3 ASX healthcare shares going gangbusters on Thursday

Investors are sending these ASX healthcare stocks soaring today. But why?

| More on:
drug capsule opening up to reveal dollar signs signifying rising asx share price

Image source: Getty Images

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

Three ASX healthcare shares are making their shareholders very happy today, posting gains of 5%, 12% and 19% respectively in morning trade.

And this strong performance comes despite some broader healthcare sector headwinds on Thursday, which sees the S&P/ASX 200 Health Care Index (ASX: XHJ) down 0.4% at this same time.

So, which three ASX healthcare shares are bucking the trend and flying higher?

I'm glad you asked!

Three ASX healthcare shares leaping higher

The first company pleasing shareholders today is Immutep Ltd (ASX: IMM). Immutep shares are trading for 34.7 cents apiece, up 11.9%. That sees the ASX healthcare share up 22% in a year.

Investors are bidding up the clinical-stage biotechnology company following two positive drug trial announcements.

First Immutep reported on positive data from the Phase I trial evaluating its eftilagimod alpha (efti) in combination with KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) and chemotherapy for first-line treatment of metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer patients.

"The strength of these mature survival results coupled with a favourable safety profile in first-line treatment of patients with non-squamous NSCLC, the vast majority of whom have negative or low PD-L1 expression, is very encouraging," project lead Salah-Eddin Al-Batran said.

Immutep also reported on new data from a Phase II trial of efti in combination with radiotherapy plus pembrolizumab for patients with soft tissue sarcoma.

According to the release:

Based on preliminary analysis among 21 patients available for primary endpoint assessment, the triple combination therapy demonstrates significant efficacy in the neoadjuvant setting for resectable STS.

Which brings us to the second ASX healthcare share leaping higher today, Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB).

Shares in the clinical-stage biotechnology company are up 18.7% today, trading for $1.81 each.

There's no fresh news out from Mesoblast since its quarterly update on 31 October. But the stock has been in a strong upward trend, with today marking the eighth consecutive trading day of gains. Mesoblast shares are now up an eye-popping 480% in 2024.

Which brings us to the third ASX healthcare share pleasing its investors on Thursday, pharmaceuticals company Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU).

Neuren shares have given back some of their early morning gains but remain up a healthy 4.9% at $17.35 each. Shares are up 22% over 12 months.

Investors are bidding up the Neuren share price today after the company announced its intention to commence an on-market share buyback program of up to $50 million. When a company buys back its shares on market, it tends to increase the value of the remaining shares.

Management stated:

Considering Neuren's sustainable and growing cash income from DAYBUE, the capital requirements for advancing NNZ-2591 and Neuren's current share price, the board has decided to deploy cash of up to $50 million to buy back shares

The ASX healthcare share's DAYBUE (trofinetide) product is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of Rett syndrome in adult and paediatric patients two years of age and older.

Neuren's NNZ-2591 drug is in Phase 2 development for the treatment of multiple neurodevelopmental disorders.

Should you invest $1,000 in Immutep Limited right now?

Before you buy Immutep Limited 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 Immutep Limited 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 7 February 2025

Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. 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

A group of people in a corporate setting do a collective high five.
Healthcare Shares

Sigma share price up 9% on first day of trading post-merger with Chemist Warehouse

It's a post-merger party for Sigma Healthcare shareholders today.

Read more »

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

Up 135% in a year, why this ASX 200 healthcare stock is 'on track to become a truly great Australian success'

A leading fund manager expects more strong performance from this surging ASX 200 healthcare stock.

Read more »

Stethoscope with a piggy bank in the middle.
Healthcare Shares

With revenue up 9%, why does the NIB share price keep falling?

Will the ailing share price make a full recovery?

Read more »

Six smiling health workers pose for a selfie.
Healthcare Shares

Guess how much $5,000 invested in Sigma shares in December 2023 is worth now!

Sigma shares have soared over the past year alongside the merger with Chemist Warehouse.

Read more »

Woman with headphones on relaxing and looking at her phone happily.
Healthcare Shares

Everything you need to know about the latest CSL dividend

CSL's latest dividend should be turning investors' heads...

Read more »

thoughtful investor sitting at computer
Healthcare Shares

What are brokers saying about CSL shares after the selloff?

The biotech giant's shares hit a 52-week low yesterday. Is this a buying opportunity?

Read more »

A man looking at his laptop and thinking.
Earnings Results

CSL shares push higher despite 'mixed result with headline misses'

There were positives and negatives in the company's first half performance.

Read more »

Scientists working in the laboratory and examining results.
Earnings Results

CSL share price on watch amid $2.1b half year profit and dividend hike

Let's see how this biotech giant performed during the first half of FY 2025.

Read more »