Global Healthcare Analyst

Tina Banerjee

Equity Bottom-Up

Astellas Pharma Inc. is a pharmaceutical company committed to the therapeutic fields of Urology, Immunology including Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, Oncology, Neuroscience and DM Complications and Metabolic Diseases. With over 17,000 global employees, Astellas researches, develops, manufactures, and promotes its prescription drugs through subsidiaries in the US, Europe, and Asia

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<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/astellas-pharma-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6091:1" rel="noopener">Astellas Pharma (4503 JP)</a> has announced strong FY25 performance, with all key parameters surpassing guidance, while FY26 guidance is a mix of positives and negatives.</li>
<li>Astellas has guided for FY26 revenue of ¥1,930B, up 1% YoY. While strategic brands are expected to grow by double and triple-digit, Xtandi is expected to report 5% revenue decline.</li>
<li>FY26 core operating profit is guided at ¥410B, up 5% YoY, driven by cost optimization effort. Core net profit for FY26 is expected to increase 3% YoY to ¥304B.</li>
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Astellas Pharma (4503 JP) has announced strong FY25 performance, with all key parameters surpassing guidance, while FY26 guidance is a mix of positives and negatives.
Astellas has guided for FY26 revenue of ¥1,930B, up 1% YoY. While strategic brands are expected to grow by double and triple-digit, Xtandi is expected to report 5% revenue decline.
FY26 core operating profit is guided at ¥410B, up 5% YoY, driven by cost optimization effort. Core net profit for FY26 is expected to increase 3% YoY to ¥304B.


Astellas Pharma (4503 JP): Strong FY25 Result; Cost Optimization to Boost FY26 Profit on Flat Sales

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

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<li>EMA’s human medicines committee (CHMP) recommended sixteen medicines for approval at its April 2025 meeting. CHMP also adopted positive opinion for nine biosimilar medicines.</li>
<li>Among the new medicines, Vertex’s triple combination cystic fibrosis drug Alyftrek, Amgen’s Thyroid eye disease drug Tepezza, and Jazz Pharmaceutical’s billiary tract cancer drug Ziihera have potential to become blockbusters.</li>
<li>The Agency has recommended the refusal of the marketing authorization for Eli Lilly’s Alzheimer’s Disease drug Kisunla. Eli Lilly may ask for a re-examination of the opinion within 15 days.</li>
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EMA’s human medicines committee (CHMP) recommended sixteen medicines for approval at its April 2025 meeting. CHMP also adopted positive opinion for nine biosimilar medicines.
Among the new medicines, Vertex’s triple combination cystic fibrosis drug Alyftrek, Amgen’s Thyroid eye disease drug Tepezza, and Jazz Pharmaceutical’s billiary tract cancer drug Ziihera have potential to become blockbusters.
The Agency has recommended the refusal of the marketing authorization for Eli Lilly’s Alzheimer’s Disease drug Kisunla. Eli Lilly may ask for a re-examination of the opinion within 15 days.


CHMP Meeting Update April 2025: Sixteen New Medicines Recommended For Approval

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<li>SillaJen got FDA nod to expand clinical trial of BAL0891 for acute myeloid leukemia. Akeso received FDA approval for its PD-1 inhibitor penpulimab for the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.</li>
<li>Innovent Biologics got approval for limertinib in China for the first-line treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. CSL launches Andembry Pen for Hereditary Angioedema in Japan.</li>
<li>Daiichi Sankyo submitted indication expansion application in Japan for Enhertu for the treatment of HER2 positive advanced or recurrent solid tumors. Lupin received FDA approval for Tolvaptan Tablets.</li>
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SillaJen got FDA nod to expand clinical trial of BAL0891 for acute myeloid leukemia. Akeso received FDA approval for its PD-1 inhibitor penpulimab for the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Innovent Biologics got approval for limertinib in China for the first-line treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. CSL launches Andembry Pen for Hereditary Angioedema in Japan.
Daiichi Sankyo submitted indication expansion application in Japan for Enhertu for the treatment of HER2 positive advanced or recurrent solid tumors. Lupin received FDA approval for Tolvaptan Tablets.


APAC Healthcare Weekly (April 27)- Sillajen, Akeso, Innovent Biologics, CSL, Daiichi Sankyo, Lupin

Daiichi Sankyo Co, Ltd is a holding company established through merger of Sankyo and Daiichi pharmaceutical. The Group manufactures pharmaceuticals for human/veterinary use and medical tools and equipment. It also researches and promotes products through related companies throughout the world. The Group also produces food, food additives, livestock feeds, and agrochemicals.

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<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/daiichi-sankyo-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3014:1" rel="noopener">Daiichi Sankyo (4568 JP)</a> reported strong FY25 results, with revenue and operating profit increasing 18% and 57%, YoY, to ¥1,886B and ¥332B, respectively. Performance was mainly driven by Enhertu (+45%).</li>
<li>The company expects FY26 revenue to increase 6% YoY to ¥2,000B. Core operating profit and operating profit are expected to increase 12% and 5%, YoY, respectively to ¥350B.</li>
<li>The company has announced a ¥200B buyback plan to acquire a maximum of 80M shares from May 1, 2025 to March 24, 2026.</li>
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Daiichi Sankyo (4568 JP) reported strong FY25 results, with revenue and operating profit increasing 18% and 57%, YoY, to ¥1,886B and ¥332B, respectively. Performance was mainly driven by Enhertu (+45%).
The company expects FY26 revenue to increase 6% YoY to ¥2,000B. Core operating profit and operating profit are expected to increase 12% and 5%, YoY, respectively to ¥350B.
The company has announced a ¥200B buyback plan to acquire a maximum of 80M shares from May 1, 2025 to March 24, 2026.


Daiichi Sankyo (4568 JP): Strong FY25 Result; Guidance Initiated for FY26; ¥200B Buyback Announced

Chugai Pharmaceutical Company Ltd., manufactures and sells pharmaceuticals in the domestic and international markets through its subsidiaries. The Company develops drugs in the fields of cancer, infectious diseases, bone, blood, and circulatory systems. Chugai Pharmaceutical also conducts research studies on drugs with private and public medical research institutions.

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<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/chugai-pharmaceutical-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4489:1" rel="noopener">Chugai Pharmaceutical (4519 JP)</a> reported 22% YoY rise in core revenue in 1Q25, as overseas sales grew 55% YoY while domestic market remain subdued.</li>
<li>Hemlibra drove overseas sales. Actemra and Alecensa witnessed growth in both overseas and domestic markets.</li>
<li>Chugai reiterated 2025 guidance of revenue and net profit growth of 2% and 3%. The progress has been satisfactory with major line items achieving 24–25% of the full-year guidance numbers.</li>
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Chugai Pharmaceutical (4519 JP) reported 22% YoY rise in core revenue in 1Q25, as overseas sales grew 55% YoY while domestic market remain subdued.
Hemlibra drove overseas sales. Actemra and Alecensa witnessed growth in both overseas and domestic markets.
Chugai reiterated 2025 guidance of revenue and net profit growth of 2% and 3%. The progress has been satisfactory with major line items achieving 24–25% of the full-year guidance numbers.


Chugai Pharmaceutical (4519 JP): Hemlibra, Actemra, And Alecensa Shine In 1Q25; Guidance Reiterated

Equity research analyst having 15+ years of experience, with an interest on fundamentally strong global healthcare companies. I have been helping investors to find future winners in healthcare space to grow their wealth by focusing on the strength and potential of the business models of the companies. My initiating coverage reports and pitch help investors to know ‘what to buy’, ‘why to buy’, and ‘when to buy’. My clients always remain on top of the sector with the help of my timely and detailed notes on earnings or any news update. I also provide broader view on the entire healthcare sector through periodic thematic reports.

Tina Banerjee
Global Healthcare Analyst

Astellas Pharma (4503 JP): Strong FY25 Result; Cost Optimization to Boost FY26 Profit on Flat Sales

Astellas Pharma reports FY25 performance, with key parameters surpassing guidance. The company expects 1% revenue growth in FY26, while core...

Tina Banerjee

CHMP Meeting Update April 2025: Sixteen New Medicines Recommended For Approval

Among the new medicines, Vertex’s triple combination CF drug Alyftrek, Amgen’s Thyroid eye disease drug Tepezza, and Jazz Pharmaceutical’s cancer...

Tina Banerjee

APAC Healthcare Weekly (April 27)- Sillajen, Akeso, Innovent Biologics, CSL, Daiichi Sankyo, Lupin

SillaJen got FDA nod for clinical trial indication expansion. FDA approves Akeso’s first drug. Innovent’s cancer drug was approved in China....

Tina Banerjee

Daiichi Sankyo (4568 JP): Strong FY25 Result; Guidance Initiated for FY26; ¥200B Buyback Announced

Daiichi Sankyo reports strong FY25 results with double-digit growth in revenue and profit, driven by Enhertu. The company expects further growth...

Tina Banerjee

Chugai Pharmaceutical (4519 JP): Hemlibra, Actemra, And Alecensa Shine In 1Q25; Guidance Reiterated

Chugai Pharmaceutical sees strong overseas sales driving 22% YoY rise in revenue in 1Q25, while domestic market remains subdued. Company...

Tina Banerjee

Astellas Pharma (4503 JP): Strong FY25 Result; Cost Optimization to Boost FY26 Profit on Flat Sales

​Astellas Pharma reports FY25 performance, with key parameters surpassing guidance. The company expects 1% revenue growth in FY26, while core...

Tina Banerjee

CHMP Meeting Update April 2025: Sixteen New Medicines Recommended For Approval

Among the new medicines, Vertex’s triple combination CF drug Alyftrek, Amgen’s Thyroid eye disease drug Tepezza, and Jazz Pharmaceutical’s cancer...

Tina Banerjee

APAC Healthcare Weekly (April 27)- Sillajen, Akeso, Innovent Biologics, CSL, Daiichi Sankyo, Lupin

SillaJen got FDA nod for clinical trial indication expansion. FDA approves Akeso’s first drug. Innovent’s cancer drug was approved in China....

Tina Banerjee

Daiichi Sankyo (4568 JP): Strong FY25 Result; Guidance Initiated for FY26; ¥200B Buyback Announced

​Daiichi Sankyo reports strong FY25 results with double-digit growth in revenue and profit, driven by Enhertu. The company expects further growth...

Tina Banerjee

Chugai Pharmaceutical (4519 JP): Hemlibra, Actemra, And Alecensa Shine In 1Q25; Guidance Reiterated

​Chugai Pharmaceutical sees strong overseas sales driving 22% YoY rise in revenue in 1Q25, while domestic market remains subdued. Company...

Tina Banerjee

Astellas Pharma reports FY25 performance, with key parameters surpassing guidance. The company expects 1% revenue growth in FY26, while core...

Daiichi Sankyo reports strong FY25 results with double-digit growth in revenue and profit, driven by Enhertu. The company expects further growth...

Chugai Pharmaceutical sees strong overseas sales driving 22% YoY rise in revenue in 1Q25, while domestic market remains subdued. Company...