Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>On 15 January, Orion Corp announced that its subsidiary PAN Orion Corp will purchase a 25.7% stake in Legochem Biosciences for 549 billion won. </li>
<li>LegoChem Bio specializes in antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology. Legochem Bio signed a total of 13 technology transfer contracts amounting to 8.7 trillion won in the past 9 years. </li>
<li>Most investors in Orion Corp would rather have the company focus on its core confectionery/snack business, rather than expand into high risk/high reward biotech business.</li>
</ul>


On 15 January, Orion Corp announced that its subsidiary PAN Orion Corp will purchase a 25.7% stake in Legochem Biosciences for 549 billion won. 
LegoChem Bio specializes in antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology. Legochem Bio signed a total of 13 technology transfer contracts amounting to 8.7 trillion won in the past 9 years. 
Most investors in Orion Corp would rather have the company focus on its core confectionery/snack business, rather than expand into high risk/high reward biotech business.


Orion Corp: Concerns About Diversification into LegoChem Bioscience

Global Healthcare Analyst

Tina Banerjee

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/eisai-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21001:1" rel="noopener">Eisai Co Ltd (4523 JP)</a> shares corrected more than 60% from highs over the disappointment from Alzheimer’s disease drug Leqembi. During H1FY24, Leqembi reported revenue of just ¥400M ($3M).</li>
<li>With approximately 40% revenue contribution, anti-cancer drug Lenvima is the top selling drug of Eisai. In the U.S., Lenvima patent protection will start to expire in US in October 2025.</li>
<li>In December, Eisai has submitted a marketing authorization application in Japan for tasurgratinib for biliary tract cancer. If approved, tasurgratinob will be a late entrant in a crowded market.</li>
</ul>



Eisai Co Ltd (4523 JP) shares corrected more than 60% from highs over the disappointment from Alzheimer’s disease drug Leqembi. During H1FY24, Leqembi reported revenue of just ¥400M ($3M).
With approximately 40% revenue contribution, anti-cancer drug Lenvima is the top selling drug of Eisai. In the U.S., Lenvima patent protection will start to expire in US in October 2025.
In December, Eisai has submitted a marketing authorization application in Japan for tasurgratinib for biliary tract cancer. If approved, tasurgratinob will be a late entrant in a crowded market.


Eisai Co Ltd (4523 JP): Why Performance Reversal Is Not Expected in Near-Term

IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

Uncompromised, Independent, Conflict-Free Research

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.

Taisho Pharmaceutical Holdin / Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Japan Catalyst’s <a href="https://www.japancatalyst.com/pdf/JCI_TAISHO_20231201_eng.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">press release</a> supports the idea of a <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taisho-pharmaceutical-holdin" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3774:1" rel="noopener">Taisho Pharmaceutical Holdin (4581 JP)</a> MBO but not the proposed offer price as it implies a P/B less than 1.0x.</li>
<li>The press release is a discovery exercise encouraging other like-minded shareholders to show their hand. The shares are trading marginally above the JPY8,620 offer.</li>
<li>While justifiable, a bump is unlikely due to the lack of a substantial activist shareholder, irrevocables, no competing bid and the offer’s 55.5% premium to the undisturbed price.</li>
</ul>


Japan Catalyst’s press release supports the idea of a Taisho Pharmaceutical Holdin (4581 JP) MBO but not the proposed offer price as it implies a P/B less than 1.0x.
The press release is a discovery exercise encouraging other like-minded shareholders to show their hand. The shares are trading marginally above the JPY8,620 offer.
While justifiable, a bump is unlikely due to the lack of a substantial activist shareholder, irrevocables, no competing bid and the offer’s 55.5% premium to the undisturbed price.


Taisho Pharmaceutical (4581 JP): Japan Catalyst Pushes for a Bump

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taisho-pharmaceutical-holdin" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3774:1" rel="noopener">Taisho Pharmaceutical Holdin (4581 JP)</a> has recommended an MBO tender offer of JPY8,620 per share, a 55.5% premium to the undisturbed (24 November). </li>
<li>The transaction is a two-step acquisition through a cash tender offer and subsequent squeeze-out. The lower limit of the tender offer is set at a 66.67% ownership ratio.</li>
<li>Irrevocables represent a 40.31% ownership ratio. The minimum acceptance condition requires a 44% minority acceptance rate. The offer is attractive vs. historical and peer multiples.</li>
</ul>



Taisho Pharmaceutical Holdin (4581 JP) has recommended an MBO tender offer of JPY8,620 per share, a 55.5% premium to the undisturbed (24 November). 
The transaction is a two-step acquisition through a cash tender offer and subsequent squeeze-out. The lower limit of the tender offer is set at a 66.67% ownership ratio.
Irrevocables represent a 40.31% ownership ratio. The minimum acceptance condition requires a 44% minority acceptance rate. The offer is attractive vs. historical and peer multiples.


Taisho Pharmaceutical (4581 JP): MBO Tender Offer at JPY8,620

<ul>
<li>Astellas Pharma (4503 JP) reported just 0.6% YoY revenue growth to ¥767B in H1FY24, while operating profit plunged 57% YoY and net profit decreased 67% YoY.</li>
<li>Generic competition in Lexiscan impacted topline. Increase in SG&amp;A expenses related to new drug launch and higher amortization of intangible assets, pulled down the operating as well as net profit.</li>
<li>Astellas has downwardly revised FY24 forecasts for profit items by more than 50% after taking into consideration the increases in higher expenses.</li>
</ul>


Astellas Pharma (4503 JP) reported just 0.6% YoY revenue growth to ¥767B in H1FY24, while operating profit plunged 57% YoY and net profit decreased 67% YoY.
Generic competition in Lexiscan impacted topline. Increase in SG&amp;A expenses related to new drug launch and higher amortization of intangible assets, pulled down the operating as well as net profit.
Astellas has downwardly revised FY24 forecasts for profit items by more than 50% after taking into consideration the increases in higher expenses.


Astellas Pharma (4503 JP): Underwhelming H1 Result; Massive Cut in FY24 Profit Guidance

Japan

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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Daiichi Sankyo (4568 JP)

Orion Corp: Concerns About Diversification into LegoChem Bioscience

Orion Corp's investment in LegoChem Bio raises concerns about diversification into risky biotech business. Investors would rather have Orion Corp...

Douglas Kim

Eisai Co Ltd (4523 JP): Why Performance Reversal Is Not Expected in Near-Term

Eisai shares are on downtrend due to disappointment with Alzheimer's drug. Top-selling drug Lenvima faces patent expiration in 2025. Eisai seeks...

Tina Banerjee

Taisho Pharmaceutical (4581 JP): Japan Catalyst Pushes for a Bump

While justifiable, a bump is unlikely due to the lack of a substantial activist shareholder, irrevocables, no competing bid and the offer’s 55.5%...

Arun George

Taisho Pharmaceutical (4581 JP): MBO Tender Offer at JPY8,620

The minimum acceptance condition requires a 44% minority acceptance rate. The offer is attractive vs. historical and peer multiples.

Arun George

Astellas Pharma (4503 JP): Underwhelming H1 Result; Massive Cut in FY24 Profit Guidance

In H1FY24, Astellas Pharma reported just 0.6% YoY revenue growth, while operating profit plunged 57% YoY and net profit decreased 67% YoY. The...

Tina Banerjee

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52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

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Orion Corp: Concerns About Diversification into LegoChem Bioscience

Orion Corp's investment in LegoChem Bio raises concerns about diversification into risky biotech business. Investors would rather have Orion Corp...

Douglas Kim

Eisai Co Ltd (4523 JP): Why Performance Reversal Is Not Expected in Near-Term

​Eisai shares are on downtrend due to disappointment with Alzheimer's drug. Top-selling drug Lenvima faces patent expiration in 2025. Eisai seeks...

Tina Banerjee

Taisho Pharmaceutical (4581 JP): Japan Catalyst Pushes for a Bump

While justifiable, a bump is unlikely due to the lack of a substantial activist shareholder, irrevocables, no competing bid and the offer’s 55.5%...

Arun George

Taisho Pharmaceutical (4581 JP): MBO Tender Offer at JPY8,620

The minimum acceptance condition requires a 44% minority acceptance rate. The offer is attractive vs. historical and peer multiples.

Arun George

Astellas Pharma (4503 JP): Underwhelming H1 Result; Massive Cut in FY24 Profit Guidance

In H1FY24, Astellas Pharma reported just 0.6% YoY revenue growth, while operating profit plunged 57% YoY and net profit decreased 67% YoY. The...

Tina Banerjee

Eisai shares are on downtrend due to disappointment with Alzheimer's drug. Top-selling drug Lenvima faces patent expiration in 2025. Eisai seeks...