Check Up: Here’s the handful of ASX small cap health stocks that actually pay dividends

• Small cap health stocks are not known to pay dividends
• But there’s a handful of such stocks on the ASX that do pay dividends
• We look at the best and worst performing ASX biotechs over the past week

When we talk about dividend-paying healthcare stocks, the companies that immediately come to mind are usually CSL (ASX:CSL), Sonic Healthcare (ASX:SHL), and Cochlear (ASX:COH).

You wouldn’t normally associate smaller health names with dividends, for obvious reasons. Either they lack profits, or they plough back whatever profits they’ve earned back into the R&D programs. These stocks often burn through cash, carrying high levels of uncertainty.

That being said, there is in fact a handful of life science companies and small cap pharmaceuticals on the ASX that are currently paying dividends.

Small cap ASX health stocks that pay dividends

Here’s the list of those companies, which we extracted from Commsec:

ACL is a provider of pathology services.

The company performs a diverse range of pathology tests for a range of clients including doctors, specialists, patients, and hospitals.

ACL is currently eyeing a takeover of Healius (ASX:HLS), which if it comes to fruition, could create Australia’s largest pathology provider.

Paragon is a leading provider of medical equipment and devices for the ANZ and Asian healthcare markets.

Its devices are used in ophthalmology, optometry, orthopaedics, as well as surgery.

Paragon is targeting a $100m EBITDA per annum within 3-5 years, and says it wants to be a $1 billion market capped company.

Vita is mainly engaged in formulating, packaging and sales of over the counter (OTC) medicines, health supplements, and vitamins.

VLS has three major brands namely Vita Health, Herbs of Gold, and VitaScience.

Its markets include Australia, South East Asia and China

For FY22, the company generated record revenue of $37.3m, an increase of 23% on pcp.

Probiotec also manufactures and distributes a range of prescription and OTC pharmaceuticals and complementary medicines.

The company owns six manufacturing facilities in Australia, and distributes its products both domestically and internationally.

Probiotec manufactures its products on behalf of a range of clients, including major international pharmaceutical companies.

In its latest outlook statement, the company said:

“We expect to deliver strong revenue growth in FY23 and this to continue into FY24 as the momentum in the business and new products are fully onboarded.”

EZZ is a wholesale distributor for the EAORON branded skin care range to pharmacies, supermarkets and specialist retailers in Australia and New Zealand.

The company also owns and produces its own range of consumer health products under the EZZ brand.

EZZ has recently signed a deal to boost sales of two of its products into China, including a supplement featuring the popular anti-aging nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) ingredient.

The company is also making a push into Vietnam, and has just returned from a prestigious exhibition there to showcase a range of its products for mums, babies and toddlers.

Best and worst performing ASX biotechs over the past week

Zelira Therapeutics (ASX:ZLD)

The best mover by far was Zelira, which almost tripled after announcing that its diabetic nerve pain drug outperforms multi-billion dollar Big Pharma drug, Lyrica – achieving a significant reduction in NRS pain scores, indicating a decrease in symptom severity.

ZLT-L-007 was found to be safe and well-tolerated, meeting the primary endpoint for safety with no Serious Adverse Events (SAE).

The study also met its secondary endpoints, including significant decreases in Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Short-form McGill scores, among others.

Sigma Healthcare (ASX:SIG)

Sigma surged after announcing it has signed a binding supply deal with Chemist Warehouse for a period of five years commencing on 1 July 2024.

Sigma’s sales to Chemist Warehouse currently represent approximately 29% of its net sales revenue.

Sigma’s expense seems to be at the expense of its competitor, EBOS Group (ASX:EBO).

EBOS fell 15% after being informed by Chemist Warehouse that its contract will not be renewed beyond the expiry date of 30 June 2024.

Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals (ASX:PAR)

The late stage biotech said that its injectable pentosan polysulfate sodium (or iPPS) provided durable improvements in pain, joint function, and cartilage volume compared to placebo.

PAR’s randomised study showed that when osteoarthritic dogs were administered iPPS over 26 weeks, they showed stabilised disease progression at week 8 and week 26.

The 26-week timepoint in the canine model is equivalent to approximately three years in humans, highlighting the durability of positive iPPS treatment effects on osteoarthritis pain, joint structure and function.

At Stockhead we tell it like it is. While EZZ Lifescience is a Stockhead advertiser, it did not sponsor this article.