Global Healthcare Analyst

Tina Banerjee

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>In 3Q24, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sk-bioscience-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31484:1" rel="noopener">SK Bioscience (302440 KS)</a> reported operating loss of KRW40B, compared with operating loss of KRW20B in 2Q24 mainly due to anemic gross profit margin and higher SG&amp;A expenses.</li>
<li>The company is expected to report sequentially better performance in 4Q24 on favorable product mix. Varicella vaccine export is expected to increase, while Sanofi vaccine distribution revenue is showing uptrend.</li>
<li>Commencement of global phase 3 trial of SK Bioscience-Sanofi’s next-generation pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, PCV21 will lay the foundation for the company’s next level of growth.</li>
</ul>


In 3Q24, SK Bioscience (302440 KS) reported operating loss of KRW40B, compared with operating loss of KRW20B in 2Q24 mainly due to anemic gross profit margin and higher SG&amp;A expenses.
The company is expected to report sequentially better performance in 4Q24 on favorable product mix. Varicella vaccine export is expected to increase, while Sanofi vaccine distribution revenue is showing uptrend.
Commencement of global phase 3 trial of SK Bioscience-Sanofi’s next-generation pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, PCV21 will lay the foundation for the company’s next level of growth.


SK Bioscience (302440 KS): Operating Loss Widened in 3Q; What Lies Ahead

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shionogi-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19535:1" rel="noopener">Shionogi &amp; Co (4507 JP)</a> has reiterated FY25 guidance, indicating sequentially better financial performance in Q2FY25 as well as H2FY25. Overseas business and royalty income are on strong footing.</li>
<li>Shionogi has acquired the exclusive distribution rights for Quviviq in Japan. With better efficacy and safety profile, and sizable patient population, Quviviq should be a significant revenue contributor.</li>
<li>Shionogi submitted NDA in Japan for zuranolone, a treatment in development for major depressive disorder (MDD). Approval is expected in H1FY26.</li>
</ul>



Shionogi &amp; Co (4507 JP) has reiterated FY25 guidance, indicating sequentially better financial performance in Q2FY25 as well as H2FY25. Overseas business and royalty income are on strong footing.
Shionogi has acquired the exclusive distribution rights for Quviviq in Japan. With better efficacy and safety profile, and sizable patient population, Quviviq should be a significant revenue contributor.
Shionogi submitted NDA in Japan for zuranolone, a treatment in development for major depressive disorder (MDD). Approval is expected in H1FY26.


Shionogi & Co (4507 JP): Performance to Improve in H2; Upcoming Drugs to Accelerate Growth

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>China's NMPA aims to redouble efforts to facilitate research and market registration of homegrown innovative drugs, while speeding up the introduction of novel foreign drugs to the domestic market.</li>
<li>Since the BoJ interest rate hike in July, the Yen appreciated ~5% to ¥142.74. Considerable amount of appreciation may be dilutive on the overall performance of export-oriented healthcare industry.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sigma-healthcare-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15966:1" rel="noopener">Sigma Healthcare (SIG AU)</a> has offered remedial measure to alleviate preliminary anti-competition concerns raised by ACCC in relation to its proposed merger with CWG.</li>
</ul>


China's NMPA aims to redouble efforts to facilitate research and market registration of homegrown innovative drugs, while speeding up the introduction of novel foreign drugs to the domestic market.
Since the BoJ interest rate hike in July, the Yen appreciated ~5% to ¥142.74. Considerable amount of appreciation may be dilutive on the overall performance of export-oriented healthcare industry.

Sigma Healthcare (SIG AU) has offered remedial measure to alleviate preliminary anti-competition concerns raised by ACCC in relation to its proposed merger with CWG.


APAC Healthcare Weekly (Oct 6)-Strong Yen Impact, Sigma's Remedial Measures, Mesoblast's Fund Raise

Research from Water Tower Research, Water Tower Research

Water Tower Research

Research from Water Tower Research

Water Tower Research is a leading equity research firm that provides research on micro, small and mid cap companies.

Water Tower Research was founded by Wall Street veterans after witnessing a fundamental shift in the investment research industry with the result being a declining knowledge base among investors, a lack of awareness and a shrinking pool of fundamental research being conducted on companies across the small-cap and micro-cap spectrum. The same issues are now increasingly occurring in the mid-cap space. This sea change within the investment community is impacting not only the companies themselves but also current shareholders and potential investors. With significantly less active sell-side sponsorship by Wall Street, a substantial information gap has developed between companies and various constituents in the financial community. The net result is fewer channels for insight and information to flow between companies and investors.

Equity Research Firm

<ul><li>We review last week’s biopharma news for meaningful clinical data, regulatory updates, research innovation, and M&amp;A.</li><li>Last week started a busy season of medical and healthcare conferences, with obesity and cancer as major themes. SMMT led with Keytruda-beating (MRK) data in lung cancer, lifting TIL and BNTX with similar drugs.</li><li>NVO boosted amylin class of obesity drugs with positive early data, including ZLDPF, GPCR, and VKTX. </li></ul>

We review last week’s biopharma news for meaningful clinical data, regulatory updates, research innovation, and M&amp;A.Last week started a busy season of medical and healthcare conferences, with obesity and cancer as major themes. SMMT led with Keytruda-beating (MRK) data in lung cancer, lifting TIL and BNTX with similar drugs.NVO boosted amylin class of obesity drugs with positive early data, including ZLDPF, GPCR, and VKTX. 

Biopharma Week in Review - September 16, 2024

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zai-lab-ltd-94df40cf-c15e-462f-b3de-8d2d434ae935" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:36261:1" rel="noopener">Zai Lab (9688 HK)</a> recorded Vyvgart revenue of $10M, $13M, and $23M in 4Q23, 1Q24, and 2Q24, respectively. The company raised 2024 Vyvgart revenue guidance to $80M from $70M earlier.</li>
<li>Despite strong momentum from Vyvgart, Zai Lab still has a lot of pain points. Decelerating revenue growth from Zejula is one of them.</li>
<li>Due to its in-licensing business model, Zai Lab has lower gross profit margin of 64–65%, compared with ~80% for a typical innovator biotech company.</li>
</ul>



Zai Lab (9688 HK) recorded Vyvgart revenue of $10M, $13M, and $23M in 4Q23, 1Q24, and 2Q24, respectively. The company raised 2024 Vyvgart revenue guidance to $80M from $70M earlier.
Despite strong momentum from Vyvgart, Zai Lab still has a lot of pain points. Decelerating revenue growth from Zejula is one of them.
Due to its in-licensing business model, Zai Lab has lower gross profit margin of 64–65%, compared with ~80% for a typical innovator biotech company.


Zai Lab (9688 HK): Vyvgart Is Not the De-Risking Tool; Future Is Still Uncertain

United States

Merck & Co., Inc.  is a global health care company that delivers health solutions through its prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, animal health, and consumer care products, which it markets directly and through its joint ventures. The Company has operations in pharmaceutical, animal health, and consumer care.

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Merck & Co (MRK US)

SK Bioscience (302440 KS): Operating Loss Widened in 3Q; What Lies Ahead

SK Bioscience reported reported operating loss of KRW40B versus operating loss of KRW20B in 2Q24. However, performance is expected to improve in...

Tina Banerjee

Shionogi & Co (4507 JP): Performance to Improve in H2; Upcoming Drugs to Accelerate Growth

Shionogi reiterates FY25 guidance, showing improved financial performance in Q2FY25 and H2FY25. The company has acquired distribution rights for...

Tina Banerjee

APAC Healthcare Weekly (Oct 6)-Strong Yen Impact, Sigma's Remedial Measures, Mesoblast's Fund Raise

BoJ interest rate hike leads to Yen appreciation, potentially impacting export-oriented healthcare industry. Sigma Healthcare addresses anti...

Tina Banerjee

Biopharma Week in Review - September 16, 2024

We review last week’s biopharma news for meaningful clinical data, regulatory updates, research innovation, and M&A.

Water Tower Research

Zai Lab (9688 HK): Vyvgart Is Not the De-Risking Tool; Future Is Still Uncertain

Zai Lab's Vyvgart revenue sees significant growth, but challenges remain with decelerating Zejula revenue and lower gross profit margins due to in...

Tina Banerjee

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52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

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SK Bioscience (302440 KS): Operating Loss Widened in 3Q; What Lies Ahead

​SK Bioscience reported reported operating loss of KRW40B versus operating loss of KRW20B in 2Q24. However, performance is expected to improve in...

Tina Banerjee

Shionogi & Co (4507 JP): Performance to Improve in H2; Upcoming Drugs to Accelerate Growth

​Shionogi reiterates FY25 guidance, showing improved financial performance in Q2FY25 and H2FY25. The company has acquired distribution rights for...

Tina Banerjee

APAC Healthcare Weekly (Oct 6)-Strong Yen Impact, Sigma's Remedial Measures, Mesoblast's Fund Raise

BoJ interest rate hike leads to Yen appreciation, potentially impacting export-oriented healthcare industry. Sigma Healthcare addresses anti...

Tina Banerjee

Biopharma Week in Review - September 16, 2024

We review last week’s biopharma news for meaningful clinical data, regulatory updates, research innovation, and M&A.

Water Tower Research

Zai Lab (9688 HK): Vyvgart Is Not the De-Risking Tool; Future Is Still Uncertain

​Zai Lab's Vyvgart revenue sees significant growth, but challenges remain with decelerating Zejula revenue and lower gross profit margins due to in...

Tina Banerjee

SK Bioscience reported reported operating loss of KRW40B versus operating loss of KRW20B in 2Q24. However, performance is expected to improve in...

Shionogi reiterates FY25 guidance, showing improved financial performance in Q2FY25 and H2FY25. The company has acquired distribution rights for...

Zai Lab's Vyvgart revenue sees significant growth, but challenges remain with decelerating Zejula revenue and lower gross profit margins due to in...