Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Shifara Samsudeen, ACMA, CGMA

Equity Analyst

Long-Short Analysis on Japan, Asia and the World

LightStream Research

LightStream conducts quantitatively rigorous and data-driven analysis with a focus on Japan and Asia.

We consistently cover the Tech, Consumer and Industrial sectors, and provide ECM and Events coverage more broadly.

We supplement traditional qualitative insights from company relationships with a robust quantitative foundation that examines as much historical data as is available.
We further refine the accuracy of our insights and calls through the use of alternative data to flesh out current trends, and through a valuation framework that emphasises non-superficial peer group selection and a proper attempt to understand the metrics and changes that have driven security valuations in the past.

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Japanese drug maker Astellas Pharma announced on Monday that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of opthalmalogy player Iveric Bio for a total consideration of U$5.9bn.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/astellas-pharma-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6091:1" rel="noopener">Astellas Pharma (4503 JP)</a> will pay US$40 per share of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/iveric-bio-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15201:1" rel="noopener">IVERIC bio (ISEE US)</a> , 64% premium to the unaffected closing price of US$24.33 per share as of 31st March 2023.</li>
<li>As Astellas’ blockbuster drug XTANDI’s exclusivity is nearing expiry, we think Iveric’s key drug asset ACP should offer some protection over loss of XTANDI’s revenues in the future.</li>
</ul>


Japanese drug maker Astellas Pharma announced on Monday that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of opthalmalogy player Iveric Bio for a total consideration of U$5.9bn.

Astellas Pharma (4503 JP) will pay US$40 per share of IVERIC bio (ISEE US) , 64% premium to the unaffected closing price of US$24.33 per share as of 31st March 2023.
As Astellas’ blockbuster drug XTANDI’s exclusivity is nearing expiry, we think Iveric’s key drug asset ACP should offer some protection over loss of XTANDI’s revenues in the future.


Astellas Pharma Buys Iveric Bio: Help Offset Upcoming Patent Expiry of XTANDI

Global Healthcare Analyst

Tina Banerjee

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/astellas-pharma-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6091:1" rel="noopener">Astellas Pharma (4503 JP)</a> is acquiring the U.S.-based clinical stage biopharmaceutical company <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/iveric-bio-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15201:1" rel="noopener">IVERIC bio (ISEE US)</a> for ~$5.9B. Iveric Bio focuses on the discovery and development of novel ophthalmology treatments.</li>
<li>Iveric’s lead drug candidate Avacincaptad Pegol for the potential treatment of Geographic Atrophy is under FDA review with PDUFA action date of August 19, 2023.</li>
<li>The acquisition will be funded by a combination of bank loan, issuance of commercial paper totaling ~¥800B, and internal cash. The acquisition is expected to complete by 3Q23 (July–September).</li>
</ul>



Astellas Pharma (4503 JP) is acquiring the U.S.-based clinical stage biopharmaceutical company IVERIC bio (ISEE US) for ~$5.9B. Iveric Bio focuses on the discovery and development of novel ophthalmology treatments.
Iveric’s lead drug candidate Avacincaptad Pegol for the potential treatment of Geographic Atrophy is under FDA review with PDUFA action date of August 19, 2023.
The acquisition will be funded by a combination of bank loan, issuance of commercial paper totaling ~¥800B, and internal cash. The acquisition is expected to complete by 3Q23 (July–September).


Astellas Pharma (4503 JP): New Acquisition to Add Promising Drug Candidate in New Therapeutic Area

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/astellas-pharma-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6091:1" rel="noopener">Astellas Pharma (4503 JP)</a> recorded 17% growth in revenue to ¥1,519B in FY23, driven by 24% growth of Xtandi. Core operating profit grew 17% and core net profit increased 18%.</li>
<li>The company has guided for flat revenue and core operating profit for FY24, mainly due to negative impact of Fx.  </li>
<li>Astellas expects to obtain FDA approval for fezolinetant for vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause in May 2023. The company will file for marketing approval for zolbetuximab in Q1FY24.</li>
</ul>



Astellas Pharma (4503 JP) recorded 17% growth in revenue to ¥1,519B in FY23, driven by 24% growth of Xtandi. Core operating profit grew 17% and core net profit increased 18%.
The company has guided for flat revenue and core operating profit for FY24, mainly due to negative impact of Fx.  
Astellas expects to obtain FDA approval for fezolinetant for vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause in May 2023. The company will file for marketing approval for zolbetuximab in Q1FY24.


Astellas Pharma (4503 JP): FY23 Result and FY24 Guidance Meet Expectation; New Drugs Hold Key

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

TSE Tokyo Price Index TOPIX / Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Every year it's the same trade. But it isn't really. But it kinda is. This year it is Wednesday and Thursday. There are risks to the analysis - notably allocation.</li>
<li>But, ceteris paribus, it is still possibly a ¥1,580,876,450,407 buying spree to take place on one day into the close later this month. Or something close to it.</li>
<li>And for a two-day period, over the last ten years, the average return is 1.60% on these two days with a 9:1 win ratio. Lots of angles here.</li>
</ul>


Every year it's the same trade. But it isn't really. But it kinda is. This year it is Wednesday and Thursday. There are risks to the analysis - notably allocation.
But, ceteris paribus, it is still possibly a ¥1,580,876,450,407 buying spree to take place on one day into the close later this month. Or something close to it.
And for a two-day period, over the last ten years, the average return is 1.60% on these two days with a 9:1 win ratio. Lots of angles here.


The BIG March 2023 "Wednesday Thursday Trade"

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>In 2022, JPY depreciated against USD to the lowest level in more than 30 years. This benefitted healthcare companies in Japan, which earn significant portion of revenues from the U.S.</li>
<li>This year, Yen has started reversing its course and began to strengthen. With benefit of favorable Forex gradually fading, investors need to be selective in picking healthcare bets in Japan.</li>
<li>We have discussed about five top picks from Japan healthcare sector. Domestic focused business, favorable industry tailwinds, and COVID recovery are the main investment thesis for the top picks.</li>
</ul>


In 2022, JPY depreciated against USD to the lowest level in more than 30 years. This benefitted healthcare companies in Japan, which earn significant portion of revenues from the U.S.
This year, Yen has started reversing its course and began to strengthen. With benefit of favorable Forex gradually fading, investors need to be selective in picking healthcare bets in Japan.
We have discussed about five top picks from Japan healthcare sector. Domestic focused business, favorable industry tailwinds, and COVID recovery are the main investment thesis for the top picks.


Japan Healthcare: Currency Benefit Seems to Be Fading; Focus Will Be on Underlying Business Strength

Japan

Astellas Pharma Inc. is a pharmaceutical company committed to the therapeutic fields of Urology, Immunology including Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, Oncology, Neuroscience and DM Complications and Metabolic Diseases. With over 17,000 global employees, Astellas researches, develops, manufactures, and promotes its prescription drugs through subsidiaries in the US, Europe, and Asia

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Astellas Pharma (4503 JP)

Astellas Pharma Buys Iveric Bio: Help Offset Upcoming Patent Expiry of XTANDI

Acquisition of Iveric Bio's key drug asset ACP should offer protection against upcoming patent expiry of XTANDI. The whole deal is based on a late...

Shifara Samsudeen, ACMA, CGMA