Research from Water Tower Research, Water Tower Research

Water Tower Research

Research from Water Tower Research

Water Tower Research is a leading equity research firm that provides research on micro, small and mid cap companies.

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.

Equity Research Firm

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul><li>Market uncertainty and further disruptions at health agencies led to continued divergence between SMID-cap and large biopharma, as investors sought shelter in lower- <span style="font-size: var(--content-font-size);">risk, higher-quality names. </span></li><li><span style="font-size: var(--content-font-size);">Trump nominees, Martin Makary for </span>the FDA and Jay Bhattacharya for the NIH, appeared on course for Senate confirmations after relatively uncontentious hearings, but both provided little confidence that they would stop or reverse the draconian changes at these agencies.</li><li>NIH grant funding has not resumed despite a judge ruling against the cuts. RFK Jr. changed his stance on the measles outbreak, from not unusual to deeply concerned, as the second death occurred in an unvaccinated adult.</li></ul>

Market uncertainty and further disruptions at health agencies led to continued divergence between SMID-cap and large biopharma, as investors sought shelter in lower- risk, higher-quality names. Trump nominees, Martin Makary for the FDA and Jay Bhattacharya for the NIH, appeared on course for Senate confirmations after relatively uncontentious hearings, but both provided little confidence that they would stop or reverse the draconian changes at these agencies.NIH grant funding has not resumed despite a judge ruling against the cuts. RFK Jr. changed his stance on the measles outbreak, from not unusual to deeply concerned, as the second death occurred in an unvaccinated adult.

Biopharma Week in Review - March 10, 2025

Global Healthcare Analyst

Tina Banerjee

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/takeda-pharmaceutical-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11747:1" rel="noopener">Takeda Pharmaceutical (4502 JP)</a> reported better-than-expected performance in Q3FY25, with 3% revenue growth to ¥1,144B, driven by continued strong momentum from Growth and Launch Products. All key parameters beat estimates.</li>
<li>Takeda has upgraded its full year outlook for growth, reflecting strong year-to-date product performance and OPEX efficiencies, as well as revised foreign exchange assumptions. Takeda has also announced ¥100B buyback.</li>
<li>Continued strong performance of its Growth and Launch product portfolio, ripe late-stage pipeline, and expected margin improvement from FY26 envisage long-term growth prospect of the company.  </li>
</ul>



Takeda Pharmaceutical (4502 JP) reported better-than-expected performance in Q3FY25, with 3% revenue growth to ¥1,144B, driven by continued strong momentum from Growth and Launch Products. All key parameters beat estimates.
Takeda has upgraded its full year outlook for growth, reflecting strong year-to-date product performance and OPEX efficiencies, as well as revised foreign exchange assumptions. Takeda has also announced ¥100B buyback.
Continued strong performance of its Growth and Launch product portfolio, ripe late-stage pipeline, and expected margin improvement from FY26 envisage long-term growth prospect of the company.  


Takeda Pharmaceutical (4502 JP): Strong Q3 Result Triggers Guidance Raise; ¥100B Buyback Announced

HK/China Healthcare Analyst (ex-Fosun Pharma)

Xinyao (Criss) Wang

Equity Capital Markets

Ascentage Pharma Group Corp / Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>Ascentage has filed with the SEC to raise up to US$100 million in a US IPO. We think its future market value is expected to surpass that of Hutchmed.</li>
<li>The outlook of olverembatinib is clear. Takeda can give more possibilities to olverembatinib. 2025 Sales of olverembatinib is expected to reach RMB500 million.Market value contribution from olverembatinib is US$1-1.5 billion. </li>
<li>Investors have higher expectations on APG-2575 to be out-licensed to MNCs. We think the peak sales of APG-2575 is expected to surpass that of olverembatinib in overseas markets. </li>
</ul>


Ascentage has filed with the SEC to raise up to US$100 million in a US IPO. We think its future market value is expected to surpass that of Hutchmed.
The outlook of olverembatinib is clear. Takeda can give more possibilities to olverembatinib. 2025 Sales of olverembatinib is expected to reach RMB500 million.Market value contribution from olverembatinib is US$1-1.5 billion. 
Investors have higher expectations on APG-2575 to be out-licensed to MNCs. We think the peak sales of APG-2575 is expected to surpass that of olverembatinib in overseas markets. 


Pre-IPO Ascentage Pharma - The US Stock Listing Will Stimulate Future Growth Potential

Chief Economist & Political Strategist, CrossASEAN Research

Prasenjit K. Basu

Chief Economist & Political Strategist

CrossASEAN Research

At CrossASEAN Research we strive to produce unbiased and differentiated on the ground insights on companies across South East Asia. Our Research is produced for the most part after face to face meetings and conversations with company management to dig deep into the long term vision and strategy of the companies we cover. We seek to deliver investable and actionable themes on sectors and markets across SE Asia, often in collaboration with other Insight Providers across the region, pooling the vast experience of the analysts within the Smartkarma Ecosystem. We also offer bespoke work and tailor made trips for our clients. 

Insights across South East Asia

Cross Asset Strategy

<ul>
<li>With nominal GDP growing 6%YoY in the latest 3 quarters, Japanese interest rates will be gradually normalized. The JPY rebound, however, precludes the need for rapid BoJ hikes. </li>
<li>Unwinding of Yen carry-trades should take JPY to ¥125/US$ by end-2024, which will contribute to tightening monetary conditions sufficiently, further slowing inflation (from 2.85%YoY in May-Jun'24). </li>
<li>Appreciating JPY is bad for Japanese equities, so stay Underweight, with a defensive portfolio comprising utilities, pharmaceuticals and consumer staples. </li>
</ul>


With nominal GDP growing 6%YoY in the latest 3 quarters, Japanese interest rates will be gradually normalized. The JPY rebound, however, precludes the need for rapid BoJ hikes. 
Unwinding of Yen carry-trades should take JPY to ¥125/US$ by end-2024, which will contribute to tightening monetary conditions sufficiently, further slowing inflation (from 2.85%YoY in May-Jun'24). 
Appreciating JPY is bad for Japanese equities, so stay Underweight, with a defensive portfolio comprising utilities, pharmaceuticals and consumer staples. 


Japan: Normalizing Interest Rates as Nominal GDP Surges, Ending Deflation Era

Healthcare Equity Analyst - Emerging & Dev Markets, daaimon

Avien Pillay

Healthcare Equity Analyst - Emerging & Dev Markets

daaimon

daaimon is an independent research company focusing on healthcare and consumer sectors across developed and emerging markets. We produce insightful research which challenges conventional thinking. In particular, we look for new ideas by testing consensus forecasts and markets expectations.

Takeda Pharmaceutical   / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Production problems of Vyvanse generics seem to be largely resolved with nine of the ten suppliers back in stock.</li>
<li>Safety concerns with Takeda’s approved psoriasis competitor does raise further concerns as they are both TYK-2 inhibitors.</li>
<li>The company’s $900 m big restructure and cited areas for margin improvement are not “convincing” and lack detail.   </li>
</ul>


Production problems of Vyvanse generics seem to be largely resolved with nine of the ten suppliers back in stock.
Safety concerns with Takeda’s approved psoriasis competitor does raise further concerns as they are both TYK-2 inhibitors.
The company’s $900 m big restructure and cited areas for margin improvement are not “convincing” and lack detail.   


Additional Points Add to Our Recent Bearish View on Takeda.

Japan

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited is engaged in research and development, manufacturing, sales and marketing, and import and export of pharmaceutical drugs. The Company focuses on the core therapeutic areas of oncology, gastrointestinal, and central nervous system disease.

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Takeda Pharmaceutical (TAK US)

Biopharma Week in Review - March 10, 2025

Market uncertainty and further disruptions at health agencies led to continued divergence between SMID-cap and large biopharma, as investors sought...

Water Tower Research

Takeda Pharmaceutical (4502 JP): Strong Q3 Result Triggers Guidance Raise; ¥100B Buyback Announced

Takeda has upgraded its full year outlook for growth, reflecting strong year-to-date product performance and OPEX efficiencies, and revised Fx...

Tina Banerjee

Pre-IPO Ascentage Pharma - The US Stock Listing Will Stimulate Future Growth Potential

Ascentage aims to raise $100 million in US IPO, with potential valuation surpassing Hutchmed. Olverembatinib's outlook is certain. Catalyst is...

Xinyao (Criss) Wang

Japan: Normalizing Interest Rates as Nominal GDP Surges, Ending Deflation Era

Japanese interest rates are set to normalize amid robust nominal GDP. But a rebounding JPY (at ¥125/US$ by end'24) precludes further BoJ hikes,...

Prasenjit K. Basu

Additional Points Add to Our Recent Bearish View on Takeda.

Additional points add to our recent bearish view on Takeda. We are particularly concerned about the psoriasis acquisition and restructuring.

daaimon

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52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

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Biopharma Week in Review - March 10, 2025

Market uncertainty and further disruptions at health agencies led to continued divergence between SMID-cap and large biopharma, as investors sought...

Water Tower Research

Takeda Pharmaceutical (4502 JP): Strong Q3 Result Triggers Guidance Raise; ¥100B Buyback Announced

​Takeda has upgraded its full year outlook for growth, reflecting strong year-to-date product performance and OPEX efficiencies, and revised Fx...

Tina Banerjee

Pre-IPO Ascentage Pharma - The US Stock Listing Will Stimulate Future Growth Potential

​Ascentage aims to raise $100 million in US IPO, with potential valuation surpassing Hutchmed. Olverembatinib's outlook is certain. Catalyst is...

Xinyao (Criss) Wang

Japan: Normalizing Interest Rates as Nominal GDP Surges, Ending Deflation Era

​Japanese interest rates are set to normalize amid robust nominal GDP. But a rebounding JPY (at ¥125/US$ by end'24) precludes further BoJ hikes,...

Prasenjit K. Basu

Additional Points Add to Our Recent Bearish View on Takeda.

Additional points add to our recent bearish view on Takeda. We are particularly concerned about the psoriasis acquisition and restructuring.

daaimon

Takeda has upgraded its full year outlook for growth, reflecting strong year-to-date product performance and OPEX efficiencies, and revised Fx...

Ascentage aims to raise $100 million in US IPO, with potential valuation surpassing Hutchmed. Olverembatinib's outlook is certain. Catalyst is...

Japanese interest rates are set to normalize amid robust nominal GDP. But a rebounding JPY (at ¥125/US$ by end'24) precludes further BoJ hikes,...