Hengrui Pharmaceutical stated that the company will fully consider the interests of existing shareholders and the situation of domestic and foreign capital markets, and choose an appropriate timing and issuance window to complete this issuance and go public during the validity period of the shareholder meeting resolution (i.e. 18 months from the date of approval by the company's shareholder meeting or other extended periods agreed upon).

 

 

 

Regarding the reason for this IPO in Hong Kong, Hengrui Pharmaceutical stated that it is to further promote the dual wheel drive strategy of technological innovation and internationalization, and further assist the development of the company's international business. Regarding the use of funds for this listing in Hong Kong, the company stated that the funds raised from this listing, after deducting issuance expenses, will be used for research and development innovation, product commercialization, and company operations.

 

 

 

It is reported that in recent years, Hengrui Pharmaceutical has proposed a dual wheel drive strategy of "innovation" and "internationalization". In terms of internationalization strategy, Hengrui Pharmaceutical adheres to both independent research and development and open cooperation. As of now, the company has achieved overseas authorization cooperation for 11 innovative drugs.

 

 

 

In terms of external cooperation, it is worth noting that in May this year, Hengrui Pharmaceutical licensed its GLP-1 innovative drug product portfolio HRS-7535, HRS9531, and HRS-4729 with independent intellectual property rights to Kailera (formerly known as Hercules) in the United States, with a cumulative down payment of up to 6 billion US dollars. As part of the consideration for the external licensing transaction, the company also acquired a 19.9% stake in its partner Kailera Corporation in the United States.

 

 

 

In terms of promoting overseas product launches, as of the end of 2023, Hengrui Pharmaceutical products have entered over 40 countries and obtained more than 20 registration approvals, including injections, oral preparations, and inhaled anesthetics, in countries and regions such as the United States and Japan. It is reported that in July of this year, the company's bupivacaine liposome injection was approved for market by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In October of this year, paclitaxel for injection (albumin bound) was approved for sale in the United States.

 

 

 

While aiming for internationalization, Hengrui Pharmaceutical is vigorously promoting the development of innovative new drugs. As of now, Hengrui Pharmaceutical has invested over 40 billion yuan in research and development. Among them, the annual R&D investment from 2021 to 2023 exceeded 6 billion yuan, and the R&D expenses in the first three quarters of 2024 increased by 22% year-on-year to 4.549 billion yuan.

 

 

 

It is reported that driven by sustained and strong R&D investment, Hengrui Pharmaceutical's innovative achievements continue to emerge. As of now, Hengrui Pharmaceutical has launched a total of 17 innovative drugs in China, including 4 new drugs of Class 2, over 90 independent innovative products under clinical development, and conducted more than 300 clinical trials both domestically and internationally. In terms of performance, Hengrui Pharmaceutical's operating revenue for the first three quarters of this year was 20.189 billion yuan, an increase of 18.67% year-on-year. The net profit attributable to shareholders of the listed company was 4.62 billion yuan, an increase of 32.98% year-on-year, and the non deductible net profit attributable to shareholders of the listed company was 4.616 billion yuan, an increase of 37.38% year-on-year.

 

 

 

Industry insiders indicate that with the support of new fundraising, Hengrui Pharmaceutical's research and development of innovative drugs is expected to accelerate, thereby further enhancing its market competitiveness. Secondly, listing on the Hong Kong stock market will help the company enhance its brand influence and market awareness, attracting more international investors' attention. Others have expressed that listing in Hong Kong can provide more tools and space for capital operation for overseas cooperation, and offer more resource guarantees for the development of international business.