What happened
Shares of the Chinese anti-cancer cell therapy specialist Legend Biotech (LEGN -0.32%) are poised for a rough session today. Ahead of the opening bell Monday morning, the biotech's stock fell by as much as 15.8% in response to the news that the Customs Anti-Smuggling Department of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) inspected offices associated with both is parent majority shareholder, GenScript Biotech Corporation, along with some of its own subsidiares in country.
Legend said that this customs inspection appears to be related to suspected violations of import and export regulations under the laws of the PRC. As part of this investigation, the biotech's Chief Executive Officer Dr. Fangliang Zhang has reportedly been placed under residential surveillance by PRC law enforcement. In response, Legend has named its current Chief Financial Officer, Dr. Ying Huang, as interim CEO, effective immediately.
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So what
While it's not altogether clear how this investigation will impact the biotech's all-important collaboration with Johnson & Johnson's Janssen Biotech for the experimental multiple myeloma therapy cilta-cel (aka JNJ-4528), investors rarely like to see a company come under scrutiny by a governmental agency of any kind. And this rule of thumb arguably applies doubly so for Chinese companies due to the lack of transparency within the PRC in general.
Now what
Legend's core investing thesis isn't sunk by any stretch of the imagination. But this customs investigation -- until it is resolved one way or another -- is almost certainly going to weigh on the biotech's shares. Bargain hunters, in turn, may want to watch this beaten-down biotech stock from the safety of the sidelines for now.
