Global Healthcare Analyst

Tina Banerjee

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>In 3Q24, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sk-bioscience-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31484:1" rel="noopener">SK Bioscience (302440 KS)</a> reported operating loss of KRW40B, compared with operating loss of KRW20B in 2Q24 mainly due to anemic gross profit margin and higher SG&amp;A expenses.</li>
<li>The company is expected to report sequentially better performance in 4Q24 on favorable product mix. Varicella vaccine export is expected to increase, while Sanofi vaccine distribution revenue is showing uptrend.</li>
<li>Commencement of global phase 3 trial of SK Bioscience-Sanofi’s next-generation pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, PCV21 will lay the foundation for the company’s next level of growth.</li>
</ul>


In 3Q24, SK Bioscience (302440 KS) reported operating loss of KRW40B, compared with operating loss of KRW20B in 2Q24 mainly due to anemic gross profit margin and higher SG&amp;A expenses.
The company is expected to report sequentially better performance in 4Q24 on favorable product mix. Varicella vaccine export is expected to increase, while Sanofi vaccine distribution revenue is showing uptrend.
Commencement of global phase 3 trial of SK Bioscience-Sanofi’s next-generation pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, PCV21 will lay the foundation for the company’s next level of growth.


SK Bioscience (302440 KS): Operating Loss Widened in 3Q; What Lies Ahead

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shionogi-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19535:1" rel="noopener">Shionogi &amp; Co (4507 JP)</a> has reiterated FY25 guidance, indicating sequentially better financial performance in Q2FY25 as well as H2FY25. Overseas business and royalty income are on strong footing.</li>
<li>Shionogi has acquired the exclusive distribution rights for Quviviq in Japan. With better efficacy and safety profile, and sizable patient population, Quviviq should be a significant revenue contributor.</li>
<li>Shionogi submitted NDA in Japan for zuranolone, a treatment in development for major depressive disorder (MDD). Approval is expected in H1FY26.</li>
</ul>



Shionogi &amp; Co (4507 JP) has reiterated FY25 guidance, indicating sequentially better financial performance in Q2FY25 as well as H2FY25. Overseas business and royalty income are on strong footing.
Shionogi has acquired the exclusive distribution rights for Quviviq in Japan. With better efficacy and safety profile, and sizable patient population, Quviviq should be a significant revenue contributor.
Shionogi submitted NDA in Japan for zuranolone, a treatment in development for major depressive disorder (MDD). Approval is expected in H1FY26.


Shionogi & Co (4507 JP): Performance to Improve in H2; Upcoming Drugs to Accelerate Growth

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>China's NMPA aims to redouble efforts to facilitate research and market registration of homegrown innovative drugs, while speeding up the introduction of novel foreign drugs to the domestic market.</li>
<li>Since the BoJ interest rate hike in July, the Yen appreciated ~5% to ¥142.74. Considerable amount of appreciation may be dilutive on the overall performance of export-oriented healthcare industry.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sigma-healthcare-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15966:1" rel="noopener">Sigma Healthcare (SIG AU)</a> has offered remedial measure to alleviate preliminary anti-competition concerns raised by ACCC in relation to its proposed merger with CWG.</li>
</ul>


China's NMPA aims to redouble efforts to facilitate research and market registration of homegrown innovative drugs, while speeding up the introduction of novel foreign drugs to the domestic market.
Since the BoJ interest rate hike in July, the Yen appreciated ~5% to ¥142.74. Considerable amount of appreciation may be dilutive on the overall performance of export-oriented healthcare industry.

Sigma Healthcare (SIG AU) has offered remedial measure to alleviate preliminary anti-competition concerns raised by ACCC in relation to its proposed merger with CWG.


APAC Healthcare Weekly (Oct 6)-Strong Yen Impact, Sigma's Remedial Measures, Mesoblast's Fund Raise

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zai-lab-ltd-94df40cf-c15e-462f-b3de-8d2d434ae935" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:36261:1" rel="noopener">Zai Lab (9688 HK)</a> recorded Vyvgart revenue of $10M, $13M, and $23M in 4Q23, 1Q24, and 2Q24, respectively. The company raised 2024 Vyvgart revenue guidance to $80M from $70M earlier.</li>
<li>Despite strong momentum from Vyvgart, Zai Lab still has a lot of pain points. Decelerating revenue growth from Zejula is one of them.</li>
<li>Due to its in-licensing business model, Zai Lab has lower gross profit margin of 64–65%, compared with ~80% for a typical innovator biotech company.</li>
</ul>



Zai Lab (9688 HK) recorded Vyvgart revenue of $10M, $13M, and $23M in 4Q23, 1Q24, and 2Q24, respectively. The company raised 2024 Vyvgart revenue guidance to $80M from $70M earlier.
Despite strong momentum from Vyvgart, Zai Lab still has a lot of pain points. Decelerating revenue growth from Zejula is one of them.
Due to its in-licensing business model, Zai Lab has lower gross profit margin of 64–65%, compared with ~80% for a typical innovator biotech company.


Zai Lab (9688 HK): Vyvgart Is Not the De-Risking Tool; Future Is Still Uncertain

Independent research on the U.S. markets, Baptista Research

Baptista Research

Independent research on the U.S. markets

Baptista Research is an independent financial research house focused on the U.S. markets. We provide equity research as well as credit research reports on the top-listed U.S. companies with most of our focus on technology, consumer goods and services, automobiles, industrials, oil and gas, pharma, and healthcare. Our research has served more than 3000 institutional investors including mutual funds, hedge funds, banks, family offices, and various buy-side firms. We operate a research subscription service where institutions, as well as retail investors, can have priority access to all our research. We also have a wide distribution of our research reports across some of the top global financial platforms. Apart from equity research and credit research, we also provide advisory services with respect to mergers & acquisitions (M&A), private equity/ venture capital fundraising, valuation reports, and investment management services for corporates.
Baptista Research is owned and managed by Ishan Majumdar, an ex-Venture Capitalist/ Investment Banker, a Chartered Accountant, and a Masters’ degree holder in Management from HEC Paris. Ishan has nearly a decade of experience in Mergers and Acquisitions, Leveraged Buyouts (LBOs), Venture Capital Investing, Corporate Strategy, and Valuation in front-office roles at the likes of BNP Paribas CIB, Credit Agricole CIB, Groupe Danone, and TIW Private Equity. He has worked on and closed multiple acquisition deals, leveraged buyouts, and start-up investment transactions.

<ul><li>Merck & Co.'s second quarter earnings call underscored both the progress and challenges faced by the company as it pushes forward in an increasingly complex pharmaceutical landscape.</li><li>The company reported a solid quarter with total revenues reaching $16.1 billion, marking a 7% increase.</li><li>This growth is particularly impressive when considering the 11% increase when excluding the impact of foreign exchange.</li></ul>

Merck & Co.'s second quarter earnings call underscored both the progress and challenges faced by the company as it pushes forward in an increasingly complex pharmaceutical landscape.The company reported a solid quarter with total revenues reaching $16.1 billion, marking a 7% increase.This growth is particularly impressive when considering the 11% increase when excluding the impact of foreign exchange.

Merck & Co.: Expanding Market for GARDASIL

United States

Merck & Co., Inc. is a global health care company that delivers health solutions through its prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, animal health, and consumer care products, which it markets directly and through its joint ventures. The Company has operations in pharmaceutical, animal health, and consumer care.

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SK Bioscience (302440 KS): Operating Loss Widened in 3Q; What Lies Ahead

SK Bioscience reported reported operating loss of KRW40B versus operating loss of KRW20B in 2Q24. However, performance is expected to improve in...

Tina Banerjee

Shionogi & Co (4507 JP): Performance to Improve in H2; Upcoming Drugs to Accelerate Growth

Shionogi reiterates FY25 guidance, showing improved financial performance in Q2FY25 and H2FY25. The company has acquired distribution rights for...

Tina Banerjee

APAC Healthcare Weekly (Oct 6)-Strong Yen Impact, Sigma's Remedial Measures, Mesoblast's Fund Raise

BoJ interest rate hike leads to Yen appreciation, potentially impacting export-oriented healthcare industry. Sigma Healthcare addresses anti...

Tina Banerjee

Zai Lab (9688 HK): Vyvgart Is Not the De-Risking Tool; Future Is Still Uncertain

Zai Lab's Vyvgart revenue sees significant growth, but challenges remain with decelerating Zejula revenue and lower gross profit margins due to in...

Tina Banerjee

Merck & Co.: Expanding Market for GARDASIL

Merck & Co.'s second quarter earnings call underscored both the progress and challenges faced by the company as it pushes forward in an...

Baptista Research

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SK Bioscience (302440 KS): Operating Loss Widened in 3Q; What Lies Ahead

​SK Bioscience reported reported operating loss of KRW40B versus operating loss of KRW20B in 2Q24. However, performance is expected to improve in...

Tina Banerjee

Shionogi & Co (4507 JP): Performance to Improve in H2; Upcoming Drugs to Accelerate Growth

​Shionogi reiterates FY25 guidance, showing improved financial performance in Q2FY25 and H2FY25. The company has acquired distribution rights for...

Tina Banerjee

APAC Healthcare Weekly (Oct 6)-Strong Yen Impact, Sigma's Remedial Measures, Mesoblast's Fund Raise

BoJ interest rate hike leads to Yen appreciation, potentially impacting export-oriented healthcare industry. Sigma Healthcare addresses anti...

Tina Banerjee

Zai Lab (9688 HK): Vyvgart Is Not the De-Risking Tool; Future Is Still Uncertain

​Zai Lab's Vyvgart revenue sees significant growth, but challenges remain with decelerating Zejula revenue and lower gross profit margins due to in...

Tina Banerjee

Merck & Co.: Expanding Market for GARDASIL

Merck & Co.'s second quarter earnings call underscored both the progress and challenges faced by the company as it pushes forward in an...

Baptista Research

SK Bioscience reported reported operating loss of KRW40B versus operating loss of KRW20B in 2Q24. However, performance is expected to improve in...

Shionogi reiterates FY25 guidance, showing improved financial performance in Q2FY25 and H2FY25. The company has acquired distribution rights for...

Zai Lab's Vyvgart revenue sees significant growth, but challenges remain with decelerating Zejula revenue and lower gross profit margins due to in...