Ergomed — MedSource acquisition to boost US CRO business

Ergomed (AIM: ERGO)

Last close As at 27/03/2024

1,042.00

−16.00 (−1.51%)

Market capitalisation

529m

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Research: Healthcare

Ergomed — MedSource acquisition to boost US CRO business

Today Ergomed announced it has agreed to acquire US-based MedSource. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, MedSource is a full-service clinical research organisation (CRO) specialising in oncology and rare diseases, so a good fit for Ergomed. Ergomed will pay $16.2m (£12.2m) in cash and $1.8m (£1.4m) in shares (at a 30-day average daily closing price before the acquisition). There is also an earn out up to $7m (same 90:10 cash and shares split) depending on performance in 2021. MedSource booked $19.3m (£14.4m) and $17.0m (£12.8m) in service fees in 2019 and 2020, respectively. The gross margin was 47% in 2019 and 41% in 2020, while adjusted EBITDA was $1.3m (£1m) in 2019. Ergomed indicated that MedSource is on track to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic impact in 2021 (existing order book is valued at $41m or £30.6m). The transaction will be immediately accretive, according to Ergomed. Our valuation is under review. Next key event is the H220 trading update in January 2021.

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Healthcare

Ergomed

MedSource acquisition to boost US CRO business

Company news

Healthcare services

14 December 2020

Price

966p

Market cap

£471m

£/US$1.34

Net cash (£m) at end-H120

14.1

Shares in issue

48.4m

Free float

78%

Code

ERGO

Primary exchange

AIM

Secondary exchange

Frankfurt Xetra

Share price performance

Business description

Ergomed is a global full-service contract research outsourcing business with a core focus on the US and EU. It provides Phase I–III clinical services in addition to post-marketing pharmacovigilance (Phase IV) services through its PrimeVigilance division. The company is predominantly focused on oncology, orphan drugs or rare diseases and pharmacovigilance.

Analyst

Jonas Peciulis

+44 (0)20 3077 5728

Ergomed is a research client of Edison Investment Research Limited

Today Ergomed announced it has agreed to acquire US-based MedSource. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, MedSource is a full-service clinical research organisation (CRO) specialising in oncology and rare diseases, so a good fit for Ergomed. Ergomed will pay $16.2m (£12.2m) in cash and $1.8m (£1.4m) in shares (at a 30-day average daily closing price before the acquisition). There is also an earn out up to $7m (same 90:10 cash and shares split) depending on performance in 2021. MedSource booked $19.3m (£14.4m) and $17.0m (£12.8m) in service fees in 2019 and 2020, respectively. The gross margin was 47% in 2019 and 41% in 2020, while adjusted EBITDA was $1.3m (£1m) in 2019. Ergomed indicated that MedSource is on track to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic impact in 2021 (existing order book is valued at $41m or £30.6m). The transaction will be immediately accretive, according to Ergomed. Our valuation is under review. Next key event is the H220 trading update in January 2021.

Year end

Revenue (£m)

Adj. EBITDA*
(£m)

EPS*
(p)

DPS
(p)

P/E
(x)

Yield
(%)

12/18

54.1

2.3

1.9

0.0

N/A

N/A

12/19

68.3

12.5

19.8

0.0

48.8

N/A

12/20e

84.1

18.3

23.8

0.0

40.6

N/A

12/21e

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Note: *PBT and EPS are normalised, excluding amortisation of acquired intangibles and exceptional items.

Prior to the onset of the pandemic, MedSource achieved 17% revenue growth y-o-y in 2019, while gross margin was up by 7pp. The order book grew by 33% in 2019. During the analyst call Ergomed indicated that MedSource is on track to rebound in 2021 with a potential uplift of 4% to 5% in revenues over 2019, which makes the timing of the acquisition ideal (the first meaningful consolidated Ergomed trading period will be H121). Ergomed’s initial cash outlay is £7m (£5.2m), as the company will pocket MedSource’s cash (no debt). Existing MedSource’s order book is valued at around $41m (£30.6m), so will significantly strengthen Ergomed’s last reported order book of £151.4m (end-H120).

Ergomed has repeated on several occasions that it aims to expand via both organic top-line growth, but also M&A. This announcement means Ergomed has delivered on both these goals this year, despite the ongoing pandemic (which complicates the due diligence process). This is already the second acquisition in 2020 after Ergomed acquired a pharmacovigilance-focused business in January. Both new businesses are based in the US, so Ergomed has substantially strengthened its footprint in this key market. Once integrated, MedSource will also strengthen Ergomed's physical CRO presence in the US. We believe this will provide additional reassurance for potential clients, help with cross-selling, but also win new contracts. MedSource was founded by Eric Lund, who will continue as president of the company after the acquisition (an indication of orderly integration). Ergomed will use existing cash to fund the acquisition without drawing down any credit facilities. During the analyst call, the company added it will still retain financial capacity to invest in organic growth, but look for further acquisitions.

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by Ergomed and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by Ergomed. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £49,500 pa for the production and broad dissemination of a detailed note (Outlook) following by regular (typically quarterly) update notes. Fees are paid upfront in cash without recourse. Edison may seek additional fees for the provision of roadshows and related IR services for the client but does not get remunerated for any investment banking services. We never take payment in stock, options or warrants for any of our services.

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Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by Ergomed and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by Ergomed. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £49,500 pa for the production and broad dissemination of a detailed note (Outlook) following by regular (typically quarterly) update notes. Fees are paid upfront in cash without recourse. Edison may seek additional fees for the provision of roadshows and related IR services for the client but does not get remunerated for any investment banking services. We never take payment in stock, options or warrants for any of our services.

Accuracy of content: All information used in the publication of this report has been compiled from publicly available sources that are believed to be reliable, however we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this report and have not sought for this information to be independently verified. Opinions contained in this report represent those of the research department of Edison at the time of publication. Forward-looking information or statements in this report contain information that is based on assumptions, forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable, and therefore involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of their subject matter to be materially different from current expectations.

Exclusion of Liability: To the fullest extent allowed by law, Edison shall not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential losses, loss of profits, damages, costs or expenses incurred or suffered by you arising out or in connection with the access to, use of or reliance on any information contained on this note.

No personalised advice: The information that we provide should not be construed in any manner whatsoever as, personalised advice. Also, the information provided by us should not be construed by any subscriber or prospective subscriber as Edison’s solicitation to effect, or attempt to effect, any transaction in a security. The securities described in the report may not be eligible for sale in all jurisdictions or to certain categories of investors.

Investment in securities mentioned: Edison has a restrictive policy relating to personal dealing and conflicts of interest. Edison Group does not conduct any investment business and, accordingly, does not itself hold any positions in the securities mentioned in this report. However, the respective directors, officers, employees and contractors of Edison may have a position in any or related securities mentioned in this report, subject to Edison's policies on personal dealing and conflicts of interest.

Copyright: Copyright 2020 Edison Investment Research Limited (Edison).

Australia

Edison Investment Research Pty Ltd (Edison AU) is the Australian subsidiary of Edison. Edison AU is a Corporate Authorised Representative (1252501) of Crown Wealth Group Pty Ltd who holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (Number: 494274). This research is issued in Australia by Edison AU and any access to it, is intended only for "wholesale clients" within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of Australia. Any advice given by Edison AU is general advice only and does not take into account your personal circumstances, needs or objectives. You should, before acting on this advice, consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. If our advice relates to the acquisition, or possible acquisition, of a particular financial product you should read any relevant Product Disclosure Statement or like instrument.

New Zealand

The research in this document is intended for New Zealand resident professional financial advisers or brokers (for use in their roles as financial advisers or brokers) and habitual investors who are “wholesale clients” for the purpose of the Financial Advisers Act 2008 (FAA) (as described in sections 5(c) (1)(a), (b) and (c) of the FAA). This is not a solicitation or inducement to buy, sell, subscribe, or underwrite any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. For the purpose of the FAA, the content of this report is of a general nature, is intended as a source of general information only and is not intended to constitute a recommendation or opinion in relation to acquiring or disposing (including refraining from acquiring or disposing) of securities. The distribution of this document is not a “personalised service” and, to the extent that it contains any financial advice, is intended only as a “class service” provided by Edison within the meaning of the FAA (i.e. without taking into account the particular financial situation or goals of any person). As such, it should not be relied upon in making an investment decision.

United Kingdom

This document is prepared and provided by Edison for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation for investment in any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. A marketing communication under FCA Rules, this document has not been prepared in accordance with the legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research.

This Communication is being distributed in the United Kingdom and is directed only at (i) persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments, i.e. investment professionals within the meaning of Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "FPO") (ii) high net-worth companies, unincorporated associations or other bodies within the meaning of Article 49 of the FPO and (iii) persons to whom it is otherwise lawful to distribute it. The investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to such persons. It is not intended that this document be distributed or passed on, directly or indirectly, to any other class of persons and in any event and under no circumstances should persons of any other description rely on or act upon the contents of this document.

This Communication is being supplied to you solely for your information and may not be reproduced by, further distributed to or published in whole or in part by, any other person.

United States

Edison relies upon the "publishers' exclusion" from the definition of investment adviser under Section 202(a)(11) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and corresponding state securities laws. This report is a bona fide publication of general and regular circulation offering impersonal investment-related advice, not tailored to a specific investment portfolio or the needs of current and/or prospective subscribers. As such, Edison does not offer or provide personal advice and the research provided is for informational purposes only. No mention of a particular security in this report constitutes a recommendation to buy, sell or hold that or any security, or that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

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