TIDMRENE
RNS Number : 5756A
ReNeuron Group plc
25 May 2023
ReNeuron Group plc
("ReNeuron", the "Company" or "the Group")
Unaudited Preliminary Results for the year ended 31 March
2023
Creating a valuable and differentiated Drug Delivery
Platform
ReNeuron Group plc (AIM: RENE), a UK based leader in stem cell
derived exosome technologies, announces its unaudited preliminary
results for the year ended 31 March 2023.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
-- Revenue for the year of GBP0.5 million (2022: GBP0.4 million)
from partner funded development activities and royalty income.
-- Cash, cash equivalents and bank deposits at 31 March 2023 of
GBP7.2 million (31 March 2022: GBP14.5 million) with cash runway
extended to 2024.
-- Reduced operating costs in the year of GBP7.6 million (2022:
GBP11.6 million) primarily due to reduction in clinical trial
related costs. Full benefit of the January 2023 restructuring will
be realised in FY24.
-- Loss for the year of GBP5.4 million (2022: loss of GBP9.7
million), driven by lower costs and increased revenue.
OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
-- The Company's R&D team established CustomEX(TM), the
first scalable, consistent, targeted and customisable stem
cell-derived exosome drug delivery platform.
-- Proof-of-concept studies established unique in vitro
targeting and delivery characteristics for all seven exosome
populations and demonstrated a significant improvement in uptake
and subsequent delivery of a therapeutic siRNA cargo using the
CustomEX(TM) platform compared to current delivery methods and a
HEK 293-derived exosome.
-- In vivo studies to generate data to further validate the
cellular and tissue targeting capabilities and subsequent
functional delivery of therapeutic payloads using the CustomEX(TM)
platform are ongoing.
-- ReNeuron negotiated and signed the CTX Technology Transfer
Supplemental Terms Agreement with Fosun Pharma ( 1 July 2022 ),
underscoring Fosun Pharma's continued commitment to the CTX stroke
disability programme
-- Senior leadership team changes: Appointment of Iain Ross as
Executive Chairman, John Hawkins joined the Board as Chief
Financial Officer, Dr. Randolph Corteling assumed the role of Chief
Scientific Officer, Suzanne Hancock was appointed as Chief
Operations Officer and Simon Dew as Chief Business Officer.
Catherine Isted stepped down as Chief Executive Officer.
-- Professor Stefano Pluchino assumed the role of Chair of the
new Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) that has been established,
composed of leading academics and industry executives, Prof.
Giuseppe (Beppe) Battaglia, Prof. Edit I Buzás, Prof. Dr. rer. nat.
Bernd Giebel and Prof. Kenneth W. Witwer.
-- Restructuring of the business with an internal operational
re-alignment in line with the business needs resulting in a
reduction of headcount of 40% and a lowering of the variable costs
of the business.
Executive Chairman, Iain Ross, commented: "During the last year
the Company has undergone a complete transition including an
organisational restructuring; a change in management and a
strategic re-alignment, to create sustainable value for
shareholders with the emphasis on the development, partnering and
potential licensing of CustomEX(TM) , our proprietary drug delivery
platform. During the period under review the underlying cost base
has been reduced and resources re-aligned to meet the immediate
needs of the business. I remain very excited about the Company's
potential as we are on course to generate validating data which
would allow us to complete partnering and license deals in the
coming year which will transform the Company."
Investor Briefing
Iain Ross, Executive Chairman, John Hawkins, Chief Financial
Officer and Dr Randolph Corteling, Chief Scientific Officer will be
hosting a live online presentation relating to the preliminary
results via the Investor Meet Company platform today at 9.30am BST.
The presentation is open to all existing and potential
shareholders.
Investors can sign up to Investor Meet Company for free and
register for the presentation here:
https://www.investormeetcompany.com/reneuron-group-plc/register-investor
Enquiries:
ReNeuron www.reneuron.com/investors
Iain Ross, Executive Chairman Via Walbrook PR
John Hawkins, Chief Financial Officer
Allenby Capital Limited (Nominated
Adviser and Broker) +44 (0)20 3328 5656
James Reeve/George Payne/Dan Dearden-Williams
(Corporate Finance)
Stefano Aquilino (Sales & Corporate
Broking)
Walbrook PR (Media & Investor Relations) +44 (0)20 7933 8780 or reneuron@walbrookpr.com
+44 (0)7980 541 893 / +44 (0)7407 804
Paul McManus / Alice Woodings 654
About ReNeuron
ReNeuron has developed a proprietary stem cell-derived,
exosome-based, drug delivery platform with customisable cellular
targeting capabilities for the delivery of complex drug
modalities.
Through the generation of several unique and scalable exosome
producer cell lines, our CustomEX(TM) platform can be optimised for
specific tissues targets and payloads leading to improvements in
therapeutic outcome and a reduction in off-target effects. ReNeuron
offers a delivery mechanism for a variety of payloads such as
siRNA, mRNA, proteins, small molecules and genes. Through its
conditionally immortalised induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)
platform, the Company can make allogeneic tissue cells of choice
and has the potential to produce exosomes with tissue specific
targeting ability.
ReNeuron's shares are traded on the London AIM market under the
symbol RENE.L. For further information visit www.reneuron.com
This announcement contains forward-looking statements with
respect to the financial condition, results of operations and
business achievements/performance of ReNeuron and certain of the
plans and objectives of management of ReNeuron with respect
thereto. These statements may generally, but not always, be
identified by the use of words such as "should", "expects",
"estimates", "believes" or similar expressions. This announcement
also contains forward-looking statements attributed to certain
third parties relating to their estimates regarding the growth of
markets and demand for products. By their nature, forward-looking
also statements involve risk and uncertainty because they reflect
ReNeuron's current expectations and assumptions as to future events
and circumstances that may not prove accurate. A number of factors
could cause ReNeuron's actual financial condition, results of
operations and business achievements/performance to differ
materially from the estimates made or implied in such
forward-looking statements and, accordingly, reliance should not be
placed on such statements
Preliminary Results for the year ended 31 March 2023
EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
Dear Shareholders,
Our immediate strategic focus remains primarily on our
CustomEX(TM) Exosome Technology Platform, producing exosomes with
unique tissue targeting capabilities to deliver a payload of choice
to a preferred cell type. Our mission is, in collaboration with
academic and industry partners, to develop novel exosome
therapeutics for diseases with significant unmet needs.
CustomEX(TM) provides a unique delivery mechanism for a variety
of payloads including nucleic acids, proteins, and gene editing
technologies. We use our conditionally immortalised induced
pluripotent stem cell (CI-iPSC) platform to make allogeneic tissue
cells of choice, which have the potential to produce exosomes with
tissue specific targeting ability. Both platforms are supported by
an extensive and proprietary intellectual property portfolio.
Our overall strategic goal is to exploit the global drug
delivery market opportunity by providing exosomes as a vector to
facilitate the delivery of therapeutics. It is estimated that the
supply of viral and non-viral vectors is worth c. $2.1 billion(1)
today increasing up to $3.9 billion(1) by 2026 and there is
considerable academic and industry interest in the development of
next-generation delivery vectors such as exosomes. Over the past
few years, peer companies have raised $403 million(2) in support of
exosome-based activities and secured exosome related license
agreements with potential revenues in excess of $3 billion(2) . We
believe our stem-cell derived exosomes can potentially overcome
issues such as tissue specificity, crossing the blood-brain barrier
and unwanted immune activation, which have hampered
first-generation drug delivery platforms. So, through the
combination of our two proprietary platforms we are competitively
well positioned to exploit this growing market opportunity.
Financial highlights
In January 2023, the Company undertook a restructuring of the
business, reducing headcount by 40% and lowering variable costs of
the business, with the latest forecasted cash runway now extending
into mid-calendar year 2024. The full benefit of the cost savings
from this restructuring will not be seen until financial year 2024.
Revenue for the year was GBP0.5 million (2022: GBP0.4 million)
related to income from partner funded development activities and
royalty income. We also saw reduced operating costs of GBP7.6
million (2022: GBP11.6 million) primarily due to a reduction in
clinical trial related costs following the strategic review in
January 2022. This reduction was partly offset by additional
investment made in the exosome technology platform.
Net cash used in operating activities was GBP7.5 million (2022:
GBP7.4 million). Cash used was higher than the loss for the period
which is explained by changes in working capital and capital
investment made to support exosome platform development. Cash, cash
equivalents and bank deposits at 31 March 2023 were GBP7.2 million
(31 March 2022: GBP14.5 million). Loss for the year was GBP5.4
million (2022: loss of GBP9.7 million), the reduction being driven
by lower costs and increased revenue as noted above.
Corporate and Organisational Development
There have been several senior leadership team changes over the
last 12 months. In September 2022, the Company announced that John
Hawkins had been promoted to Chief Financial Officer and joined the
ReNeuron Board, Dr. Randolph Corteling assumed the role of Chief
Scientific Officer, Suzanne Hancock was appointed as Chief
Operations Officer and Simon Dew , an experienced business
development professional with significant track record of
dealmaking in the exosome filed, would be joining the Company as
Chief Business Officer.
In December 2023, Catherine Isted stepped down as Chief
Executive Officer and Iain Ross was appointed as Executive
Chairman. Subsequently the Company undertook a restructuring of the
business with an internal operational re-alignment in line with the
business needs resulting in a reduction of headcount of 40% and a
lowering of the variable costs of the business.
Professor Stefano Pluchino assumed the role of Chair of the new
Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) combining working with ReNeuron
with his academic work in Exosomes and Regenerative Neuroimmunology
at the University of Cambridge. The new exosome focused SAB has
also been established composed of leading academics and industry
executives, Prof. Giuseppe (Beppe) Battaglia, Prof. Edit I Buzás,
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Bernd Giebel and Prof. Kenneth W. Witwer and
chaired by Prof. Stefano Pluchino. This new SAB brings a
world-class breadth of expertise across the extracellular vesicle
(EV) field. Its role is to advise the Company on scientific matters
relating to its exosome platform research and development
strategy.
Research & Development
In FY22 the Company's R&D team established CustomEX(TM), the
first scalable, consistent, targeted and customisable stem
cell-derived exosome drug delivery platform . This unique exosome
platform is based upon the exosomes produced from different stem
cells having the unique cellular targeting properties of the stem
cells from which the exosomes were produced. Proof-of-concept
studies have determined unique in vitro targeting and delivery
characteristics for all seven exosome populations and demonstrated
a significant improvement in uptake and subsequent delivery of a
therapeutic siRNA cargo using the CustomEX(TM) platform compared to
current delivery methods and a HEK 293-derived exosome.
Further proof-of-concept in vivo studies are ongoing to validate
the benefits observed in vitro of the CustomEX(TM) platform to
deliver therapeutic cargoes
To demonstrate the enhanced utility of the CustomEX(TM) drug
delivery platform, the R&D team has made significant
improvements to the loading of nucleic acid cargos. In-house
optimisation and further modifications to the downstream
manufacturing process has led to increases in exosome concentration
and purity, leading to an approximate 30-fold increase in siRNA
being associated with CustomEX(TM) exosomes. In addition, further
in vitro proof-of-concept for our engineered exosome product,
Exo-BDNF was established through a collaboration with Cardiff
University that demonstrated the products efficacy to improve
retinal ganglion cell survival in a model of glaucoma.
The Group's iPSC platform continues to support the expansion of
the CustomEX(TM) platform and following Dr Pell's presentation at
the 2(nd) iPSC derived Cell Therapy Summit in December, there is
growing interest in the platform in its own right. ReNeuron's iPSCs
were developed from the Group's conditionally immortalised CTX stem
cell line. This immortalisation characteristic is retained by the
iPSCs (conditionally immortalised iPSCs or CI-iPSCs), allowing
subsequent cell lines to be rapidly developed that benefit from
their highly stable and reproducible expansion. Investigation into
the utility of CI-iPSCs continues with two groups at University
College London (UCL), firstly investigating the potential use of
CI-iPSCs to generate CAR-T / CAR-NK cells and secondly with a
separate group at UCL investigating the ability to differentiate
into Schwann cells for potential use in peripheral nerve damage
repair.
In July, ReNeuron negotiated and signed the CTX Technology
Transfer Supplemental Terms Agreement with Fosun Pharma,
underscoring Fosun Pharma's continued commitment to the CTX stroke
disability programme. In addition to the GBP320k upfront payment
received in January 2022 for services delivered in FY23, ReNeuron
has received approximately a further GBP100k for supply of initial
CTX working cell bank vials and additional ReNeuron resources and
project related costs; with further milestone payments expected in
accordance with defined project milestones. Under the Technology
Transfer agreement there is potential for the Group to receive up
to GBP5 million over the medium to long term, with further
potential milestone payments of up to GBP74 million linked to the
main license agreement signed in 2019.
In 2022, Dr Corteling was a guest speaker at two international
conferences where he presented, for the first time, the full
breadth of the Group's CustomEX(TM) exosome platform. Consisting of
four distinct neural producer stem cell lines (cortical, striatal,
hippocampal and mesencephalic), three non-neural stem cell lines
(liver, retinal and pancreatic), and its conditionally immortalised
induced pluripotent stem cell line (CI-iPSCs) which can be used to
produce further exosome producer cell lines depending on the target
required.
Outlook
As of today, ReNeuron has seven proprietary, conditionally
immortalised exosome producer stem cell lines. We believe that our
catalogue of proprietary stem cells, from neural and non--neural
tissue, differentiates us from competitors in the field and leads
to a greater chance of success for optimised delivery of a payload
to a particular target. The Company has years of experience and
knowledge in the manufacture of consistent stem cell banks to good
manufacturing practice (GMP), including two investigation new drugs
(INDs), and is continuing to work with third parties to develop
improvements in downstream processing and analytics.
In summary, over the next 3-6 months the Company will continue
to develop its exosome platform, generating in vivo data
exemplifying the cellular and tissue targeting capabilities of
exosomes produced from its multiple conditionally immortalised
producer cell lines and the subsequent functional delivery of
therapeutic payloads. Favourable in vivo data will allow the Group
to differentiate its exosome platform and progress ongoing
partnering and licensing discussions. The Board has identified a
number of potential sources of revenue and non-dilutive funding in
order to maintain the business as a going concern and is confident
it will be able to conclude third party transactions and/or issue
new equity as required. Such transactions will further strengthen
and differentiate our exosomes platform, highlighting our potential
leadership in the field.
Finally, I would like to thank past and present members of the
Board, Management team and staff for their continued commitment and
hard work throughout what has been a tough and challenging year. I
would especially like to thank Catherine Isted for her contribution
as CFO and latterly as CEO and to wish her well in the future.
I look forward to an exciting and rewarding year ahead and would
like to thank the shareholders for their continued support.
Iain Ross
Executive Chairman
FINANCIAL REVIEW
During the financial year costs continued to be closely
controlled with spend primarily directed towards progressing the
CustomEX(TM) proprietary exosome platform. In January 2023, the
Company undertook a restructuring of the business with headcount
reducing by 40% and the variable costs of the business lowered.
The full benefit of these cost savings will not be seen until
the next financial year, but the decision made in January 2022 to
shift away from clinical development programmes to the exosome
platform has enabled a reduction in costs of GBP4.0 million
compared to the year ended 31 March 2022. As a result, the total
comprehensive loss for the year reduced to GBP5.4 million (2022:
GBP9.7 million).
At 31 March 2023, the Group had cash, cash equivalents and bank
deposits of GBP7.2 million with the latest base case forecast
showing a cash runway to July 2024. This base case forecast
includes assumed further revenues/funding. Without such
revenues/funding, the forecast indicates a cash runway until
February 2024. Details on the Directors' assessment on going
concern is provided in note 3 to the condensed financial
statements.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Year ended Year ended
(GBP'000) 31 31
March 2023 March 2022
Cash, cash equivalents &
bank deposits 7,153 14,548
---------------------------- ----------------------------
Net cash used in operating
activities 7,484 7,411
---------------------------- ----------------------------
Revenue 530 403
---------------------------- ----------------------------
Operating expenses 7,645 11,631
---------------------------- ----------------------------
Total comprehensive loss 5,408 9,689
---------------------------- ----------------------------
Revenue and Other Operating Income
In the year to 31 March 2023, revenues, which relate to research
and collaboration activities and royalty income, were GBP530,000
(2022: GBP403,000).
Operating expenses
Total operating expenses reduced in the year to GBP7.6 million
(2022: GBP11.6 million).
As noted above, this reduction in costs follows the strategic
decision made in January 2022 to halt clinical development and
instead focus resources on the exosome platform. Research and
development costs in the year reduced to GBP4.5 million (2022:
GBP8.1 million), primarily reflecting the refocussing of activities
as described above, together with other cost reductions. General
and administrative expenses also reduced in the year to GBP3.2
million (2022: GBP3.6 million).
Finance income/expense
Finance income represents income received from the Group's cash
and investments and gains from foreign exchange.
Finance income was GBP478,000 in the period (2022: GBP195,000),
the increase on the prior year being explained by an increase in
both interest receivable and foreign exchange gains. In the year,
finance expense solely comprises lease interest of GBP20,000 (2022:
GBP25,000).
Taxation
Taxation for the year at GBP1.2 million primarily comprises an
R&D tax credit (2022: GBP1.4 million). The amount of the
R&D tax credit for the year has reduced as a result of the
lower research and development spend in the period.
Cash flow
Net cash used in operating activities in the year increased to
GBP7.5 million (2022: GBP7.4 million). Cash used was higher than
the loss for the period explained by changes in working capital and
capital investment made to support exosome platform
development.
The Group had cash, cash equivalents and bank deposits totalling
GBP7.2 million as of 31 March 2023 (31 March 2022: GBP14.5
million).
Statement of financial position
Non-current assets - Property, plant and equipment have
increased as we invest in our exosome technology platform.
Current assets - Corporation tax receivable of GBP1.2 million
comprises the amount due from R&D tax credits for the full year
ended 31 March 2023 (2022: GBP1.4 million). This debtor is lower
than 2022 due to the reduction in research and development
expenditure.
Current liabilities - Trade and other payables at GBP4.2 million
have reduced (2022: GBP6.9 million). This reduction primarily
reflects changes in the level of accruals (mainly across the legacy
clinical trials).
John Hawkins
Chief Financial Officer
Financial Statements
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
for the year ended 31 March 2023
Unaudited Audited
2023 2022
Note GBP'000 GBP'000
--------------------------------------------------- ---- -------- --------
Revenue 530 403
Research and development costs 4,5 (4,463) (8,068)
General and administrative costs 5 (3,182) (3,563)
--------------------------------------------------- ---- -------- --------
Operating loss (7,115) (11,228)
Finance income 478 195
Finance expense (20) (25)
--------------------------------------------------- ---- -------- --------
Loss before income tax (6,657) (11,058)
Taxation 6 1,249 1,369
--------------------------------------------------- ---- -------- --------
Loss and total comprehensive loss for
the year (5,408) (9,689)
--------------------------------------------------- ---- -------- --------
Loss and total comprehensive loss attributable
to equity owners of the Company (5,408) (9,689)
--------------------------------------------------- ---- -------- --------
Basic and diluted loss per ordinary share 7 (9.5p) (17.0p)
--------------------------------------------------- ---- -------- --------
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
as at 31 March 2023
Unaudited Audited
2023 2022
Note GBP'000 GBP'000
----------------------------------- ---- ------- ---------
Assets
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment 338 288
Right-of-use asset 283 373
Intangible assets 186 186
----------------------------------- ---- ------- ---------
807 847
----------------------------------- ---- ------- ---------
Current assets
Trade and other receivables 500 536
Income tax receivable 1,185 1,392
Investments - bank deposit - 5,000
Cash and cash equivalents 7,153 9,548
----------------------------------- ---- ------- ---------
8,838 16,476
----------------------------------- ---- ------- ---------
Total assets 9,645 17,323
----------------------------------- ---- ------- ---------
Equity
Equity attributable to owners of
the Company
Share capital 572 571
Share premium account 113,925 113,925
Capital redemption reserve 40,294 40,294
Merger reserve 2,223 2,223
Accumulated losses (151,957) (147,125)
----------------------------------- ------------- ---------
Total equity 5,057 9,888
----------------------------------- ---- ------- ---------
Liabilities
----------------------------------- ---- ------- ---------
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 4,167 6,873
Lease liabilities 153 146
----------------------------------- ---- ------- ---------
4,320 7,019
----------------------------------- ---- ------- ---------
Non-current liabilities
Lease liabilities 268 416
----------------------------------- ---- ------- ---------
268 416
----------------------------------- ---- ------- ---------
Total liabilities 8 4,588 7,435
----------------------------------- ---- ------- ---------
Total equity and liabilities 9,645 17,323
----------------------------------- ---- ------- ---------
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
for the year ended 31 March 2023
Share Capital
Share premium redemption Merger Accumulated Total
capital account reserve reserve losses equity
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
------------------------------- ------- --------- ---------- ------- ----------- ---------
As at 1 April 2021 569 113,904 40,294 2,223 (138,085) 18,905
Issue of ordinary shares 2 21 - - - 23
Credit on share-based
payment - - - - 649 649
Loss and total comprehensive
loss for the year - - - - (9,689) (9,689)
------------------------------- ------- --------- ---------- ------- ----------- ---------
As at 31 March 2022
(audited) 571 113,925 40,294 2,223 (147,125) 9,888
Issue of ordinary shares 1 - - - - 1
Credit on share-based
payment - - - - 576 576
Loss and total comprehensive
loss for the year - - - - (5,408) (5,408)
------------------------------- ------- --------- ---------- ------- ----------- ---------
As at 31 March 2023
(unaudited) 572 113,925 40,294 2,223 (151,957) 5,057
------------------------------- ------- --------- ---------- ------- ----------- ---------
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
for the year ended 31 March 2023
Unaudited Audited
Restated
2023 2022
Note GBP'000 GBP'000
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash used in operations 9 (8,920) (9,196)
Overseas taxes paid (5) (52)
Income tax credit received 1,461 1,862
Interest paid (20) (25)
----------------------------------------------- ---- --------- ---------
Net cash used in operating activities (7,484) (7,411)
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditure - Fixed Assets (220) (302)
Bank deposit matured 2 5,000 2,500
Interest received 131 26
----------------------------------------------- ---- --------- ---------
Net cash generated from investing activities 4,911 2,224
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from the issue of ordinary shares 1 23
Lease payments (148) (157)
----------------------------------------------- ---- --------- ---------
Net cash used in financing activities (147) (134)
----------------------------------------------- ---- --------- ---------
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (2,720) (5,321)
Effect of FX movements on cash balances 326 166
Cash and cash equivalents at the start
of year 9,548 14,703
----------------------------------------------- ---- --------- ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at the end
of the year 7,153 9,548
----------------------------------------------- ---- --------- ---------
Notes to the Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 March 2023
1. General information
ReNeuron Group plc ("the Company") and its subsidiaries
(together the "Group") are engaged in the research and development
of therapies using stem cells. The Company is a public limited
company incorporated and domiciled in England with registered
number 05474163. Its shares are admitted to trading on the AIM
market of the London Stock Exchange.
2. Basis of preparation
The unaudited financial information included in this preliminary
results announcement for the year ended 31 March 2023 and audited
financial information for the year ended 31 March 2022 does not
comprise statutory accounts within the meaning of section 434 of
the Companies Act 2006. The information has been extracted from the
draft statutory financial statements for the year ended 31 March
2023 which will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies in due
course and the report of the auditors for these statutory financial
statements is expected to include an emphasis of matter in respect
of a material uncertainty in relation to going concern, as further
outlined in note 3. Statutory financial statements for the year
ended 31 March 2022 were approved by the Board of directors on 11
August 2022 and have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies.
The report of the auditors on these financial statements also
included an emphasis of matter in respect of a material uncertainty
in relation to going concern.
The prior year statement of cash flows has been restated due to
a reclassification from financing activities to investing
activities of a GBP2.5m cash inflow relating to the maturity of
short term investments. This restatement does not impact the
opening or closing cash balances.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
UK-adopted International Accounting Standards and with the
requirements of the Companies Act 2006 as applicable to companies
reporting under those standards.
Whilst the financial information included in this preliminary
announcement has been prepared in accordance with IFRS, this
announcement does not contain sufficient information to comply with
IFRS. The accounting policies used in the preparation of these
unaudited financial statements are consistent with those used in
the preparation of the audited financial statements for the year
ended 31 March 2022.
3. Going concern
The operations of the Group are financed from funds that have
been raised from share placings, commercial partnerships and
grants.
The goal of the Group is to achieve the commercial validation of
the CustomEx(TM) platform by generating in vivo data aimed at
differentiating the platform from that of the Group's competitors.
In addition, the plan is to realise value from the Group's other
assets via potential out-licencing and/or disposal. The Directors
continue to seek opportunities to secure further revenues/funding
sufficient for the short to medium term future needs of the
business and favourable in vivo data should enhance those
opportunities.
As previously noted, in January 2023, the Group undertook a
restructuring of the business with the underlying cost base reduced
and resources re-aligned to meet the immediate needs of the
business. Based on the Directors' base case assessment, the current
cash runway is forecast to extend until July 2024, at which point a
further capital injection would be required. The base case
assessment includes assumed upfront payments over the next 6 to 12
months from potential future partners and collaborators on the
Group's exosome platform, intellectual property (IP) and legacy
assets and potential further equity fund raising. The Directors
recognise that not all of these assumed inflows are fully within
the control of the Group and Company and have prepared a further
plausible but downside scenario which excludes these inflows and
indicates a cash runway until February 2024.
Based on the forecasts prepared and considered by the Board, the
Directors consider it appropriate to continue to adopt the going
concern basis in the preparation of these preliminary results.
However, there is no guarantee that attempts to secure adequate
cash inflows from the Group's exosome platform, IP and legacy
assets or through equity fund raising with the timescales stated
above will be successful. These conditions indicate the existence
of a material uncertainty, which may cast significant doubt about
the Group's and Company's ability to continue as a going concern.
These condensed financial statements do not include the adjustments
that would result if the Group and Company were unable to continue
as a going concern.
4. Research and development costs
All research and development costs incurred in the year have
been charged directly to the Group Statement of Comprehensive
Income.
5. Operating expenses
Unaudited Audited
2023 2022
GBP'000 GBP'000
------------------------------------------------- --------- --------
Loss before income tax is stated after charging:
------------------------------------------------- --------- --------
Research and development costs:
Employee benefits 2,162 2,530
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 159 199
Other expenses 2,141 5,339
------------------------------------------------- --------- --------
Total research and development costs 4,463 8,068
------------------------------------------------- --------- --------
General and administrative costs:
Employee benefits 1,943 2,308
Legal and professional fees 596 176
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 10 25
Depreciation of right-of-use asset 97 100
Loss on disposal of fixed assets - 3
Other expenses 535 951
------------------------------------------------- --------- --------
Total general and administrative costs 3,182 3,563
------------------------------------------------- --------- --------
Total research and development costs and general
and
administrative costs 7,645 11,631
------------------------------------------------- --------- --------
6. Taxation
Unaudited Audited
2023 2022
GBP'000 GBP'000
------------------------------------------------------- --------
UK research and development tax credit at 14.5%
(2022: 14.5%) 1,185 1,392
Overseas taxation (5) (53)
Adjustments in respect of prior years 69 30
------------------------------------------------ ----- --------
1,249 1,369
------------------------------------------------ ----- --------
No corporation tax liability arises on the results for the year
due to the loss incurred. As a loss-making small and medium-sized
enterprise, the Group is entitled to research and development tax
credits at 14.5% (2022: 14.5%) on 230% (2022: 230%) of qualifying
expenditure for the year to 31 March 2023.
No deferred tax asset has been recognised by the Group as there
are currently no foreseeable trading profits.
7. Basic and diluted loss per ordinary share
The basic and diluted loss per share is calculated by dividing
the loss for the financial year of GBP5,408,000 (2022:
GBP9,689,000) by 57,125,960 shares (2022: 56,975,677 shares), being
the weighted average number of 1 penny Ordinary shares in issue
during the year.
Potential Ordinary shares are not treated as dilutive as the
entity is loss making.
8. Ageing profile of financial liabilities
Unaudited Audited
2023 2022
GBP'000 GBP'000
-------------------------------------------------- --------- --------
Trade and other payables due within twelve months 4,167 6,873
Current lease liabilities - due within one year 153 146
Non-current lease liabilities - due after more
than one year 268 416
-------------------------------------------------- --------- --------
4,588 7,435
-------------------------------------------------- --------- --------
9. Cash used in operations
Unaudited Audited
Year ended Year ended
31- Mar 31- Mar
2023 2022
GBP'000 GBP'000
------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------- ------------------
Loss before income tax (6,657) (11,058)
Adjustments for:
Finance income (478) (195)
Finance expense 20 25
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 170 224
Depreciation of right-of-use-asset 97 100
Loss on disposal of fixed assets - 3
Share-based payment charges 576 649
Changes in working capital:
Receivables 58 (90)
Payables (2,706) 1,146
------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------- ------------------
Cash used in operations (8,920) (9,196)
------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------- ------------------
10. Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt
Unaudited Audited
2022 2021
GBP'000 GBP'000
--------------------------------------------- --------- --------
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents (2,720) (5,321)
Effect of foreign exchange differences 326 166
Cash inflow from increase in lease liability (7) -
Lease repayments 168 182
Lease interest (20) (25)
Net funds at start of period 8,986 13,984
--------------------------------------------- --------- --------
Net funds at end of period 6,732 8,986
--------------------------------------------- --------- --------
11. Analysis of net funds
Unaudited Audited
2023 2022
GBP'000 GBP'000
-------------------------- --------- --------
Cash and cash equivalents 7,153 9,548
Lease liabilities (421) (562)
-------------------------- --------- --------
Net funds 6,732 8,986
-------------------------- --------- --------
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END
FR FZGZKRDNGFZM
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May 25, 2023 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)
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