In this article, we will be taking a look at the 12 Cheap Healthcare Stocks to Buy Now. Bausch Health Companies is one of them. Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE:BHC), a global specialty pharmaceutical company, has recently gained attention as an undervalued player in healthcare due to strategic acquisitions and pipeline developments rather than financial trends alone. The company focuses on areas including eye health, gastroenterology, hepatology, neurology, and dermatology. It is among the cheap health ...

Core Viewpoint - The healthcare industry is currently facing significant challenges, with large-cap pharmaceutical companies particularly affected, leading to a poor performance compared to the market [2][3]. Group 1: Industry Challenges - The healthcare sector has only outperformed the market during downturns over the last decade, indicating a troubling trend [2]. - The current dynamics in the healthcare industry are described as the worst experienced in decades, with managed care and pharmaceuticals identified as the main contributors to market pressures [3]. Group 2: Investment Opportunities - A methodology was employed to identify cheap healthcare stocks, focusing on companies with a market capitalization above $2 billion and a forward P/E ratio below 15 [5]. - The article lists 12 healthcare stocks deemed attractive for investment, based on their valuation metrics and growth potential [6]. Group 3: Company Highlights - **Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE:BHC)**: - Forward P/E Ratio: 1.45, recognized for strategic acquisitions and pipeline developments, particularly in hepatology [7]. - Recent acquisition of DURECT Corporation valued at $63 million upfront, with potential milestone payments of up to $350 million, enhancing its portfolio for alcoholic hepatitis [8]. - Key pipeline assets include larsucosterol and rifaximin SSD, with significant market potential in addressing hospitalizations for alcoholic hepatitis [9][10]. - **Organon & Co. (NYSE:OGN)**: - Forward P/E Ratio: 2.73, focused on women's health and biosimilars, expanding its market presence since spinning off from Merck [11]. - Recent FDA approvals for biosimilars BILDYOS and BILPREVDA, aimed at improving access to osteoporosis and bone cancer treatments [12]. - The company is pivoting towards biosimilars as a growth engine while maintaining focus on women's health and dermatology [13]. - **Viatris Inc. (NASDAQ:VTRS)**: - Forward P/E Ratio: 4.40, formed from the merger of Mylan and Pfizer's Upjohn division, focusing on generics and specialty pharmaceuticals [14]. - FDA approval of a generic iron sucrose injection, reflecting a strategic entry into the intravenous iron market with significant sales potential [15]. - Positive late-stage trial results for several pipeline assets, reinforcing the company's growth strategy and upcoming product launches [16][17].

Accessibility StatementSkip Navigation The transaction adds larsucosterol, an FDA Breakthrough Therapy for alcohol-associated hepatitis with a registrational Phase 3 clinical trial in development, to Bausch Health's hepatology pipeline LAVAL, QC, and CUPERTINO, Calif., Sept. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE: BHC) (TSX: BHC) ("Bausch Health"), a global, diversified pharmaceutical company, today announced the successful completion of its previously announced tender offer to acquir ...

Core Viewpoint - DURECT Corporation has entered into a merger agreement with Bausch Health, where Bausch Health will acquire DURECT for $1.75 per share, with potential additional milestone payments totaling up to $350 million, expected to close in Q3 2025 [1][2]. Financial Highlights - For the second quarter ended June 30, 2025, DURECT reported total revenues of $447,000, a decrease from $646,000 in the same period of 2024. The net loss for the quarter was $2.3 million, compared to a net loss of $3.7 million in Q2 2024 [5][11]. - As of June 30, 2025, DURECT had cash, cash equivalents, and investments totaling $6.7 million, down from $12.0 million at the end of 2024 [5][12]. Merger Agreement Details - The merger agreement stipulates an upfront cash payment of approximately $63 million at closing, with additional milestone payments contingent on the commercial success of DURECT's lead drug candidate, larsucosterol, before December 31, 2045 [2][3]. - The tender offer for DURECT's outstanding shares commenced on August 12, 2025, and the merger is anticipated to be completed in the third quarter of 2025 [2][3]. Product Development - DURECT is focused on developing epigenetic therapies, particularly larsucosterol, which is in clinical development for treating alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH) and has received Fast Track and Breakthrough Therapy designations from the FDA [5][6].

Core Insights - Bausch Health Companies Inc. (BHC) reported mixed results for Q2 2025, with adjusted earnings per share of 90 cents missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 97 cents, while total revenues of $2.53 billion exceeded expectations, marking a 5% year-over-year increase [1][7] Revenue Breakdown - Salix segment revenues reached $627 million, up 12% year over year, driven by strong demand for Xifaxan, Trulance, and Relistor, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $589 million [3][4] - International revenues totaled $278 million, a 1% increase year over year, but fell short of estimates, with organic growth also at 1% [5] - Solta Medical reported revenues of $128 million, up 25% year over year, driven by global volume expansion, although it missed the model estimate [8] - Diversified Products revenues decreased by 13% to $219 million, with declines in neurology, generics, and dermatology segments [9][10] - Bausch + Lomb revenues amounted to $1.3 billion, a 5% increase year over year, exceeding estimates and driven by growth in the vision care segment [10] Pipeline Development - BHC is reviewing pipeline candidate amiselimod for ulcerative colitis treatment and has submitted an application for Cabtreo, which was approved in Canada [11] - Phase III studies for rifaximin are ongoing, with top-line results expected by early 2026 [12] - The Clear and Brilliant Touch program is advancing with approvals in multiple countries, and the Fraxel FTX system was launched in the U.S. in April 2025 [13][14] Financial Guidance - BHC updated its 2025 revenue guidance to a range of $10-$10.25 billion, with Bausch + Lomb revenues projected between $5.05-$5.15 billion [15] Acquisition Activity - BHC announced plans to acquire DURECT Corporation for $63 million, with potential milestone payments of up to $350 million, focusing on larsucosterol for alcoholic hepatitis treatment [17][18][19]

Core Viewpoint - Bausch Health Companies Inc. has agreed to acquire DURECT Corp, focusing on the development of larsucosterol, a novel therapeutic molecule for alcoholic hepatitis, which currently lacks FDA or EMA approved treatments [1][2][3]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - Bausch Health will pay $1.75 per share in an all-cash transaction, totaling approximately $63 million, with potential milestone payments of up to $350 million [3]. - The acquisition is expected to close in the third quarter of 2025 [6]. Group 2: Clinical Development - A registrational Phase 3 program is planned to evaluate the safety and efficacy of larsucosterol for severe alcoholic hepatitis, with a primary endpoint of 90-day survival [3][4]. - The trial will be randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, and will incorporate feedback from the FDA [4]. Group 3: Complementary Programs - The acquisition complements Bausch Health's ongoing RED-C clinical program, which assesses rifaximin SSD for delaying the onset of hepatic encephalopathy hospitalization and all-cause mortality [5]. - Patient enrollment in two global Phase 3 studies for the RED-C program is complete, with results expected in early 2026 [5]. Group 4: Financial Context - Bausch Health is addressing its $21 billion debt, with a third due by 2027, and previously considered selling Bausch + Lomb Corp as part of this strategy [6]. - At the time of publication, Bausch Health's stock was down 0.36% at $6.87, while DURECT's stock rose 238.34% to $1.87 [6].