Anthem Biosciences Makes Strong Debut on NSE, Closes with a 28.36% Premium to IPO Price

Anthem Biosciences, a prominent contract research, development, and manufacturing organization (CRDMO), saw a remarkable performance on its debut day on the National Stock Exchange (NSE), with its shares closing at ₹731.65 apiece, a substantial 28.36% premium over its initial public offering (IPO) price of ₹570. This robust listing underscores strong investor confidence in the company’s fundamentals and the burgeoning Indian CRDMO sector.

The highly anticipated IPO, which was open for subscription from July 14 to July 16, 2025, witnessed an overwhelming response from all investor categories, ultimately being subscribed a staggering 67.42 times. Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs) led the charge with an astounding subscription of nearly 193 times, followed by Non-Institutional Investors (NIIs) at 45 times, and retail investors at approximately 6 times. This exceptional demand set the stage for a positive listing.

Anthem Biosciences shares opened on the NSE at ₹723.05, already commanding a 26.85% premium to the IPO price. The positive momentum continued throughout the trading session, culminating in the impressive closing price. On the BSE, the stock similarly closed at ₹730.35, representing a 28.13% premium.

The IPO, which was entirely an Offer for Sale (OFS) amounting to ₹3,395.79 crore, means that the proceeds will go to the selling shareholders, not directly to the company. However, this structure did not deter investors, who were swayed by Anthem Biosciences’ strong business model, diversified service offerings, and impressive financial performance. The company reported a 30% year-on-year revenue growth to ₹1,930 crore in FY25, with a healthy profit increase of 23% to ₹451 crore and an EBITDA margin of 37%.

Market analysts had largely predicted a strong listing, with grey market premiums (GMP) indicating a potential gain of around 29%. The actual listing performance largely aligned with these optimistic expectations, validating the market’s positive sentiment.

Experts suggest that Anthem Biosciences’ differentiated capabilities in drug discovery, development, and commercial manufacturing for both small molecules and biologics, coupled with its focus on niche fermentation-based APIs and a high success rate in fee-for-service contracts, are key drivers of its attractiveness. The company serves a diverse global client base across 44 countries and is actively involved in 196 projects.

While the strong listing presents an immediate opportunity for early investors to book profits, many analysts advise a long-term holding strategy for Anthem Biosciences. Its position in the rapidly expanding Indian CRDMO segment, which is projected to reach $14.1 billion by 2028, provides a compelling structural growth story. For those who missed the IPO allocation, a wait-and-watch approach for price stabilization is recommended to identify potential entry points for long-term investment.

Today’s impressive debut marks a significant milestone for Anthem Biosciences, positioning it firmly within India’s thriving biotechnology and pharmaceutical landscape and underscoring the market’s appetite for fundamentally strong companies with clear growth trajectories