WuXi AppTec(02359)2025-04-29 15:39Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue from continuing operations grew 23.1% year over year to RMB9.39 billion, while total revenue achieved RMB9.65 billion, representing a 21% year over year growth [9] - Adjusted non-IFRS net profit grew 40% year over year to RMB2.68 billion, with a record backlog for continuing operations of RMB52.33 billion, growing 47.1% year over year [9][10] - Adjusted IFRS gross profit margin reached 41.9%, with net profit attributable to the owners of the company increasing by 89.1% year over year [26][27] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Wuxi Chemistry's CRDMO business revenue grew 32.9% year over year to RMB7.39 billion, with adjusted non-IFRS gross profit margin improving 4.2 percentage points year over year to 47.5% [11][12] - Small molecule DNM business revenue grew 13.8% year over year to RMB3.85 billion, with both Changzhou and Taishin API manufacturing sites passing FDA inspections [13] - Tides business achieved RMB2.24 billion revenue in the first quarter, representing a strong growth of 187.6% year over year [14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue from the U.S. market grew 28.4% year over year, while revenue from Europe grew 26.2% year over year; however, China showed a slight decline [10] - Revenue generated from clinical CRO and SMO business was down 2.2% year over year to RMB0.61 billion, attributed to market price impact [21][22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company will continue to focus on the CRDMO business model with an emphasis on operational efficiency and exceptional services [29] - Full year guidance is maintained, expecting revenue from continuing operations to resume double-digit growth of 10% to 15% year over year, targeting total revenue of RMB41.5 billion to RMB43 billion [30] - The company plans to accelerate global D and M capacity expansion, with CapEx expected to reach RMB7 billion to RMB8 billion [30] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in maintaining full year guidance despite external uncertainties, emphasizing the importance of operational resilience [30][31] - The company is committed to rewarding shareholders with a proposed 30% annual cash dividend payout ratio and additional one-time special cash dividend [31][32] Other Important Information - The company has successfully supported about 40% of successful out-licensing deals from Chinese biotech since 2022 [20] - The total amount of cash dividends and share repurchases is expected to exceed RMB6 billion, accounting for more than 60% of the company's net profit attributable to owners in 2024 [32] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the key drivers behind the robust growth in Tides? - The growth is attributed to both strong demand and capacity ramping up from a low base last year [37] Question: How does the company view the impact of tariffs on business segments? - Tariffs are seen as a systemic challenge, with less than 10% of total revenue coming from exports to the U.S. [45][46] Question: What is the projected CapEx for 2025 and its allocation? - Projected CapEx is RMB7 billion to RMB8 billion, primarily for expanding D and M manufacturing capacity in various locations [50][54] Question: How does the company plan to address pricing pressures in testing and biology segments? - The company aims to focus on contracts with higher margins and differentiate its services to improve margins gradually [68] Question: What is the expected contribution from late-stage D and M projects in the next few years? - Specific numbers are difficult to provide, but the CRDMO business model is expected to sustain growth through a strong pipeline [71]