8 December 2025 | 9:51PM HKT Equity Research CHINA HEALTHCARE CDMOS Biosecure Act included in FY26 NDAA final text: in line with our base case, with positive definition refinement Provisions from the US Biosecure Act included within the 2026 NDAA (released on Dec 7th, ET) were in line with our and market expectations, despite recent news flow volatility. We see the final text featuring a more precise definition (see content comparison in Exhibit 1 and Exhibit 2), notably requiring a 'biotech company of conc ...

Summary of WuXi Biologics Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: WuXi Biologics - **Industry**: Pharmaceutical Services - **Market Position**: One of the top 5 largest biologics outsourcing service providers globally and the largest in China [43][62] Key Takeaways 1. Business Model and Efficiency - WuXi Biologics operates a strong royalty-based model, with approximately 90% of clients opting for cell-line royalties, ensuring recurring revenue linked to molecule success [3] - The company has achieved significant productivity improvements, with bispecific antibodies yielding 5-7 g/L and newer serine cell lines reaching 8-10 g/L, a five-fold increase compared to first-generation monoclonal antibodies [3][24][25] - These efficiency gains reduce scale requirements and enhance cost competitiveness, reinforcing WuXi's leadership in complex biologics manufacturing [3] 2. Global Expansion Strategy - WuXi is expanding its global footprint with two new U.S. sites near Princeton and Boston, targeting peak revenue of approximately $500 million within two years [4][21] - The cost of establishing U.S. facilities is about four times higher than in China, compounded by labor shortages and unpredictable tariff policies [4][22][23] - Singapore is identified as a strategic hub due to low tariffs and tax advantages, with over 100 Singaporeans currently being trained in China [4][27] 3. Geopolitical and Regulatory Landscape - Despite U.S.-China tensions, WuXi expects no direct impact from the Biosecure Act, as the company was not named in recent legislative drafts [5][35] - The company maintains a strong compliance and quality track record, having achieved FDA and EMA approvals without inspection [5] - WuXi is diversifying its capacity outside China to mitigate geopolitical risks while maintaining stable pricing with inflation-adjusted increases [5] 4. Financial Projections - Adjusted net profit projections for FY 2024A to FY 2027E are as follows: - 2024A: 4,784 million - 2025E: 5,078 million - 2026E: 6,101 million - 2027E: 7,148 million - Revenue projections for the same period are: - 2024A: 18,675.4 million - 2025E: 21,658.1 million - 2026E: 26,228.9 million - 2027E: 31,491.7 million [7] 5. Investment Recommendation - WuXi Biologics is rated as a "Buy" with a price target of HK$50.00, representing a potential upside of 19% from the current price of HK$42.18 [8] - The price target is based on a discounted cash flow (DCF) valuation methodology [44] 6. Risks and Opportunities - Risks include potential tariff increases and geopolitical tensions affecting operations [4][22] - Opportunities lie in the expected growth of core biologics segments, including monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), bispecifics, and emerging modalities like T-cell engagers (TCEs) and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) [5][40][41] 7. Sustainability and Corporate Governance - Key sustainability issues include corporate governance, business ethics, information security, and climate change [18][19] - The company aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 50% by 2030 and water consumption intensity by 18% by 2025 [19] 8. Market Dynamics - The U.S. market is facing challenges, but the FDA has relaxed certain requirements, which may benefit biosimilars in the long term [26] - Europe is expected to become increasingly important over the next decade due to population growth and rising demand [34] Conclusion WuXi Biologics is positioned for growth through its innovative business model, strategic global expansion, and strong compliance track record. However, it must navigate geopolitical risks and market dynamics to achieve its financial targets and maintain its leadership in the biologics outsourcing sector.

Summary of Conference Call Notes Industry Overview - The discussion revolves around the **healthcare industry**, specifically focusing on the implications of the **Biosecure Act** and related legislative amendments affecting Chinese Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs) [1][3][5]. Key Points and Arguments 1. **Legislative Context**: - The **S.Amdt 3236** amendment is not specifically targeting Chinese CDMOs, unlike the previous **Biosecure Act** which highlighted several Chinese companies, including Wuxi [1][3]. - The **Biosecure Act** was the only anti-China legislation that did not pass in the US Senate in 2024, primarily due to resistance from the US pharmaceutical industry seeking cost flexibility amid pricing pressures and patent expirations [1][3]. 2. **Softening Political Stance**: - **Gary Peters**, a key sponsor of the Biosecure Act, has adopted a softer tone in the current amendment, leaving Wuxi companies out of the discussion this time [4][5]. 3. **Manufacturing Localization Goals**: - The ultimate goal of the amendment is to promote localized manufacturing and supply chains, aligning with previous proposals by the Trump administration [5]. - The use of Chinese CDMOs is seen as a cost-saving measure for US pharma, potentially reducing costs by **30-60%** [5]. 4. **Wuxi Bio's Competitive Advantage**: - Wuxi Bio is highlighted as a top pick due to its expected fundamental inflection in 2025 from three CMO projects debuting, and its high customer stickiness as US pharma companies prefer cost-effective solutions from China [6]. - Wuxi Bio's single-asset turnover is projected to be **2-4 times** that of global peers, with significant capacity expansion planned in New Jersey [5][6]. Additional Important Insights - The amendment is attached to the **2026 NDAA**, indicating a long-term strategic approach towards manufacturing and supply chain localization [5]. - The report emphasizes the light investor participation in Wuxi Bio's stock, suggesting that long-only investors may reduce their underweight positions to capitalize on the anticipated rally in the China biotech sector [6]. Conclusion - The healthcare industry, particularly companies like Wuxi Bio, is navigating a complex legislative landscape that could impact their operations and market positioning. The focus on cost efficiency and localized manufacturing presents both opportunities and challenges for investors and stakeholders in the sector [1][5][6].

Investment Rating - The industry view for mid-cap CRO/CDMOs is rated as Attractive [5] Core Insights - Direct tariff exposure for major China CRO/CDMO companies is estimated to be between 0%-10%, which is manageable for most leading firms in the sector [3][8] - Increasing macro uncertainties, including tariffs and funding dynamics, are expected to lead to softer funding beta and more cautious R&D budgets in 2025 [3][21] - The FDA's proposal to phase out animal testing is unlikely to have an immediate impact on most CROs, as alternatives are limited [8][14] Company-Level Picks - Pharmaron-H is highlighted as the most preferred pick due to its strong alpha from CMC and minimal tariff exposure [4] - GenScript is favored for its turnaround in non-cell business and robust contributions from its CGT investment [4] - Asymchem is noted for its growth in the GLP-1 area, though there are concerns about its overseas facility loss in 2025 [4] - Joinn Lab and Tigermed are viewed positively for their long-term prospects, despite expectations of a slower domestic funding recovery [4] Market Dynamics - The report indicates that the general outlook for CRO/CDMO companies is improving in 2025, but remains softer than earlier expectations due to disrupted global funding momentum [21] - Quality players with unique barriers and visionary overseas facility deployment are expected to outperform their peers [21] Financial Forecasts and Valuations - Tigermed's revenue growth forecasts for 2025-2027 have been adjusted to 3.1%, 8.1%, and 11.6% YoY, reflecting a cautious outlook [26] - The price target for Tigermed has been reduced from Rmb57.5 to Rmb37.7 due to updated earnings estimations [28]