Rating Rationale
May 15, 2019 | Mumbai
Riata Life Sciences Private Limited
Ratings Reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.10 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL BB+/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A4+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has reaffirmed its ratings on the bank facilities of Riata Life Sciences Private Limited (ROPL; part of the Viridis Group) at 'CRISIL BB+/Stable/CRISIL A4+'.
 
The ratings continue to reflect the Viridis group's healthy financial risk profile, because of strong net worth, limited reliance on external debt, robust debt protection metrics, and ample liquidity. The rating also factors in the group's improving business risk profile, because of, its presence in the niche bio-pharma and nutraceutical segments, patented processes, and established customer relationships developed under its technically qualified and experienced management. These strengths are partially offset by the group's growing yet average scale of operations, product concentration in its revenue profile, working capital-intensive operations, and exposure to volatile foreign exchange rates.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at the ratings, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of Viridis Biopharma Pvt Ltd (VBPL), ROPL and Synergia Life Sciences Pvt Ltd (SLSPL). This is because these three companies, together referred to herein as the Viridis group, are in the same line of business and under the same management team, and have operational and financial fungibility.
 
Unsecured loans from promoters of Rs 4.5 crore in VBPL are treated as neither debt nor equity, as it is expected to remain in the company.

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:
* Presence in the niche bio-pharma and nutraceutical segments and patented processes: The group's business risk profile remains supported by improving topline and strong profitability, given the presence in the niche bio-pharma and nutraceutical segments, coupled with patented processes. The group has developed its own patented process for manufacturing Vitamin K2-7, branded MenaquinGold, leading to operating profitability of over 50%. In addition, the group has a strong in-house research and development (R&D) team which leads to new product developments. Based on these, the revenues have steadily increased to estimated Rs. 135 crore in fiscal 2019, from Rs. 108 crore in fiscal 2017.  
 
* Technically qualified and experienced management: The promoters have strong domain knowledge and technical capabilities to develop new products, and have continuously invested in R&D initiatives. The group has benefited from experience and technical expertise of its management.
 
* Healthy financial profile and ample liquidity: Financial risk profile is above-average marked by strong net-worth of Rs. 176 crores estimated as on March 31, 2019. The capital structure remains adequate marked by gearing and total outside liabilities to adjusted net-worth of 0.03 time and 0.3 times respectively, estimated for fiscal 2019. The debt protection metrics are healthy marked by interest coverage ratio of above 50 times and net cash accrual to adjusted debt of above 10 times, estimated for fiscal 2019. Backed by healthy cash accruals, the financial metrics are estimated to remain healthy over medium term.
 
The group follows a policy of investing surplus funds in liquid instruments such as mutual funds. As on March 31, 2019, it had around Rs. 36.7 cr invested in mutual funds.
 
Weaknesses:
* Average scale of operations and product concentration: Group's revenue is estimated at about Rs. 135 crore in fiscal 2019 (25 per cent YoY growth). Despite the growth, the scale of operations remains average. Further about 60% of revenue is generated from single product which partly constrains business risk profile. CRISIL believes that with expansion of capacity and introduction of new products, the Viridis group's scale of operations will improve, and will be monitored closely.
 
* Working capital intensity in operations: Group's operations have working capital intensity marked by moderate inventory and elongated debtors. It typically maintains an inventory of 30-45 days; however, its receivables are in the range of 60-80 days in the past 4 years. With revenue expected to grow at a rate of about 20% over next 3 years, CRISIL expects that company's incremental working capital requirements will continue to remain high over the medium term.
 
* Exposure to volatility in forex rates: The group exports a significant part of its production; however, it has no specific hedging policy, rendering it vulnerable to forex rate fluctuations.
 
* Nascent stage of operations: ROPL began commercial production from December 2016 and is still in stabilisation phase. Though it made losses at PAT level in fiscal 2019, CRISIL expects the company to turn profitable in the medium term.
Liquidity

The group has adequate liquidity driven by expected cash accruals of more than Rs. 60 crore per annum in fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2021 and cash and cash equivalents of Rs. 50-60 crore as on March 31, 2019. The group also has access to fund based limits of Rs. 3.5 cr., utilized to the tune of 38% on an average over the 12 months ended November 2018. The group has long term repayment obligations around Rs. 1 crore in fiscal 2020 and Rs. 0.5 crore in fiscal 2021. CRISIL expects internal accruals, cash & cash equivalents and moderately utilized bank lines to be sufficient to meet its repayment obligations as well as incremental working capital requirements.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes the Viridis group will benefit over the medium term from the promoters' strong technical expertise and stable product demand. The group's financial risk profile is expected to remain healthy over the medium term, backed by strong cash accruals. The outlook may be revised to 'Positive' if the group reports significant and sustained improvement in scale of operations, maintains profitability and capital structure while reducing product concentration by means of diversification. Conversely, the outlook may be revised to 'Negative' if revenues or profitability are lower-than-expected or a large, unanticipated debt-funded capex programme or acquisition, weakens the group's financial risk profile.

About the Company

VBPL, incorporated in 2000, manufactures medicated dressings and trades in formulations. SLSPL, incorporated in 2004, manufactures nutraceuticals such as Vitamin K2-7. Both these companies have their manufacturing facilities in Wada (Maharashtra).
 
ROPL, incorporated in 2013, is a 99.99 per cent subsidiary of SLSPL; it has set up a manufacturing unit in Vadodara (Gujarat) which commenced commercial operations recently.
 
The group is promoted by Dr. Dilip Mehta, Mr. Harshad Vora and Dr. Anselm Desouza. In fiscal 2016, private equity fund, India Life Sciences Fund II, acquired 30% stake in SFSPL.
 
The group also has a 51 per cent stake in Eburon Organics International II, LLC, USA, which manufactures customised fine chemicals and pharmaceutical intermediates.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2018 2017
Revenue Rs. Cr. 108.22 71.51
Profit After Tax Rs. Cr. 37.07 22.04
PAT Margins % 34.3 30.8
Adjusted Debt/Adjusted Net worth Times 0.04 0.08
Interest coverage Times 18.50 18.08

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. Cr)
Rating Assigned
  with Outlook
NA Letter of Credit NA NA NA 1 CRISIL A4+
NA Proposed Long Term
Bank Loan Facility
NA NA NA 9 CRISIL BB+/Stable
 
Annexure - List of entities consolidated
Names of Entities Consolidated Extent of Consolidation Rationale for Consolidation
Viridis Biopharma Private Limited Full The management is the same, similar line of business, and have operational and financial fungibility
Synergia Life Sciences Private Limited Full The management is the same, similar line of business, and have operational and financial fungibility
Riata Life Sciences Private Limited Full The management is the same, similar line of business, and have operational and financial fungibility
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
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  9.00  CRISIL BB+/Stable      05-04-18  CRISIL BB+/Stable  31-01-17  CRISIL BB/Stable      CRISIL BB/Stable 
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  1.00  CRISIL A4+      05-04-18  CRISIL A4+  31-01-17  CRISIL A4+      CRISIL A4+ 
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
Letter of Credit 1 CRISIL A4+ Cash Credit 1 CRISIL BB+/Stable
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 9 CRISIL BB+/Stable Letter of Credit 1 CRISIL A4+
-- 0 -- Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 7 CRISIL BB+/Stable
-- 0 -- Term Loan 1 CRISIL BB+/Stable
Total 10 -- Total 10 --
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
The Rating Process
Understanding CRISILs Ratings and Rating Scales

For further information contact:
Media Relations
Analytical Contacts
Customer Service Helpdesk
Saman Khan
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
D: +91 22 3342 3895
B: +91 22 3342 3000
saman.khan@crisil.com

Naireen Ahmed
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
D: +91 22 3342 1818
B: +91 22 3342 3000
naireen.ahmed@crisil.com

Vinay Rajani
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
D: +91 22 3342 1835
M: +91 91 676 42913
B: +91 22 3342 3000
vinay.rajani@ext-crisil.com

Rahul Guha
Director - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
D:+91 22 4097 8320
rahul.guha@crisil.com


Prayag Sinha
Rating Analyst - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
B:+91 22 3342 3000
Prayag.Sinha@crisil.com


Timings: 10.00 am to 7.00 pm
Toll free Number:1800 267 1301

For a copy of Rationales / Rating Reports:
CRISILratingdesk@crisil.com
 
For Analytical queries:
ratingsinvestordesk@crisil.com


 

Note for Media:
This rating rationale is transmitted to you for the sole purpose of dissemination through your newspaper / magazine / agency. The rating rationale may be used by you in full or in part without changing the meaning or context thereof but with due credit to CRISIL. However, CRISIL alone has the sole right of distribution (whether directly or indirectly) of its rationales for consideration or otherwise through any media including websites, portals etc.


About CRISIL Limited

CRISIL is a leading agile and innovative, global analytics company driven by its mission of making markets function better. We are India’s foremost provider of ratings, data, research, analytics and solutions. A strong track record of growth, culture of innovation and global footprint sets us apart. We have delivered independent opinions, actionable insights, and efficient solutions to over 1,00,000 customers.
 
We are majority owned by S&P Global Inc., a leading provider of transparent and independent ratings, benchmarks, analytics and data to the capital and commodity markets worldwide.
 
For more information, visit www.crisil.com 


Connect with us: TWITTER | LINKEDIN | YOUTUBE | FACEBOOK

About CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Ratings is part of CRISIL Limited (“CRISIL”). We pioneered the concept of credit rating in India in 1987. CRISIL is registered in India as a credit rating agency with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”). With a tradition of independence, analytical rigour and innovation, CRISIL sets the standards in the credit rating business. We rate the entire range of debt instruments, such as, bank loans, certificates of deposit, commercial paper, non-convertible / convertible / partially convertible bonds and debentures, perpetual bonds, bank hybrid capital instruments, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, partial guarantees and other structured debt instruments. We have rated over 24,500 large and mid-scale corporates and financial institutions. CRISIL has also instituted several innovations in India in the rating business, including rating municipal bonds, partially guaranteed instruments and microfinance institutions. We also pioneered a globally unique rating service for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and significantly extended the accessibility to rating services to a wider market. Over 1,10,000 MSMEs have been rated by us.


CRISIL PRIVACY
 
CRISIL respects your privacy. We may use your contact information, such as your name, address, and email id to fulfil your request and service your account and to provide you with additional information from CRISIL.For further information on CRISIL’s privacy policy please visit www.crisil.com.


DISCLAIMER

This disclaimer forms part of and applies to each credit rating report and/or credit rating rationale that we provide (each a “Report”). For the avoidance of doubt, the term “Report” includes the information, ratings and other content forming part of the Report. The Report is intended for the jurisdiction of India only. This Report does not constitute an offer of services. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, nothing in the Report is to be construed as CRISIL providing or intending to provide any services in jurisdictions where CRISIL does not have the necessary licenses and/or registration to carry out its business activities referred to above. Access or use of this Report does not create a client relationship between CRISIL and the user.

We are not aware that any user intends to rely on the Report or of the manner in which a user intends to use the Report. In preparing our Report we have not taken into consideration the objectives or particular needs of any particular user. It is made abundantly clear that the Report is not intended to and does not constitute an investment advice. The Report is not an offer to sell or an offer to purchase or subscribe for any investment in any securities, instruments, facilities or solicitation of any kind or otherwise enter into any deal or transaction with the entity to which the Report pertains. The Report should not be the sole or primary basis for any investment decision within the meaning of any law or regulation (including the laws and regulations applicable in the US).

Ratings from CRISIL Rating are statements of opinion as of the date they are expressed and not statements of fact or recommendations to purchase, hold, or sell any securities / instruments or to make any investment decisions. Any opinions expressed here are in good faith, are subject to change without notice, and are only current as of the stated date of their issue. CRISIL assumes no obligation to update its opinions following publication in any form or format although CRISIL may disseminate its opinions and analysis. CRISIL rating contained in the Report is not a substitute for the skill, judgment and experience of the user, its management, employees, advisors and/or clients when making investment or other business decisions. The recipients of the Report should rely on their own judgment and take their own professional advice before acting on the Report in any way.CRISIL or its associates may have other commercial transactions with the company/entity.

Neither CRISIL nor its affiliates, third party providers, as well as their directors, officers, shareholders, employees or agents (collectively, “CRISIL Parties”) guarantee the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the Report, and no CRISIL Party shall have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions therein, regardless of the cause, or for the results obtained from the use of any part of the Report. EACH CRISIL PARTY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, SUITABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE. In no event shall any CRISIL Party be liable to any party for any direct, indirect, incidental, exemplary, compensatory, punitive, special or consequential damages, costs, expenses, legal fees, or losses (including, without limitation, lost income or lost profits and opportunity costs) in connection with any use of any part of the Report even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

CRISIL Ratings may receive compensation for its ratings and certain credit-related analyses, normally from issuers or underwriters of the instruments, facilities, securities or from obligors. CRISIL’s public ratings and analysis as are required to be disclosed under the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (and other applicable regulations, if any) are made available on its web sites, www.crisil.com (free of charge). Reports with more detail and additional information may be available for subscription at a fee – more details about CRISIL ratings are available here: www.crisilratings.com.

CRISIL and its affiliates do not act as a fiduciary. While CRISIL has obtained information from sources it believes to be reliable, CRISIL does not perform an audit and undertakes no duty of due diligence or independent verification of any information it receives and / or relies in its Reports. CRISIL keeps certain activities of its business units separate from each other in order to preserve the independence and objectivity of the respective activity. As a result, certain business units of CRISIL may have information that is not available to other CRISIL business units. CRISIL has established policies and procedures to maintain the confidentiality of certain non-public information received in connection with each analytical process. CRISIL has in place a ratings code of conduct and policies for analytical firewalls and for managing conflict of interest. For details please refer to: https://www.crisil.com/en/home/our-businesses/ratings/regulatory-disclosures/highlighted-policies.html

CRISIL’s rating criteria are generally available without charge to the public on the CRISIL public web site, www.crisil.com. For latest rating information on any instrument of any company rated by CRISIL you may contact CRISIL RATING DESK at CRISILratingdesk@crisil.com, or at (0091) 1800 267 1301.

This Report should not be reproduced or redistributed to any other person or in any form without a prior written consent of CRISIL.

All rights reserved @ CRISIL