Press Release

VIS Reaffirms Entity Ratings of OBS AGP (Private) Limited

Karachi, August 25, 2023: VIS Credit Rating Company Ltd. (VIS) has reaffirmed entity ratings of ‘A/A-1’ (Single A/A-One) to OBS AGP (Private) Limited (OBS AGP). Long-term rating of ‘A’ signifies good credit quality; Protection factors are adequate. Risk factors may vary with possible changes in the economy. Short Term Rating of ‘A-1’ indicates high certainty of timely payment; Liquidity factors are excellent and supported by good fundamental protection factors. Risk factors are minor. The previous rating action was announced on June 17, 2022.

OBS AGP (Pvt.) Limited, majority owned by AGP Limited, was established for acquisition of 22 brands from Sandoz AG. The acquisition was executed on July 30, 2021. Funding requirement of Rs. 3,700m for the same was met via a Rs. 2,600m Sukuk issue and remaining equity. Assigned ratings take into account the inelastic demand for the product portfolio being acquired along with high relative market share and brand value enjoyed by major products (primarily Azomax and Zatofen). Moreover, comfort is drawn from sponsor’s established market position, long record of accomplishment in the pharmaceutical industry and the resulting operational, managerial and financial support available to OBS AGP.

Assigned ratings incorporate projected growth through increased prices, market penetration, and new product launches. Despite these efforts, OBS AGP continues to face high concentration risk, with a significant portion of sales continuing to come from Azomax. Management is striving to mitigate this risk by diversifying the product portfolio, which may impact future profitability due to increased marketing expenses. Furthermore, liquidity profile and debt servicing capacity of OBS AGP have been strained due to increase in interest rates and exchange rates, which has impacted margins and resultant cash flows. Maintenance of margins over the rating horizon will remain important. The Company is projecting higher topline growth on account of volumetric sales growth and price increase recently approved by Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP). Going forward, achievement of projected plans along with improvement in liquidity and debt servicing coverage will remain important for ratings.

For further information on this rating announcement, please contact Mr. Saeb Muhammad Jafri or the undersigned (Ext: 207) at (021) 35311861-66 or email at info@vis.com.pk






Sara Ahmed
Director



VIS Entity Rating Criteria Methodology – Industrial Corporates (May 2023)
https://docs.vis.com.pk/docs/CorporateMethodology.pdf
VIS Issue/Issuer Rating Scale:
https://docs.vis.com.pk/docs/VISRatingScales.pdf

Information herein was obtained from sources believed to be accurate and reliable; however, VIS Credit Rating Company Limited (VIS) does not guarantee the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of any information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information.VIS , the analysts involved in the rating process and members of its rating committee do not have any conflict of interest relating to the rating(s)/ranking(s) mentioned in this report.VIS is paid a fee for most rating assignments. This rating/ranking is an opinion and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any securities. Copyright 2023 VIS Credit Rating Company Limited . All rights reserved. Contents may be used by news media with credit to VIS .