Global Healthcare Analyst

Tina Banerjee

Equity Bottom-Up

SK Biopharmaceuticals   / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sk-biopharmaceuticals-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28966:1" rel="noopener">SK Biopharmaceuticals (326030 KS)</a> announced 3Q24 result, with record high U.S. revenue and four consecutive quarters of profit. Slower U.S. growth and sequential decline in operating profit remained key negatives.</li>
<li>Xcopri continued its rapid growth in the U.S. SKBP expects to achieve the higher end of 2024 U.S. sales guidance of $300–320M, indicating 4Q24 revenue of $91M, 9% QoQ.</li>
<li>Through operating leverage, the company is on track to achieve first annual profit. We think the reaction to 3Q24 result is overdone, with limited downside expected.</li>
</ul>



SK Biopharmaceuticals (326030 KS) announced 3Q24 result, with record high U.S. revenue and four consecutive quarters of profit. Slower U.S. growth and sequential decline in operating profit remained key negatives.
Xcopri continued its rapid growth in the U.S. SKBP expects to achieve the higher end of 2024 U.S. sales guidance of $300–320M, indicating 4Q24 revenue of $91M, 9% QoQ.
Through operating leverage, the company is on track to achieve first annual profit. We think the reaction to 3Q24 result is overdone, with limited downside expected.


SK Biopharmaceuticals (326030 KS): Sequential Profit Decline in 3Q; Long-Term Growth Prospect Intact

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

Korea / Special Sits, Pairs, Index Rebalancing, Clepsydra Capital

Sanghyun Park

Korea / Special Sits, Pairs, Index Rebalancing

Clepsydra Capital

Investigate special situations, pairs, and index rebalancing trades in Korea.

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Got surprised by KRX adding POSCO Holdings to the Battery Index. Normally predictable rebalancing went off-script with this unexpected move.</li>
<li>POSCO Holdings, not Posco Future M, replaced Ecopro BM. Plus, Alteogen Inc is replacing SK Biopharmaceuticals in the BBIG, driving notable flow.</li>
<li>Consider a day trading long POSCO Holdings and short Ecopro BM. Also, a long-short futures basket could be worth exploring for names with big passive flows.</li>
</ul>


Got surprised by KRX adding POSCO Holdings to the Battery Index. Normally predictable rebalancing went off-script with this unexpected move.
POSCO Holdings, not Posco Future M, replaced Ecopro BM. Plus, Alteogen Inc is replacing SK Biopharmaceuticals in the BBIG, driving notable flow.
Consider a day trading long POSCO Holdings and short Ecopro BM. Also, a long-short futures basket could be worth exploring for names with big passive flows.


Key Flow Trading Opportunities After KRX Suddenly Added POSCO Holdings to the BBIG Battery Mix

<ul>
<li>The KRX BBIG's concentrated weight and top three replacements still attract significant flow trading interest despite a decline in AUM.</li>
<li>In the Battery Sector, Posco Future M will replace Ecopro BM, while in the Bio Sector, Alteogen will replace SK Biopharmaceuticals.</li>
<li>A significant single-day passive flow is expected, especially for SK Biopharm. Additionally, a day trading setup with Posco Future M and Ecopro BM will likely attract substantial interest.</li>
</ul>


The KRX BBIG's concentrated weight and top three replacements still attract significant flow trading interest despite a decline in AUM.
In the Battery Sector, Posco Future M will replace Ecopro BM, while in the Bio Sector, Alteogen will replace SK Biopharmaceuticals.
A significant single-day passive flow is expected, especially for SK Biopharm. Additionally, a day trading setup with Posco Future M and Ecopro BM will likely attract substantial interest.


KRX’s September Major Rebalancing Events: Why We Should Focus on KRX BBIG

<ul>
<li>In 1Q24, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sk-biopharmaceuticals-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28966:1" rel="noopener">SK Biopharmaceuticals (326030 KS)</a> posted Xcopri U.S. sales of KRW90.9B, up 69% YoY and 17% QoQ. The company remains confident to meet annual sales guidance of KRW390–416B.</li>
<li>1Q24 operating profit reached KRW10B from an operating loss of KRW23B in 1Q23. The company aims to achieve profitability throughout 2024.</li>
<li>The company is seeking a second product to strengthen its U.S. and global business. Xcopri also has potential for indication expansion in near future.</li>
</ul>


In 1Q24, SK Biopharmaceuticals (326030 KS) posted Xcopri U.S. sales of KRW90.9B, up 69% YoY and 17% QoQ. The company remains confident to meet annual sales guidance of KRW390–416B.
1Q24 operating profit reached KRW10B from an operating loss of KRW23B in 1Q23. The company aims to achieve profitability throughout 2024.
The company is seeking a second product to strengthen its U.S. and global business. Xcopri also has potential for indication expansion in near future.


SK Biopharmaceuticals (326030 KS): Resumption of US Sales Growth Raises Hope for Annual Profit

South Korea

SK Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. researches and develops new drugs. The Company develops and markets brain disorders treatment drugs, central nervous system disorders treatment drugs, and other products. SK Biopharmaceuticals markets its products worldwide.

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SK Biopharmaceuticals (326030 KS)