Investment Rating - The report does not provide specific investment ratings for the sub-industries within the pharmaceutical sector [3]. Core Insights - The life sciences upstream sector has experienced a significant recovery since September 24, 2024, with a 60% increase in the index, outperforming the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors by 40 percentage points [4][23]. - The sector is currently in a rebound phase after undergoing a clearing phase from mid-2022 to late 2024, characterized by supply-demand imbalances and subsequent recovery [20][23]. Supply Side Summary - The supply side is witnessing a turning point, with local products continuously upgrading to mid-to-high-end levels, aiming for global leadership [5]. - The overall capital expenditure depreciation has dropped to its lowest level in nearly six years, indicating a recovery in the supply chain [29]. - Companies are experiencing a gradual recovery in gross profit margins, with some, like Aladdin and Nanmo Biology, showing signs of improvement after hitting lows [34]. Demand Side Summary - Research institutions and large pharmaceutical companies are steadily increasing their R&D expenditures, with improved financing potentially stimulating high growth in smaller pharmaceutical companies [6]. - The recognition of domestic brands is increasing, accelerating the process of replacing foreign products, particularly in protein and culture media categories [6]. Related Companies - **Aopumai**: A leading domestic brand in culture media, with a comprehensive layout in "culture media + CRO + CDMO" [8]. - **Aladdin**: A domestic high-end research reagent brand, expected to contribute additional growth from overseas [8]. - **Baipusais**: A leading domestic player in recombinant proteins, with a turning point in performance [8]. - **Nuowei Zhan**: A leader in molecular biological reagents, benefiting from the domestic replacement trend [8]. - **Jian Kai Technology**: A leading domestic PEG company, with new product releases expected to open up growth space [8]. - **BGI Genomics**: Focused on domestic markets while expanding globally, optimistic about accelerating domestic replacements [8].

Investment Rating - The report rates Thermo Fisher as "Buy" with a target price indicating a potential upside of 31.8% [2] Core Insights - The performance of C(D)MO and life sciences upstream companies is showing positive trends, while clinical CRO companies are experiencing a decline in demand [1][4] - The overall revenue and profit growth for the tracked companies in 2024 remains under pressure, but half of them showed improvement in the second half of 2024 compared to the first half [6][7] - The demand outlook for 2025 varies significantly across different segments, with C(D)MO and life sciences upstream companies being optimistic, while clinical CRO companies maintain a cautious stance [1][4][38] Summary by Sections Profit Recovery - Profit recovery is outpacing revenue recovery, with the median and average profit growth rates for the industry in 2024 at +2.4% and +3.5%, respectively, compared to -6.2% and -7.2% in 2023 [7][24] - The average gross margin for the tracked companies decreased from 46.4% in 2022 to 41.7% in 2024, indicating pressure from demand weakness [24][25] Demand Trends - C(D)MO companies are witnessing strong commercial production demand, with Lonza and Samsung Bio reporting significant growth in their C(D)MO revenues [38][39] - Life sciences upstream companies are benefiting from the completion of inventory destocking by downstream clients, leading to a recovery in demand [39][40] 2025 Performance Guidance - C(D)MO and life sciences upstream companies are providing improved performance guidance for 2025, while clinical CRO companies are showing a notable deterioration in their outlook [1][4][39] - Lonza expects its C(D)MO revenue growth to approach 20% in 2025, while Samsung Bio anticipates a continued growth of 20-25% [1][4] Long-term Growth Support - The global healthcare financing is stabilizing, with a 1.4% year-on-year increase in 2024, marking the first positive growth since 2021 [1][4] - Pharmaceutical companies' strong free cash flow will continue to support innovation and research and development [1][4] Market Reactions - Following the 4Q24 earnings releases, stock price reactions varied significantly across different segments, with C(D)MO and clinical pre-CRO stocks performing better than life sciences upstream and clinical CRO stocks [30][31]