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Durect Corporation (DRRX)



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Upturn Advisory Summary
03/27/2025: DRRX (1-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit -59.69% | Avg. Invested days 22 | Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating |
Upturn Star Rating ![]() ![]() | Upturn Advisory Performance ![]() | Stock Returns Performance ![]() |
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Key Highlights
Company Size Small-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 25.14M USD | Price to earnings Ratio - | 1Y Target Price 6.75 |
Price to earnings Ratio - | 1Y Target Price 6.75 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 39056 | Beta 0.92 | 52 Weeks Range 0.70 - 1.88 | Updated Date 04/2/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 0.70 - 1.88 | Updated Date 04/2/2025 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) - | Basic EPS (TTM) -0.6 |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Revenue by Geography
Geography revenue - Year on Year
Earnings Date
Report Date 2025-03-25 | When Before Market | Estimate -0.155 | Actual -0.06 |
Profitability
Profit Margin - | Operating Margin (TTM) -753.86% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) -36.32% | Return on Equity (TTM) -147.46% |
Valuation
Trailing PE - | Forward PE - | Enterprise Value 15298668 | Price to Sales(TTM) 12.38 |
Enterprise Value 15298668 | Price to Sales(TTM) 12.38 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 7.53 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA -2.48 | Shares Outstanding 31042000 | Shares Floating 28224029 |
Shares Outstanding 31042000 | Shares Floating 28224029 | ||
Percent Insiders 11.21 | Percent Institutions 22.05 |
Analyst Ratings
Rating 4.33 | Target Price 6.75 | Buy - | Strong Buy 2 |
Buy - | Strong Buy 2 | ||
Hold 1 | Sell - | Strong Sell - | |
Strong Sell - |
Upturn AI SWOT
Durect Corporation

Company Overview
History and Background
Durect Corporation was founded in 1998. It is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel and durable therapeutics for chronic diseases and acute conditions. Significant milestones include FDA approvals of its products and strategic collaborations with other pharmaceutical companies.
Core Business Areas
- LACTEL Absorbable Polymers: Durect's LACTEL biodegradable polymers are used in a variety of drug delivery and medical device applications.
- ORADUR: ORADUR is Durect's sustained-release oral delivery technology.
- SABER: SABER is Durect's controlled-release injectable technology.
Leadership and Structure
James E. Brown is the President and CEO. The organizational structure includes departments focused on research and development, clinical trials, manufacturing, and commercialization.
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- POSIMIR: POSIMIR (bupivacaine solution) is a non-opioid, local anesthetic extended-release solution indicated for administration into the subacromial space to produce analgesia for up to 72 hours following arthroscopic subacromial decompression. Durect licensed the rights to POSIMIR to Sandoz. Market share information and revenue specific to POSIMIR is not publicly broken out. Competitors: Exparel (Pacira BioSciences).
- ALZET Osmotic Pumps: ALZET Osmotic Pumps are research tools used for controlled drug delivery in animal research. While exact market share is difficult to determine, ALZET pumps are widely used in preclinical research. Competitors: Other micro-infusion pumps and drug delivery systems.
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The biopharmaceutical industry is characterized by high R&D costs, stringent regulatory requirements, and a competitive landscape. The drug delivery market is growing, driven by the need for improved drug efficacy and patient compliance.
Positioning
Durect is positioned as a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative drug delivery technologies and products. Its competitive advantage lies in its proprietary drug delivery platforms.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The total addressable market for drug delivery technologies is estimated to be in the billions of dollars. Durect is positioned to capture a portion of this market through its proprietary technologies and partnerships.
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Proprietary drug delivery technologies (LACTEL, ORADUR, SABER)
- Partnerships with established pharmaceutical companies
- Experienced management team
- Existing revenue stream from ALZET pumps
Weaknesses
- Limited financial resources compared to larger pharmaceutical companies
- Dependence on partners for commercialization of some products
- History of net losses
- Small Market Capitalization
Opportunities
- Expansion of drug delivery technologies into new therapeutic areas
- Strategic acquisitions or licensing agreements
- Increasing demand for controlled-release drug delivery systems
- Further collaborations with pharmaceutical companies
Threats
- Competition from established pharmaceutical companies with greater resources
- Regulatory hurdles and clinical trial failures
- Generic competition
- Economic downturn impacting healthcare spending
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- Pacira BioSciences (PCRX)
- Alkermes (ALKS)
- Assertio Holdings, Inc. (ASRT)
Competitive Landscape
Durect competes with larger pharmaceutical companies and smaller specialty companies. Durect's competitive advantage lies in its proprietary drug delivery technologies, but it faces challenges in terms of financial resources and commercialization capabilities.
Major Acquisitions
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: Historical growth has been dependent on product approvals, licensing agreements, and sales of ALZET pumps. Growth rates have fluctuated over time.
Future Projections: Future growth projections are based on analyst estimates and depend on the success of pipeline products and strategic partnerships. These growth projects would be reflected as increased sales and profit.
Recent Initiatives: Recent initiatives include advancing clinical trials of pipeline products and seeking new partnerships.
Summary
Durect Corporation is a biopharmaceutical company with proprietary drug delivery technologies. They face competition from larger companies. Durect's strengths are in its technology and partnerships, while weaknesses include limited resources. Advancing clinical trials and securing new partnerships are critical for their growth.
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Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Durect Corporation Investor Relations
- SEC Filings
- Industry Reports
Disclaimers:
This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Market share data and financial information should be verified with official sources.
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
About Durect Corporation
Exchange NASDAQ | Headquaters Cupertino, CA, United States | ||
IPO Launch date 2000-09-28 | Co-Founder, CEO, President & Director Dr. James E. Brown D.V.M. | ||
Sector Healthcare | Industry Drug Manufacturers - Specialty & Generic | Full time employees - | Website https://www.durect.com |
Full time employees - | Website https://www.durect.com |
DURECT Corporation, a biopharmaceutical company, develops medicines based on its epigenetic regulator program. The company's lead product larsucosterol (DUR-928), an endogenous, orally bioavailable small molecule that is in Phase IIb clinical trial to play a regulatory role in lipid metabolism, stress and inflammatory responses, and cell death and survival to treat alcohol-associated hepatitis, as well as completed Phase Ib clinical trial to treat patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. It also offers ALZET product line that consists of osmotic pumps and accessories used for research in mice, rats, and other laboratory animals. In addition, the company offers POSIMIR, a post-surgical pain product to deliver bupivacaine over three days in adults; and Methydur to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It markets and sells its ALZET lines through direct sales force in the United States, as well as through a network of distributors in other countries. The company has strategic collaboration and other agreements with Virginia Commonwealth University Intellectual Property Foundation; Indivior UK Ltd.; and Innocoll Pharmaceuticals Limited. DURECT Corporation was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Cupertino, California.
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