Company Profile
Syngene International Limited, a subsidiary of Biocon Limited, is a contract research organization (CRO) providing integrated discovery and development services for novel molecules across multiple platforms, including small molecules, large molecules, antibody drug conjugates and oligonucleotides. Syngene offers outsourced services to over 400 global customers across biotechnology, nutrition, animal health, consumer goods and specialty chemical sectors, including majors such as Bristol-Myers-Squibb (BMS), Baxter Inc., Amgen Inc., and Herbalife Ltd. Syngene has 2 million sq. ft. of R&D infrastructure and more than 5,200 qualified scientists.
Investment Arguments
Established market position in contract research
Syngene is a leading contract research and manufacturing services (CRAMS) organization in India. It offers integrated services across drug discovery and development value chain and provides research services in medicinal chemistry and biology to innovator pharmaceutical companies. The company’s established market position is reflected in its large clientele of over 400 companies, including 8 of the top 10 global pharmaceutical majors such as Bristol-Myers Squibb Co, Baxter International Inc and Amgen Inc.
Syngene operates through three major verticals, namely—a) dedicated R&D centers for global majors like Bristol-MyersSquibb (BMS), Baxter Inc., Amgen Inc., and Herbalife Ltd; b) discovery services; c) development and manufacturing services. The company’s active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) facility in Mangalore has commenced production, albeit at a relatively small scale. Scaling up manufacturing and production of high-end, novel molecules upon receipt of requisite regulatory approvals is expected to diversify the company’s revenue stream further and strengthen its position in the drug discovery-to manufacture value chain.
Tailwinds from global outsourcing CRO/ CDMO market
Because of the high prices in the US, pharmaceutical companies have started to move their money into specialty medicines, biologics, and contract research and manufacturing services. Syngene is beneficiary of increase R&D spending.
Syngene is witnessing strong demand (post Covid) in CRO/CDMO led by resumption in global research programs, limited capacity across regions, increase in R&D budget and increased queries given China de-risking strategy. Syngene seems well positioned to monetize strong demand across segments (chemistry, development, large molecules etc.) with an increase in repeat customers.
Low cost advantage
Cost of scientist, research & manufacturing cost is lowest in India in comparison to china. Syngene is the only company in India that is vertically integrated and has services such as contract research & commercialization under one roof.
Established client relationships, healthy client additions over last several years to support growth
The company has long-term research contracts with reputable clients like BMS, Baxter Inc., Amgen Inc., and Herbalife Ltd. The company also collaborates with major players such as Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) in the consumer products industry, Glaxo Smith Kline (GSK) and Johnson & Johnson (J&J) in the biopharma industry, and Zoetis in the animal health industry, to name a few. About 25% of its customers have been engaged with the company for over five years. In FY22, Syngene extended its research collaboration with Amgen for a period of five more years. The company has had periodic additions to its customer base and has more than 400 active clients currently. The deeper engagements and client additions provide revenue visibility for Syngene over the medium term.
Q4FY23 Financial Performance
Syngene International reported strong earnings for the quarter ended Q4FY23. Consolidated revenues grew by 31% YoY to Rs.994 cr as against Rs.758 cr in the same quarter of preceding fiscal. On the operational front, EBITDA witnessed a robust growth of 27% to Rs.337 cr YoY. EBITDA Margin stood at 33% for the quarter. Profit after tax saw a growth of 21% YoY to Rs.178.7 cr driven by strong revenue growth and healthy operational performance.
The management has guided for high-teens constant currency sales growth
and ~30% EBITDA margins for FY24.
Key Risks & Concerns
High customer and geographic concentration risks – Syngene derives over half of its revenues from its top 10 customers, while 73% of its FY2022 revenues were from USA. This exposes the company to revenue risks arising from loss of customers to competitors and region-specific challenges. Any change in the rules & regulations of the US may have a damaging impact on the revenues of syngene.
Outlook & Valuation
We like Syngene because of moats in the business, such as high switching cost, sticky clients, long term contracts. Syngene is well positioned to monetize on the significant CRO/ CDMO opportunities, given increasing trend of China +1 opportunities and its readiness via ongoing capex, expansion/extension of dedicated client contracts and scale-up in Biologics manufacturing. Growth is expected to further accelerate with commercialization of Mangalore plant (in H2’24) and supply of Zoetis product from Q4’23/ FY24.
At CMP of Rs.670, the stock is trading at 34x FY25E (EPS – Rs.19.5) and hence we recommend BUY on the stock.