
Core Viewpoint - The pharmaceutical sector is experiencing moderate revenue growth and enhanced profit elasticity in 2024, driven by a stabilizing policy environment and internal structural optimization [1][5]. Revenue and Profit Performance - In 2024, 89 listed companies achieved total revenue of 391.7 billion yuan, a slight increase of 1% year-on-year; net profit attributable to shareholders reached 42.4 billion yuan, with a growth rate of 8.2% [1]. - Quarterly revenue growth rates for 2024 were 1.6%, 2.7%, 3.3%, and -0.3%, while net profit growth remained between 4.8% and 13%, peaking at 13% in Q2 [1]. - In Q1 2025, revenue declined by 3.1% to 96.62 billion yuan, and net profit slightly decreased by 1.1% to 12.56 billion yuan, indicating short-term market demand fluctuations [1]. Profitability Indicators - The sector's gross margin increased by 0.6 percentage points to 55%, and net margin rose by 0.8 percentage points to 12% in 2024 [2]. - The sales expense ratio decreased by 1 percentage point to 40%, with the most significant reduction occurring in Q2, contributing to improved profitability [2]. - In Q1 2025, gross margin further increased to 55.1%, and net profit margin reached a record high of 13% [2]. Market Competition Landscape - The industry is witnessing a significant increase in concentration, with the top 20 companies contributing 293.1 billion yuan, accounting for approximately 75% of total revenue in 2024 [2][3]. - The top 10 companies generated 226.5 billion yuan, representing 58% of the sector's revenue, with major players like Huadong Medicine, Fosun Pharma, and Heng Rui Medicine each exceeding 30 billion yuan in revenue [2]. Innovation Drug Sector - The innovative drug sub-sector is a key growth driver, with 57 A-share innovative drug companies generating 309.7 billion yuan in revenue, a year-on-year increase of 9.4%, and net profit rising by 65.1% [3]. - Heng Rui Medicine led with over 8 billion yuan in net profit, while BeiGene's sales of Zepzelca exceeded 5 billion yuan in overseas markets [3]. R&D Investment Trends - In 2024, R&D expenditures in the innovative drug sector totaled 54.1 billion yuan, a 5.2% increase, but the R&D expense ratio decreased to 17.5% [4]. - In Q1 2025, the innovative drug sector saw a slight revenue decline of 0.3% to 68.09 billion yuan, while net profit grew by 5.4% to 7.96 billion yuan [4]. Overall Industry Outlook - The pharmaceutical sector is characterized by improved profit quality and differentiated growth momentum amid a complex environment of policy stabilization and intensified market competition [5]. - Companies with strong R&D capabilities, cost control advantages, and international perspectives are expected to thrive, while those relying on traditional generics may face greater challenges [5].