Expect to address FDA observations in time to launch Glargine: Christiane Hamacher, Biocon Biologics

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Excerpts from an interview with Dr. Christiane Hamacher, MD and CEO of Biocon Biologics aired on CNBC18 TV on 24^nd February 2020:

• They have received three observations from US FDA under form 483 and they are procedural in nature. They largely aim at process improvements.
• They don’t have any repeat observations and they will be submitting an action plan very soon to address these observations.
• They are expecting to address all the observations well in time to meet the target action date for their biosimilar Glargine in June 2020 and they expect to be in a position to launch in 2^nd half of this calendar year in the US by their partner Mylan.
• So, there is no delay when it comes to launching in the second half of 2020.
• As a transition from New Drug Application (NDA) to Biologics License Application (BLA) for certain biologics will not actually affect their submission for biosimilar Glargine.
• That was submitted another pathway and they are very clear that they expect their biosimilar will continue to be reviewed under the same pathway. So, they don’t foresee any delay when it comes to this review process.
• Biosimilar Glargine together with their biosimilar Trastuzumab, and their biosimilar Pegfilgratim in the US, in the near future will be a very important component to achieve the revenue guidance of USD 1 billion that they have given for FY22.
• They see much less competition compared to other areas like oncology and they have a huge portfolio. Along with their partner Mylan, they are very well positioned to be a leading player in the insulin biosimilar space.

Consensus Estimate: (Source: market screener website)

• The closing price of Biocon was ₹ 298/- as of 26-February-2020.  It traded at 40x/ 30x/ 23x the consensus earnings estimate of ₹ 7.5/ 10.1/ 13.1 for FY20E/ FY21E/ FY22E respectively.
• Consensus target price is ₹ 313/- which implies a PE multiple of 24x on FY22E EPS of ₹ 13.1/-