This
announcement replaces the Final Results announcement released at
07:00 on 28 May 2024 and includes a correction to the cash outflow
bullet in the financial highlights. The line should read:
Cash outflow from operations of £3.4m (2023: outflow of
£4.9m).
TheraCryf
plc
("TheraCryf", the "Company" or the "Group")
Final Results for year to 31
March 2024
Alderley Park, 28 May 2024 - TheraCryf plc (AIM: TCF), formerly
Evgen Pharma plc, the clinical stage drug development company
focussing on oncology and neuropsychiatry, announces its audited
results to 31 March 2024.
Operational Update
· Grant
awarded by the Netherlands government administered by the Dutch
Cancer Society for pre-clinical work and a clinical trial in
glioblastoma (GBM) led by Dr Marjolein Geurts, Erasmus MC,
Rotterdam, €1.1m project
o Activity of SFX-01 in GBM cells from Netherlands' patients
corroborating previous data from academic partners in Italy and New
Zealand
· Full
clinical study report issued for the SFX-01 Phase 1b study
confirming PK profile and absence of SAEs for commercial grade
formulation
· Evidence of activity of SFX-01 observed in models of colon
cancer (University of Michigan, USA) and further SFX-01 activity
seen in vivo in models of
rare childhood cancer rhabdomyosarcoma (La Sapienza University,
Rome)
· Partners: Constructive discussions continue with Stalicla SA
on dispute resolution
· Board
changes
o Dr
Susan Foden appointed Chair, succeeding Barry Clare following his
retirement from board
o CFO
Toni Hänninen appointed as Executive Director, Dr Alan Barge
appointed Senior Independent Non-executive Director; Susan
Clement-Davies retired from board
o Retirement of CFO and Executive Director, Richard
Moulson
Post period Highlights
· Acquisition of Chronos Therapeutics Ltd adding substantial
pre-clinical neuropsychiatry portfolio effective 5 April 2024;
integration progressing well
o Adds
addiction/anxiety/fatigue programmes in resurgent areas for
pharma
· Company name change to TheraCryf plc and ticker symbol change
to TCF effective 26 April 2024
· £0.9m raised in a placing and retail
offer; management and board invested approximately 10% of the
raise
Financial Highlights
Financial performance in-line with
expectations:
· Post
tax loss of £3.1m (2023: loss of £4.0m)
· Cash
outflow from operations of £3.4m (2023: outflow of
£4.9m)
· Cash
and short-term investments and cash on deposit at 31 March 2024 of
£2.0m (31 March 2023: £5.0m)
Outlook
· Regulatory work and approvals in support of GBM clinical trial
via the grant to Erasmus MC, Rotterdam
· Completion of integration of Chronos Therapeutics
Ltd
· Grant
of further patents for former Chronos programmes
· Non-dilutive Grants sought for acquired Ox-1 and DAT
programmes
· Publication of clinical paper on SFX-01 Phase 1b
pharmacokinetic study
· Further PD data from SFX-01 Phase 1b study
Dr
Huw Jones, CEO of TheraCryf, said:
"The past 12 months and the post period end have been
transformative for the Company. We succeeded in securing a grant
for our lead clinical asset in GBM leading to a grant funded
clinical trial in patients with this devastating disease in 2026.
We observed activity of SFX-01 in models of another cancer,
colorectal and have seen further corroborative evidence of SFX-01
effectiveness in GBM models in a third academic centre. Our Phase
1b healthy volunteer study using our commercial grade tablet of
SFX-01 was successful and will be published in due
course.
"I'd like to thank former Chair Barry Clare and former NED
Susan Clement Davies for their service on our board and add my
sincere thanks for the support of Dr Susan Foden who became chair
during the reporting period. Toni Hänninen joined the company as
CFO in late 2023 and the board in January 2024, we welcome and
thank him for the contribution he is already
making.
"Post period we acquired the neuropsychiatry company, Chronos
Therapeutics, tripling the size of our portfolio and the
opportunities for monetisation. The teams have integrated well
together, and in common with the non-dilutive funding already in
place for SFX-01 in glioblastoma, we are actively seeking
non-dilutive funding for our acquired programmes.
"I
am very proud of the work we have done at Evgen, and the future we
have as a broader company, now called TheraCryf. To date, we have
demonstrated we can work productively with academic centres to
generate non-dilutive funding and critical positive data. Most
recently, we have also shown we are adept at the acquisition of
assets that complement our portfolio and that will ultimately
enhance shareholder value. We thank our shareholders for their
loyalty in a challenging market for public Biotech companies as we
unlock the undoubted value in our enhanced
portfolio."
-
Ends-
Investor FY results webinar
The TheraCryf management team will
conduct a live presentation via the Investor Meet Company webinar
platform to Investors at 15.00 BST on 28 May 2024.
The online presentation is open to
both existing and potential shareholders. Questions will be
addressed at the end of the presentation and may be submitted up to
9am the day before the meeting or during the presentation via the
webinar platform.
To register, please sign up to
Investor Meet Company for free and add to meet TheraCryf
via:
https://www.investormeetcompany.com/theracryf-plc/register-investor
Investors who already follow
TheraCryf on the Investor Meet Company platform will automatically
be invited.
Enquiries
TheraCryf plc
Dr Huw Jones, CEO
Toni Hänninen, CFO
Dr Helen Kuhlman, CBO
|
+44 (0)1625 315
090
enquiries@theracryf.com
|
Cavendish Capital Markets (NOMAD and Broker)
Geoff Nash / Teddy Whiley / Rory Sale (Corporate
Finance)
Nigel Birks / Harriet Ward
(ECM)
|
+44 20 7220
0500
|
Instinctif Partners
Melanie Toyne-Sewell / Jack
Kincade
|
+44 207 457 2020
theracryf@Instinctif.com
|
About TheraCryf plc
The name, TheraCryf, is a blend of
the Greek for treating medically 'Thera' and the Welsh for strong,
'Cryf', to reflect the aims of the Company to develop a new
generation of innovative therapeutics in attractive segments within
oncology and neuropsychiatry.
TheraCryf is a clinical stage drug
development company. The Company's lead clinical asset, SFX-01, is
a patented composition of synthetic sulforaphane and
alpha-cyclodextrin and has undergone clinical trials for
oestrogen-positive (ER+) metastatic breast cancer and most
recently, a Phase 1b study of the Company's new enteric coated
tablet formulation. The FDA has granted Orphan Drug status to
SFX-01 in malignant glioma. SFX-01 will be investigated initially
in this indication as an investigator sponsored study in the
Netherlands funded via a grant from the Netherlands government to
the Erasmus Medical centre, Rotterdam. TheraCryf has a wide number
of collaborations with leading academic centres in the UK, Europe
and USA. The Company completed an out-licensing transaction in 2022
with Stalicla SA, a Swiss specialist company in neurodevelopmental
disorders. The collaboration, if successful, will generate
milestone payments of $160.5m and a double-digit royalty on
sales.
TheraCryf acquired neuropsychiatry
company, Chronos Therapeutics Limited, in April 2024, which is now
a wholly owned affiliate of TheraCryf plc. The acquired assets
comprise an orexin-1 antagonist (Ox-1) in late pre-clinical
development targeting impulsivity and anxiety disorders and an
atypical dopamine transporter inhibitor (DAT) also in late
pre-clinical development for fatigue, e.g. due to long COVID or
multiple sclerosis and the orphan condition, narcolepsy.
The Company has its headquarters and
registered office at Alderley Park, Cheshire. It is listed on AIM
in London and trades under the ticker symbol TCF.
For further information, please
visit: www.theracryf.com.
STRATEGIC REPORT
CHAIR'S STATEMENT
In a challenging period for
non-revenue Biotech companies, we have delivered against our
strategic objectives in the year whilst conserving cash. We
completed a strategic review in the period that demonstrated the
need to broaden our pipeline and reduce reliance on a single asset.
The internal focus on SFX-01 in brain cancer coupled with an
out-license transaction in neurodevelopmental disorders led us,
post period, to conclude a major acquisition of Chronos
Therapeutics Ltd, a company focused on behavioural brain
disease.
Successful delivery against our
strategic objectives has included the following: extending our cash
runway through prudent financial management, securing non-dilutive
funding for our lead internal programme for SFX-01 in GBM through
to clinical evaluation and, with our other academic collaborators,
observing further evidence of potential utility of SFX-01 in
cancers that we have not studied before and that represent high
unmet medical needs.
We have further characterised SFX-01
by completing the clinical study report for our Phase 1b healthy
volunteer study using our commercial grade tablet that performed as
expected. This is in readiness for interactions with regulatory
authorities as we prepare for further clinical trials in patients,
notably in GBM through our collaboration with the Erasmus Medical
Centre in the Netherlands. Initial pre-clinical results from this
collaboration are encouraging.
Whilst we have announced a dispute
with our partner Stalicla SA on delivery of a financial milestone,
I am pleased to report that constructive discussions continue on
its resolution.
During the year we said goodbye to
Barry Clare who retired as Chairman in September 2023. We would
like to express our gratitude and thanks to Barry for the enormous
contributions to the Company over the years. Susan Clement Davies
retired from the Board in December 2023 after five years' service
to pursue other commitments to whom we also express our thanks for
her guidance and support as a NED.
In September 2023, we extended a warm
welcome to Toni Hänninen as our new CFO and later in January 2024,
as an executive director of the Company. Toni brings considerable
experience to the Company from his time in large public and private
companies and AIM listed biotech companies, most recently Faron,
and has been instrumental in the successful delivery of the
acquisition of Chronos. We are delighted to have him on
board.
Post period we delivered against
another strategic objective, the expansion of our pipeline via
acquisition of complementary assets. Chronos Therapeutics Ltd has
potential class leading assets in behavioural brain disorders,
areas that are both resurgent for our potential pharma partners and
represent high unmet medical needs. The accompanying small capital
raise announced in early April 2024 allows us to extend our cash
runway further whilst we seek non-dilutive funding for these
exciting programmes.
In this spirit, all members of the
management team have foregone opportunities for cash bonus payments
for the year 2023-2024 and have agreed to take share options to an
equivalent value in their place.
I thank all the whole team for their
continuing loyalty and dedication during this time.
Finally, it gives me great pleasure
to share with you that Professor Allan Young, Chair of Mood
Disorders and Director of the Centre for Affective Disorders at the
Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London has accepted our
invitation to guide us in clinical strategic planning for our two
new assets. Allan brings extensive knowledge and experience in a
wide area of neuroscience, is recognised worldwide as a leading
expert in his field and a clinical leader in the evaluation of
promising new approaches to address complex neuropsychiatric
disorders.
The board looks forward to another
year of delivery on SFX-01 approaching the first clinical trial in
GBM, to completing the integration of Chronos Therapeutics and to
further funding and development of our expanded portfolio of
potentially class-leading medicines.
Dr
Susan Foden
Chair
CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S REVIEW OF PERFORMANCE
The past year has been one of
delivery against challenging objectives with the backdrop of a
difficult market for listed biotech companies.
We have responded positively to the
environmental headwinds by securing non-dilutive funding for our
lead clinical stage programme in GBM that enables us to study
SFX-01 in patients in early 2026. We have also completed to a
regulatory standard, the report on our internally funded Phase 1b
study on our commercial grade SFX-01 tablet. More data on the
pharmacodynamic effects of SFX-01 in this healthy volunteer study
are being generated and will be made public in due course. We
have continued to optimise manufacturing for SFX-01 in preparation
for administration of these novel SFX-01 tablets to patients. Our
pre-clinical academic collaborations continue to deliver positive
data on SFX-01 in cancers that we have not hitherto studied and
that represent high unmet medical needs including the childhood
cancer rhabdomyosarcoma and one of the most common malignancies
worldwide, colorectal cancer.
Immediately post period we concluded
an acquisition that was a long standing internal strategic
objective. We performed an extensive worldwide search of companies
or assets that were complementary to our existing portfolio and
core competencies and concluded that the behavioural brain disease
company Chronos Therapeutics in Oxford, UK was the best fit of
hundreds of opportunities we evaluated. We acquired Chronos in
early April of this year and are in advanced stages of completing
the integration of the company. The pre-clinical neuropsychiatry
assets within Chronos represent potentially class leading profiles
in addiction/impulsivity/anxiety and in fatigue and the orphan
condition, narcolepsy. The programmes fit well with our business
model and represent a substantial expansion and diversification of
our research pipeline.
Looking forward we are focussed on
preparing SFX-01 for the grant funded clinical study in GBM
patients, to continuing to work amicably with our partner Stalicla
and to unlocking the value of our acquisition of Chronos whilst
remaining true to our strategy of capital efficient drug
development.
CLINICAL STAGE PROGRAMMES
Glioblastoma, GBM
GBM, the most severe form of the
primary brain cancer glioma has an incidence of 3.8 per 100,000
people. Prognosis with this severe form is poor with median
survival of approximately 14 months and five-year survival of
around 5% of diagnosed patients. With treatment options being
limited to surgery followed by radiotherapy and only one drug
approved for the condition, there is a very high need for novel
treatments.
SFX-01 was awarded orphan drug
status in this indication by the US FDA in late 2021 and regulatory
scientific advice received subsequently from the Dutch Medicines
Evaluation Board confirming there are no specific concerns
regarding the clinical safety profile of SFX-01.
During the reporting period our
collaborator Dr Marjolein Geurts, neuro-oncologist at the Erasmus
Medical Centre Rotterdam, NL was awarded a grant from the
Netherlands government administered by the Dutch cancer society,
KWF for a €1.1m total project value. The
grant was for in vitro, in
vivo pre-clinical experiments on SFX-01 followed by a window
of opportunity clinical study in GBM patients. The project started
on schedule in October 2023 with in vitro experiments from tumour
tissue donated by patients at Dr Geurts' clinic. SFX-01 was shown
to be active in these samples, corroborating prior published work
from our collaborators in Abruzzo, Italy and Auckland, New Zealand.
The Company is working closely with Dr Geurts group on the project
providing expertise, research quality SFX-01 and eventually SFX-01
tablets for use in the clinical study. The clinical study is
expected to commence in early 2026 following completion of the
laboratory experiments and approval from European regulatory
authorities for conduct of the study. The window of opportunity
study aims to confirm that sulforaphane from SFX-01 enters the
tumour tissue in patients and also to assess interactions of the
agent with molecular targets in excised tumour tissue.
Phase1/1b Human Volunteer Study
A Phase 1/1b study in healthy
volunteers of our novel SFX-01 formulation was completed in 2023.
The trial comprised three cohorts of eight volunteers each, of
which two in each cohort received a placebo. The trial was
randomised and double-blinded. All
participants had received their final dose on
schedule by the end of January 2023. Analysis of the
pharmacokinetic (PK) data was completed whilst analysis of effects
of SFX-01 administration on gene expression data on the entire
genome of the volunteers on active drug and placebo is
underway.
During the period, the full clinical
study report (CSR) was completed for the PK data from the study for
future submission to regulatory authorities. The report confirmed that the PK data showed
reliable absorption of sulforaphane at a time scale consistent with
the objective for the new formulation. Results showed release in
the small intestine and protection by the enteric coat on the
tablet and the reliable conversion in the body to active
metabolites. The total sulforaphane and active metabolite levels
were found at concentrations that, in the test tube, are
responsible for profound biological activity. There were no serious
adverse events reported. The Company plans to publish the study in
a reputable, peer reviewed research journal in 2024. As further
data on the pharmacodynamic effect of SFX-01 on whole genome
expression vs placebo in these volunteers become available, they
will be made public.
PRE-CLINICAL PROGRAMMES
We continue to support academic
research to broaden the potential range of applications for SFX-01
and increase our mechanistic understanding in various disease areas
of high unmet medical need.
Erasmus Medical Centre (MC)
Rotterdam, Netherlands
As described in the clinical section
above, experiments conducted under the Dutch government grant to
the Erasmus MC using tissue from GBM tumours has shown biological
activity of SFX-01. This work continues as a precursor to
proceeding to a clinical trial in the same centre.
Università Sapienza di Roma,
Italy
Based on previous findings from
pre-clinical work in glioma, in May 2022 the Company commenced a
collaboration with Prof. Francesco Marampon, of Università Sapienza
di Roma to investigate the hypothesis that SFX-01 could
enhance the action of radiotherapy in cancer patients. The
scientific work evaluated the anti-tumour activity of SFX-01 in two
preclinical cellular models of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) tumours, the
most frequent soft tissue sarcoma in childhood. This disease is
mostly diagnosed in children under 10 years old.
The in vitro data showed that SFX-01 reduced
tumour cell growth by inducing G2 cell cycle arrest and
triggering early-apoptosis (cell death). In addition, SFX-01 was shown to
be effective both as a single agent and in combination with
radiotherapy where it was found to be synergistic; it created a
more positive outcome than would be expected by simply adding the
two agents together.
The results also showed that SFX-01
was able to reduce tumour cell growth in clinically relevant
radioresistant RMS cells, substantially inhibiting the formation of
cancer stem cell-derived tumourspheres (rabdospheres). The
results were presented in a poster at
the ESMO Sarcoma and Rare Cancers Congress (March 2023), in Lugano
Switzerland.
During the reporting period these
experiments were extended to in
vivo mouse models whereby rhabdomyosarcoma cells are
implanted into the animals allowing treatment effects to be
evaluated in life, in a more disease relevant condition. SFX-01 was
shown to be effective in these models after oral administration
complementing the earlier in
vitro results. SFX-01 was also given
in combination with a radiotherapy regime where it was shown to act
synergistically, resulting in a more positive outcome than would be
expected by simply adding the two agents together.
These data are due to be submitted for publication
in a peer reviewed journal once finalised.
University
of Michigan
Colorectal cancer is considered to
be the third most common form of cancer worldwide, with between
1.5-2 million annual diagnoses, and the second leading cause of
cancer-related deaths. There has also been an alarming global
rise in early-onset colorectal cancer occurring in individuals
under 50 years of age. Treating colorectal cancers can be
difficult and does not always lead to a cure especially in advanced
stages. Therefore, there is a strong need to develop
chemoprevention strategies as well as better treatment
options.
A collaboration with the
laboratories of Professor Grace Chen, Associate Professor Justin
Colacino, and Professor Duxin Sun at the University
of Michigan, USA have generated data during 2024 where
activity of SFX-01 was observed in models of colon cancer.
The in
vitro and in
vivo studies, funded by the USA National
Cancer Institute and the University of Michigan will be
generating data continuously throughout the project. The project is
ongoing and further data will be made public in due
course.
OUTLICENSING
STALICLA partnership
In October 2022, the Company
licensed the global rights for lead asset SFX-01 in
neurodevelopmental disorders and schizophrenia to STALICLA SA
(Stalicla), a Swiss company specialising in the identification of specific
phenotypes of ASD, using its proprietary precision medicine
platform. The
Company retains the global rights for all other
indications.
The financial terms included a
signing fee of $0.5m to acquire the license
and $0.5m on completion of the human volunteer Phase 1/1b
study ; TheraCryf would provide data to support Stalicla's clinical
trials and both would contribute to the costs of supplying SFX-01
for these trials. Thereafter, milestone payments that reflect
progress by Stalicla in their development programme up to
commercial launch amount to $26.5m, including $5m on grant of
IND by the FDA (anticipated by the end of 2024. Total
milestones of up to $160.5m are payable. Royalties payable to
us on sales are in the low to medium double-digit range in all
scenarios, including on-licensing by Stalicla and use of SFX-01 in
further licensed indications.
Previous studies with other sources
of sulforaphane have shown evidence of clinical efficacy in
improving symptoms of ASD (e.g., Singh et al 2014).
However, patient heterogeneity provides a challenge in identifying
those individuals likely to respond to therapy. Stalicla has
a unique, proprietary technology to identify ASD patients who are
most likely to respond to SFX-01. This screening approach has
already been used successfully to identify ideal patients for other
ASD drug trials and is a key differentiator for Stalicla in
developing drugs for such a wide spectrum disorder as
ASD.
In February 2024 we gave a notice of
dispute to Stalicla. The TheraCryf board of
directors believes that the Company has met the terms required to
satisfy the milestone, according to the License Agreement, and thus
the payment due. In order to effect the payment, the Company has
taken the decision to formally implement the dispute resolution
process detailed in the License Agreement, the first step of which
is the issuance of a dispute notice.
As stated in the half year results
in October 2023, we have not anticipated any milestone payments
from Stalicla in our financial forecasting and our cash runway
remains unchanged. We continue to discuss amicably with Stalicla
board members a route to resolve the current dispute and will
provide updates once these discussions conclude.
PEOPLE
After a substantial period chairing
the board both as a private and public company since 2007, founding
Chair Barry Clare announced his intention to retire from the board.
This was effective on 21 September 2023.
Dr Susan Foden, previously senior
independent non-executive director was appointed Chair from the
same date. Dr Alan Barge, previously NED became senior independent
non-executive director and chair of the Remuneration and audit
committees on Dr Foden's appointment as Chair.
After five years as a non-executive
director of the Company, Susan Clement-Davies retired from the
board effective on 31 December 2023.
Following an extensive recruitment
project through an executive search company, Toni Hänninen agreed
to serve as Chief Financial Officer in September 2023. He was
appointed to the Board as an Executive director in January
2024.
The Company would like to thank
former Chair, Barry Clare and former NED, Susan Clement Davies for
their service on the board and add our sincere thanks for the
support of Dr Susan Foden who became chair during the reporting
period. Toni Hänninen joined the company as CFO in late 2023 and
the board in January 2024, and is already making a significant
contribution.
POST PERIOD EVENTS
In April 2024 the Company announced
that, following a general meeting, it had agreed to acquire the
entire issued share capital of Chronos Therapeutics Limited
(Chronos), for an initial consideration of £899,481 payable in Ordinary Shares at a
price of 1.44 pence per Ordinary
Share, potentially increasing to up to c.£3.4
million subject to the achievement of certain
milestones (the "Acquisition"). The Company further announced that
it had raised £0.85 million (before expenses) via a Placing and Subscription and a
further £0.05 million via a retail offer making gross proceeds of
£0.9m. Over 10% of the proceeds were via
participation in placing or subscription by the Company's board and
management.
Chronos became a wholly owned
subsidiary of the Company at that time. The acquired programmes
comprise two late pre-clinical stage assets; an orexin-1 receptor
antagonist (Ox-1) targeting addition, impulsivity and anxiety and
an atypical dopamine transporter inhibitor (DAT) targeting fatigue
and the orphan condition narcolepsy. These neuropsychiatric
indications are in a resurgent area for large pharmaceutical
companies with two multi billion-dollar acquisitions of clinical
stage companies being announced in December 2023.
The acquisition increases the
Company's research and development portfolio by a factor of three,
increasing opportunities to deliver on the business model of
creating compelling pre-clinical and/or clinical data sets then
monetising assets by out licensing to large companies this
enhancing shareholder value.
Reflecting this broader mission,
Evgen Pharma plc was renamed TheraCryf plc and the ticker symbol
changed to TCF.L effective on 26 April 2024. The name, TheraCryf, is a blend of the Greek for treating
medically 'Thera' and the Welsh for strong, 'Cryf', to reflect the
aims of the Company to develop a new generation of innovative
therapeutics in attractive segments within oncology and
neuropsychiatry.
OUTLOOK
The outlook for the coming year is
looking promising, including non-dilutive funding, high quality
academic collaborations and our recent acquisition and new
programmes. We look forward to supporting the grant funded work for
SFX-01 on GBM in Rotterdam. This will lead to a clinical trial in
this devastating disease once our manufacturing and increased
interactions with European regulatory authorities are complete. We
expect the start of clinical read outs in in GBM during 2026. We
anticipate publication of our Phase 1/1b PK study in a peer
reviewed journal in the coming year and to making public the
effects of SFX-01 on gene expression data versus placebo from the
same study. Our pre-clinical collaborations continue to generate
data on the effectiveness of SFX-01 as a sole agent and as an
enhancer of radiotherapy and we anticipate more data from those
collaborations in the coming year.
We will continue to protect our
intellectual property, with the grant of further composition of
matter patents on our acquired neuropsychiatry assets from Chronos.
We also plan the development of at least one of those assets via
non-dilutive funding in 2024/25.
With an extended cash runway an
expanded, balanced and risk-adjusted portfolio, we believe that we
have the strategy and team to deliver substantial shareholder value
at a difficult time. Thank you to our loyal shareholders for their
commitment and support.
Dr Huw Jones
CEO
Financial Review
The financial performance for the
year ended 31 March 2024 was in line with expectations.
Losses
The total loss for the year was £3.1m
(31 March 2023: £4.0m) including a charge for share-based
compensation of £0.1m (2023: £0.2m). Operating expenses excluding
share-based compensation were lower than in 2023 at £3.8m (2023:
£5.4m) due to less manufacturing costs incurred in 2024.
Research and development (R&D)
expenditure
Our external spend on R&D
expenditure decreased by £1.6m on the prior year to £1.7m (31 March
2023: £3.3m). This reflects reduction of product manufacturing work
and earlier completion of our Phase 1/1b clinical study.
Share-based compensation
Accounting standards require a charge
to be made against the grant of share options and recognised in the
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income. Where such options
lapse ahead of their vesting date the relevant charges are written
back. There was an overall charge for the year in relation to
share-based payments of £0.1m (2023 : £0.2m), which has no impact
on cash flows.
Headcount
Average headcount of the Group for
the year was 9 (2023: 10).
Taxation
The Group has elected to claim
research and development tax credits under the small or medium
enterprise research and development scheme of £0.43m (2023:
£0.96m).
Share capital
No issues of shares were made during
the year. At 31 March 2024 and 31 March 2023 there were 274,888,117
shares of 0.25p each in issue.
Cash
flows and financial position
The cash position (including short
term deposits) at 31 March 2024 decreased to £2.0m (31 March 20223:
£5.0m) reflecting R&D and corporate costs, less £0.91m received
from R&D tax credits.
Principal Risks and Uncertainties
TheraCryf is a biopharmaceutical
company and, in common with other companies operating in the
sector, is subject to a number of risks. The principal risks and
uncertainties identified by the Group for the year ending 31 March
2024 are set out below.
Development
The Group is at a relatively early
stage of development and may not be successful in its efforts to
develop approved or marketable products. Technical risk is present
at each stage of the development process which is a highly
regulated environment which presents technical and operational
risk. There can be no guarantee that the Group will be able to, or
that it will be commercially advantageous for the Group to, develop
its Intellectual Property through entering into licensing deals
with pharmaceutical companies.
Commercial
The biotechnology and pharmaceutical
industries are very competitive. The Group's competitors include
major multinational pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology
companies and research institutions. Many of its competitors have
substantially greater financial, technical and other resources. The
Group's competitors may succeed in developing, acquiring or
licensing drug product candidates that are more effective or less
costly than those the Group is developing, or may develop, and this
may have a material adverse impact on the Group.
Regulatory
The Group's operations are subject to
laws, regulatory approvals, and certain government directives,
recommendations and guidelines. There can be no assurance that
future legislation will not impose further government regulation
which may adversely affect the business or financial condition of
the Group.
Intellectual property (IP)
The Group's success depends in part
on its ability to obtain and maintain patent protection for its
technology and potential products in the United States, Europe and
other countries. If the Group is unable to obtain and maintain
patent protection for its technology and potential products, or if
the scope of patent protection is not sufficiently broad,
competitors could develop and commercialise similar technology and
products, which could materially affect the Group's ability to
successfully commercialise its technology and potential products.
The Group is exposed to additional IP risks, including infringement
of IP rights, involvement in lawsuits and the inability to protect
the confidentiality of its trade secrets which could have an
adverse effect on the success of the Group.
Financial
The Group has a limited operating
history, has incurred significant losses since its inception and
does not have any approved or revenue generating products. The
Group expects to incur losses for the foreseeable future, and there
is no certainty that the business will generate a profit. The Group
may not be able to raise additional funds that will be required to
support its product development programs or commercialisation
efforts, and any additional funds that are raised may cause
dilution to existing shareholders.
Operational
The Group's future development and
prospects depend to a material extent on the experience,
performance and continued service of its senior management team
including the Directors. The Directors believe the senior
management team is appropriately structured for the Group's size
and stage of development and is not overly dependent on any one
individual. The Group has entered into contractual arrangements
with these individuals with the aim of securing the services of
each of them. Retention of these services or the identification of
suitable replacements cannot be guaranteed. The loss of the service
of any of the Directors or senior management and the cost of
recruiting replacements may have a material adverse effect on the
Group and its commercial and financial performance.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE
INCOME
for the year ended 31 March
2024
|
|
Year ended 31 March
2024
|
Year
ended 31 March 2023
|
|
Notes
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
Revenue
|
|
396
|
442
|
Operating expenses
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses
|
5
|
(3,825)
|
(5,389)
|
Share based compensation
|
4
|
(137)
|
(157)
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
(3,962)
|
(5,546)
|
Operating loss
|
5
|
(3,566)
|
(5,104)
|
Finance income
|
|
-
|
98
|
Loss
on ordinary activities before taxation
|
|
(3,566)
|
(5,006)
|
|
|
|
|
Taxation
|
|
429
|
963
|
Loss
and total comprehensive expense attributable to equity holders of
the parent for the year
|
|
(3,137)
|
(4,043)
|
Loss
per share attributable to equity holders of the parent
(pence)
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic loss per share
|
|
(1.14)
|
(1.47)
|
Diluted loss per share
|
|
(1.14)
|
(1.47)
|
CONSOLIDATED AND COMPANY STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL
POSITION
as at 31 March 2024
|
|
Group
|
Company
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restated
|
Restated
|
|
|
As at
|
As
at
|
As at
|
As
at
|
As
at
|
|
|
31 March
2024
|
31
March
2023
|
31 March
2024
|
31 March
2023
|
31 March
2022
|
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and
equipment
|
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
2
|
3
|
Intangible assets
|
|
34
|
43
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Investments in subsidiary
undertaking
|
|
-
|
-
|
73
|
73
|
73
|
Balances due from group
undertaking
|
|
-
|
-
|
10,181
|
10,281
|
10,376
|
Total non-current assets
|
|
34
|
46
|
10,254
|
10,356
|
10,452
|
Current assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade and other
receivables
|
|
595
|
216
|
594
|
185
|
111
|
Current tax receivable
|
|
429
|
912
|
385
|
842
|
361
|
Short-term investments and cash on
deposit
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4,520
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
2,004
|
5,000
|
1,953
|
4,708
|
3,812
|
Total current assets
|
|
3,028
|
6,128
|
2,932
|
5,735
|
8,804
|
Total assets
|
|
3,062
|
6,174
|
13,186
|
16,091
|
19,256
|
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade and other payables
|
|
722
|
833
|
708
|
786
|
369
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
722
|
833
|
708
|
786
|
369
|
Equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary shares
|
|
687
|
687
|
687
|
687
|
687
|
Share premium
|
|
27,870
|
27,870
|
27,870
|
27,870
|
27,870
|
Merger reserve
|
|
2,067
|
2,067
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Share based compensation
|
|
635
|
509
|
635
|
509
|
490
|
Retained deficit
|
|
(28,918)
|
(25,792)
|
(16,714)
|
(13,761)
|
(10,160)
|
Total equity attributable to equity holders of the
parent
|
|
2,341
|
5,341
|
12,478
|
15,305
|
18,887
|
Total liabilities and equity
|
|
3,062
|
6,174
|
13,186
|
16,091
|
19,256
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
No Statement of Comprehensive Income
is presented in these financial statements for the parent company
as provided by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006. The loss for
the financial year dealt with in the financial statements of the
parent company was £2,963k (2023: £3,739k).
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
for the year ended 31 March
2024
|
Ordinary
|
Share
|
Merger
|
Share based
|
Retained
|
|
|
shares
|
premium
|
reserve
|
compensation
|
deficit
|
Total
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
Balance at 31 March 2022
|
687
|
27,870
|
2,067
|
490
|
(21,887)
|
9,227
|
Total comprehensive expense for the
period
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(4,043)
|
(4,043)
|
Transactions with owners
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share issue - lapsed
options
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(138)
|
138
|
-
|
Share based compensation - share
options
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
157
|
-
|
157
|
Total transactions with owners
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
19
|
138
|
157
|
Balance at 31 March 2023
|
687
|
27,870
|
2,067
|
509
|
(25,792)
|
5,341
|
Total comprehensive expense for the
period
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(3,137)
|
(3,137)
|
Transactions with owners
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share issue - lapsed
options
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(11)
|
11
|
-
|
Share based compensation - share
options
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
137
|
-
|
137
|
Total transactions with owners
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
126
|
11
|
137
|
Balance at 31 March 2024
|
687
|
27,870
|
2,067
|
635
|
(28,918)
|
2,341
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CONSOLIDATED AND COMPANY STATEMENTS OF CASH
FLOWS
for the year ended 31 March
2024
|
|
|
|
|
Group
|
Company
|
|
|
Year ended 31 March
2024
|
Year ended
31 March 2023
|
Year ended 31 March
2024
|
Year ended
31 March 2023
|
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
Cash
flows from operating activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss before taxation
|
|
(3,566)
|
(5,006)
|
(3,351)
|
(4,628)
|
Interest (income) /
expense
|
|
-
|
(98)
|
-
|
(98)
|
Depreciation and
amortisation
|
|
12
|
13
|
2
|
1
|
Share based compensation
|
|
137
|
157
|
137
|
157
|
|
|
(3,417)
|
(4,934)
|
(3,212)
|
(4,568)
|
Changes in working capital
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Increase)/decrease in trade and
other receivables
|
|
(379)
|
(91)
|
(309)
|
21
|
(Decrease)/increase in trade and
other payables
|
|
(113)
|
423
|
(78)
|
417
|
Cash
used in operations
|
|
(492)
|
332
|
(387)
|
438
|
Taxation received
|
|
913
|
475
|
844
|
408
|
Net
cash used in operating activities
|
|
(2,996)
|
(4,127)
|
(2,755)
|
(3,722)
|
Cash
flows (used in)/generated from investing
activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
Transfer from Short-term investments
and cash on deposit to Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
-
|
4,520
|
-
|
4,520
|
Interest income /
(expense)
|
|
-
|
98
|
-
|
98
|
Acquisition of tangible fixed
assets
|
|
-
|
(1)
|
-
|
-
|
Net
cash (used in)/generated from investing
activities
|
|
-
|
4,617
|
-
|
4,618
|
Movements in cash and cash equivalents in the
period
|
|
(2,996)
|
490
|
(2,755)
|
896
|
Cash and cash equivalents at start of
period
|
|
5,000
|
4,510
|
4,708
|
3,812
|
Cash
and cash equivalents at end of period
|
|
2,004
|
5,000
|
1,953
|
4,708
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Theracryf plc (formerly Evgen Pharma
plc) ('the Company') is a public limited company incorporated in
England & Wales and whose shares are traded on the AIM market
of the London Stock Exchange under the symbol EVG. The address of
its registered office is Alderley Park, Congleton Road, Nether
Alderley, Cheshire, United Kingdom, SK10 4TG. The principal
activity of the Company is clinical stage drug
development.
Change of Company Name Disclosure
The Company changed its name from
Theracryf plc to Evgen Pharma plc on 25 April 2024. This change of
name has been reflected in the financial statements and all
necessary legal and regulatory requirements have been complied
with.
2.
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND BASIS OF
PREPARATION
Basis of preparation
The financial statements for the year
have been prepared in accordance with applicable law and UK adopted
international accounting standards and, as regards the parent
company financial statements, as applied in accordance with the
provisions of the Companies Act 2006.
The consolidated financial statements
have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
The consolidated financial statements
are presented in Sterling (£) and rounded to the nearest £'000.
This is the predominant functional currency of the Group, and is
the currency of the primary economic environment in which it
operates. Foreign transactions are accounted for in accordance with
the policies set out below.
The financial information does not
include all information required for full annual financial
statements and therefore does not constitute statutory accounts
within the meaning of section 435(1) and (2) of the Companies Act
2006 or contain sufficient information to comply with the
disclosure requirements of UK-adopted International Accounting
Standards. These should be read in conjunction with the Financial
Statements of the Group for the year ended 31 March 2024 which were
approved by the Board of Directors on 27 May 2024. The report of
the auditors for the year ended 31 March 2024 was (i) unqualified,
(ii) did not include a reference to any matters to which the
auditors drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their
report, and (iii) did not contain a statement under section 498 (2)
or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.
Basis of consolidation
The financial statements incorporate
the financial statements of the Company and entities controlled by
the Company. Control is achieved when the Company has the power
over the investee; is exposed, or has rights, to variable return
from its involvement with the investee; and, has the ability to use
its power to affect its returns. The Company reassesses whether it
controls an investee if facts and circumstances indicate that there
are changes to one or more of the three elements of control listed
above.
Consolidation of a subsidiary begins
when the Company obtains control over the subsidiary and ceases
when the Company loses control of the subsidiary. Specifically, the
results of subsidiaries acquired or disposed of during the period
are included in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
from the date the Company gains control until the date when the
Company ceases to control the subsidiary.
Where necessary, adjustments are made
to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring the accounting
policies used into line with the Group's accounting
policies.
All intragroup assets and
liabilities, equity, income, expenses and cash flows relating to
transactions between the members of the Group are eliminated on
consolidation.
3.
GOING CONCERN
At 31 March 2024, the Group had cash
and cash equivalents of £2.0 million.
The Directors have prepared detailed
financial forecasts and cash flows looking beyond 12 months from
the date of the approval of these financial statements. In
developing these forecasts, the Directors have made assumptions
based upon their view of the current and future economic conditions
that will prevail over the forecast period.
The coming cash flow predictions are
based upon a period of closely controlled cash flows in order to
maintain ongoing development at a level fit to our means. Non -
dilutive sources of funding are being explored in order to
accelerate development of the Chronos portfolio in line with our
corporate objectives.
The Directors estimate that the cash
held by the Group together with known receivables will be
sufficient to support the current level of activities into the
fourth quarter of 2025. They have therefore prepared the financial
statements on a going concern basis.
4.
SHARE-BASED PAYMENT CHARGE
During the year ended 31 March 2024,
the Group did not issue any new share options. There were several
options issued to certain employees in the year ended 31 March
2023. A Black-Scholes model was used to calculate the appropriate
charge for these periods. The use of this model to calculate a
charge involves using a number of estimates and judgements to
establish the appropriate inputs to be entered into the model,
covering areas such as the use of an appropriate risk-free rate and
dividend rate, exercise restrictions and behavioural
considerations. A significant element of judgement is therefore
involved in the calculation of the charge. The total charge
recognised in the year to 31 March 2024 was £136,554 (year to 31
March 2023: £156,809).
5.
OPERATING LOSS
An
analysis of the Group's operating loss has been arrived at after
charging/(crediting)
|
|
|
Year ended 31 March
2024
|
Year ended
31 March 2023
|
|
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
Research and development expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
Amortisation of licenses
|
|
|
9
|
10
|
Other research and
development
|
|
|
1,727
|
3,330
|
Staff costs (including share based
compensation) - Note 6
|
|
|
1,043
|
1,390
|
Establishment and general:
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation of property, plant and
equipment
|
|
|
3
|
3
|
Operating lease cost - land and
buildings
|
|
|
15
|
14
|
Foreign exchange
loss/(profit)
|
|
|
6
|
34
|
Other administrative
expenses
|
|
|
1,159
|
765
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
3,962
|
5,546
|
The Group has one reportable segment,
namely the development of pharmaceutical products all within the
United Kingdom.
6.
LOSS PER SHARE
Basic loss per share is calculated by
dividing the loss for the period attributable to equity holders by
the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during
the year.
As at 31 March 2024 the Group had
14,574,910 (2023: 20,730,037) share options outstanding which are
potentially dilutive.
The calculation of the Group's basic
and diluted loss per share is based on the following
data:
|
|
|
Year ended 31 March
2024
|
Year ended
31 March 2023
|
|
|
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
Loss for the year attributable to
equity holders for basic loss and adjusted for the effects of
dilution
|
|
|
(3,137)
|
(4,043)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended 31 March
2024
|
Year ended
31 March 2023
|
|
|
|
Number
|
Number
|
Weighted average number of ordinary
shares for basic loss per share
|
|
|
274,888,117
|
274,888,117
|
Effects of dilution:
|
|
|
|
|
Share options
|
|
|
-
|
-
|
Weighted average number of ordinary
shares adjusted for the effects of dilution
|
|
|
274,888,117
|
274,888,117
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended 31 March
2024
|
Year ended
31 March 2023
|
|
|
|
Pence
|
Pence
|
Loss per share - basic and
diluted
|
|
|
(1.14)
|
(1.47)
|
The weighted average numbers of
ordinary shares for the years ended 31 March 2023 and 2024 used for
calculating the diluted loss per share are identical to those for
the basic loss per share. This is because the outstanding share
options would have the effect of reducing the loss per ordinary
share and would therefore not be dilutive under the terms of
International Accounting Standard (''IAS'') No 33.
7.
ISSUED CAPITAL AND RESERVES
|
Group and
Company
|
Ordinary shares of 0.25p
each
|
|
Share
Capital
|
Share
Premium
|
Total
|
|
Number
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
£'000
|
As
at 31 March 2023 & 31 March 2024
|
274,888,117
|
687
|
27,870
|
28,557
|
There were no new shares issued in
the year ending 31 March 2024.
All shares in issue are fully
paid.
The ordinary shares rank pari passu
in all respects in relation to dividends and repayment of capital
and have equal voting rights with one vote per share. There are no
restrictions on the transferability of the shares.
The Group and Company do not have an
authorised share capital as provided by the Companies Act
2006.
Other reserves
The share premium reserve represents
the difference between the net proceeds of equity issues and the
nominal share capital of the shares issued.
The merger reserves at 31 March 2024
and 2023 arose from the acquisition of Theracryf's sole subsidiary,
Theracryf Pharma Limited (formerly Evgen Limited), in 2014 which is
accounted for using the merger method of accounting.
The share-based compensation reserve
reflects the aggregate fair value of equity-settled share-based
payment transactions.
Reserves classified as retained
deficit represent accumulated losses. None of the reserves are
distributable.
8.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Group
Transactions between the Company and
its subsidiaries, which are related parties, have been eliminated
on consolidation and are not disclosed in this note.
Key management compensation and
Directors' emoluments are disclosed in the Remuneration Committee
Report of the Annual Report.
During the year ended 31 March 2024,
the Group purchased consultancy services totalling £nil (year ended
31 March 2023: £2,630) from FD Consult Ltd, a company controlled by
Richard Moulson. The amount owed to FD Consult Ltd at 31 March 2024
was £nil (31 March 2023: £nil).
During the year the Group purchased
services from Biotech industry membership organisation OBN Ltd, a
company for which Huw Jones acts as a non-executive director,
totalling £1,440 (2023: £1,440). The amount owed to OBN at 31 March
2024 was £nil (31 March 2023: £nil).
During the year the Group purchased
services from Daffodil Consulting LLP, a partnership for which Huw
Jones is a designated member, totalling £9,689 (2023: £9,176). The
amount owed to Daffodil Consulting LLP at 31 March 2024 was £867
(31 March 2023: £nil).
During the year the Group purchased
services from Borealito GmbH, a company controlled by Toni
Hänninen, totalling £98,766 (2023: £nil). The amount owed to
Borealito GmbH at 31 March 2024 was £20,632 (31 March 2023:
£nil).
Company
The Company is responsible for
financing and setting Group strategy. The Company's subsidiary
carried out the Group's development strategy and managed the
Group's intellectual property. The Company provides interest free
and unsecured funding to its subsidiary with no fixed date of
repayment. Details of intercompany balances can be found in Note 12
in the Annual Report.
9.
REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
A copy of the Annual Report and
Accounts will shortly be sent to all shareholders shortly with
notice of the Annual General Meeting and will also be available to
download from the Group's website at www.theracryf.com.