AFT Pharmaceuticals reported H125 revenues of NZ$86.7m, a 3.7% y-o-y increase, albeit lower than expected due to one-off factors such as inventory rationalisation by certain international customers and a prolonged doctors’ strike in South Korea (combined sales of NZ$10m vs NZ$18.2m in H124). These factors, along with continued R&D and marketing efforts, weighed on profits, with AFT reporting an operating loss of NZ$1.8m in H125 (profit of NZ$3.3m in H124). The strong domestic Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) market performance provided a positive offset, with 17.4% y-o-y revenue growth to NZ$76.7m and improved operating profitability. Management expects a recovery in H2 but has lowered full-year operating profit guidance to NZ$15–20m (from NZ$22–25m previously) to reflect the H1 impact. The longer-term target is to achieve NZ$300m in sales by end-FY27, driven by expansion efforts. Factoring in the new FY25 guidance, we have lowered our valuation to NZ$697.4m or NZ$6.65/share (from NZ$725.5m or NZ$6.92/share).

AFT Pharmaceuticals has released a trading update ahead of its H125 results, expecting to report a c NZ$2m operating loss for the period ending September 2024, driven by one-off factors affecting the top line, as well as increased investments in expanding its international footprint. While the domestic Australian and New Zealand (ANZ) market continued to perform well (double-digit growth), stocking rationalisation by certain international customers, a doctors strike in South Korea (a key market for Maxigesic IV, which drove 57% y-o-y revenue growth in Asia in FY24) and higher sales and marketing expenses weighed on margins. Management expects the sales momentum to pick up in H2, a traditionally stronger period for AFT, although previous FY25 guidance (operating profit of NZ$22–25m) is likely to be revised, reflecting the H1 results. We await the full results on 21 November, before updating our estimates.

AFT Pharmaceuticals has taken another major step in extending its international footprint, with the signing of an exclusive license agreement for Maxigesic IV in China, the second-largest pharma market globally after the US. The agreement has been signed with Xizang Weixinkang Pharmaceutical, a major hospitals injectables focused company, and includes an upfront payment of US$300k along with development and sales-related milestones and royalty payments. Partner Hyloris Pharmaceuticals is entitled to a minority share of the payment, which we believe will be 35%, in line with the deal structure with Hikma in the US. China is a key lever for AFT’s international growth efforts, and we expect Maxigesic IV to be AFT’s second product to be launched in the country, following the anticipated launch of Crystaderm in Q4 CY24.