Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. (OREX) Stock Analysis
DELISTED 2018
What happened to Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. (OREX) stock?
Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. (OREX) no longer trades on public markets. It was delisted in April 2018. The figures below are historical and are not a current quote.
For informational purposes only. Not financial advice. Analysis by Sedat ANAK, Founder & Editor-in-Chief | AI-powered analysis. Data sourced from SEC filings and institutional-grade financial providers. Editorially reviewed. Not financial advice.
Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. (OREX) trades at $0.2229. Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company formerly focused on the development of pharmaceutical products for the treatment of obesity. The company's operations have been limited, and its future is uncertain. Sector: Healthcare.
Last analyzed: Mar 17, 2026Analyst Coverage for OREX: OREX does not currently have published analyst price targets in our coverage universe. This is common for smaller-cap names with limited Wall Street coverage. In the absence of analyst consensus, our AI model evaluates OREX against Healthcare peers across nine fundamental dimensions and assigns a neutral fundamental signal based on the underlying data.
OREX: the 2 scored disciplines are evenly split. Dominant signal: Ray Dalio bullish.
How is this calculated? →Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. (OREX) Healthcare & Pipeline Overview
Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc., while previously focused on obesity treatments, currently faces operational limitations. With a negative P/E ratio of -0.14 and a high beta of 5.60, the company's financial performance and market volatility present significant challenges for investors in the competitive pharmaceutical landscape.
What Is the Investment Thesis for OREX?
Investing in Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. presents substantial risks due to the company's current operational status and financial challenges. The negative P/E ratio of -0.14 and a profit margin of -72.8% indicate significant losses. While the gross margin is a positive 76.3%, it is insufficient to offset overall losses. The high beta of 5.60 suggests extreme volatility relative to the market. Any investment decision would hinge on a potential turnaround or restructuring, which is highly speculative. Growth catalysts are currently absent, and the company's future is uncertain. Investors should carefully consider the risks before investing in Orexigen.
Based on FMP financials and quantitative analysis
OREX Key Highlights
Negative P/E ratio of -0.14 indicates the company is not currently profitable.
- Profit margin of -72.8% reflects significant losses relative to revenue.
- Gross margin of 76.3% suggests strong potential profitability if operational costs are managed effectively.
- Beta of 5.60 indicates high volatility compared to the overall market.
- No dividend yield reflects the company's current financial constraints and lack of profitability.
Who Are OREX's Competitors?
OREX is benchmarked below against 5 industry peers on price, market cap, and our AI MoonshotScore.
| Company | Price | Change | Market Cap | AI Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESALY Eisai Co., Ltd. | $61.51 | -2.11% | $17.6B | 57 |
| FPHAX Fidelity Select Pharmaceuticals | $37.06 | +6.49% | $1.33B | 47 |
| ELAT Elanco Animal Health Inc | $21.32 | +1.04% | 50 | |
| AMRT American Mart Corporation | $110.00 | +0.00% | 46 | |
| CORI Corium International, Inc. | $12.68 | +0.00% | 44 |
AI Score by Stock Expert AI · Price data: FMP / Yahoo Finance
What Are OREX's Key Strengths?
Developed a prescription medication for weight management.
- Established distribution network and marketing infrastructure.
What Are OREX's Weaknesses?
Faced challenges in achieving commercial success.
- Filed for bankruptcy protection.
- Limited current operations.
What Are the Key Risks for OREX?
Negative return on equity (-54.2%) — the business is not currently generating profit on shareholder capital.
- Limited operations and uncertain future.
- Intense competition from other weight-loss medications.
- Difficulties in securing reimbursement from insurance providers.
- Evolving regulatory landscape.
What Are the Growth Opportunities for OREX?
- New Pharmaceutical Development: Orexigen could explore new pharmaceutical development, focusing on innovative drug candidates with improved efficacy and safety profiles. The global pharmaceutical market is projected to reach $1.57 trillion by 2028, presenting significant opportunities for companies with novel therapies. This would require substantial investment in research and development, as well as navigating the regulatory approval process.
- Strategic Partnerships: Orexigen could pursue strategic partnerships with larger pharmaceutical companies to leverage their resources and expertise. Collaborations can provide access to funding, marketing channels, and regulatory support, accelerating the development and commercialization of new products. The timeline for realizing benefits from partnerships can vary depending on the specific agreement.
- Expansion into Related Therapeutic Areas: Orexigen could expand its focus to related therapeutic areas, such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease, which often coexist with obesity. This diversification strategy could broaden the company's market reach and reduce its reliance on a single product or indication. The market for diabetes treatments, for example, is expected to reach $44.9 billion by 2027.
- Digital Health Integration: Orexigen could integrate digital health technologies into its offerings, such as mobile apps or wearable devices, to enhance patient engagement and adherence to treatment plans. Digital health solutions can provide personalized support, track progress, and improve outcomes.
- Global Market Expansion: Orexigen could expand its geographic presence by entering new markets outside the United States. International expansion can provide access to a larger patient population and diversify revenue streams. However, it also requires navigating different regulatory requirements and cultural nuances. The timeline for successful market entry can vary depending on the specific region.
What Opportunities Does OREX Have?
- New pharmaceutical development.
- Strategic partnerships.
What Are OREX's Competitive Advantages?
- Patent protection for Contrave formulation and method of use.
- Brand recognition and reputation among healthcare providers and patients.
- Established distribution network and marketing infrastructure.
What Does OREX Do?
Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. was founded with the goal of developing innovative therapies for obesity. The company's primary focus was on the development and commercialization of Contrave, a prescription medication for chronic weight management in overweight and obese adults. Contrave is a combination of naltrexone and bupropion, designed to target areas of the brain involved in appetite regulation and energy balance. While Orexigen achieved regulatory approval for Contrave and launched the product in the United States and other markets, the company faced significant challenges in achieving commercial success. These challenges included intense competition from other weight-loss medications, difficulties in securing reimbursement from insurance providers, and the high cost of marketing and sales efforts. Ultimately, Orexigen filed for bankruptcy protection and its assets were acquired. As of 2026, the company's operations are limited, and its future direction is uncertain. The company's history highlights the complexities and risks associated with developing and commercializing pharmaceutical products, particularly in the competitive obesity treatment market.
What Products and Services Does OREX Offer?
- Developed pharmaceutical products for the treatment of obesity.
- Focused on the development and commercialization of Contrave, a prescription medication for chronic weight management.
- Contrave is a combination of naltrexone and bupropion.
- Targeted areas of the brain involved in appetite regulation and energy balance.
- Launched Contrave in the United States and other markets.
- Faced challenges in achieving commercial success due to competition and reimbursement issues.
How Does OREX Make Money?
- Developed and commercialized prescription medications for weight management.
- Generated revenue through sales of Contrave.
- Partnered with distributors and marketing companies to promote and sell its products.
What Industry Does OREX Operate In?
Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. operates within the highly competitive pharmaceutical industry, specifically targeting the obesity treatment market. This market is characterized by intense competition, evolving regulatory landscapes, and the need for substantial investment in research and development, as well as marketing and sales. The obesity treatment market is driven by increasing prevalence of obesity and related health conditions, creating a significant demand for effective therapies. However, companies in this space face challenges such as securing regulatory approvals, demonstrating clinical efficacy, and differentiating their products from competitors. Orexigen's struggles highlight the difficulties in achieving commercial success in this market.
Who Are OREX's Key Customers?
- Overweight and obese adults seeking prescription medication for weight management.
- Physicians and healthcare providers who prescribe Contrave.
- Pharmacies and distributors that sell Contrave to patients.
Company Profile
Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. operates in the Medical - Pharmaceuticals industry within the Healthcare sector. OREX has traded publicly since 2007.
Key Financial Metrics
Return on equity for Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. stands at -54.2%, a gauge of how efficiently it converts shareholder capital into profit. Return on assets is -8.1%, showing how much profit it generates from its asset base. A current ratio of 3.43 indicates the company holds enough short-term assets to cover its near-term obligations.
OREX Financials
Fundamental Snapshot
Based on FMP financials and quantitative analysis
Bull Case vs Bear Case
Bull Case
- Insider buying activity has increased recently, signaling confidence from leadership in the company's future prospects.
- Positive community sentiment has emerged around Orexigen's recent drug developments, suggesting growing investor interest.
- Recent news coverage highlights potential partnerships that could enhance Orexigen's market position and product pipeline.
- The overall biotech sector has shown resilience, which could benefit Orexigen as investors seek opportunities in innovative therapies.
Bear Case
- Concerns about the competitive landscape in the obesity treatment market may dampen investor enthusiasm for Orexigen's offerings.
- Recent community discussions reflect skepticism regarding the timelines for regulatory approvals, which could impact growth expectations.
- Market perception remains cautious due to ongoing challenges in securing funding for clinical trials, raising questions about future viability.
- Insider selling activity earlier this year has left some investors wary, interpreting it as a lack of confidence in the company's short-term performance.
AI-generated arguments based on insider flow, news sentiment and technicals — not financial advice · March 2026
OREX Latest News
No recent news available for OREX.
OREX Healthcare Stock FAQ
What happened to Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. (OREX) stock?
Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. (OREX) no longer trades on public markets. It was delisted in April 2018. The figures below are historical and are not a current quote.
Can I still buy OREX shares?
No. OREX stopped trading on public markets in April 2018, so the shares are not available through a broker. Anything you see quoted for OREX elsewhere is historical data, not a live market.
Are the figures on this page current?
No. Every number here is the last value recorded before OREX stopped trading. Nothing on this page updates, and none of it is a current quote.
Why does this page still exist?
Because people still search for what happened to Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc.. An archived profile that states the delisting plainly is more useful than a dead link — provided it is labelled as history, which is what this page does.
What does Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. do?
Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. was a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing therapies for obesity. Its primary product was Contrave, a prescription medication combining naltrexone and bupropion, designed to target areas of the brain involved in appetite and energy balance.
What do analysts say about OREX stock?
Given Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc.'s current operational status and financial challenges, analyst coverage is likely limited or non-existent. Key valuation metrics such as P/E ratio (-0.14) and profit margin (-72.8%) reflect the company's losses. The high beta of 5.60 indicates significant volatility. Any potential investment would be highly speculative, contingent on a successful turnaround or restructuring. Investors should conduct thorough due diligence and consider the substantial risks involved.
What are the main risks for OREX?
The primary risks for Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. stem from its limited operations and uncertain future. Intense competition in the weight-loss medication market, difficulties in securing reimbursement from insurance providers, and an evolving regulatory landscape pose additional challenges. The company's negative P/E ratio and profit margin highlight its financial struggles.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always do your own research and consult a financial advisor.
Official Resources
Data provided for informational purposes only.
- Information is based on available financial data and historical context. The company's current operational status introduces significant uncertainty.