Diurnal is a commercial-stage specialty pharmaceutical company focused on diseases of the endocrine system. Its products are targeting rare conditions where medical need is currently unmet, with the long-term aim of building an “Adrenal Franchise”. Alkindi® is being rolled out throughout Europe, and recent approvals in Israel and Australia will open up more markets. Later this month, attention will focus on the FDA, with the approaching PDUFA date for Alkindi. Next year should see the first approval of Chronocort in Europe. Based on current assumptions and expectations, Diurnal has sufficient cash through to profitability.
Companies: Diurnal Group plc
Evgen Pharma (EVG.L): Licence agreement with Juvenescence | Diurnal (DNL.L): FY20 results
Companies: Evgen Pharma Plc Diurnal Group plc
Umuthi Healthcare Solutions Plc, the technology led healthcare business focused on the distribution of pharmaceuticals and the provision of medical facilities in remote areas, seeking admission to the Standard Listing segment of the Official List The Hut Group. Expected intention to float on the Main Market. THG is a vertically integrated digital-first consumer brands group, retailing its own brands in beauty and nutrition plus third party brands, via its proprietary technology platform to an online and global customer base. For the year ended 31 December 2019, THG's revenue was £1.1 billion, up 24.5 per cent. year-on-year, and its Adjusted EBITDA was £111.3 million, representing an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 9.8 per cent . The Company has experienced an acceleration in growth during 2020, with revenue of £676 million, up 35.8 per cent. on the equivalent prior year period , achieved in the 6 months to 30 June 2020, which the Directors believe evidenced the non-discretionary nature of the nutrition and beauty categories . Kibo Energy PLC, the multi-asset Africa focused energy company, is seeking admission for its 100% owned UK subsidiary Sloane Developments Ltd , which will be renamed Mast Energy Developments PLC (MED), to the Standard List of the London Stock Exchange plc . Targeted for Q4 2020. The MED business strategy is to acquire and develop a portfolio of flexible small-scale power generation assets, exploiting a growth niche market in the UK for Reserve Power generation to balance out the national grid at critical times.
Companies: JET2 KRPZ IRON DNL RBG MPAC AGY SENS TGP
Omega Diagnostics (ODX.L): Group performs CE-marking of Mologic Ltd’s COVID-19 antibody test | Diurnal (DNL.L): Distribution agreements for Europe | Allergy Therapeutics (AGY.L): Licence agreement to secure new vaccine technology
Companies: ODX DNL AGY
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact globally in many areas. While primarily a health issue, it has had wide-ranging implications for stock markets, which have now rallied after the plunge in share prices in mid-March when the full severity of the emerging pandemic became more widely appreciated. Nonetheless, the FTSE 100 Index remains almost 20% off its late February 2020 figure.
Companies: AVO ARBB ARIX CLIG DNL GDR ICGT NSF PCA PIN PXC PHP RECI STX SCE TRX SHED VTA YEW
Diurnal is a commercial-stage specialty pharmaceutical company focused on diseases of the endocrine system. Its products are targeting rare conditions where medical need is currently unmet, with the long-term aim of building an “Adrenal Franchise”. Alkindi® is currently being rolled out throughout Europe, and recent approvals in Israel and Australia will open up more markets. Approaching next month, all attention will turn towards the US, where the PDUFA date has been set for 29 September. Upfront cash from the US commercial deal with Eton Pharmaceuticals (Eton), together with the recent Placing, has strengthened the balance sheet.
Diurnal (DNL.L): Israeli approval for Alkindi
Beximco Pharma (BXP.L): Appointment of Independent Non-Executive Director | Polarean Imaging (POLX.L): Scientific presentations on hyperpolarized Xenon 129 at academic conferences | Diurnal (DNL.L): Trading Update and meeting with US FDA regarding DITEST™ product
Companies: BXP POLX DNL
A number of REITs have the ability to thrive in current market conditions and thereafter. Not only do they hold assets that will remain in strong demand, but they have focus and transparency. The leases and underlying rents are structured in a manner to provide long visibility, growth and security. Hardman & Co defined an investment universe of REITs that we considered provided security and “safer harbours”. We introduced this universe with our report published in March 2019: “Secure income” REITs – Safe Harbour Available. Here, we take forward the investment case and story. We point to six REITs, in particular, where we believe the risk/reward is the most attractive.
Companies: AGY ARBB ARIX BUR CMH CLIG DNL HAYD NSF PCA PIN PXC PHP RE/ RECI SCE SHED VTA
Much has been written about the effects of the virus on the world and on the stock market. Here is one analyst’s take on some of the likely impacts on the way we should look at companies. This article was originally produced as a blog, “10 Changes Post Virus”, which was published a few weeks ago.
Companies: AGY ARBB ARIX DNL GDR NSF PCA PIN PHNX PHP RE/ RECI STX SCE SIXH TRX SHED VTA
There has been much comment on the fact that equity markets in the US and Europe have been shrinking for some years now, certainly in terms of the number of quoted companies, if not in total market capitalisation (MCap). This paper has been written with the assistance of the Quoted Companies Alliance (QCA) and focuses on the evidence for such in the London market and, in particular, that for smaller and midcap companies. It assesses that evidence and considers explanations. Finally, we ask why it matters, and assuming that it does, what practical steps can be taken to reverse the trend. Successful public markets have been a key part of the United Kingdom’s economic success for generations, even centuries, and we should not allow them to wither on the vine.
Companies: AVO AGY ARBB ARIX ASAI DNL GDR HAYD NSF PCA PIN PXC PHP RE/ RECI RMDL STX SCE TRX TON SHED VTA
Diurnal (DNL.L): Operational Update | Renalytix AI plc (RENX.L): Agreement with Three Rivers Provider Network
Companies: Diurnal Group plc Renalytix AI Plc
Companies: FIPP SOLI SML AAU POW DNL BAR CTP RENX
Diurnal (DNL.L): Marketing Authorisation Application validation | Faron Pharmaceuticals (FARN.L): Inclusion of Traumakine in pneumonia trial
Companies: Diurnal Group plc Faron Pharmaceuticals Oy
Companies: AVO AGY ARBB ARIX BUR CMH CLIG DNL GDR HAYD PCA PIN PHP RE/ RECI RMDL STX SHED VTA
Research Tree provides access to ongoing research coverage, media content and regulatory news on Diurnal Group plc. We currently have 93 research reports from 4 professional analysts.
Venture Life Group has reported on a very strong H1/20A period. Revenues were up 80% with operational leverage delivering c100% growth in gross profit and +350% adjusted EBITDA growth. Performance was supported by the acquisition of PharmaSource, strong sales to China, sales of new brand, DISINPLUS, and the group's ability to maintain production at its Italian manufacturing facility. With this report we have introduced FY21E forecasts, expecting the company to maintain its growth momentum and deliver 10% revenue growth. Venture Life is delivering a strong performance, we maintain our Buy recommendation.
Companies: Venture Life Group Plc
Yourgene continues to progress across all areas of the business, with core trading on track. Demand has been increasing for Yourgene’s Covid-19 testing services, and is expected to reach 10k/month from early October onwards. This would equate to a £3.0m boost to revenues in the year to Mar-21 and we upgrade forecasts accordingly, with outer year estimates unchanged for now. We view this as a base level of demand, with scope for further upgrades if demand continues to increase and/or lasts beyond March. Our underlying estimates for the core are unchanged.
Companies: Yourgene Health Plc
Alliance Pharma’s H1 interims are relatively robust, with trading conforming to recent commentary. Whilst there has been an impact in some areas of the business in H1 (Prescription Medicine) as expected per the trading update in July, the rest of the business particularly Kelo-cote, has proved very resilient and highlights the defensive nature of the business, and underlying adj. PBT (excl. amortisation and impairment charges) was solid in H1 2020 at £16.3m (+7% YoY). We anticipate some push and pulls in H2 2020 but net we anticipate a better performance as demand recovers, and the Board have reiterated that full year results are expected to be in line with market expectations. The reinstatement of an interim dividend of 0.536p signals confidence in this. We have used today’s announcement to reinstate our forecasts, which are broadly in line with guidance and consensus. Our new FY’20 forecasts are c.10% below our previous estimates prior to the Covid-19 pandemic with YoY revenue and adj. EBITDA growth rates of -6.5% and -10.1%. We forecast a return to growth in FY’21 and have used the opportunity to introduce our FY’22 numbers looking for ‘see-through’ revenue of £153.2m and adj. EBITDA of £41.5m. Our main ongoing concern is that growth is highly dependent on Kelo-cote, a situation that has been augmented during the Covid-19 pandemic, and the Group needs to turn once again to deal-making to supplement organic growth to grow the portfolio. On our revised estimates, our new DCF/Peer group multiple derived target price is 91p/share and we move from Hold to Buy.
Companies: Alliance Pharma Plc
IXICO has been selected as the image collection and analysis partner for the Bio-Hermes trial, co-ordinated by the Global Alzheimer's Platform Foundation (GAP). The trial, aiming to assess Alzheimer's Disease (AD) biomarkers, will see IXICO analyse the brain scans of 1,000 patients with early stage AD. While participation will deliver revenues to IXICO in subsequent years, we believe the enhanced profile amongst the trial participants and GAP industry partners will deliver significant ‘intangible' benefits to the company. We maintain our Buy recommendation.
Companies: IXICO Plc
Yourgene has announced it has appointed IBL-America as a non-exclusive distributor for its range of PCR-based reproductive health and oncology products, including the DPYD assay which tests whether cancer patients are at risk from the administration of a common chemotherapy agent. These will be initially sold into the Research Use Only market in the US. As such, initial revenues are likely to be modest, but will act as an important test bed for establishing potential demand in the clinical setting. If the reception is positive, products will be submitted for FDA registration, potentially unlocking a £30m addressable market opportunity. We make no change to our forecasts, but view this another positive step to generating meaningful revenues in the world’s largest market, which remains a largely greenfield opportunity for Yourgene.
Interim results to 30 June 2020 showed a 38% increase in revenues, despite COVID-related disruption to clinical trials, illustrating the clear commercial focus that has been brought to bear on its range of digital technologies and solutions. Together with an 18% reduction in operating expenses, adjusted LBITDA and pre-tax loss improved by £1.3m to -£0.29m and -£0.36m, respectively. Period-end cash was £1.96m, with cash burn falling £1.1m to £0.2m in the period. Break-even in Q4 2020 is still anticipated. The contracted order book increased 35% to c.£10m at 31 August (vs. 30 June 2020), providing increased visibility of revenues in H2 and FY 2021 (c.108% and 57% of current forecasts, respectively). Due to the changing working patterns that are emerging as a result of the COVID pandemic, we believe that Cambridge Cognition is well positioned to be a long-term beneficiary of the trend of running virtual trials. We leave forecasts unchanged, but in light of the strong order book and potential for future upgrades, we raise target to 80p, which implies a 2021 EV/sales multiple of 3.4x.
Companies: Cambridge Cognition Holdings Plc
Tiziana Life Sciences PLC (LON:TILS, NASDAQ:TLSA) has expanded the range of indications — which include severe inflammatory and autoimmune diseases — of its lead therapy fully human anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody Foralumab, signing a new collaboration in Brazil to develop the nasal formulation of For
Companies: Tiziana Life Sciences Plc
Cambridge Cognition reported encouraging interim results to June, with revenues up +39% to £3.0m and the Pre-Tax Loss sharply reduced to £0.4m. The company has made strong progress on its commercialisation strategy this year and, having announced £4.9m of contract wins in H1, a major win for a schizophrenia trial has since increased this to £8.4m. Although CV19 led to some contracted clinical trials being delayed in H1, this has been offset by new contract wins and going forwards we see a structural shift to virtual clinical trials which plays to CamCog's strength in remote clinical testing. We raise our FY20 revenue forecast to £6.3m (was £6.2m), which we view as conservative given the sales contracted for 2H20, though we are mindful of possible delays due to CV19. We continue to model a FY20 loss of -£0.7m, with CamCog moving into profit in Q4. We forecast the group to be profitable for FY21 and believe profits can build materially given the tailwind of 17-20% industry growth. We retain our Buy recommendation and raise our target price to 80p (was 75p).
Allergy Therapeutics reported full-year 2020 results that were marginally ahead of expectations, driven by lower overhead costs (COVID-related) and lower R&D. This underpinned 25% growth in pre-R&D EBIT to £14.2m on 7% CER revenue growth and continued, albeit smaller, market share gains. Year-end net cash was £33.2m, providing the company with the financial resources to execute on current research programmes. The outlook remains characterised by the start of the Phase III Grass MATA MPL trial in US/Europe, enhanced by a broadening pipeline of opportunities and continued commercial traction in core European markets. We have made small upward adjustments to our forecasts and raise our target price to 45p, which is underpinned by the current commercial operations, with potential upside in Grass MATA MPL in the US (c.21p on risk-adjusted DCF), Polyvac peanut vaccine and the recently broadened VLP technology licence.
Companies: Allergy Therapeutics Plc
CVS had what we regard as a good FY20 – showing excellent progress during the first 8 months, highlighting a keen focus on the core business, and then recovering strongly as lockdown conditions eased. This reflects very favourably on the new exec team and the underlying resilience / attractions of the veterinary sector. Pleasingly positive momentum has continued into Q1-21 with LFL sales growth of 3.9% (8.0% comp) and an improved EBITDA margin. In the current climate the veterinary sector has attractive defensive growth qualities, with CVS very well positioned to both protect earnings and take advantage of a positive environment for acquisitions. Ongoing CV19 uncertainty means guidance remains suspended but the broad thrust of today’s results underpin the premium rating.
Companies: CVS Group Plc
SDI reported full-year results to 30 April that were slightly ahead (+2%) of the trading update issued by the company on 23 April with net debt of £4.0m comparing favourably to our forecast of £4.3m. Underlying organic growth of 3.7% organic growth, despite the COVID-19 disruption in Q4, was supplemented by growth from acquisitions in FY 2019 and FY 2020. Adjusted pre-tax profit rose 44% to £4.3m with adjusted EPS up 21% to 3.4p. Net debt at 30 April was £4.0m. With evidence of trading activity normalising and the positive outlook statement, indicating adjusted pre-tax profit to be at least as good as FY 2019, we reinstate forecasts. We re-introduce a target price of 100p, which implies the stock trading on FY 2021 P/E of 27.5x falling to 24.6x in FY 2022 – in line with its peer group (e.g. Judges Scientific which trades on 33.8x, falling to 27.5x for slightly lower growth) and underpinned by a FY 2020 free cashflow yield of 3.2%.
Companies: SDI Group Plc
Allergy Therapeutics delivered a solid 6% revenue growth for FY20 to £78.2m, from £73.7m, despite COVID-19 impacts taking a 2% toll. The well-established European commercial platform produced operating profit before R&D of £14.2m, from £11.3m, with R&D spend of £9.0m, from £13.2m. Pollinex Quattro Grass is set to start a pilot Phase III study before initiating full registration trials. The promising VLP-based peanut vaccine reported highly encouraging preclinical data which, if maintained, could be transformational for future prospects. The fruits of the development portfolio are expected to enable the market entry into the commercially attractive US. Cash resources of £37.0m are ample to fund near-term requirements. We initiate coverage with a £325m (51p a share) valuation.
While disruption was significant in H1, Warpaint still made a small profit and generated cash. Crucially, even with some ongoing weakness in markets like the US, trading has recently bounced back to pre-CV19 budgeted levels. This is a function of the brand and range development work, and broadening distribution in the UK (Tesco/Wilko). It also highlights the appeal of its value-for-money on-trend brands. Improved visibility around the full year outcome has led to PBT guidance being reinstated for FY20, and dividends being proposed. This is likely to be well received by the market.
Companies: Warpaint London Plc
Verona Pharma is delisting and cancelling its Ordinary shares from trading on AIM. It is consolidating trading on the NASDAQ market where it will retain its listing of American Depositary Shares (ADSs) under the ticker symbol VRNA. No general meeting is required to complete the AIM Delisting, which is expected to occur market close 29 October 2020. Each ADS represents eight Ordinary shares and are denominated in $. As per the company’s website, there are three options available now for VRP Ordinary shareholders: 1) convert the Ordinary shares into ADSs tradable on NASDAQ, if completed prior to the AIM delisting shareholders will not incur any charges; 2) hold their Ordinary shares, although they will no longer be publicly tradable, and to trade Ordinary shares would require the conversion into ADSs which after the delisting will incur charges; or 3) to sell their AIM-quoted Ordinary shares prior to AIM delisting.
Companies: Verona Pharma Plc
Whilst headline H1 revenue growth of 23% is eye-catching, for us the most comforting factor is the robust performance of the underlying business in the most challenging of circumstances. Sales of the Primestore MTM sample collection device contributed £6.5m, meaning the core business was -8% in the period, well ahead of internal expectations. Highlights include strong performances from BhB, DiaSpect Tm and the Clinical Chemistry portfolio, all of which grew revenues in the period. Whilst there were challenges in certain geographies, this is a very creditable performance and testament to the strength and defensiveness of the core business. We make no further change to our forecasts at this stage, having upgraded regularly in recent months. Given we have only included firm orders for Primestore up until the end of this month, we remain confident further upgrades are likely for the rest of this year and into next. In the meantime, latent growth potential in the core business is building with, inter alia, Chinese approval of Quo-Test, strong momentum with DiaSpect Tm, the Trellus health investment and a variety of contract manufacturing orders in the Central Lab/Life Sciences segment adding to the medium term growth outlook. Given the continuing scope for upgrades, we continue to see upside potential in the shares – EKF remains one of our Best Ideas for 2020 (up 66% YTD).
Companies: EKF Diagnostics Holdings Plc
