Rating Rationale
December 28, 2018 | Mumbai
Alidac Pharmaceuticals Limited
Rating removed from 'Watch Developing'; Rating Reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.100 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL AA+(SO)/Stable (Removed from 'Rating Watch with Developing Implications'; Rating reaffirmed) 
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has removed its rating on the long-term bank facility of Alidac Pharmaceuticals Limited (Alidac) from 'Rating Watch with Developing Implications', reaffirmed the rating at 'CRISIL AA+(SO)', and assigned a 'Stable' outlook.
 
The rating action is in line with a similar action on the rating on Alidac's parent, Cadila Healthcare Ltd (Cadila Healthcare; 'CRISIL AA+/Stable/CRISIL A1+'; part of the Zydus Cadila group). The rating has been removed from watch following clarifications regarding the funding of the Zydus Cadila group's acquisition of Heinz India Pvt Ltd (Heinz; subsidiary of The Kraft Heinz Company), and the synergies expected between the two entities.
 
Alidac's rating is based upon an unconditional, continuing and irrevocable guarantee from Cadila Healthcare, and an unconditional undertaking by the latter for securing principal and interest obligation on the company's entire debt. The payment structure is designed to ensure full and timely payment to the lender. The guarantor, Cadila Healthcare, will pay, not later than five business days from the due date, any amount due and payable by Alidac, in relation to these instruments, in case of any default on, or shortfall in, payment. The guarantee and the undertaking together cover the principal, interest, and other monies payable under the loan.

Analytical Approach

CRISIL has applied its analytical approach for rating instruments backed by guarantee. Furthermore, 75% of optionally convertible preference share capital has been treated as equity, and the balance as debt, as it is held by the parent, has a tenure of 20 years, and is non-cumulative.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Creditworthiness of the guarantor
Cadila Healthcare is the flagship company of the Zydus Cadila group. The group is one of the top 5 players in the branded formulations market in India and among the top 10 players in the US generics markets. It is the market leader in the high-growth lifestyle segments such as gastrointestinal, respiratory, and gynaecology. Its strong position in the domestic formulations market is supported by established brands, large and therapeutic-focussed field force, in-licensing agreements, and product launches. Acquisition of Heinz will enhance its consumer wellness portfolio. Business prospects are supported by an increasing presence in regulated generics markets such as the US, and the rest of the world markets such as Brazil and South Africa.

* High demand for generic injectables in the US
There is a shortage of injectables supplies in the US caused by a constrained market and manufacturing capacity limitations due to regulatory conditions. Growth in demand and shortage in capacity increased the interest of players in this segment. Some companies used the inorganic route by acquiring players having material presence in the injectables segment. Because of high initial investment and stringent regulatory norms, there is limited competition and stronger pricing power relative to oral solids generics.
 
The Zydus Cadila group has an established presence in the US in the oral solids segment and currently has limited presence in injectables. It is also undertaking capital expenditure (capex) in Liva Pharmaceuticals Ltd (rated 'CRISIL AA+(SO)/Stable/CRISIL A1+(SO)') for general injectables and in Alidac for oncology (onco) injectables. While timely regulatory approvals will be critical, the group is likely to benefit over the long term from its presence in the generic injectables industry.
 
Weakness
* Exposure to risks related to project implementation
The capex for manufacturing onco injectables is expected to be completed by fiscal 2021. The US Food and Drugs Administration norms are stricter for manufacturing injectables as these are administered intravenously and hence the immediate manufacturing environment has to be highly sterile. Operational costs are large as the products require a high degree of quality and care in manufacturing, packaging, storage, and distribution. The complex manufacturing process makes the transfer of technologies between sites more challenging.
Outlook: Stable

The outlook is based on the 'Stable' outlook on the guarantor's debt instruments. The ratings will remain sensitive to any change in CRISIL's rating on Cadila Healthcare.
 
Liquidity
Liquidity is adequate, backed by support from Cadila Healthcare. Alidac's cash accrual of Rs 20 crore per fiscal is sufficient for meeting incremental working capital requirement. The bank limit is minimally utilised. Capex of Rs 160 crore is to be met by bank borrowings of Rs 100 crore and rest by parent funding. The bank funding is in the form of letter of credit/buyer's credit with a bullet repayment in fiscal 2022.

About the Company

Incorporated in 2005, Alidac was started as BSV Pharma Pvt Ltd. It was an equal joint venture between Cadila Healthcare and Bharat Serums and Vaccines Ltd. In March 2015, Cadila Healthcare purchased the entire stake. Alidac undertakes contract research and manufacturing of onco injectables (generics). Presently, revenue is mainly derived from contract manufacturing for other pharmaceutical companies, including the parent. In fiscal 2019, it has embarked on a capex of Rs 160 crore for setting up a new facility for onco injectables; commercial production is likely to begin in fiscal 2021.
 
About Cadila Healthcare
Founded as Cadila Laboratories Ltd (Cadila Laboratories) by Mr Ramanbhai Patel in 1952, Cadila Healthcare was formed in 1995, following a split in Cadila Laboratories, with the Modi family's share being moved to a company called Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd. The division that was managed by Mr Ramanbhai Patel's son, Mr Pankaj Patel, was renamed Cadila Healthcare. In 2000, it got listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange. As on September 30, 2018, the promoters held 74.79% stake in Cadila Healthcare, foreign portfolio investors held 8.70%, and the balance was held by the public and others.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2018 2017
Operating income (net of excise) Rs crore 144.7 110.7
Profit after tax (PAT) Rs crore 15.5 10.9
PAT margin % 10.4 9.7
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth* Times 0.20 0.23
Interest coverage Times 1151 1928
*Treating 75% of preference shares as equity and rest as debt

Status of non cooperation with previous CRA: Not applicable

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments. The CRISIL complexity levels are available on www.crisil.com/complexity-levels. Users are advised to refer to the CRISIL complexity levels for instruments that they consider for investment. Users may also call the Customer Service Helpdesk with queries on specific instruments.
Annexure - Details of Instrument(s)
ISIN Name of Instrument Date of Allotment Coupon Rate (%) Maturity Date Issue Size
(Rs. Cr)
Rating Assigned
with Outlook
NA Letter of credit^ NA NA NA 100.00 CRISIL AA+(SO)/Stable
^Fully interchangeable with buyer's credit and is for purchase of capital goods
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2018 (History) 2017  2016  2015  Start of 2015
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  100.00  CRISIL AA+(SO)/Stable  25-10-18  CRISIL AA+(SO)/Watch Developing    --    --    --  -- 
        18-07-18  CRISIL AA+(SO)/Positive               
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Annexure - Details of various bank facilities
Current facilities Previous facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Letter of Credit^ 100 CRISIL AA+(SO)/Stable Letter of Credit^ 100 CRISIL AA+(SO)/Watch Developing
Total 100 -- Total 100 --
^Fully interchangeable with buyer's credit and is for purchase of capital goods
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
Criteria for rating instruments backed by guarantees
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies
Rating Criteria for the Pharmaceutical Industry

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