Bausch Health Reports Phase 3 RED-C Trial Results, Fails to Meet Primary Endpoint
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 23 2026
0mins
Should l Buy BHC?
Source: PRnewswire
- Trial Results: Bausch Health's global Phase 3 RED-C clinical program evaluated amorphous rifaximin solid soluble dispersion (SSD) in adults with liver cirrhosis without prior hepatic encephalopathy, and while deemed safe, it failed to meet the primary endpoint, indicating insufficient efficacy of the treatment.
- Patient Involvement: The program involved over 1,000 patients across 398 sites in 17 countries in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, reflecting the company's extensive research commitment in the hepatology field.
- Future Development Opportunities: CEO Thomas J. Appio stated that despite the disappointing results, the company will review the full dataset to identify potential new development opportunities, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to innovative treatment solutions.
- Cirrhosis Context: According to CDC data, chronic liver disease and cirrhosis rank as the ninth leading cause of death in the U.S., underscoring the urgency of developing effective treatment options, especially in the absence of existing therapies.
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Analyst Views on BHC
Wall Street analysts forecast BHC stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for BHC is 8.25 USD with a low forecast of 7.00 USD and a high forecast of 10.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
4 Analyst Rating
0 Buy
4 Hold
0 Sell
Hold
Current: 5.730
Low
7.00
Averages
8.25
High
10.00
Current: 5.730
Low
7.00
Averages
8.25
High
10.00
About BHC
Bausch Health Companies Inc. is a global, diversified pharmaceutical company. The Salix segment includes sales in the U.S. of GI products. The International segment includes sales of Bausch + Lomb products and Solta Medical aesthetic medical devices, outside the U.S. and Puerto Rico of branded pharmaceutical products, branded generic pharmaceutical products and OTC products. The Solta Medical segment includes global sales of Solta Medical aesthetic medical devices. The Diversified segment includes sales in the U.S. of pharmaceutical products in the areas of neurology and certain other therapeutic classes, dermatology products, generic pharmaceutical products and dentistry products. The Bausch + Lomb segment includes global sales of Bausch + Lomb Vision Care, Surgical and Pharmaceuticals products. Its drug candidate, Larsucosterol binds to and inhibits the activity of DNA methyltransferases, epigenetic enzymes that are elevated and associated with hypermethylation found in AH patients.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Patent Expiration Impact: The company's flagship drug Xifaxan is set to lose patent protection in 2029, with generics expected to launch in 2028; despite efforts to expand the drug's indications, a phase 3 clinical trial failure has severely hindered these plans.
- Potential Inflection Points: Despite these challenges, Bausch Health has two potential inflection points, including a skin-tightening treatment from its Solta unit and the hepatitis treatment Larsucosterol acquired from Durect Corporation, which could provide new growth opportunities for the company.
- Hidden Asset Value: Bausch Health holds an 88% stake in eye health company Bausch + Lomb, valued at approximately $5.2 billion, significantly exceeding its $2.1 billion market cap, highlighting the company's substantial potential for asset monetization, even as management rebuffed a private equity buyout offer.
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- Potential Inflection Points: While the setback for Xifaxan's expansion is notable, Bausch Health still has other potential inflection points, including a skin-tightening treatment from its Solta unit and the hepatitis treatment Larsucosterol acquired from Durect Corporation, which could provide new growth opportunities for the company.
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- Patient Involvement: The clinical program involved over 1,000 patients aimed at delaying the first episode of hepatic encephalopathy, but the failure to demonstrate efficacy may impact the company's reputation and market share in hepatology treatments.
- CEO's Disappointment: CEO Thomas J. Appio expressed disappointment in the results, noting that while the experimental therapy was safe and well-tolerated, the company is reviewing the full dataset to identify potential new development opportunities, demonstrating a commitment to future treatment options.
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- Drug Development Context: The trial aimed to assess the efficacy of amorphous rifaximin solid soluble dispersion in delaying the first episode of hepatic encephalopathy, yet the lack of detailed results has increased uncertainty among investors.
- Market Reaction Analysis: The trial failure directly impacted Bausch Health's stock performance, significantly eroding market confidence in its future product pipeline, which could affect the company's financing and research capabilities.
- Strategic Outlook: Despite the setback, Bausch Health continues to actively participate in various conferences, showcasing its 2025 outlook, indicating the company's pursuit of new growth opportunities in the face of challenges.
See More
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- Stock Decline: Bausch Health's shares have fallen 17% since the beginning of the year, reflecting market concerns about its future growth potential, particularly in light of the impending patent cliff that could impact the company's long-term strategy and shareholder value.
- Patent Expiration Impact: The company's flagship drug Xifaxan is set to lose patent protection in 2029, with generics expected to launch in 2028; despite efforts to expand the drug's indications, a phase 3 clinical trial failure has severely hindered these plans.
- Potential Inflection Points: Despite these challenges, Bausch Health has two potential inflection points, including a skin-tightening treatment from its Solta unit and the hepatitis treatment Larsucosterol acquired from Durect Corporation, which could provide new growth opportunities for the company.
- Hidden Asset Value: Bausch Health holds an 88% stake in eye health company Bausch + Lomb, valued at approximately $5.2 billion, significantly exceeding its $2.1 billion market cap, highlighting the company's substantial potential for asset monetization, even as management rebuffed a private equity buyout offer.
See More
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- Patent Cliff Risk: Bausch Health faces a patent cliff impacting its blockbuster drug Xifaxan in 2029, with generic alternatives set to launch in 2028, contributing to a 17% decline in stock price since the beginning of the year, which raises concerns about the company's long-term strategy.
- Clinical Trial Failure: The company's significant setback in a Phase 3 clinical trial aimed at expanding Xifaxan's label has not only shaken investor confidence but also potentially hindered the stock's rebound prospects, despite management previously viewing this as a pivotal moment for the stock.
- Potential Inflection Points: While the setback for Xifaxan's expansion is notable, Bausch Health still has other potential inflection points, including a skin-tightening treatment from its Solta unit and the hepatitis treatment Larsucosterol acquired from Durect Corporation, which could provide new growth opportunities for the company.
- Hidden Asset Value: Bausch Health holds an 88% stake in eye health company Bausch + Lomb, valued at approximately $5.2 billion, significantly exceeding its $2.1 billion market cap, and despite management's rejection of a private equity buyout offer, this indicates a cautious approach to asset monetization.
See More
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- Patient Involvement: The clinical program involved over 1,000 patients aimed at delaying the first episode of hepatic encephalopathy, but the failure to demonstrate efficacy may impact the company's reputation and market share in hepatology treatments.
- CEO's Disappointment: CEO Thomas J. Appio expressed disappointment in the results, noting that while the experimental therapy was safe and well-tolerated, the company is reviewing the full dataset to identify potential new development opportunities, demonstrating a commitment to future treatment options.
- Market Sentiment Shift: Despite the stock decline, retail sentiment on Stocktwits shifted from 'bearish' to 'bullish', indicating investor optimism towards the upcoming quarterly report, reflecting a complex view of the company's long-term potential.
See More
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- Stock Surge: Fortinet shares jumped over 7% after TD Cowen upgraded the stock from hold to buy, indicating increased market confidence in its future performance, particularly as rising memory prices are expected to have a lesser impact than anticipated.
- Clinical Trial Setback: Bausch Health's stock fell 9% after one of its experimental treatments for hepatic encephalopathy missed targets in a late-stage clinical trial, potentially affecting the company's future product pipeline and market competitiveness.
- Weak Earnings Report: Intel shares dropped 16% following mixed fourth-quarter results and a weak forecast, with expected first-quarter revenue between $11.7 billion and $12.7 billion, failing to meet analyst expectations, which may lead to decreased investor confidence.
- Acquisition Deal: Clorox shares rose nearly 3% after agreeing to acquire Gojo Industries for $2.25 billion, and despite the financial impact of the acquisition, the company reaffirmed its outlook for 2026.
See More
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- Stock Price Analysis: BHC's 52-week low is $4.25 per share, with a high of $8.685, and the last trade at $6.01 indicates significant price fluctuations, reflecting market caution regarding the stock.
- Market Trend Observation: The stock has experienced notable volatility over the past year, with the current price nearing the 52-week low, which may affect investor confidence and lead to increased market scrutiny.
- Technical Indicator Warning: BHC's stock price has fallen below its 200-day moving average, suggesting potential further downside pressure in the short term, prompting investors to carefully assess holding risks.
- Investor Sentiment Impact: The current price fluctuations may lead to varying perceptions among investors regarding BHC's future performance, influencing its overall market standing and investment decisions.
See More
Bausch Health (BHC) Stock Drops 4% After Phase 3 Trials Fail to Meet Primary Goal
- Trial Results Disappointment: Bausch Health's RED-C clinical program for liver cirrhosis patients failed to meet its primary goal in phase 3 trials, causing a ~4% drop in premarket trading, indicating market concerns over its drug development prospects.
- Drug Development Context: The trial aimed to assess the efficacy of amorphous rifaximin solid soluble dispersion in delaying the first episode of hepatic encephalopathy, yet the lack of detailed results has increased uncertainty among investors.
- Market Reaction Analysis: The trial failure directly impacted Bausch Health's stock performance, significantly eroding market confidence in its future product pipeline, which could affect the company's financing and research capabilities.
- Strategic Outlook: Despite the setback, Bausch Health continues to actively participate in various conferences, showcasing its 2025 outlook, indicating the company's pursuit of new growth opportunities in the face of challenges.
See More
