Investment Rating - The investment rating for Kingmed is Neutral with a 12-month target price of Rmb31, reflecting a potential upside of 7.6% from the current price of Rmb28.82 [10][9]. Core Insights - The report highlights that Kingmed is a leading player in China's independent clinical laboratory (ICL) industry, facing challenges such as shrinking gross profit margin (GPM) and net profit margin (NPM), as well as difficulties in collecting accounts receivables [8][9]. - Despite these challenges, Kingmed's base in Covid testing has facilitated its entry into new markets, particularly in Tier 3 hospitals, which is expected to support the growth of its non-Covid-19 testing business in the future [8]. Industry Environment and Policy Impact - The growth of diagnostic services has been slowed by multiple factors, including DRG unbundling, medical insurance inspections, price reductions, and a decline in physical examinations [2]. - The company believes that the impact of DRG unbundling on independent clinical laboratory providers is limited, as the outsourcing rate for diagnostic services in China remains below 10% [2]. Operating Status and Strategic Response - Kingmed's primary challenge is the volume of tests, with revenue growth previously driven by increasing test volumes and rising outsourcing rates [3]. - In response to operational challenges, the company has prioritized profitability and cash flow, accelerated automation, and optimized staffing, while establishing capacity hubs to improve utilization and margins [3]. Outlook and Key Initiatives - The company maintains a cautious outlook for achieving positive year-over-year growth in the second half of 2025 due to uncertainties in policy developments [7]. - Kingmed is advancing key initiatives, such as promoting a blood-based Tau-217 protein test for Alzheimer's diagnostics, which, although currently contributing modest revenue, is seen as groundwork for future growth [7].