Global Healthcare Analyst

Tina Banerjee

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>During 2022, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bnc-korea-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:34785:1" rel="noopener">BNC Korea (256840 KS)</a> reported gross profit margin of 48.3%, lower than 51.9% reported in 2021, as increasing competition is leading to price erosion of botulinum toxin products.</li>
<li>In March 2023, prosecutors have indicted BNC Korea for allegedly selling botulinum toxin injections to exporters without the approval of the MFDS from December 2015 to December 2021.</li>
<li>With the pandemic on a downward trend for more than a year now, we are skeptical about BNC Korea’s in-licensed COVID-19 drug candidate for a milestone payment of $15M.</li>
</ul>


During 2022, BNC Korea (256840 KS) reported gross profit margin of 48.3%, lower than 51.9% reported in 2021, as increasing competition is leading to price erosion of botulinum toxin products.
In March 2023, prosecutors have indicted BNC Korea for allegedly selling botulinum toxin injections to exporters without the approval of the MFDS from December 2015 to December 2021.
With the pandemic on a downward trend for more than a year now, we are skeptical about BNC Korea’s in-licensed COVID-19 drug candidate for a milestone payment of $15M.


BNC Korea (256840 KS): Margin Pressure; Base Business Faces Regulatory Risk; COVID Drug in Doldrum

Vertex Pharmaceuticals / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/vertex-pharmaceuticals-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4864:1" rel="noopener">Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX US)</a> reported mixed 4Q22 results. Revenue grew 11% YoY to $2.30B, in-line with expectations. Adjusted EPS surged 25% YoY to $3.76, 7% ahead of consensus.</li>
<li>Revenue was driven by the strong uptake of Trikafta/Kaftrio in multiple countries internationally and continued performance of Trikafta in the U.S. Trikafta/Kaftrio revenue grew 19% YoY to $2.02B.</li>
<li>Vertex guided for 2023 revenue of $9.55–9.70B (+7–9%), with the low end matching current consensus. The company aims to launch five new products over the next five years.</li>
</ul>



Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX US) reported mixed 4Q22 results. Revenue grew 11% YoY to $2.30B, in-line with expectations. Adjusted EPS surged 25% YoY to $3.76, 7% ahead of consensus.
Revenue was driven by the strong uptake of Trikafta/Kaftrio in multiple countries internationally and continued performance of Trikafta in the U.S. Trikafta/Kaftrio revenue grew 19% YoY to $2.02B.
Vertex guided for 2023 revenue of $9.55–9.70B (+7–9%), with the low end matching current consensus. The company aims to launch five new products over the next five years.


Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX US): Mixed 4Q22 Results; Upbeat 2023 Guidance

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements, Aequitas Research

Sumeet Singh

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements

IPOs and Placements coverage across Asia Pacific

Aequitas Research

We cover all listing across the Asia Pacific along with follow-up placements. As of Dec 2020, our team had covered 539 IPOs with a hit rate of 73.5% and 685 placements with a hit rate of 66.8%.

We combine fundamental bottom-up views with our proprietary quantitative framework to provide a holistic coverage across new listings and placements. Our coverage includes pre-IPO notes before the deal is launched, follow-up analysis once the deal is live and post-listing trading analysis as well.

Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mankind-pharma-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:36389:1" rel="noopener">Mankind Pharma</a>  is looking to raise about US$1bn in its upcoming India IPO.</li>
<li>MP is a pharmaceutical company engaged in developing, manufacturing and marketing a range of pharmaceutical formulations across various acute and chronic therapeutic areas, as well as several consumer healthcare products.</li>
<li>In this note, we talk about the positive aspects of the deal.</li>
</ul>



Mankind Pharma  is looking to raise about US$1bn in its upcoming India IPO.
MP is a pharmaceutical company engaged in developing, manufacturing and marketing a range of pharmaceutical formulations across various acute and chronic therapeutic areas, as well as several consumer healthcare products.
In this note, we talk about the positive aspects of the deal.


Mankind Pharma Pre-IPO - The Positives - Diverse Portfolio with Steady past Performance

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/vertex-pharmaceuticals-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4864:1" rel="noopener">Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX US)</a>, the global leader in cystic fibrosis treatment, has a broad and deep clinical pipeline across multiple modalities. Each of its clinical programs represents a multibillion-dollar opportunity.  </li>
<li>MRNA drug candidate for treating the remaining 5,000 CF patients who cannot benefit from existing therapies, is set to enter clinic. Drug candidate for acute pain is in late-stage trial.</li>
<li>Regulatory submission for exa-cel for sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia in U.S., EU and UK are expected to be completed by 1Q23.</li>
</ul>



Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX US), the global leader in cystic fibrosis treatment, has a broad and deep clinical pipeline across multiple modalities. Each of its clinical programs represents a multibillion-dollar opportunity.  
MRNA drug candidate for treating the remaining 5,000 CF patients who cannot benefit from existing therapies, is set to enter clinic. Drug candidate for acute pain is in late-stage trial.
Regulatory submission for exa-cel for sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia in U.S., EU and UK are expected to be completed by 1Q23.


Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX US): A High-Quality Deep Pocket Biotech Must-Have for Every Investor

Fundamental Short Selling Research

Eric Fernandez, CFA

TwoRiversAnalytics

<ul>
<li>We normally write these “Workbench” reports in between our larger initiation pieces.  They are intended to offer a window into our short investment process and to highlight potentially interesting names.</li>
<li>This Workbench focuses exclusively on earnings quality shorts.  We continue to work on these names. Today we highlight:</li>
<li>Moderna (MRNA),  Knowles (KN)    Juniper Networks (JNPR)  Upstart Holdings (UPST)  Beauty Health Co (SKIN), Sonos (SONO). Kraft Heinz (KHC), AZEK Co. (AZEK), Energizer Holdings (ENR),  Fox Factory Holding  (FOXF)</li>
</ul>


We normally write these “Workbench” reports in between our larger initiation pieces.  They are intended to offer a window into our short investment process and to highlight potentially interesting names.
This Workbench focuses exclusively on earnings quality shorts.  We continue to work on these names. Today we highlight:
Moderna (MRNA),  Knowles (KN)    Juniper Networks (JNPR)  Upstart Holdings (UPST)  Beauty Health Co (SKIN), Sonos (SONO). Kraft Heinz (KHC), AZEK Co. (AZEK), Energizer Holdings (ENR),  Fox Factory Holding  (FOXF)


Short Ideas on Our Workbench:  Earnings Quality

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.

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Moderna (MRNA US)

BNC Korea (256840 KS): Margin Pressure; Base Business Faces Regulatory Risk; COVID Drug in Doldrum

We remain bearish on BNC Korea due to regulatory overhang on its base business, competitive pressure in BTX industry, and exposure to Russia & CIS...

Tina Banerjee

Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX US): Mixed 4Q22 Results; Upbeat 2023 Guidance

Vertex reported Q4 result, with in-line revenue and EPS beat consensus by 7%. The company guided for 2023 revenue of $9.55–9.70B (+7–9%), with the...

Tina Banerjee

Mankind Pharma Pre-IPO - The Positives - Diverse Portfolio with Steady past Performance

Mankind Pharma is looking to raise about US$1bn in its upcoming India IPO. In this note, we talk about the positive aspects of the deal.

Sumeet Singh

Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX US): A High-Quality Deep Pocket Biotech Must-Have for Every Investor

By leveraging on industry-leading profitability, strong balance sheet and current cash flow, Trikafta, Vertex is re-investing in next-generation...

Tina Banerjee

Short Ideas on Our Workbench: Earnings Quality

Our "Workbench" focuses exclusively on potential earnings quality shorts. We continue to work on these names. Today we highlight ten names of...

Eric Fernandez, CFA

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