Glenmark Pharma looks attractive for investment with an expectation of 45% return in 2-3 years. I added Glenmark Pharma to my portfolio buying a few shares today at Rs. 239.40 per share. It is third company in my portfolio from pharma sector, other two being Piramal Healthcare and Biocon. With this investment, pharma sector constitutes 10% of my total Indian equity portfolio at current market price.
Reasoning for investment
While first three quarters of the financial year 2009-10 has seen a lukewarm performance reported by the company, the scenario is expected to improve fourth quarter onwards as the businesses begin to pick up. Glenmark Pharma is expected to report strong growth going forward as its generics business in the US, Latin America, Europe and semi-regulated markets scales up. Management’s ability to strike out-licensing deals for its molecules and a strong R&D pipeline at present with potential going forward makes Glenmark’s prospects bright.
Recently the company got final approval from US Food & Drug Administration for Ropinirole Hydrochloride tablets in multiple strengths. Ropinirole Hydrochloride tablet is the generic version of GlaxoSmithKline’s Requip tablets. The drug is used for treating signs and symptoms of idiopathic Parkinson’s disease. The annual sales of the drug in the US is about $500 million.
As in any business, there are risk factors too to be considered when investing in Glenmarks Pharma’s shares. The high debts position, realisation from R&D front, increased competition and price erosion in the US generic markets are some of the risk factors going forward. Due to the global financial crisis and its impact on companies, revenues from the out-licensing deals may not be as forthcoming for some time as they once were. This will have an impact on Glenmark’s margins.
The company continues to be in talks with global pharma majors to garner some out-licensing deals. The fact that the company was able to bag such a deal with Medicis Pharmaceuticals USA is an encouraging sign.
Company is already working towards reducing the debt burden. The cash generated from the improved performance of its business will go towards paying off this debt. Besides this, the company has filed a draft prospectus with the SEBI for listing Glenmark Generics and part of the proceeds from this listing will also be used to retire debt.
About Glenmark Pharma
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Limited was incorporated in the year 1977. Glenmark Pharma is a mid-sized Indian pharma company with focus on niche therapeutic areas of dermatology, gynaecology, paediatrics and diabetics. The domestic formulations business contributed about 29% to the company’s revenue in FY09. On the international front, while exports to the semi-regulated markets have been growing at a strong pace, the company is also strengthening its presence in the US and European generics market on its own and through the partnership route. The company is also focusing on R&D.
Glenmark is a leading player in the discovery of new molecules both new chemical entity and new biological entity with eight molecules in various stages of clinical development. The company has a significant presence in branded generics markets across emerging economies including India. Its subsidiary, Glenmark Generics Limited has a fast growing and robust US generics business. The subsidiary also markets APIs to regulated and semi-regulated countries. Glenmark employs nearly 6000 people in over 80 countries. It has twelve manufacturing facilities in four countries and has five R&D centres.
