Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the news is the launch of two new special medical foods by Shengyuan Group's brand Shengtong Te Medical on JD Health, enhancing accessibility for consumers [1][3] - "Te Ai Ben Jia" is the first domestically registered special medical food for phenylketonuria in China, providing essential nutrition for infants with specific dietary needs [1][3] - "Zhi Ai Qi Rui" is a comprehensive nutritional formula for children aged 1-10, designed to support those with eating restrictions and metabolic disorders, containing 37 essential nutrients [3] Group 2 - JD Health is a key partner for Shengtong Te Medical, serving as a major online retail channel for special medical foods, and has been instrumental in the brand's rapid growth [4] - The collaboration between JD Health and Shengtong Te Medical focuses on a wide range of products addressing various nutritional needs, including allergy prevention and rare metabolic disorders [4] - JD Health plans to enhance its collaboration with leading domestic special medical food brands to improve product accessibility and meet personalized nutritional demands through professional services [4]

Investment Rating - The report indicates a positive outlook for the special medical purpose formula food industry, driven by policy support and clinical demand, suggesting a potential for rapid market expansion [3][10]. Core Insights - Special medical purpose formula foods (medical foods) are designed to meet the nutritional needs of specific populations and must be consumed under medical supervision. The market is expected to grow significantly due to increasing product diversity, enhanced policy support, and improved clinical nutrition practices [3][4][10]. - The industry is characterized by a growing number of approved products, a significant advantage for domestic brands, and a diverse range of entering companies [11][12][40]. Summary by Sections Industry Overview - Special medical purpose formula foods cater to individuals with restricted diets, absorption disorders, or specific medical conditions, and are becoming a vital part of treatment strategies for various diseases in China [4][6]. - The market currently has a low penetration rate due to insufficient awareness and regulatory standards, but it is poised for growth as recognition and product availability increase [32][33]. Regulatory Environment - The "Special Medical Purpose Formula Food Registration Management Measures (2024)" aims to standardize registration processes, ensuring product quality and safety while encouraging innovation [9][10][39]. - As of September 30, 2024, a total of 206 special medical foods have been registered, with 174 being domestic products, indicating a strong growth trend for local brands [11][12]. Market Dynamics - The industry is witnessing a diversification of companies entering the market, with 58 companies having obtained registration, and Nestlé leading in the number of approved products [12][40]. - The distribution channels for medical foods face challenges, particularly in offline retail, where awareness and proper categorization are lacking. However, online sales are expected to grow as regulations become clearer [22][33]. Product Analysis - Among the registered products, 58 are special medical infant formula foods, accounting for 28.2% of the total, while 82 are non-full nutritional formula foods, and 65 are full nutritional formula foods [21]. - The report highlights a trend towards convenience in product forms, with a majority being powder-based [11]. Competitive Landscape - The competitive landscape shows that domestic products outnumber imports, but there is a noted lack of product diversity among local companies, which may impact future growth [40][41]. - Companies are encouraged to pursue differentiated product strategies to enhance their market positions, with a focus on both infant and non-infant medical foods [42].

Core Viewpoint - Saintong Special Medical (Qingdao) Nutrition Health Technology Co., Ltd. is preparing for an IPO in Hong Kong, backed by the dairy giant Shengyuan Group, and is positioned as a leading player in the special medical food market for infants in China, with a projected revenue CAGR of 30.3% from 2022 to 2024 [1][5]. Group 1: Company Overview - Saintong Special Medical was established in 2019, evolving from Shengyuan Group's special medical division, and has received investments from notable institutions such as Honghui Fund and Hillhouse Capital [5]. - The company holds the most infant special medical food registration certificates in China and aims to leverage this advantage in the market [1][11]. Group 2: Market Position and Financial Performance - In 2024, Saintong is projected to capture 9.5% of the infant special medical food market, ranking third in the industry, while two foreign giants dominate with a combined market share of approximately 75% [3][9]. - Revenue is expected to grow from RMB 491.2 million in 2022 to RMB 834.1 million in 2024, with a gross margin consistently above 71% [4][25]. Group 3: Sales and Distribution Challenges - Despite strong revenue growth, the brand's presence in major retail outlets is limited, with reports indicating that many stores do not carry its products [3][15]. - The company's online sales are significantly lower compared to competitors, with historical sales of only 2,000 units for a key product, compared to over 70,000 units for a rival brand [13][15]. Group 4: Financial Concerns - The company has seen a dramatic increase in inventory turnover days, rising 187% to 155 days over three years, which raises questions about inventory management [19][20]. - Saintong's net current liabilities exceeded RMB 400 million in 2024, yet the company has maintained high dividend payouts, raising concerns about financial sustainability [22][23]. Group 5: Research and Development - R&D expenditures have remained below 2% of revenue, which is significantly lower than industry standards, potentially hindering innovation and competitiveness [32][35]. - The company has launched 14 major special medical food products and has 16 more in development, indicating a commitment to expanding its product line [11][28].