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Research from ACF Equity Research

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Equity Bottom-Up

<ul><li>Regenerative medicine remains an extremely exciting area of healthcare with vast investment potential.</li><li>In spite of the usual setbacks in valuation and strategy, the sub-sector has pivoted and the market remains innovative and attracts investment capital.</li><li>Rather than replace entire tissues, which is a complex activity, we believe the immediate future for stem cells is more likely to be in the successful stimulation of the bodies on repair mechanisms.</li></ul>

Regenerative medicine remains an extremely exciting area of healthcare with vast investment potential.In spite of the usual setbacks in valuation and strategy, the sub-sector has pivoted and the market remains innovative and attracts investment capital.Rather than replace entire tissues, which is a complex activity, we believe the immediate future for stem cells is more likely to be in the successful stimulation of the bodies on repair mechanisms.

Abbvie Inc - Regenerative Healthcare - Stem Cells & ALS Thematic 10062024

Global Healthcare Analyst

Tina Banerjee

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/peptidream-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13514:1" rel="noopener">Peptidream Inc (4587 JP)</a> has obtained first-in-human imaging studies approval for its first in-house peptide radiopharmaceutical therapeutic program, PD-32766 targeting patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/novartis-ag-8261b5d2-53ba-409e-8628-86d59cd6f853" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27907:1" rel="noopener">Novartis (NOVN SW)</a> has expanded peptide discovery collaboration with Peptidream. The expanded partnership could bring up to $2.7B in milestone payments plus royalties to Peptidream.</li>
<li>In 2023, Peptidream reported revenue of ¥29B, up 7% YoY, with radiopharmaceutical revenue growing 40% YoY to ¥16B. For 2024, the company guided for revenue of ¥35B, up 22% YoY.  </li>
</ul>



Peptidream Inc (4587 JP) has obtained first-in-human imaging studies approval for its first in-house peptide radiopharmaceutical therapeutic program, PD-32766 targeting patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Novartis (NOVN SW) has expanded peptide discovery collaboration with Peptidream. The expanded partnership could bring up to $2.7B in milestone payments plus royalties to Peptidream.
In 2023, Peptidream reported revenue of ¥29B, up 7% YoY, with radiopharmaceutical revenue growing 40% YoY to ¥16B. For 2024, the company guided for revenue of ¥35B, up 22% YoY.  


Peptidream (4587 JP): Steadily Riding the Next Wave of Drug Discovery

Covering IPOs, Healthcare and Technology Stocks

Andrei Zakharov

Karuna Therapeutics Inc / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>In December 2023, American multinational pharmaceutical company Bristol Myers Squibb has agreed to acquire Karuna Therapeutics for $330 per share in cash, implying a total equity value of $14B.</li>
<li>The special meeting of Karuna’s shareholders to be held on March 12, 2023, to consider and vote on various proposals necessary to approve upcoming M&amp;A deal.</li>
<li>I expect the bidding battle among big pharma to acquire Karuna Therapeutics and its valuable pipeline of transformative medicines to treat schizophrenia and psychosis in Alzheimer’s disease.</li>
</ul>


In December 2023, American multinational pharmaceutical company Bristol Myers Squibb has agreed to acquire Karuna Therapeutics for $330 per share in cash, implying a total equity value of $14B.
The special meeting of Karuna’s shareholders to be held on March 12, 2023, to consider and vote on various proposals necessary to approve upcoming M&amp;A deal.
I expect the bidding battle among big pharma to acquire Karuna Therapeutics and its valuable pipeline of transformative medicines to treat schizophrenia and psychosis in Alzheimer’s disease.


Karuna Therapeutics: Is The Bidding Battle Underway?

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bristol-myers-squibb-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1133:1" rel="noopener">Bristol Myers Squibb Co (BMY US)</a> is acquiring <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/karuna-therapeutics-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28720:1" rel="noopener">Karuna Therapeutics Inc (KRTX US)</a> for $330/share in cash for equity value of ~$14B. The transaction is expected to close in 1H24. </li>
<li>Karuna’s lead asset, KarXT has FDA action date of September 26, 2024 for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults. KarXT has peak annual sales potential of $6–7B.</li>
<li>Considering strong clinical efficacy and favorable risk profile of KarXT, the deal seems to be fairly valued. Current market price of Karuna shares of $318.41 represents absolute spread of ~3.6%.</li>
</ul>



Bristol Myers Squibb Co (BMY US) is acquiring Karuna Therapeutics Inc (KRTX US) for $330/share in cash for equity value of ~$14B. The transaction is expected to close in 1H24. 
Karuna’s lead asset, KarXT has FDA action date of September 26, 2024 for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults. KarXT has peak annual sales potential of $6–7B.
Considering strong clinical efficacy and favorable risk profile of KarXT, the deal seems to be fairly valued. Current market price of Karuna shares of $318.41 represents absolute spread of ~3.6%.


Karuna Therapeutics (KRTX US): BMS Acquisition Offers Decent Short-Term Trading Opportunity

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

<ul>
<li>On 15 January, Orion Corp announced that its subsidiary PAN Orion Corp will purchase a 25.7% stake in Legochem Biosciences for 549 billion won. </li>
<li>LegoChem Bio specializes in antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology. Legochem Bio signed a total of 13 technology transfer contracts amounting to 8.7 trillion won in the past 9 years. </li>
<li>Most investors in Orion Corp would rather have the company focus on its core confectionery/snack business, rather than expand into high risk/high reward biotech business.</li>
</ul>


On 15 January, Orion Corp announced that its subsidiary PAN Orion Corp will purchase a 25.7% stake in Legochem Biosciences for 549 billion won. 
LegoChem Bio specializes in antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology. Legochem Bio signed a total of 13 technology transfer contracts amounting to 8.7 trillion won in the past 9 years. 
Most investors in Orion Corp would rather have the company focus on its core confectionery/snack business, rather than expand into high risk/high reward biotech business.


Orion Corp: Concerns About Diversification into LegoChem Bioscience

United States

Sanofi operates as a pharmaceutical company. The Company manufactures prescription pharmaceuticals and vaccines. Sanofi also develops cardiovascular, thrombosis, metabolic disorder, central nervous system, and oncology medicines and drugs. Sanofi serves customers worldwide.

Horizon Pharma plc operates as a biopharmaceutical company. Horizon Pharma develops, acquires, and commercializes late-stage biopharmaceutical therapies for the treatment of pain and inflammation as well as specialty and orphan diseases.

GSK PLC operates as a research-based pharmaceutical company. The Company develops, manufactures, and markets vaccines, prescription, and over-the-counter medicines, as well as health-related consumer products. GSK provides products for infections, depression, skin conditions, asthma, heart and circulatory disease, and cancer.

Catalent, Inc. provides delivery technologies and development solutions for drugs, biologics and consumer health products. The Company's oral, injectable, and respiratory delivery technologies address the diversity of the pharmaceutical industry including small molecules, large molecule biologics and consumer health products.

Intra-Cellular Therapies Inc. researches and develops biopharmaceutical drugs. The Company engages in the research and development of small molecule drugs to treat neuropsychiatric and neurological diseases and other disorders of the central nervous system. Intra-Cellular Therapies offers its products to the medical industry.

Reata Pharmaceuticals, Inc. operates as a biopharmaceutical company. The Company focuses on identifying, developing, and commercializing product candidates that modulate the activity of key regulatory proteins involved in the biology of mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and inflammation to address the unmet medical needs of patients with various life-threatening diseases.

Elanco Animal Health Incorporated operates as an animal health care company. The Company develops, manufactures, and markets products for companion and food animals. Elanco Animal Health serves clients worldwide.

Perrigo Company PLC is a global healthcare supplier that develops, manufactures, and distributes OTC and generic prescription pharmaceuticals, infant formulas, nutritional products, active pharmaceutical ingredients and pharmaceutical and medical diagnostic products. The Company's primary markets and locations of manufacturing and logistics operations are the US, UK, Mexico, and Australia.

Corcept Therapeutics Inc. is a pharmaceutical company that discovers and develops drugs for the treatment of severe metabolic and psychiatric disorders. The Company's lead product modulates the effect of cortisol, also known as the "stress hormone", by selectively blocking the binding of cortisol to one of its two known receptors, the GR-II receptor.

Prestige Brands Holdings, Inc. distributes over-the-counter healthcare and household cleaning products to retail stores in the United States, Canada and other international markets.  The Company distributes oral, eye and skin care; cough, cold, allergy and sinus; and household cleansers, sponges, scrubbers and cleaning pads.

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited manufactures and markets pharmaceuticals for domestic and international distribution. The Company's pharmaceutical portfolio includes drugs in the areas of diabetes, cardiology, neurology, psychiatry and  gastroenterology.

Daiichi Sankyo Co, Ltd is a holding company established through merger of Sankyo and Daiichi pharmaceutical. The Group manufactures pharmaceuticals for human/veterinary use and medical tools and equipment. It also researches and promotes products through related companies throughout the world. The Group also produces food, food additives, livestock feeds, and agrochemicals.

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

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd focuses on the Research & Development, Manufacturing, Sales and Marketing and Import/Export of Pharmaceutical Drugs. The Company focuses on the following core therapeutic areas: Cardiovascular & Metabolic, Oncology, Central Nervous System, Respiratory & Immunology, General Medicine (Gastrointestinal & Genitourinary) and Vaccine.

Otsuka Holdings Co Ltd is a pharmaceutical company. The Company manufactures, sells, imports and exports pharmaceuticals, clinical testing, and medical equipment for intractable diseases.

Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd. develops, manufactures, and markets a variety of medicines and medicine packing materials. The Company's products include anti-tumor medicines, pain-killers, anti-infection medicines, aluminum foil, and other related products.

Zhangzhou Pientzehuang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. manufactures and markets Chinese traditional medicines, including Pientzehuang, Pientzehuang capsules, Pientzehuang lozenge, cough syrup, and other related products.

Zhangzhou Pientzehuang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (600436 CH)

Zhangzhou Pientzehuang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

UCB SA is a biopharmaceutical company. The Company specializes in the treatment of central nervous system disorders and inflammatory diseases. UCB operates worldwide.

Merck KGaA is a global pharmaceutical and chemicals company. The Company researches drugs in the areas oncology and neurodegenerative as well as autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Also, it markets cardiovascular, fertility, endocrinology, and over-the-counter products as well as products for flat screens and the pharmaceutical, food, cosmetics, packaging, and coatings.

GlaxoSmithKline PLC operates as a research-based pharmaceutical company. The Company develops, manufactures, and markets vaccines, prescription, and over-the-counter medicines, as well as health-related consumer products. GlaxoSmithKline provides products for infections, depression, skin conditions, asthma, heart and circulatory disease, and cancer.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company is a global biopharmaceutical company. The Company develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, and sells pharmaceutical and nutritional products. Bristol Myers Squibb focuses on products and experimental therapies address cancer, heart disease, HIV and AIDS, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, hepatitis, organ transplant rejection, and psychiatric disorders.

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Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY UN)

Abbvie Inc - Regenerative Healthcare - Stem Cells & ALS Thematic 10062024

Regenerative medicine remains an extremely exciting area of healthcare with vast investment potential. In spite of the usual setbacks in valuation...

ACF Equity Research

Peptidream (4587 JP): Steadily Riding the Next Wave of Drug Discovery

Peptidream got nod for first human trial for radiopharma targeting renal cell carcinoma. Expanded peptide discovery collaboration with Novartis...

Tina Banerjee

Karuna Therapeutics: Is The Bidding Battle Underway?

I see a strong wave of M&A activity in neuropsychiatry space and think the risk/reward of owning KRTX shares is favorable despite the substantial...

Andrei Zakharov

Karuna Therapeutics (KRTX US): BMS Acquisition Offers Decent Short-Term Trading Opportunity

BMS is acquiring Karuna Therapeutics for $330/share in cash, with the deal expected to close in 1H24. Current market price of Karuna shares...

Tina Banerjee

Orion Corp: Concerns About Diversification into LegoChem Bioscience

Orion Corp's investment in LegoChem Bio raises concerns about diversification into risky biotech business. Investors would rather have Orion Corp...

Douglas Kim

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Abbvie Inc - Regenerative Healthcare - Stem Cells & ALS Thematic 10062024

Regenerative medicine remains an extremely exciting area of healthcare with vast investment potential. In spite of the usual setbacks in valuation...

ACF Equity Research

Peptidream (4587 JP): Steadily Riding the Next Wave of Drug Discovery

Peptidream got nod for first human trial for radiopharma targeting renal cell carcinoma. Expanded peptide discovery collaboration with Novartis...

Tina Banerjee

Karuna Therapeutics: Is The Bidding Battle Underway?

I see a strong wave of M&A activity in neuropsychiatry space and think the risk/reward of owning KRTX shares is favorable despite the substantial...

Andrei Zakharov

Karuna Therapeutics (KRTX US): BMS Acquisition Offers Decent Short-Term Trading Opportunity

​BMS is acquiring Karuna Therapeutics for $330/share in cash, with the deal expected to close in 1H24. Current market price of Karuna shares...

Tina Banerjee

Orion Corp: Concerns About Diversification into LegoChem Bioscience

Orion Corp's investment in LegoChem Bio raises concerns about diversification into risky biotech business. Investors would rather have Orion Corp...

Douglas Kim

BMS is acquiring Karuna Therapeutics for $330/share in cash, with the deal expected to close in 1H24. Current market price of Karuna shares...