Rating Rationale
December 28, 2018 | Mumbai
Liva Pharmaceuticals Limited
Rating removed from 'Watch Developing'; Ratings 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)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A1+(SO) (Raffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has removed its ratings on the bank facilities of Liva Pharmaceuticals Limited (Liva) from 'Rating Watch with Developing Implications', reaffirmed the rating at 'CRISIL AA+(SO)', and assigned a 'Stable' outlook to it. CRISIL has reaffirmed its 'CRISIL A1+(SO)' rating on the company's short-term facility.
 
The rating action is in line with a similar action on the rating on Liva's parent, Cadila Healthcare Ltd (Cadila Healthcare; 'CRISIL AA+/Stable/CRISIL A1+'; part of the Zydus Cadila group). The watch is resolved following clarifications regarding the funding and the synergies expected from the Zydus Cadila group's acquisition of Heinz India Pvt Ltd (Heinz; subsidiary of The Kraft Heinz Company).
 
Liva's ratings are based on an unconditional, continuing and irrevocable guarantee from Cadila Healthcare, and an unconditional undertaking by the parent 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 Liva, in relation to these instruments, if there is 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. The Zydus Cadila group's strong position in the domestic formulations market is supported by its established brands, large and therapeutic-focussed field force, in-licensing agreements, and product launches. Business prospects are supported by increasing presence in the regulated generics markets such as the US, and the rest of the world markets such as Brazil and South Africa.
 
* Strong funding support from the parent
About 75% of Liva's capital expenditure (capex) of Rs 360 crore has been executed, funded largely by the parent through preference share capital. While Liva has been sanctioned term loan for the project, only Rs 10 crore of the loan has been drawn down yet. Support from the parent is likely to continue over the medium term.
 
Weakness
* High project risk, characterised by technology and implementation risk
The Zydus Cadila group has not undertaken any major capex in the injectables plant, and Liva is the group's first major venture. Furthermore, the US Food and Drugs Administration (USFDA) norms are stricter for manufacturing injectables as these are administered intravenously and the immediate manufacturing environment has to be highly sterile. Operational costs are large as the products have to be of high quality and require care in manufacturing, packaging, storage, and distribution. Because of a complex manufacturing process, the transfer of technologies freely between sites is challenging. While about 75% of Liva's project has been executed, commercialisation is contingent on approvals and subsequent launch of abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs). In fiscal 2018, Liva made its first ANDA filing with the USFDA and received approval in December 2018.
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. Liva is yet to start commercial operations and its project has been funded largely through equity and preference share capital, and negligible term debt. Of the sanctioned term loan of Rs 288 crore, only about Rs 10 crore has been drawn down. The term debt repayment will commence from March 2021. Financial support from Cadila Healthcare is expected to continue, given Liva's strategic importance to, and strong business and financial linkages with, the parent.

About the Company

Incorporated in 2013, Liva is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cadila Healthcare, and is setting up an exclusive injectables manufacturing plant (project cost of Rs 360 crore) in Vadodara for the US market. It will act as a contract manufacturing organisation for its parent. Commercial operations are expected to commence in fiscal 2019.
 
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 Mr Indravadan Modi and his 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 by the public and others.

Key Financial Indicators*
Particulars Unit 2018 2017
Revenue Rs crore NA NA
Adjusted Profit after tax (PAT) Rs crore NA NA
Adjusted PAT margin % NA NA
Adjusted debt/adjusted net worth Times NA NA
Interest coverage Times NA NA
*Project company

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 Bank Guarantee NA NA NA 40.00 CRISIL A1+(SO)
NA Rupee Term Loan NA NA 31-Dec-22 60.00 CRISIL AA+(SO)/Stable
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
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  60.00  CRISIL AA+(SO)/Stable  25-10-18  CRISIL AA+(SO)/Watch Developing  28-06-17  CRISIL AA+(SO)/Stable  15-04-16  CRISIL AA+(SO)/Stable    --  -- 
        29-06-18  CRISIL AA+(SO)/Positive               
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  40.00  CRISIL A1+(SO)  25-10-18  CRISIL A1+(SO)  28-06-17  CRISIL A1+(SO)  15-04-16  CRISIL A1+(SO)    --  -- 
        29-06-18  CRISIL A1+(SO)               
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
Bank Guarantee 40 CRISIL A1+(SO) Bank Guarantee 40 CRISIL A1+(SO)
Rupee Term Loan 60 CRISIL AA+(SO)/Stable Rupee Term Loan 60 CRISIL AA+(SO)/Watch Developing 
Total 100 -- Total 100 --
Links to related criteria
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
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings

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