Here's why Sirtex Medical Limited crashed on clinical trial results

Investors waiting for a blockbuster announcement were disappointed when a clinical trial for Sirtex Medical Limited's (ASX:SRX) cancer treatment didn't produce the expected result.

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Highly-anticipated results from Sirtex Medical Limited's (ASX: SRX) clinical trial for its specialised liver cancer treatment came out Tuesday. The preliminary analysis showed the primary endpoint of the SIRFLOX study was not achieved. However, it was shown the study's secondary endpoint was achieved.

Sirtex Medical's share price plummeted to as low as $14.80 in morning trade on Tuesday and is currently trading down 57.6% at $16.55.

The clinical trial hoped to show the company's SIR-spheres treatment, which is currently a salvage therapy for liver cancer patients, might be suitable as a first-line treatment.

According to the company's release: "Preliminary analysis shows that adding SIR-Spheres® Y-90 resin microspheres to a current first-line systemic chemotherapy regimen for the treatment of non-resectable metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) does not result in a statistically significant improvement in the overall Progression-Free Survival (PFS)."

High expectation, high PE

High expectations for the company have been building over the past year, as the market waited for the clinical trial results. A year ago, the stock was trading at $15.78 and it last closed at $39.00.

All the while, the stock had a very high price/earnings ratio because more investors picked up the stock, expecting a huge expansion in Sirtex's production levels. The company estimated it might have to triple current production to meet the potential demand if its cancer treatment became a first-line therapy.

Previously, I wrote that there wasn't enough margin of safety in the share price for value investors.

Sirtex's long-term success story

To Sirtex's credit, the secondary endpoint of the study did result: "In a statistically significant improvement in Progression-Free Survival (PFS) in the liver." The company is already successful with its SIR-spheres treatment.

Its recently reported half-year revenue and net profit were up 37.3% and 58.1%, respectively.

This follows strong growth over the past 10 years. Sirtex Medical is still a good company with room to grow in overseas healthcare markets.

However, market expectations and the share price have gone further than a value investor could follow. Looking over the long term, though, this could be a buying opportunity after the share price settles.

Motley Fool contributor Darryl Daté-Shappard does not own shares in any company mentioned.  The Motley Fool’s purpose is to help the world invest, better. Click here now for your free subscription to Take Stock, The Motley Fool’s free investing newsletter. Packed with stock ideas and investing advice, it is essential reading for anyone looking to build and grow their wealth in the years ahead.  This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

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