Biopharma Credit — New transaction of up to US$50m

BioPharma Credit (LSE: BPCR)

Last close As at 04/10/2024

0.96

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Market capitalisation

USD1,258m

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Research: Investment Companies

Biopharma Credit — New transaction of up to US$50m

BioPharma Credit (BPCR) has entered into a new senior secured loan agreement for up to US$50m to be provided to UroGen Pharma, a Nasdaq-listed biotech company focused on the treatment of urothelial and speciality cancers. BPCR and BioPharma fund V will each invest US$37.5m in the first tranche and up to a further US$12.5m available to be drawn by end-2022. Following the transaction, BPCR is fully invested and would require additional external capital for new investments (by a further drawdown of its credit facility or a new share issue).

Milosz Papst

Written by

Milosz Papst

Director, Financials

Investment Companies

BioPharma Credit

New transaction of up to US$50m

Investment trusts
Debt: Direct lending

16 March 2022

Price

US$1.01

Market cap

US$1,387.6m

NAV*

US$1,373.9m

NAV per share*

US$1.00

Premium/(discount) to NAV

1.0%

*At end-January 2022

Yield

7.2%

Shares in issue

1,373.9m

Code Ord/A-share

BPCR

Primary exchange

LSE

AIC sector

Debt – Direct Lending

52-week high/low

US$1.04

US$0.95

US$1.01

US$0.99

Gearing

Net cash at end-January 2022

10%

Fund objective

BioPharma Credit was incorporated in the UK in October 2016. It aims to generate predictable income for shareholders over the long term through a diversified portfolio of loans and other instruments, backed by royalties or other cash flows derived from sales of approved life sciences products. This includes senior secured notes, royalty debt instruments and priority royalty tranches.

Bull points

Strong and predictable income generation.

Loans backed by approved and marketed products.

High dividend yield (7% target).

Bear points

The life sciences sector is inherently risky and characterised by high R&D spending.

Fixed-income characteristic limits investor upside potential close to coupon rate.

Loans are often prepaid, creating a temporary cash drag (although normally at least partially offset by prepayment fees).

Analysts

Milosz Papst

+44 (0)20 3077 5720

Michal Mordel

+44 (0)20 3077 5720

BioPharma Credit is a research client of Edison Investment Research Limited

BioPharma Credit (BPCR) has entered into a new senior secured loan agreement for up to US$50m to be provided to UroGen Pharma, a Nasdaq-listed biotech company focused on the treatment of urothelial and speciality cancers. BPCR and BioPharma fund V will each invest US$37.5m in the first tranche and up to a further US$12.5m available to be drawn by end-2022. Following the transaction, BPCR is fully invested and would require additional external capital for new investments (by a further drawdown of its credit facility or a new share issue).

BPCR’s net cash as percentage of NAV

Source: BioPharma Credit. Note: *Pro forma at end-January 2022 after accounting for the first UroGen tranche and financing of BDSI takeover by Collegium Pharmaceutical. Edison Investment Research calculation.

Interest at Libor + 8.25% and 1.75% upfront fee

UroGen currently markets Jelmyto (mitomycin), a prescription medicine used to treat adults with a type of cancer of the lining of the upper urinary tract including the kidney called low-grade upper tract urothelial cancer (LG-UTUC). UroGen reported net sales of US$32m in 9M21 and EvaluatePharma consensus indicates that sales are expected to reach US$311m by 2026. The loan, which matures in March 2027, bears interest at three-month Libor + 8.25%, subject to a Libor floor of 1.25% (vs the current rate of 0.7%). BPCR will receive a 1.75% upfront fee with reference to the total loan amount (ie c US$0.9m) on funding of the first tranche.

Deal activity triggering a credit facility drawdown

We consider the recent pick-up in BCPR’s activity as an indication of continued strong deal flow, supported by the recent softening valuations of listed biotech stocks. At end-January 2022 (last reported figure), BPCR had US$130m in cash (10% of the portfolio). Since then it has agreed to provide debt funding to Collegium to fund the acquisition of BDSI of US$172m (on a net basis after repayment of existing loans granted to both Collegium and BDSI) and the above-mentioned UroGen loan. To finance its recent activity, BPCR tapped its available credit line (recently expanded to US$200m from US$50m). The recently agreed loans (Evolus, Coherus and UroGen) have a total outstanding commitment of US$137.5m under tranches yet to be drawn. We believe that BPCR has sufficient capital to finance these commitments by drawing on its remaining credit facility. BPCR may decide to expand its facility and/or conduct a new equity issue to fund additional investments, but this should not affect its attractive dividend policy.

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by BioPharma Credit and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by BioPharma Credit. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £60,000 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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Copyright: Copyright 2022 Edison Investment Research Limited (Edison).

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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

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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.

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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

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 BioPharma Credit and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by BioPharma Credit. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £60,000 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 2022 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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