Alk-Abello AS (AKBLF) Q2 2024 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Revenue Growth and Upgraded Outlook

In This Article:

  • Q2 Revenue Growth: Up 21% organically, with double-digit growth in all AIT vaccine categories.

  • Tablet Sales Growth: 32% globally, 35% in Europe.

  • European Sales Growth: Up 25%, driven by tablets and SCIT drops.

  • EBIT Margin: Increased by 10 percentage points year-on-year from 9% to 19%.

  • Half-Year Revenue: Up 15% in local currencies to DKK2.7 billion.

  • Gross Margin: Improved to 64.4%, an increase of close to 1 percentage point.

  • Operating Profit (EBIT): DKK580 million, an improvement of 84% in local currencies.

  • Free Cash Flow: Improved to plus DKK272 million.

  • Full-Year Revenue Growth Outlook: Upgraded to 14% to 16%.

  • Full-Year EBIT Margin Guidance: Raised to 19% to 21%.

Release Date: August 23, 2024

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

  • Alk-Abello AS (AKBLF) reported a strong Q2 performance with a 21% organic revenue growth, driven by double-digit growth in all AIT vaccine categories.

  • The company upgraded its full-year revenue and earnings outlook due to better-than-expected sales, particularly in Europe.

  • The EBIT margin improved significantly from 9% to 19% year-on-year, showcasing effective cost management and capital allocation.

  • Tablet sales showed impressive growth, with a 32% increase globally and 35% in Europe, indicating strong market demand.

  • The Allergy-plus strategy implementation is progressing well, focusing on extending the reach of respiratory tablets and optimizing the business platform for future growth.

Negative Points

  • Sales of other products, including diagnostics and PRE-PEN, fell short of expectations with a 9% decrease, impacting overall performance.

  • The company faces challenges in China, having to withdraw its application for the house dust mite tablet due to additional clinical data requirements.

  • The North American market showed only a modest 3% growth, indicating potential challenges in this region.

  • There is uncertainty regarding the impact of parallel trade patterns in Europe, which could affect future sales.

  • Inflationary pressures on input costs partially offset the improvements in gross margin, indicating ongoing cost challenges.

Q & A Highlights

Q: Can you accelerate the peanut allergy program if financials improve, and what are the plans for the clinical program in China for the house dust mite tablet? A: (Peter Halling, CEO) We are waiting for new data on the peanut allergy program, expected in the second half of the year, which will guide our decisions on acceleration. Investments depend on our long-term ambitions, and any acceleration will be considered based on data. Regarding China, we are in positive dialogue with authorities and plan a study that meets expectations. It will not be a full-scale clinical study, and we aim to launch within the strategy period by 2028. The costs are embedded in our guidance.