MNOV
MediciNova, Inc.
Biotechnology
Market Cap$70M
5Y Perf.-73.3%
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Stock Comparison
MNOV vs ATHA
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
ATHA
Athira Pharma, Inc.
Biotechnology
Market Cap$17M
5Y Perf.-97.4%
MNOV vs ATHA — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | MNOV | ATHA |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Biotechnology | Biotechnology |
| Market Cap | $70M | $17M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $410K | $0.00 |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-12M | $-129M |
| Gross Margin | 7.6% | — |
| Operating Margin | -32.4% | — |
| Total Debt | $194K | $803K |
| Cash & Equiv. | $31M | $69M |
MNOV vs ATHA — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
MNOV
ATHA
| Stock | Sep 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| MediciNova, Inc. (MNOV) | 100 | 26.7 | -73.3% |
| Athira Pharma, Inc. (ATHA) | 100 | 2.6 | -97.4% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: MNOV vs ATHA
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: MNOV leads in 3 of 5 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and capital preservation and lower volatility. Athira Pharma, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for recent price momentum and sentiment. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
MNOV
MediciNova, Inc.
The Income Pick
MNOV carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and long-term compounding.
- beta 0.31
- -80.1% 10Y total return vs ATHA's -97.5%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.31, Low D/E 0.5%, current ratio 8.16x
Best for: income & stability and long-term compounding
ATHA
Athira Pharma, Inc.
The Growth Play
ATHA is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure.
- EPS growth 2.0%
- +81.6% vs MNOV's -4.0%
Best for: growth exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | MNOV | -8.8% revenue growth vs ATHA's -64.6% |
| Stability / Safety | MNOV | Beta 0.31 vs ATHA's 1.47, lower leverage |
| Dividends | Tie | Neither stock pays a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | ATHA | +81.6% vs MNOV's -4.0% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | MNOV | -26.3% ROA vs ATHA's -225.7% |
MNOV vs ATHA — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLMNOVLAGGINGATHA
ATHAAthira Pharma, Inc.
1leads
MNOVMediciNova, Inc.
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs ATHAMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
ATHA1/1
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
Tied
—
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
MNOV6/7
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
MNOV5/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
MNOV2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
—
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ATHA leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MNOV and ATHA operate at a comparable scale, with $409,657 and $0 in trailing revenue.
| Metric | MNOVMediciNova, Inc. | ATHAAthira Pharma, In… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $409,657 | $0 |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$13M | -$110M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$12M | -$129M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$10M | -$52M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +7.6% | — |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -32.4% | — |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -29.3% | — |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -23.9% | — |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +4.7% | +24.8% |
ATHA leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Valuation Metrics
Evenly matched — MNOV and ATHA each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | MNOVMediciNova, Inc. | ATHAAthira Pharma, In… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $70M | $17M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $40M | -$30M |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -5.96x | -0.17x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | — |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 171.21x | — |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.69x | 0.37x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — |
Evenly matched — MNOV and ATHA each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
MNOV leads this category, winning 6 of 7 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
MNOV delivers a -28.9% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $-29 in annual profit, vs $-4 for ATHA. MNOV carries lower financial leverage with a 0.00x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to ATHA's 0.03x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), MNOV scores 3/9 vs ATHA's 2/9, reflecting mixed financial health.
| Metric | MNOVMediciNova, Inc. | ATHAAthira Pharma, In… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -28.9% | -3.8% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -26.3% | -2.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -85.5% | — |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -28.0% | -2.3% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 3 | 2 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.00x | 0.03x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$31M | -$68M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $31M | $69M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $194,331 | $803,000 |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | — |
MNOV leads this category, winning 6 of 7 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
MNOV leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in MNOV five years ago would be worth $3,488 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $235 for ATHA. Over the past 12 months, ATHA leads with a +81.6% total return vs MNOV's -4.0%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors MNOV at -13.2% vs ATHA's -46.7% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | MNOVMediciNova, Inc. | ATHAAthira Pharma, In… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +7.5% | -37.6% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -4.0% | +81.6% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -34.7% | -84.8% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -65.1% | -97.7% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -80.1% | -97.5% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -13.2% | -46.7% |
MNOV leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
MNOV leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
MNOV is the less volatile stock with a 0.31 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than ATHA's 1.47 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. MNOV currently trades 73.0% from its 52-week high vs ATHA's 51.9% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | MNOVMediciNova, Inc. | ATHAAthira Pharma, In… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.29x | 1.38x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $1.96 | $8.36 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $1.17 | $2.30 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +73.0% | +51.9% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 55.8 | 38.4 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 47K | 46K |
MNOV leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
| Metric | MNOVMediciNova, Inc. | ATHAAthira Pharma, In… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | — |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | — |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | — |
| 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
MNOV leads in 3 of 6 categories (Profitability & Efficiency, Total Returns). ATHA leads in 1 (Income & Cash Flow). 1 tied.
Best OverallMediciNova, Inc. (MNOV)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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MNOV vs ATHA: Frequently Asked Questions
7 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Which is the better long-term investment — MNOV or ATHA?
Over the past 5 years, MediciNova, Inc.
(MNOV) delivered a total return of -65. 1%, compared to -97. 7% for Athira Pharma, Inc. (ATHA). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MNOV returned -80. 5% versus ATHA's -97. 5%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
02Which is safer — MNOV or ATHA?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), MediciNova, Inc.
(MNOV) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 29β versus Athira Pharma, Inc. 's 1. 38β — meaning ATHA is approximately 368% more volatile than MNOV relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, MediciNova, Inc. (MNOV) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 0% versus 3% for Athira Pharma, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
03Which is growing faster — MNOV or ATHA?
On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Athira Pharma, Inc.
grew EPS 2. 0% year-over-year, compared to -4. 3% for MediciNova, 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.
04Which has better profit margins — MNOV or ATHA?
Athira Pharma, Inc.
(ATHA) is the more profitable company, earning 0. 0% net margin versus -29. 3% for MediciNova, Inc. — meaning it keeps 0. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ATHA leads at 0. 0% versus -32. 4% for MNOV. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MNOV leads at 7. 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.
05Which pays a better dividend — MNOV or ATHA?
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.
06Is MNOV or ATHA better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, MediciNova, Inc.
(MNOV) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 29)). Both have compounded well over 10 years (MNOV: -80. 5%, ATHA: -97. 5%), 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.
07What are the main differences between MNOV and ATHA?
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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