Core Viewpoint - The global pharmaceutical market in Q3 2025 is experiencing significant volatility, with some sectors performing exceptionally well while others struggle. The focus is on identifying promising investment opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in the areas of drug research and development outsourcing (CXO) and biotechnology funds in the US [2][3]. Summary by Sections 1. Key Directions to Watch - The pharmaceutical sector in A-shares and Hong Kong is primarily driven by companies providing research and production services to drug manufacturers, known as CXO. These companies are benefiting from a resurgence in demand for new drug development, leading to strong order volumes and stable profitability [3][4]. 2. Market Performance Overview - In Q3 2025, the A-share biotechnology index rose by 14%, matching the performance of the Shanghai Composite Index. Notably, the pharmaceutical research outsourcing sector surged by 48%, driven by robust order volumes and solid earnings [5][6]. - The Hong Kong pharmaceutical sector outperformed the broader market, with healthcare stocks rising by 41%, led by biotechnology and life sciences services, which saw increases of 54% and 51%, respectively [6][8]. - In contrast, US pharmaceutical stocks lagged, with the S&P 500 healthcare index only increasing by 2%, attributed to a decline in post-pandemic earnings and ongoing policy uncertainties [6][7]. 3. Long-term Market Trends - Over the past year, the Hong Kong pharmaceutical sector has seen a remarkable increase of over 100%, while A-shares have also experienced significant gains, particularly in the pharmaceutical research outsourcing segment, which rose by 111% [8][9]. - The A-share pharmaceutical market is showing a clear trend of divergence, with strong performers like CXO and innovative drugs thriving, while other sectors face challenges, including a projected revenue decline of 2% for 2024 [10][11]. 4. Investment Opportunities and Risks - The two resilient sectors in the A-share market are pharmaceutical research outsourcing and innovative drugs, both of which are experiencing improved revenue and profit margins due to increased demand from global pharmaceutical companies [12]. - Conversely, sectors such as vaccines, offline pharmacies, blood products, and medical devices are facing significant challenges, including intense competition and regulatory pressures [13][14]. 5. US Market Dynamics - The key driver for the US pharmaceutical market is the anticipated interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, which historically lead to positive performance in the biotechnology sector. Funds like IBB and XBI have already begun to outperform the broader market following these developments [17][18]. - Two leading companies in the US market, UnitedHealth and Novo Nordisk, are highlighted for their strong fundamentals and growth potential, particularly in the obesity treatment market [19][20]. 6. Conclusion - The current landscape of the global pharmaceutical market is characterized by a need for selective investment strategies, focusing on high-certainty opportunities in specific sectors such as CXO and biotechnology funds. External factors like Federal Reserve policies and US pharmaceutical regulations will significantly influence market dynamics [20].

Summary of CXO Industry Conference Call Industry Overview - The CXO industry is expected to recover in 2024 after rapid growth from 2020 to 2023, with leading companies seeing a resurgence in overseas orders, indicating a turning point in operations [1] - The Hong Kong stock market's activity and the reform of the Sci-Tech Innovation Board are providing new growth momentum for the CXO industry [1] Key Insights - **Overseas Biopharmaceutical Investment**: After two years of decline, overseas biopharmaceutical investment is stabilizing and expected to rebound in 2024, although growth slowed in the first half of the year [1][4] - **R&D Investment Growth**: Global pharmaceutical companies are increasing R&D investments, with the proportion of R&D spending to revenue reaching a ten-year high of 25.2%, totaling over $190 billion in 2024, a 73% increase from five years ago [4] - **Domestic Investment Trends**: Domestic biopharmaceutical investment has been declining, with a projected 21% decrease in 2024. However, a recovery is anticipated in the second half of the year due to increased activity in the Hong Kong market and reforms in the Sci-Tech Innovation Board [5] - **Emerging Trends**: The trend of innovative drugs going overseas is becoming clearer, with upfront payments becoming a significant funding source for innovative drug companies [2][6] Geopolitical Impact - Geopolitical factors are highlighting the importance of China's CXO industry in the global supply chain, with cost control needs driving overseas orders to China [1][8] - Chinese companies are actively expanding overseas production capacity to mitigate geopolitical risks [8] Market Dynamics - The penetration rate of global pharmaceutical R&D outsourcing is expected to reach 50% in 2024 and may exceed 60% in the future, driven by cost reduction and efficiency improvements [1][9] - The small molecule chemical drugs continue to dominate the market, with significant demand for drug research outsourcing [9] Company Performance - **CRO Industry**: The CRO industry is expected to stabilize by 2025, benefiting from a recovery in demand. WuXi AppTec reported a 37% year-on-year increase in orders, indicating a trend towards consolidation among leading companies [13] - **CDMO Sector**: The multi-peptide CDMO sector is experiencing high demand, with WuXi AppTec's multi-peptide business revenue growing by 112% year-on-year [16] - **ADC and CGMO Performance**: ADC's CGMO maintained high growth in the first half of 2025, with revenue exceeding expectations and a year-on-year increase of over 60% [11] Financial Metrics - Some companies are reporting positive growth in revenue and profits, with certain firms achieving year-on-year revenue growth of 14%, 118%, and 28.1% [10] - WuXi Biologics reported a 16% year-on-year revenue increase in the first half of 2025, exceeding previous guidance [12] Conclusion - The CXO industry is at a pivotal moment, with signs of recovery in overseas demand and domestic investment. The geopolitical landscape and ongoing reforms are likely to shape the future trajectory of the industry, presenting both opportunities and challenges for companies involved in this sector [1][2][8]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Recommended" rating for WuXi AppTec, indicating a positive outlook for the company's stock performance relative to the benchmark index [6]. Core Insights - WuXi AppTec's TIDES business continues to experience high growth, leading to an upward revision of the full-year performance guidance. The company expects a revenue growth rate of 13-17% for its continuing operations in 2025, up from the previous estimate of 10-15% [6]. - The company reported a significant increase in revenue and net profit for the first half of 2025, with total revenue reaching RMB 20.8 billion, a year-on-year increase of 20.6%, and net profit attributable to shareholders rising by 101.9% to RMB 8.56 billion [6]. - The report highlights strong performance in the chemical business, with a revenue increase of 33.5% year-on-year, and a remarkable growth of 141.6% in the TIDES business [6]. Financial Forecast Summary - **Revenue Forecast**: Projected revenues for 2024A, 2025E, 2026E, and 2027E are RMB 39,241.43 million, RMB 44,117.35 million, RMB 50,436.29 million, and RMB 57,615.13 million respectively, with growth rates of -2.73%, 12.43%, 14.32%, and 14.23% [2][8]. - **Net Profit Forecast**: Expected net profits for the same years are RMB 9,450.31 million, RMB 14,201.96 million, RMB 14,954.50 million, and RMB 18,240.90 million, reflecting growth rates of -1.63%, 50.28%, 5.30%, and 21.98% [2][8]. - **Key Ratios**: The projected PE ratios for 2025E, 2026E, and 2027E are 19.99, 18.99, and 15.56 respectively, indicating a favorable valuation trend [2][8]. Business Performance Highlights - The company reported a backlog of orders amounting to RMB 56.69 billion, a year-on-year increase of 37.2%, indicating strong future revenue potential [6]. - Revenue from U.S. clients reached RMB 14.03 billion, a 38.4% increase year-on-year, while revenue from European clients grew by 9.2% to RMB 2.33 billion [6]. - The report notes that the TIDES business is expected to continue driving overall performance, supported by robust demand and a solid order backlog [6].

Core Viewpoint - WuXi AppTec reported strong financial results for 1H25, exceeding expectations, with significant revenue and profit growth, prompting an upward revision of full-year guidance for 2025 [1][2]. Financial Performance - Revenue increased by 20.6% YoY, with continuing operations growing by 24.2% YoY [1] - Adjusted non-IFRS net profit surged by 44.4% YoY [1] - Revenue from continuing operations and adjusted non-IFRS net profit accounted for 47.5% and 54.4% of full-year forecasts, respectively, both higher than historical ranges [1] Operational Highlights - Management raised full-year guidance for 2025, expecting revenue growth for continuing operations to be between 13-17%, up from the previous 10-15% [2] - The demand for late-stage clinical and commercial manufacturing has been a key growth driver for the global CXO industry post-COVID [2] - TIDES revenue surged by 141.6% YoY due to faster-than-expected manufacturing capacity ramp-up [2] - Revenue from small molecule D&M grew by 17.5% YoY, indicating a recovery from previous negative growth [2] Capacity Expansion - WuXi AppTec's backlog grew by 37.2% YoY, with TIDES backlog increasing by 48.8% YoY [3] - Plans to increase peptide capacity to over 100k liters by the end of 2025 to meet demand [3] - Ongoing capacity expansion at multiple sites, including locations in China, Singapore, the US, and Switzerland [3] - Capex target reaffirmed at RMB7-8 billion for 2025, with potential increases anticipated in the coming years [3] Early-stage R&D Insights - Revenue from early-stage R&D services showed sequential improvements but a meaningful recovery is expected to take time [4] - Early-stage R&D services contribute approximately 30% of the company's total revenue [4] Investment Outlook - Target price raised from RMB77.22 to RMB116.56 based on upgraded guidance and improved macro environment [5] - Expected revenue growth from continuing operations of 16.0%/15.9%/15.8% YoY and adjusted non-IFRS net profit growth of 16.2%/17.6%/16.4% YoY for 2025E/26E/27E, respectively [5]