Media OutReach
Bora Pharmaceuticals Exits Integration Phase with Sequentially-Improved Gross and Operating Margins
Positioned to Unlock M&A Value through U.S. Manufacturing Amidst Geopolitical Complexities and Specialty Portfolio
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 May 2025 – Bora Pharmaceuticals (TWSE: 6472) today announced its financial results and operational highlights for first quarter of 2025.
- Fueled by expanded capacity and new dosage forms, Bora’s CDMO business delivered a record high quarter, up 52.4% YoY and 3.0% QoQ.
- As part of Bora’s long-term strategic growth plan, the Company is moving forward with a phased investment of tens of thousands US dollars to unlock the untapped potential of Maple Grove facility. This build-out is designed to enhance capabilities in oral solid dose and sterile manufacturing, strengthening the ability to support customer demand and scale future programs.
- Pharma Sales revenues rose 82.0% YoY based on reported unaudited monthly sales, driven by strong performance from the vigabatrin franchise, which includes three dosage forms. Notably, VIGAFYDE captured over 70% share in the new patient segment.
- Due to the completion of Plymouth area decommissioning, consolidated revenues for 1Q25 was NT$4.48 billion, a NT$350 million reversal from the unaudited monthly disclosures, all of which was attributed to the pharma sales segment.
- Despite margin pressure from partial maintenance shutdowns at the Maryland sterile injectable site in early January and softening demand for generic product dexlansoprazole (DLS), product mix improvement from growing specialty portfolio lifted gross margin from the low of 4Q24 to 42.2% in 1Q25. Tech transfer for 6 Upsher-Smith generic products to cost-competitive sites within Bora network remains on track, with full transfer expected by year-end to support further margin recovery.
- EPS from continuing operations reached NT$26.54, reflecting NT$2.44 billion of net non-operating income from the divestment of Bora Biologics and recognition of losses of Tanvex Biopharm. However, the decommissioning of the Plymouth area negatively impacted EPS by NT$12.99, resulting in a reported EPS of NT$13.55. Share capital increased 0.4% during the quarter from employee stock option exercises and convertible bond conversions.
- DLS competitors began exiting the market in early 2Q25 due to supply chain hiccups, creating new opportunities for Bora to increase share and drive recovery momentum.
- The Group remains optimistic that its first quarter restructuring efforts will increase the long-term value of its recent acquisitions, including unlocking NT$600 million in capital in 2025. CDMO business growth will be further accelerated with strategic U.S.-based capability and capacity.
The closure of Plymouth area was completed ahead of schedule during the quarter and the area has thus been reclassified as discontinued operation in our quarterly financial statements altogether. From an operational standpoint, Bora has discontinued 15 products in the U.S. generics market along with the restructure, with an additional 6 products transferred to more cost-efficient manufacturing sites within the Group. On the financial side, discontinued operation resulted in a negative impact of approximately NT$1.34 billion, including overhead, inventory and equipment write-downs as well as severance-related expenses.
Looking ahead, Bora will advance its focus on high-value and complex dosage forms supported by over NT$5.0 billion cash on hand. At Maple Grove, 4 global pharmaceutical clients are currently in advanced discussions regarding CAPEX investments which we view as a strong validation of the site’s value and strategic fit. While the timeline for full deployment spans several years, we are approaching this expansion with operational discipline and commercial alignment to ensure its success over time.
On pharma sales side, Bora weathered softness in DLS demand in the first quarter but quickly gained market share as a competitor exited in early second quarter. Generic business rebounded in April, supported by strong sales from new 2024 launches including Potassium Chloride ER Tablets (KCL), and anti-angina drugs Diltiazem (DTC and DTS). This recovery underscores Bora’s agility and the resilience of the dual-engine strategy. Furthermore, we have successfully consolidated distribution network for specialty drugs. Bora expects its pediatric spasm product, VIGAFYDE (the 505(b)(2) oral solution), to extend its success in the new patient market into the switch segment in the very near future, supporting future margin and operational leverage expansion.
We continue executing on our goals to scale up, achieve more and integrate smarter, ensuring that both internal and external clients benefit from cost-efficient, regionally aligned manufacturing. By extending the strength of our dual-engine model, we believe Bora shall continue to create above-average total shareholder return.”
Global CDMO Operations
Global CDMO Operations (excluding internal orders) delivered record-high revenues of NT$1.90 billion in the first quarter, up 52.4% YoY and representing approximately 39% of total revenue. Including internal orders, CDMO revenue reached NT$2.89 billion. A total of 600 million doses were developed and manufactured. Revenue contribution from global top 20 pharmaceutical companies remained steady at approximately 30%, demonstrating strong clientele and advantage of scale. Bora CDMO continues to be a trusted partner for biotech and pharmaceutical innovators.
- In 1Q25, the small molecule CDMO pipeline added US$123 million in potential orders and US$78 million in backlog, both marking historic highs.
- CAPEX progress across sites reached approximately 50%, focused on debottlenecks, efficiency improvement, capacity increase and infrastructure upgrade to align with client and product needs. Flex Pro line at the Maryland sterile injectable facility was completed ahead of schedule and is expected to begin operations in early Q3.
- Maple Grove launched its first CDMO project during the quarter and is currently negotiating with potential clients while evaluating CAPEX plans for differentiated dosage platforms. Overall, North American capacity transformation is progressing as planned.
- Large molecule CDMO operation was launched following the January 20 reverse-acquisition of Bora Biologics by Tanvex Biopharm where Bora owns 30.5% of Tanvex. CDMO operations at the San Diego site are now active, and the ongoing 2,000L expansion has received strong interest from late-stage clients. Bora and Tanvex are actively pursuing U.S.-based commercial-scale manufacturing orders with a comprehensive one-stop service model.
Pharma Sales Operations
Pharma Sales Operations revenue reached NT$2.93 billion, representing 82.0% YoY growth and contributing approximately 61% of total revenue based on unadjusted numbers.
- As the Upsher-Smith team continue to consolidate distributors for specialty drugs, we saw early signs of positive engagement from both market and payer channels at the end of the first quarter. Following the 2024 integration of TWi, Upsher-Smith and Pyros teams, Bora has established a focused pipeline in CNS specialty areas. The company expects to file its first self-developed 505(b)(2) submission for infantile spasms (Stiripentol) with the U.S. FDA by year-end, alongside other pipeline developments.
- Pediatric epilepsy and TSC-related rare diseases represent the first wave of Bora’s pharma sales transformation targets. In addition to reducing over-reliance on generics, high-value rare disease and specialty drugs benefit from strong regulatory and payer support in the specialty pharmacy channel. These markets are less competitive with stable price, and offer targeted access to patient populations, allowing for meaningful long-tail value creation.
Bora will host an English online earnings call at 7:00 a.m. Taiwan time on May 15, 2025, followed by an investor conference hosted by Taishin Securities at the Grand Hyatt Taipei at 2:00 p.m. on May 16, 2025. Both events will cover the company’s Q1’25 financial and business results and outlook.
English Online Earnings Presentation Link: https://www.zucast.com/event/54SiM5il/subscribe/create
The 2025 Annual General Shareholders’ Meeting will be held on May 23 at the Tainan Guantian Industrial Marketing Center.
Bora will participate in the Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference in New York on June 4–5. For 1:1 meetings with management, please contact your Jefferies representative.
Q2 2025: Expected in the 3rd week of August 2025
Q3 2025: Expected in the 3rd week of November 2025
Q4 2025: Expected in the 2nd week of March 2026
Hashtag: #Bora
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Bora
Founded in 2007, Bora Pharmaceuticals (“Bora” or “the Company”, 6472.TW) is a leading pharmaceutical services company with a vision and goal of “Contributing to Better Health All Over the World”. Operating under a “Dual Engine” model that integrates CDMO and commercial expertise, we empower pharmaceutical and biotech partners to optimize product development, accelerate launches, and scale supply to meet global patient needs. At the same time, we actively broaden R&D and sales infrastructure, focusing on niche and rare disease markets to improve patients’ quality of life.
By investing in talent, infrastructure, and biologics expansion, Bora continues to transform operations and achieve sustainable growth. Committed to making success “certain,” Bora sets new standards in the pharmaceutical and CDMO industries.
For more, please visit:
https://www.bora-corp.com
https://www.boracorpcdmo.com
Disclaimer:
This document and the accompanying information may contain forward-looking statements. All statements regarding the company’s future business operations, potential events, and prospects (including but not limited to forecasts, targets, estimates, and operational plans) are considered forward-looking statements unless they refer to factual occurrences. Forward-looking statements are subject to various factors and uncertainties that may cause significant differences from actual results, including but not limited to price fluctuations, actual demand, exchange rate variations, market share, competitive conditions, changes in the legal, financial, and regulatory framework, international economic and financial market conditions, political risks, cost estimates, and other risks and variables beyond the company’s control. These forward-looking statements are based on current predictions and assessments, and the company disclaims any responsibility for future updates.
Media OutReach
No Judgement, No Awkwardness: More Hongkongers Are Opening Up to AI for Mental Health Support
A newly completed Hong Kong study suggests there may finally be a way to bridge that gap. The AIM Greater China Psychology Research Group has completed a Hong Kong-based study conducted in the 2025–2026 academic year, comparing the effectiveness of human hypnotherapists against AI in delivering hypnotic experience-based stress relief experiences. The findings were striking: a significant proportion of participants felt that both approaches yielded virtually equivalent levels of relaxation — and more than 60% reported preferring their AI session after the fact.
Over 400 Applicants: A Reflection of a Generation in Need of Being Heard
The research team recruited participants experiencing family-related stress via Facebook. Within a short period of the post going live, over 400 individuals voluntarily applied — a figure that speaks not only to the pervasiveness of stress in modern life, but also to a growing willingness among the public to prioritise their own emotional wellbeing and actively seek self-care solutions.
From the applicant pool, 48 participants were randomly selected to take part. Each participant underwent two separate hypnotic experience stress relief audio sessions, each lasting approximately one hour — one recorded by a human hypnotherapist, and one fully generated by AI, including both the script and voice. Participants then compared their personal experiences of both sessions.
What Humans Can Do, AI Can Do Too
In the most critical area of comparison — stress relief effectiveness — the largest single group of participants (41.7%) rated the AI and human sessions as equally effective. On a scoring basis, the AI hypnotic experience averaged approximately 2.92 points, compared to 2.58 points for the human session — with AI coming out marginally ahead.
The study further found that nearly 90% of participants indicated they would enjoy a session if it genuinely helped them feel relaxed. In other words, what people truly care about is whether it works — not whether the voice behind it belongs to a human or a machine. On this front, AI has passed the test.
Over 60% More Willing to Share Their Feelings with AI
The results around personal preference were perhaps the most eye-opening. When asked which session they enjoyed more, 62.5% of participants chose the AI experience — and among women, that number climbed even higher, to 68.4%.
So what made AI the preferred choice? Researchers believe it comes down to one simple thing: feeling safe. With AI, there is no worry about being judged. No fear of saying the wrong thing. No awkwardness. About 1 in 4 participants said they actually found it easier to talk openly with AI — because it communicates in a way that feels clear, calm, and natural, much like everyday conversation.
The truth is, some things are just easier to say when no one is watching. That is not a flaw in human nature — it is simply how many of us work.
When it came to privacy, the findings were equally reassuring. More than half of all participants said they had no concerns about AI handling their personal information. Only a very small number — just 2.08% — said they felt uncomfortable. This points to a growing sense of trust in AI tools among the general public.
AI Reads the Data; Therapists Read the Person
Beyond the hypnotic experience itself, the local research team also evaluated AI’s capability as an analytical tool — with equally impressive results.
AI was able to rapidly process large volumes of participant responses, objectively assess individual stress levels, and identify underlying patterns. For instance, AI identified that 35% of participants independently expressed a desire for “personal space” or “better soundproofing” in their homes. On the surface, these may seem like trivial lifestyle concerns — yet AI connected this pattern to the reality of Hong Kong residents living in constrained spaces, highlighting a deeper psychological sense of having “nowhere to breathe”. This level of insight would be difficult to uncover through manual review of dozens of questionnaires alone.
AI also observed that many participants habitually occupied the role of “problem-solver” or “mediator” within their households, suppressing their own emotional needs in the process. Researchers noted that this reflects a widely recognised social phenomenon — the pressures faced by eldest daughters and the so-called “sandwich generation,” caught between the responsibilities of caring for ageing parents and raising children. AI’s ability to rapidly identify these hidden emotional burdens allows therapists to bypass lengthy preliminary assessments and focus more swiftly on the core issues that require their attention.
AI Is Here to Help, Not to Take Over
The local research team emphasises that the study was never intended to position AI as a replacement for human therapists. Rather, the aim is to explore how the two can work in tandem. Much like how blood test reports assist physicians in diagnosis, AI can play an analogous supporting role in the mental health field — organising data, identifying patterns, and lowering barriers to seeking help, so that mental health professionals can direct their energy towards the moments that truly require a human touch.
Those who proactively seek psychological support remain a minority, often deterred by the fear of inconvenience, social stigma, or the awkwardness of speaking up. If AI can serve as the bridge that encourages more people to take that first step, that alone may be its most meaningful contribution to society.
Hashtag: #HypnosisInstitute
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Hypnosis Institute
Hypnosis Institute is dedicated to helping people in Hong Kong lead healthier and more fulfilling lives through hypnotic experience. We offer accessible and practical hypnotic experience training programmes designed to integrate hypnotic techniques into everyday life, with a focus on stress management, emotional wellbeing, and personal growth.
Hypnosis Institute is Hong Kong’s only hypnotic experience professional development platform that simultaneously operates a research group, social innovation group, practical training group, crisis psychological support group, charitable initiatives, networking events, therapeutic services, and a comprehensive training pathway.
As the sole Hong Kong chapter of the Association for Integrative Medicine (AIM) in the United States, the sole overseas Hong Kong academy of UK educational institution Study House (Quality Licence Scheme), and the sole specialist hypnotic experience training school in Hong Kong under Cambridge International College in the United Kingdom, Hypnosis Institute provides internationally recognised qualifications that contribute to the advancement of the industry.
Founder Charles Leung is a trainer of trainers in the field of hypnotic experience, and has been specially appointed by the Association for Integrative Medicine as the Chief Instructor for Specialist hypnotic experience in Greater China. He has trained over 1,000 hypnotherapists and instructors, upholding the highest standards of professional development in the mental health field.
The Institute’s programmes integrate a comprehensive range of methodologies, including hypnotic experience combined with MBTI personality profiling, DISC behavioural analysis, mental health coaching, emotional education, and the HiddenMe Cards inner child tool — providing a holistic and personalised approach to hypnotic experience practice. Instructors specialise in paediatric hypnotic experience, Internal Family Systems (including inner child) hypnotic experience, stress and insomnia relief hypnotic experience, interpersonal relationship hypnotic experience, as well as hypnotic experience in reminiscence and palliative care.
Driven by the belief that everyone can harness the power of hypnotic experience to enhance their mental wellbeing, Hypnosis Institute is committed to sharing psychological knowledge and providing professional support in the areas of emotional management, life challenges, and the professional development of the hypnotic experience industry.
Follow us at hypnosisinstitute.com.hk, 
Facebook, 
Instagram and 
YouTube for the latest updates.
Held at deMori @ FCC Signature, the event featured a live platform demonstration, partner showcase, and networking sessions aimed at facilitating engagement between founders, advisors, and investors.
Introducing CapitalOS
CapitalOS, BizPal’s corporate finance platform, was presented through a live demonstration during the event. The system integrates operational, brand, and financial data into a structured framework designed to support investor readiness and due diligence.
According to BizPal, the platform is intended to help SMEs organise their business information into formats aligned with investor expectations, enabling clearer communication during fundraising discussions.
“SMEs should never walk into a funding conversation unsure of their numbers,” said Ms. Anya Tan, CEO of BizPal Malaysia.
MOUs Expand Distribution Network
The event also included the signing of Memoranda of Understanding between BizPal and two Malaysian partners, My Education Platform and VA Partners. Both organisations will serve as authorised distributors of BizPal’s education and advisory programmes across Malaysia.
The partnerships expand BizPal’s reach within the SME ecosystem by working with local organisations that support business development and capability building.
“Partnering with BizPal allows us to introduce structured, investor-ready methodologies to the SME community we serve,” said Mr. Jeff Lee, Director, My Education Platform.
A representative from VA Partners is expected to provide a statement following final endorsement.
Global Mentorship Exchange (GMX)
During the event, BizPal also presented the Global Mentorship Exchange (GMX), an ecosystem initiative designed to connect experienced business leaders with high-potential entrepreneurs.
The initiative provides a structured environment for mentorship supported by data-based evaluation and standardised assessment criteria aligned with investor expectations. GMX was first introduced during BizPal’s Data Fundraising Masterclass in December 2025 and was presented to a broader network of partners and investors at BizPal Day.
Next Steps
Following the event, BizPal plans to expand the adoption of CapitalOS and continue developing its partner network across Malaysia and the ASEAN region.
Hashtag: #NoDataNoTalk #DataFundraising #InvestorReady #CapitalReadiness #FinTech #BusinessValuation #ASEANSMEs #BizPalDay
https://www.bizpal.tech/
https://www.facebook.com/simplyfi.sg
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About BizPal
BizPal provides data-driven corporate finance solutions designed to help ASEAN SMEs become investor-ready. Its platform, CapitalOS, integrates operational, strategic, and financial data into a unified system that supports business evaluation and investor engagement.
Media OutReach
Vinhomes Green Paradise Can Gio And IHG Hotels & Resorts Partner To Bring Four International Hotel Brands To The Coastal Mega Urban Development
Under the agreement, IHG will develop four hotels with a total of more than 1,000 rooms at Vinhomes Green Paradise Can Gio, including InterContinental Saigon Can Gio with 400 rooms, Crowne Plaza Saigon Can Gio with 400 rooms, Holiday Inn Express Saigon Can Gio with 130 rooms, and Garner Saigon Can Gio with 130 rooms.
InterContinental Saigon Can Gio, a world-renowned luxury brand, will deliver premium hospitality experiences tailored to international travelers and domestic guests seeking high-end accommodation. Crowne Plaza Saigon Can Gio, one of the largest upscale hotel brands globally, will cater to frequent travelers with modern, flexible spaces designed to optimize productivity and foster connections.
Holiday Inn Express Saigon Can Gio and Garner Saigon Can Gio will expand the destination’s accommodation offering with efficient, high-quality stays focused on value, making the development more accessible to a broader range of guests. This also marks the official debut of both brands in the Vietnamese market.
According to the development timeline, Holiday Inn Express Saigon Can Gio and Garner Saigon Can Gio are expected to open in 2028, followed by InterContinental Saigon Can Gio and Crowne Plaza Saigon Can Gio in 2030.
In this partnership, Vinpearl, a member of Vingroup, will act as the project operator and lead the collaboration with IHG Hotels & Resorts, while coordinating with all stakeholders throughout the development and operational phases.
Together with Vinpearl’s world-class hospitality brand, the addition of four premium IHG hotels will help realize a 7,000-room accommodation ecosystem at Vinhomes Green Paradise Can Gio, meeting the growing demand for extended stays and diverse experiences year-round in Can Gio and Ho Chi Minh City.
Complementing the hospitality offering, a series of large-scale entertainment and resort facilities unique to Vinhomes Green Paradise Can Gio will further elevate the destination. These include the 122-hectare VinWonders theme park featuring the world’s tallest artificial snow mountain and nearly 200 attractions, the 5,000-seat Blue Waves Theater, the 800-hectare Paradise Lagoon, the five-star international cruise port Landmark Harbour, and two 18-hole international-standard golf courses. Together, these developments aim to position Can Gio as a globally-recognized tourism and resort hub, targeting 40 million visitors annually and standing alongside leading destinations in Vietnam and worldwide.
Mr. Rajit Sukumaran, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, East Asia & Pacific, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “This agreement marks the beginning of a strategic partnership between IHG and Vingroup. Bringing four of our standout brands to Vinhomes Green Paradise Can Gio reflects the diversity of our portfolio, as well as our strong commitment to supporting Vietnam’s goal of becoming a leading global tourism destination. With brands spanning multiple segments, we believe this collaboration will help create an integrated hospitality ecosystem that meets the diverse needs of travelers at one of Vietnam’s most significant developments.”
Ms. Ngo Thi Huong, Chief Executive Officer of Vinpearl Joint Stock Company, said: “We selected IHG not only for its global brand portfolio but also for its proven operational expertise across international markets. Introducing InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn Express, and Garner to Vinhomes Green Paradise Can Gio is a key step in completing our service structure and establishing international operating standards for the mega project’s hotel system. With this partnership as a foundation, we believe Vinhomes Green Paradise will progressively emerge as a world-class destination, where a fully integrated ecosystem continues to enhance its appeal to residents and both domestic and international visitors.”
Vinhomes Green Paradise is located in the southeastern part of Ho Chi Minh City. Construction began on April 19, 2025, with a total area of 2,870 hectares. The development features three sides facing the sea and is adjacent to the Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO-recognized site. The project is being developed to leading ESG++ standards, integrating green, smart, ecological, and regenerative principles.
The development benefits from a well-connected transport infrastructure network, including the Ben Thanh – Can Gio high-speed railway, which will reduce travel time from central Ho Chi Minh City to just 13 minutes, the Can Gio Bridge, the interchange connecting Rung Sac Road with the Ben Luc – Long Thanh Expressway, and the Can Gio – Vung Tau sea-crossing route, enabling travel between two major tourism hubs in just 10 minutes.
With a diverse range of accommodation options, internationally-standardized hotel systems, and a wide array of cultural, artistic, sports, and entertainment facilities aligned with green, smart, and community-friendly principles, Vinhomes Green Paradise Can Gio stands out as a rare mega urban development that both sets new benchmarks for ESG living and delivers a world-class tourism and resort experience.
Hashtag: #Vinhomes
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About IHG Hotels & Resorts:
IHG Hotels & Resorts is a global hospitality company with a portfolio of 21 brands and IHG One Rewards, one of the world’s largest hotel loyalty programs with over 160 million members. IHG currently franchises, leases, manages, or owns more than 6,900 hotels across over 100 countries, with more than 2,300 hotels in its development pipeline.
IHG’s brand portfolio spans Luxury & Lifestyle, Premium, Essentials, and Suites segments, including well-known brands such as Six Senses, Regent, InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn Express, Garner, Staybridge Suites, and Candlewood Suites.
About Vinhomes
Vinhomes is Vietnam’s leading real estate developer, pioneering the development of large-scale, well-planned urban areas with integrated amenities, green living environments, and modern lifestyles. In addition to 36 urban developments currently in operation nationwide, Vinhomes continues to focus on building next-generation mega and super urban developments of regional scale and significance, aspiring to create some of the most livable cities in the world while significantly transforming Vietnam’s urban landscape.
For more information, please visit https://vinhomes.vn/vi
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