The Motley Fool·2026-01-08 10:15Core Insights - The healthcare sector underperformed in 2025, but there are still solid investment opportunities in smaller biotech companies [1] - Axsome Therapeutics and Exelixis are highlighted as promising investment options for 2026 and beyond [2] Axsome Therapeutics - Axsome Therapeutics has made steady clinical and regulatory progress, with approved products including Auvelity for depression, Symbravo for migraines, and Sunosi for narcolepsy [3] - The company is close to earning approval for Auvelity in treating Alzheimer's disease agitation, which could address a significant unmet need, as approximately 5 million patients in the U.S. experience this condition [4] - Axsome's revenue for the first nine months of 2025 reached $442.5 million, marking a 65.8% increase year-over-year [7] - The company has several late-stage pipeline candidates, including AXS-12 for narcolepsy and AXS-14 for fibromyalgia, which could further boost revenue [6][8] Exelixis - Exelixis specializes in oncology, primarily generating revenue from Cabometyx, which is approved for various cancers, including liver and kidney cancer [9] - The company reported $1.7 billion in revenue for the first nine months of 2025, a 7.5% increase compared to the same period in 2024 [10] - Exelixis has successfully defended its patent rights, delaying generic competition until the next decade [10] - The company is developing new products, including Zanzalintinib for metastatic colorectal cancer, which has shown strong phase 3 results and could significantly impact sales [12][14] - Exelixis is expected to submit regulatory applications soon, which will help diversify its portfolio beyond Cabometyx [13]