HRTX
Heron Therapeutics, Inc.
Biotechnology
Market Cap$228M
5Y Perf.-93.4%
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Stock Comparison
HRTX vs JAZZ vs SUPN vs PCRX
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
JAZZ
Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc
Biotechnology
Market Cap$14.17B
5Y Perf.+89.2%
SUPN
Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Drug Manufacturers - Specialty & Generic
Market Cap$2.97B
5Y Perf.+113.6%
PCRX
Pacira BioSciences, Inc.
Drug Manufacturers - Specialty & Generic
Market Cap$911M
5Y Perf.-47.3%
HRTX vs JAZZ vs SUPN vs PCRX — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | HRTX | JAZZ | SUPN | PCRX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Biotechnology | Biotechnology | Drug Manufacturers - Specialty & Generic | Drug Manufacturers - Specialty & Generic |
| Market Cap | $228M | $14.17B | $2.97B | $911M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $155M | $4.44B | $777M | $735M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-20M | $29M | $-29M | $9M |
| Gross Margin | 73.3% | 66.9% | 89.4% | 60.2% |
| Operating Margin | -1.6% | 13.9% | -5.5% | 3.4% |
| Forward P/E | — | 9.1x | 20.8x | 8.1x |
| Total Debt | $141M | $5.42B | $41M | $454M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $29M | $1.39B | $128M | $159M |
HRTX vs JAZZ vs SUPN vs PCRX — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
HRTX
JAZZ
SUPN
PCRX
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heron Therapeutics,… (HRTX) | 100 | 6.6 | -93.4% |
| Jazz Pharmaceutical… (JAZZ) | 100 | 189.2 | +89.2% |
| Supernus Pharmaceut… (SUPN) | 100 | 213.6 | +113.6% |
| Pacira BioSciences,… (PCRX) | 100 | 52.7 | -47.3% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: HRTX vs JAZZ vs SUPN vs PCRX
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: PCRX leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for valuation and capital efficiency and profitability and margin quality. Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc is the stronger pick specifically for recent price momentum and sentiment. SUPN also leads in specific categories worth noting. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
HRTX
Heron Therapeutics, Inc.
The Growth Play
HRTX is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure.
- Rev growth 7.4%, EPS growth -34.7%, 3Y rev CAGR 12.9%
Best for: growth exposure
JAZZ
Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc
The Momentum Pick
JAZZ is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if momentum is your priority.
- +129.4% vs HRTX's -44.2%
Best for: momentum
SUPN
Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
The Long-Run Compounder
SUPN is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 223.7% 10Y total return vs JAZZ's 52.9%
- 8.6% revenue growth vs PCRX's 3.6%
Best for: long-term compounding
PCRX
Pacira BioSciences, Inc.
The Income Pick
PCRX carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- beta 0.41
- Lower volatility, beta 0.41, Low D/E 65.6%, current ratio 4.54x
- Beta 0.41, current ratio 4.54x
- Lower P/E (8.1x vs 20.8x)
Best for: income & stability and sleep-well-at-night
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | SUPN | 8.6% revenue growth vs PCRX's 3.6% |
| Value | PCRX | Lower P/E (8.1x vs 20.8x) |
| Quality / Margins | PCRX | 1.3% margin vs HRTX's -13.0% |
| Stability / Safety | PCRX | Beta 0.41 vs HRTX's 1.81, lower leverage |
| Dividends | Tie | None of these 4 stocks pay a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | JAZZ | +129.4% vs HRTX's -44.2% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | PCRX | 0.7% ROA vs HRTX's -7.9%, ROIC 2.3% vs -1.6% |
HRTX vs JAZZ vs SUPN vs PCRX — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
FY 2025
FY 2025
HRTX vs JAZZ vs SUPN vs PCRX — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 4 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLJAZZLAGGINGSUPN
Who Leads Where
JAZZ leads in 2 of 6 categories
PCRX leads 2 • HRTX leads 0 • SUPN leads 0 • 1 tied
Explore the data ↓SUPNSupernus Pharmaceutic…
0leads
HRTXHeron Therapeutics, I…
0leads
PCRXPacira BioSciences, I…
2leads
JAZZJazz Pharmaceuticals …
2leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs PCRXvs HRTXMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
JAZZ3/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
PCRX5/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
PCRX6/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
JAZZ4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
—
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
JAZZ leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
JAZZ is the larger business by revenue, generating $4.4B annually — 28.7x HRTX's $155M. PCRX is the more profitable business, keeping 1.3% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to HRTX's -13.0%. On growth, SUPN holds the edge at +38.6% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | HRTXHeron Therapeutic… | JAZZJazz Pharmaceutic… | SUPNSupernus Pharmace… | PCRXPacira BioScience… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $155M | $4.4B | $777M | $735M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $401,000 | $994M | $29M | $95M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$20M | $29M | -$29M | $9M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$28M | $1.2B | $82M | $133M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +73.3% | +66.9% | +89.4% | +60.2% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -1.6% | +13.9% | -5.5% | +3.4% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -13.0% | +0.7% | -3.7% | +1.3% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -18.0% | +28.1% | +10.6% | +18.1% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -0.5% | +19.1% | +38.6% | +5.0% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -183.7% | +3.9% | +81.0% | -30.0% |
JAZZ leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
PCRX leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, PCRX's 9.7x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than SUPN's 52.6x.
| Metric | HRTXHeron Therapeutic… | JAZZJazz Pharmaceutic… | SUPNSupernus Pharmace… | PCRXPacira BioScience… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $228M | $14.2B | $3.0B | $911M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $340M | $18.2B | $2.9B | $1.2B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -10.08x | -38.66x | -75.78x | 144.69x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 9.07x | 20.81x | 8.13x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | 23.74x | 52.65x | 9.70x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.47x | 3.32x | 4.13x | 1.25x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 14.07x | 3.19x | 2.74x | 1.50x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 10.92x | 64.51x | 6.66x |
PCRX leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
PCRX leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
PCRX delivers a 1.3% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $1 in annual profit, vs $-141 for HRTX. SUPN carries lower financial leverage with a 0.04x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to HRTX's 9.81x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), PCRX scores 9/9 vs HRTX's 3/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | HRTXHeron Therapeutic… | JAZZJazz Pharmaceutic… | SUPNSupernus Pharmace… | PCRXPacira BioScience… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -140.9% | +0.7% | -2.7% | +1.3% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -7.9% | +0.3% | -2.0% | +0.7% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -1.6% | +2.1% | -2.8% | +2.3% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -1.7% | +2.2% | -3.4% | +2.8% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 9 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 9.81x | 1.26x | 0.04x | 0.66x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $112M | $4.0B | -$87M | $296M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $29M | $1.4B | $128M | $159M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $141M | $5.4B | $41M | $454M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -2.97x | -3.72x | — | 2.37x |
PCRX leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
JAZZ leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in SUPN five years ago would be worth $17,557 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $689 for HRTX. Over the past 12 months, JAZZ leads with a +129.4% total return vs HRTX's -44.2%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors JAZZ at 17.6% vs HRTX's -20.8% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | HRTXHeron Therapeutic… | JAZZJazz Pharmaceutic… | SUPNSupernus Pharmace… | PCRXPacira BioScience… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -4.0% | +30.4% | +4.2% | -5.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -44.2% | +129.4% | +63.4% | -7.1% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -50.4% | +62.8% | +40.1% | -45.2% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -93.1% | +28.2% | +75.6% | -62.0% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -93.0% | +52.9% | +223.7% | -52.2% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -20.8% | +17.6% | +11.9% | -18.2% |
JAZZ leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — JAZZ and PCRX each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
PCRX is the less volatile stock with a 0.41 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than HRTX's 1.81 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. JAZZ currently trades 98.0% from its 52-week high vs HRTX's 52.2% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | HRTXHeron Therapeutic… | JAZZJazz Pharmaceutic… | SUPNSupernus Pharmace… | PCRXPacira BioScience… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.81x | 0.68x | 0.80x | 0.41x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $2.32 | $230.40 | $59.68 | $27.64 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $0.74 | $97.50 | $30.44 | $18.80 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +52.2% | +98.0% | +86.3% | +83.8% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 64.2 | 74.7 | 61.1 | 45.5 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 2.0M | 843K | 594K | 663K |
Evenly matched — JAZZ and PCRX each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: HRTX as "Buy", JAZZ as "Buy", SUPN as "Buy", PCRX as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 451.2% upside for HRTX (target: $7) vs -0.0% for JAZZ (target: $226).
| Metric | HRTXHeron Therapeutic… | JAZZJazz Pharmaceutic… | SUPNSupernus Pharmace… | PCRXPacira BioScience… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $6.67 | $225.75 | $60.00 | $29.50 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 19 | 48 | 14 | 36 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | — | — | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +0.9% | 0.0% | +16.3% |
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Key Takeaway
JAZZ leads in 2 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Total Returns). PCRX leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). 1 tied.
Best OverallJazz Pharmaceuticals plc (JAZZ)Leads 2 of 6 categories
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HRTX vs JAZZ vs SUPN vs PCRX: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is HRTX or JAZZ or SUPN or PCRX a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(SUPN) is the stronger pick with 8. 6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 3. 6% for Pacira BioSciences, Inc. (PCRX). Pacira BioSciences, Inc. (PCRX) offers the better valuation at 144. 7x trailing P/E (8. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Heron Therapeutics, Inc. (HRTX) a "Buy" — based on 19 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 has the better valuation — HRTX or JAZZ or SUPN or PCRX?
On forward P/E, Pacira BioSciences, Inc.
is actually cheaper at 8. 1x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — HRTX or JAZZ or SUPN or PCRX?
Over the past 5 years, Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(SUPN) delivered a total return of +75. 6%, compared to -93. 1% for Heron Therapeutics, Inc. (HRTX). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SUPN returned +223. 7% versus HRTX's -93. 0%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — HRTX or JAZZ or SUPN or PCRX?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Pacira BioSciences, Inc.
(PCRX) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 41β versus Heron Therapeutics, Inc. 's 1. 81β — meaning HRTX is approximately 338% more volatile than PCRX relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (SUPN) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 4% versus 10% for Heron Therapeutics, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — HRTX or JAZZ or SUPN or PCRX?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(SUPN) is pulling ahead at 8. 6% versus 3. 6% for Pacira BioSciences, Inc. (PCRX). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Pacira BioSciences, Inc. grew EPS 107. 4% year-over-year, compared to -167. 5% for Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc. Over a 3-year CAGR, HRTX leads at 12. 9% annualised revenue growth. 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.
06Which has better profit margins — HRTX or JAZZ or SUPN or PCRX?
Pacira BioSciences, Inc.
(PCRX) is the more profitable company, earning 1. 0% net margin versus -13. 0% for Heron Therapeutics, Inc. — meaning it keeps 1. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: JAZZ leads at 5. 3% versus -5. 1% for SUPN. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — SUPN leads at 89. 6%, 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.
07Is HRTX or JAZZ or SUPN or PCRX more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Pacira BioSciences, Inc.
(PCRX) trades at 8. 1x forward P/E versus 20. 8x for Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. — 12. 7x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for HRTX: 451. 2% to $6. 67.
08Which pays a better dividend — HRTX or JAZZ or SUPN or PCRX?
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.
09Is HRTX or JAZZ or SUPN or PCRX better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Pacira BioSciences, Inc.
(PCRX) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 41)). Heron Therapeutics, Inc. (HRTX) carries a higher beta of 1. 81 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (PCRX: -52. 2%, HRTX: -93. 0%), 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.
10What are the main differences between HRTX and JAZZ and SUPN and PCRX?
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.
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