Layn(SZ:002166) Tianfeng Securities·2025-05-27 14:44Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is "Buy" with a target price not specified [7]. Core Insights - The company is leveraging synthetic biology to enhance the production of plant extracts, addressing key technological challenges in scaling natural product production [1]. - The dual technology strategy of "natural extraction + biological synthesis" has been elevated to a strategic goal, with significant progress in the field of natural sweeteners and polysaccharides [2]. - The company has achieved breakthroughs in natural sweeteners, including the mass production capability of steviol glycosides and the full synthetic pathway for monk fruit sweetener [3][4]. Summary by Sections Section 1: Industry Development - The plant extract industry in China entered a quality improvement phase in 2021, with technological innovations driving growth and reducing dependency on raw materials [1]. Section 2: Company Strategy - Since 2016, the company has collaborated with research institutions to develop biological synthesis technologies for natural sweeteners, resulting in the establishment of two R&D platforms [2]. - The company has obtained 8 patents in synthetic biology and has a production capacity of over 1,000 tons annually, with an expected annual output value exceeding 1 billion yuan [2]. Section 3: Product Progress - The company has developed a high-value steviol glycoside, Reb M2, which is set to receive FDA GRAS certification by February 2025, allowing it to be marketed in the U.S. [3]. - The company is the first to successfully synthesize monk fruit sweetener, addressing the limitations of natural sourcing [3]. - A new functional polysaccharide, L-β-galactomannan, has been developed with various health benefits and is expected to receive FDA GRAS certification by 2025 [4]. - The company is actively researching ergothioneine, which has promising market potential [4]. Section 4: Financial Forecast & Investment Recommendations - The revenue forecast for 2025-2027 is adjusted to 2.08 billion, 2.48 billion, and 2.99 billion yuan, with net profits of 212.53 million, 288.09 million, and 395.93 million yuan respectively [5]. - The company is expected to see significant growth in the plant extraction and synthetic biology sectors, maintaining a "Buy" rating [5].