Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TAK) has announced a solid financial performance for the first half of fiscal year 2024, marked by a 5% revenue increase at constant exchange rates. This growth was primarily fueled by the company's Growth & Launch product portfolio, which saw an impressive 18.7% increase. Despite a significant decline in VYVANSE sales, Takeda has revised its full-year guidance upward, citing strong performance and updated foreign exchange assumptions. The company's core operating profit margin reached 30.2%, and it is actively investing in late-stage pipeline programs.
Growth & Launch Portfolio Performance
The Growth & Launch portfolio, now accounting for 47% of total revenue, demonstrated robust performance. ENTYVIO returned to double-digit growth, accelerated by the launch of the ENTYVIO Pen in the United States. Mainstay products such as immunoglobulin and TAKHZYRO continued their strong growth trajectory, while newly launched products FRUZAQLA and ADZYNMA experienced strong early uptake, exceeding revenue expectations. Approvals of ADZYNMA in the European Union and FRUZAQLA in Japan support the geographical expansion of these new treatments.
Pipeline Advancements
Takeda's innovative late-stage pipeline is progressing, with multiple programs in Phase 3 development. In August, the company initiated a Phase 3 clinical trial of TAK-861 for narcolepsy type 1. In October, proof-of-concept data for mezagitamab in treating immunoglobulin A nephropathy was presented at the American Society of Nephrology.
Andy Plump, R&D President, highlighted positive interim results from the mezagitamab trial, noting rapid and sustained reductions in serum IgA (up to 70%) and galactose deficient IgA (up to 62%). Participants also achieved a 55% mean reduction from baseline in 24-hour proteinuria at week 36. Plump stated, "The consistency of the observations that we’re seeing, and the potency of the effect is quite remarkable and suggests the potential for a best-in-class across all of the potential disease-modifying agents."
Financial Outlook and Challenges
While raising its full-year guidance, Takeda anticipates challenges in the second half of the fiscal year. VYVANSE sales are expected to face accelerated generic erosion, impacting revenue and profit growth. Full-year core operating profit and core EPS are projected to decline. The company projects a ¥140 billion expense for the full-year implementation of its efficiency program.
Milano Furuta, Chief Financial Officer, explained that the updated forecast reflects the strong H1 performance but also accounts for increased R&D spending in H2 to support late-stage programs like TAK-861, TAK-279, and mezagitamab. Furuta stated, "So this year, we are dealing with dynamic situations of the LOE of VYVANSE, acceleration of the ENTYVIO growth with the Pen launch, the enterprise-wide efficiency program and the progression of the late-stage pipeline."
InvestingPro Insights
InvestingPro data shows a revenue growth of 7.28% over the last twelve months. InvestingPro Tips highlight that Takeda is a "Prominent player in the Pharmaceuticals industry" and has "maintained dividend payments for 33 consecutive years." The company's P/E Ratio (Adjusted) of 16.81 indicates that investors are still willing to pay a premium for Takeda's earnings, possibly due to its strong market position and growth potential in key areas.
