Core Viewpoint - WuXi Biologics reported a revenue of 18.675 billion yuan for 2024, a year-on-year increase of 9.6%, but the net profit decreased by 1.3% to 3.356 billion yuan, marking the second consecutive year of profit decline after a 21.5% drop in 2023 [1][2] Revenue Performance - Revenue growth rates for WuXi Biologics from 2022 to 2024 were 71.6%, 11.6%, and 9.6%, indicating a significant slowdown [2] - Non-COVID business revenue grew by 13.1% in 2024, a sharp decline from 37.7% in 2023, reflecting structural adjustments in global biopharmaceutical R&D demand [2] - North American market revenue surged by 32.5% to 10.696 billion yuan, accounting for 57.3% of total revenue, while European and Chinese revenues fell by 15.9% and 9.6%, respectively [2] Profitability and Cost Structure - The net profit margin decreased from 25.9% in 2022 to 18% in 2024, with net profit declining by 21.5% in 2023 and 1.3% in 2024 [2] - Sales and marketing expenses increased by 61.1% to 474 million yuan, while administrative expenses rose by 11.9% to 1.674 billion yuan [2] - R&D expenses were reduced by 2.5% to 766 million yuan, showcasing flexibility in cost control [2] R&D Pipeline - The total number of projects reached 817, with 151 new projects added in 2024, over half of which are from U.S. clients [3] - The company secured 20 external projects through its "Win Molecular" strategy, including 13 late-stage clinical and commercial production projects [3] - ADC (Antibody-Drug Conjugates) revenue reached 3.944 billion yuan, accounting for 21.1% of total revenue, with a significant increase in the number of completed PPQ projects [3] Order Backlog and Market Position - The total amount of unfulfilled orders decreased by 11% to 18.5 billion USD, primarily due to the removal of 3 billion USD in orders from the sale of an Irish vaccine plant [4] - The company established a research service center in Boston to enhance North American market capabilities, while its Irish and Suzhou facilities focus on high-value products [4] - Despite short-term profit pressures and geopolitical disturbances, the company demonstrates resilience through its 817 ongoing projects and a robust order backlog [4][5]

业绩预期乐观却遭资本"用脚投票"！药明生物股价跳水 昨日晚间，药明生物发布2024年业绩公告。数据显示，公司去年收入、纯利双增，XDC业务实现翻倍，但股东应占纯 利微降，中国区收入也出现下滑。 今日开盘药明生物一度跌近6%，截止发稿跌幅收窄至3.51%至25.25港元，近5个交易日累计跌超11%。 去年营收增近一成 从业务分部来看，生物药分部依然是公司的主要收入来源，2024年收入为147.31亿元，占总收入的78.9%。而XDC分 部（专注于ADC及生物偶联药物市场）也表现出色，收入为39.44亿元，实现翻倍增长，占总收入的21.1%。 | | | 截至十二月三十一日止年度 | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | 二零二四年 | | 二零二三年 | | | | 人民幣 | | 人民幣 | | | 來自外部客戶的收益 | 百萬元 | % | 白岛儿 | 90 | | 生物藥 | 14,731.4 | 78.9% | 15,128.2 | 88.8% | | - XDC | 3,944.0 | 21.1% | 1.906.1 | 11.2% | | 總計 | 18,6 ...

| | | 二零二四年 | 二零二三年 | 變動 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | 人民幣百萬元 | 人民幣白萬元 | | | 收益 | | 18.675.4 | 17.034.3 | 9.6% | | 毛利 | | 7.650.8 | 6.827.9 | 12.1% | | 毛利率 | | 41.0% | 40.1% | | | 純利 | | 3.945.4 | 3.570.6 | 10.5% | | 純利率 | | 21.1% | 21.0% | | | 本公司擁有人應佔純利 | | 3,356.1 | 3,399.7 | (1.3%) | | 本公司擁有人應佔純利率 | | 18.0% | 20.0% | | | 本公司擁有人應佔經調整純利 | | 4.784.1 | 4.698.9 | 1.8% | | 本公司擁有人應佔經調整純利率 | | 25.6% | 27.6% | | | | | 人民幣元 | 人民幣元 | | | 每股盈利 | 一基本 | 0.82 | 0.82 | | | | 一艘薄 | 0.78 | 0.77 | 1.3% | | 經調整每股 ...

Core Viewpoint - WuXi Biologics (02269) reported strong financial performance for 2024, achieving revenue of RMB 18.68 billion, with non-COVID revenue growing by 13.1% year-on-year, indicating robust growth potential and a need for valuation recovery [1][3][10] Financial Performance - The company achieved a gross profit of RMB 7.65 billion, a 12.1% increase year-on-year, and an EBITDA of RMB 6.55 billion, up 16.7% year-on-year [1] - The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for non-COVID revenue from 2014 to 2024 is approximately 50% [1] - The stock price increased by 47.49% year-to-date as of March 25, 2024, but remains undervalued compared to estimates from major investment banks [1][10] Market Outlook - Major investment banks, including Morgan Stanley and CICC, have upgraded their forecasts for WuXi Biologics' revenue and net profit for 2025 and 2026, with target prices set at HKD 45 and HKD 50 respectively [1] - The global CXO industry is facing challenges, with many leading companies lowering their performance guidance for 2024, yet WuXi Biologics has successfully met its performance targets [2][3] Project Growth - WuXi Biologics achieved a record total of 817 integrated projects in 2024, with 151 new projects signed, exceeding the previous expectation of 110 [4][5] - The company has a strong pipeline with 402 preclinical projects, 328 early-stage clinical projects, and 87 late-stage clinical and commercial production projects, showing significant year-on-year growth [5] Strategic Advantages - The company’s dual-factory strategy and advanced technology platforms, such as WuXiBodyTM and WuXiUITM, are expected to enhance production efficiency and reduce costs significantly [6][8] - WuXi Biologics has maintained a 100% success rate in BLA submissions, reflecting its reliable quality management system [7][8] Valuation Potential - Despite strong fundamentals, WuXi Biologics' current PE ratio of 39.56 is significantly below its five-year average of 98.85, indicating substantial upside potential [10][12] - The company’s stock buyback program, with USD 4 billion completed out of a planned USD 6 billion, has increased its net asset value per share to HKD 10.75, enhancing investment attractiveness [9]

Core Insights - WuXi Biologics (02269) reported strong performance for 2024, with expectations for accelerated revenue growth in 2025 [1] Group 1: Financial Performance - The company added 151 integrated projects in 2024, reaching a total of 817 projects, including 13 late-stage commercialization projects, establishing one of the largest complex biologics pipelines globally [1] - Non-COVID revenue grew by 13.1% year-on-year in 2024, supported by an expanding pipeline of complex molecules and late-stage clinical and commercialization projects [1] Group 2: Strategic Initiatives - Over the past decade, the company has achieved significant growth through its "Follow and Win Molecules" strategy [1] - The research services segment is expected to be a key growth driver, leveraging industry-leading innovative technology platforms [1] - Commercial manufacturing is identified as another critical pillar for future growth, backed by extensive successful experience in delivering large-scale commercial production projects [1] Group 3: Project Developments - In the research services segment, the company signed 7 global projects for molecule discovery in 2024, generating $140 million in near-term payments, with a potential total value of approximately $2.3 billion [1] - The time from DNA to IND has been reduced to 9 months, with 148 new R&D projects signed in 2024 and collaborations with 62 new clients [1] - For commercial manufacturing, 24 PPQ projects are expected in 2025, following the completion of 16 PPQ projects in 2024, alongside the initiation of several major commercialization projects [1] Group 4: Future Outlook - The company anticipates a comprehensive acceleration in research, development, and production services, with revenue growth expected to return to double-digit rates [1] - Overall revenue growth guidance is set at 12-15%, with continued improvements in profitability and diverse growth prospects in the future [1]

Core Insights - WuXi Biologics has demonstrated resilient growth in a challenging macro environment, achieving a revenue of 18.68 billion RMB in 2024, with non-COVID revenue increasing by 13.1% [1][2] - The company’s unique CRDMO model and dual-engine strategy have proven effective in navigating industry challenges, outperforming competitors like Lonza and others facing stagnation [1][3] Financial Performance - In 2024, WuXi Biologics reported a gross profit of 7.65 billion RMB, a 12.1% year-on-year increase, and an adjusted EBITDA of 8.0 billion RMB, up 14.4% [1][4] - The company’s non-COVID revenue has seen a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 50% from 2014 to 2024, leading the global biopharmaceutical outsourcing sector [1] Market Dynamics - The North American market showed significant growth, with a 32.5% increase, while other markets like Japan and South Korea grew by 19.7% [2] - WuXi Biologics has diversified its business and client base, mitigating risks and leveraging its technological capabilities to meet innovative demands [2] Project Development - The company added 151 new integrated projects in 2024, bringing the total to 817, with a notable increase in both development (up 18%) and production projects (up 31%) [2] - Over half of the new integrated projects originated from U.S. clients, highlighting the company's strong international collaboration [2] Technological Advancements - WuXi Biologics has established a strong foothold in the dual antibody (WuXiBodyTM) and ADC (WuXiDARxTM) platforms, supporting over 50 projects in each category, with significant clinical development activity [5][7] - The company’s technology platforms have enabled the successful commercialization of projects, exemplified by the partnership with Merck for the CD3 product CN201, valued at $1.3 billion [6] Future Outlook - The global ADC market is projected to grow significantly, with an expected market size of $64.7 billion by 2030, driven by advancements in ADC technology [8] - WuXi Biologics anticipates a revenue growth of 12-15% in 2025, supported by its unique business model that emphasizes innovation, execution, and cost-effective therapies [11] Strategic Positioning - The company has implemented a global dual-plant production strategy, enhancing its operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness while addressing the growing importance of localized production [10] - WuXi Biologics' comprehensive project pipeline and extensive production capacity across three continents position it well to capitalize on future growth opportunities in the biopharmaceutical sector [11][12]

Financial Performance - The company's revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024, increased by 9.6% year-on-year to RMB 18,675.4 million, with non-COVID revenue growing by 13.1%[7] - Gross profit rose by 12.1% to RMB 7,650.8 million, resulting in a gross margin of 41.0%[3] - Net profit increased by 10.5% to RMB 3,945.4 million, with a net profit margin of 21.1%[3] - Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024, was RMB 18,675,371 thousand, an increase of 9.66% from RMB 17,034,255 thousand in 2023[125] - The net profit for the year was RMB 3,945,371 thousand, compared to RMB 3,570,624 thousand in 2023, representing a growth of 10.45%[126] - The adjusted net profit for the year ended December 31, 2024, was RMB 5,396.9 million, up from RMB 4,950.4 million in 2023, reflecting a growth of approximately 9.0%[101] - The adjusted EBITDA for 2024 was RMB 7,999.3 million, compared to RMB 6,993.0 million in 2023, representing a growth of approximately 14.4%[103] Revenue Breakdown - Revenue from North America rose significantly to RMB 10,695.8 million, accounting for 57.3% of total revenue, compared to RMB 8,073.5 million or 47.4% in the previous year[50] - IND pre-service revenue grew by 30.7% to approximately RMB 7,062.2 million, representing 37.8% of total revenue for the year ending December 31, 2024[51] - Revenue from the XDC segment increased to RMB 3,944.0 million, representing 21.1% of total revenue, compared to RMB 1,906.1 million or 11.2% in the previous year[54] - CRDMO services contributed RMB 18,362,739,000 to total revenue in 2024, up from RMB 16,749,791,000 in 2023, reflecting a growth of 9.66%[137] Operational Highlights - The number of ongoing integrated projects reached 817, with 151 new projects added during the reporting period[4] - The company secured 20 external projects through its "Winning Molecules" strategy, including 13 late-stage clinical and commercial production projects[4] - The total value of uncompleted orders as of December 31, 2024, reached USD 18.5 billion, including USD 10.5 billion in service orders and USD 8 billion in potential milestone payments[7] - The company has empowered over 600 IND submissions, with a recent autoimmune disease project completed in just six months, significantly optimizing the development cycle from DNA to IND to nine months[17] - The WuXiaTM platform has delivered over 1,000 cell lines, enabling 150 comprehensive CMC projects annually, making it one of the largest platforms in the industry[18] Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations - The company has established partnerships with the top 20 global pharmaceutical companies and most large pharmaceutical companies in China, expanding its customer base[8] - The company has established strategic collaborations with GSK, Candid Therapeutics, BioNTech, and Medigene to advance new biopharmaceutical technologies, enhancing client trust and driving innovation in biotherapy[16] - The company has established a strategic partnership with Merck for the development of the B cell depletion therapy CN201, showcasing the unique advantages of its CRDMO platform[29] Production and Capacity Expansion - The company has expanded its production services significantly, with 66 late-stage clinical and 21 non-COVID commercialization projects as of the reporting period end[32] - The company has enhanced its production capacity, increasing the total capacity at its Hangzhou facility to 23,000 liters and completing mechanical work at its Suzhou facility, which is expected to reach GMP readiness soon[39] - The company has achieved GMP certification for all three production facilities in Ireland, successfully completing multiple 16,000-liter scale PPQ productions during the reporting period[35] Financial Management and Expenses - Sales and marketing expenses increased by 61.1% from approximately RMB 294.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, to approximately RMB 473.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, with the percentage of sales and marketing expenses to revenue rising from 1.7% to 2.5%[62] - Administrative expenses grew by 11.9% from approximately RMB 1,495.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, to approximately RMB 1,673.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, driven by increased employee-related costs and support for global business expansion[63] - Research and development expenses decreased by 2.5% from approximately RMB 785.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, to approximately RMB 766.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, due to automation and enhanced operational efficiency[64] Shareholder Returns and Dividends - The board of directors did not recommend any final dividend for the year ended December 31, 2024[3] - The company did not declare any dividends for the year ending December 31, 2024, consistent with 2023[12] Sustainability and ESG Initiatives - The company has joined the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and the UN Global Compact, focusing on ESG performance and sustainable practices[38] - The company has received multiple awards for its quality services and commitment to ESG practices, including recognition in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and MSCI ESG ratings[43] - The company has implemented over 260 improvement projects through its WBS system, achieving increased efficiency, cost savings, and significant contributions to sustainability goals[42] Market Outlook - The global biopharmaceutical market is expected to grow at a double-digit rate in the coming years, driven by the increasing demand for biopharmaceuticals and advancements in biotechnologies such as bispecific antibodies and ADCs[46] - The company anticipates continued growth in demand for outsourcing services from biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, aimed at accelerating discovery, development, and production processes[46]

Core Viewpoint - The company Yang Guo Fu has publicly apologized for a food safety incident involving a mouse found in one of its stores in Suzhou, indicating a commitment to addressing the issue and enhancing food safety measures [1][2]. Group 1: Incident Response - Yang Guo Fu confirmed that the affected store has immediately removed and destroyed all food items, and is currently closed for thorough disinfection and rectification [2]. - The company has initiated a comprehensive investigation into its food safety practices, including the inspection of rodent prevention facilities and food storage protocols, with non-compliant stores facing immediate closure [2]. Group 2: Regulatory Actions - The Suzhou Industrial Park Market Supervision Administration reported that upon receiving complaints, they conducted an on-site inspection and ordered the store to cease operations, initiating legal proceedings against the business [4]. - The administration plans to intensify food safety oversight to ensure public health and safety [4].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the significant growth and potential of Chinese innovative pharmaceuticals in the global market, emphasizing the increasing interest from multinational corporations (MNCs) in acquiring Chinese drug assets due to their competitive pricing and quality [3][4][5]. Group 1: Market Trends - In 2024, nearly 100 innovative drug deals from China were reported, with disclosed amounts approaching $60 billion, indicating a robust trend in the outbound licensing of Chinese pharmaceuticals [4]. - Major pharmaceutical companies are shifting their focus from traditional high-cost innovation models to more cost-effective licensing agreements with Chinese firms, recognizing the value of Chinese assets [5][6]. Group 2: Buyer Behavior - MNCs are increasingly indifferent to the origin of innovation, seeking to enhance their portfolios with Chinese products that offer better data and lower costs [5][6]. - There is a growing interest from MNCs in earlier-stage projects, challenging the stereotype that they prefer stable, late-stage products [6]. Group 3: NewCo Model - The NewCo model has gained traction, allowing Chinese companies to establish new entities overseas to license out their products, potentially leading to high-value acquisitions or IPOs in the U.S. market [7][8]. - Despite the high total transaction amounts in NewCo deals, initial payments are often low, reflecting the challenges faced by biotech firms in negotiating favorable terms [9]. Group 4: Challenges and Considerations - The NewCo model may not fundamentally resolve the short-term exit issues faced by biotech companies, as the timeline for potential acquisitions or public listings can extend for years [9][10]. - Cultural and operational integration challenges exist for Chinese firms entering the U.S. market, necessitating a deep understanding of local dynamics to build trust and effectively navigate the landscape [10].

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "BUY" rating for WuXi Biologics, with a target price raised from HK$22.88 to HK$24.24, indicating a potential upside of 36.6% from the current price of HK$17.74 [3][8]. Core Insights - WuXi Biologics added 151 new projects in 2024, the highest in its history, with over half from the US, showcasing strong global competitiveness and client trust [1][8]. - The company is set to receive US$140 million in near-term payments from enabling discovery services for 7 global projects in 2024, highlighting lucrative milestone income [1][8]. - The Ireland site is on track to achieve breakeven in 2025, and the company plans to expand its drug substance capacity significantly, with a focus on establishing a comprehensive global production network [1][8]. Financial Summary - Revenue is projected to grow from RMB 17,034 million in FY23A to RMB 20,687 million in FY25E, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 13.4% [2][18]. - Adjusted net profit is expected to increase from RMB 4,739 million in FY24E to RMB 5,358 million in FY25E, representing a growth of 13.0% [2][18]. - The adjusted EPS is forecasted to rise from RMB 1.15 in FY24E to RMB 1.30 in FY25E, with a P/E ratio decreasing from 14.3x in FY24E to 12.7x in FY25E [2][18]. Project Pipeline and Growth - The company’s project pipeline now includes 817 projects, with a significant increase in process performance qualification (PPQ) projects expected to grow by 31% YoY to 101 in 2025 [1][8]. - WuXi Biologics completed 77 PPQ projects in 2024, marking a 26% increase year-on-year, indicating strong momentum for future growth in CMO revenue [1][8]. Overseas Operations - The Ireland biologics facility has shown strong client demand trends, successfully completing multiple 16k-liter PPQ batch productions, supporting profitability targets for 2025 [1][8]. - WuXi Biologics is constructing a new 36k-liter drug substance capacity facility in the US, aiming to expand total drug substance capacity to 491k liters, with approximately 49% located overseas [1][8].