Detailed Narrative
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited reported a strong performance for Q2 FY26, with consolidated sales reaching INR144,052 million, an 8.6% increase year-on-year. The company's gross margin stood at 79.3%, contributing to an EBITDA of INR45,271 million, a 14.9% rise from the previous year. The EBITDA margin expanded to 31.3% from 29.6% in Q2 FY25, indicating improved operational efficiency. Net profit after tax was INR31,180 million, up 2.6% year-on-year, with an EPS of INR13 per share. The effective tax rate for the quarter was 24.7%, with management guiding for it to hover around 25% for the full year, as benefits from carry-forward tax losses and facility incentives normalize.
Segment-wise, Global Innovative Medicines sales were a significant highlight, growing 16.4% to USD313 million, with U.S. Innovative Medicine sales surpassing generics for the first time. Key brands like ILUMYA, CEQUA, and ODOMZO drove this growth. The India business also performed robustly, with formulation sales of INR47,348 million, an 11% increase year-on-year, representing 32.9% of total consolidated sales. Sun Pharma maintained its number one ranking in the Indian pharmaceutical market with an 8.3% market share. In contrast, the overall U.S. business declined by 4.1% to $496 million, primarily due to lower sales in generics from increased competition and reduced lenalidomide sales. Emerging Markets and Rest of World segments showed strong formulation revenue growth of 10.9% ($325 million) and 17.7% ($234 million) respectively, driven by both generics and innovative medicines.
Strategic initiatives include continued investment in R&D, with consolidated R&D spend at INR7,827 million (5.4% of sales) for Q2 FY26. Innovative R&D accounted for 38% of the total R&D spend. The company is on track to launch UNLOXCYT in the U.S. in the second half of FY26 and plans to file ILUMYA psoriatic arthritis sBLA during the same period. Management indicated that the R&D spend for the full year FY26 is expected to be at the lower end of their 6% to 8% guidance. They also confirmed a previously stated USD100 million spend for supporting the two new launches in the current fiscal year, with costs expected to increase in Q3 and Q4.
During the Q&A, management clarified that the increase in intangible assets was primarily due to the Checkpoint acquisition (approx. $471 million) and Leqselvi-related assets. They addressed concerns about the U.S. generics business, stating their strategy is to grow both innovative and generics businesses, and confirmed an existing U.S. manufacturing footprint with openness to further expansion. The company expressed excitement about its GLP-1 compound, GL0034, with early data for MASH and diabetes, and plans for a global Phase II study. They also confirmed participation in the Indian semaglutide market upon patent expiry, aiming for a competitive pen product. While acknowledging uncertainty regarding U.S. tariffs on patent drug imports, management stated they were not among the companies receiving letters from the Trump administration and believe generics are excluded.