ZBIO
Zenas BioPharma, Inc.
Biotechnology
Market Cap$793M
5Y Perf.+5.0%
Build Your Comparison
Side-by-side financial analysisZBIO
ARDX
Try popular comparisons:
Stock Comparison
ZBIO vs ARDX
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
ARDX
Ardelyx, Inc.
Biotechnology
Market Cap$1.42B
5Y Perf.-16.0%
ZBIO vs ARDX — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot |  ZBIO |  ARDX |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Biotechnology | Biotechnology |
| Market Cap | $793M | $1.42B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $0.00 | $428M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-425M | $-58M |
| Gross Margin | 100.0% | 91.9% |
| Operating Margin | -21.1% | -8.7% |
| Total Debt | $80M | $212M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $111M | $68M |
ZBIO vs ARDX — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
ZBIO
ARDX
| Stock | Sep 24 | Jun 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zenas BioPharma, In… (ZBIO) | 100 | 105.0 | +5.0% |
| Ardelyx, Inc. (ARDX) | 100 | 84.0 | -16.0% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: ZBIO vs ARDX
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: ARDX leads in 4 of 6 categories, making it the strongest pick for profitability and margin quality and capital preservation and lower volatility. Zenas BioPharma, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
🥇ARDX emerged as the overall leader. Track its performance:
ZBIO
Zenas BioPharma, Inc.
The Growth Play
ZBIO is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure and sleep-well-at-night.
- Rev growth 100.0%, EPS growth -124.5%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.39, Low D/E 33.0%, current ratio 5.61x
- 100.0% revenue growth vs ARDX's 22.1%
Best for: growth exposure and sleep-well-at-night
ARDX
Ardelyx, Inc.
The Income Pick
ARDX carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and long-term compounding.
- beta 1.02
- 166.8% 10Y total return vs ZBIO's -1.2%
- Beta 1.02, current ratio 4.31x
Best for: income & stability and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth |  ZBIO | 100.0% revenue growth vs ARDX's 22.1% |
| Quality / Margins |  ARDX | -13.6% margin vs ZBIO's -37.8% |
| Stability / Safety | ARDX | Beta 1.02 vs ZBIO's 1.39 |
| Dividends | Tie | Neither stock pays a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | ARDX | +56.5% vs ZBIO's +46.7% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | ARDX | -11.8% ROA vs ZBIO's -97.4%, ROIC -10.7% vs -154.5% |
ZBIO vs ARDX — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
FY 2025
ZBIO vs ARDX — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLARDXLAGGINGZBIO
ZBIOZenas BioPharma, Inc.
0leads
ARDXArdelyx, Inc.
5leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs ZBIOMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
ARDX5/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
ARDX2/3
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
ARDX5/8
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
ARDX6/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
ARDX2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
—
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ARDX leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ARDX and ZBIO operate at a comparable scale, with $428M and $0 in trailing revenue. ARDX is the more profitable business, keeping -13.6% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to ZBIO's -37.8%. On growth, ARDX holds the edge at +27.5% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ZBIOZenas BioPharma, … | ARDXArdelyx, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $0 | $428M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$423M | -$35M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$425M | -$58M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$210M | -$37M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +100.0% | +91.9% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -21.1% | -8.7% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -37.8% | -13.6% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -17.2% | -8.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -100.0% | +27.5% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -82.5% | +11.8% |
ARDX leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
ARDX leads this category, winning 2 of 3 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | ZBIOZenas BioPharma, … | ARDXArdelyx, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $793M | $1.4B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $762M | $1.6B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -2.10x | -22.27x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | — |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 79.29x | 3.49x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 3.28x | 8.36x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — |
ARDX leads this category, winning 2 of 3 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
ARDX leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
ARDX delivers a -38.1% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $-38 in annual profit, vs $-168 for ZBIO. ZBIO carries lower financial leverage with a 0.33x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to ARDX's 1.27x.
| Metric | ZBIOZenas BioPharma, … | ARDXArdelyx, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -167.7% | -38.1% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -97.4% | -11.8% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -154.5% | -10.7% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -66.7% | -10.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 3 | 3 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.33x | 1.27x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$31M | $144M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $111M | $68M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $80M | $212M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -62.50x | -0.28x |
ARDX leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
ARDX leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in ARDX five years ago would be worth $31,297 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $9,883 for ZBIO. Over the past 12 months, ARDX leads with a +56.5% total return vs ZBIO's +46.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors ARDX at 13.2% vs ZBIO's -0.4% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ZBIOZenas BioPharma, … | ARDXArdelyx, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -48.5% | -5.9% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +46.7% | +56.5% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -1.2% | +45.1% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -1.2% | +213.0% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -1.2% | +166.8% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -0.4% | +13.2% |
ARDX leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
ARDX leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
ARDX is the less volatile stock with a 1.02 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than ZBIO's 1.39 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. ARDX currently trades 68.9% from its 52-week high vs ZBIO's 39.8% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ZBIOZenas BioPharma, … | ARDXArdelyx, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.39x | 1.02x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $44.60 | $8.40 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $8.91 | $3.49 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +39.8% | +68.9% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 45.8 | 38.8 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 530K | 3.4M |
ARDX leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates ZBIO as "Buy" and ARDX as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 193.6% upside for ARDX (target: $17) vs 97.1% for ZBIO (target: $35).
| Metric | ZBIOZenas BioPharma, … | ARDXArdelyx, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $35.00 | $17.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 5 | 16 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Key Takeaway
ARDX leads in 5 of 6 categories — strongest in Income & Cash Flow and Valuation Metrics.
Best OverallArdelyx, Inc. (ARDX)Leads 5 of 6 categories
Loading custom metrics...
ZBIO vs ARDX: Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is ZBIO or ARDX a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Zenas BioPharma, Inc.
(ZBIO) is the stronger pick with 100. 0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 22. 1% for Ardelyx, Inc. (ARDX). Analysts rate Zenas BioPharma, Inc. (ZBIO) a "Buy" — based on 5 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which is the better long-term investment — ZBIO or ARDX?
Over the past 5 years, Ardelyx, Inc.
(ARDX) delivered a total return of +213. 0%, compared to -1. 2% for Zenas BioPharma, Inc. (ZBIO). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ARDX returned +166. 8% versus ZBIO's -1. 2%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
03Which is safer — ZBIO or ARDX?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Ardelyx, Inc.
(ARDX) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 02β versus Zenas BioPharma, Inc. 's 1. 39β — meaning ZBIO is approximately 36% more volatile than ARDX relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Zenas BioPharma, Inc. (ZBIO) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 33% versus 127% for Ardelyx, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — ZBIO or ARDX?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Zenas BioPharma, Inc.
(ZBIO) is pulling ahead at 100. 0% versus 22. 1% for Ardelyx, Inc. (ARDX). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Ardelyx, Inc. grew EPS -52. 9% year-over-year, compared to -124. 5% for Zenas BioPharma, Inc.. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
05Which has better profit margins — ZBIO or ARDX?
Ardelyx, Inc.
(ARDX) is the more profitable company, earning -15. 1% net margin versus -37. 8% for Zenas BioPharma, Inc. — meaning it keeps -15. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ARDX leads at -10. 1% versus -21. 1% for ZBIO. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ZBIO leads at 100. 0%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
06Which pays a better dividend — ZBIO or ARDX?
None of the stocks in this comparison currently pay a material dividend.
All are effectively zero-yield and should be held for capital appreciation rather than income.
07Is ZBIO or ARDX better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Ardelyx, Inc.
(ARDX) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 02), +166. 8% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (ARDX: +166. 8%, ZBIO: -1. 2%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
08What are the main differences between ZBIO and ARDX?
Both stocks operate in the Healthcare sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
You Might Also Compare
Based on how these companies actually compete and overlap — not just which sector they're filed under.