Strengthen technological innovation, Basecare Medical Announces 2022 Interim Results

  • Application Scenario Solutions Open Up Broad New Prospects in Assisted Reproduction

Suzhou Basecare Medical Corporation Limited (Basecare Medicalor the Company, together with its subsidiaries, the Group, HKG: 2170), an innovative platform of genetic testing solutions for assisted reproduction in China, officially announced the unaudited consolidated interim results for the six months ended June 30, 2022 (the Reporting Period).

During the Reporting Period, the Group recorded revenue of RMB68.6 million, a year-on-year increase of 36.7% compared to H1 2021. This increase was primarily driven by the revenue related to PGT laboratory increased by 53.4% from RMB26.6 million to RMB40.8 million, and the revenue increased from nil to RMB354,000 related to the male-focused laboratory, mainly contributable to the sales of the flow cytometer. The gross profit margin was outstanding during the Reporting Period. The gross profit of the Group increased by 36.0% to RMB30.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022, with a gross profit margin of 67.9% from PGT-A. Basecare Medical has transformed from a single product company to a comprehensive scenario solutions provider in the assisted reproduction industry, providing multi-scenario solutions including PGT laboratory-related solutions, male-focused laboratory-related solutions, and cryopreservation room-related solutions. Through a parallel business model consisting of both R&D and marketing, Basecare Medical has built a closed-loop business chain based on actual clinical needs, providing custom-made scenario solutions for customers, resulting in better customer satisfaction.

Focus on technological innovation to satisfy the evolving needs of the assisted reproductive market
By adhering to the “well-crafted product” concept, Basecare Medical’s R&D expenses increased significantly by 99.5% year-on-year to RMB45.5 million during the Reporting Period. Basecare Medical has established a complete series of testing kits in the pipeline of genetic testing kits, which is based on next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. Meanwhile, the PGT-A kit from Basecare Medical is China’s first third-generation IVF genetic testing kit approved by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). The sales revenue of PGT-A kits was RMB16.4 million, with a gross profit margin of 67.9%. Meanwhile, the other two PGT products, PGT-M and PGT-SR kits are also under development. The PGT-M kit is the first and only product of its kind in China that has completed the registration test, and the PGT-SR kit is the world’s first original technology to achieve effective testing of chromosomal balanced translocations through the high-throughput sequencing platform, which obtained the national invention patent technology and may become the first standardized commercial product in this series of products in China with the potential for mass clinical application. After the PGT-M and PGT-SR kits are approved for registration by the NMPA, respectively, Basecare Medical expects to further consolidate its dominant position in the third-generation IVF genetic test kit market in China, well ahead of the Company’s competitors in the potential competition.

Beyond test kits, Basecare Medical has developed a number of innovative devices and instruments that can improve workflow in molecular genetic laboratories using its kits, as well as the industrial chain layout of embryo cryopreservation equipment, and has provided intelligent and automated integrated solutions for clinical trials to improve the Company’s competitiveness.

R&D and marketing develop synergistically, the commercialization process shows a steady upward trend
Although a significant portion of products was directly sold to hospitals and testing institutions, Basecare Medical also sold testing kits to distributors, who in turn sold the Company’s products to hospitals. With an outstanding marketing team, Basecare Medical provides services to key customers such as third-generation IVF licensed hospitals and testing institutions, which are a major component of the Company’s customers. The Company’s marketing team is also responsible for promoting products to hospitals through academic marketing activities and interactions with KOLs and other industry professionals. At present, Basecare Medical has collaborated with over 200 medical institutions across the PRC, including 60 leading reproductive centers.

With the first NMPA-approved PGT kit in China, Basecare Medical enjoys first-mover advantages in building and solidifying its sales channels and customer base. Basecare Medical plans to focus its commercialization strategy on key hospitals. The Company will increase the coverage and penetration of hospitals licensed to conduct PGT and develop stronger relationships with them to enhance customer stickiness and lay the foundation to offer other products to them in the future. Moreover, Basecare Medical plans to expand the share of wallet in these hospitals by offering comprehensive solutions, as well as offering new products for meeting other medical needs in these institutions.

Occupy the full reproductive cycle and be a leading global medical technology company

To accomplish the vision of becoming a leading global medical technology company, Basecare Medical will continue to capture and solidify PGT-A’s sales channels and maintain the established customer relationships while accelerating the clinical registration process of PGT-M and PGT-SR kits, to rapidly establish a comprehensive product pipeline of the third-generation assisted reproduction to occupy the full reproductive cycle. Regarding the instrument pipeline, Basecare Medical intends to develop automated and intelligent hardware to upgrade the industry infrastructure and maintain technological leadership by leveraging the advancements of global leaders.

It is expected that a peak in the approval and delivery of the Company’s products and pipeline will be achieved in the coming two to three years. Basecare Medical will satisfy the evolving needs of the assisted reproductive market, further develop scenario solutions in assisted reproduction to better serve the infertile and eugenic public, and create more value for customers.

About Suzhou Basecare Medical Corporation Limited
Suzhou Basecare Medical Corporation Limited is a third-generation IVF clinical solution provider in China and the first listed IVD company in the field of assisted reproduction (HKG: 2170). It is committed to the product R&D and clinical application of gene technology in the field of reproductive health. Basecare Medical has been adhering to the “well-crafted product” concept, adhering to the industrialization road of independent R&D and localization substitution, and has built multi-scenario solutions for assisted reproduction covering PGT laboratories, andrology laboratories, and frozen storage rooms. The PGT-A (pre-implantation chromosome aneuploidy testing) kit, a class III medical device product independently developed by the company, has won China’s first “special approval for innovative medical devices”, filling the clinical gap of third-generation IVF genetic testing kits in China.

Basecare Medical and Haier Biomedical Join Forces to Build Cryopreservation Solutions for Assisted Reproduction

Suzhou Basecare Medical Corporation Limited (Basecare Medical or the Company, together with its subsidiaries, the Group, stock code HKG:2170) officially announced that the Company entered into a strategic collaboration framework agreement with Qingdao Haier Biomedical Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Haier Biomedical). According to the agreement, Basecare Medicaland Haier Biomedical will carry out collaborative R&D in cryogenic refrigeration of the assisted reproduction sector and jointly offer cryopreservation solutions for the assisted reproduction sector, which is another in-depth business collaboration following the capital collaboration between Basecare Medical and Haier Venture Capital FOF. Dr. LIU Zhanjie, founder and general manager of Haier Biomedical, Mr.LIU Dong, general manager of Haier Venture Capital Qianfeng FOF, and Dr. LIANG Bo, founder of Basecare Medical, attended the signing ceremony.

Signing Ceremony for Strategic Cooperation

Embryo laboratory, andrology laboratory, and cryogenic storage laboratory are essential components in assisted reproduction. Cryogenic freezing technology, as an indispensable and important technology in the implementation of assisted reproduction, has been widely used in the field of assisted reproduction, providing guarantee and hope for the needy population to achieve reproductive needs and reproductive health. The 2018 “Chinese Expert Consensus on the Time Limit of Frozen Embryo Preservation” pointed out that cryopreserved embryos should be used within 5 years, and the longest preservation and clinical use period of couples planning to reproduce should not exceed 10 years, which means large amounts of storage resources will be increasingly invested in assisted reproduction centers, including storage containers, storage space & management, and maintenance work, etc. With the increase in the number of infertile and advanced mothers, the demand gap for fertility preservation continues to expand, and the market potential is vast.

Focus on fertility preservation, build cryopreservation solutions in the field of assisted reproduction
Haier Biomedical, the first company in Qingdao listed on the Science and Technology Innovation Board, was founded to engage in the R&D, manufacturing and sales of biomedical cryopreservation equipment. Haier Biomedical has comprehensively promoted the integration and innovation of IoT technology and low-temperature storage technology. It combines IoT software and hardware based on network communication and radio frequency identification technology with self-developed low-temperature storage products. Haier Biomedical updated traditional storage devices to the IoT solution, which effectively meets the needs of users such as clinical blood use, vaccination, and biobank application building the leading IoT technology ecosystem. Haier Biomedical took the lead in breaking the foreign monopoly, independently developed and mastered the core technology of ultra-low temperature refrigeration, and has become the unique service provider of biomedical cryopreservation equipment covering a full temperature range from -196 degree celsius to 8 degree celsius worldwide.

Basecare Medical is a third-generation IVF clinical solution provider in assisted reproduction in China and the first HKEx-listed IVD company in assisted reproduction. Basecare Medical has been adhering to the concept of ” making innovative products “, adhering to the industrialization road of R&D, registration and certification. Basecare Medical has initiated the R&D of embryo intelligent storage equipment and management system. The independent developed domestic intelligent liquid nitrogen tank (BCT38A) and ultra-low temperature storage instrument (BSG800A), registration certificates are expected to be obtained in 2022 and 2023 respectively, are providing guarantee for the safety of fertility preservation and the scientific nature of experimental management. The intelligent liquid nitrogen tank (BCT38A) will become the first liquid nitrogen tank product in China to obtain the second-class medical device registration certificate.

In this strategic collaboration, the two parties will integrate their respective resource advantages such as products and channels, and jointly build a cryopreservation solution in assisted reproduction sector from market promotion, technical support, collaborative R&D, to registration and certification, promoting the development of fertility preservation related application scenarios. In addition, the new resource-sharing model will facilitate the development of the assisted reproductive industry, delivering good products and technologies to enter clinical applications quickly and effectively, so as to benefit more patients.

About Suzhou Basecare Medical Corporation Limited
Suzhou Basecare Medical Corporation Limited is a third-generation IVF clinical solution provider in the field of assisted reproduction in China and the first listed IVD company in the field of assisted reproduction (stock code: 2170.HK). It is committed to the product R&D and clinical application of high-throughput sequencing technology in the field of reproductive health. Basecare has been adhering to the concept of “innovative products”, adhering to the industrialization road of R&D, registration and sales, and has a product pipeline covering embryo testing, andrology testing and fertility preservation. The PGT-A (pre-implantation chromosome aneuploidy testing) kit independently developed by the company has won China’s first “special approval for innovative medical devices” green channel. It is the first third-generation tube testing product in China to obtain the registration certificate of Class III medical devices, opening the “certificate era” of genetic testing kits in the field of assisted reproduction in China.

Basecare Announces 2021 Annual Results: Overall Increase in Revenue and Gross Profit

Commercialization Driven by Innovative Platform
Commitment to Create Full Reproductive Cycle Products

Suzhou Basecare Medical Corporation Limited (Basecare or the Company, together with its subsidiaries, the Group, HKG:2170), an innovative platform of genetic testing solutions for assisted reproduction in China, announced its audited consolidated results for the year ended 31 December 2021 (the Year).In 2021, the Group’s revenue increased by 32.3% YOY to RMB107 million. Gross profit was RMB51.15 million, representing an increase of 84.6% YOY. The consolidated gross margin increased from 34.2% to 47.7%, mainly due to the increases of the gross profit margin in the PGT-A kits from 46.0% to 70.0%. Basecare, a leading provider of third-generation IVF clinical solutions for assisted reproduction in China, has extended its reach beyond the pre-implantation stage to the prenatal and postnatal stages, and has self-developed kits in each stage, making it a company with a genetic test kit pipeline that covers the full reproductive cycle.

A leading position in assisted reproductive in China with core technology
Basecare’s PGT-A kit is the first third-generation IVF genetic testing kit that has been approved by the National Medical Products Administration of China (NMPA), marking the birth of a regulated third-generation IVF market in China. At the same time, the Group continued to increase its investment on R&D expenses and increase the barriers to entry in the industry. In 2021, the Company’s research and development expenses were RMB73.71 million, representing an increase of 114% YOY. The Company is developing two other pre-implantation genetic testing, or PGT, products, namely, PGT-M and PGT-SR kits, which are expected to obtain NMPA registration approval in 2022 and 2024. To date, the Company’s PGT-M kit is the first product of its kind that has completed the registration testing in China; PGT-SR kit may become the first standardized commercial product of its kind in China with potential for mass clinical application. Those together with the PGT-A kit will form a complete testing kit lineup to occupy the PGT field, which will further enhance Basecare’s leading position in China’s third-generation IVF genetic testing kits market.

Leveraging its core strength in PGT, Basecare has positioned itself to become an innovative platform in China’s broader reproductive genetics market. It has extended its reach beyond the pre-implantation stage to the prenatal and postnatal stages, and are developing relevant kits in each stage, making it a company in China with a genetic testing kit pipeline that covers the full reproductive cycle. Except for testing kits, the Group has developed a number of innovative devices and instruments that can improve workflow in molecular genetic laboratories using the kits.

Boosts commercialization process and forges sales channel barriers
The Group sold a significant portion of its products directly to hospitals and reproductive clinics. It also sold its genetic testing kits to distributors, who in turn sold our products to hospitals and reproductive clinics. At present, the Group currently has established presence in 55 reproductive centers nationwide and cultivated business relationship with about 70% of the leading customers. The Group maintains a dedicated in-house sales and marketing team with a focus on serving key customers, such as third-generation IVF licensed hospitals and reproductive clinics. The Group’s in-house sales and marketing team is also responsible for the promotion of products to hospitals and reproductive clinics through academic marketing activities, to interact with KOLs as well as other industry professionals. In 2021, Basecare held 56 academic exchanges to facilitate market operation and promotion.

With the first NMPA-approved PGT kit in China, the Group believes that it will enjoy the first-mover advantages in building and solidifying sales channels and customer base. It plans to focus the commercialization strategy on key hospitals and reproductive clinics. The Group will leverage the relationships built with these hospitals and clinics for PGT-A to extend the breadth and depth of its coverage. The Group aims to increase the coverage and penetration of hospitals and reproductive clinics licensed to conduct PGT, and develop stronger relationships with them to enhance customer stickiness and lay the foundation to offer other products to them in the future. Basecare plans to work toward full coverage of licensed hospitals and reproductive clinics in China. Moreover, it plans to expand its share of wallet in these hospitals and clinics by offering comprehensive solutions, with new products that target other medical specialties, such as the neonatal and pediatrics units, in these institutions.

Proceeds eco-system construction and builds solid portfolio moat
During the Year, the Group settled the consideration of RMB85 million in relation to the acquisition of Zhejiang Cellpro Biotech Corporation Limited (“Cellpro Biotech”). Cellpro Biotech is a company mainly focusing on the research and development, production, sales and technical services of assisted reproductive technology diagnosis and treatment products. The strong collaboration with Cellpro Biotech will strengthen the synergy for Basecare’s business and assist in building its complete product and service system, which is the key measure for Basecare to build the portfolio moat and consolidate its leading competitive position.

Looking forward, Dr. Liang Bo, Founder, Executive Director and General Manager of Suzhou Basecare Medical Corporation Limited, said “Our mission is to develop and launch innovative genetic testing solutions that are specifically designed for the Chinese population and that address unmet clinical needs in China. Our vision is to help more families have healthy babies. To accomplish that vision, we expand our market coverage and continue to capture and solidify sales channels and customer base for PGT-A. At the same time, we enrich our product pipeline and rapidly commercialize the product portfolio to occupy the full reproductive cycle. In addition, we shall promote the upgrading of hardware equipment in reproductive center laboratories, focus on the industrial chain layout of embryo cryopreservation equipment, and provide intelligent and automated integrated solutions for clinical trials to improve the Company’s competitiveness, so as to maintain a leading position in technology.”

About Suzhou Basecare Medical Corporation Limited
Suzhou Basecare Medical Corporation Limited is a third-generation IVF clinical solution provider in the field of assisted reproduction in China and the first listed IVD company in the field of assisted reproduction (stock code: 2170.HK). It is committed to the product R&D and clinical application of high-throughput sequencing technology in the field of reproductive health. Basecare has been adhering to the concept of “compliant products”, adhering to the industrialization road of R&D, registration and sales, and has a product pipeline covering embryo testing, andrology testing and fertility preservation. The PGS (pre-implantation chromosome aneuploidy testing) kit independently developed by the company has won China’s first “special approval for innovative medical devices” green channel. It is the first third-generation tube testing product in China to obtain the registration certificate of Class III medical devices, opening the “certificate era” of genetic testing kits in the field of assisted reproduction in China.