Global Healthcare Analyst

Tina Banerjee

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bnc-korea-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:34785:1" rel="noopener">BNC Korea (256840 KS)</a> has been found guilty for the violation of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act. Consequently, production of its Bienox injection has temporarily been halted till May 30, 2023.</li>
<li>The company’s in-licensed COVID-19 drug candidate could not secure emergency use approval from the FDA, which has asked for further clinical trial demonstrating efficacy and safety.</li>
<li>BNC Korea is not a bottom fishing idea, due to lack of any strong growth engine in near-term. Despite attractive valuation, we still like to avoid the stock.     </li>
</ul>



BNC Korea (256840 KS) has been found guilty for the violation of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act. Consequently, production of its Bienox injection has temporarily been halted till May 30, 2023.
The company’s in-licensed COVID-19 drug candidate could not secure emergency use approval from the FDA, which has asked for further clinical trial demonstrating efficacy and safety.
BNC Korea is not a bottom fishing idea, due to lack of any strong growth engine in near-term. Despite attractive valuation, we still like to avoid the stock.     


BNC Korea (256840 KS): Base Business Faces Regulatory Headwind; Delay in COVID Drugs Approval

<ul>
<li>On November 22, <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> received emergency regulatory approval for Xocova  in Japan for COVID-19. It is Japan’s first homegrown oral antiviral for SARS-CoV-2 infection.</li>
<li>On November 24, Shionogi has filed for manufacturing and sales approval of S-268019, a recombinant protein-based preventive vaccine, for use in priming and booster (third) doses, against COVID-19.</li>
<li>Although Shionogi continues to expect ¥110 billion revenue from COVID-19-related products in FY23, the company has raised overall revenue guidance to ¥410 billion from ¥400 billion.</li>
</ul>


On November 22, Shionogi &amp; Co (4507 JP) received emergency regulatory approval for Xocova  in Japan for COVID-19. It is Japan’s first homegrown oral antiviral for SARS-CoV-2 infection.
On November 24, Shionogi has filed for manufacturing and sales approval of S-268019, a recombinant protein-based preventive vaccine, for use in priming and booster (third) doses, against COVID-19.
Although Shionogi continues to expect ¥110 billion revenue from COVID-19-related products in FY23, the company has raised overall revenue guidance to ¥410 billion from ¥400 billion.


Shionogi & Co (4507 JP): Oral COVID-19 Drug Got Approval; Files Approval for COVID-19 Vaccine

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>In terms of geography, Japan is still our top pick, primarily due to attractive multiple, favorable Fx, and low leverage. Despite macroeconomic headwinds, Australia biotech is another area of interest.</li>
<li>Among our four top picks, Gland Pharma reported year-over-year decline across all parameters during Q2FY23 due to supply woes. Near-term outlook is uncertain.</li>
<li>Apollo Hospitals reported strong quarterly performance, with all operating parameters improving year-over-year. Olympus remained a prime beneficiary of weak yen, while Samsung Biologics’ robust order book entail visibility.</li>
</ul>


In terms of geography, Japan is still our top pick, primarily due to attractive multiple, favorable Fx, and low leverage. Despite macroeconomic headwinds, Australia biotech is another area of interest.
Among our four top picks, Gland Pharma reported year-over-year decline across all parameters during Q2FY23 due to supply woes. Near-term outlook is uncertain.
Apollo Hospitals reported strong quarterly performance, with all operating parameters improving year-over-year. Olympus remained a prime beneficiary of weak yen, while Samsung Biologics’ robust order book entail visibility.


APAC Healthcare Series (Part 4)- Japan Continues to Be in a Sweet Spot; Top Picks Quarterly Update

Shinpoong Pharmaceutical / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shinpoong-pharmaceutical-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7296:1" rel="noopener">Shinpoong Pharmaceutical (019170 KS)</a> is re-purposing its existing anti-malarial drug Pyramax as an oral treatment for the COVID-19. The company is conducting phase 3 study in six countries, including Korea.</li>
<li>South Korean oral COVID-19 treatment market is currently dominated by Paxlovid. Other domestic companies are also in race to develop homegrown oral COVID-19 drugs, thereby creating a crowded market.</li>
<li>With declining cases and hospitalizations, Pyramax has muted growth prospect as a treatment for COVID-19. Shinpoong is reporting operating loss due to accelerated R&amp;D expenditures.  </li>
</ul>



Shinpoong Pharmaceutical (019170 KS) is re-purposing its existing anti-malarial drug Pyramax as an oral treatment for the COVID-19. The company is conducting phase 3 study in six countries, including Korea.
South Korean oral COVID-19 treatment market is currently dominated by Paxlovid. Other domestic companies are also in race to develop homegrown oral COVID-19 drugs, thereby creating a crowded market.
With declining cases and hospitalizations, Pyramax has muted growth prospect as a treatment for COVID-19. Shinpoong is reporting operating loss due to accelerated R&amp;D expenditures.  


Shinpoong Pharmaceutical (019170 KS): Late Entry in COVID Drug Market; Legal Overhang Still Persists

<ul>
<li>The Japanese yen has been depreciating at a rate never seen before. Amid weakening domestic currency, Japan’s healthcare stocks have mostly outperformed their regional peers, due to their export-led growth.</li>
<li>Cash rich and fundamentally strong healthcare companies in Japan, with large international revenue exposure should be the key focus areas now.</li>
<li>Two of our top picks are sitting on double-digit gains, while the other two are facing temporary setbacks. Long-term fundamental story remains intact for all of them.   </li>
</ul>


The Japanese yen has been depreciating at a rate never seen before. Amid weakening domestic currency, Japan’s healthcare stocks have mostly outperformed their regional peers, due to their export-led growth.
Cash rich and fundamentally strong healthcare companies in Japan, with large international revenue exposure should be the key focus areas now.
Two of our top picks are sitting on double-digit gains, while the other two are facing temporary setbacks. Long-term fundamental story remains intact for all of them.   


APAC Healthcare Series (Part 3)- Focus Is on Japan; Top Picks Are Mostly in The Pink of Health

Japan

Shionogi & Company Ltd., is a pharmaceutical company. The Company develops prescription & over-the-counter drugs and diagnostics.

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Shionogi & Co (4507 JP)

BNC Korea (256840 KS): Base Business Faces Regulatory Headwind; Delay in COVID Drugs Approval

BNC Korea is barred from producing and exporting botulinum toxin for 6 months. Its in-licensed oral COVID drug could not secure FDA approval....

Tina Banerjee