Global Healthcare Analyst

Tina Banerjee

Equity Bottom-Up

Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals / Equity Bottom-Up

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<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jiangsu-hengrui-pharmaceuticals-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:44224:1" rel="noopener">Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals (1276 HK)</a> entered into agreements with GSK, granting an exclusive worldwide right of HRS-9821, a small molecule, PDE3/PDE4 inhibitor in clinical development for the treatment of COPD.</li>
<li>The only similar products available worldwide is Verona Pharma’s Ohtuvayre (ensifentrine) which was approved for marketing by the FDA in June 2024 for maintenance therapy of COPD.</li>
<li>The COPD segment has seen increased activity over the last one year in terms of drug approvals, acquisitions, and licensing agreements. This reiterates the growing potential of the COPD market.</li>
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Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals (1276 HK) entered into agreements with GSK, granting an exclusive worldwide right of HRS-9821, a small molecule, PDE3/PDE4 inhibitor in clinical development for the treatment of COPD.
The only similar products available worldwide is Verona Pharma’s Ohtuvayre (ensifentrine) which was approved for marketing by the FDA in June 2024 for maintenance therapy of COPD.
The COPD segment has seen increased activity over the last one year in terms of drug approvals, acquisitions, and licensing agreements. This reiterates the growing potential of the COPD market.


Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals (1276 HK): Is HRS-9821 Licensing Deal with GSK Good Enough?

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<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ono-pharmaceutical-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8979:1" rel="noopener">Ono Pharmaceutical (4528 JP)</a> guided Opdivo revenue in FY26 to be ¥138.5B (Japan: ¥125B, up 4% and Overseas: ¥13.5B, up 3%), up 4% YoY.</li>
<li>Opdivo in combination with Yervoy (from Bristol Myers Squibb) was approved in Europe, US, South Korea, and Japan for the first-line treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma.</li>
<li>In FY26, Opdivo’s revenue growth will come from indication expansion but smaller addressable patient population remains a concern for long term.</li>
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Ono Pharmaceutical (4528 JP) guided Opdivo revenue in FY26 to be ¥138.5B (Japan: ¥125B, up 4% and Overseas: ¥13.5B, up 3%), up 4% YoY.
Opdivo in combination with Yervoy (from Bristol Myers Squibb) was approved in Europe, US, South Korea, and Japan for the first-line treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma.
In FY26, Opdivo’s revenue growth will come from indication expansion but smaller addressable patient population remains a concern for long term.


Ono Pharmaceutical (4528 JP): Label Expansion Helps, But Long-Term Growth Momentum Calls for More

Sino Biopharmaceutical / Equity Bottom-Up

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<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sino-biopharmaceutical" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:230:1" rel="noopener">Sino Biopharmaceutical (1177 HK)</a> is acquiring the balance 95% equity interests in LaNova Medicines for net consideration of $500M to be funded by internal resources and bank borrowings.</li>
<li>With focus on oncology and differentiated capability spanning monoclonal antibodies, bispecific antibody, and ADC drug, LaNova is a strategic fit for Sino Biopharma.</li>
<li>The acquisition will enhance Sino Biopharma’s reputation and image in the global pharmaceutical industry, and promote the conclusion of potential international transactions in the future.</li>
</ul>



Sino Biopharmaceutical (1177 HK) is acquiring the balance 95% equity interests in LaNova Medicines for net consideration of $500M to be funded by internal resources and bank borrowings.
With focus on oncology and differentiated capability spanning monoclonal antibodies, bispecific antibody, and ADC drug, LaNova is a strategic fit for Sino Biopharma.
The acquisition will enhance Sino Biopharma’s reputation and image in the global pharmaceutical industry, and promote the conclusion of potential international transactions in the future.


Sino Biopharmaceutical (1177 HK): Acquisition To Enrich Pipeline and Enhance International Influence

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<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> has initiated global Phase 3 clinical trial of GBP410, a 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV21) candidate, with topline result expected in 2027.</li>
<li>IDT Biologika recorded revenue of KRW118B in 1Q25, up from KRW111B in 4Q24. Considering 1Q25 momentum, IDT seems to be on track to meet 2025 guidance of KRW410B.</li>
<li>1Q25 base business revenue increased 62% YoY to KRW36B. Operating loss of the base business narrowed to KRW26B from a loss of KRW28B in year-ago quarter.</li>
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SK Bioscience (302440 KS) has initiated global Phase 3 clinical trial of GBP410, a 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV21) candidate, with topline result expected in 2027.
IDT Biologika recorded revenue of KRW118B in 1Q25, up from KRW111B in 4Q24. Considering 1Q25 momentum, IDT seems to be on track to meet 2025 guidance of KRW410B.
1Q25 base business revenue increased 62% YoY to KRW36B. Operating loss of the base business narrowed to KRW26B from a loss of KRW28B in year-ago quarter.


SK Bioscience (302440 KS): Dual Engines Led Growth Strategy Is on Track; Solid 1Q25 Performance

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Water Tower Research was founded by Wall Street veterans after witnessing a fundamental shift in the investment research industry with the result being a declining knowledge base among investors, a lack of awareness and a shrinking pool of fundamental research being conducted on companies across the small-cap and micro-cap spectrum. The same issues are now increasingly occurring in the mid-cap space. This sea change within the investment community is impacting not only the companies themselves but also current shareholders and potential investors. With significantly less active sell-side sponsorship by Wall Street, a substantial information gap has developed between companies and various constituents in the financial community. The net result is fewer channels for insight and information to flow between companies and investors.

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<ul><li>M&amp;A and deal activity provided a much-needed tailwind for biotech last week.</li><li>Exiting a positive, but mostly expected, ASCO weekend, we witnessed the second-largest biotech acquisition in 2025, with SNY buying BPMC for $9.1 billion, and a mega-licensing deal, as BMY will pay up to $11.1 billion for co- rights to BNTX’s PD-1/VEGF (read-across to TIL, SMMT, PFE, MRK).</li><li>Gene and cell therapy (NTLA, BEAM, CRSP) got a boost, as the heads of the HHS, FDA, CBER, NIH, and CDC expressed support for faster rare disease approvals at an FDA roundtable. </li></ul>

M&amp;A and deal activity provided a much-needed tailwind for biotech last week.Exiting a positive, but mostly expected, ASCO weekend, we witnessed the second-largest biotech acquisition in 2025, with SNY buying BPMC for $9.1 billion, and a mega-licensing deal, as BMY will pay up to $11.1 billion for co- rights to BNTX’s PD-1/VEGF (read-across to TIL, SMMT, PFE, MRK).Gene and cell therapy (NTLA, BEAM, CRSP) got a boost, as the heads of the HHS, FDA, CBER, NIH, and CDC expressed support for faster rare disease approvals at an FDA roundtable. 

Biopharma Week in Review Large M&A and Licensing Deals Provide a Boost

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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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Merck & Co (MRK US)

Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals (1276 HK): Is HRS-9821 Licensing Deal with GSK Good Enough?

Jiangsu Hengrui partners with GSK for exclusive outlicensing rights to COPD treatment, highlighting the growing potential of the market with...

Tina Banerjee

Ono Pharmaceutical (4528 JP): Label Expansion Helps, But Long-Term Growth Momentum Calls for More

Ono Pharmaceutical expects 4% YoY growth in Opdivo revenue for FY26, driven by indication expansion but faces long-term concerns due to smaller...

Tina Banerjee

Sino Biopharmaceutical (1177 HK): Acquisition To Enrich Pipeline and Enhance International Influence

Sino Biopharmaceutical is acquiring China-based clinical-stage biopharma company LaNova Medicines for $500M, enhancing its oncology capabilities...

Tina Banerjee

SK Bioscience (302440 KS): Dual Engines Led Growth Strategy Is on Track; Solid 1Q25 Performance

SK Bioscience initiates global Phase 3 trial of PCV21 vaccine. IDT Biologika shows revenue growth in 1Q25, on track to meet 2025 guidance. 1Q25...

Tina Banerjee

Biopharma Week in Review Large M&A and Licensing Deals Provide a Boost

Gene and cell therapy (NTLA, BEAM, CRSP) got a boost, as the heads of the HHS, FDA, CBER, NIH, and CDC expressed support for faster rare disease...

Water Tower Research

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Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals (1276 HK): Is HRS-9821 Licensing Deal with GSK Good Enough?

​Jiangsu Hengrui partners with GSK for exclusive outlicensing rights to COPD treatment, highlighting the growing potential of the market with...

Tina Banerjee

Ono Pharmaceutical (4528 JP): Label Expansion Helps, But Long-Term Growth Momentum Calls for More

​Ono Pharmaceutical expects 4% YoY growth in Opdivo revenue for FY26, driven by indication expansion but faces long-term concerns due to smaller...

Tina Banerjee

Sino Biopharmaceutical (1177 HK): Acquisition To Enrich Pipeline and Enhance International Influence

​Sino Biopharmaceutical is acquiring China-based clinical-stage biopharma company LaNova Medicines for $500M, enhancing its oncology capabilities...

Tina Banerjee

SK Bioscience (302440 KS): Dual Engines Led Growth Strategy Is on Track; Solid 1Q25 Performance

​SK Bioscience initiates global Phase 3 trial of PCV21 vaccine. IDT Biologika shows revenue growth in 1Q25, on track to meet 2025 guidance. 1Q25...

Tina Banerjee

Biopharma Week in Review Large M&A and Licensing Deals Provide a Boost

Gene and cell therapy (NTLA, BEAM, CRSP) got a boost, as the heads of the HHS, FDA, CBER, NIH, and CDC expressed support for faster rare disease...

Water Tower Research

Jiangsu Hengrui partners with GSK for exclusive outlicensing rights to COPD treatment, highlighting the growing potential of the market with...

Ono Pharmaceutical expects 4% YoY growth in Opdivo revenue for FY26, driven by indication expansion but faces long-term concerns due to smaller...

Sino Biopharmaceutical is acquiring China-based clinical-stage biopharma company LaNova Medicines for $500M, enhancing its oncology capabilities...

SK Bioscience initiates global Phase 3 trial of PCV21 vaccine. IDT Biologika shows revenue growth in 1Q25, on track to meet 2025 guidance. 1Q25...