Biocon, a leading biopharmaceutical firm, has announced plans to invest $150 million in capital expenditure over the next two years, with a strategic focus on expanding its biologics and generics businesses. The announcement comes as the company reports exceptional financial performance for the fourth quarter.
According to top company officials, $100 million of the planned investment will be directed toward the biologics division, with a significant portion allocated to enhance manufacturing capacities in Malaysia. The remaining $50 million will support the generics business.
"For generics, we will be looking at $50 million capex next year and with that, majority of our ongoing capex programmes will come to an end and there will be a small bit of maintenance capex going forward," said Siddharth Mittal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Biocon.
Kedar Upadhye, Chief Financial Officer of Biocon Biologics, noted during an earnings call that capital expenditure in biologics is expected to moderate after a couple of years.
Strong Financial Performance
Biocon announced its fourth quarter results on Thursday, reporting a remarkable 153% surge in net profit to Rs 344 crore. The consolidated total revenue for Q4 reached Rs 4,454 crore, representing a 12% growth compared to the previous year.
"This quarter's performance was bolstered by strong growth in generics, steady progress in biosimilars and ongoing traction in research services," said Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairperson of Biocon Group, during the analyst call.
Product Portfolio Expansion
The company has been actively expanding its product portfolio with several key launches during the quarter. Biocon introduced lenalidomide, a medication used to treat multiple myeloma, and oncology drug dasatinib in the US market. Additionally, the company launched anti-diabetes medication liraglutide in the UK.
Looking ahead, Biocon plans to focus on its peptide portfolios, particularly GLP1s, which it identifies as a key driver for future growth. The company is also placing significant emphasis on its biosimilars business, which continues to gain market share globally. Four of Biocon's biosimilars have already recorded sales of $200 million each in FY25.
Upcoming Product Launches
Matthew Erick, Chief Commercial Officer for advanced markets at Biocon Biologics, revealed plans to launch oncology drug bevacizumab in the US during the first half of this year. The company also anticipates approval for diabetes drug insulin aspart in the same timeframe.
"We have an incredible oncology portfolio and it will be a nice addition to our portfolio and we will be well positioned with our sales force," Erick stated.
Biocon has already launched yesintek (biosimilar Ustekinumab), one of the first biosimilars to Stelara in the US market. The company has also received approvals for liraglutide in the EU and everolimus (Zortress) tablets in the US.
Insulin Market Opportunity
The company has partnered with Civica Inc, a US-based not-for-profit organization, to support affordable insulin access for people with diabetes. This strategic move positions Biocon to capitalize on the growing global insulin demand.
"With a surge in global insulin demand, given our global scale manufacturing capacities, we are well-positioned to capitalise on this large opportunity," Shaw emphasized.
Analyst Outlook
Analysts maintain a positive outlook on Biocon's near-to-mid-term prospects, citing multiple recent product launches and planned introductions this year.
"Biocon Q4 result was strong and just in line with our estimates, driven by the launch of gRevlimid and Dasatinib in the US," noted PhillipCapital's pharma analyst Surya Patra in a report.
Patra expressed optimism about the company's future, highlighting its strong biosimilar pipeline and the recent clearance of Bengaluru and Malaysia facilities, which paves the way for the launch of Bevacizumab and Insulin aspart biosimilars in the US market.
Manufacturing Expansion and Funding
During the quarter, Biocon's arm Syngene expanded its biologics manufacturing footprint through an acquisition of a facility in the US, further strengthening the company's production capabilities.
To support its growth initiatives, Biocon is looking to raise Rs 4,500 crore through a combination of Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP) and private placement. The proceeds will primarily be used to meet financial obligations related to investments in its biologics unit.
