Investment/BKGI

Editorial staff

Bangkok Genomics Innovation Plc (BKGI) is listed today on SET.

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) today listed Bangkok Genomics Innovation Plc, a leading medical diagnostics service provider utilizing world-class genomic technology under the ticker symbol "BKGI".

The company has a market capitalization at its initial public offering (IPO) of 978 million baht (approx. US$ 27.40 million).

SET senior executive vice president Manpong Senanarong said BKGI is starting trading today on SET in the services industry group, health care services sector.

BKGI provides laboratory and medical diagnostic services, with the Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) for chromosomal abnormalities screening in fetal DNA from maternal blood under the widely renowned "NIFTY" brand as its main business.

The company also offers genetic screening service for hereditary disorder and cancers using advanced Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology for accurate and rapid results analysis. The company's services encompass infectious disease testing and distribution of related products and kits. With quality services supporting better quality of life at all ages, backed by BKGI’s major shareholder BGI – a global leader in genomic sequencing research and cutting-edge bioinformatics applications, BKGI has then gained trust from its customer base.

BKGI has a paid-up capital of 300 million baht, comprising 440 million existing common shares and 160 million newly issued shares with a par value of 0.50 baht per share.

Of the total IPO shares, up to 120 million shares were allocated to persons at the underwriters' discretion, up to 24 million to the company's patrons, and up to 16 million to directors, management, and employees during March 12-14, 2024 at 1.63 baht per share for a total of 260.8 million baht in fund raised. Finansia Syrus Securities Plc is the financial advisor and lead underwriter.

BKGI chief executive officer Saowalak Dansakul said the listing on SET will support the company's growth in terms of business and healthcare enhancement in Thailand in line with its strategic plan. Funds raised will be used as working capital and to further expand its genomic medicine business. The business expansion is aimed to promote healthcare and wellness at all life stages to move towards becoming a leading modern medical science organization deploying advanced technology to uplift the population's quality of life.

BKGI's three largest shareholders after the IPO are BGI Health (HK) Co., Ltd (37.40 %); Preecha Laohapongchana (12.22 %); and Ratchapol Asvinvichit (7.73 %). The IPO price was equivalent to the price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 30.43 times. The earnings per share is equal to 0.05 baht which was calculated from the company’s net profit over the past four quarters (from January 1 to December 31, 2023), divided by fully diluted shares.

BKGI’s dividend policy is to pay at least 40 percent of net profit from separate financial statements after corporate tax and legal reserves.