Global Healthcare Analyst

Tina Banerjee

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cochlear-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:918:1" rel="noopener">Cochlear Ltd (COH AU)</a> shares rallied 30%+ over the last six months. Shares are trading at NTM P/E of 51.3x, versus other Australia-listed medical devices companies’ P/E of 23–32x.</li>
<li>The underlying business strength depicted by strong financial performance and guidance raise, and superior product offerings justify the pricey valuation.</li>
<li>Cochlear lifted FY24 net profit guidance to A$385–400M (+26–31% YoY) from A$355–375M. The company expects FY24 cochlear implant volume growth of 10–15% YoY.</li>
</ul>



Cochlear Ltd (COH AU) shares rallied 30%+ over the last six months. Shares are trading at NTM P/E of 51.3x, versus other Australia-listed medical devices companies’ P/E of 23–32x.
The underlying business strength depicted by strong financial performance and guidance raise, and superior product offerings justify the pricey valuation.
Cochlear lifted FY24 net profit guidance to A$385–400M (+26–31% YoY) from A$355–375M. The company expects FY24 cochlear implant volume growth of 10–15% YoY.


Cochlear Ltd (COH AU): Underlying Business Strength Justifies Superior Valuation

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>A new COVID variant JN.1 is spreading fast. WHO has classified JN.1 as “variant of interest” due to its “rapidly increasing spread.” Thus far, JN.1 has not caused severe infection.</li>
<li>Symptoms of JN.1 may not be as mild as Omicron variants. If JN.1 becomes deadlier and more infectious, diagnostics and vaccine players are going to be benefitted primarily.</li>
<li>In this insight we have discussed two Asian vaccine companies and one diagnostic company, which should be kept in the watchlist.</li>
</ul>


A new COVID variant JN.1 is spreading fast. WHO has classified JN.1 as “variant of interest” due to its “rapidly increasing spread.” Thus far, JN.1 has not caused severe infection.
Symptoms of JN.1 may not be as mild as Omicron variants. If JN.1 becomes deadlier and more infectious, diagnostics and vaccine players are going to be benefitted primarily.
In this insight we have discussed two Asian vaccine companies and one diagnostic company, which should be kept in the watchlist.


New COVID Variant Is Emerging; Testing and Vaccine Euphoria May Be Back; Keep Your Watchlist Ready

<ul>
<li>In 1H23, biologics division of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lonza-group-ag-d59a4527-e054-4770-89f0-a1dd71a12aa5" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27917:1" rel="noopener">Lonza Group (LONN SW)</a> reported revenue decline of 1% YoY to CHF1.6B, due to low mRNA sales dragged by lower demand for the COVID-19 vaccines.</li>
<li>Reflecting slower-than-expected growth in early-stage services and continued weak demand for nutraceutical capsules, Lonza has reduced 2023 sales growth expectation and cut core EBITDA margin guidance to 28–29%.   </li>
<li>Growth in 2024 will be impacted by high base, the subsequent mRNA revenue loss, and trial setback faced by small biotech client. Lonza anticipates 2024 margin in the high twenties.</li>
</ul>


In 1H23, biologics division of Lonza Group (LONN SW) reported revenue decline of 1% YoY to CHF1.6B, due to low mRNA sales dragged by lower demand for the COVID-19 vaccines.
Reflecting slower-than-expected growth in early-stage services and continued weak demand for nutraceutical capsules, Lonza has reduced 2023 sales growth expectation and cut core EBITDA margin guidance to 28–29%.   
Growth in 2024 will be impacted by high base, the subsequent mRNA revenue loss, and trial setback faced by small biotech client. Lonza anticipates 2024 margin in the high twenties.


Lonza Group (LONN SW): Customer Driven Events Are Impacting Near-Term Performance

HK/China Healthcare Analyst (ex-Fosun Pharma)

Xinyao (Criss) Wang

Shenzhen Kangtai Biological Pr / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>The National Health Commission and The People's Daily made "mild" statements about anti-corruption in China healthcare, bringing investors “new hope”. However, there could be a “misconception” regarding the anti-corruption movement. </li>
<li>There was news that some type 2 vaccines could be converted to type 1 vaccines. Even though some vaccines will be affected by this policy, others will not.</li>
<li>Kangtai’s had strong 23H1 net profit, but it has little investment value due to lack of core R&amp;D strength.Kangtai's vaccines face the risk of being included in national immunization program.</li>
</ul>


The National Health Commission and The People's Daily made "mild" statements about anti-corruption in China healthcare, bringing investors “new hope”. However, there could be a “misconception” regarding the anti-corruption movement. 
There was news that some type 2 vaccines could be converted to type 1 vaccines. Even though some vaccines will be affected by this policy, others will not.
Kangtai’s had strong 23H1 net profit, but it has little investment value due to lack of core R&amp;D strength.Kangtai's vaccines face the risk of being included in national immunization program.


China Healthcare Weekly (Sep.15) - Anti-Corruption Turnaround? Vaccine Policy Changes, Kangtai Bio

<ul>
<li>It’s the first time in nearly thirty years for the State Council to directly issue <em>The Guidelines</em> giving specific instructions on attracting foreign investment. Therefore, it’s necessary to interpret the signals behind.</li>
<li>The core requirement is for foreign companies to bring their production capacity/core technology to China (e.g. Tesla, Moderna). The ultimate goal is to help China's industry upgrade, achieve technological breakthroughs.</li>
<li>However, the investment logic of "import substitution" naturally conflicts with attracting foreign investment and guarantee the “national treatment” of foreign-invested enterprises. So, investors may need to change thinking mode/strategies.</li>
</ul>


It’s the first time in nearly thirty years for the State Council to directly issue The Guidelines giving specific instructions on attracting foreign investment. Therefore, it’s necessary to interpret the signals behind.
The core requirement is for foreign companies to bring their production capacity/core technology to China (e.g. Tesla, Moderna). The ultimate goal is to help China's industry upgrade, achieve technological breakthroughs.
However, the investment logic of "import substitution" naturally conflicts with attracting foreign investment and guarantee the “national treatment” of foreign-invested enterprises. So, investors may need to change thinking mode/strategies.


China's Extremely Rare Policy to Attract Foreign Investment and the Signals Behind

United States

BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. develops and commercializes therapeutic enzyme products.  The Company has applied its proprietary enzyme technology to develop products for lysosomal storage diseases and for the treatment of serious burns. BioMarin's subsidiary provides analytical and diagnostic products and services in the area of carbohydrate biology.

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc. is an early-stage therapeutics company. The Company is developing technology that can specifically and potently silence disease-causing genes.

United Therapeutics Corporation develops pharmaceuticals to treat vascular diseases such as pulmonary hypertension and peripheral vascular disease.  The Company's lead products are stable synthetic forms of prostacyclin and are delivered orally or subcutaneously.

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. is focused on the discovery and development of therapeutics for neuropsychiatric, neuroinflammatory, and neurodegenerative diseases and disorders.  The Company is developing therapeutic interventions for anxiety, depression, Alzheimer's disease, insomnia, stroke, malignant brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, obesity, and diabetes.

Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of unique RNA-based therapeutics for the treatment of both rare and infectious diseases. The Company offers its products to the medical industry in countries around the world.

Incyte Corp is a biopharmaceutical company. The Company discovers, develops and commercializes proprietary small molecule drugs, primarily used in oncology.

Insmed, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel, targeted inhaled therapies for patients with high unmet need battling serious orphan lung diseases.

Blueprint Medicines Corporation develops and distributes biomedical treatments. The Company researches and produces medicines and treatments for cancer targeting the molecular differences. Blueprint Medicines focuses selective drugs for genomically defined cancer patients.

Exact Sciences Corp., is focused on developing and commercializing a non-invasive molecular screening test for the early detection and prevention of colorectal cancer. The Company's test is a stool-based DNA test that identifies both pre-cancer and cancer by detecting genetic mutations in colorectal cancer cells.

Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. operates as a biotechnology company. The Company researches in RNA-targeted drug discovery and development that focuses on drugs for patients who have unmet medical needs. Ionis Pharmaceuticals serves customers in the United States.

Celltrion Inc. produces and sells biosimilar products and also provides consignm ent processing service for other companies.  The Company's main product is Abata cept which is for arthritis treatment

Genmab A/S operates as a biotechnology company. The Company creates and develops human antibody products for the treatment of life threatening and debilitating diseases. Genmab focuses on products to treat cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions, and psoriasis. The Company develops new products through partnerships. Genmab operates in Europe and the United States.

BeiGene, Ltd. operates as a commercial stage biopharmaceutical company. The Company focuses on discovery, development, and commercialization of molecularly targeted and immuno-oncology drugs for the treatment of cancer. BeiGene serves patients worldwide.

Genmab A/S operates as a biotechnology company. The Company specializes in development of antibody therapeutics for the treatment of cancer. Genmab serves customers worldwide.

argenx SE operates as a biotechnology company. The Company develops antibody based therapies for the treatment of severe autoimmune diseases and cancer. argenx serves customers in the Netherlands and Belgium.

BioNTech SE provides biotechnological solutions. The Company develops various types of treatments for cancer patients' tumors. BioNTech serves customers worldwide.

Beijing Tiantan Biological Products Corporation Limited researches, develops, and commercializes biological products.  The Company provides treatment for hepatitis and offers a line of vaccine products including hepatitis vaccines and rubella vaccines.

Beijing Tiantan Biological Products (600161 CH)

Chongqing Zhifei Biological Products Company Ltd. researches, manufactures, and sells vaccines and biological products including prevention products, blood products, diagnostic reagents, and therapeutic agents.

Chongqing Zhifei Biological Products (300122 CH)

Alteogen Inc. is a pharmaceutical research company.  The Company researches and develops bio-medicines such as bio-better and bio-similar.

Grifols S.A. develops, manufactures, and markets plasma derivatives, IV Therapy, enteral nutrition, diagnostic systems, and medical materials.

Moderna, Inc. operates as a biotechnology company. The Company focuses on the discovery and development of messenger RNA therapeutics and vaccines. Moderna develops mRNA medicines for infectious, immuno-oncology, and cardiovascular diseases.

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
P/E	0.00
Dividend (Yield)	0.00

Moderna (MRNA US)

Cochlear Ltd (COH AU): Underlying Business Strength Justifies Superior Valuation

Cochlear lifted FY24 net profit guidance 8% to A$385–400M (+26–31% YoY). The company expects FY24 cochlear implant volume growth of 10–15% YoY from...

Tina Banerjee

New COVID Variant Is Emerging; Testing and Vaccine Euphoria May Be Back; Keep Your Watchlist Ready

A new COVID variant, JN.1, is spreading rapidly and has been classified as a "variant of interest" by WHO. If it becomes deadlier, vaccine and...

Tina Banerjee

Lonza Group (LONN SW): Customer Driven Events Are Impacting Near-Term Performance

Lonza's biologics division saw 1% decline in revenue in 1H23 due to lower demand for COVID-19 vaccines, leading to reduced sales growth...

Tina Banerjee

China Healthcare Weekly (Sep.15) - Anti-Corruption Turnaround? Vaccine Policy Changes, Kangtai Bio

Investors have renewed hope in China healthcare due to potential turnaround in anti-corruption. China may change vaccine policy, which will affect...

Xinyao (Criss) Wang

China's Extremely Rare Policy to Attract Foreign Investment and the Signals Behind

Attracting foreign investment is commonplace and investors may not realize the importance,but new policy released by the State Council will bring...

Xinyao (Criss) Wang

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Cochlear Ltd (COH AU): Underlying Business Strength Justifies Superior Valuation

Cochlear lifted FY24 net profit guidance 8% to A$385–400M (+26–31% YoY). The company expects FY24 cochlear implant volume growth of 10–15% YoY from...

Tina Banerjee

New COVID Variant Is Emerging; Testing and Vaccine Euphoria May Be Back; Keep Your Watchlist Ready

​A new COVID variant, JN.1, is spreading rapidly and has been classified as a "variant of interest" by WHO. If it becomes deadlier, vaccine and...

Tina Banerjee

Lonza Group (LONN SW): Customer Driven Events Are Impacting Near-Term Performance

​Lonza's biologics division saw 1% decline in revenue in 1H23 due to lower demand for COVID-19 vaccines, leading to reduced sales growth...

Tina Banerjee

China Healthcare Weekly (Sep.15) - Anti-Corruption Turnaround? Vaccine Policy Changes, Kangtai Bio

Investors have renewed hope in China healthcare due to potential turnaround in anti-corruption. China may change vaccine policy, which will affect...

Xinyao (Criss) Wang

China's Extremely Rare Policy to Attract Foreign Investment and the Signals Behind

Attracting foreign investment is commonplace and investors may not realize the importance,but new policy released by the State Council will bring...

Xinyao (Criss) Wang

A new COVID variant, JN.1, is spreading rapidly and has been classified as a "variant of interest" by WHO. If it becomes deadlier, vaccine and...

Lonza's biologics division saw 1% decline in revenue in 1H23 due to lower demand for COVID-19 vaccines, leading to reduced sales growth...