NATCO Pharma Limited (NATCOPHARM) Earnings Call Transcript & Summary

Ladies and gentlemen, good day, and welcome to NATCO Pharma Limited Q1 FY '26 Post Results Earnings Conference Call hosted by B&K Securities India Pvt. Ltd. [Operator Instructions] Please note that this conference is being recorded. I now hand the conference over to Mr. Hrishikesh from B&K Securities. Thank you, and over to you, sir.

Thank you. Good morning, everyone. On behalf of B&K Securities, I welcome you all to the Q1 FY '26 Earnings Conference Call of NATCO Pharma. Hope everyone is in good health and doing well. On behalf of NATCO today, we have with us Mr. Rajeev Nannapaneni, Vice Chairman and CEO; Mr. Rajesh Chebiyam, Executive Vice President, Crop Health Sciences. I now hand over the call to Rajesh for the management's opening remarks, post which we'll open the session for Q&A. Over to you, sir.

Thank you, Hrishikesh. Good morning, and welcome, everyone, to NATCO's conference call discussing our earnings results for the first quarter of FY '26, which ended June 30, 2025. During this call, we may be making certain forward-looking statements or statements about future events, and anything said on this call, which reflects our outlook for the future, must be reviewed in conjunction with the risks that the company faces. I'd like to state that the material of the call, except for participant questions, is the property of NATCO and cannot be recorded or rebroadcast without NATCO's expressed written permission. We'll begin with the call results highlights, followed by an interactive Q&A session. Again, I hope all of you have received the financials and the press release that was sent out earlier. These are also available on our website. NATCO recorded consolidated total revenue of INR 1,390.6 crores for the quarter that ended June 30, 2025, as against INR 1,410.7 crores recorded in the same period last year. EBITDA for the quarter was INR 632.7 crores, with margins at 45.5%. Net profit for the period on a consolidated basis was INR 480.3 crores. During the quarter, the business faced pricing pressure in the U.S. product portfolio and incurred increased R&D expenses on account of high-value projects. This is also reflected in other expenses being higher for the quarter. The Board of Directors have declared an interim dividend of INR 2 per equity share during the quarter. On the segmental split for the quarter, I'll just briefly outline, which is also shared. The API business clocked INR 52.6 crores; domestic formulation, INR 107 crores; formulation exports, including profit share and subsidiaries, was INR 1,126.5 crores; crop health sciences, INR 34.7 crores; other operating and nonoperating was INR 69.8 crores; totaling INR 1,390.6 crores for the quarter. Thank you all. We'll take the questions now. We can take the questions when you're ready.

[Operator Instructions] The first question is from the line of Nirali Shah from Ashika Stock Services.

I had a question on Revlimid. Just wanted to know is the Revlimid contribution this quarter broadly in line with the last quarter? Or is it higher? And should we expect a higher contribution in 2Q?

We don't do a split, but I think it's been consistent. We expect it will continue into the September quarter. I think post-September quarter, I don't think we see much. It will be a decline is what our expectation is.

So it would be fair to assume that almost entire -- large part of our quota will be exhausted in first half only?

Yes, I think most of the earnings will get captured in the first half, yes, that's correct. First half, meaning end of September quarter, yes.

Understood. And my next question is on NRC-2694. How many patients have been enrolled so far? And by when do we expect last patient enrollment?

I think the Phase II is ongoing. I can't recollect how many patients -- I think it's more like 13, 14 patients have enrolled so far. So a lot of the -- I think the patients mostly have been done in the U.S. We're also starting an India arm now. When do we expect? I think we need to do about, I think, 60 to 70 to reach some sort of definite conclusion of where we stand on that particular indication. And this is an indication for late-stage head and neck cancer after failure of all the existing therapies. So it's ongoing. I don't want to give a time line now, but at least -- yes, it will take some time, at least. Maybe we'll have more clarity as the year goes by.

So maybe mid of FY '27 will be -- we can expect some meaningful data readout?

Yes, I think so. I think that sounds about reasonable. I think because it's late-stage drugs, and I think if you're able to demonstrate some efficacy, I think it will be interesting. But yes, we'll see how things -- so we'll keep you informed.

The next question is from the line of Rashmi from Dolat Capital.

Sir, while you said that Revlimid, the contribution was consistent this quarter, but have you seen a bigger erosion compared to quarter 4 or the previous quarter and that is impacting our overall EBITDA margin? And also related to that, I want to know that in the press release when you said that the business is seeing pricing pressure in the U.S., apart from Revlimid also, are you seeing any other pricing pressure in other products?

I think we're seeing pricing pressure on Revlimid, of course. So I think that's the reason why there's been a dip. Are we seeing pressure in other products? They've been stable, but we also had, fortunately, other launches that have happened. That has also contributed to our profit. So overall, the other business has been stable. I don't think it's -- I mean, we're doing extraordinary -- there's increase in the sales, but that business has been stable. But yes, Revlimid has seen a decline.

Okay. And my second question is related to the crop health sciences. This time, we have seen a good pickup. So how is the demand picking up? And are we on track to achieve that INR 140 crore, INR 150 crore of sales for this year?

I think so. I think we had a good start. I think we have got good receivable. I think things are settling down. We think that this sale will continue. And we are -- we're losing still money. I think we're still losing this quarter, I think we lost about INR 3 crores, INR 4 crores, INR 3.2 crores. So I think we're coming very close to breakeven. So I think we're almost there. I think we're doing well.

The next question is from the line of Vivek from Inga Ventures.

My question is regarding, does you have any breakup of generic and non-generic revenue?

We don't do such breakup. We don't do breakup like the way you have asked. We do the way we have presented in the earnings. We do it by...

Sir, do you have...

Okay. Brand -- I mean at a high level, I can tell you, I mean, all the businesses which are sold outside India are all generic businesses. The India business is mostly the brand business. Otherwise, outside, it's mostly a generic business. Does it answer your answer your question?

Okay, sir. Yes, sir. My second question is, so there is an investment in Eyestem, Series B funding. So why we didn't invest on this round during this round?

Which is Eyestem you're saying?

Yes, yes, Eyestem.

Which company you're saying, which company Eyestem you're saying?

Yes, yes, Eyestem.

What's your question again? It's not clear. What about Eyestem?

So there is a Series B funding in the Eyestem...

I got your question. We are investing my friend. We are investing as per our proportion of our shareholding. I think our proportion of shareholding, I can't remember the number, but it's like 2% of the company. So I think we are keeping -- in this round also, we are, I think, investing equivalent to keep our shareholding. We're not gone up on it. We have just -- we are keeping the shareholding that we have. I don't remember the number, so don't hold me to it, but I think it's like -- it's a INR 2 crore, INR 3 crore round. I think it's not a large number. I think we are investing.

The next question is from the line of [ Mehul Panjuani from 40 Cents ].

Sir, what would be the impact on NATCO Pharma if there was a pharma tariffs being implemented in the U.S., worst-case scenario?

There will -- I mean, there will be some impact, of course. I mean we aren't foolish to say there will not be any impact. I think you will see -- I mean, I'm giving you a general answer. I don't want to get into -- the U.S. obviously represents a significant part of our portfolio. I speak for the industry. There will be -- depending on the level of tariff, I think there will be a disruption initially. And then hopefully, we'll be able to pass on some of it to our customers. And then we'll see how things go. But yes, we have to deal with it when we have to. So far, we are okay. But we don't know what the future holds. You just have to brace for it.

Right. And sir, my second question is what is the reason for the decline in net profit vis-à-vis the 2024 June quarter?

I think we already answered that question. I think we have seen an erosion in our core portfolio and primarily our U.S. business, and I think primarily driven by Revlimid. I think Revlimid has seen some price decrease and which has impacted our profitability.

Okay. And sir, when would we see a recovery in this one?

Revlimid over a period of time will decline -- I think the market knows this. I think Revlimid will see further decline as the year progresses.

The next question is from the line of Rahul Choudhary, an investor.

Sir, this other operating expenses, other expenses have increased disproportionately this year. We had a policy of doing something like 8% of the top line, and you have said high-value R&D expenditure, it's happening for the last, I think, 24 months. Sir, can we not get any color on where we are researching, what we are doing, where will we see the impact? Investors -- shareholders need to know what is there next year, next to next year, sir, beyond the semaglutide because Revlimid is history now, we have made a lot of money. That is my first question, sir. Where are we researching...

So basically, what we're doing is -- okay, yes, good question, Rahul. I think I'll try to answer the best I can. So what we're doing is, see, let us understand our generic business. There are 2 kinds of products you should do. You should do a product which will not have so much R&D expense, but again, the upside is limited or you do these R&D projects, which are $8 million, $10 million type of expenditure, but if they pay off, the returns are also very high. So what we have done, Rahul, is very deliberately spend. We had a reasonable amount of surplus, as you pointed out. So we used this cash flow to spend on some of these projects. And I think what we have done is we have budgeted some projects where we wanted to spend. And the primary reason -- the primary products that we are spending on are cancer products, where there's a clinical trial on patients which are very expensive to do. And we are doing a lot of peptides and oligopeptide type of products. So this is where we see the future of this business, and we are using the opportunity of our cash flow to invest in these ideas. If you want me to name the product, strategically, you don't name them because until you achieve an outcome where you have a successful filing, you typically name them. But I think things are going well. I think we will name them based on our success. I think we'll give some commentary on this maybe by -- yes, tell me, go ahead.

Sir, the follow-up on this -- so as in, like, you are not getting deterred by all these tariffs. You're still targeting Para IV filings only. I mean that is the strategy we are sticking to that, apart from the cancer that trial that we all know is NRC-2694.

We're talking about NRC-2694 and also generic, what you call cancer products, where you need to do trials on patients. So these products, some cancer products without naming them, you had to spend like $7 million, $8 million. And U.S., I'm not going to get deterred means, I mean, it is what it is. You just have to go with the flow. I mean we have to just see what the policy is going to be. And based on that, you readjust your strategy. U.S. is still the most important pharmaceutical market in the world. Especially for these type of products, it's 60%, 70% of the business. You can't ignore 60%, 70% of the business and run your business. I think it is what it is. And regarding ignoring -- building a business outside U.S., I think we have made a very bold step. We have bought the second largest company. We've taken a substantial stake in the second largest company in South Africa. We spent INR 2,000 crores to diversify our earnings. We believe over a period of time, this will represent a significant part of our base earnings in the coming years. I would believe South Africa will easily be about 15% to 25% of the base earnings. So we are diversifying away from the U.S. as well. It's not that we are not. But again, you can't ignore U.S. at the same time. So you have to play both the cards.

My second question is, sir, what is the intent behind increase in authorized capital, sir? What is the plan?

No, Rahul. I think -- I'll tell you what my thinking is. As of now, it's just an enabling resolution. We just want to have the option. I'm targeting another transaction, something like similar to what we did with Adcock. And if the number becomes larger, we just want the flexibility to have equity. At this time, I don't need any money because we have enough money in the books. But if we're doing another large transaction, which can strengthen our base business and we need some flexibility in equity, I just want that option. So we're just taking an enabling resolution from the shareholders so that we have these sort of flexibility if need be to consummate a larger transaction.

So the cash on books of INR 3,500 crores is including that Adcock's INR 2,000 crore investment, right, sir? There was in the presentation...

No, no, no, INR 3,500 crores is the cash that we have right now. INR 2,000 crores will leave the moment we do this transaction. So the cash will drop to INR 1,500 crores post transaction. There will be some accrual of this year's profit, whatever that number is going to be, minus dividend, minus CapEx. But yes, I think if you were to say that today -- let's say, Adcock deal were to happen today, the cash will dip to INR 1,500 crores plus the accrual that we're going to have this year, okay?

Okay. Sir, Kothur plant, sir, when are we going to get it back?

Okay, fine, I'll answer your question. This is your last question. I'll go to the next. So we had -- so we had 2 inspections. We had the Mekaguda API facility and the Kothur facility. So Mekaguda facility got cleared and we got the EIR. Kothur facility also had an inspection. We had multiple observations there. I believe we have answered all the queries. I'm hopeful that we will get a positive resolution. So -- but again, we have answered them. So they give us 90 days to -- so we've answered in July, I think if I recollect. So I think 90 days usually get a reply. So we've given and addressed all the concerns. I'm hopeful that we get something positive. But again, subject to what -- how things go. But again, we are cautiously optimistic that I think we should -- I think we'll be able to resolve it.

[Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of Hrishit Jhaveri from Pi Square.

Congratulations for a stable quarter. First question on the acquisition of the South African company. What is the outlook for that company going on? And how well do we plan? And do we plan to increase our stake or this would be the only investment there?

I didn't hear you well, but if I understand your question, what is our strategy with Adcock and how do we increase our shares? Is that the question, my friend?

Correct, correct.

Okay, fine. So let me address that question. So I think -- see, we've been looking to diversify our portfolio. I think South Africa is a very interesting market, and it's one of the most exciting markets in the African continent, the most stable country of the lot. And so we got an opportunity to buy a large stake in a very established setup. Even though it's a substantial minority, it's not a controlling. I felt that it was worth and we get to consolidate the earnings on an associate basis. And second, we don't have much business in South Africa. We can put all our pipeline that we have in India and South Africa and get a marketing setup, which -- and a distribution setup, which would have taken years for us to build. And we also got it at a very reasonable valuation, as you have seen. So it will take some time. I mean, the payoff of the investment will take some time. In the near term, I think shareholders will benefit from their base business that we're getting. And in the long run, I think we will get our pipeline in, and we'll also work with them to improve efficiencies and bring our pipeline not only from NATCO, from other Indian companies that we have relationships with and so that we can strengthen our portfolio there.

The next question is from the line of Bino from Elara Capital.

Just a follow-up on the other expenses. This quarter, all put together was around INR 525 crore. Is this roughly the run rate -- quarterly run rate that we should see going forward?

No, Bino, it will not be at the quarterly run rate. It will reduce because a lot of the expenses are a lot of onetime batch expenses. So let's say, you're doing a clinical trial or you're doing an exhibit batch for an expensive product, so there's been a lot of expense. You'll see a lot of expensing in this quarter and next quarter, but I think it will reduce, I think, starting from the December quarter.

The next question is from the line of Gagan from ASK Investment Managers.

So first question pertains to your comment on the increase in authorized capital. You said you are looking for another significant transaction. Can you give us some idea of -- to whatever degree you're comfortable sharing of whether this is a manufacturing-related transaction or a front end or a further increase in Adcock stake?

Good question. We are trying for something that is stable and which strengthens our base business and gives us more strength in the market that we are operating in. I mean, obviously, all these are borne by confidentiality, and these are not done, right? So we have not reached a stage where I can talk about it. But we will do something that strengthens the base business and gives us strength in a market either that we are operating in or in a market that we are not present in, which gives us immediate accretive earnings. I think that's what we are looking at. I think that's the nature of the transaction is the best I can answer at this time, okay?

Okay. All right. All right. I have one more. Yes. So on the Adcock, you also indicated that it could be 15% to 25% of the base earnings. When you say base earnings, you're referring to the cumulative PAT of NATCO closing FY '25? And if you could give us some idea of -- because Adcock has had...

No, no, no, I'm talking about -- no, my friend, it is PAT for '27. I'm not -- because it's a year it will take to close. I'm assuming a scenario where Revlimid has gone. I'm assuming only we have -- all our earnings are without Revlimid. And I'm assuming that for the next financial year, not this financial year.

Right. And Adcock has had 2 or 3 rather stable sort of years if you look at the -- I mean, if one goes by the statistics that you put out on your presentation. So I mean, do you foresee a change in the growth trajectory post you coming in and to what degree?

I think we are hoping we'll bring some value. I think certainly, I hope that we could improve those earnings. And also we're hoping that we could bring some of our pipeline from India and use our relationships that we have with other companies and strengthen the pipeline. I think that's the journey that we want to go through. I think we strongly believe that we can add a lot of value to the asset, and it's a great asset. And it wasn't for the transaction, we wouldn't have had access to this sort of assets. And so we're hoping, yes, I think that's the expectation, yes, you're absolutely right.

The next question is from the line of Abdulkader from ICICI Securities.

So sir, in terms of your India business, where are we in terms of launching semaglutide in India? And then from the next 2 to 3 years perspective, how should we look at this portfolio?

Semaglutide, I think we're on track. We hope to be there in -- when the market formation happens next year. I think that's our expectation, subject to regulatory clarity. So this is one of our -- but -- so we have our own products, so I think -- all our dosing is completed. First phase dosing is complete. So our readout, I think by November, December, we're expecting and hopefully, we will be on track in Phase I, so what you call in the Phase I launch with all other generics next year. So I'm hopeful that the product will do well.

Got it. And sir, then secondly, I heard your opening remarks on your agrochem venture. But then from a product standpoint, I think in the past, you have talked about a couple of more launches to strengthen this business. So sir, I mean, is FY '26 the year where we see those launches or '27, '28 where we expect some meaningful traction getting built up here?

We have launched a couple of new unique products. I think there's one product called GLANZ, which is, I think, the only fungal product other than the innovator that is there. And then...

Yes, Abdul, so actually, this season, we've launched about 5 products and a couple of herbicides and then there's a fungicide and insecticides as well. And these are all limited competition. So the idea here is you have a portfolio of products, but also introduce, like as Rajeev was just mentioning, this product fungicide called GLANZ brand, which was launched earlier late last year. That's doing fairly well because I think part of the reason why our loss dropped is because the gross margin has been higher on the newer launches. And I think we are on track to sort of reach the breakeven level is our expectation and the signs of that in the numbers...

The next question is from the line of [ Saumil Shah from Paras Investments ].

I wanted to know more on your acquisition of Adcock. I mean, by when this transaction will be completed and how much it will add to our bottom line? So I think they are doing a yearly run rate of around INR 5,000 crores, and we hold about 35% in that?

Yes. So we expect the transaction to be completed in the next 2 to 3 months, depending on subject to regulatory clearances and all the other requirements. Regarding the consolidation, I think they're doing turnover of about $530 million I think, I can't collect the number exactly based on the exchange rate. And they have a PAT of around $47 million or $48 million. So we'll be able to consolidate 35% of that number. So $15 million to $17 million, I think, depending on what the exchange...

Okay. So total PAT is around $48 million?

You can consolidate 35% of the PAT, my friend. Sorry, say that again.

Yes, yes. So I just wanted the yearly PAT is around USD 48 million.

Just one second, let me pull up the numbers, to be more precise. Turnover is -- last year was $536 million. And the PAT, I can't remember exactly, but I think it's around $46 million or $47 million, so depending on the exchange rate that we're taking. So your question was how much of the PAT we can consolidate, we can consolidate 35% of the PAT, 35.75%. So let's say, for your mathematical simplicity, next year profit, let's say, is $50 million for mathematical simplicity, 35.75% of that is what you can consol. So it will be like...

Okay, so I had a confusion -- yes, so can I complete my question? I had a confusion, sir, on your Page 7 of your presentation -- yes, yes, on the Page 7 of your presentation, I think you mentioned financial year June '24, Adcock has done a PAT of ZAR 814 million. That is INR 45 million approximately. And on the -- and again, after that, you have mentioned on December '24, they have done a PAT of ZAR 667 million. So this December '24 year-end, they have done ZAR 677 million, is it, USD 38 million?

EBITDA.

Net profit is INR 22 million.

So that is yearly profit, INR 22 million...

So all I can read from my presentation...

[Foreign Language], half year, H1.

Okay, okay, okay, that is only half year. Okay. Okay. So in Africa, it's June closing...

They have not announced their June numbers yet, no. They've not announced their June numbers.

Okay, okay. So this INR 22 million is half year...

They announce every 6 months and their financial year ends in June. So the June numbers is not -- they've not announced it, right?

Not announced.

They've not announced it yet.

The next question is from the line of Rashmi from Dolat Capital.

Just one question. This quarter, the depreciation was pretty high. So does it have any impairment charges or anything?

It does actually. I think we had a INR 12 crore impairment charge of an equipment that block machinery that we are not using. So I think, yes. Normally, it's around [ 43, 44 ]. It was [ 50 ] something this time. So I think it's come from I think INR 12 crores, INR 13 crores from...