Global Healthcare Analyst

Tina Banerjee

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>After two rejections, Mesoblast has finally received FDA approval for its first drug. Celltrion has received FDA approval for its Stelara biosimilar, which will be launched in February 2025.</li>
<li>Peptidream has become eligible for a milestone payment. Sumitomo Pharma is strengthening R&amp;D for regenerative medicine and cell therapy business. Astellas Pharma in-licenses technology for developing neurology drugs.</li>
<li>Hansoh Pharmaceutical granted an exclusive global license to Merck for its pre-clinical drug candidate. Lupin received FDA approval to market generic version of blockbuster Descovy tablets.</li>
</ul>


After two rejections, Mesoblast has finally received FDA approval for its first drug. Celltrion has received FDA approval for its Stelara biosimilar, which will be launched in February 2025.
Peptidream has become eligible for a milestone payment. Sumitomo Pharma is strengthening R&amp;D for regenerative medicine and cell therapy business. Astellas Pharma in-licenses technology for developing neurology drugs.
Hansoh Pharmaceutical granted an exclusive global license to Merck for its pre-clinical drug candidate. Lupin received FDA approval to market generic version of blockbuster Descovy tablets.


APAC Healthcare Weekly (Dec 22)- Mesoblast, Celltrion, Peptidream, Astellas, Hansoh, Lupin

Tracking developments across tech supply chains, Tech Supply Chain Tracker

Tech Supply Chain Tracker

Tracking developments across tech supply chains

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul><li>Merck to establish new advanced materials center in Japan, expanding global presence in innovative materials science field.</li><li>Global smartphones market projected to see growth in 3Q 2024, suggesting sustained demand and continuous innovation in tech sector.</li><li>US government unveils quadrennial supply chain review to enhance national security and boost domestic production, with focus on semiconductor manufacturing.</li></ul>

Merck to establish new advanced materials center in Japan, expanding global presence in innovative materials science field.Global smartphones market projected to see growth in 3Q 2024, suggesting sustained demand and continuous innovation in tech sector.US government unveils quadrennial supply chain review to enhance national security and boost domestic production, with focus on semiconductor manufacturing.

Tech Supply Chain Tracker (21-Dec-2024): Merck opens new materials center in Japan.

Equity Long-Short Analyst

Pyari Menon

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/twist-bioscience-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:37112:1" rel="noopener">Twist Bioscience (TWST US)</a> fosters a new biotech paradigm by empowering startups and researchers with scalable tools, accelerating innovation and transforming biotech into a more agile, tech-style founder-driven industry.</li>
<li>DNA synthesis should see strong growth (15-25% CAGR estimates) driven by synthetic biology revolutionizing healthcare, agriculture, and industry with precise, scalable solutions for gene editing and bioengineering.</li>
<li>Lack of profitability and notable short-seller interest are concerns, but its innovative platform, high innovation score and transformative potential makes a somewhat risky but very good investment case</li>
</ul>



Twist Bioscience (TWST US) fosters a new biotech paradigm by empowering startups and researchers with scalable tools, accelerating innovation and transforming biotech into a more agile, tech-style founder-driven industry.
DNA synthesis should see strong growth (15-25% CAGR estimates) driven by synthetic biology revolutionizing healthcare, agriculture, and industry with precise, scalable solutions for gene editing and bioengineering.
Lack of profitability and notable short-seller interest are concerns, but its innovative platform, high innovation score and transformative potential makes a somewhat risky but very good investment case


<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

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 & (MRK UN)

APAC Healthcare Weekly (Dec 22)- Mesoblast, Celltrion, Peptidream, Astellas, Hansoh, Lupin

Mesoblast got FDA approval for its first drug, while Betta Pharma, Celltrion, and Lupin also received some major FDA approvals. Pharma companies...

Tina Banerjee

Tech Supply Chain Tracker (21-Dec-2024): Merck opens new materials center in Japan.

Merck to build advanced materials center in Japan, global smartphone market to grow in 3Q 2024, US gov't releases supply chain review, SK Hynix...

Tech Supply Chain Tracker

DNA Synthesis with a Silicon Twist

Twist's fast, cheap DNA synthesis will power biotech start-ups, driving demand, fostering loyalty, enabling innovation, and securing new and...

Pyari Menon

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

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52-week Range

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APAC Healthcare Weekly (Dec 22)- Mesoblast, Celltrion, Peptidream, Astellas, Hansoh, Lupin

Mesoblast got FDA approval for its first drug, while Betta Pharma, Celltrion, and Lupin also received some major FDA approvals. Pharma companies...

Tina Banerjee

Tech Supply Chain Tracker (21-Dec-2024): Merck opens new materials center in Japan.

Merck to build advanced materials center in Japan, global smartphone market to grow in 3Q 2024, US gov't releases supply chain review, SK Hynix...

Tech Supply Chain Tracker

DNA Synthesis with a Silicon Twist

Twist's fast, cheap DNA synthesis will power biotech start-ups, driving demand, fostering loyalty, enabling innovation, and securing new and...

Pyari Menon

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

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...