares are now looking ‘cheap’.

Read more »

Shot of a young scientist looking stressed out while working on a computer in a lab.
Healthcare Shares

Telix shares crash 8% on US FDA blow

This high-flying stock has been hit with some bad news.

Read more »