Release Date: April 17, 2025
For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
Positive Points
- Evotec SE (EVO, Financial) reported strong Q4 2024 results, marking the second-best quarter ever in terms of revenue, with significant operational leverage.
- The company successfully strengthened partnerships with major players like Sandoz, Bristol Myers Squibb, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, and Bayer, paving the way for long-term growth.
- Just - Evotec Biologics saw a 71% revenue growth in 2024, driven by a strong order book and new deals.
- Evotec SE (EVO) implemented a priority reset, achieving EUR40 million in run rate savings, which will be fully visible in 2025.
- The company is focusing on technology and science leadership, leveraging AI and next-generation technologies to enhance drug discovery and development processes.
Negative Points
- Shared R&D revenue declined from EUR673 million in 2023 to EUR611 million in 2024 due to a persisting soft market.
- The company faced a challenging year with a high fixed cost base and slow market demand for its R&D segment.
- Evotec SE (EVO) anticipates continued softness in the biopharma market throughout 2025, with a potential tipping point for growth not expected until the second half of the year.
- The company is not planning to invest in a new J.POD facility during the current planning horizon, indicating a cautious approach to capital expenditure.
- There are concerns about the indirect impact of potential budget cuts in the US on innovation and the biotech industry, which could affect future growth.
Q & A Highlights
Q: What is the sustainable level of income tax credits or R&D tax credits for Evotec, and are there any risks to these credits?
A: Paul Hitchin, CFO, stated that the tax credits are expected to grow in line with business growth and where R&D work is performed. Currently, there are no perceived risks to these credits.
Q: Can you provide more details about the composition of Evotec's drug portfolio, specifically the phase composition of the 100 products?
A: Cord Dohrmann, Chief Scientific Officer, explained that there are six assets in clinical stages and six in preclinical stages. Over the next 24 months, about 15 assets have the potential to move from preclinical to clinical stages.
Q: How sophisticated are the models for phasing out animal testing, and is it possible to eliminate animal testing in the foreseeable future?
A: Cord Dohrmann noted that Evotec is well-positioned to support the FDA's initiative to phase out animal testing. The company has developed advanced human microphysiological systems and AI-based approaches, which are expected to significantly improve predictive accuracy.
Q: What are the growth drivers for Just - Evotec Biologics over the next 12 to 18 months, and how de-risked are these drivers?
A: Christian Wojczewski, CEO, mentioned that there is high confidence in the growth of Just - Evotec Biologics due to pre-commitments from partners like Sandoz and a strong customer base developed over the last two years.
Q: What is the synergy between Evotec's divisions, and what was the rationale for owning these businesses?
A: Christian Wojczewski explained that the synergy lies in technology and science leadership, enabling partners to succeed. Shared R&D focuses on small molecules, while Just - Evotec Biologics focuses on large molecules, both leveraging technology to enhance partner success.
For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
