Shasun Pharmaceuticals Ltd. and Debiopharm Group entered into a licensing agreement for the manufacturing and commercialization of Huperzine-A. Huperzine-A is a potent and reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and clinical studies have shown a significant improvement in memory deficit and cognitive performance in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Huperzine-A is commercially available through Shasun Pharmaceuticals. According to the terms of the agreement, Shasun Pharmaceuticals Ltd. will be able to use the Debiopharm technology for the manufacture of synthetic Huperzine-A under GMP quality conditions and commercialize it in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical markets. The manufacturing technology involves a 10-stage chemical synthesis process including a complex chiral organometallic step as a key transformation of the Huperzine-A structure. The synthesis is a result of a joint collaboration between Shasun's research centers in Chennai and the UK.

Shasun Pharmaceuticals Ltd. reported unaudited consolidated and standalone earnings results for the third quarter and nine months ended December 31, 2012. For the quarter, on consolidated basis, the company reported total income from operations (net) of INR 2,707.6 million compared to INR 3,101.6 million a year ago. Profit from operations before other income, finance costs and exceptional items was INR 81.3 million compared to INR 365.5 million a year ago. Profit from ordinary activities before tax was INR 64.3 million compared to INR 213.0 million a year ago. Net profit was INR 82.1 million or INR 1.45 diluted per share compared to INR 246.0 million or INR 4.93 diluted per share a year ago. For the nine months period, on consolidated basis, the company reported total income from operations (net) of INR 8,084.4 million compared to INR 7,608.8 million a year ago. Profit from operations before other income, finance costs and exceptional items was INR 562.5 million compared to INR 358.4 million a year ago. Profit from ordinary activities before tax was INR 415.6 million compared to INR 178.7 million a year ago. Net profit was INR 397.8 million or INR 7.02 diluted per share compared to INR 415.9 million or INR 8.40 diluted per share a year ago. For the quarter, on standalone basis, the company reported total income from operations (net) of INR 1,970.7 million compared to INR 2,120.5 million a year ago. Profit from operations before other income, finance costs and exceptional items was INR 9.8 million compared to INR 235.8 million a year ago. Profit from ordinary activities before tax was INR 11.1 million compared to INR 140.2 million a year ago. Net profit was INR 28.9 million or INR 0.51 diluted per share compared to INR 126.8 million or INR 2.54 diluted per share a year ago. For the nine months period, on standalone basis, the company reported total income from operations (net) of INR 5,737.5 million compared to INR 5,283.7 million a year ago. Profit from operations before other income, finance costs and exceptional items was INR 258.4 million compared to INR 108.8 million a year ago. Profit from ordinary activities before tax was INR 177.8 million compared to loss from ordinary activities before tax of INR 23.2 million a year ago. Net profit was INR 160.0 million or INR 2.83 diluted per share compared to INR 164.2 million or INR 3.32 diluted per share a year ago.

Shasun Pharmaceuticals Ltd - Shareholder/Analyst Call