Core Viewpoint - Changchun High-tech has experienced a significant decline in stock price and market value, reflecting the challenges faced by the Chinese pharmaceutical industry as it transitions from a reliance on "miracle drugs" to a focus on innovation [2] Financial Performance - In 2024, Changchun High-tech reported its first revenue decline in nearly 20 years, with revenue of 13.466 billion yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 7.55%, and net profit of 2.708 billion yuan, down 43.01% [3] - The company's performance continued to deteriorate in Q1 2025, with net profit of 469 million yuan, a year-on-year decline of 47.36% [4] - From 2020 to 2023, the company saw revenue grow from 8.577 billion yuan to 14.566 billion yuan, and net profit increase from 3.308 billion yuan to 4.776 billion yuan, but 2024 marked a turning point with revenue dropping to 13.466 billion yuan and net profit plummeting to 2.583 billion yuan [5] Factors Affecting Performance - The decline in performance is attributed to three main factors: centralized procurement policies, a decrease in birth rates, and price wars with competitors [6] - Centralized procurement significantly impacted the company's main product, growth hormone, which saw prices drop from approximately 1,000 yuan to 300 yuan, a reduction of 70%, leading to a 40.67% profit drop for its subsidiary, Jinsai Pharmaceutical [6] - The decline in birth rates has reduced the potential market for growth hormone, with newborn numbers dropping from 17.23 million in 2017 to 9.02 million in 2023 [7] - Increased competition in the long-acting growth hormone market has led to price wars, further squeezing profit margins [7] Sales and Expenses - In response to market challenges, the company increased its sales team by 58% in 2024, raising the number of sales personnel from 3,155 to 4,995, resulting in an 11.8% increase in sales expenses to 4.439 billion yuan [7][10] - Despite the increase in sales personnel, average salaries for sales staff decreased by approximately 15,000 yuan, reflecting higher work intensity as evidenced by significant increases in travel and entertainment expenses [10] Vaccine Business Challenges - Changchun High-tech's subsidiary, Baike Biotechnology, faced severe challenges, with 2024 revenue dropping to 1.229 billion yuan, a year-on-year decline of 32.64%, and net profit halving to 232 million yuan [11] - The decline in vaccine sales was attributed to reduced public willingness to get vaccinated and decreased market demand, with sales volume for its shingles vaccine dropping by 69.8% [11] - The company's vaccine product, "Ganwei," has a lower efficacy rate compared to international competitors, further impacting its market position [11] Innovation and Future Outlook - The company is attempting to explore new growth avenues through its innovation pipeline, but faces challenges with only 24 key products in clinical stages compared to over 300 by competitors [12] - Key projects have experienced delays, with the completion date for a significant product pushed back from June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2026 [12] - Early-stage products are expected to take 5-8 years to commercialize, indicating a long road ahead for the company to regain market competitiveness [13]