'As in the second quarter, strong growth in exports and royalty revenue far outpaced the decline in domestic product sales, helping Chugai to maintain high growth in the third quarter. The launch of the first recycling antibody Enspryng in
Third quarter results for 2020
Despite domestic sales decreased by about 7% affected by the NHI drug price revisions and the market penetration of generic drugs, Chugai reported a double-digit growth year-on-year in both revenues and operating profit for the third quarter (Core-basis), driven by increases in overseas sales, and royalties and other operating income by approximately 40% and 60%, respectively.
Revenues increased by 13.3%. Among sales, domestic sales decreased by 6.5% since sales of mainstay products in the Oncology, Bone and joint diseases, and Renal diseases areas decreased continuously from the second quarter. This resulted from the NHI drug price revisions in April this year and the market penetration of generic drugs. Domestic sales of Enspryng, a neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder treatment newly launched in August were
Cost to sales ratio improved by 2.6 percentage points at 43.1% despite the NHI price revisions mainly due to a larger proportion of in-house products including Hemlibra in the total product mix. Operating expenses increased by 5.7% in total. Marketing and distribution expenses and general and administration expenses decreased due to lower business activities caused by the spread of COVID-19. Research and development expenses recorded a double-digit increase with the projects progressing well. Operating profit increased by 35.5% due to the strong increase in revenues and a better cost to sales ratio.
The Company also made good progress in research and development. As the main progress, Chugai submitted a regulatory application in
Initiatives for COVID-19 and impact on performance
Regarding the impact of COVID-19 on performance during the nine months under review, there were no major negative impacts on revenues and profits. However, the pandemic has been affecting the progress of certain business activities as described below.
Product supply system maintained stable by taking measures to prevent infection of employees and business partners. No impacts on the product supply have been seen both in
Delay of the introduction of new products and those with additional indications, such as Tecentriq and Hemlibra, in the domestic market due to various reasons including restrained sales activities and decrease in the number of hospitalizations and outpatients.
Continuous increase in export of Hemlibra to
Significant increase in export of Actemra to
Some expenses were curbed mainly due to cancellation of overseas travels and restrained sales activities in
No major impacts on the timing of regulatory filing or approval.
Some delays in the initiation and progress of clinical trials for projects under development. These delays are expected to be resolved in time.
No delays in drug discovery activities for high-priority projects.
Construction for Chugai Life Science
A domestic phase III clinical trial of Actemra for COVID-19 is currently being conducted, and its impact on performance is unclear at this point.
About Core results
Chugai discloses its results on a Core basis from 2013 in conjunction with its decision to apply IFRS. Core results are the results after adjusting non-Core items to IFRS results, and are consistent with the Core concept disclosed by
Contact:
Tel: +81-3-3273-0881
Email: pr@chugai-pharm.co.jp
(C) 2020 Electronic News Publishing, source