
In today’s briefing:
- ResApp’s Revised Offer from Pfizer Still Faces Headcount Test Risk
- Biocytogen (百奥赛图) Pre-IPO: Prospectus and Valuation Updates
- Moderna (MRNA US): Better-Than-Expected Q2 Result; Guidance Reiterated; $3B Share Buyback Announced
- Opthea Ltd (OPT AU): Lead Asset for Highly Prevalent Retinal Disease Moving Toward Commercialization
- Pre-IPO Cali Biosciences – The Industry, the Business and the Concerns
ResApp’s Revised Offer from Pfizer Still Faces Headcount Test Risk
- Pfizer Inc (PFE US) upped its Resapp Health (RAP AU) offer from A$0.146 per share to A$0.208 per share, in line with the independent expert’s preferred value of A$0.208 per share.
- The NO vote camp from defiant retail shareholders forced Pfizer to up its offer. Unfortunately, a vocal NO camp is still present despite Pfizer’s revised higher offer.
- At the last close, the gross spread is 9.5%. The risk/reward profile is unfavourable as ResApp is a highly-held retail stock, posing a headcount test risk to the scheme.
Biocytogen (百奥赛图) Pre-IPO: Prospectus and Valuation Updates
- Biocytogen, a China-based pre-clinical research and biopharmaceutical company, will pre-market its IPO to raise USD 25m, which is a significant downsize from the previous USD 300m fundraising target.
- In our previous note, we covered the company’s fundamentals and compared its business with its peers.
- We will provide an update on its latest prospectus and its peer performance in this note.
Moderna (MRNA US): Better-Than-Expected Q2 Result; Guidance Reiterated; $3B Share Buyback Announced
- Moderna Inc (MRNA US) reported strong Q2 results, with both revenue and EPS surpassing consensus. Profitability was negatively impacted by one-off inventory write-down charge.
- Management has reiterated advance purchase agreements for expected delivery of ~$21 billion in 2022. Assuming an endemic situation, Moderna’s commercial infrastructure is prepared for a 2023 commercial market.
- The Board of Directors has approved a new share repurchase program for $3 billion in August 2022, with no expiry. Moderna shares have gained 27% in last three months.
Opthea Ltd (OPT AU): Lead Asset for Highly Prevalent Retinal Disease Moving Toward Commercialization
- Opthea Ltd (OPT AU) is developing OPT-302, a first-in-class investigational drug. With improved efficacy, OPT-302 has the potential to be the next transformative step in the treatment of wet AMD.
- Pivotal phase 3 trials are ongoing for OPT-302, with topline data expected in mid-2024. OTP-302 is expected to be launched in 2025. OPT-302 represents a multi-billion-dollar peak sales opportunity.
- As of December 2021, Opthea had cash balance of A$88 million and no debt. Over the trailing 12 months, the company had cash burn of A$56 million.
Pre-IPO Cali Biosciences – The Industry, the Business and the Concerns
- Both the postoperative pain management and the expansive application of anesthetics in various fields would increase the market demand for ropivacaine.
- Cali Biosciences (CALI HK)’s core product, the ropivacaine long-acting analgesic injection drug candidate CPL-01, would have to face the challenges of fierce competition, uncertain market acceptance, and negative policy impact.
- Together with other concerns such as slow development progress, “not rich enough” pipeline and potential liquidity risk, we are conservative about Cali’s outlook at the current stage.
Before it’s here, it’s on Smartkarma
Sign Up for Free
The Smartkarma Preview Pass is your entry to the Independent Investment Research Network
- ✓ Unlimited Research Summaries
- ✓ Personalised Alerts
- ✓ Custom Watchlists
- ✓ Company Data and News
- ✓ Events & Webinars