IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

Arun has over 15 years’ experience covering the Technology sector. During this time, he has worked with technology start-ups and as an equity analyst in investment banks and independent research firms. He was formerly a Technology Analyst for Canaccord Genuity, Altium Securities, Espirito Santo Investment Bank, Noble Group and Clear Capital. He has a dual Master’s degree in Financial Engineering and Industrial and Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay. He is also a CFA charterholder.

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

SciClone Pharma (6600 HK): Privatisation Déjà Vu All over Again?

Weekly Deals Digest (24 Mar) - Shinko, C&F Logistics, JSR, IntelliCentrics, SciClone, Link Admin

SciClone Pharma (6600 HK): GL Capital’s Scheme Offer at HK$18.80

SciClone Pharmaceuticals IPO Initiation: A Hard Sell

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Global Equity Research Ltd

Global Equity Research was started in 2017 by a group of experienced research professionals. It was founded on a passionate belief in the importance and the need for uncompromised, independent, conflict-free research. We aim to provide differentiated and actionable primary and bottom up fundamental research.

Equity Capital Markets

Sciclone Pharmaceuticals / Equity Capital Markets

<div><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sciclone-pharmaceuticals-holdings-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17351:1" rel="noopener">Sciclone Pharmaceuticals (6600 HK)</a> is a biopharmaceutical company with an integrated platform for product development and commercialisation of drugs in the oncology and severe infection therapeutic areas. </p></div><div><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/sciclone-pharmaceuticals-ipo-initiation-a-hard-sell" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:48114" rel="noopener">SciClone Pharmaceuticals IPO Initiation: A Hard Sell</a>, we stated that SciClone is a less than ideal IPO candidate. Despite efforts at diversification, SciClone is highly dependent on a single product, Zadaxin, which was launched in 1996. The risk to Zadaxin’s sales remains undiminished. The large pre-IPO dividends by existing shareholders in face of these challenges also sends the wrong message to potential IPO investors. Overall, on a fundamental basis, we are inclined to give this IPO a pass. </p></div><div><p>SciClone has launched its Hong Kong IPO at an indicative price range of HK$17.20-18.80 per share to raise net proceeds of HK$1,950.4 million ($252 million), at the mid-point of the price range. The raise is materially below the original target of a $500 million raise. Eleven cornerstone investors will subscribe for $133.7 million of the offer shares (49.65% of the offer shares at the mid-point of the IPO price). The cornerstone investors are largely domestic funds and lack international blue-chip names.</p></div><div><div><div class="content-highlight"><p>Relative valuation suggests that SciClone trades at a material discount to peers at the proposed IPO price range. We think that this discount is warranted due to SciClone's heavy reliance on Zadaxin, which faces ongoing challenges. Consequently, we are inclined to give this IPO a pass as our concerns on the fundamentals more than offset the "cheap" valuation.</p></div></div></div>

Sciclone Pharmaceuticals (6600 HK) is a biopharmaceutical company with an integrated platform for product development and commercialisation of drugs in the oncology and severe infection therapeutic areas. In SciClone Pharmaceuticals IPO Initiation: A Hard Sell, we stated that SciClone is a less than ideal IPO candidate. Despite efforts at diversification, SciClone is highly dependent on a single product, Zadaxin, which was launched in 1996. The risk to Zadaxin’s sales remains undiminished. The large pre-IPO dividends by existing shareholders in face of these challenges also sends the wrong message to potential IPO investors. Overall, on a fundamental basis, we are inclined to give this IPO a pass. SciClone has launched its Hong Kong IPO at an indicative price range of HK$17.20-18.80 per share to raise net proceeds of HK$1,950.4 million ($252 million), at the mid-point of the price range. The raise is materially below the original target of a $500 million raise. Eleven cornerstone investors will subscribe for $133.7 million of the offer shares (49.65% of the offer shares at the mid-point of the IPO price). The cornerstone investors are largely domestic funds and lack international blue-chip names.Relative valuation suggests that SciClone trades at a material discount to peers at the proposed IPO price range. We think that this discount is warranted due to SciClone's heavy reliance on Zadaxin, which faces ongoing challenges. Consequently, we are inclined to give this IPO a pass as our concerns on the fundamentals more than offset the "cheap" valuation.

Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) (2196 HK)

SciClone Pharmaceuticals IPO: Valuation Insights