PPLPHARMA - Piramal Pharma

📊 NSE: PPLPHARMA 🏢 Pharmaceuticals - Indian - Bulk Drugs & Formln 📅 Last Updated: 12/14/2025 11:01

💰 Financial Performance

Revenue Growth by Segment

Total Operating Income (TOI) grew 14% YoY to INR 8,201.56 Cr in FY24. In FY25, the CDMO segment grew 15% YoY, driven by a 54% contribution from innovation-driven projects. The Piramal Consumer Healthcare (PCH) segment grew 11% YoY in FY25, with power brands growing at 20% YoY. Complex Hospital Generics (CHG) also showed strong growth, though specific percentage for the full year was not isolated from the 12% overall FY25 TOI increase.

Geographic Revenue Split

PPL is highly export-oriented, with 81% of overall revenues in FY25 derived from exports. Operations are spread across 17 manufacturing and development facilities in India, the US, the UK, and Canada, with a sourcing office in Shanghai.

Profitability Margins

PBILDT margins improved significantly from 10% in FY23 to 15% in FY24, and further to 16% in FY25. However, H1 FY26 saw a moderation to 10% due to inventory de-stocking by a major CDMO customer. PAT turned positive at INR 17.81 Cr in FY24 from a loss of INR 186.46 Cr in FY23, but 9MFY25 showed a temporary loss of INR 62.37 Cr.

EBITDA Margin

EBITDA margin stood at 16% in FY25, a 100-200 bps improvement over FY24. The company targets a sustainable 25% EBITDA margin by FY30 through operating leverage and higher capacity utilization.

Capital Expenditure

PPL is planning a capital expenditure of INR 1,500-2,000 Cr over FY25 and FY26. In FY25, the planned outflow is INR 650-750 Cr, with INR 250 Cr already spent in H1 FY25. Investments focus on capacity enhancement at Riverview (USA), Grangemouth (UK), and Aurora (Canada).

Credit Rating & Borrowing

The company holds a 'CARE AA-; Positive' rating for long-term bank facilities and 'CARE A1+' for short-term facilities. Interest outflows are projected at INR 350-450 Cr annually, with interest coverage improving to 3.07x in 9MFY25 from 2.15x in FY23.

⚙️ Operational Drivers

Raw Materials

Key raw materials include Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) and specialized chemicals for CDMO and Critical Care. For CDMO, materials are often client-specified. In Critical Care, PPL manufactures key raw materials in-house (formerly via Convergence Chemicals).

Import Sources

Approximately 20-30% of total sourcing is imported, primarily from China, Japan, and other Rest of World (RoW) markets.

Key Suppliers

For the CDMO segment, PPL procures from client-approved vendors to mitigate price volatility. Specific third-party supplier names are not disclosed in the documents.

Capacity Expansion

PPL operates 17 manufacturing facilities. Current API facilities run at 80-90% capacity, while formulations are underutilized. Expansion is underway for Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADC) at Grangemouth, expected to be operational by the end of FY26.

Raw Material Costs

Raw material price volatility impacted margins in FY22 and FY23. CDMO contracts typically pass through costs to clients, while Critical Care in-house production helps stabilize costs. Specific cost as a % of revenue is not disclosed.

Manufacturing Efficiency

Capital intensity was 0.60x-0.65x over the last three years but is expected to improve to 0.85x in FY26 as capacity utilization increases and fixed costs are better absorbed.

Logistics & Distribution

PPL utilizes a distribution partner network in over 100 countries for Critical Care and a PAN-India network of 4 lakh distributors and 1.8 lakh chemists for the OTC segment.

📈 Strategic Growth

Expected Growth Rate

15%

Growth Strategy

PPL aims to double revenue to USD 2 billion by FY30. Strategy includes scaling innovation-driven CDMO projects (currently 54% of segment revenue), expanding ADC capacity, increasing market share in niche generics like Sevoflurane (44% US share) and Baclofen (75% US share), and growing PCH power brands which are currently growing at 20% YoY.

Products & Services

Contract Development and Manufacturing Services (CDMO), Complex Hospital Generics (Sevoflurane, Intrathecal Baclofen), and Consumer Healthcare products (baby care, skin care, antacids).

Brand Portfolio

Little’s, Lacto Calamine, CIR, Polycrol, Tetmosol, I-pill.

New Products/Services

Expansion into Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADC) manufacturing and a robust pipeline of early-stage molecules and Phase III projects in the CDMO segment.

Market Expansion

Focus on brownfield expansions in the United States and capacity ramp-up in the UK and Canada to serve regulated markets.

Market Share & Ranking

Maintains 44% market share for Sevoflurane in the US and 75% market share for Intrathecal Baclofen in the US.

Strategic Alliances

The Carlyle Group (via CA Alchemy Investments) holds an 18.00% stake, providing strategic and financial backing.

🌍 External Factors

Industry Trends

The industry is shifting toward innovation-led CDMO and complex generics. PPL is positioned with 54% of CDMO revenue from innovation projects and a focus on high-barrier products like ADCs.

Competitive Landscape

Operates in a competitive global CDMO and generics market; competes based on quality compliance (377+ inspections cleared) and specialized manufacturing capabilities.

Competitive Moat

Durable advantages include a zero OAI status since 2011 across all sites, high switching costs in CDMO due to regulatory filings, and dominant market shares (75%) in niche hospital generics.

Macro Economic Sensitivity

Highly sensitive to global pharmaceutical regulatory shifts and healthcare spending in the US and Europe, given 81% export revenue.

Consumer Behavior

Shift toward organized retail and e-commerce in India, where PPL has established a presence in 10,000+ modern trade outlets and online platforms.

Geopolitical Risks

Susceptible to trade barriers and import/export policy changes, particularly regarding the 20-30% of raw materials sourced from China and Japan.

⚖️ Regulatory & Governance

Industry Regulations

Strict compliance required with USFDA, UK MHRA, and PMDA. PPL has cleared 36 regulatory inspections in FY25 with zero major observations.

Environmental Compliance

Maintains a robust safety culture and ESG framework; failure to comply could lead to product recalls or site shutdowns.

Taxation Policy Impact

Not specifically disclosed; follows standard corporate tax rates in India and overseas jurisdictions.

Legal Contingencies

No major pending court cases or litigation values disclosed; maintains a clean track record with zero OAI status since 2011.

⚠️ Risk Analysis

Key Uncertainties

Regulatory risk from global agencies (USFDA) and the ability to ramp up underutilized facilities to absorb high fixed costs (INR 1,500-2,000 Cr capex).