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The Rhythm Biosciences Ltd (ASX: RHY) share price is sinking today, despite announcing an additional site to its ColoSTAT clinical trial program.

During the first hour of open, shares in the medical device company fell to an intraday low of $1.435. However, some bargain hunter swopped in on the opportunity, rebounding the price to $1.44, down 7.4% in afternoon trade.

What did Rhythm announce?

The Rhythm share price is on the move in the opposite direction after announcing a positive update.

According to its release, Rhythm advised that the Sunshine Coast University Hospital in Queensland will participate in the ColoSTAT trial. This will be the tenth site that is now aiming to study the safety and effectiveness of the prototype test kits.

Rhythm’s ColoSTAT is an experimental test-kit that is being trialled as a low-cost, easy-to-use blood test to detect colorectal cancer.

Located just 9 kilometres north from Caloundra, the hospital has become the first site to undertake ColoSTAT trials within the state. The hospital provides an array of public health services across Sunshine Coast, Gympie, and Noosa communities. Furthermore, the building houses a dedicated centre for clinical research programs including gastroenterology nurses as study coordinators to facilitate recruitment.

The company appointed principal investigator, Dr. Andrew Sloss, to oversee the ColoSTAT clinical trials. Dr. Sloss is a respected Gastroenterologist and Senior Lecturer at the University of Queensland.

Management commentary

Principal investigator, Dr. Andrew Sloss, commented on the prospects of advancing ColoSTAT. He said:

We currently treat hundreds of bowel cancer patients each year, which highlights the significant public need for effective screening and early intervention. ColoSTAT presents us with this opportunity to do both, ultimately easing the burden on the health system, and more importantly, to save lives.

Rhythm CEO, Mr. Glenn Gilbert added:

A milestone of ten sites now participating in our ColoSTAT clinical trial ensures we remain on track to positively impact people’s lives, by delivering a simple way to detect colorectal cancer early. Whilst an Australian invention, beginning at the CSIRO, Rhythm’s aim is to address the global market through mass screening programs.

About the Rhythm share price

The Rhythm share price has been one of the best performers over the last 12 months, rising more than 1,500%. The company’s shares were trading at 4.1 cents in March before accelerating later that year.

It is worth noting that the Rhythm share price is trading just below its all-time high of $1.60, reached yesterday.

More reading

• Why the Rhythm (ASX:RHY) share price again reached a new all-time record today
• Here’s why the Rhythm (ASX:RHY) share price hit an all-time high today
• Rhythm Biosciences (ASX: RHY) share price soars 1300% in 6 months

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras 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 Bruce Jackson.

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This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

A plan that would have forced China’s ByteDance to sell TikTok’s US operations to Walmart (NYSE: WMT) and Oracle Corporation (NYSE: ORCL) has been suspended indefinitely, according to a report today in The Wall Street Journal.

The Biden administration will undertake its own review of the situation to address the privacy and security risks posed to US users resulting from the potential for data collection by the Chinese government. 

That doesn’t mean the deal is completely dead, though any future agreement would likely change since there’s no longer the threat of a looming closure at the hands of the US government.

The Trump administration had threatened to shutter the popular short-form video-sharing app over security concerns for US users. Federal courts subsequently blocked the forced shutdown, saying former president Donald Trump likely exceeded his authority in issuing the executive order that would have banned the app. 

The Biden administration plans a broad review of the situation. “We plan to develop a comprehensive approach to securing US data that addresses the full range of threats we face,” said National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne. “This includes the risk posed by Chinese apps and other software that operate in the US In the coming months, we expect to review specific cases in light of a comprehensive understanding of the risks we face.”

ByteDance has continued its negotiations with US regulators, discussing measures that would ensure that data collected by the app wouldn’t end up in the hands of the Chinese government.

Another stumbling block is a recent restriction imposed by Chinese regulators, who would no doubt scrutinise any potential sale. The country adopted new measures last year that banned companies from exporting artificial intelligence algorithms, like those used by TikTok to recommend videos for its users.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

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• Why the Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (ASX:URW) share price is slumping today
• What’s happening with the Rhythm (ASX:RHY) share price today?
• The Downer EDI (ASX:DOW) share price popped today after this
• Why the Galilee Energy (ASX:GLL) share price just rocketed 50% to a record high
• Telstra (ASX:TLS) share price surges after earnings

Danny Vena 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 Bruce Jackson.

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This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

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The Downer EDI Limited (ASX: DOW) share price popped this morning after the company released its half-year performance report. 

At the time of writing, Downer Group is approximately 2% higher trading at $5.45.

Downer EDI provides services to customers in transport, utilities, facilities, engineering, mining,  construction, and maintenance (EC&M) in Australia and New Zealand. 

The company employs approximately 52,000 people across more than 300 sites.

How did Downer EDI perform during HY21?

Downer experienced a 10.6% total revenue fall during the 6 months ended 31 December 2020. Total group revenue was $6.1 billion.

Statutory earnings before interest and tax also took at 10% hit falling to $180.4 million.

The company reported a $350.2 million cash flow which is significantly higher than the $4.5 million gained in the previous corresponding period (pcp).

More than half of this result was achieved via the acquisition of the remaining 12.2% interest in Spotless Group Holdings.

Compared to the pcp, Downer managed to save $675.1 million in total expenses which is a 10.6% savings.

Downer’s earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) for the period was $195.8 million.

The company will pay an interim dividend of 9.0 cents per share, unfranked (14.0 cents per share unfranked in the pcp), payable on 25 March 2021 to shareholders on the register at 25 February 2021.

Outlook

Downer will continue to focus on its Urban Services businesses. This involves working with companies that demonstrate strength and resilience. In addition, offering attractive medium and long-term growth opportunities.

Downer is also focussing on possessing a high proportion of government and government-related contracts.  Further, Downer offers a capital-light, services-based business model to support low risk and predictable revenues. 

As previously announced throughout the reporting period, Downer has entered agreements for the sale of its Downer Blasting Services, Spotless Laundries, and Open Cut Mining West businesses.

Downer concludes that there have been no extraordinary matters or circumstances that have arisen since the end of HY21 that have significantly affected or may significantly affect operations.

Over the previous 12 month period, the Downer share price has fallen close to 27%.

More reading

• Why the Oz Minerals (ASX:OZL) share price will be on watch today
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Motley Fool contributor Gretchen Kennedy 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 Bruce Jackson.

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The Galilee Energy Ltd (ASX: GLL) share price has been a very strong performer on Thursday.

At one stage the coal seam gas exploration and production company’s shares were up as much as 50% to a record high of 92 cents.

The Galilee Energy share price has since pulled back but remains a sizeable 20% higher at 73 cents.

Why is the Galilee Energy share price rocketing higher?

Investors have been scrambling to buy Galilee Energy shares on Thursday following the release of an update on its Glenaras Gas Project in the Galilee Basin in Queensland.

According to the release, the Glenaras multi-well pilot has reached 50 million standard cubic feet per day (mscfd). This is the highest measured gas rate thus far.

In addition to this, management advised that all eleven wells are on continuous production and performing strongly.

Another positive in the update is that water rates at the laterals have declined significantly from their peak rates. Pleasingly, they are continuing to decline as the company de-pressures the pilot area and gas production increases.

What is the Glenaras Gas Project?

The Glenaras Gas Project is located in ATP 2019, which is 100% owned and operated by Galilee. This permit covers an area of approximately 3,200 km squared.

The company notes that the project has one of the largest contingent gas resources on the east coast. It believes it is strongly positioned to supply the AEMO’s forecast eastern Australian domestic market gas shortfall in the early 2020s.

But it won’t stop there. The project’s independently derived and certified contingent resource within the Betts Creek coals provide sufficient gas supply to fulfil approximately 25% of eastern Australian domestic market needs for over 30 years.

Today’s gain means the Galilee Energy share price is now up a sizeable 30% since this time last year.

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• Mesoblast (ASX:MSB) share price surges on new results
• Nearmap (ASX:NEA) share price sinks 7% on scathing short seller attack

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro 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 Bruce Jackson.

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The Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS) share price is surging today. Telstra shares are up 2.52% to $3.25 a share at the time of writing, after rising from yesterday’s close of $3.18 a share.

That means that Telstra shares are now up 7.9% year to date, and at their highest point since August 2020. They are also up around 21% from the 52-week low of $2.66 a share that we saw back at the end of October last year.

At the current share price, Telstra has a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 21.25, a market capitalisation of $38.65 billion and a trailing dividend yield of 4.91%.

Why are Telstra shares lifting today?

The positive performance of the Telstra share price today follows the company’s half-year earnings update delivered this morning.

Investors seem unfazed by Telstra reporting a 10.4% drop in net income and a 2.2% drop in net profits after tax.

The company did announce an expansion of its T22 cost-cutting program to an estimated $2.7 billion in savings by FY2022 though.

It also announced an update to its previously-announced legal restructuring. According to its CEO Andy Penn, Telstra will “commence the process for external strategic investment” of its InfraCo Towers division in the first quarter of FY2022.

Shareholders are no doubt hoping that this will lead to an unlocking of value.

Dividends to keep flowing

But perhaps Telstra’s most significant announcement today was that it intends to uphold once again its dividend payment of 8 cents a share for its interim and final dividends. Telstra has paid an annual dividend of 16 cents per share for the past few years now. That consists of 10 cents a share in ordinary dividends and 6 cents in special dividends derived from NBN payments to the company.

However, due to falling earnings, many investors feared that Telstra will have to trim this dividend in the near future. Bad memories from the company’s infamous 2017 dividend slashing probably don’t help.

But this morning, Telstra announced that it would once again pay an 8 cents per share interim dividend (fully franked) to shareholders on 26 March. It also confirmed it would also be paying an 8 cents per share final dividend (also fully franked) on 23 September. That gives Telstra shares a forward dividend yield of 4.91% going forward (or 7.01% grossed-up with full franking).

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Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen owns shares of Telstra Limited. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Telstra Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

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The AGL Energy Limited (ASX: AGL) share price is climbing higher today following the release of its half-year results for 2021.

At the time of writing, shares in the energy company are up 1% to $11.29.

What did AGL announce?

The AGL share price is rising higher this morning despite announcing losses across it’s the entire business.

According to this morning’s release, AGL delivered a dampening performance for H1 FY21 as COVID-19 heavily affected trading conditions.

For the period ending 31 December, the company reported total group revenue of $5,414 million. The result reflected a 14.2% decrease over the prior corresponding period (pcp) due to weak wholesale prices for electricity and renewable energy certificates. In addition, lower gross margins in wholesale gas and increasing costs to support operations during COVID-19 led the fall.

Underlying earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) dropped to $926 million, down 13% compared to H1 FY20. This was due to negative working capital movements with the company’s wholesale electricity market positions.

Underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) also sank to $317 million, representing a decline of 27% on the pcp. The bottom-line end result came from the additional impact of a higher depreciation expense.

Driving the AGL share price in positive territory, the Board declared an unfranked interim dividend of 31 cents along with a special dividend of 10 cents. While this is a reduction on the previous 47 cents per share issued in H1 FY20, investors took this as a positive step. Eligible shareholders will receive payment from AGL on 26 March, 2021.

Outlook

Looking ahead, the company provided guidance for the remaining period of the 2021 financial year.

AGL expects to achieve underlying EBITDA of around $1,585 million to $1,845 million. This takes into account the $80 to $100 million after-tax benefit from its insurance claims over last year’s extended outage at Loy Yang power station.

Furthermore, underlying NPAT is forecasted to be between $500 million and $580 million as per the update given on 21 December 2020.

Operating costs, excluding depreciation and amortisation, are projected to be broadly flat when compared to FY20.

AGL share price snapshot

Over the last 12 months, the AGL share price has continued on a downward trend. The share price has slumped close to 50%. AGL’s shares hit an all-time low of $10.93 this month before slightly rebounding above $11.37 today.

Based on the current AGL share price, the company has a market capitalisation of close to $7 billion.

More reading

• ASX 200 down 0.1%: Telstra update impresses, AMP sinks, Newcrest jumps
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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras 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 Bruce Jackson.

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This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

eBay (NASDAQ: EBAY) stock has attracted few bidders in recent years. It traded in a range for years before Jamie Iannone took over as CEO in April. However, both a pandemic and a change in management have renewed interest in the consumer discretionary stock. This different approach could make eBay an overlooked comeback story in a fast-growth industry.

The eBay comeback

Despite the prosperity of e-commerce giants such as Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) or Shopify (NYSE:SHOP), eBay had become a laggard in a fast-growing retail segment. High fees, a difficult-to-use platform, and free listing options such as Facebook‘s (NASDAQ:FB) Marketplace made eBay an afterthought. It had fallen so far that its former subsidiary PayPal (NASDAQ: PYPL) now supports a market cap nearly eight times as large.

Conditions began to change when Iannone, a former eBay executive, returned to the company in April 2020. Prior to his return, Iannone helped spearhead e-commerce strategies at Walmart eCommerce and Sam’s Club. These successes helped lead eBay’s board to bring him back.

Iannone’s strategy

Admittedly, as he started, store closings amid the COVID-19 pandemic increased interest in e-commerce across the board. However, Iannone embraced several different strategies to improve both the buyer and seller experience on eBay.

Under his leadership, eBay reduced the number of steps in the listing process to make adding products less cumbersome. It also introduced QR coding to make pick-ups more efficient and focused on “non-new in-season” products to better utilize the existing buyer and seller communities.

eBay also introduced tools and features that better enable small businesses to grow their enterprises. The company has simplified registrations and enabled storefronts on mobile devices. Additionally, eBay utilized AI teams to remove “points of friction.” One addition involved improved filtering to help customers find the items they want. Finally, as agreements with PayPal expire, eBay has added managed payments in several countries to foster a digital wallet experience. Many of these migrations have already taken place.

Iannone announced on the Q4 2020 earnings call that promoted listings grew 86% over the course of the year. He also added that eBay acquired 11 million new buyers in 2020, and the frequency and retention of these customers resembled pre-pandemic levels. 

eBay’s financials

Such improvements helped the top and bottom lines. In 2020, revenue increased by 19% to just under $10.3 billion. Also, GAAP net income from continuing operations rose to just over $2.5 billion, or $3.58 per share, up almost 68% from year-ago levels.

This increase occurred because operating expenses growing more slowly than revenue. Also, an investment in Adyen, a Dutch payments company in which eBay invests, brought in $709 million. This almost offset income taxes of $878 million. Additionally, these numbers do not include a one-time income boost of over $3.1 billion stemming from discontinued operations.

As for the future, the company believes the growth will continue in the near term. eBay projects revenue in the first quarter of 2021 will rise 35%-37%. It also expects between $0.81 and $0.86 per share in GAAP net income during this period, up from $0.64 the year before.

Given that optimism, it is little wonder eBay stock has increased by more than 60% since Iannone took over on April 27.

EBAY data by YCharts

Furthermore, even after that increase, investors who buy now will pay only about 18 times earnings from continuing operations for eBay stock. This appears cheap for a company reporting massive net income growth. Additionally, with global e-commerce expected to rise at a compound annual growth rate of just under 15% through 2027 according to Grand View Research, eBay’s double-digit earnings increases could continue into the foreseeable future.

Should I buy eBay?

No doubt eBay has seen a significant turnaround in 2020. Iannone’s strategy to make the platform more user-friendly for buyers and sellers alike may have added an additional revenue boost. Nonetheless, COVID-19 likely fueled a significant portion of that increase, so investors will probably have to see double-digit revenue and earnings growth continue after the pandemic to buy into an eBay comeback.

However, buying now means investors pay around 18 times earnings when both company and industry projections point to double-digit earnings increases. Should that value proposition remain in place after the pandemic ends, investors may continue bidding eBay higher.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

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The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. recommends eBay. 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 Bruce Jackson.

John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to its CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors.

Will Healy has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Amazon, Facebook, PayPal Holdings, and Shopify. The Motley Fool recommends eBay and recommends the following options: long January 2022 $1920 calls on Amazon, short January 2022 $1940 calls on Amazon, and long January 2022 $75 calls on PayPal Holdings. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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The Mesoblast limited (ASX: MSB) share price surged this morning after the biotech company announced positive drug trial results.

Mesoblast shares stormed almost 9% higher in early trading before retreating through the morning. At the time of writing, the Mesoblast share price is up 2.54% at $2.62.

Drug trial success

In today’s release, the company detailed significant results for its phase 3 chronic lower back pain trials.

Mesoblast reported that a single injection of its drug rexlemestrocel-L may provide “safe, durable, and effective” therapy for patients with chronic inflammatory back pain due to degenerative disc disease. Furthermore, the results showed the treatment was long-lasting in combination with hyaluronic acid (HA) carrier, resulting in at least two years of pain reduction.

The 24-month trial also found that the drug has the most significant benefits when administered earlier in the disease process before the intervertebral disc has irreversible fibrosis.

Management comments

Commenting on the results, Mesoblast CEO Dr Silviu Itescu said:

The durable pain reduction for at least two years from a single administration indicates that rexlemestrocel-L has the potential to change the treatment paradigm for chronic low back pain due to inflammatory disc disease, a condition that affects as many as seven million patients across the United States and Europe, and to prevent or reduce opioid use and dependence.

Tackling chronic back pain

The company said chronic low back pain (CLBP) was a disabling condition affecting some 10-15% of the adult population. As such, Mesoblast estimates the addressable market for rexlemestrocel at approximately 30 million people in the United States and 40 million people across the European Union.

According to a World Health Organisation (WHO) study, back pain causes more disability than any other condition and inflicts substantial costs on healthcare systems worldwide. There are few treatments for patients suffering from CLBP, with most having to use opioids to manage their pain. Remarkably, despite 50% of opioid prescriptions being for CLBP, they have still not formally demonstrated efficacy in treating the disease.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 67,000 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States in 2018, of which almost 47,000 (70%) were opioid-related.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has prioritised its focus on new therapeutics that target both pain reduction and opioid avoidance, a mould which fits Mesoblast’s rexlemestrocel-L treatment.

About the Mesoblast share price

The Mesoblast share price has been impacted by announcements, including its recent COVID-19 trial update and short-sellers targeting the company.

As such, Mesoblast shares have fallen 7.64% over the past 12 months, trailing behind the flat return of the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO).

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Motley Fool contributor Daniel Ewing 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 Bruce Jackson.

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The Nearmap Ltd (ASX: NEA) share price has come under significant selling pressure on Thursday.

In late morning trade the aerial imagery technology and location data company’s shares were down 7% to $2.16 before being hurried into a trading halt.

Why is the Nearmap share price under pressure today?

Investors were selling Nearmap shares this morning following the release of a short seller report by Hong Kong-based J Capital Research.

J Capital has previously targeted Harvey Norman Holdings Limited (ASX: HVN) and WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC).

Why Nearmap?

According to the note, J Capital alleges that Nearmap is struggling in the U.S. market and using accounting tricks to hide this. It commented:

“Nearmap repeatedly assures investors it deserves a heady share price because of high growth and coming profits in the U.S. market. Actually, the company is laying off sales staff and offering discounts in a panicked attempt to improve margins, kneecapping its efforts to grow.”

“Nearmap is apparently trying to hide its U.S. failure with accounting tricks to pull forward revenue. Without that seemingly aggressive revenue recognition, we believe revenue growth in the U.S was less than half what was reported.”

J Capital claims to have spoken to five competitors, seven former employees, and 17 clients or prospective clients. From this, it found that “losses are widening, gross margins are going backwards, and competitors are crushing them.”

It added:

“Critical clients are dropping the service. We spoke with several counties that had reviewed or trialed Nearmap services but ultimately renewed with Eagleview. We learned in an interview that Maricopa County, Arizona—which is featured in Nearmap subsidiary Pushpin testimonials—trialed Nearmap service but still renewed with Eagleview.”

Another point that J Capital made related to its churn levels in the United States. It estimates that Nearmap has churned 28% of its current clients since entering the North America market.

The analysts explained:

“That means that more than one in five clients who have trialed the service has chosen not to use it. The company misrepresents the churn.”

What now?

The Nearmap share price is in a trading halt pending the release of a response to the report.

This response is expected to be released on Monday. All eyes will be on Nearmap shares following that release.

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• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday

James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of Nearmap Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Nearmap Ltd. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

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The BARD1 Life Sciences Ltd (ASX: BD1) share price is up an eye-popping 66% at the time of writing. That’s down a bit from gains of more than 87% in early morning trade.

Investor interest appears to be driven by the company’s positive announcement on its ovarian cancer test. Let’s take a closer look at the announcement and what it means for the BARD1 share price.

What did BARD1 report on its cancer test?

BARD1 released a report to the ASX this morning stating that it’s SubB2M technology is able to detect all stages of ovarian cancer.  The data was collected from Griffith University’s Institute of Glycomics. It indicates the technology is able to do this with 100% specificity and 100% sensitivity.

SubB2M is a protein that binds to a sugar molecule called Neu5Gc. This protein is present in a range of cancers. The company reported that researchers from the University of Adelaide and Griffith University have proven its ability to detect Neu5Gc in cancer patients’ bloodstreams.

BARD1 holds the exclusive worldwide license for the use of SubB2M to detect any cancer.

Dr. Lucy Shewell from Griffith University’s Institute for Glycomics concluded that detection of Neu5Gc-glycans using SubB2M can potentially be used as a diagnostic marker to detect early-stage ovarian cancer. She said it may also be a useful tool to monitor disease progression in late-stage cancer.

Comments from the CEO

Addressing the positive results, BARD1’s CEO, Dr. Leearne Hinch, said:

The company is focused on early detection of cancer and our SubB2M technology provides the potential for developing tests for monitoring and detection of multiple cancers. We will continue to collaborate with Griffith University to develop and validate commercial assays for monitoring treatment response and recurrence in ovarian cancer patients to improve health outcomes for this critical unmet medical need.

The company also stated that ovarian cancer remains the leading cause of gynaecological cancer deaths worldwide. This statement highlights the potential benefits of its SubB2M test. In 2018 there were 185,000 deaths from ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer often progresses to a late-stage before diagnosis. This means the current 5-year survival rate is only 46%.

BARD1 share price snapshot

The BARD1 share price has a lengthy history of volatility, even without the 49% share price crash during last autumn’s COVID-driven market rout. With today’s intraday gains factored in, the BARD1 share price is up 88% in 2021.

By comparison, the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) is up just over 2%.

More reading

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Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben 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 Bruce Jackson.

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