Tag - pharma

07 Feb

Expect to launch Spiriva in 2HCY22 in the US – Lupin

Update on the Indian Equity Market:

On Monday, NIFTY50 ended in the red amid a broad-based sell-off, ahead of the RBI monetary policy meeting during the week. NIFTY50 ended at 17,214 (-1.7%), dragged by TATACONSUM (-3.9%), LT (-3.6%), and HDFCBANK (-3.5%). POWERGRID (+1.9%), ONGC (+1.3%), and TATASTEEL (+0.7%) led the gainers.

Among the sectoral indices, PSU BANK (+0.9%) was the only one to close in the green. FINANCIAL SERVICES (-2.6%), FINANCIAL SERVICES 25/50 (-2.5%), and PRIVATE BANK (-2.3%) led the laggards.

Lupin announced 3QFY22 results, which were lower than the street estimates. Ms. Vinita Gupta, the CEO, outlined the reasons for the lower revenue growth in Business Standard on 7th February 2022:

  • Respiratory products have become a major growth driver for Lupin in the US. Albuterol has ramped up well over the last few quarters and has a market share of over 20 percent. In Brovana, Lupin has about 45 percent market share. The rest of the business in the US has been stable.
  • In 2HCY22 the company expects to launch a few products such as Spiriva in the US. It also expects to launch the first biosimilar, Pegfilgrastim in the US for which US FDA inspection of the Pune plant is required.
  • The company has shifted production to India for some of its products such as nasal sprays. For some other first-to-file (FTF) products in the US, Lupin is transferring production to some contract manufacturers in India and the US.
  • In 3QFY22, the India business was up 12% YoY due to significant growth in the respiratory products portfolio in 3QFY21. The company launched molnupiravir in the Covid products portfolio. Practicing physicians see molnupiravir as an important part of the regimen.
  • The CEO foresees increasing contribution to the Indian business from the diagnostic business. Lupin has established a national laboratory and has seven centers (clinics) in place- four owned and three are partnered. In FY23, she expects a rapid expansion in both owned and partnered clinics. However, the diagnostic business will be small in the near term in terms of total India business.
  • It has recently announced a partnership with Fancoo for CNS products in China. Lupin is looking forward to getting those products approved and launched in China. It is also working on the respiratory and inhalation pipeline (products developed for the US) which provides an opportunity in China.
  • Apart from the US, Lupin is present in the UK, Canada, Australia. It has a presence in Japan through its partner and is working on more partnerships to have a pipeline of complex generics and biosimilars.
  • In Europe, Lupin is focusing on Germany, the UK, and France and has a big respiratory pipeline in Europe.
  • In Australia, it has acquired Southern Cross Pharma which will make Lupin among the top three generic players in the market.
  • About 25% of the raw materials are imported. The company is self-sufficient in terms of APIs and other materials. The company is trying to reduce the dependence on China by increasing suppliers in India. The CEO believes the PLI scheme will help to develop a more self-reliant supply chain.

 Asset Multiplier comments:

  • The entire pharmaceutical industry is impacted due to supply chain bottlenecks which are impacting margins. Reduced dependency on China, and building domestic capabilities are likely to aid margin recovery in the medium term.
  • Lupin’s 3QFY22 performance was impacted by higher price erosion in the US and raw material cost. While this is expected to impact the performance in the near term, the early launch of key products such as Spiriva is likely to provide some relief to investors.

Consensus Estimate: (Source: Market Screener website)

  • The closing price of LUPIN was ₹ 804/- as of 7-February-2022.  It traded at 21x/ 16x the consensus EPS estimate of ₹ 38.6/ 50.2/- for FY22E/FY23E/FY24E respectively.
  • The consensus average target price is ₹ 977/- which implies a PE multiple of 19x on FY24E EPS of 50.2/-.

Disclaimer: “The views expressed are for information purposes only. The information provided herein should not be considered as investment advice or research recommendation. The users should rely on their own research and analysis and should consult their own investment advisors to determine the merit, risks, and suitability of the information provided.”

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28 Jul

Growth visible across segments, pricing pressure in US a concern – Alembic Pharma

Update on the Indian Equity Market:

The market witnessed the continuation of the bearish movement due to acute turmoil in Chinese stock markets. Nifty was down 37 points or 0.24% at 15,709.

Among the sectoral indices, METAL (+1.22%) AND IT (+0.21%) were gainers while PSU BANK(-1.88%), AUTO (-0.93%) and REALTY (-0.79%) were top losers. Among the stocks, BHARTIARTL (+5.04%), TATASTEEL (+2.81%), and SBILIFE (+2.16%) were the top gainers while KOTAKBANK (-2.59%), DRREDDY (2.55%) and TATAMOTORS (-2.2%) were the top losers.

Alembic Pharma sees growth across segments; says pricing pressure in the US a concern

Edited excerpts of an interview with Mr Pranav Amin, Managing Director at Alembic Pharmaceutical with CNBCTV18 on 28th July 2021:

Alembic Pharma posted its Q1FY22 earnings. EBITDA, margins and profit have all come in below street estimates, the US generics business has seen a steep fall as well. Pranav Amin

  • Street estimates of EBITDA Margin for 1QFY22 were ~23-24% for the quarter v/s actual reported margin of 18%. The market was disappointed with the performance and stock tanked ~11% post results. Mr Amin explained the reason for the margin decline. He said that US business since the last five years has had a CAGR of about 25 per cent. Part of the growth in the US business was due to the Sartan opportunity, where the company did well.
  • Also there have been a lot of disruptions in the market. Since November or December, disruptions were seen and there was a lot of supply in the market, which has led to pricing pressure in the US market. So that is what has broadly caused the dip in the margins for this quarter.
  • US business declined by 38% YoY reason being the price erosion. Volumes were flat but pricing pressure was seen in other products as well other than the sartans in US business which led to the decline in US business.
  • Guidance on US business – In the last 5-6 quarters the average US revenue has been ~$70mn because of the sartans. Moving forward, the company has withdrawn all guidance. As far as the business is concerned, very robust growth is seen in the Indian market and the company expects it to continue.
  • API business grew by 6% YoY in 1QFY22, last year there were a lot of disruptions in API business because of COVID especially from China. The European business also grew very well, last year, had a growth of 13 per cent. So by and large, all the other businesses are doing okay. It’s just the US that is facing pricing pressure.
  • The company has withdrawn the EPS guidance for FY22 because
    • the markets have been quite dynamic, as is seen on some of the pricing in the Sartans and some of the other products.
    • There’s still no clarity on the FDA inspection of new facilities.
    • Competition is witnessed in some of the other larger products of the company.
  • India Business – India Business does not have a COVID-19 related portfolio. COVID-19 has been tougher for Alembic as most of the portfolio was not used for COVID-19 treatment. Speciality and Acute portfolios have shown good growth. The company expects to grow faster than the market.
  • The company has guided investors to launching 15 products in the US and management wants to stick to it. Strategically company is working on cost optimization, renovating portfolio and seeing where volumes can be maximized for some of the products to remain competitive in US markets. The filing and launches are on track.

 Asset Multiplier Comments

  • The near-term outlook remains muted due to significant erosion in US sales which would also weigh on margin. Further, inspections at new plants have been delayed due to COVID-19 which has led to delay in the launches of complex generics
  • The company’s plan to launch 15 products in the US and consistent performance in Indian branded formulations will help Alembic to perform going forward.

Consensus Estimate (Source: tikr. com and market screener websites)

  •  The closing price of Alembic Pharma was ₹ 796/- as of 28-Jul-21. It traded at 21.5x/17.2x/14.6x the consensus EPS estimate of ₹ 37.6/47/55.5 for FY22E/ FY23E/FY24E respectively.
  • The consensus target price of ₹ 965/- implies a PE multiple of 17x on FY24E EPS of ₹ 55.5/-.

 

Disclaimer: “The views expressed are for information purposes only. The information provided herein should not be considered as investment advice or research recommendation. The users should rely on their own research and analysis and should consult their own investment advisors to determine the merit, risks, and suitability of the information provided.”

 

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22 Apr

Targeting Sputnik V import by June; to be priced at $10 – Dr Reddy’s Lab

Update on the Indian Equity Market:

On Thursday, the Nifty index ended with gains of 0.8% at 14,406 levels led by Metals and Financials. Within NIFTY50, WIPRO (+3.5%), ICICIBANK (+3.45%), and TATASTEEL (+3.2%) were the top gainers, while SHREECEM (-2.8%), TITAN(-2.7%), and TATACONSUM (-1.9%) were the top losing stocks. Among the sectoral indices, FMCG (-0.7%), PHARMA (-0.4%) and IT (-0.2%) were the losers, and BANK (+2.2%), FINSERVICE (+2.1%) AND MEDIA (+1.9%) were the top gainers.

Targeting May end or early June for Sputnik V import; vaccine to be priced at $10, says Dr Reddy’s Lab

Excerpts of an interview with Mr. G V Prasad, Co Chairman and Managing Director, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories (DRL), aired on CNBC-TV18 dated on 20th April 2021:

  • V Prasad, Co-Chairman and MD at Dr Reddy’s Laboratories (DRL), on Tuesday, said that the target for the import of Sputnik V vaccine, against COVID-19, is May end or early June.
  • DRL is doing its best to accelerate the import and expects to get products launched in Q1FY22E. The cold chain and logistics are in place as they talk to the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) to accelerate the shipments.
  • He also mentioned that the launch of the India-made Sputnik V vaccine is likely to be in the Q2FY22E. Each manufacturer is in a different stage of the manufacturing process. But he hopes that in Q2 India will have Indian manufactured vaccine available at least from one-two players. So, overall Q2 should see the launch of the Indian vaccine.
  • Prasad clarified the pricing on the vaccine and said it would be uniform across the globe. He added that starting with the imported vaccine, the Russian organization has a uniform price of US $10 across the world. So, when it comes in, it will be priced at the same price that this product is offered anywhere else in the world.
  • The Pharma companies manufacturing the vaccines along with the government will have to come up with a price, which he hopes to be less than the imported price. He assured that the companies will not make profit out of this vaccine and expects the vaccine price not to be higher than US$10. 2 doses of vaccines are required and Mr. Prasad doesn’t think price would be an issue and people are willing to pay this price and don’t need to be subsidized.
  • Meanwhile, he welcomed the government’s announcement of liberalized and accelerated Phase 3 strategy of COVID-19 vaccination from May 1. The government said that anyone above 18 years of age will be eligible for vaccination from May 1. This announcement was a very major move by the government which will improve availability, by decentralizing the whole process, the logistics will be much better and it will be market-driven. So, he is optimistic about the way forward.
  • He believed that the private sector can now fully participate in the vaccine drive now and India will see a rise in availability. A rise in private organizations setting up vaccination centers will be seen and the imported vaccine will immediately relieve some pressure. People will also have the choice to get vaccinated with their choice of vaccines.
  • Last, he noted that there will not be any shortage of Remdesivir in the coming weeks. He said that Favipiravir is still available as it is not in much demand. He thinks there has been a significant overuse of Remdesivir. There is a gap in the market as the shortage was sudden and DRL is doing its best to improve the supply of Remdesivir and from next week onwards, they will have a good number of supplies for this product.
  • On April 5, the RDIF and drug firm Panacea Biotec had said that they had agreed to produce 100 million doses per year of Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine in India.
  • The efficacy of Sputnik V is 91.6 percent as confirmed by the data published in the leading medical journal, Lancet. It has been registered in 59 countries globally, the statement said. The price of Sputnik V is US $10 per shot, it added.

Asset Multiplier Comments

  • Although DRL denied to comment on the profit margins expected from the vaccine and said they are not here to make profits out of this situation we feel that Pharma sector as a whole will see a high single digit or low double-digit growth in FY22E led by covid’s second wave related opportunities.
  • The increasing cases and lockdowns in major states in India will impact the market sentiment. The investors will rush back to the defensives and Pharma sector being one of them is likely to benefit.

Consensus Estimate (Source: investing. com and market screener websites)

  • The closing price of DRREDDY was ₹ 5,200 as of 22-April-2021. It traded at 26x/ 22x the consensus EPS estimate of ₹ 196/233 for FY22E/ FY23E respectively.
  • The consensus target price of ₹ 5,491/- implies a PE multiple of 23x on FY23E EPS of ₹233/-.

 

Disclaimer: “The views expressed are for information purposes only. The information provided herein should not be considered as investment advice or research recommendation. The users should rely on their own research and analysis and should consult their own investment advisors to determine the merit, risks, and suitability of the information provided.”

 

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09 Nov

Albuterol contribution to be higher from 4Q onwards – Lupin

Update on Indian equity market:
Following its global peers, Indian markets continued to rally for the 5th straight session as Nifty closed the day 143 points higher at 12,157. Within the index, the gainers were led by RELIANCE (3.6%), BAJAJFINSV (3.5%), and INDUSINDBK (3.3%) whereas Maruti (-2.9%), GAIL (-1.9%) and BHARTIARTL (-1.5%) were the laggards. Among the sectoral indices, PVT BANK (2.1%), BANK (1.9%), and FIN SERVICE (1.9%) led the index higher while PHARMA (-0.7%) and FMCG (-0.1%) were the only laggards.
Excerpts of an interview with Mr. Nilesh Gupta, Managing Director, Lupin with CNBC-TV18 dated 05th November 2020:
The company is witnessing growth in the US markets on the back of the launch of Albuterol. The drug is a great growth opportunity for Lupin.
The Albuterol story will really come out in 4QFY21E. The company is still in ramp-up mode. Lupin is expected to get more business in 3Q as compared to 2Q and will see a steady-state of demand from 4Q onwards.
The reason for optimism on Albuterol is a major competitor, Perrigo going out of business with no timeline of coming back.
Commenting on the re-launch of Glumetza, there were some teething problems regarding the product but management is confident about the re-launch of the drug.
The company is able to return to a $180- 200mn quarterly run rate in the US markets. The remediation costs and research and development spend in the past have started fructifying for the company.
In the Indian business, the company is expected to grow 6-8% YoY. The business has suffered in the 1st half of FY21 due to the COVID-related slowdown in demand from the acute segment. The market is expected to grow in the range of 4-5% and the company is confident of beating the industry growth rate.
Consensus Estimate: (Source: market screener website)
The closing price of Lupin was ₹ 931/- as of 05-Nov-2020. It traded at 40x/ 25x/ 21x the consensus EPS estimate of ₹ 23/ 38/ 45 for FY21E/ FY22E/ FY23E respectively.
The consensus target price of ₹ 945/- implies a P/E multiple of 21x on FY23E EPS of ₹ 45/-.
Disclaimer: “The views expressed are for information purposes only. The information provided herein should not be considered as investment advice or research recommendation. The users should rely on their own research and analysis and should consult their own investment advisors to determine the merit, risks, and suitability of the information provided.”

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