WuXi AppTec Reports First Half 2019 Interim Results

    --  Revenue Accelerated 33.7% Year-Over-Year to RMB 5,894 Million
    --  Gross Profit Up 30.0% Year-Over-Year to RMB 2,284 million([1])
    --  Adjusted Non-IFRS Net Profit Attributable to Owners of the Company Up
        32.0% Year-Over-Year to RMB 1,179 Million
    --  Small Molecule CDMO/CMO Pipeline has Grown to 800+ Active Projects With
        16 Already in Commercial Manufacturing
    --  Cumulatively Submitted 65 New-Chemical-Entity IND Filings with NMPA and
        Obtained 45 CTAs for Customers([2])

SHANGHAI, Aug. 19, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- WuXi AppTec Co., Ltd. (stock code: 603259.SH / 2359.HK), a platform that provides a broad portfolio of R&D and manufacturing services that enable companies in the pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device industries worldwide to advance discoveries and deliver groundbreaking treatments to patients, announces its financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2019 ("Reporting Period").

This document serves purely as a summary and is not intended to provide a complete representation of the relevant matters. For further information, please refer to the 2019 interim report and relevant announcements published on the websites of the Shanghai Stock Exchange (www.sse.com.cn) and the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (www.hkexnews.hk), and the designated media for dissemination of the relevant information. Investors are advised to exercise caution and be aware of the investment risks in dealing in the shares of the Company.

All financials disclosed in this press release are prepared based on International Financial Reporting Standards (or "IFRSs").

First Half 2019 Financial Highlights

    --  Accelerated revenue growth of 33.7% year-over-year to RMB 5,894 million
        which was broad-based across all our business segments. During the
        Reporting Period, we added nearly 600 new customers and our active
        customers during this period exceeded 3,600. By fully leveraging the
        strength of our integrated end-to-end R&D services platform, we were
        able to create further synergies across all our business segments as we
        continued to adhere to our "Follow the Project" and "Follow the
        Molecule" strategies.
    --  Gross profit grew 30.0% year-over-year to RMB 2,284 million. Gross
        profit margin was 38.7%([3])
    --  Adjusted non-IFRS net profit attributable to owners of the Company grew
        32.0% year-over-year to RMB 1,179 million.
    --  Net profit attributable to owners of the Company was lower 16.9%
        year-over-year to RMB 1,057 million, due to a RMB 55 million loss from
        changes in fair value of our investment portfolio, versus a RMB 432
        million gain in the same period last year.
    --  Adjusted non-IFRS EPS increased by 9.1% versus the same period last year
        while diluted EPS was down 31.2%.([4])

First Half 2019 Operational Highlights

    --  We acquired nearly 600 new customers, and our active customer count
        reached more than 3,600. We attracted and enabled numerous innovative
        biotech companies on our platform. We focused on and increased customer
        conversion, creating further synergies across all our business segments.
    --  In small molecule drug discovery services, we continued to assist global
        customers develop pre-clinical candidate molecules and patent
        applications, with multiple research papers published in leading
        scientific journals. Our DNA-Encoded library ("DEL") now contains 90
        billion compounds, enabling a growing number of customers globally to
        discover innovative small molecule drugs.
    --  In our success-based drug discovery unit, we filed INDs for 10
        new-chemical-entities for domestic customers with the China National
        Medical Products Administration (the "NMPA") and obtained 11 clinical
        trial authorizations ("CTAs"). As of June 30, 2019, we have cumulatively
        submitted 65 new-chemical-entity IND filings with the NMPA for our
        customers and obtained 45 CTAs.
    --  In our laboratory testing services, we fully leveraged our platform,
        combining our technical experience, program management and regulatory
        expertise to prepare and facilitate submissions of our customers' IND
        packages (the WuXi IND program or "WIND"). For the first time, we also
        helped our customers obtain clinical trial approval from the FDA under
        eCTD format.
    --  Our small molecule CDMO/CMO pipeline has grown to more than 800 active
        projects, including 11 under China's MAH pilot program. Furthermore, 40
        projects are in Phase III clinical trials and 16 are already in
        commercial manufacturing.
    --  Our cell and gene therapies CDMO business provided services for 30
        clinical stage projects, including 21 projects in Phase I and 9 projects
        in Phase II/III.
    --  We continued to build our global clinical research capabilities. Since
        our acquisition of Research Point Global, we are now providing
        multi-regional clinical development services to multiple customers. In
        May 2019, we also acquired Pharmapace, Inc., a clinical research
        services company with significant expertise in providing high quality
        biometrics services, allowing us to further diversify our global
        clinical trial service offering.
    --  In April 2019, we appointed Dr. Frederick H. Hausheer as our Chief
        Medical Officer. With his decades of extensive clinical experience in
        both the US and China, Dr. Hausheer is already having a big impact on
        the design of our customers' medical and clinical development programs.
        His skills enable us to provide a seamless integration of drug
        development projects from preclinical translational R&D into
        first-in-human studies along with Phase I-IV clinical development plans
        for our customers.
    --  We hired Dr. Zhigang Chen as our Chief Digital Officer. As digital
        technology within the healthcare field becomes an increasingly important
        asset, Dr. Chen will put the infrastructure in place for WuXi AppTec to
        capitalize on the copious information synergies within our platform.
    --  During the Reporting Period, we also continued to enhance our capacities
        and capabilities across all segments and facilities. Our newly built
        Qidong research and development center began operation. Three of our
        Laboratory Testing Division's facilities - Drug Safety Testing,
        Bioanalytical Services and Medical Device Testing - completed regulatory
        inspections by the FDA, OECD, and CNAS, all with excellent results. Our
        cell and gene therapies CDMO/CMO facility in Wuxi city began operation,
        providing services to customers in China. Our small molecule CDMO/CMO
        STA's new drug product manufacturing facility in Shanghai passed its
        first GMP inspection by the European MPA and, in July 2019, STA's ASU
        facility in Shanghai and API process R&D and manufacturing facility in
        Changzhou, successfully passed two inspections by the FDA, with no Form
        483 issued.

Management Comment

Mr. Edward Hu, Co-CEO of WuXi AppTec, said, "We achieved accelerated growth in the first half of 2019 across all of our businesses. Our revenue grew 33.7% to RMB 5,894 million and our adjusted non-IFRS net profit attributable to owners of the Company grew 32.0% to RMB 1,179 million. Both revenue and adjusted net profit growth rate accelerated compared with growth rate from the same period last year. In addition, we increased our focus on customer conversion, enabling further synergies across all our business segments."

Mr. Edward Hu further commented, "Our China-based laboratory services segment expanded its global and domestic customer base, improved customer penetration, and maintained a steady revenue growth rate of 23.7% to RMB 2,989 million. Our small molecule CDMO/CMO services portfolio increased from 650+ molecules at the end of 2018 to over 800 molecules as of June 30, 2019, and revenue grew 42.0%. US-based laboratory services revenue growth increased 30.0%, compared to a drop of 1.9%, in the same period last year. This was primarily due to cell and gene therapies CDMO services progressing more projects to later stage. Likewise, our medical device testing business returned to more historical levels of growth. Clinical research services was our fastest growing segment. Revenue grew 104.2%, driven by strong development of the domestic new drug clinical trial market, and contribution from acquired clinical CRO business."

Dr. Ge Li, Chairman and CEO of WuXi AppTec, concluded, "While achieving strong revenue growth, we continued to invest in new capacity and capabilities, including talent, laboratories, manufacturing facilities and technologies. Our integrated platform enables more entrepreneurs, scientists, and doctors around the world to participate in innovation to bring the best and newest medicines to those patients in need."

2019 Interim Results

    --  Revenue increased 33.7% year-over-year to RMB 5,894 million. -
        China-based laboratory services realized revenue of RMB 2,989 million,
        representing a year-over-year growth of 23.7%. We have one of the
        largest and most experienced small molecule drug R&D organizations
        globally, along with a comprehensive testing platform. - CDMO/CMO
        services realized revenue of RMB 1,718 million, representing a
        year-over-year growth of 42.0%. The Follow-the-Molecule" strategy
        continues to perform very well. We establish close, cooperative
        relationships with our customers during the pre-clinical and early
        clinical development stage, and are then able to advance these projects
        into later clinical and commercialization stages if the molecules
        succeed in clinical development. - U.S.-based laboratory services
        realized revenue of RMB 710 million, representing year-over-year growth
        of 30.0%. For cell and gene therapies CDMO services, we acquired more
        customers and more projects progressed to late stage, allowing revenue
        growth to accelerate. For medical device testing services, we actively
        developed new customers and capitalized on incremental demand resulting
        from the European Union Medical Device Regulation change. - Clinical
        research and other CRO services realized revenue of RMB 472 million,
        representing year-over-year growth of 104.2%. Growth was mainly driven
        by continued rapid development of the domestic new drug clinical trial
        market, and acquired US clinical CRO business contributed RMB 84 million
        for the six months ended June 30, 2019. Excluding the effect of
        acquisition, the revenue of our clinical research and other CRO services
        grew 67.7%.




    --  Gross profit increased 30.0% year-over-year to RMB 2,284 million. Gross
        profit margin was 38.7%, slightly lower than 39.8% in the six months
        ended June 30, 2018.([5]) - China-based laboratory services realized
        gross profit of RMB 1,301 million, representing year-over-year growth of
        20.0%. Gross profit margin was 43.5%, lower by 1.34 percentage
        points([6]), due to an increase in share-based compensation expenses and
        project mix. - CDMO/CMO services realized gross profit of RMB 698
        million, representing a year-over-year growth of 42.7%, in line with
        revenue growth. Gross profit margin was 40.6%([7]), the same as last
        year. |- U.S.-based laboratory services realized gross profit of RMB 191
        million, representing year-over-year growth of 52.3%. Gross profit
        margin was 26.9%, up 3.93 percentage points([8]), because of new
        customer acquisition and higher utilization rate of cell therapy
        manufacturing facilities. - Clinical research and other CRO services
        realized gross profit of RMB 92 million, representing year-over-year
        growth of 65.5%. Gross profit margin was 19.4%, down 4.54 percentage
        points,([9]) mainly due to the effect of pass-through revenue and
        amortization cost of intangible assets associated with M&A.
    --  Net profit attributable to owners of the Company decreased 16.9%
        year-over-year to RMB 1,057 million, mainly due to a RMB 55 million loss
        in fair value of our investment portfolio, compared with a RMB 432
        million gain in the same period last year. Excluding the impact of
        changes in fair value of our investment portfolio, the net profit
        attributable to owners of the Company in the current period increased by
        32.4% compared with the same period last year.

2019 Interim Non-IFRS Results

    --  2019 interim non-IFRS net profit attributable to owners of the Company
        decreased 10.7% year-over-year to RMB 1,213 million. This adjusts for
        share-based compensation expenses, listing expenses, foreign
        exchange-related effects and amortization of intangible assets acquired
        in business combinations.

2019 Interim Adjusted Non-IFRS Results

    --  Excluding realized/unrealized gains or losses from our venture
        investments and realized/unrealized gains or losses from our joint
        ventures, 2019 interim adjusted non-IFRS net profit attributable to
        owners of the Company increased 32.0% year-over-year to RMB 1,179
        million.


                                                                       
            
          Reconciliation of Non-IFRS and Adjusted Non-IFRS Net Profit Attributable
                                                                                       to Owners of the Company
              
                [10]





            RMB Million                                                                                                                              
            
              Six Months     
      
              Six Months
                                                                                                                                                              Ended June 30,               Ended June 30,
                                                                                                                                                                                    2019                           2018

    ---                                                                                                                                                                                                            ---


            
              Profit Attributable to the owners of the Company                                                                                                         1,056.8                        1,271.9

    ---


            Add:

    ---


                  Share-based compensation expenses                                                                                                                                62.7                           16.0

    ---


                  Listing expenses for offering of our A Shares and H Shares                                                                                                          -                           6.4

    ---                                                                                                                                                                                                            ---


                  Foreign exchange related gains/losses                                                                                                                            81.3                           56.1

    ---


                  Amortization of intangible assets acquired in business                                                                                                           12.4                            8.0
    combinations

    ---


            
              Non-IFRS Net Profit Attributable the owners of the Company                                                                                               1,213.2                        1,358.4

    ---


            Add:

    ---


                  Realized and unrealized gains/losses from venture                                                                                                              (54.7)                       (474.2)
    investments

    ---


                  Realized and unrealized share of gains/losses of joint ventures                                                                                                  20.2                            8.8

    ---


            
              Adjusted non-IFRS net profit attributable to the owners of the                                                                                           1,178.7                          893.0
    Company

    ---


                                                  
     
     Condensed Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss
           
            [11]





              
                RMB million                                  
              
                Six Months   
        
                Six Months     
     
     YoY
                                                                                   Ended June 30,                 Ended June 30,                      Change
                                                                                                         2019                             2018





              
                Revenue (note i)                                                          5,894.4                          4,409.2           33.7%



              Cost of services                                                                     (3,610.8)                       (2,653.1)          36.1%



              
                Gross profit                                                              2,283.6                          1,756.1           30.0%




              Other income                                                                             124.9                             54.7          128.2%



              Other gains and losses                                                                  (22.5)                           389.6         -105.8%



              Impairment losses under                                                                  (1.2)                             5.6         -120.4%
    expected credit losses ("ECL")
    model, net of reversal



              Selling and marketing expenses                                                         (208.5)                         (152.7)          36.6%



              Administrative expenses                                                                (671.2)                         (435.3)          54.2%



              Research and development expenses                                                      (243.6)                         (177.5)          37.2%



              
                Operating Profit                                                          1,261.4                          1,440.7          -12.4%




              Share of profits (losses) of                                                              73.0                             38.7           88.8%
    associates



              Share of losses of joint ventures                                                       (20.2)                           (8.8)         130.8%



              Finance costs                                                                           (32.8)                          (45.5)         -28.0%



              
                Profit before tax                                                         1,281.5                          1,425.0          -10.1%




              Income tax expense                                                                     (176.5)                         (121.0)          45.9%



              
                Profit for the period                                                     1,105.0                          1,304.1          -15.3%






              
                Attributable to:



              Owners of the Company                                                                  1,056.8                          1,271.9          -16.9%



              Non-controlling interests                                                                 48.2                             32.2           49.8%



                                                                                                      1,105.0                          1,304.1          -15.3%


                      
              
                Condensed Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss (continued)
                
       [12]




                            RMB           
              
                Six Months         
              
                Six Months    
          
     YoY
                                                    Ended June 30,                             Ended June 30,                          Change
                                                                           2019                                       2018





              
                Weighted average number of
    ordinary shares for the purpose
    of calculating (express in
    shares)


               - Basic                                            1,628,964,071                              1,361,259,141                19.7%


               - Diluted                                          1,631,360,114                              1,361,259,141                19.8%





              
                Earnings per share attributable
    to ordinary equity holders of the
    parent (expressed in RMB per
    share)


               - Basic                                                     0.65                                       0.93               -30.1%



               - Diluted                                                   0.64                                       0.93               -31.2%



            Note:



            (i) The table below sets forth a breakdown of our revenue by segment:





            
                RMB million                                              
      
                Six Months    
      
                Six Months
                                                                                     Ended June 30,                Ended June 30,
                                                                                                            2019                           2018



              - China-based laboratory services                                                         2,988.9                        2,416.3



              - U.S.-based laboratory services                                                            709.8                          546.1



              - Clinical research and other CRO                                                           472.1                          231.2
    services



              - CMO/CDMO services                                                                       1,717.7                        1,209.4



              - Others                                                                                      5.8                            6.3



                                                                                                         5,894.4                        4,409.2


                               
              
                Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
     
              [13]





              
                RMB million                                                                          June 30,      December 31,


                                                                                                                     2019               2018





              
                Non-current Assets



               Property, plant and equipment                                                                     6,702.6            6,057.6



               Right of use assets                                                                               1,111.8                  -



               Goodwill                                                                                          1,248.8            1,144.1



               Other intangible assets                                                                             430.6              347.9



               Prepaid lease payments                                                                                  -             272.3



               Interest in associates                                                                              747.4              618.7



               Interest in joint ventures                                                                           39.3               36.8



               Deferred tax assets                                                                                 253.8              250.2



               Financial assets at fair value through profit                                                     2,516.4            2,079.3
    or loss ("FVTPL")



               Other non-current assets                                                                             62.1               47.4



              Derivative financial instruments                                                                       0.6                  -


                                                                                                                 13,113.5           10,854.4






              
                Current Assets



               Inventories                                                                                         972.5              854.8



               Contract costs                                                                                      119.9               97.7



               Amounts due from related parties                                                                      7.6               13.9



               Trade and other receivables                                                                       3,014.0            2,498.7



               Contract assets                                                                                     322.4              384.5



               Prepaid lease payments                                                                                  -               6.2



               Income tax recoverable                                                                                8.8               34.0



               Financial assets at FVTPL                                                                         3,152.4            2,125.3



               Derivative financial instruments                                                                     13.3               37.1



               Pledged bank deposits                                                                                 4.4                2.9



               Bank balances and cash                                                                            3,699.8            5,757.7


                                                                                                                 11,314.9           11,812.8


                     
              
                Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position (continued)
     
              [14]





     
                RMB million                                                                                   June 30, 
          
     December 31,

                                                                                                                     2019                    2018





     
                Current Liabilities



      Trade and other payables                                                                                   2,476.8                 2,610.6



      Amounts due to related parties                                                                                11.9                    12.0



      Derivative financial instruments                                                                             103.3                   153.3



      Contract liabilities                                                                                         697.2                   681.9



      Borrowings                                                                                                 1,294.9                   120.0



      Income tax payables                                                                                          167.2                   184.3



      Financial liabilities at FVTPL                                                                                17.6                       -



      Lease liabilities                                                                                            101.0                       -


                                                                                                                  4,869.9                 3,762.1






     
                Non-current Liabilities



      Borrowings                                                                                                    15.0                    15.0



      Deferred tax liabilities                                                                                     158.1                   111.7



      Deferred income                                                                                              404.3                   418.8



      Other long-term liabilities                                                                                   95.9                   194.3



      Financial liabilities at FVTPL                                                                                14.8                       -



      Lease liabilities                                                                                            741.4                       -



     
                Total Non-current liabilities                                                                  1,429.4                   739.9






     
                Total Liabilities                                                                              6,299.3                 4,502.0





     
                Net Assets                                                                                    18,129.2                18,165.2






     
                Capital and Reserves



      Share capital                                                                                              1,170.0                 1,164.7



      Reserves                                                                                                  16,586.1                16,523.3




      Equity attributable to owners of the Company                                                              17,756.1                17,688.0



      Non-controlling interests                                                                                    373.1                   477.2



     
                Total Equity                                                                                  18,129.2                18,165.2

About WuXi AppTec

WuXi AppTec provides a broad portfolio of R&D and manufacturing services that enable companies in the pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device industries worldwide to advance discoveries and deliver groundbreaking treatments to patients. As an innovation-driven and customer-focused company, WuXi AppTec helps our partners improve the productivity of advancing healthcare products through cost-effective and efficient solutions. With industry-leading capabilities such as R&D and manufacturing for small molecule drugs, cell and gene therapies, and testing for medical devices, WuXi AppTec's open-access platform is enabling more than 3,600 collaborators from over 30 countries to improve the health of those in need - and to fulfill our dream that "every drug can be made and every disease can be treated."

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain certain "forward-looking statements" which are not historical facts, but instead are predictions about future events based on our beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to our management. Although we believe that our predictions are reasonable, future events are inherently uncertain and our forward-looking statements may turn out to be incorrect. Our forward-looking statements are subject to risks relating to, among other things, the ability of our service offerings to compete effectively, our ability to meet timelines for the expansion of our service offerings, our ability to protect our clients' intellectual property, and unforeseeable international tension. Our forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law or listing rules. Accordingly, you are strongly cautioned that reliance on any forward-looking statements involves known and unknown risks and uncertainties. All forward-looking statements contained herein are qualified by reference to the cautionary statements set forth in this section.

Use of Non-IFRS and Adjusted Non-IFRS Financial Measures

We provide non-IFRS net profit attributable to owners of the Company and earnings per share, which exclude share-based compensation expenses, listing expenses for offering of our A shares and H shares, foreign exchange-related gains or losses and amortization of intangible assets acquired in business combinations. We further provide an adjusted non-IFRS net profit attributable to owners of the Company and earnings per share, which exclude realized and unrealized gains or losses from our venture investments and joint ventures. Neither is required by, or presented in accordance with IFRS. We believe that the adjusted financial measures used in this press release are useful for understanding and assessing our core business performance and operating trends, and we believe that management and investors may benefit from referring to these adjusted financial measures in assessing our financial performance by eliminating the impact of certain unusual and non-recurring items that we do not consider indicative of the performance of our core business. However, the presentation of these adjusted non-IFRS financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with IFRS. You should not view adjusted results on a stand-alone basis or as a substitute for results under IFRS, or as being comparable to results reported or forecasted by other companies.


                            [1] If prepared under Accounting
                             Standard for Business Enterprises
                             of PRC, the gross profit grew
                             29.4% year-over-year to RMB
                             2,286 million.


                            [2] Our success-based services, as
                             of June 30, 2019.


                            [3] If prepared under Accounting
                             Standard for Business Enterprises
                             of PRC, the gross profit grew
                             29.4% year-over-year to RMB
                             2,286 million. Gross profit margin
                             was 38.8%.


                            [4] Six months ended June 30, 2018
                             and six months ended June 30,
                             2019, we had a fully-diluted
                             weighted average share count of
                             1,361,259,141 and 1,631,360,114
                             ordinary shares, respectively.


                            [5] If prepared under Accounting
                             Standard for Business Enterprises
                             of PRC, six months ended June 30,
                             2019 gross profit increased 29.4%
                             year-over-year to RMB 2,286
                             million. Gross profit margin was
                             38.8%, slightly lower than 40.1%
                             in six months ended June 30, 2018.


                            [6] If prepared under Accounting
                             Standard for Business Enterprises
                             of PRC, China-based laboratory
                             services realized gross profit of
                             RMB 1,302 million, representing a
                             YoY growth of 19.4%. Gross profit
                             margin was 43.6%, down by 1.57
                             percentage points.


                            [7] If prepared under Accounting
                             Standard for Business Enterprises
                             of PRC, CDMO/CMO services
                             realized gross profit of RMB 698
                             million, representing a YoY growth
                             of 41.7%. Gross profit margin was
                             40.7%.


                            [8] If prepared under Accounting
                             Standard for Business Enterprises
                             of PRC, U.S.-based laboratory
                             services realized gross profit of
                             RMB 191 million, representing a
                             YoY growth of 52.2%. Gross profit
                             margin was 26.9%, up by 3.93
                             percentage points.


                            [9] If prepared under Accounting
                             Standard for Business Enterprises
                             of PRC, clinical research and
                             other CRO services realized gross
                             profit of RMB93 million,
                             representing a YoY growth of
                             65.7%, down 4.61 percentage
                             points.


                            [10] If the sum of the data below
                             is inconsistent with the total, it
                             is caused by rounding.


                            [11] If the sum of the data below
                             is inconsistent with the total, it
                             is caused by rounding.


                            [12] If the sum of the data below
                             is inconsistent with the total, it
                             is caused by rounding.


                            [13] If the sum of the data below
                             is inconsistent with the total, it
                             is caused by rounding.


                            [14] If the sum of the data below
                             is inconsistent with the total, it
                             is caused by rounding.

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SOURCE WuXi AppTec