Luca Sogi's questions to SHIONOGI & CO (SGIOY) leadership • Q1 2024
Question
Luca Sogi from Sanford C. Bernstein questioned the potential utilization and sales of the COVID vaccine, given it doesn't target the Omicron variant, and asked for details on the back-office joint venture with Accenture, including its cost impact.
Answer
Toshinobu Iwasaki, Senior Executive Officer, explained the vaccine could be an option for those hesitant about mRNA vaccines due to its confirmed neutralizing antibody effects. Noriyuki Kishida, Senior Executive Officer, described the JV with Accenture as a long-term (10+ years) strategy to improve back-office efficiency and talent development, aiming to control commission costs over the contract's life, though specific financial impacts were not disclosed.