Rating Rationale
October 09, 2019 | Mumbai
Alkem Laboratories Limited
Rated amount enhanced
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.375 Crore (Enhanced from Rs.175 Crore)
Long Term Rating CRISIL AA+/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
 
Rs.500 Crore Commercial Paper CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
Rs.200 Crore Commercial Paper CRISIL A1+ (Withdrawn)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has reaffirmed its 'CRISIL AA+/Stable/CRISIL A1+' ratings on the bank facilities and commercial paper of Alkem Laboratories Limited (Alkem). CRISIL has also withdrawn Rs 200 crore commercial paper in line with its withdrawal policy.
 
The ratings continue to reflect the company's established position in the formulations market, gradual diversification of the revenue profile, and the strong financial risk profile. These strengths are partially offset by high dependence on the acute therapeutic segment and susceptibility to regulatory changes, including price revisions under the Drug Price Control Order (DPCO).
 
In fiscal 2019, operating income increased 15% to Rs 7,357 crore, driven by a 31% growth in the company's international segment (mainly the US). Notwithstanding the Fixed Dose Combination (FDC) ban and relatively weak anti-infective season, the domestic segment (accounting for about 67% of the total revenue) grew by 9% in fiscal 2019. This segment grew by about 12% for the first three months of fiscal 2020 to Rs 1222 crore. Growth in the international segment was driven by product launches and gain of market share in the current products. However, revenue growth is expected to be in mid-teens over the medium term, backed by the company's strong market position in domestic formulations and the large distribution network. Additionally, the marketing field force increased by about 30% in the past 18-24 months to over 10,000 medical representatives (MRs).
 
Operating margin declined marginally to 15.2% in fiscal 2019 against 15.8% the previous fiscal, primarily on account of high inputs costs. The margin remained subdued at 14.3% in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. Prices of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) have been declining since the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, which, coupled with reduced research and development expenditure, should help margin improve to about 16% over the medium term. Profitability may be constrained due to large intake of MRs over the last three years. Nonetheless, with improvement in MR productivity, profitability should gradually improve over the longer term.
 
Financial risk profile is strong, with conservative adjusted gearing of less than 0.20 time as on March 31, 2019. Annual capital expenditure (capex) of Rs 400-450 crore is expected to be prudently funded through internal accrual and liquid surplus.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at the ratings, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of Alkem and its 20 subsidiaries and step-down subsidiaries. This is because all these entities, collectively referred to as Alkem, operate in pharmaceuticals and related industries and have significant operational linkages and a common management. CRISIL has amortised goodwill on consolidation over five years; profit after tax and networth have been adjusted.

Please refer Annexure - List of Entities Consolidated, which captures the list of entities considered and their analytical treatment of consolidation.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
*Established market position
Alkem ranks sixth (source: Company Annual Report, IMS Moving Average Total (MAT), March 2019) in the domestic formulations market, with a strong position in the antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and gastroenterology segments. Its leading antibiotic brand, Clavam, is the second-largest-selling brand in the molecule category (as per IMS IQVIA MAT March 2019). Alkem has other leading brands, Taxim and Taxim-O, among a total of 14 brands that feature in the top 300 revenue-generating brands in India (IMS IQVIA, June 2019). The company has maintained its peak position in anti-infective therapy and third rank in gastro-intestinal and pain/analgesics therapies.
 
*Strong financial risk profile
Adjusted gearing was conservative at less than 0.20 time as on March 31, 2019. Alkem plans to substantially liquidate investment of about Rs 200 crore in a real estate fund. Annual capex should be prudently funded. As revenue contribution from the international market increases, working capital cycle is likely to be stretched. Gross current assets were 195 days as on March 31, 2019, driven by receivables and inventory of 62 and 88 days, respectively. Efficient working capital management will be a key monitorable. Financial risk profile should remain healthy over the medium term, backed by steady cash flow.
 
Weaknesses
*High dependence on acute therapeutic segments and the domestic market
A sizeable proportion of revenue comes from the slow-growing acute therapeutic segments (about 85% of the domestic revenue in fiscal 2019), such as anti-infective and pain management. This exposes the company to pricing pressure due to intense competition, with a high proportion of products under price control. In recent years, Alkem has ventured into the fast-growing cardiovascular, neuropsychiatry, and oncology segments. The company has added about 10,000 sales representatives, of which about 20% are in the chronic segment. Although Alkem has created separate divisions to focus on the chronic therapeutic segment, contribution from the acute sector may continue to be significant over the medium term.
 
*Exposure to risks related to regulatory changes
The company is susceptible to regulatory changes in the Indian and global markets. Additions to lists under DPCO affect product pricing and, hence, profitability, though the extent of the impact may differ. In fiscal 2017, price ceilings were brought about for another 100 products, thereby affecting domestic revenue growth. In the international market, regulatory risks are manifested by increasing scrutiny and inspections by the US Food Drug Administration, European Medical Agency, and Therapeutic Goods Administration, Australia. However, Alkem's track record has remained unblemished, with no major issues.

Liquidity: Adequate
Cash accrual, expected at Rs 750 crore per annum in fiscals 2020 and 2021, should be more than sufficient to cover maturing debt of Rs 42 crore and Rs 107 crore in the corresponding period. Liquidity is also supported by liquid surplus of Rs 700 crore as of March 31, 2019 (excluding real estate investment). Capex should remain moderate at Rs 400-450 crore per annum, likely to be funded through a mix of internal accrual and liquid surplus.
Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes Alkem's business risk profile will sustain over the medium term, led by double-digit growth in both the domestic and international segments, gradual diversification of the revenue profile, and sustenance of operating profitability over the medium term.

Rating sensitivity factor
Upward Factor
* Diversification of the revenue profile, with over 40% share from international markets and sustained growth in turnover
* Strong and sustained improvement in the operating margin, led by higher share of chronic therapies in the domestic market
* Sustenance of the financial risk profile, backed by efficient working capital management

Downward Factor
* Decline in operating margin below 13%
* Subdued growth rate because of increased competition or downward price revisions
* Larger-than-expected debt-funded capex or acquisition adversely affecting capital structure or debt protection metrics.

About the Company

Incorporated in 1973, Alkem is among the top 10 players in India's formulations market. It is present in the therapeutic segments, including antibiotics, NSAIDs, gastroenterology, and antioxidants. The company is also present in chronic segments, such as neuropsychiatry, cardiovascular, and oncology. It exports to the US, countries in the Asia-Pacific region, Latin America, Africa, and the Commonwealth of Independent States. Mr Samprada Singh and Mr Basudeo N Singh are the promoters.
 
The company has manufacturing facilities for formulations in Baddi (Himachal Pradesh), Sikkim, Daman, and St Louis (Missouri, United States), with active pharmaceutical ingredient facilities in Mandva (Gujarat), Ankleshwar (Gujarat), and California (United States). Also, it has four research and development facilities across India and the US.
 
The company is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange. As on June 30, 2019, promoters and their entities held 66.03%, institutional investors held 8.69%, and the remaining was held by the public.

Key Financial Indicators
As on/For the period ended March 31 2019 2018
Revenue Rs Cr 7,357 6,401
Adjusted profit after tax Rs Cr 774 638
Adjusted PAT margin % 10.5 10.0
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.18 0.22
Interest coverage Times 22.1 20.8

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments. The CRISIL complexity levels are available on www.crisil.com/complexity-levels. Users are advised to refer to the CRISIL complexity levels for instruments that they consider for investment. Users may also call the Customer Service Helpdesk with queries on specific instruments.
Annexure - Details of Instrument(s)
ISIN Name of Instrument Date of Allotment Coupon Rate (%) Maturity Date Issue Size
(Rs.Crore)
Rating Assigned
with Outlook
NA Bank Guarantee NA NA NA 25 CRISIL A1+
NA Cash Credit* NA NA NA 100 CRISIL AA+/Stable
NA Letter of Credit# NA NA NA 50 CRISIL AA+/Stable
NA Export Credit Facility@ NA NA NA 180 CRISIL AA+/Stable
NA Proposed Long-Term Facility NA NA NA 20 CRISIL AA+/Stable
NA Commercial paper NA NA 7-365 days 500.00 CRISIL A1+
*Includes Rs 15 crore export packing credit and pre-shipment credit limit
#Letter of credit can be wholly utilised as cash credit limit
@These limits are interchangeable with working capital demand loan
 
Annexure - List of Entities Consolidated
SR No. Company Name
1 Pharmacor Pty Ltd
2 Cachet Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd
3 Ascend Laboratories SpA
4 Enzene Biosciences Ltd
5 Ascend Gmbh
(Formerly Known As Alkem Pharma Gmbh)
6 Indchemie Health Specialities Pvt Ltd
7 The PharmaNetwork, LLP
8 Alkem Laboratories Korea Inc
9 Ascends Laboratories SDN BHD
10 S & B Holdings BV
11 Pharmacor Ltd
12 Alkem Laboratories Corporation
13 S & B Pharma Inc
14 Alkem Laboratories (Pty) Ltd
15 ThePharmaNetwork, LLC
16 Ascend Laboratories, LLC
17 Ascend Laboratories (UK) Ltd
18 Alkem Foundation
19 Ascend Laboratories Ltd
20 Pharma Network SpA
These companies are fully consolidated
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2019 (History) 2018  2017  2016  Start of 2016
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Commercial Paper  ST  700.00  CRISIL A1+  16-08-19  CRISIL A1+  30-08-18  CRISIL A1+  24-08-17  CRISIL A1+  26-08-16  CRISIL A1+  CRISIL A1+ 
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  300.00  CRISIL AA+/Stable  16-08-19  CRISIL AA+/Stable  30-08-18  CRISIL AA+/Stable  24-08-17  CRISIL AA+/Stable  26-08-16  CRISIL AA/Positive  CRISIL AA/Stable 
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  75.00  CRISIL AA+/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  16-08-19  CRISIL AA+/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  30-08-18  CRISIL AA+/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  24-08-17  CRISIL AA+/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  26-08-16  CRISIL AA/Positive/ CRISIL A1+  CRISIL AA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+ 
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
 
Annexure - Details of various bank facilities
Current facilities Previous facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Bank Guarantee 25 CRISIL A1+ Bank Guarantee 25 CRISIL A1+
Cash Credit* 100 CRISIL AA+/Stable Cash Credit* 100 CRISIL AA+/Stable
Export Packing Credit@ 180 CRISIL AA+/Stable Letter of Credit# 50 CRISIL AA+/Stable
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 20 CRISIL AA+/Stable -- 0 --
Letter of Credit# 50 CRISIL AA+/Stable -- 0 --
Total 375 -- Total 175 --
*Includes Rs 15 crore export packing credit and pre-shipment credit limit
#Letter of credit can be wholly utilised as cash credit limit
@These limits are interchangeable with working capital demand loan
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies
Rating Criteria for the Pharmaceutical Industry
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt

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