On October 29, 2024 Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) Co., Ltd. ("Fosun Pharma" or "the Group"; Stock Code: 600196.SH; 02196.HK), reported its operating performance for the first three quarters of 2024 (Press release, Fosun Pharma, OCT 29, 2024, View Source [SID1234647502]). From January to September 2024, Fosun Pharma achieved revenue of RMB30.91 billion, an increase of about 5.74% YoY after excluding COVID-related products. The net profit attributable to owners of the parent of the Group after deducting extraordinary gain or loss amounted to RMB1.84 billion, up by 24.58% YoY.
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In 2024, Fosun Pharma will further focus on innovative drugs and high-value devices, and continue to promote lean operations, cost reduction, efficiency improvement, and asset rationalization to optimize assets and financial structure, actively promote supply chain management and operational efficiency, and achieve healthy operating cash flow. In the first three quarters of 2024, the net cash flow from operating activities of Fosun Pharma was RMB2.99 billion, a year-on-year increase of 21.33%; the management expense ratio decreased by 0.15 percentage points YoY; excluding the impact of newly acquired companies, management expenses decreased by approximately RMB300 million on the same basis.
Focusing on advantageous therapeutic areas with innovative R&D pipelines continue to advance
In terms of innovative R&D, Fosun Pharma continues to focus on advantageous pipelines to achieve efficient results and continuous implementation of innovative products. In the first three quarters of 2024, Fosun Pharma’s R&D expenditure totaled RMB3.92 billion. In particular, R&D expenses were RMB2.65 billion. In addition to independent R&D, the Group fully implemented an open R&D model, and incubated and invested in R&D projects by initiating/managing industrial funds and other diversified ways, so as to ensure the sustainability of innovation and R&D.
Fosun Pharma’s innovative drug business mainly covers the core therapeutic areas of solid tumors, hematological tumors and immuno-inflammatory diseases, with emphasis on the enhancement of the core technology platforms of antibody/ADCs, cellular therapy and small molecules, to create an open and global innovative R&D system, continuously enhance pipeline value, and promote the development and commercialization of its products.
In the field of tumor immunotherapy, on September 13, 2024, Fosun Pharma announced it will acquire the 50% stake in Fosun Kite and will wholly own Fosun Kite (now renamed as "Fosun Kairos"). In the future, Fosun Kairos will serve as the core platform of Fosun Pharma’s cell therapy, continue to focus on the field of tumor immunotherapy, as well as to promote the development and commercialization of existing licensed products, Axi-Cel (i.e. Fosun Kite’s marketed product "Yi Kai Da") and Brexu-Cel (i.e. Fosun Kite’s pipeline project FKC889), in Chinese mainland, Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR with Kite Pharma.
In the third quarter of 2024, Fosun Pharma’s multiple independently developed innovative products and pipeline clinical trial results were announced in industry conferences and journals, further consolidating its dominant position in the fields of hematological tumors, breast cancer, lung cancer and other tumors. Particularly, the interim analysis results of the Phase III study of Foritinib Succinate (SAF-189s), an innovative drug independently developed to treat ALK-positiveb advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), were released during the 2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer ("WCLC"). The above-mentioned studies have found that the overall efficacy of Foritinib Succinate is good. Compared with crizotinib treatment, it can significantly improve PFS and reduce the risk of CNS progression. Its safety is controllable, and no new safety signals appeared after treatment. Faritinib Succinate is expected to break through the current clinical difficulties faced in the treatment of ALK-positive NSCLC and bring new treatment options to NSCLC patients.
The multicenter real-world study of Fosun Pharma’s self-developed serplulimab-based immunochemotherapy for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer was released at the 2024 WCLC. The ASTRUM-005R study provides additional empirical evidence to support the therapeutic value of serplulimab plus chemotherapy and complements the pivotal data from the ASTRUM-005 clinical trial. Additionally, during the reporting period, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use ("CHMP") of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) issued a positive opinion recommending approval for Fosun Pharma’s self-developed serplulimab injection in combination with carboplatin and etoposide for the first-line treatment of adult patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). The CHMP’s opinion will be submitted to the European Commission (EC) as a reference for marketing authorization approval.
Results of the phase 2 study of HLX22, an innovative anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody (mAb), in combination with Han Qu You (trastuzumab) and chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of HER2-positive advanced gastric/gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) cancer were presented on 2024 ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Gastrointestinal Cancers Congress (ESMO GI) and MED, a flagship clinical and translational research monthly journal by Cell Press. The results showed that add HLX22 to HLX02 (trastuzumab) and chemotherapy as first-line therapy improved efficacy in HER2-positive G/GEJ cancer patients with manageable safety.
In September 2024, Fosun Pharma announced the Biologics License Application ("BLA") for the licensed product RT002 (DaxibotulinumtoxinA-lanm, Chinese trademark: 达希斐) for the temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe glabellar lines associated with corrugator and/or procerus muscle activity in adult patients, was approved by the National Medical Products Administration ("NMPA"), becoming the first DaxibotulinumtoxinA-lanm approved for marketing in Chinese mainland. Additionally, the results of a Phase III multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted in China for the treatment of moderate to severe glabellar lines were published in the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery (JPRAS). The study demonstrates that the product provides durable efficacy and high safety in Chinese patients with moderate to severe glabellar lines.
Actively implementing share repurchases and increasing holdings with continuous efforts on enhancing ESG
Fosun Pharma, a company listed on both the A-share and H-share markets, and its controlling shareholder Fosun High Tech have actively engaged in share repurchases and increased holdings this year, demonstrating confidence in the Company’s future development and further boosting market confidence. In the first three quarters of 2024, Fosun Pharma spent approximately RMB127 million and approximately HKD66.9 million to repurchase around 5.68 million A shares and 5.47 million H shares respectively. As of now, the H Share Repurchase Plan is still valid. In addition, the controlling shareholder Fosun High Tech, has spent a total of approximately RMB101 million to increase its holdings of around 4.30 million A shares of Fosun Pharma, under the latest Shareholding Increase Plan.
Founded in 1994 and with three decades of development, Fosun Pharma has grown into a global innovation-driven pharmaceutical and healthcare industry group. The Company always regards innovation as its primary social responsibility, consistently focusing on unmet clinical needs, prioritizing innovative R&D, advancing the launch of innovative products, promoting drug accessibility and affordability, and driving high-quality corporate growth. Fosun Pharma maintained an A grade rating in MSCI ESG Ratings for three consecutive years and an A- rating in HSI ESG, ranking among the top tier in the healthcare industry for pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. It was also selected as a constituent of the Hang Seng (China A) Corporate Sustainability Benchmark Index ("HSCASUSB"), Hang Seng (China A) Corporate Sustainability Index ("HSCASUS"), and Hang Seng (Mainland and HK) Corporate Sustainability Index ("HSMHSUS").
With its sustained excellence in innovation and global operational capabilities, Fosun Pharma has been recognized by multiple authoritative institutions in innovative R&D, ESG and other areas. The Company ranked in the top four of China’s 2023 Top 100 Pharmaceutical Industry, was included in the "China Best Managed Companies" List (BMC) for the second consecutive year and was listed in Forbes 2024 China ESG 50. In addition, the Company has actively introduced its independently developed artemisinin-based innovative products to Africa, providing a Chinese solution to the global fight against malaria. This initiative highlights the inclusive, diverse, and open nature of ESG and earned Fosun Pharma recognition as an "Inspirational ESG Case", serving as a model for corporate ESG practices.