Sartorius, BioNxt Solutions, CENIT AG - Attack from the Second Row

BioNxt Solutions - Full pipeline

Still relatively unknown on the stock market is the life science accelerator BioNxt, which focuses on drug formulations, diagnostics and next-generation active pharmaceutical ingredients. In addition, successes were already achieved in the growing psilocybin research market in the past fiscal year. With a market capitalization of CAD 39.35 million, the Canadian company maintains research and development activities in North America and Europe, but the operational focus is in Germany.

The biotech company is making major progress with its transdermal rotigotine patch for the treatment of Parkinson's disease after receiving approval for a European human bioavailability study. The active ingredients in the patch allow them to be delivered gradually through the skin to Parkinson's patients, even overnight. Until now, patients have had to be woken up to receive their medication in tablet form every three to four hours.

Currently, around 6 million people worldwide suffer from this disease; according to scientists, this number could triple by 2040. As a result, the global market for transdermal skin patches is expected to explode from just under USD 6.5 billion in 2020 to around USD 20 billion by 2028, according to market researcher Research and Markets.

The study compares BioNxt Solutions' formulation to an established branded product according to the highest standards of Good Clinical Practice and the guidelines of the European Medicines Agency, EMA. The patch samples were prepared using the innovative TDS platform technology of the Company's wholly-owned German subsidiary, Vektor Pharma TF GmbH. Results are expected to hit the tickers in early August. If they are positive, the share price, which has been stuck in the CAD 0.40 range for weeks, should take flight.

CENIT AG - Massive growth and disruptive technologies

The global consulting and software specialist for the optimization of business processes in the areas of product lifecycle management and enterprise information management presented a remarkable dynamic since the experienced manager Peter Schneck took over the position of CEO at the beginning of 2022. Despite economic and geopolitical challenges, CENIT AG is well on its way to achieving its stated "Vision 2025" with revenues of over EUR 300 million and a stable return on sales of between 8 and 10%. At the end of the past year, the Stuttgart-based company, which has been active in the market for more than 30 years and pursues the vision of being the champion for process digitization in order to secure a technological lead for its customers, was already halfway there. The group's sales were EUR 162.2 million, with an EBITDA margin of 7.4%.

The Company intends to achieve its set targets from a mix of sustainable organic and inorganic growth. Three acquisitions were already made last year, and two more in the current fiscal year, 2023. With the acquisition of PI Informatik GmbH in July, whose customer base includes industrial customers and public institutions and authorities, the customer base was further expanded. In addition, with an EBIT margin of over 10%, the Company is a perfect fit for the acquisition strategy. For the current year, further acquisition targets will likely be concluded, which should further transform CENIT AG into an Industry 4.0. group.

CENIT AG also intends to grow under its own steam, with the revenue contribution of the Company's own software expected to exceed 20% in the long term. Furthermore, the Company's management identified EUR 3 million in potential savings, which should have a positive impact on the margin. By 2024 at the latest, the five business units are to be merged more closely in order to leverage synergies on the one hand and also to be able to supply customers with complete end-to-end digitization from a single source.

The market capitalization of CENIT AG currently stands at EUR 110.45 million at a price of EUR 13.20. Various analyst firms see clear potential in the share price targets. In its current study, Montega issued a buy recommendation with a target price of EUR 20.00, while the experts at GBC set their target at EUR 19.75. The Company will publish its figures at the beginning of August.

Sartorius AG - Strong performance after the figures

After publishing relatively weak figures last Friday, the shares of the pharmaceutical and laboratory supplier experienced a wake-up call and managed to break free from the sideways movement that had persisted for weeks with a price jump of more than 13%. At EUR 287.50, the share price is close to reaching a prominent resistance level at EUR 295.50. Should this resistance be broken, the next target would be to close the gap opened in April at EUR 313.50.

The figures for the first six months of 2023 were significantly weaker than forecast. Order intake fell to EUR 684.8 million in the second quarter. Group sales decreased by 19.7% to EUR 832 million. EBITDA eased by 29.8% to EUR 244.7 million, while consolidated net income fell by 48.2% to EUR 86.3 million. Analysts had, on average, expected revenues of EUR 874 million, adjusted operating EBITDA of EUR 256 million and net income of EUR 100 million.

Market participants took a positive view of management's statements that the weakness in order intake had bottomed out. According to the Company, order intake is likely to pick up again in the remaining quarters. For the full year, the Göttingen-based company expects a decline in sales in the low to mid 10% range and an EBITDA margin of 30%.

Second-tier growth companies have clear potential. BioNxT is expected to report results from its bioavailability study soon. CENIT AG aims to nearly double revenues by 2025. Sartorius could convince its investors with a stable outlook.