Lyonbiopole: The Challenge of Becoming a World-class Biotechnology Cluster Net Present Value (NPV) / MBA Resources

Introduction to Net Present Value (NPV) - What is Net Present Value (NPV) ? How it impacts financial decisions regarding project management?

NPV solution for Lyonbiopole: The Challenge of Becoming a World-class Biotechnology Cluster case study

At Oak Spring University, we provide corporate level professional Net Present Value (NPV) case study solution. Lyonbiopole: The Challenge of Becoming a World-class Biotechnology Cluster case study is a Harvard Business School (HBR) case study written by Anthony Goerzen, Ana Colovic. The Lyonbiopole: The Challenge of Becoming a World-class Biotechnology Cluster (referred as “Lyonbiopole Clusters” from here on) case study provides evaluation & decision scenario in field of Global Business. It also touches upon business topics such as - Value proposition, Globalization, Joint ventures.

The net present value (NPV) of an investment proposal is the present value of the proposal’s net cash flows less the proposal’s initial cash outflow. If a project’s NPV is greater than or equal to zero, the project should be accepted.

NPV = Present Value of Future Cash Flows LESS Project’s Initial Investment

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Case Description of Lyonbiopole: The Challenge of Becoming a World-class Biotechnology Cluster Case Study

In December 2007, the Economics & International Affairs director of the competitiveness cluster, Lyonbiopole, was responsible for the international development of the cluster. Lyonbiopole was one of seven biotechnology clusters in France. Although Lyonbiopole performed very well at the national level, its visibility as an international cluster in the biotechnology field was uncertain. Yet, for its member firms to thrive in the globalized world of biotechnology clusters, establishing international connections for the cluster was crucial. That is why the management team of Lyonbiopole developed an internationalization program through alliances with foreign clusters (i.e. interclusteral alliances). By improving its international visibility and reputation through alliances with world-class biotechnology clusters, Lyonbiopole hoped to create new technological partnerships, increase investment, and create other kinds of opportunities for member firms. After having successfully established alliance partnerships in Europe, Lyonbiopole was preparing for the second stage in its internationalization process. The case highlights the questions - in the context of industrial clusters - whether or not a smaller organization can approach an industry leader to create a mutually beneficial alliance, and how it might accomplish this.

Case Authors : Anthony Goerzen, Ana Colovic

Topic : Global Business

Related Areas : Globalization, Joint ventures

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Calculating Net Present Value (NPV) at 6% for Lyonbiopole: The Challenge of Becoming a World-class Biotechnology Cluster Case Study

Years	Cash Flow	Net Cash Flow	Cumulative     Cash Flow	Discount Rate @ 6 %	Discounted Cash Flows
Year 0	(10017691)	-10017691	-	-
Year 1	3464438	-6553253	3464438	0.9434	3268338
Year 2	3964551	-2588702	7428989	0.89	3528436
Year 3	3952396	1363694	11381385	0.8396	3318508
Year 4	3225723	4589417	14607108	0.7921	2555075
TOTAL			14607108		12670357

The Net Present Value at 6% discount rate is 2652666

In isolation the NPV number doesn't mean much but put in right context then it is one of the best method to evaluate project returns. In this article we will cover -

Different methods of capital budgeting

What is NPV & Formula of NPV,
How it is calculated,
How to use NPV number for project evaluation, and
Scenario Planning given risks and management priorities.

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Capital Budgeting Approaches

Methods of Capital Budgeting

There are four types of capital budgeting techniques that are widely used in the corporate world –

1. Profitability Index
2. Payback Period
3. Internal Rate of Return
4. Net Present Value

Apart from the Payback period method which is an additive method, rest of the methods are based on Discounted Cash Flow technique. Even though cash flow can be calculated based on the nature of the project, for the simplicity of the article we are assuming that all the expected cash flows are realized at the end of the year.

Discounted Cash Flow approaches provide a more objective basis for evaluating and selecting investment projects. They take into consideration both –

1. Timing of the expected cash flows – stockholders of Lyonbiopole Clusters have higher preference for cash returns over 4-5 years rather than 10-15 years given the nature of the volatility in the industry.
2. Magnitude of both incoming and outgoing cash flows – Projects can be capital intensive, time intensive, or both. Lyonbiopole Clusters shareholders have preference for diversified projects investment rather than prospective high income from a single capital intensive project.

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Formula and Steps to Calculate Net Present Value (NPV) of Lyonbiopole: The Challenge of Becoming a World-class Biotechnology Cluster

NPV = Net Cash In Flowt1 / (1+r)t1 + Net Cash In Flowt2 / (1+r)t2 + … Net Cash In Flowtn / (1+r)tn
Less Net Cash Out Flowt0 / (1+r)t0

Where t = time period, in this case year 1, year 2 and so on.
r = discount rate or return that could be earned using other safe proposition such as fixed deposit or treasury bond rate. Net Cash In Flow – What the firm will get each year.
Net Cash Out Flow – What the firm needs to invest initially in the project.

Step 1 – Understand the nature of the project and calculate cash flow for each year.
Step 2 – Discount those cash flow based on the discount rate.
Step 3 – Add all the discounted cash flow.
Step 4 – Selection of the project

Why Global Business Managers need to know Financial Tools such as Net Present Value (NPV)?

In our daily workplace we often come across people and colleagues who are just focused on their core competency and targets they have to deliver. For example marketing managers at Lyonbiopole Clusters often design programs whose objective is to drive brand awareness and customer reach. But how that 30 point increase in brand awareness or 10 point increase in customer touch points will result into shareholders’ value is not specified.

To overcome such scenarios managers at Lyonbiopole Clusters needs to not only know the financial aspect of project management but also needs to have tools to integrate them into part of the project development and monitoring plan.

Calculating Net Present Value (NPV) at 15%

After working through various assumptions we reached a conclusion that risk is far higher than 6%. In a reasonably stable industry with weak competition - 15% discount rate can be a good benchmark.

Years	Cash Flow	Net Cash Flow	Cumulative     Cash Flow	Discount Rate @ 15 %	Discounted Cash Flows
Year 0	(10017691)	-10017691	-	-
Year 1	3464438	-6553253	3464438	0.8696	3012555
Year 2	3964551	-2588702	7428989	0.7561	2997770
Year 3	3952396	1363694	11381385	0.6575	2598765
Year 4	3225723	4589417	14607108	0.5718	1844318
TOTAL					10453407

The Net NPV after 4 years is 435716

(10453407 - 10017691 )

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Calculating Net Present Value (NPV) at 20%

If the risk component is high in the industry then we should go for a higher hurdle rate / discount rate of 20%.

Years	Cash Flow	Net Cash Flow	Cumulative     Cash Flow	Discount Rate @ 20 %	Discounted Cash Flows
Year 0	(10017691)	-10017691	-	-
Year 1	3464438	-6553253	3464438	0.8333	2887032
Year 2	3964551	-2588702	7428989	0.6944	2753160
Year 3	3952396	1363694	11381385	0.5787	2287266
Year 4	3225723	4589417	14607108	0.4823	1555615
TOTAL					9483073

The Net NPV after 4 years is -534618

At 20% discount rate the NPV is negative (9483073 - 10017691 ) so ideally we can't select the project if macro and micro factors don't allow financial managers of Lyonbiopole Clusters to discount cash flow at lower discount rates such as 15%.

Acceptance Criteria of a Project based on NPV

Simplest Approach – If the investment project of Lyonbiopole Clusters has a NPV value higher than Zero then finance managers at Lyonbiopole Clusters can ACCEPT the project, otherwise they can reject the project. This means that project will deliver higher returns over the period of time than any alternate investment strategy.

In theory if the required rate of return or discount rate is chosen correctly by finance managers at Lyonbiopole Clusters, then the stock price of the Lyonbiopole Clusters should change by same amount of the NPV. In real world we know that share price also reflects various other factors that can be related to both macro and micro environment.

In the same vein – accepting the project with zero NPV should result in stagnant share price. Finance managers use discount rates as a measure of risk components in the project execution process.

Sensitivity Analysis

Project selection is often a far more complex decision than just choosing it based on the NPV number. Finance managers at Lyonbiopole Clusters should conduct a sensitivity analysis to better understand not only the inherent risk of the projects but also how those risks can be either factored in or mitigated during the project execution. Sensitivity analysis helps in –

Understanding of risks involved in the project.

What will be a multi year spillover effect of various taxation regulations.

What are the key aspects of the projects that need to be monitored, refined, and retuned for continuous delivery of projected cash flows.

What are the uncertainties surrounding the project Initial Cash Outlay (ICO’s). ICO’s often have several different components such as land, machinery, building, and other equipment.

What can impact the cash flow of the project.

Some of the assumptions while using the Discounted Cash Flow Methods –

Projects are assumed to be Mutually Exclusive – This is seldom the came in modern day giant organizations where projects are often inter-related and rejecting a project solely based on NPV can result in sunk cost from a related project.

Independent projects have independent cash flows – As explained in the marketing project – though the project may look independent but in reality it is not as the brand awareness project can be closely associated with the spending on sales promotions and product specific advertising.

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Negotiation Strategy of Lyonbiopole: The Challenge of Becoming a World-class Biotechnology Cluster

References & Further Readings

Anthony Goerzen, Ana Colovic (2018), "Lyonbiopole: The Challenge of Becoming a World-class Biotechnology Cluster Harvard Business Review Case Study. Published by HBR Publications.