17.01.2020 BB BIOTECH AG  CH0038389992

DGAP-News: BB Biotech benefits from M&A transactions - dividend of CHF 3.40 proposed


 

DGAP-News: BB BIOTECH AG / Key word(s): Market Report
BB Biotech benefits from M&A transactions - dividend of CHF 3.40 proposed

17.01.2020 / 07:00
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.


Media release as of January 17, 2020

Portfolio of BB Biotech AG as of December 31, 2019

BB Biotech benefits from M&A transactions - dividend of CHF 3.40 proposed

BB Biotech performed well in 2019 in a generally favorable market environment. The biotech sector made significant strides, with improving fundamentals driving M&A activity and generating a solid performance as the year came to a close. Alone in the fourth quarter, the portfolio gain for BB Biotech was 17.5% in CHF, 17.7% in EUR and 21.1% in USD - reflecting a net gain of CHF 505 mn. During the same period, the share price gained 7.7% in CHF and 8.5% in EUR. The investment team continued the process of realigning the portfolio that was initiated in 2018 to capture the sector's future growth opportunities. BB Biotech exited four holdings and added one new holding in the last three months of 2019. For the full year, total share return was 18.5% in CHF and 23.4% in EUR, slightly behind the portfolio performance of 23.4% in CHF, 28.1% in EUR and 25.1% in USD. The net gain for BB Biotech in 2019 was CHF 677 mn. In line with the stated dividend policy of past years, the Board of Directors' dividend proposal at the Annual General Meeting on March 19, 2020 will be an ordinary dividend of CHF 3.40 per share - which corresponds to a 5% return on the volume-weighted average closing price of BB Biotech shares in December of 2019. BB Biotech plans to expand its Board of Directors. Shareholders will therefore be asked to elect Susan Galbraith and Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen at the upcoming Annual General Meeting.

During the last quarter of the year major global equity indices extended their 2019 gains. Many markets achieved new all-time highs even in the face of lingering issues such as the US-China trade dispute, Brexit, and monetary conditioning. The Dow Jones (+25% in USD), Nasdaq Composite (+37% in USD), Dax (+25% in EUR), and SPI (+31% in CHF) indices all showed substantial gains. The Nasdaq Biotech Index (NBI) ended the year-end strongly, resulting in a 2019 total return of 25% in USD and was thus able to keep pace with the broader market's impressive gains.

A similar surge in approvals was achieved by the US FDA - releasing 21 new drugs in the fourth quarter 2019 alone, almost matching the number of approvals (27) granted during the preceding three quarters. Generalists drove negative fund flows for the sector even as biotech specialists enjoyed accelerated M&A activity in fields such as targeted oncology, genetic medicines and RNA based medicines. Overall, the biotech sector may be poised to bring further upside opportunities in 2020.

For 2019, BB Biotech's total share return of 18.5% in CHF and 23.4% in EUR was slightly below the underlying portfolio performance. Weakening of the EUR versus the USD throughout the year created additional tailwind for Euro-denominated performance. The portfolio Net Asset Value (NAV) gained 23.4% in CHF, 28.1% in EUR and 25.1% in USD.

For the fourth quarter, BB Biotech's share price was up 7.7% in CHF and 8.5% in EUR. Due to the exclusion of BB Biotech from the EuroStoxx 600 on December 23, 2019, triggered by a change in sector classification, BB Biotech shares were unable to track the portfolio's upward trend. BB Biotech's Net Asset Value (NAV) for the same period tracked NBI index gains - increasing 17.5% in CHF, 17.7% in EUR and 21.1% in USD.

The consolidated, but not yet audited fourth quarter 2019 data for BB Biotech indicates a net gain of CHF 505 mn versus 2018 fourth quarter loss of CHF 643 mn. The consolidated, but not yet audited full year 2019 data showed a net gain of CHF 677 mn compared to a net loss of CHF 471 mn for 2018.

Proposed expansion of the Board of Directors of BB Biotech
With the nomination of Susan Galbraith, Head of Oncology Research and Early Development at AstraZeneca, and Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, Chief Science Officer at Novo Nordisk, the Board of Directors of BB Biotech AG will be enlarged to five members. Shareholders will be asked to elect these outstanding candidates at BB Biotech's Annual General Meeting on March 19, 2020. BB Biotech also announced that Prof. Dr. Dr. Klaus Strein will not be standing for re-election and the Board thanks Professor Strein for his excellent service to BB Biotech.

A proposed dividend of CHF 3.40 per share
The Board of Directors will propose a regular dividend of CHF 3.40 per share at the AGM on March 19, 2020. Applied to the average share price of December 2019 - consistent with the dividend policy introduced in 2013 - this corresponds to a 5% dividend yield.

Portfolio adjustments in the fourth quarter 2019
In the fourth quarter, BB Biotech exited four holdings: Audentes Therapeutics was acquired by Astellas at USD 60 per share, a 110% premium over the prior's day closing price (approximately USD 3 bn for the company). The position was sold in the last weeks of December 2019, generating approximately USD 85 mn in cash for the portfolio, and a profit of more than USD 50 mn for a one year investment. Celgene's acquisition by BMS was completed in November 2019. BB Biotech will manage the BMS shares it received through this transaction from a tactical standpoint. Alder Biopharmaceuticals was acquired by Lundbeck for USD 18 per share in cash, a 79% premium over the prior day's closing price, plus a non-tradeable CVR of USD 2 per share. The remaining position in Gilead was sold. While Gilead continues to assert leadership in HIV treatment, the mis-step in its NASH program and the need for new pipeline assets leave its new leadership team with work to do. BB Biotech's historical success investing in Gilead remains one of the highlights of the last 15 years.

During the fourth quarter, profits were also taken on investments such as Incyte, Crispr Therapeutics and Intracellular. The cash was reinvested in targets associated with the strategic portfolio reallocation - focusing more on smaller and mid cap portfolio companies. BB Biotech took advantage of market conditions by investing more in Agios, Arvinas, Macrogenics, Scholar Rock, Wave Life Sciences and Kezar.

A new investment was made in Molecular Templates - a company which focuses on engineered toxin bodies (ETB), a potential next generation of immunotoxins. The company's lead program, MT-3724, is a first-generation ETB targeting CD20 and is in clinical development for B-cell malignancies. The company, together with its development partner Takeda, is also developing TAK-169, a second-generation de-immunized toxin linked CD38 targeting molecule for multiple myeloma patients.

Outlook for 2020 - sector fundamentals are exciting, the transaction momentum is expected to continue even in a US presidential election year
BB Biotech believes that 2020 will bring significant technology progress including new drug modalities to address many unmet medical needs. The investment team's asset allocation will not only focus on established areas - such as oncology, orphan diseases and neurological indications - but will also look at rapidly emerging technologies which promise the best therapeutic profile and economic value.

Set against exciting technological developments, the team expects continued debate around value assessment and structural change in the US healthcare system during the 2020 presidential election year. Attractive valuations of smaller and mid cap biotech firms will likely continue to enable M&A activity in the sector. The takeover of Celgene by BMS for USD 70 bn demonstrates that large cap firms may also be in play at these valuation levels. As with Gilead, BB Biotech has enjoyed a highly successful run of stock ownership and gains in Celgene for 15+ years.

Investing in leading bioscience and the resulting healthcare innovation is a costly, lengthy and - for the uninitiated - risky process. BB Biotech's long-term horizon makes us an attractive investor and partner for many biotechnology firms - and the investment team believes that the growth case for biotechnology and for BB Biotech is as compelling as ever. The investment team anticipates that 2020 will be another banner year for new products worldwide and looks forward to more exciting news flow from our portfolio companies.

The complete annual report as of December 31, 2019, will be published on February 21, 2020.

For further information:

Investor Relations
Bellevue Asset Management AG, Seestrasse 16, 8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland, tel. +41 44 267 67 00
Dr. Silvia Siegfried-Schanz, [email protected]
Maria-Grazia Iten-Alderuccio, [email protected]
Claude Mikkelsen, [email protected]

Media Relations
Bellevue Asset Management AG, Seestrasse 16, 8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland, tel. +41 44 267 67 00
Tanja Chicherio, [email protected]

TE Communications AG, Bleichestrasse 11, 9000 St. Gallen, Switzerland, tel. +41 79 423 22 28
Thomas Egger, [email protected]

www.bbbiotech.com

Company profile
BB Biotech invests in companies in the fast growing market of biotechnology and is one of the world's largest investors in this sector. BB Biotech is listed in Switzerland, Germany and Italy. Its investments are focused on listed companies that are developing and commercializing novel medical treatments and cures. BB Biotech's investment selection process is guided by the fundamental research and analysis of physicians and molecular biologists. Its Board of Directors has many years of experience in industry and science.

Disclaimer
This release contains forward-looking statements and expectations as well as assessments, beliefs and assumptions. Such statements are based on the current expectations of BB Biotech, its directors and officers, and are, therefore, subject to risks and uncertainties that may change over time. As actual developments may significantly differ, BB Biotech and its directors and officers accept no responsibility in that regard. All forward-looking statements included in this release are made only as of the date of this release and BB Biotech and its directors and officers assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or other factors.

Composition of BB Biotech's portfolio as of December 31, 2019
(in % of securities, rounded values)

     
Ionis Pharmaceuticals   13.3%
Neurocrine Biosciences   9.5%
Incyte   8.2%
Vertex Pharmaceuticals   7.5%
Esperion Therapeutics   6.1%
Agios Pharmaceuticals   5.1%
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals   5.1%
     
Argenx SE   4.2%
Alexion Pharmaceuticals   3.9%
Halozyme Therapeutics   3.9%
Radius Health   3.8%
Moderna   2.6%
Sage Therapeutics   2.5%
Myokardia   2.5%
Intercept Pharmaceuticals   2.4%
Intra-Cellular Therapies   2.2%
Myovant Sciences   2.1%
Nektar Therapeutics   1.6%
Bristol-Myers Squibb   1.4%
Arvinas   1.4%
Exelixis   1.4%
Macrogenics   1.4%
Crispr Therapeutics   1.2%
Akcea Therapeutics   1.1%
Voyager Therapeutics   1.0%
Scholar Rock Holding   1.0%
Homology Medicines   0.9%
Sangamo Therapeutics   0.9%
Wave Life Sciences   0.5%
G1 Therapeutics   0.5%
Molecular Templates   0.5%
Cidara Therapeutics   0.2%
Kezar Life Sciences   0.2%
     
Alder Biopharmaceuticals - CVR   0.1%
Bristol-Myers Squibb - CVR   0.1%
     
Total securities   CHF 3 523.7 mn
     
Other assets   CHF 30.9 mn
Other payables   CHF (161.6) mn
     
Net Asset Value   CHF 3 393.0 mn
     
     
     
     
     
     


17.01.2020 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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Language: English
Company: BB BIOTECH AG
Schwertstrasse 6
8200 Schaffhausen
Switzerland
Phone: +41 52 624 08 45
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.bbbiotech.ch
ISIN: CH0038389992
WKN: A0NFN3
Listed: Regulated Market in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Hanover, Munich, Stuttgart; SIX
EQS News ID: 955505

 
End of News DGAP News Service

955505  17.01.2020 

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Die wichtigsten Finanzdaten auf einen Blick
  2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023e
Umsatzerlöse1 624,17 5,13 669,48 683,90 0,00 1,28 0,57
EBITDA1,2 588,33 -418,21 624,04 637,31 -390,46 -361,02 -222,29
EBITDA-Marge3 94,26 -8.152,24 93,21 93,19 0,00 -28.204,69
EBIT1,4 588,33 -418,21 624,04 637,31 -390,46 -361,02 -222,29
EBIT-Marge5 94,26 -8.152,24 93,21 93,19 0,00 -28.204,69 -38.998,25
Jahresüberschuss1 587,80 -418,27 622,84 637,24 -390,53 -362,83 -222,41
Netto-Marge6 94,17 -8.153,41 93,03 93,18 0,00 -28.346,09 -39.019,30
Cashflow1,7 225,26 95,66 197,69 241,97 -91,44 234,37 234,97
Ergebnis je Aktie8 10,62 -7,55 11,24 11,51 -7,05 -6,59 -4,05
Dividende8 2,85 2,68 3,20 3,32 3,67 2,88 2,58
Quelle: boersengefluester.de und Firmenangaben

  Geschäftsbericht 2023 - Kostenfrei herunterladen.  
1 in Mio. Euro; 2 EBITDA = Ergebnis vor Zinsen, Steuern und Abschreibungen; 3 EBITDA in Relation zum Umsatz; 4 EBIT = Ergebnis vor Zinsen und Steuern; 5 EBIT in Relation zum Umsatz; 6 Jahresüberschuss (-fehlbetrag) in Relation zum Umsatz; 7 Cashflow aus der gewöhnlichen Geschäftstätigkeit; 8 in Euro; Quelle: boersengefluester.de

Wirtschaftsprüfer: Deloitte

INVESTOR-INFORMATIONEN
©boersengefluester.de
BB Biotech
WKN Kurs in € Einschätzung Börsenwert in Mio. €
A0NFN3 45,800 Kaufen 2.537,32
KGV 2025e KGV 10Y-Ø BGFL-Ratio Shiller-KGV
32,71 5,42 6,11 115,66
KBV KCV KUV EV/EBITDA
1,06 10,80 4.451,44 -11,41
Dividende '22 in € Dividende '23e in € Div.-Rendite '23e
in %
Hauptversammlung
2,88 2,10 4,59 21.03.2024
Q1-Zahlen Q2-Zahlen Q3-Zahlen Bilanz-PK
26.04.2024 26.07.2024 25.10.2024 16.02.2024
Abstand 60Tage-Linie Abstand 200Tage-Linie Performance YtD Performance 52 Wochen
-5,62% 3,77% 0,22% -9,49%
    
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Biotechnologie , A0NFN3 , BBZA , XETR:BBZA