Mankind Pharma Ltd.

Mankind Pharma Ltd.

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Q4 FY2026 · Earnings Call TranscriptMay 20, 2026

Operator

Ladies and gentlemen, good day, and welcome to Mankind Pharma Limited Q4 FY26 earnings conference call. As a reminder, all participant lines will be in the listen-only mode, and there will be an opportunity for you to ask questions after the presentation concludes.

Please note that this meeting is being recorded. Now hand the conference over to Mr.

Abhishek Agarwal from Mankind Pharma Limited. Thank you, and over to you, sir.

Abhishek Agarwal

Good afternoon, everyone. We welcome you to our fourth quarter and FY26 earnings call.

On call, we have Mr. Rajeev Juneja, our Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Mr.

Sheetal Arora, Chief Executive Officer and Whole-Time Director, Mr. Arjun Juneja, Chief Operating Officer, Mr.

Sudipta Roy, Senior President - Sales and Marketing, Mr. Ashutosh Dhawan, Global Chief Financial Officer, and Mr.

Prakash Agarwal, President - Strategy. We will begin today's discussion with Rajeev Juneja providing quarterly and annual update, followed by business insights from Mr.

Sheetal Arora. Thereafter, Mr.

Ashutosh Dhawan will provide a detailed overview of the financial performance before we move on to the Q&A session. Please note that statements made on this call that relates to future events or performance are forward-looking in the nature and reflects management current expectations.

These statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially, and Mankind does not undertake any obligation to update or revise these statements in the future. A detailed disclaimer in this is included in the investor presentation uploaded on our website.

With now, I'll hand over to Rajeev sir for his remarks.

Rajeev Juneja

Thank you, Abhishek, and a very good afternoon to all. Welcome to the quarter four and 26, financial year 26, earning call.

In financial year 26, we made steady progress in strengthening our core business while continuing our strategic lead growth. Our focused initiatives towards people, processes, and technology, supported by better execution, discipline, and capability enhancement, are now translating into quarter-on-quarter performance improvement.

In quarter four, our overall revenue increased by 11.8% year-on-year to ₹3,443 crore, with adjusted EBITDA margin of 27.1%. For the full year 26, revenue increased by 17.0% year-on-year to ₹14,278 crore with adjusted EBITDA margin of 25.4%.

Domestic revenue, excluding consumer healthcare, increased by 12.9% in quarter four, driven by double-digit growth in Mankind domestic business, supported by robust growth in BSV specialty business. For the financial year 2026, overall domestic revenue increased by 14.4% year-on-year.

Moreover, I would like to highlight that our volume growth has increased to 2.3% in financial year 2026 versus .5% last year, led by strategic initiatives undertaken in last few quarters. Mankind's overall PCPM has also improved to ₹7.2 lakh per month, and in financial year 2026 from ₹6.5 lakh in financial year 25.

The secondary sales as per IQVIA during the quarter was 8.7% versus 10.7% IPM, excluding GLP-1, primarily due to strong performance in chronic growth, supported by 14.7% in cardiac and 11.6% in diabetes. Muted growth in anti-infective partially offset by quarter-on-quarter recovery in gastro, gyne, vitamins, and derma.

Mankind chronic share increased by 120 bps year-on-year to approximately 40% during the quarter and 190 bps to approximately 39% in full financial year 2026. We expect this growth momentum to continue.

We witnessed 1.1x outperformance to IPM in cardiac and 2.1% outperformance to IPM in anti-diabetic, again, ex-GLP-1, in financial year 26. In financial 26, our brand portfolio continued to scale as a number of ₹200 crore brands increased to 13 from 11 in financial year 25, while ₹50 crore brands increased to 54 from 49 in financial year 25.

To further strengthen our specialty chronic portfolio, during the quarter, we acquired the brand Rivotril from Roche, a renowned textbook brand of clonazepam, brand used for neurological and psychiatric conditions, including epilepsy and seizure disorders. BSV domestic specialty business witnessed strong double-digit growth, led by robust growth in mandate brands like Anti-D, Foligraf, and HMG.

During the quarter, our revenue from OTC business increased by 20% to ₹213 crore. The growth was primarily driven by strong growth of 57% year-on-year in modern trade and e-commerce channels.

For the financial year 2026, revenue increased by 9% to ₹879 crore. The steady sequential improvement across brands, therapies, and divisions strengthens our confidence in regaining our growth momentum as seen in the past.

As the industry landscape transforms, our strategic focus is now increasing towards specialty chronic therapies and R&D-led innovation products. We continue to invest in and adopt best-in-class technologies, enabling us to build a more resilient, differentiated, and future-ready organization for long-term sustainable growth.

We remain confident that in financial year 27, we will be much better here as compared to year 26 for all our businesses. Now, I invite Sheetal to provide more details on our business performance.

Sheetal Arora

Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for joining us for Mankind Pharma's quarter four and financial year 26 earnings call.

It is a pleasure to connect with you all today. Financial year 26 has been an year of improving execution, disciplined growth, and deeper integration across businesses.

Our performance this quarter reflects not only healthy demand momentum, but also the resilience of our business model, the strength of our brands, and the commitment of our team across the organization. Let me begin with our domestic business.

In quarter four financial year 26, our domestic revenue grew 13.4% year-on-year to ₹2,886 crore. More importantly, our organic growth, excluding OTC, stood at 10.1%, the highest level since the BSV acquisition.

This growth was broad-based, driven by improving execution across therapies, sustained momentum in chronic therapies, and strong traction in BSV domestic portfolio. For financial year 26, domestic revenue increased 14.4% year-on-year to ₹12,217 crore, with organic growth of 8.6%, excluding OTC.

What gives us confidence going forward is that this growth is supported by improving prescription strength, healthy volume expansion, and strong brand traction across multiple therapies, rather than being dependent on any single product or category. Let me share some key highlights for the quarter.

Starting with our acute businesses, as per IQVIA, our gastro portfolio outperformed the market, growing 1.1 1 times the IPM growth rate. Flagship brands, such as Pantocid, delivered strong momentum, outperforming IPM by 1.4 times.

We are also encouraged by the continued leadership of Vonoprazan, which is now the number one prescribed brand by both value and volume in its category. In gynaecology, we delivered 10.8% year-on-year growth, supported by 6% volume.

Our dydrogesterone portfolio grew by 20% year-on-year, while our IVF portfolio maintained excellent momentum, led by 52% growth in Foligraf and 40% growth in HMG. Across other acute therapies as well, we are seeing healthy momentum.

Vitamins and minerals therapy grew 12.5% year-on-year, while brands such as Nurokind, Argipreg, and D3 Must also delivered healthy performance. Coming to chronic therapies, an important long-term growth driver for us, in anti-diabetic, excluding GLP-1, we outperformed IPM by 1.6 times, supported by 5% volume growth, improving our CVM rank to number four.

In cardiac, we outperformed IPM across all key molecules. Telmikind has now become a ₹750+ crore brand for us, while our brands in rosuvastatin and cilnidipine are among the fastest growing in their respective segments.

One of the strongest indications of the sustainability of our business continues to be our prescription leadership. For the ninth consecutive year, we maintained our leadership position with rank number one in prescription, supported by 15.1% prescription share and 84.1% prescriber penetration.

This reflects the trust we have built with doctors over decades, supported by consistent quality, affordability, and strong field execution. Moving to our international business, our export revenue for the quarter grew by 4% year-on-year to ₹557 crore, primarily impacted by geopolitical headwinds.

However, on full-year basis, our international business revenue increased by 35% year-on-year to ₹2,061 crore. Looking ahead, we remain optimistic about the long-term opportunities in international market.

During the year, both our Udaipur and Ambernath facilities received EU GMP certification, which will further strengthen our ability to expand into semi-regulated markets. As we move forward, our strategic priorities remain very clear: to continue driving scale with profitability, to strengthen our presence in chronic and specialty therapies, and most importantly, to build future-ready healthcare organization with long-term sustainable growth.

With that, I would now like to hand over the call to Ashutosh ji, who will take through the financial performance in greater detail. Thank you so much.

Ashutosh Dhawan

Thank you, Sheetal ji. A very good afternoon, everyone.

Thank you all for taking time out to join our quarter four FY26 earnings call. Today, I will be sharing detailed insight into our financial performance, both for the quarter as well as FY26.

Our revenue from operations for quarter four FY26 has increased by 11.8% year-on-year basis to ₹3,443 crores, as compared to ₹3,079 crores in Q4 FY25. This was led by strong 13.4% growth in the domestic business.

For FY26, our revenue grew by 17% year-on-year basis to ₹14,278 crores vis-a-vis ₹12,207 crores in FY25. Our gross margins for the quarter has increased by 60 basis point year-on-year basis to 72.2% from 71.6% in Q4 FY25.

This increase is majorly led by better sales mix as our chronic contribution has increased by 120 basis point on a year-on-year basis. For the full year, our gross margin has marginally improved by 20 basis point to 71.6% as compared to 71.4% in FY25.

Our adjusted EBITDA margin for the quarter has increased to 27.1% as compared to 23.1% in Q4 FY25. This increase of 400 basis point is on account of 60% basis point increases in the gross margin, 240 basis point benefit is from the operating leverage, and moreover, Q4 last year expenses had a higher base because of launch and relaunch of certain focused brands.

Our reported EBITDA margin for the quarter is 26.4%. The difference between the reported and adjusted EBITDA margin is due to the true-up impact of the new Labor Code adoption.

For FY26, our adjusted EBITDA margin is 25.4%, which is within our guidance range of 25% to 26%. This adjusted EBITDA margin is lower by 50 basis point as compared to last year, which is primarily attributable to higher R&D spend.

The R&D expenses for the quarter was ₹103 crores, which is at 3% of the sales, and for the full year 2026, is 2.8% of the sales, which was 2.2% in FY25. This 2.8% is in line with our guidance of 2.5% to 3% for the full year FY26.

The finance cost for Q4 FY26 has declined to ₹142 crores from ₹157 crores in quarter three FY26. This reduction was primarily driven by full quarter impact of repayment of the final tranche of commercial papers of ₹1,500 crores in Q3 FY26.

Along with this, there were certain repayment of the bank borrowings during the quarter. In Q4 FY26, the depreciation and amortization expenses was broadly in line at INR 223 crores as compared to ₹231 crores in quarter four FY25.

If we look at the full year, the depreciation and amortization expenses has increased to ₹886 crores vis-a-vis ₹621 crores in FY25, which is primarily due to the full-year impact of depreciation and amortization related to BSV assets. The effective tax rate for Q4 FY26 was at 15.1% as compared to 16.8% in Q4 FY25.

However, the effective tax rate for the full year FY25 is 16.9% as compared to 20.3% last year. The profit after tax for Q4 FY26 grew by 30.4% year-on-year basis to ₹559 crores, with PAT margins improving to 16.2% during the quarter as compared to 13.9% in Q4 FY25, resulting in an increase of 230 basis point.

This growth was primarily driven by stronger EBITDA margin and lower finance cost. However, in the last year FY25, we recorded higher other income on account of gain from monetization of our subsidiary, Mahanda Spa and Resorts.

Our diluted EPS is ₹13.4 per share of ₹1 paid for the current quarter. The cash EPS, which is EPS adjusted for non-cash items like depreciation and amortization, has increased during the quarter to ₹19.1 from ₹15.9 in quarter four FY25, an increase of 0.5% year-on-year basis.

For the full year FY26, PAT decreased marginally in value terms by 3.4% on year-on-year basis to ₹1,938 crores from ₹2,007 crores last year. The PAT margin for FY26 is 13.6%, which has decreased by 280 basis point year-on-year basis from 16.4% in FY25.

This decline is primarily driven by higher finance cost and depreciation cost along with lower other income due to BSV acquisition, which got consummated in October 2024. The diluted EPS and cash EPS for FY26 were at ₹46.3 and ₹68.1, respectively.

The net working capital days as at 31st March 2026 is 52 days as compared to 50 days as at 31st March 2025. In FY26, our CFO to EBITDA ratio has increased to 89% as compared to 80% in FY25.

This is primarily driven by reduction in effective tax rate, and working capital in value terms has remained constant as at 31st March 2026. Our capex spend in FY26 increased to ₹737 crores, remaining at 5.2% of the total revenue, which is at the higher end of our guidance of 5% of revenue.

As highlighted by Rajeev ji, in line with our enhanced focus on R&D and specialized products, we are setting up a new best-in-class biotech facility in Vadodara. Accordingly, our capex guidance for FY26 is expected to be in the range of 6% to 7% of FY27 revenue.

In line with our prudent financial strategy, our net debt is ₹3,932 crores as at 31st March 2026, resulting in the net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of 1.1x in Q4 FY26. We remain on track to repay the acquisition-related debt by FY28.

With this, we conclude our financial update and welcome any questions which you may have. Over to you, Abhishek.

Abhishek Agarwal

Thank you, Ashutosh sir. Hi, Nirav.

Nirav, we can open the forum for Q&A.

Operator

Thank you very much. We will now begin with the question and answer session.

Anyone who wishes to ask a question may click on the raise hand icon to ask your questions. Participants are requested to announce their company name before proceeding with their question.

We'll wait for a moment while the question queue assembles. First question is from the line of Kunal Dhamesha.

Kindly announce your company name and proceed with your question.

Kunal Dhamesha

Hi, can you hear me?

Operator

Yes, go ahead.

Kunal Dhamesha

Hi, this is Kunal from Macquarie Capital. Thanks for the opportunity, and congratulations on good set of numbers.

First question for Rajeev sir on some of the disruption that we had witnessed in FY26 in some of our teams, and we had done a lot of hiring, and they were undergoing training, etc. Where do you put progress on those aspects now?

Do you think that the entire disruption is behind us and then we are back to business as usual for our domestic business?

Rajeev Juneja

Kunal, thank you so much for this question. We have said in the past as well that whatever corrections were to be done are done.

Now we are on the path of recovery. As you can see in the fourth quarter and as a whole, totally, performance of Mankind, it is in right track.

See, we are basically acute-heavy company. 40%, 38% approximately, sales come from chronic side.

Whenever any kind of disruption happens, chronic does not get affected because of its own reason. Patient keep sticking it.

Only in the case of acute, we got some hit. Now, since people are properly placed, environment is right, atmosphere is really right, we see path to recovery, path to better growth, performance better than the last year.

Kunal Dhamesha

Sure. On that note, sir, could you provide some outlook for top-line growth for FY27, as well as the profitability outlook?

Rajeev Juneja

I can see only one thing that top-line growth will be better than the last year, in double digit. Also, will try to outperform the IQVIA.

That's aspiration, actually. As far as the bottom line is concerned, EBITDA is concerned, that too would be better than this year 26.

The guidance has been given 25.5% to 26.5% in that range of that.

Kunal Dhamesha

For the EBITDA margin. Okay.

Sir, lastly on the GLP-1 segment, right, because of that, IPM is also witnessing a faster growth. I believe we were supposed to be launching our GLP-1 in the month of April or something.

Where are we on that journey, and with the initial market formation, you would have seen what's the best positioning that you would kind of go ahead with in terms of product as well as the placement of the product? See,

Sheetal Arora

Kunal, I'm Sheetal Arora this side. We continue to believe that GLP-1 represents a very large, long-term opportunity for the Indian market.

Our approach remains strategic and focus on long-term value creation. We do not want to compromise on the profitability in an increasing crowded market.

Along with the GLP-1, we are also focusing on adjacent and supportive therapy, such as vitamins and minerals, proteins, and GI-related products, to build a stronger and more sustainable long-term growth. We always believe that profitability should be better because there is a mad rush in the market right now of GLP-1.

We are focusing on GLP-1. It's a long-term and a large opportunity for any Indian companies to ignore that.

We are also focusing on adjacent and supportive therapy like vitamins and minerals and protein, still going to grow better in the time to come.

Kunal Dhamesha

Sir, when will our launch be there on GLP-1 front? Then which all formats we are targeting?

Sheetal Arora

We have already launched around a month ago. We are targeting those endocrinologist and the top

Kunal Dhamesha

doctors. Endocrinologist doctor.

Perfect. I have more question.

I'll join back the queue. Thank you, and all the best.

Operator

Thank you. Next question is from the line of Tushar Manudhane.

Kindly proceed with your question and announce your company name.

Tushar Manudhane

Myself Tushar Manudhane from Motilal Oswal Financial Services. Again, congratulations on good set of numbers.

Just going forward, while you have highlighted on the growth guidance, would you also share the perspective in terms of what's happening on the raw material cost side, given the kind of sort of turmoil that's happening because of this Middle East war issues, and which might have impact on, let's say, gross margins and EBITDA margins?

Rajeev Juneja

See, you cannot deny that some kind of a disruption is there as far as the raw materials are concerned, packaging material is concerned, excipients are concerned. Whatever precautions we had to take, we have taken.

Hopefully, whatever guidelines have been given, we'll come up to that expectation. That's a hope, actually.

Tushar Manudhane

Understood. Sir, secondly, on the consumer health side, while FY25 was pretty strong, but FY26 again, the growth has moderated.

Maybe fourth quarter particularly, there was a low base effect, 20% growth, but having said that, FY26 again has been a moderate year for consumer health. Could you highlight any initiatives to revive or further sort of strengthen the growth in this segment?

Sheetal Arora

Our initiative in the form of that, whenever something is wrong in Mankind, we just work on the basics, fundamentals. That we are continuously doing.

Hopefully, next year as well, we'll just give double-digit growth in consumer division, better margins, and better things will happen. Now,

Tushar Manudhane

would this be backed by any new launches sort of this, or would be more like line extension of the existing brands?

Sheetal Arora

In OTC side, it's always the strength of a brand in terms of revenue is more important. Whatever new launches will happen, these launches will be extension of the present brands only.

No new launches right now because last year we launched two, three products. They need to really come to a critical mass, some kind of level of revenue, then we can think of launching more products.

Prakash Agarwal

If I can add, Tushar, the year was also impacted by Q2 GST 2, couple of basis points impacted there. Secondly, there's a lot of initiative as seen from the IITech also that e-commerce is growing at 50% plus, so that is a very growing segment for the consumer, there's a lot of impetus in growing that segment as well.

Tushar Manudhane

Understood. Lastly, on exports, while the INR terms growth has been 5%, I assume that in the constant currency, the growth would have been further muted.

If you could further break that down into exports of Mankind and exports BSV and share how we expect to revive this growth?

Prakash Agarwal

We are not breaking it down in terms of Mankind and BSV, it's all one company now since Q4 is a full-quarter presentation. However, we can give you some color that Mankind growth was better than BSV, and BSV was partly impacted due to some of these countries where it has some exposure, LatAm, RCIS, and some leadership change in Philippines, which is one of the largest market.

There was a little dip in the fourth quarter, but next year we see a revival. We are expecting high double-digit growth in both these international business units.

Tushar Manudhane

Broadly, tender business and non-tender business at least in the exports part, if you can give that breakup?

Prakash Agarwal

No, we don't call it out. We just focus on branded brands and [unclear].

Tushar Manudhane

Okay. Got it.

Thanks. Thanks a lot.

That answers my question.

Operator

Thank you. Next question is from the line of Harith Ahamed.

Kindly announce your company name and proceed with your question.

Harith Ahamed

Hi, this is Harith from Avendus. My first question is on the chronic therapy performance that you've disclosed.

While for the year, we've indicated a 1.1x performance versus IPM, for the fourth quarter, it's come in a bit lower at .9x. Are there any pressures that you're seeing on the chronic side in certain therapies, which is leading to a bit of softness in 4Q?

See, there

Sheetal Arora

is no pressure on chronic therapies because it's a long-term growth story. We believe that chronic growth trajectory remains sustainable over the long term.

See, India remain a significantly underpenetrating therapies like diabetes, obesity, cardiac care, and respiratory, because the way lifestyle diseases are increasing, diagnosis levels are also improving, and healthcare awareness are also increasing, plus insurance penetration is also gradually rising. We are not chasing short-term growth.

We are investing where franchisee and therapy that can compound sustainability for many years. Around 20 years ago, Mankind was nothing in chronic therapy.

Now we are approximately 39% contribution comes from chronic therapy. One or two quarter doesn't make any difference in chronic therapy.

Maybe it's for a long term we have to see.

Harith Ahamed

Okay. Got it, sir.

Like you've disclosed the 1.1x versus IPM for chronic therapies, what would that number be for acute therapies? For the quarter, you've called out certain acute brands like Cefakind recording a very strong outperformance.

For acute therapies, specifically, how should we think about growth in FY27? See,

Sheetal Arora

acute therapy would be in the line of IPM growth. Last year, our acute growth was muted, but this year it would be matching the IPM growth.

Harith Ahamed

Okay. Lastly, on the margins for the quarter, at 27%, this is probably the strongest that we've seen in the last few quarters.

I can also see significant control on employee costs and other expenses. What exactly is driving this, and should we look at this 27-odd percent level of EBITDA margins at the combined business level to sustain?

Prakash Agarwal

Let me start with the EBITDA margin guidance that Rajeev ji has given that it will be better than this year, and we are expecting to be 25.5% to 26.5% for FY 2027. This year, the performance has been better, approximately 400 basis point is there, which is a mix of one is the GC has been better, 60 basis point is coming, plus the operating leverage, as we call out that has also played a role that we have been able to control.

Then there has been certain reversal or the waiver of the commission. That has also contributed to this.

That's why the margin improvement has been there on a year-on-year basis. In addition to that, if we look at Q4 last year, there was a bit of a bulge in that because certain BSV-related brands were relaunched, repackaged, and plus we also launched the MPOW.

There were certain launch and relaunch-related expenses which were there.

Harith Ahamed

Okay. Got it, sir.

Thanks for taking my question.

Operator

Thank you. Next question is from the line of Siddhant.

Hi, thank you for taking my question and congratulations on a good quarter. Just wanted to understand in follow-up to Harith's question, there is a quarter-on-quarter significant decline in employee expenses.

Is that on account of certain manpower rationalization, and on a sustained basis, how should one think of that? Secondly, on the GLP-1 launch, are you looking to launch both pens and vials, and what about the oral format?

In continuation of that GLP-1, right, what kind of an impact have you seen on your base diabetes business, and how do you see that play out going forward in context of GLP-1s doing the way they are? Those were the questions.

Sudipta Roy

Let me answer you for the GLP-1. There is a mad rush in the market.

Every company is launching. If at this particular time, you launch, you'll be lost somewhere.

We have always been a contrarian kind of a organization. We always think what others are doing, we should not do.

In this competitive market, we have launched our GLP pen. We are not in a hurry to launch vial.

We're not in a hurry to cut down the prices. What we're doing, we're basically working on the adjacent therapies, like vitamins, minerals, protein side.

Because ultimately, a company which would be selling the complete portfolio will be having a better advantage. Our approach is a bit different than rest of the people, actually.

If you launch in 50 people's 50 people 50 50 100 kind of a competitive market, you'll end up losing. You'll not be even noticed.

Had we had the advantage of launching this product first, one or two months in advance, then it was all right. Not now.

We have launched our pen, and we basically are building it slowly and gradually. Let this strain get passed.

Let people burn their own things, then we'll come. Next, your question is for Ashutosh ji.

Ashutosh Dhawan

Yeah. Regarding the employee cost, there are two questions: one is the quarter-on-quarter drop and the sustainability aspect.

Before commenting on quarter-on-quarter sequential drop, let me draw you to the whole year number. If you see the full-year performance, the full-year employee cost, FY25 and 26, in percentage basis to the overall revenue, we are almost flat, 22.1%, 22.1%.

Value-wise, there is increase of ₹491 crores on overall for the full-year performance, which is partly because of BSV, because last year BSV was for 159 days, this year it's for the full year impact is there. If you normalize that, then there is a 10% increase in the employee cost year-on-year basis.

Having said that, coming to the quarter-on-quarter sequential drop in the employee expense, there is a 9% drop sequentially. Which is comprising of one, there is a 3.5% drop in the revenue, so that's one.

That's also there is a normal saving in the employee cost on account of incentive, plus there is a true-up has been there. Both put together are contributing close to 5, 5.5% drop.

The balance 3.5% drop is coming on account of the waiver of the director fees or the commission fee. Because of these two reasons, you are seeing a sequential drop in the employee cost.

On overall basis, on a normalized basis, annualized basis, there is a 10% increase in the employee cost if we normalize it for BSV. Yeah.

Right. Sir, if you could just help understand the impact on the base diabetes therapies after GLP-1s, base diabetes or base cardiology therapies, because we are clearly seeing ex of GLP-1, the growth in diabetes seems to be more mid-single digits.

Is there any impact that you're seeing on ground, and how do you see that going forward?

Sudipta Roy

Siddhant, to answer this, Sudipta here. I think, scientifically, if you see in last few months, there has not been a direct impact on the primary anti-diabetic and cardiac therapy.

It is too early to say also that the therapy regimen will change. To even the customer's feedback and all other feedbacks also is saying that it is too early to say, but what we have seen is it is not impacted much in terms of primary diabetic and cardiac therapies.

Got it. Thank you.

Operator

Thank you. Next question is from the line of Kunal Randeria.

Kindly announce your company name and proceed with your question.

Kunal Randeria

Hi, good afternoon, sir. Kunal Randeria from Axis Capital.

Sheetal ji, you mentioned a few brands like Telmikind, Dydroboon doing extremely well, good to hear that. Some of your other bigger brands like Moxikind, Amlokind, Gudcef are not really showing growth.

My question is, I would like to understand some of the moving parts of your growth guidance in India. Are you assuming that some of these brands will show better growth, or should we expect higher price hikes, maybe closer to the 10% range that is allowed, or will it be new products-driven?

Some more color would be helpful, sir.

Prakash Agarwal

See, last year, because of some corrective action and because there was a less performance of acute, our acute growth was muted. We are encouraged by the sequential improvement we started witnessing from Q2.

If you see Q2 onwards, Q2, Q3, Q4, we are growing quarter-on-quarter. The recovery trajectory is already visible across several therapies and gives us confidence for financial year 27.

At the same time, we are consciously improving the quality of our growth. When I say quality of our growth, it means we are higher contribution of chronic.

Now it's almost 39%. Specialty business, we are number one in women healthcare, and differentiated therapies rather than depending on a seasonal acute spike, which may come in one quarter, then next year it may not come.

We believe that financial year 27 would be a very strong year for us, driven by multiple factors. First is normalization in acute portfolio after the softer performance seen during financial year 27.

Second is sustained momentum in chronic therapies, where we continue to outperform IPM across the key segments: cardiac, diabetes, respiratory. Thirdly, increasing contribution from specialty and different products, including opportunities like GLP-1 and related therapies.

Overall, we see a healthy balance between recovery in acute and structural strengthening in chronic and specialty business, which gives us a confidence that definitely next year, financial year 27, we will be at least doing double-digit growth. Aspiration, like Rajeev ji has said, aspiration is always better to do than the market.

As you see the history of Mankind in last 30 years, we have always outperformed market. That's why we have become youngest company to come on fourth rank in 30 years.

Aspiration is always there, and we are recovering in not only even in chronic, but acute therapies also coming back. I hope you got

Kunal Randeria

That's helpful. I got my question.

Any price hikes would be like what you have taken normally in the last few years?

Prakash Agarwal

We have taken normal price hike in line with the industry. I can just quote the IPM numbers, if you like.

Just give me 1 second. For the year, our price hike as per IQVIA has been 4.2.

Industry is around 4.4. We are in line with the industry price hike.

Kunal Randeria

Sure. Thanks, Prakash.

Just one more question, if I can. Your modern trade is growing very well.

I think 50% plus this quarter, last quarter it was around 40% or so, if I remember correctly. Just wondering how long can such growth trajectory continue?

Then going forward, maybe what should be a normalized growth trajectory?

Sheetal Arora

Can you repeat the question? Did you say modern trade for Rx business, or

Kunal Randeria

No, you mentioned, right, I think it was mentioned 57% growth in modern trade.

Sheetal Arora

It's

Kunal Randeria

on the OTC piece, right, but again, how long can it continue growing?

Sheetal Arora

Because

Kunal Randeria

it grew at 40% last quarter also.

Sheetal Arora

On a smaller base, this kind of a growth was expected. In the past, our base was very, very small.

We are just working on this, and hopefully, high teens growth would be there. We don't expect 50, 60% kind of a growth

Kunal Randeria

in the future.

Sheetal Arora

High teens would be there.

Abhishek Agarwal

Kunal, if you refer FY25, the share of e-com and modern trade was close to 9%. This year, it has increased to 13%.

There's a little more headroom where we can increase this salience from e-com and modern trade.

Kunal Randeria

Got it. Thank you very much.

I have a few more questions. I'll join back.

Thank you.

Operator

Thank you. Participants, you may click on the raise hand icon.

Next question is from Makrand. Kindly proceed with your question and also announce your company name.

Hello, am I audible?

Operator

Yes, go ahead.

Hi. Thanks.

Congratulations on good set of numbers. My question has been answered.

Thank you.

Operator

Thank you very much. Our next follow-up question is from the line of Harith.

Kindly announce your company name and proceed with your question.

Harith Ahamed

Thanks for the opportunity again. Specifically on the specialty side of BSV, we've called out very strong growth in a couple of brands like Foligraf and HMG.

Trying to understand what is the sustainable growth for these brands? On the two anti-D brands that we have, Rhoclone, within the overall anti-D category, what is the market share that we have, because the way I understand, a large part of the market is still with the polyclonal versions.

Just trying to understand the addressable opportunity for the two brands that we have and the potential market share for us in this segment.

Prakash Agarwal

Harith, Anti-D is a innovative product with 100% market share in India. BSV is the only product taking care of the Rh-negative mothers.

That's why it is one of the biggest brand in more than ₹200 crore plus of brand sales. In the past 2 years with Mankind coming in, the number of state coverage have also increased.

It used to be like 12 states which used to cover in terms of prescribing doctors from the state hospitals also. Now the number is 15+.

We've added two more hospitals last year, which is Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. We are seeing strong traction in this.

You see secondary is growing in mid-teens, and we expect that we will continue to grow and expand the awareness program, because since it's an innovative product, you need to have more awareness. Not many people know about it.

That's the activity which Mankind is also helping. We had campaigns of Amitabh Bachchan and lot of other doctor campaigns that has happened.

In India, in terms of penetration, about 5% is the number of women which face this issue, the market is huge.

Harith Ahamed

Prakash, the polyclonal versions will still be dominating the market, right? I understand our aspiration to grow the market share.

I'm just trying to understand what exactly is the addressable market?

Prakash Agarwal

To our understanding, recombinant is a much superior product, and that's why the share gain is 100%. Polyclonal was there as per our understanding in the market 5 years back, but currently, it is not there.

We can come back to you and do a one-on-one on this, but our understanding is we have full market share on Indian markets.

Harith Ahamed

Understood. Thanks for that.

Operator

Thank you. Next question is from the line of Alankar Garude.

Kindly announce your company name and proceed with your question.

Alankar Garude

Hi. Thank you for the opportunity.

This is Alankar Garude from Kotak Institutional Equities. Sir, firstly, while you explained the points on staff cost as well as SG&A, in general, can you take us through the cost optimization initiatives taken over the last few quarters?

How will you ensure that these do not impact your growth prospects over the medium to long term?

Ashutosh Dhawan

There have been multiple initiatives which has been taken. If we talk about on the employee cost, I think, Alankar, that's what you are referring to, and there has been incentive rationalization, alignment, plus the span of control, and all those things.

It's a long topic to be discussed. Secondly, long story short, what our endeavor is that the employee cost should be in the vicinity of 22% of the sales, plus minus .5% here and there.

By and large, if you see on a long-term trajectory, our endeavor is to maintain employee cost both fixed, variable, all put together in the range of 22% of the overall sales. I think that satisfies your question.

Yeah?

Alankar Garude

Sir, even on SG&A, you spoke about the high base because of the launches in the previous quarter, but even then, we've seen that moderate quite a bit. Anything you've done on the SG&A front as well, which you'd like to call out?

If you can also help elaborate on the point on growth impact from a more medium- to long-term standpoint. Any impact at all which could potentially happen because of some of these initiatives?

Ashutosh Dhawan

See, if you specifically talk about the SG&A or the S&D, the S&D is more heavy loaded in the H1. If you see historically also, the expenses are front loaded on the S&D expenses.

Plus, it's a mix of discretionary. Normally, barring the last quarter last year as we have called out that there was certain launches and relaunches, because of that there was a bit of a bulge.

Historically also, if you see, Q4 has been softer with regard to the S&D expenses. If you specifically talk about, let's say, from last year to this year, that's where if you see FY26, the overall other expenses in FY26 is ₹3,424 crore, which is 24% of the overall sales.

This I'm talking the full-year number. If you compare it to last year FY25, the reflected number is ₹3,008 crore.

Out of this, 130-odd crore were the one-off expenses, which were attributable to the BSV integration and plus some donation which was given the earlier part in Q1. If you normalize this, it makes it 23.6%.

The comparison is between 24% and 23.6%. That delta of 0.4% is mainly because of increased R&D spend.

Long story short, the effort is to maintain the cost structures, not to tinker it too much, and the overall other expense is 24% vis-a-vis 23.6% last year. The delta is on account of increased R&D spend, which we've called out earlier.

Alankar Garude

Got it, Ashutosh ji. The second question is on BSV's international business.

Apart from the impacts you called out in LatAm, CIS, Philippines, can you lay out the plans to drive growth more from a 3- to 4-year standpoint?

Prakash Agarwal

Surely. There is a lot of initiative going since the acquisition.

There's a lot of awareness programs. First let me take some domestic initiatives.

There's a lot of awareness programs in doctor coverage in terms of increasing doctor prescriptions for the key products like Anti-D, we believe there could be a huge potential. And 15+ states have now been covered.

The second is increase in the gynaec coverage. When we acquired, it was 32,000+.

Now it is 37,000+. This is significant increase in the gynaec coverage, and that's how you can see that specially the woman healthcare and fertility products are doing so well.

We now cover 90% of the IVF centers, more than 3,000 centers. There's a lot of initiative for these IVF products like Foligraf, which has seen a 40%+ kind of growth, which is the fastest growing, much faster than the market.

There's a lot of clinical work getting done in terms of studies like we've mentioned in the past that Foligraf, we've done refresh studies; Anti-D, we have done rhythm studies. Now we have another product for allergy, which is doing extremely well for rush studies.

There's a lot of clinical work getting done, increase in coverage getting done, increase in awareness getting done. This is more for the domestic business.

In the international business, we just started scratching the surface. There's a lot of scope in terms of expanding the existing products, as we mentioned, to each of these markets, from starting with ROW 1 to all the way to ROW 3 markets.

Focus is incrementally on woman healthcare and IVF, where we are seeing strong traction. Secondly, also, we are expanding our GTM markets.

Philippines, Malaysia, and Africa are the key GTM markets where we are expanding. This year, we expect that there will be a good launches in few of the semi-regulated markets for the key products.

That's why we feel that the growth in an international business should be high teens to 20%.

Alankar Garude

Got it. Just to summarize there, Prakash, even Rajeev ji, it's been almost 2 years since we acquired BSV.

Would you like to say that the acquisition, both on the domestic as well as on the international front, has played out more or less in sync with your expectations back then?

Rajeev Juneja

See, whenever you acquire something, there are always certain kind of hiccups. BSV has always been a very, very important kind of acquisition for Mankind.

It has given us something which we did not have: difficult products, complex products, biological products. We are very happy with that, number one.

Number second basically is what, when we brought the leadership change in domestic side, response is very good. Whatever problems we saw due to different reasons, in Philippines side, we changed the leadership.

Otherwise, geopolitical disturbances. We see, it's a very, very good fit in Mankind, and going forward, we expect a lot from BSV side.

Alankar Garude

Got it. One final question with your permission, you approved an investment of up to ₹500 crores in one of your subsidiaries, Mankind Medicare.

Currently, this entity is into droppers. What is the game plan here?

Ashutosh Dhawan

Medicare is basically the manufacturing arm of Mankind, and so this investment is towards setting up of best-in-class Vadodara biotech facility.

Alankar Garude

Okay. Got it.

Ashutosh Dhawan

Yeah.

Alankar Garude

Sorry. Go on, sir.

No,

Ashutosh Dhawan

no. That's the reason that because next year, or in a phased manner, we are spending money in this Vadodara plant biotech plant.

This approval is towards incurring the capex in the coming year.

Alankar Garude

Okay. More or less, this ₹500 crores is entirely for that biotech facility.

Ashutosh Dhawan

Right.

Alankar Garude

Sir. That's it from my side.

Thank you.

Rajeev Juneja

Thank you.

Prakash Agarwal

We'll take the last two questions, please.

Operator

Next question is from the line of Alka Katiyar. Kindly announce your company name and proceed with your question.

Alka Katiyar

Hi, I'm Alka from Morgan Stanley. Thank you for the opportunity and congratulation on good set of numbers.

Most of my question has already been answered. If you can just highlight on the debt repayment plan, are we on track on what we have guided earlier or how should we look for 27 and 28?

Ashutosh Dhawan

We are pretty much on track. The last payment was done in April 2026, 1,250.

The next payment is coming due in October, same amount, 1,250, and next year, ₹2,500 crore is to be repaid. We are on track.

We have given our guidance also that for FY27, the net debt to EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA to net debt ratio will be .5x. We are on track.

Alka Katiyar

Okay. Thank you.

Sir, also if you can repeat the EBITDA margin guidance for this year?

Ashutosh Dhawan

The guidance is 26.5%, that's what is the guidance. Having caveated with all the geopolitical situation, market condition, but the guidance will be better than the last year, and it is 25.5% to 26.5%.

Alka Katiyar

Okay. Thank you so much, sir.

All the best.

Ashutosh Dhawan

Thank you.

Operator

Thank you.

Prakash Agarwal

Last question, please.

Operator

We take the last question from the line of Bharat Shah. Kindly announce your company name and proceed with your question.

Yeah.

Bharat Shah

Bharat Shah from ASK Capital Ideas Limited. Congratulations, Rajeev ji.

Finally, we are seeing the performance that we have come to ascribe with Mankind always. Congratulations to you and Sheetal ji and the team.

There were basically two broad questions I wanted to understand. One got partially answered earlier, but I'll repeat it.

We acquired BSV at a point of time where prima facie, from variety of points of view, it appeared whether we overpaid and whether it is going to deliver and whether it has really delivered or it has underdelivered. In other words, sum total of the benefits whether it is exceeding the kind of challenges and difficulties such a large acquisition poses, and whether it has played out as we thought from a strategic point of view?

Secondly, the entire manpower churning to bring the energy and to bring the same level of aggression that Mankind has been known in the past to pursue long-term strategy, but in a very focused, aggressive manner, whether all the changes despite all the attenuations in between, has it really played out exactly as you desired, or there is still a work in progress?

Rajeev Juneja

That is a very interesting question, but I tell you, there's a difference when a company is being run by promoters versus professionals. Promoters always see everything in long term.

We are never much impacted by quarter-on-quarter or 1 or 2 years of low points. You always see that whatever entity we acquire would give us benefits in terms of our long-term growth, what advantages would be there.

Keeping that in mind, we basically acquire Bharat Serums. Again, I want to reiterate, when you basically acquire any organization, it takes some time.

We are just 18, 19 months old in this. Now, things have been properly streamlined, whether it's domestic, whether it's international side, all is being done and we hope to see good growth.

We don't want to just overstate, but we'll definitely say, we just want to surprise everybody. That's the kind of a mindset we have got.

One answer for the acquisition. Second basically answer is whatever you plan, in a office, whatever you do, some kind of a mismatches always there.

We always understand this. We expected that we will be able to change the picture in shortest possible time.

It did not happen. It took us more time.

Now, all the things are done and dusted. As you can see, this year, the company is in a healthy state of growth.

We feel that whatever numbers have been projected to you, bottom line, top line, we'll definitely aspire to cover those. Thank you so much.

Bharat Shah

That's

Prakash Agarwal

Just the R&D platform is what it completes kind of also, because a lot of products which are under development, which you will see as a long-term investor, all will come over 3 to 5 years. There's a lot of development happening on that space.

Bharat Shah

No, that goes without saying. Before Mankind got listed and after it has been listed, I've observed Mankind for number of years, and I've always admired the tenacity and the vision to play for long run rather than play for the T20 kind of a match, at the same time, not losing focus on achieving results and aggression to get what is due.

It has always been long-term vision and a terrific attention to the ground to execute well repeatedly, time after time. What you have said is in sync with that.

Just one question for Mr. Dhawan.

The expected tax rate for the current year will be? Last year, it has been 17%, and year prior to that has been about 20%.

What is the likely, Ashutosh ji, tax rate for the current year? Yeah.

Sir,

Ashutosh Dhawan

this year for FY27, the expected tax rate will be in the range of 25%

Bharat Shah

to 26%, because

Ashutosh Dhawan

the section exemption what we have been enjoying, FY26 has been the last year. That's why our effective tax rate has been in the range of 15% to 16%.

Next year, it is going to get increased to 25% to 26%.

Bharat Shah

Sure. Thank you.

Once again, hearty congratulations, Rajeev ji, Sheetal ji, and all the very best.

Rajeev Juneja

Thank you, sir.

Ashutosh Dhawan

Thank you.

Operator

Thank you, sir.

Ashutosh Dhawan

Thank you, sir.

Abhishek Agarwal

Thank you.

Operator

Thank you very much. Now hand the conference over to the management for closing comments.

Prakash Agarwal

Thank you, everybody, for attending the call. For any further queries or clarification, request you to please reach out to us or email us on [email protected].

Have a nice day. Thank you.

Ashutosh Dhawan

Thank you.

Operator

Thank you very much. On behalf of Mankind Pharma, that concludes this meeting.

Thank you for joining us, and you may now disconnect your lines. Thank you.