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Almirall

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FY2016 Annual Report · Almirall
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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
For the year ended 31 December 2016
TRANSFORMING U.S. INVENTION INTO INNOVATION

ANNUAL  REPORT  AND 
ACCOUNTS 2016

CONTENTS
Overview ..........................................................................................................1

Chairman’s Report ..............................................................................................2 

Strategic Report ............................................................................................3

Highlights ..........................................................................................................3

CEO’s Report .....................................................................................................9

Company Overview .........................................................................................10

Portfolio Summary ............................................................................................13

Subsidiary Valuation ........................................................................................16

Partner Network ...............................................................................................17

Key Performance Indicators ...............................................................................19

Portfolio Review and Developments ....................................................................21

Financial Review ..............................................................................................27

Risk Management .............................................................................................31 

Management and Governance ...............................................................37

The Board ........................................................................................................37

Directors’ Report ..............................................................................................40

Corporate Governance Report ..........................................................................48

Sustainability ...................................................................................................58

Directors’ Remuneration Report .........................................................................62

Audit Committee Report ....................................................................................92 

Financial Statements .................................................................................96

Independent Auditor’s Report ............................................................................96

Consolidated Financial Statements ...................................................................101

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements ................................................106

Company Financial Statements ........................................................................156

Notes to the Financial Statements ....................................................................159

Company Information .....................................................................................163

IV

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016OVERVIEW

Allied Minds plc (Allied Minds or the Company or the Group) is an IP commercialisation company focused on 
venture creation within the life science and technology sectors. With extensive access to hundreds of university 
and  federal  laboratories  across  the  US,  as  well  as  partnerships  with  leading  US  corporations,  Allied  Minds 
forms, funds, and operates a portfolio of companies to generate long-term value for its investors and stakeholders. 
Based in Boston, Allied Minds supports its businesses with capital, management, and shared services.

A  key  strength  of  the  Group  lies  in  its  ability  to  access  a  wide  range  of  innovative  scientific  research  and 
technology via its relationships with leading research institutions. In 2016, the Group engaged with more than 
200 research universities and US federal government laboratories, providing it with an extensive pipeline of 
innovations  from  which  the  Group  can  identify  technology  for  potential  development  to  commercially  viable 
products  and  services.  More  recently  the  Group  has  formed  alliances  with  corporations,  adding  a  third  leg 
to its origination model.  Under its strategic alliance with GE Ventures, one of the world’s leading innovative 
companies, Allied Minds has the exclusive ability to spin out cutting edge products selected by GE Ventures for 
joint investment.

The Group currently comprises 17 subsidiary businesses in the life sciences and technology sectors based upon 
a broad range of underlying innovative technologies ranging from molecular compounds and medical devices 
to semiconductors, wireless communications, and low earth orbit space. 

1

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

I am pleased to present this Annual Report to shareholders for the financial year ended 31 December 2016 
which was an important period in Allied Minds’ development.  

During 2016 we successfully raised funds at both Group and subsidiary level, putting the Company in a stronger 
financial position to capitalise on the opportunities in front of us.  We made solid progress at a number of our 
subsidiaries, including, for example, Federated Wireless, which has advanced rapidly against its key regulatory 
and commercial objectives, and HawkEye 360, a younger Allied Minds subsidiary with exciting potential, as 
evidenced by  the participation  of Razor’s  Edge and a defence market leader in the recent Series A  funding 
round. We are also pleased with our developments with corporate partners across the Group, most notably our 
new strategic alliance with GE Ventures. 

In March 2017 the Board appointed Jill Smith as interim CEO, replacing Chris Silva. I would like to thank Chris 
Silva for his contribution as CEO and co-founder of the Company and to welcome Jill Smith in her new role as 
interim CEO. Chris played an important role in building Allied Minds into a key player in IP commercialisation 
in the US – the largest market in the world for R&D investment.

Jill’s  appointment  is  aligned  to  the  Board’s  objective  to  bring  about  a  material  acceleration  in  the  pace  of 
commercialisation activities across our portfolio and pipeline. Jill brings to the role a successful track record over 
25 years of leading public and private businesses in the technology and information services sector, including 
16 years operating as a CEO. Most recently, Jill served as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of 
DigitalGlobe Inc. (NYSE: DGI), a global provider of satellite imagery products and services, including through its 
successful IPO in 2009. Her skills and experience, in particular in driving revenue growth and leading successful 
monetisation events, are exactly what is required at this stage in the Company’s development.

Following  Jill’s  appointment  the  Board  took  the  difficult  decision  to  undertake  a  restructuring  resulting  in  the 
discontinuation  of  funding  at  several  subsidiary  businesses:  Biotectix;  Cephalogics;  CryoXtract;  Novare 
Pharmaceuticals;  Optio  Labs;  RF  Biocidics;  and  SoundCure/Tinnitus  Treatment  Solutions  (the  Discontinued 
Subsidiaries).  While  many  of  the  Discontinued  Subsidiaries  had  demonstrated  progress  against  technical 
milestones, the Board determined that the path to commercialisation was unlikely to yield appropriate financial 
returns  and  that  capital  earmarked  to  these  subsidiaries  should  be  diverted  to  more  promising  areas  of  the 
portfolio and to scaling our pipeline and partnerships. The restructuring has resulted in a mark down to Group 
Subsidiary  Ownership  Adjusted  Value  (GSOAV).  However,  it  places  Allied  Minds  in  a  stronger  position  to 
deliver returns to shareholders over the medium term to longer term through accelerated commercialisation and 
monetisations, and portfolio growth.    

Following the restructuring and Jill’s appointment, we are well placed to accelerate commercialisation across the 
portfolio and increase the pace of pipeline development. Together with the Board I look forward to the outcome 
of the internal review initiated by Jill and in particular to her proposals to unlock faster progress towards value 
crystallisation for our shareholders.  I would like to thank our shareholders for their continued support and our 
management team and staff for their hard work and commitment.

Peter Dolan 
Chairman 

27 April 2017 

2

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
HIGHLIGHTS

Investment Highlights 

During 2016, an aggregate of $108.2 million was invested into new and existing portfolio companies, including: 

•  $60.2 million from subsidiary fundraisings with $48.5 million coming from third-party investment and 
$11.7  million  from  Allied  Minds,  to  support  and  accelerate  the  development  of  four  of  the  Group’s 
existing companies: Federated Wireless; Precision Biopsy; HawkEye 360 and ABLS II.

 o Federated  Wireless,  a  company  developing  cloud-based  software  enabling  dynamic  sharing  of 
surplus spectrum owned by the US military, raised $22.0 million in early 2016. Allied Minds invested 
$5.0 million in this fundraising and third-party investment totaled $17.0 million.

 o Precision  Biopsy,  a  company  developing  early  intervention  technology  that  detects  in  real  time 
suspicious tissue during prostate biopsy examinations, raised $5.0 million during 2016, and received 
$6.0 million from a fundraising completed in 2015, both sums from external investors.

 o Hawkeye 360, a company developing a space-based radio frequency (RF) mapping and analytics 
system to be operated via a constellation of formation-flying small satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), 
raised $11.0 million in a funding round led by Razor’s Edge Ventures, with additional participation 
by  Allied  Minds  and  a  defence  market  leader.  A  further  $2.75  million  of  new  equity  was  issued 
by  Hawkeye  360  post-period  end,  of  which  $1.5  million  was  issued  in  the  form  of  warrants  in 
association with a $3.0 million development programme. 

 o ABLS II raised $15.0 million as it moved from initial feasibility studies to fund the lead optimisation 
programme  for  its  novel  small  molecule  therapeutics  for  the  treatment  of  fibrotic  and  autoimmune 
diseases. $12.0 million of this funding was provided by ABLS Capital (of which Allied Minds provided 
$2.7 million), with the remaining $3.0 million from Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS). 

 o The  balance  of  the  $60.2  million  of  capital  invested  via  subsidiary  fundraisings  comprised  $1.2 
million of initial seed capital raised from external sources at ABLS Capital (net of placing fees) to cover 
the initial operating expenses of this entity.

• 

In addition to these fundraisings, $48.0 million was invested by the Group into new and other existing 
portfolio companies, including investments in four new businesses: Signature Medical (Boston University), 
ABLS  Capital  and  ABLS  III  (New  York  University  (NYU)),  and  Vatic  Materials  (Penn  State).  Following 
further due diligence on Vatic Materials, a decision was taken post-period end not to exercise an option 
to license underlying IP and the business was terminated.

•  Separately,  ABLS  secured  binding  equity  commitments  of  up  to  $80.0  million  into  ABLS  Capital 
(predominantly  from  external  investors).    These  commitments,  together  with  up  to  $20.0  million  from 
BMS,  will  fund  development  costs  for  lead  optimisation  programmes  of  promising  drug  compounds 
sourced by ABLS, the partnership formed between Allied Minds and BMS in 2014, following successful 
completion of the initial feasibility phase. Of these commitments, $12.0 million was drawn in 2016 to 
fund the lead optimisation programme for ABLS II, as described above. Included in the $80.0 million 
of commitments to ABLS Capital is the $1.2 million of net cash payments made to ABLS Capital by the 
external investors referred above.

• 

In December 2016 Allied Minds raised $80.3 million in gross proceeds via a placing of new ordinary 
shares, equivalent to 8.1% of the existing share capital prior to the placing. Proceeds from the placing 
will  be  applied  to  invest  alongside  third  parties  in  the  Group’s  later  stage  subsidiaries  and  selected 
earlier stage subsidiaries and to invest in the pipeline of innovative new technologies.

3

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016Strategic Report 
 
HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)

Corporate Operational Highlights

•  During the year, Allied Minds engaged with nearly 50 new research institutions, bringing the total US 

universities and federal laboratories in the Allied Minds partner network to 207. 

•  The investment team reviewed more than 2,700 new technologies developed by the partner network. 
Following extensive due diligence on over 20 of the most promising technologies, the Group formed 
and funded four new businesses, resulting in a total Group portfolio of 27 subsidiary businesses at 31 
December 2016 (17 following the closure of ABLS I, Vatic Materials and the Discontinued Subsidiaries 
post-period end). 

•  Allied Minds launched a strategic alliance with GE Ventures to jointly identify and commercialise next-
generation technologies. Under the terms of the agreement, Allied Minds and GE Ventures agreed to 
invest in new and existing technologies sourced from both Allied Minds’ and GE Ventures’ innovation 
pipelines. 

•  The Group entered into exciting new strategic partnerships and renewed valuable existing partnerships 
with  leading  technology  sources,  including  the  MITRE  Corporation,  the  Aerospace  Corporation,  and 
Pacific Northwest National Labs.

•  During 2016 and post-period, Allied Minds and its subsidiaries further developed existing collaborations 
with industry leaders including BMS, Intel, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Alphabet, Cisco, Ruckus 
Wireless (Brocade), Qualcomm, Nokia, Telrad Networks, Siemens and others, validating the quality of 
our platforms, people and technologies.  

•  During 2016 the total workforce expanded from approximately 359 to 413 employees and consultants. 
The workforce increase was almost entirely concentrated in the operating subsidiaries. Our workforce 
comprises approximately 68% engineering and technical development professionals, 11% leadership 
and management professionals and 21% sales, marketing and other business development professionals. 

Financial Highlights

•  Net cash and investments* of $226.1 million (2015: $194.8 million) of which $136.7 million (2015: 

$115.0 million) held at the parent level. 

* includes funds in form of fixed income securities.

•  Revenues of $2.7 million (2015: $3.3 million) reflecting the early stage nature of our portfolio businesses

•  Net loss of $128.7 million, (2015: $97.9 million) primarily reflecting an increase in the overall growth 
of the Group’s investment in commercial and R&D activities, as well as the non-cash finance cost from 
fair value accounting of the subsidiary preferred shares liability.

•  GSOAV of $416.2 million as of 24 April 2017 ($535.8 million as at 31 December 2015), reflecting 
the  discontinuation  of  funding  at  the  Discontinued  Subsidiaries,  partially  offset  by  a  net  increase  in 
valuation in the remainder of the portfolio (specifically, at Hawkeye 360 and ABLS II).

Corporate Partnership Highlights 

•  ABLS, a drug development joint venture with BMS:

 o reviewed more than 245 technologies from partner research institutions;

 o called on $12.0 million of pre-committed funds, and received a further $3.0 million of funding from 
BMS, to finance  the lead optimisation phase for ABLS II’s novel treatment for fibrotic and autoimmune 
diseases;

 o formed  ABLS  III  (d/b/a  iβeCa  Therapeutics),  licensing  technology  sourced  from  NYU  School  of 

Medicine, using proprietary compounds targeting the Wnt signalling (see below); and

4

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)

 o after the period end, closed ABLS I following Board determination that the ABLS I feasibility programme 

was not successfully completed.

•  Strategic Alliance with GE Ventures

 o formed in September 2016; and

 o perform ongoing work to identify candidate technologies for joint investment.

Selected Subsidiary Highlights

•  BridgeSat, a developer of optical communications networks for the satellite industry:

 o initiated development for the three facets of the BridgeSat solution: space terminal, ground station, 

and management network for targeted completion in 2017; 

 o post-period  end  entered  into  a  commercial  agreement  with  Swedish  Space  Corporation  (SSC) 

securing access for BSI equipment at SSC ground sites; and

 o secured initial customer agreements for hardware and data services.

•  Federated Wireless, a developer of software providing spectrum allocation solutions: 

 o received Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) conditional approval for its Spectrum Allocation 

System (SAS), with full approval expected in 2017; 

 o demonstrated interoperability with Alphabet’s SAS system, a key step in the FCC approval process;

 o founded  the  CBRS  (Citizen’s  Broadband  Radio  Service)  Alliance  with  Alphabet,  Intel,  Qualcomm, 
Ruckus  Wireless  (Brocade),  Nokia  and  others,  promoting  the  ecosystem  development  for  shared 
spectrum; and

 o signed partnership agreements with Siemens and Telrad Networks and completed trials with these 
partners as well as Alphabet, Dell, Ruckus and Qualcomm in 2016 and Nokia, Ericsson, Sercomm 
and Juni post-period end. Trials with a further 9 ecosystem members are pending, including one with 
a national Mobile Network Operator (MNO).

•  Hawkeye360, a company developing a space-based radio frequency (RF) mapping/analytics system:  

 o engaged contractors and commenced manufacturing of satellites and payloads; 

 o announced the formation of an Advisory Board, and the appointment of John Serafini as CEO; and

 o secured launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket targeted for Q1 2018.

•  Precision Biopsy, a company developing alternative prostate cancer diagnostics and focal therapy:

 o began clinical trials in the US in a Cohort A study for ClariCore™, to date completing more than 100 

patients at 6 US clinical sites.

•  SciFluor, a drug discovery and development company making strategic use of fluorine:  

 o commenced Phase I/II FDA trials with SF0166, an eye drop formulation of a drug intended to treat 
age-related  macular  degeneration  (Wet  AMD)  and  diabetic  macular  edema  (DME)  populations, 
following delays due to FDA requests for additional data;

 o secured further patent protection covering methods of use of SF0166 in AMD, DME and retinal vein 

occlusion (RVO); and

 o completed  pre-clinical  testing,  including  toxicology,  and  prepared  IND  submission  for  SF0034  (a 

fluorinated derivative of retigabine).

5

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016Strategic ReportHIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)

•  Spin Transfer Technologies (STT), a next-generation computer memory company:

 o shipped samples of its DM1 Diagnostic Memory chip to target customers;

 o became only the second company to have shipped perpendicular ST-MRAM samples;

 o announced fabrication of key magnetic components (pMTJs) as small as 20nm – among the smallest 

MTJs every reported; and

 o completed  prototypes  of  memory  arrays  at  megabit  level  densities,  another  key  step  in  the 

commercialisation process.

• 

In addition, Allied Minds formed four new businesses during the year:
 o ABLS entered into a licence agreement with NYU School of Medicine, via ABLS III d/b/a iβeCa 
Therapeutics, in relation to proprietary compounds targeting the Wnt signalling.  These compounds 
were developed by Dr. Ramanuj Dasgupta, Research Associate Professor at NYU School of Medicine, 
and NYU’s drug discovery accelerator, the Office of Therapeutics Alliances (OTA). The Wnt pathway 
plays a key role in the development and progression of a number of cancers affecting large numbers 
of patients;

 o ABLS  Capital,  a  vehicle  with  binding  funding  commitments  of    up  to  $80.0  million,  mostly  from 
external  investors,  to  be  drawn  down  together  with  up  to  $20.0  million  of  funding  from  BMS  to 
fund lead optimisation studies for ABLS subsidiaries that have successfully completed initial feasibility 
programmes;

 o Signature Medical, which secured an exclusive option to license patent rights from Boston University 
relating to technology for application on a wearable device enabling diagnosis and monitoring of 
heart failure during hospital therapy and post discharge; and

 o Vatic  Materials,  which  closed  post-period  end  following  a  decision  not  to  exercise  an  option  to 

license underlying technology due to an unsatisfactory due diligence outcome. 

6

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)

Outlook for Selected Subsidiaries 

Several of our subsidiaries are nearing important commercial milestones.  Highlighted below are some of the 
key events we expect in 2017. It is in the nature of early stage investing that business plans need to adapt dy-
namically in response to changing circumstances. Where this becomes necessary we will provide an update 
on revised plans and timings. 

Subsidiary

ABLS

Expected 2017 Event

•  Advance ABLS entities through pre-clinical programmes

•  Create 2 new subsidiaries

BridgeSat

•  Complete Series A fund-raise

•  Acquire launch customers

•  Demonstrate operation of first BridgeSat ground station

Federated Wireless

•  Complete Series B fund-raise

•  Receive formal SAS and ESC FCC certification

• 

Launch spectrum access commercial product

HawkEye 360

•  Prepare for 2018 Pathfinder launch

• 

Initiate contract for development of next commercial satellite clusters

Precision Biopsy

•  Complete Cohort A; Initiate Cohort B 

•  Progress ClariCore™ CE Mark and FDA approval

SciFluor

•  SF0166: complete Phase I/II trials in DME (AMD in 2018)

•  SF0034: file IND and complete enrollment

STT

•  Advance technology to demonstrate differentiators

•  Secure strategic development / investing partner

•  Complete Series B fund-raise

7

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016Strategic ReportHIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)

Board and Management Highlights 

The Group continued to evolve and strengthen its Board with the appointment of Jill Smith as an Independent 
Non-executive Director in January 2016. 

In addition to Chris Silva’s resignation as Chief Executive Officer on 10 March 2017, the Company accepted 
the resignation of Marc Eichenberger as Chief Operating Officer on 26 April 2017.

8

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016CEO’S REPORT 

I am delighted to have been appointed interim CEO of Allied Minds and would like to thank my predecessor, 
Chris Silva, for his contribution in co-founding and building the Company, and our employees and partners for 
the warm welcome they have extended to me in my new role.

Following my appointment, the Board ratified a recommendation from myself and the senior management team 
at  Allied  Minds  to  undertake  a  restructuring  resulting  in  the  discontinuation  of  funding  at  several  subsidiary 
businesses.  This  was  a  necessary  step  in  ensuring  Allied  Minds  is  set  up  to  direct  capital  and  management 
resource to the most promising areas of the portfolio and pipeline, consistent with the imperative to accelerate 
commercialisation and crystallise returns to our shareholders. 

An internal review of all facets of Allied Minds’ model and strategy is underway, focusing on capital allocation 
and on priorities to strengthen our competitive advantages and accelerate the growth in shareholder value. We 
expect to report on conclusions from this review in the summer. I set out some preliminary observations below.

Firstly, a more disciplined, systematic, and dynamic approach to capital allocation will be implemented. There 
will be more intense interrogation and validation of assumptions underpinning our investment decisions, both in 
origination and in determining the ongoing business and capital plans for our existing subsidiaries. Out of this 
process we will allocate capital where we see the greatest opportunities for growth, and we will be quicker 
and more objective in terminating future investments where the path to commercialisation and external funding 
becomes unclear.

Secondly, we will seek to broaden our syndication model, bringing in more external investors potentially at an 
earlier stage in order to provide external validation, and in the case of strategic investors, to bind in commercial 
partners  where  this  can  help  accelerate  or  de-risk  progress  to  commercialisation.  The  recent  HawkEye  360 
Series A fundraising, including Razor’s Edge and a defence market leader, is a good example of this.

Thirdly,  we  have  an  enviable  origination  platform,  in  particular  via  our  AMFI  network  accessing  relatively 
advanced or proven technologies from federally funded laboratories, and will examine options to bring about 
an acceleration in the velocity of new investments around more consistent and defined themes where we can 
leverage our competitive advantages.

I look forward to reporting on the conclusions of the internal review in the summer. In the meantime I would like 
to thank shareholders for their ongoing support.

Jill Smith   
Chief Executive Officer

27 April 2017

9

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016Strategic Report 
COMPANY OVERVIEW 

THE OPPORTUNITY

The US is the world’s largest market for research and development (R&D) investment, with more than $125.0 
billion in annual spending by the US federal government, resulting in thousands of US patent applications per 
annum. Although US universities and federal research institutions have an established technology transfer process 
designed to commercialise this intellectual property, they face a number of challenges. Universities often lack the 
resources necessary to adequately and efficiently identify the most marketable opportunities. As a result, many 
universities license only a relatively small number of patents per year from a base of thousands, of which only a 
small fraction progress to the next stage of development. Likewise, corporations have large areas of R&D output 
which may not align with their core strategy and target markets but could be refocused on other markets with 
cooperation from outside investors.

Allied  Minds  was  established  with  the  objective  of  collaborating  with  US  universities  and  federal  research 
institutions, and more recently with corporations, to identify high-potential innovations and inventions at an early 
stage, and to invest to develop the underlying technology into commercially attractive products and services, 
bring them to market and ultimately monetise them with a view to delivering attractive returns to shareholders.

OUR STRATEGY AND CAPITAL ALLOCATION

Our origination strategy focuses on leveraging our partner network to uncover innovations in technology and 
life  sciences  with  the  potential  to  disrupt  large  and  growing  markets.  We  see  an  opportunity  to  focus  an 
increasing  proportion  of  our  new  investments  around  particular  themes  or  clusters  of  expertise  within  certain 
sectors, providing an opportunity to leverage technical and operating expertise, origination contacts, client and 
co-investor relationships both at Group level and across our subsidiary businesses. At the same time, we will 
retain the flexibility to invest opportunistically away from these clusters where we see opportunities to generate 
attractive shareholder returns.

We seek to invest in projects at an early stage, sometimes immediately following an academic breakthrough or 
invention.  As such our investments have significant upside potential, but also carry significant risk inherent in the 
early stage model. It is our job to ensure that companies that do not have a clear path to commercial traction 
are terminated early and with minimum sunk capital, while treating all parties involved fairly and with respect. 
Although our model assumes that not all of our investments will succeed, we expect to make sufficient successful 
investments to generate attractive average returns across the portfolio as a whole because we enjoy competitive 
advantages via our origination platform and central operating expertise, and focus on investing in innovations 
that are disruptive to large and growing markets and maintaining control positions where appropriate. 

Our  role  in  our  early  stage  subsidiaries  is  to  provide  equity  funding,  management,  operating  expertise  and 
shared service resources to bridge the period from brand new invention to an externally financeable business 
plan. A key component of the Company’s strategy is to maintain strict capital discipline within an operationally 
efficient model for new companies while the commercial viability of the technology is explored and tested. 

We believe that for early-stage businesses it is important to retain initial control of projects.  Over time, as our 
companies mature and raise outside capital from financial, strategic and commercial partners to accelerate their 
journey to commercialisation, we expect our proportionate ownership levels to be diluted.  We will follow our 
money, or invest to mitigate dilution, to the extent consistent with our goal to maximise risk adjusted returns for our 
shareholders, taking into account competing uses of capital across our portfolio and pipeline.

As our portfolio has matured, greater Board and management focus has been concentrated on operating and 
realising key commercial milestones at our more mature subsidiaries, representing a majority of GSOAV. The 
importance of these subsidiaries to the Group is a key consideration in weighing capital allocation decisions. 

10

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016COMPANY OVERVIEW (CONTINUED)

EVOLUTION OF OUR BUSINESS MODEL AND APPROACH

Since inception, Allied Minds has sought to deliver the commercial potential of selected university owned, early-
stage intellectual property by working with technology transfer offices (TTOs) and establishing a structure to form, 
fund, manage and build start-up companies to develop innovative products and services that transform a market 
or meet unmet customer needs.

As an extension of its university model, in September 2012, Allied Minds reached agreements for first-of-a-kind 
Public Private Partnerships (PPP) with several US Department of Defense laboratories and federal government 
agencies, and subsequently reached agreements with other federal government agencies such as the Department 
of Homeland Security and the Department of Energy. Under these PPPs, the Company typically receives certain 
access and licensing rights to inventions originating from the US Department of Defense laboratories and other 
federal  government  agencies  which  can  be  commercialised  for  government  and/or  enterprise  customers. 
More recently our origination model has further evolved with the formation of partnerships and alliances with 
US corporations, including BMS (via ABLS) and GE Ventures.  These relationships provide us with access to 
technology, expertise and capital, and have the potential to de-risk and accelerate the path to commercialisation 
and monetisation.

Form

In 2016 Allied Minds evaluated over 2,700 potential projects from across a broad range of university and 
federal laboratories and addressing a broad range of underlying technologies. We maintain regular contact 
with our university partners, including via campus visits and interaction between Allied Minds staff and university 
technology transfer personnel and researchers.

In order for a project to proceed past the first review stage, it must score highly in key technical assessment 
criteria.  Projects  are  assessed  on  a  number  of  criteria,  including:  value  proposition;  disruptive  technology; 
initial  commercial application; addressable market; business model; potential intellectual property protection; 
competitive landscape; financing profile; regulatory path; and potential exit routes where applicable.

Approximately 2% of those projects reviewed are selected for further evaluation, involving sector experts and 
academic peers to perform a deeper evaluation of the scientific and commercial potential of the project. Of 
these projects, approximately half are selected for detailed due diligence resulting in preparation of a detailed 
product and business development plan and budget structured around key milestones. Following this full diligence 
process, historically we have invested in 4 to 6 new technologies per annum. We see scope to increase this 
rate of investment in the future.

After  selecting  a  project,  Allied  Minds  typically  establishes  a  subsidiary  company  that  receives  an  exclusive 
licence for the commercial rights to the underlying intellectual property. The subsidiary is usually majority owned 
by Allied Minds in either a limited liability company or incorporated structure, with the originating university and 
inventor(s) each potentially receiving a minority shareholding in that entity. 

Fund

The subsidiary businesses use the seed funding to validate the core scientific principles of the intellectual property, 
and evaluate the likelihood of commercial success of a technology prior to making any significant additional 
commitment to fund, develop and commercialise the technology. 

In  certain  cases  the  subsidiary  is  funded  by  Allied  Minds  to  conduct  deep  due  diligence  over  a  period  of 
approximately 3 months, at the end of which further seed funding is invested or the subsidiary is terminated.

11

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016Strategic ReportCOMPANY OVERVIEW (CONTINUED)

Disbursement of additional funding by Allied Minds and future rounds of financing for further development are 
dependent  on  achievement  of  key  milestones  designed  to  measure  technological  and  commercial  progress. 
Where a project has failed to deliver sufficient additional proof points, or new market or technical information 
renders  the  opportunity  commercially  unattractive,  and  the  technology  cannot  be  pivoted  to  an  alternative 
commercial path, Allied Minds will look to terminate the investment early. 

At  each  stage  in  the  business  development  cycle  we  review  and  explore  opportunities  to  secure  third  party 
investment. Going forward we expect to increase our focus on opportunities to enlist strategic investors, potentially 
at an earlier stage, to validate the commercial opportunity and lock in cooperation with a view to accelerating 
or de-risking the path to commercialisation and monetisation.

Manage 

We evaluate on an on-going basis the progress and potential of each of the Company’s businesses, and make 
strategy and funding decisions based on the achievement of key milestones. The Company sets out to identify 
key achievements within each subsidiary that indicate growth momentum such as revenue, industry partnerships, 
and go-to-market agreements, as a means of commercially validating the technology and business case.

Allied Minds actively manages and monitors its businesses throughout the life-cycle towards commercialisation. 
During the early stages, Allied Minds typically provides technical and executive leadership, as well as shared 
services support. At the appropriate time we will support a subsidiary business in hiring a full time CEO and 
other critical talent and in putting in place incentives to drive results. As businesses evolve, Allied Minds builds 
and leads the Board, recruits advisors and forms advisory Boards comprising of seasoned industry experts who 
act as mentors, while maintaining dedicated personnel to oversee progress.

Allied Minds provides administrative support, including sales and marketing research, consulting, competitive 
analysis, technology analysis, payroll and IT support, and operational advice, to enable our businesses to focus 
on research, product development and commercialisation activities while achieving operational and financial 
efficiency.  

12

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
PORTFOLIO SUMMARY

During 2016, an aggregate of $108.2 million was invested into new and existing portfolio companies. This 
included $60.2 million from fundraisings, of which $48.5 million came from third-party investment, to further 
accelerate the development of Federated Wireless, ABLS II, Precision Biopsy and HawkEye 360. In addition to 
these fundraisings, $48.0 million was invested by the Group into new and other existing portfolio companies, 
including investments in four new businesses: Vatic Materials (Penn State) (closed post-period end); Signature 
Medical (Boston University); ABLS III (NYU); and ABLS Capital.

Allied Minds currently has majority ownership in, or operating control of, all of its subsidiary businesses.  Below 
we provide an overview of  our 17  current existing subsidiary businesses, including year formed, and Allied 
Minds’ ownership interest.  These 17 subsidiary businesses include 4 entities which do not directly provide or 
are not directly developing products and services: Allied-Bristol Life Sciences (ABLS) (the holding company for 
ABLS drug development subsidiaries); ABLS Capital (a funding vehicle for ABLS drug development subsidiaries); 
Allied Minds Federal Innovations (AMFI) (a company with contractual sourcing relationships with certain federal 
laboratory research partners); and Foreland (a holding company for Allied Minds’ cyber security investments).

Subsidiary

Corporate partnerships

Year Formed

Ownership 
Interest (1)

Overview

Allied-Bristol Life Sciences, LLC

2014

80.00%

ABLS Capital

2016

30.25%

ABLS II, LLC

2014

35.95%

ABLS III, LLC, 
d/b/a  iβeCa Therapeutics

2016

80.00%

Life Sciences

LuxCath, LLC

2012

98.00%

Precision Biopsy, Inc.

2008

64.59%

SciFluor Life Sciences, Inc.

2010

69.89%

Created  with  BMS  to  identify  and  conduct  pre-
clinical  development  of  therapeutic  candidates 
which  are  intended  to  be  sold  to  BMS  prior  to 
clinical development

Funding vehicle with up to $80 million of binding 
commitments to support development of ABLS drug 
compounds proceeding to lead optimisation phase

Novel small molecule therapeutics for the treatment 
of fibrotic and autoimmune diseases, developed 
in the Harvard University laboratory of Professor 
Malcolm Whitman

Proprietary compounds developed by Dr. Ramanuj 
Dasgupta at the NYU School of Medicine that 
target the Wnt signalling pathway and nuclear beta 
catenin, which plays a key role in the development 
and progression of a number of cancers affecting 
large numbers of patients

A catheter-based real-time tissue and lesion visual-
isation technology for use during cardiac ablation 
procedures initially focused on atrial fibrillation 
ablation

A medical device platform, ClariCore™, utilising 
tissue spectroscopy, which seeks to distinguish tissue 
characteristics in real-time and to guide clinicians 
toward areas of disease for optimum therapy ini-
tially focused on prostate cancer. Developing focal 
therapy system using ClariCore™ for abnormal 
tissue targeting in the prostate

Developing a best-in-class portfolio of compounds 
based on the strategic use of fluorine initially 
focused on retinal, CNS, fibrotic and pain related 
diseases

13

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016Strategic ReportPORTFOLIO SUMMARY (CONTINUED)

Subsidiary

Year Formed

Ownership 
Interest (1)

Overview

Signature Medical, Inc.

2016

100.00%

Technology

Allied Minds Federal Innovations, Inc.

2012

100.00%

BridgeSat, Inc.

2015

100.00%

Federated Wireless, Inc.

2012

72.96%

Foreland Technologies, Inc.

2013

100.00%

HawkEye 360, Inc.

2015

53.11%

Percipient Networks, LLC

2014

100.00%

Seamless Devices, Inc.

2014

79.12%

Spin Transfer Technologies, Inc.

2007

48.40%

Whitewood Encryption Systems, Inc.

2014

100.00%

Developing cardiac signature technology for appli-
cation on a wearable device enabling diagnosis 
and monitoring of heart failure during hospital 
therapy and post discharge 

Through a series of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) 
with the US federal government, aims to develop 
and commercialise the next generation of trans-
formative  technologies from US federal research 
institutions

Developing an optical connectivity system that aims 
to increase the speed, security and efficiency of 
data transmissions from LEO satellites, unmanned 
aerial systems, and remote terrestrial infrastructure 
compared to traditional radio frequency solutions

A leader in the emerging market for Shared Spec-
trum, their CINQ cloud-based platform provides 
coordinated shared spectrum resources to enterprise 
customers, network operators and service providers

A cyber security platform company which aims to 
discover, incubate and commercialise emerging 
technologies with greater speed and agility than the 
rest of the market

Building a constellation of small satellites in LEO 
to generate reports on wireless signals that can 
be used to track and monitor global transportation 
networks and assist with emergencies

Developing threat-intelligence driven cloud-based 
cyber security technologies for proactive enterprise 
network defence

Developer of semiconductor devices using a novel 
approach to analog-to-digital  signal processing 
based on switched-mode signal processing technol-
ogy and algorithms

MRAM computer memory that is being developed 
with the aspiration of becoming a leading univer-
sal memory technology to address a segment of 
the $60 billion per annum worldwide computer 
memory market

Developer of the next-generation systems of data 
encryption that leverage advanced quantum cryp-
tography technologies

In  addition  Allied  Minds  is  party  to  an  agreement  with  GE  Ventures  establishing  a  Strategic  Alliance 
through  which  the  two  parties  envisage  cooperating  to  jointly  invest  in  technologies  from  their  pipelines. 

Notes:

(1.)  Ownership interests are as at 24 April 2017 (being the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this document), and are based upon 
percentage interest in issued and outstanding share capital in the subsidiary undertakings. Allied Minds’ ownership of HawkEye 360 was 
56.11% as at 31 December 2016, prior to the second closing of the Series A preferred equity funding round completed in January 2017 

14

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
 
 
 
PORTFOLIO SUMMARY (CONTINUED)

which took Allied Minds’ ownership to 53.18%, and the subsequent exercise of employee options taking Allied Minds’ ownership to 53.11% 
as at 24 April 2017.  The calculation of this ownership interest excludes the dilutive impact of unexercised warrants issued in association with 
a $3.0 million development programme.

(2.)  In 2016, Allied Minds ceased operations at its subsidiary SiEnergy Systems having determined that the underlying clean energy technology 
would not meet key milestones. After the period end ABLS I ceased operations and the company was dissolved following Board determination 
that the feasibility programme was not successfully completed, and Vatic Materials was closed following unsatisfactory due diligence outcomes. 
Also post-period end funding was discontinued at Biotectix; Cephalogics; CryoXtract; Novare Pharmaceuticals; Optio Labs; RF Biocidics; and 
SoundCure/Tinnitus Treatment Solutions.

15

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016Strategic ReportSUBSIDIARY VALUATION 

All of the Company’s subsidiary companies are currently majority owned and/or controlled and therefore fully 
consolidated  in  the  Company’s  consolidated  financial  statements  prepared  in  accordance  with  International 
Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU (IFRS). As a result, the Consolidated Statements of Financial 
Position incorporated within the Company’s consolidated financial statements do not include current valuations 
of the Company’s subsidiary companies. 

While in previous years we have disclosed the ownership adjusted valuations for each of the Group’s top ten 
subsidiary businesses by value, in line with certain peers, this year we are disclosing ownership adjusted value 
at an aggregate level only for the Group as a whole.  We believe this practice will better serve the interests of 
our shareholders by protecting the Group’s position in discussions with potential partners and external investors 
in our subsidiaries.  We will continue to disclose qualitatively against the key drivers of material movements in 
the ownership adjusted values in the aggregate life sciences and technology portfolios, and in aggregate for the 
Group. We will also disclose against movements in subsidiary valuations arising specifically from fundraising 
rounds involving external investors.

At the close of each annual financial period, the Directors formally approve the value of all subsidiary businesses 
in the Group which is used to derive the GSOAV. There can be no guarantee that the aforementioned valuation 
of the Group will be considered to be correct in light of the future performance of the various Group businesses, 
or that the Group would be able to realise proceeds in the amount of such valuations, or at all, in the event of a 
sale by it of any of its subsidiaries.

The GSOAV was $416.2 million as of the date of this annual report and accounts.  Of that, 87.1% is valued 
by  reference  to  the  valuation  implied  by  the  most  recent  third  party  funding  round.    Compared  to  $535.8 
million when last disclosed, this reflects a decrease of $119.6 million, or 22.3%. This decrease is primarily 
attributed  to  the  liquidation  of  several  subsidiary  businesses  subsequent  to  year  end  and  write  off  of  their 
value, namely Biotectix, Cephalogics, CryoXtract, Optio Labs, Novare, RF Biocidics and SoundCure/Tinnitus 
Treatment Solutions. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in value at HawkEye 360 demonstrated 
by the consummation of a third-party fundraising and an increase at ABLS due to ABLS II moving into the lead 
optimisation programme. 

Ownership adjusted value represents Allied Minds’ interest in the equity value of each subsidiary and is calculated 
as follows: (Business Enterprise Value – Long Term Debt + Cash) x Allied Minds percentage ownership plus the 
value of debt provided by Allied Minds plc to each subsidiary business. Allied Minds commits post-seed funding 
to its subsidiaries in the form of loans.

16

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
PARTNER NETWORK 

The Group has well established relationships with the most prestigious academic research institutions across the 
United States. Allied Minds aims to gain direct access to technologies at the forefront of research by working 
to deepen our relationships with selected institutions and selectively adding highly regarded research centres 
across the US. 

The  Group  continues  to  expand  its  relationships  with  US  government  laboratories  and  other  federal  funded 
research and development centers (FFRDCs), with the objective of commercialising select technological inventions 
developed in the corresponding US federal government laboratory. In particular, Allied Minds has formalised 
new technology commercialisation agreements with leading FFRDCs such as the Aerospace Corporation and 
the MITRE Corporation.

In addition we have added a third leg to our origination platform in the form of corporate partnerships. This 
began with the formation of our ABLS partnership with BMS, and has continued with our strategic alliance with 
GE  Ventures  formed  in  September  2016.  We  continue  to  actively  explore  additional  sources  of  world-class 
technology innovation. 

During the year Allied Minds engaged with nearly 50 new research institutions, bringing the total US universities 
and federal laboratories in the Allied Minds partner network to 207. The investment team reviewed more than 
2,700  new  technologies  developed  by  the  partner  network,  and  following  extensive  due  diligence  on  over 
20 of the most promising, formed and funded four new businesses, resulting in a total Group portfolio of 17 
subsidiary businesses (following the closure of ABLS I, Vatic Materials and the Discontinued Subsidiaries post-
period end), and executed options to license three additional technologies.

Below is a list of research institutions engaged with in 2016.

Aerospace Corporation 
Air Force Institute of Technology
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Argonne National Laboratory
Arizona State University
Army Research Lab CERDEC
Beaumont Health System
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Binghamton University
Boston Children’s Hospital
Boston University
Brandeis University
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Brookhaven National Laboratory
Brown University
California Institute of Technology
Carnegie Mellon University
Case Western University
Cedars-Sinai Hospital
City of Hope
City University of New York
Cleveland Clinic
Columbia University
Cornell University
Dana Farber Cancer Institute
Dartmouth College
Draper Labs
Drexel University
Duke University
Emory University
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
Florida Institute of Technology
Florida State University
GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas
General Electric

George Washington University
Georgetown University
Georgia Institute of Technology
Harvard University
Houston Methodist Hospital
Idaho National Laboratory
Indiana University
Iowa State University
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University - Applied Physics Lab
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Lehigh University
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Louisiana State University
Marshall University
Massachusetts General Hospital
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mayo Clinic
McLean Hospital
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Michigan State University
Michigan Technological University
Missouri University of Science and Technology
MIT Lincoln Laboratory
MITRE
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
NASA – Ames Research Center
NASA - Armstrong Flight Research Center
NASA – Glenn Research Center
NASA – Goddard Space Flight Center
NASA – Johnson Space Center
NASA - Kennedy Space Center
NASA - Langley Research Center

NASA – Marshall Space Flight Center
NASA - Stennis Space Center
National Energy Technology Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
National Institutes of Health
National Institute of Health – NCATS
National Institute of Health – NCINational Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
National Security Agency
Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake
Naval Research Laboratory
Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane
New Jersey Innovation Institute
New York University
North Carolina State University
North Dakota State University
Ohio Aerospace Institute
Northeastern University
Northwestern University
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Ohio State University
Ohio University
Oregon State University
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory 
Partners Healthcare
PATH
Pennsylvania State University
Picatinny Arsenal
Princeton University
Purdue University
Rice University
Rockefeller University
Rutgers University

17

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016Strategic ReportPARTNER NETWORK (CONTINUED)

St Louis University 
Sandia National Laboratories
Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
Savannah River National Laboratory
Scripps Institute
Southern Illinois University
Southern Methodist University
SPAWAR
St Jude's 
Stanford University
State University of New York - Binghamton
State University of New York - Downstate
State University of New York - Stony Brook
Stevens Institute of Technology
Temple University
Texas AandM University
Texas Tech
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Tufts University
US Army AMRDEC
US Army ARDEC
US Army Engineer Research and Development Center
US Army Research Laboratory
US Department of Homeland Security
US Department of Agriculture
US Environmental Protection Agency
US Naval Air Station Patuxent River
US Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake
US  Naval  Surface  Warfare  Center  –  Indian  Head 
EOD
US Naval Undersea Warfare Center
Uniformed Services University of the Health Science
University of Alabama
University of Arizona
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

University of California - Berkeley
University of California - Davis
University of California - Irvine
University of California - Los Angeles
University of California - Merced
University of California - Riverside
University of California - San Diego
University of California - San Francisco
University of California - Santa Barbara
University of California - Santa Cruz
University of California - System
University of Central Florida
University of Chicago
University of Colorado
University of Colorado - Denver
University of Delaware
University of Florida
University of Houston
University of Idaho
University of Illinois - Chicago
University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign
University of Iowa
University of Kansas
University of Louisville
University of Maryland - Baltimore
University of Maryland - College Park
University of Massachusetts - Amherst
University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth
University of Michigan
University of Minnesota
University of Missouri - Columbia
University of Nebraska
University of Nebraska – Lincoln
University of Nebraska Medical Center
University of New Hampshire

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
University of North Dakota
University of North Texas
University of Notre Dame
University of Oregon
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh
University of Rochester
University of South Carolina
University of South Dakota
University of South Florida
University of Southern California
University of Texas – Austin
University of Texas - Dallas
University of Texas – Southwestern
University of Utah
University of Virginia
University of Washington
University of Wisconsin – Madison
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Utah State University
Utah State University Space Dynamics Laboratory
Vanderbilt University
Vencore Labs
Virginia  Polytechnic  Institute  and  State  University 
(Virginia Tech)
Wake Forest University
Washington State University
Washington University in St. Louis
Wayne State University
Wentworth Institute of Technology
Yale University

18

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

The following Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) were selected to measure the performance of the Company in 
2016:

•  number of new subsidiary businesses, strategic transactions, financing transactions and other validating 

events consummated

•  Group Subsidiary Ownership Adjusted Value (GSOAV);

•  Group revenue growth; and

• 

the number of subsidiaries that achieve the majority of their financial, operational, technical and other 
performance milestones established by the Board.

Performance against 2016 KPIs is set out below: 

2016

19

2015

18

Performance

5.6% increase

$416.2 million

$535.8 million

$119.6 million / 22.3% decrease

$2.7 million

$3.3 million

$0.6 million decrease

12

15

20.0% decrease

KPI

New subsidiary businesses, strategic 
transactions, financing transactions and 
other validating events consummated

GSOAV

Group revenue

Number of subsidiaries achieving a 
majority of their financial, operational, 
technical and other performance 
milestones

Notes:

(1.)  $416.2 million is GSOAV estimated as at 24 April 2017, following the Board’s decision to discontinue funding at several subsidiary businesses.

As part of the appointment of Jill Smith as interim Chief Executive Officer, and the Group restructuring announced 
on 5 April 2017, the Board re-evaluated the previously selected KPIs. The Board, led by Ms. Smith, undertook a 
comprehensive review of the objectives of the Group, and re-set detailed management and Group objectives for 
2017.  These revised objectives seek to link financial, operational, technical and other performance milestones 
established by the Board directly to remuneration and KPIs. As a result of the process, the following KPIs were 
selected to measure the performance of the Group in 2017:

•  Change in Group Subsidiary Ownership Adjusted Value (GSOAV); and

•  Change in percentage level of achievement of management by objectives (MBOs).

19

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016Strategic Report 
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (CONTINUED)

The 2017 MBOs, including financial, operational, technical and other performance targets and their weightings 
for the upcoming year were set at the start of 2017, and refined in April 2017, as follows: 

MBO
Deliver Validating Events(1) and Technical Milestones(2) for Key Subsidiaries

Secure Funding and Strategic Relationships for Subsidiary Companies

Strengthen Investment Committee Process:

Establish Corporate Partner Goals and Commitments

Expand New Company Pipeline Development

Define Path to Commercialisation, Liquidity Event or Key Commercial or  
       Strategic Differentiators

Develop Strategic Plan to Drive Shareholder Value

Manage Cash

   TOTAL PERCENTAGE OF TARGET

TARGET WEIGHTINGS

40.0%

20.0%

5.0%

5.0%

10.0%

10.0%

10.0%

100.0%

Notes:

(1.)  “Validating Events” represent various material achievements, such as fundraisings, mergers and acquisitions, development partnerships, strategic 

alliances, customer contracts and other significant corporate events.

(2.)  “Technical Milestones” represent various research and development achievements, as well as advancement of clinical trials.

20

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016PORTFOLIO REVIEW AND DEVELOPMENTS

This section covers the Group’s more advanced subsidiaries, and also includes by way of explanation those 
subsidiaries subject to material valuation write-downs at the end of 2016.

CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS

ABLS, LLC

ABLS is a drug discovery and development company created in August 2014 through a partnership between 
Allied Minds and BMS. The company’s mission is to create novel drug candidates against serious diseases with 
large market potential. These include fibrosis, cardiovascular, immunescience, immuno-oncology, oncology, and 
genetically-defined  disease,  aligning  to  BMS’s  strategic  areas  of  focus.  BMS  has  the  option  to  acquire  drug 
compounds from ABLS upon completion of the lead optimisation phase for a pre-agreed multiple of invested 
capital, with Allied Minds retaining rights to potential milestone and royalty payments.  

ABLS sources new drug candidates from Allied Minds’ network of institutional research partners and funds the 
initial feasibility study, typically requiring up to approximately $1.0 million of capital, through a newly formed 
subsidiary.  Consistent with Allied Minds’ overall strategy, the ABLS model presents an opportunity for us, with 
BMS,  to  evaluate  each  ABLS  subsidiary  and  determine  at  an  early  stage  and  with  limited  capital  invested 
whether to continue development based on the results of such subsidiary’s initial phase of research, development 
and testing, measured against objectives defined by ABLS and BMS.

If the drug passes the initial feasibility stage, it will enter into the optimisation phase to develop and test a lead 
drug candidate, typically requiring further capital investment of up to $15.0 million. Funding for lead optimisation 
is provided by a combination of Allied Minds via ABLS Capital, LLC (ABLS Capital) (80.0%) and BMS (20.0%). 
The optimisation phase studies are in part carried out at a BMS R&D Site in India, called Biocon-BMS Research 
Center (BBRC). 

ABLS Capital was formed to provide the majority of the capital required to fund up to ten (10) ABLS subsidiaries 
though the lead optimisation phase.  In April 2016 ABLS Capital secured commitments amounting to $80.0 
million,  including  $40.0  million  from  Woodford  Investment  Management  and  $20.0  million  from  Invesco 
Perpetual. These funding commitments will be used to invest alongside the up to $20.0 million from BMS to fund 
these lead optimisation phases.  

The ABLS partnership aligns Allied Minds with a seasoned large pharmaceutical partner and creates a natural 
early stage (pre-clinical) acquirer of developing assets, potentially de-risking the drug development process for 
Allied Minds and providing attractive risk adjusted returns. 

The company reviewed more than 245 technologies in 2016. As of this date, three subsidiaries have been 
launched, although one of these (ABLS I) ceased operations after the period end following Board determination 
that results from feasibility studies did not warrant progress to the lead optimisation phase.  Pre-clinical work is 
underway on the other two programmes in collaboration with BBRC.  Active negotiations are currently underway 
in relation to two potential new deals with scope to close in the first half of 2017.

ABLS I, LLC

ABLS I was a company formed in August 2015 pursuing pre-clinical development of a Yale University based 
technology:  Antibody  Recruiting  Molecules.    As  described  above,  the  ABLS  model  is  structured  to  allow 
decisions to be made early in development with little capital invested, lowering risk and helping to inform better 
capitalallocation among the ABLS subsidiaries.  Consistent with this approach, upon review and assessment of 
the initial research and testing results completed in ABLS I’s initial feasibility phase, ABLS and BMS resolved that 

21

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016Strategic Report  
PORTFOLIO REVIEW AND DEVELOPMENTS (CONTINUED)

the pre-set objectives were not met and accordingly, the lead optimisation phase for ABLS I was not approved 
and the company was dissolved post-period end.

ABLS II, LLC

ABLS II was formed in June 2015 to undertake pre-clinical discovery and development of molecules against a 
novel target (Prolyl tRNA Synthetase) for treatment of fibrotic diseases.  Harvard University researchers had earlier 
identified the mechanism of halofuginone (a natural product with anti-fibrotic properties) as an inhibitor of Prolyl 
tRNA Synthetase.  ABLS II’s objective is to discover and develop halofuginone analogues with novel IP, better 
safety and superior efficacy.  ABLS II has synthesised various molecules and is evaluating them for safety and 
efficacy.  In May 2016 ABLS announced that ABLS II had successfully passed feasibility and in August ABLS II 
successfully raised $15.0 million of funding from ABLS Capital and BMS to fund the lead optimisation phase.

ABLS III, LLC, d/b/a iβeCa Therapeutics
iβeCa Therapeutics was formed in March 2016 with IP licensed exclusively from New York University (NYU) 
School of Medicine.   NYU researchers have identified novel inhibitors of nuclear beta catenin, a key player in the 
Wnt signaling pathway and a major driver of various cancers.  These molecules are targeted specifically against 
nuclear  (vs  cytoplasmic)  beta  catenin  thereby  potentially  offering  better  safety  and  efficacy.    The  company’s 
objective is to develop molecules with improved potency, efficacy and better pharmaceutical properties.

Strategic Alliance with GE Ventures

Created in September 2016 to jointly identify and invest in technologies from Allied Minds’ and GE Ventures’ 
combined pipelines.

OTHER SUBSIDIARY BUSINESSES

BridgeSat, Inc

BridgeSat is reinventing satellite communication with an advanced optical communications network that delivers 
fast,  reliable  and  affordable  data  transmission  to  enable  a  new  era  of  applications  and  services.  Optical 
communications  is  an  alternative  to  RF  communications  to  meet  the  exponentially  growing  need  for  data 
downlinking from satellites, including LEO satellites. BridgeSat estimates that the immediate addressable optical 
downlink market is $1.5 billion annually, a sub-set of the $9.6 billion satellite network market. BridgeSat made 
good progress against its business plan over 2016, developing the three facets of its solution: space terminal, 
ground station, and management network, and post-period end secured agreement with The Swedish Space 
Corporation (SSC) to install its equipment at 3 of SSC’s ground sites.

Federated Wireless, Inc.

Federated Wireless extends the access of carrier networks through sharing of wireless spectrum amongst multiple 
tiers of users through an innovative cloud-based wireless infrastructure solution. The allocation and management 
of spectrum employing a shared-economy model is hugely disruptive to the status quo of large spectrum block 
auctions. The Federated Wireless platform, consisting of a cloud based Spectrum Allocation System (SAS) and 
Environmental Sensing Capability (ESC), unlocks commercial access to spectrum in the 3.5 GHz band, called 
the CBRS, that is owned by the US military and is surplus to its requirements at a given point in time.

In February the company announced the formation of an alliance with other wireless industry leaders to build 
an ecosystem for the 3.5 GHz band. The other six founding companies in the CBRS Alliance are: Alphabet, 
Dell, Intel, Qualcomm, Nokia, and Ruckus Wireless (Brocade). The six companies together aim to build a robust 
ecosystem of industry participants and make CBRS solutions as widely available as possible.  The Alliance was 
formalised in August 2016 as the CBRS Alliance and membership quadrupled by year-end to include cable 
companies, carriers, and equipment providers. 

22

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016PORTFOLIO REVIEW AND DEVELOPMENTS (CONTINUED)

In May 2016 Federated Wireless announced that it officially began the certification process with the FCC for its 
SAS. Certification is the final phase of the regulatory process as the company prepares its solution for commercial 
use. Conditional approval of certification was received in December 2016 and final approval is expected in 
mid-2017. Federated Wireless continues to work closely with the FCC and leads the WInnForum in helping to 
establish standards for the 3.5 GHz band and shared spectrum.

In June 2016 the first two partner agreements for Federated Wireless were announced with Siemens and Telrad. 
Both companies currently operate in the 3.65 GHz band and will be early adopters of the FCC’s CBRS rules 
in order to evolve and expand their networks using the Federated Wireless CINQ XP product. In December, 
Federated  Wireless  and  Alphabet’s  access  team  successfully  demonstrated  interoperability  between  their 
respective SASs; a requirement for FCC certification and an important milestone in validating the operational 
viability of CBRS. 

During the year Federated Wireless completed trials with Alphabet, Dell and Qualcomm, and has trials with 
a 15 further ecosystem members signed or underway and 6 in pipeline. These collaborations re-affirm that the 
CBRS model is a commercially viable way to allocate and manage limited spectrum resources.

HawkEye 360, Inc.

HawkEye 360, formed in September 2015, is developing a space-based RF mapping and analytics system to 
be operated via a constellation of company developed formation-flying small satellites in LEO. 

HawkEye  360  intends  to  be  a  leader  in  the  emerging  small  satellite  industry  and  its  Pathfinder  constellation 
of  small  satellites,  which  will  be  flown  in  formation  600  kilometres  from  the  Earth’s  surface,  aims  to  enable 
commercial  applications  such  as  allowing  governmental  entities  and  corporate  customers  to  closely  monitor 
transportation networks across air, land and sea to ensure normal and safe activity. For government regulators, 
telecommunications companies and satellite broadcasters, HawkEye 360’s system is being designed with the 
ability to monitor RF spectrum usage to help identify areas of interference, better understand spectrum deployment, 
and avoid negative impact to operations. The system could also help to detect and locate activated emergency 
beacons to improve response times in life-threatening situations.

At the beginning of 2016 HawkEye 360 announced the formation of an Advisory Board including a former 
Director  of  the  National  Reconnaissance  Office  (NRO),  former  Director  of  National  Geospatial-Intelligence 
Agency (NGA) and a former Secretary of Department for Homeland Security (DHS). Over the remainder of the 
year HawkEye 360 announced the selection of its satellite and payload manufacturers, with manufacturing now 
underway, and secured launch planned for Q1 2018. 

Funds from HawkEye 360’s $13.75 million series A round completed in February 2017 will be deployed to 
complete the development of the Pathfinder Cluster of three small satellites as well as to support the cost of testing 
and launch in early 2018, and to grow the company’s engineering and business development teams.  

Precision Biopsy, Inc.

Existing prostate cancer diagnostics rely on biopsy procedures which are performed “blindly”, sampling 12-
14 cores at random.  Precision Biopsy’s ClariCore™ live tissue identification technology directs the physician 
to sample only “suspicious” tissue, potentially reducing by up to 90% the number of core samples subject to 
pathology  and  providing  immediate  feedback  to  biopsied  patients.  ClariCore™  may  also  improve  cancer 
diagnosis and detection rates by enabling the urologist to probe extra locations, including the anterior prostate, 
when all previous biopsy location have indicated as “normal”. 

23

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016Strategic ReportPORTFOLIO REVIEW AND DEVELOPMENTS (CONTINUED)

Existing therapeutics for prostate cancer suffer in the same way as diagnostics from the inability to definitively 
localise the cancer tumour. Precision Biopsy has filed patents to develop and is currently developing a three-
dimensional  prostate  mapping  system  utilising  a  variation  of  the  ClariCore™  system.  It  is  intended  that  this 
mapping system will accurately identify the tumour and selected margins to allow for focal treatment of the affected 
area of the prostate using RF ablation, HIFU, cryoablation, radiation, or other focal therapy technologies such 
as drug injection, potentially reducing the need for radical prostatectomy procedures and preserving healthy 
tissue. The company is also developing a focal therapy system which would enable the urologist to locally and 
focally ablate selective suspicious segments of the prostate utilising the ClariCore™ system to guide the therapy.

In mid-2016 Precision Biopsy received FDA IDE (Investigational Device Exemption) approval to test ClariCore™ 
in a Cohort A study intended to collect patient data to develop its commercial tissue classification algorithm.  This 
IDE approval has allowed the company to expand the clinical trial by adding a second arm to the study enrolling 
patients for the Transrectal Ultrasound (TRUS) and MR/Fusion study. To date, Precision Biopsy has completed over 
100 patients in its Cohort A trial at six US clinical sites. A second clinical trial initiation, Cohort B, is planned 
and trial results are expected to support submission for approval, commercial release and system launch in the 
US and EU.

SciFluor Life Sciences, Inc.

SciFluor aims to develop a best-in-class portfolio of compounds principally through the strategic use of fluorine. 
It engages in drug discovery and development and is building a portfolio of proprietary compounds seeking 
to  serve  various  billion  dollar  markets.  SciFluor  has  evolved  its  current  portfolio  by  adding  fluorine  to  drug 
compounds with the intention of improving potency, selectivity, rates of absorption, metabolic stability, and half-
life. These factors all improve the specific drugs and can positively impact delivery, dosing, side effects and 
more. For reference, approximately 25% of drugs currently marketed or in the pipeline contain fluorine. SciFluor’s 
principal products are based on two patented lead compounds:

•  SF0166, a patented small molecule integrin antagonist wholly owned by SciFluor and intended to treat 
eye  conditions,  specifically  retinal  diseases  including  AMD,  DME  and  retinal  vein  occlusion  (RVO), 
representing  an  estimated  50  million  patients  worldwide  and  over  $8.0  billion  market  value.  What 
makes SF0166 potentially disruptive is that it is a topical drug delivered via eye drops and is intended 
to replace current drugs delivered via repeated injection into the back of the eye.

•  SF0034,  a  KCNQ2/3  modulator  (a  potassium  channel  activator),  which  is  a  fluorinated  derivative 
of  retagabine,  is  also  patented  and  wholly  owned  by  SciFluor.  SF0034  could  eliminate  key  safety 
issues associated with retigabine and could potentially serve markets totaling $5.0 billion in aggregate 
including: epilepsy/seizures; tinnitus; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease); and 
channelopathies (genetically-defined rare diseases based on mutations of the potassium channel).

In February 2016, SciFluor was granted U.S. Patent No. 9,266,884 covering methods of using SF0166 in 
the treatment of a range of diseases including AMD, DME and RVO. SciFluor had been previously granted U.S. 
Patent 8,901,144 covering compositions of matter that include SF0166.

In July 2016 the Investigational New Drug (IND) Application to the FDA went into effect for SF0166 Topical 
Ophthalmic Solution (SF0166). The company has initiated dosing in Phase I/II trials for both DME and wet-AMD 
in multiple centers in the US. 

The company is also evolving a portfolio beyond its two lead compounds. 

24

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016PORTFOLIO REVIEW AND DEVELOPMENTS (CONTINUED)

Spin Transfer Technologies, Inc. (STT)

STT engages in the development of OST -MRAM, an innovative memory integrated circuit technology originally 
sourced from NYU. 

Electronic memory devices used in today’s computers are specialised to handle different computing and data 
storage  tasks.  Non-volatile  memories,  such  as  Flash,  retain  information  after  power  has  been  turned  off,  but 
Flash  memory  suffers  from  slow  write  speed  and  poor  endurance.  High-speed  memories,  such  as  Dynamic 
Random-Access Memory (DRAM), offer greater read and write performance, but DRAM is volatile and requires 
significantly higher power to operate. In addition, both Flash and DRAM have questionable scalability to finer 
process geometries than currently used in today’s state of the art semiconductor micro lithography. 

MRAM  is  a  promising  technology  for  the  next  generation  of  memory  applications.  OST-  MRAM’s  potentially 
unique combination of fast write speed, low power, and virtually unlimited endurance is expected to enable it 
to address a wide range of applications in the standalone and embedded memory markets, which collectively 
had a combined estimated value of greater than $60 billion per annum worldwide.

During  2016  STT  announced  that  it  had  successfully  demonstrated  its  OST-MRAM  technology  through  the 
production of a working prototype device. Supported by the 2015 completion of its wafer fabrication clean 
room  used  for  developing  and  prototyping  the  new  “magnetic”  portion  of  the  chip  fabrication  process,  the 
company’s  engineering  development  cycles  have  accelerated  markedly,  reliably  achieving  under  2-3  week 
engineering cycle time for wafers, reduced by greater than 75% in comparison to the typical two month or longer 
cycle time that was the operating norm prior to the clean room completion. This has enabled the company to 
make rapid strides in its migration to perpendicular magnetic tunnel junction (pMTJ) technology, the so-called 
third generation of MRAM. As a result, in December 2016 the company began shipping samples of its “DM1” 
Diagnostic Memory chip to target customers.  The samples were prepared and screened to credible standards 
of function and reliability. 

In  addition,  STT  completed  prototypes  of  memory  array  with  megabit-level  densities  with  accompanying 
performance and yield statistics. In doing so the company completed its first steps in advancing the capability 
of its pMTJ manufacturing process to support high-density, commercially relevant memory arrays. In September 
2016 the company announced that it had fabricated pMTJs as small as 20nm – among the smallest MTJs ever 
reported. This ‘megabit density’ technology demonstration, along with the pMTJ DM1 samples, are essential 
enablers to the company’s initial market outreach. 

The above progress signals the impending completion of STT’s first major phase of development, resulting in 
a ‘baseline pMTJ technology’ that the company believes will be both viable against competitors (with typical 
incremental improvements in time) and highly credible in securing an advanced CMOS (complementary metal-
oxide semiconductor) manufacturing partner (with process capabilities compatible with even higher bit density 
memories, e.g. 20-45nm lithography-capable), strategic joint development partner(s), and early stage license 
agreements.

The company’s early stage cooperative development arrangements with its Asian CMOS foundry partners has 
progressed as anticipated. STT plans to expand one or both of those relationships, as well as add additional 
relationships, enabled by the impending readiness of the ‘baseline pMTJ technology’. 

Discontinued Subsidiaries

Consistent with the Allied Minds’ model, where a project has failed to deliver sufficient additional proof points for 

25

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016Strategic ReportPORTFOLIO REVIEW AND DEVELOPMENTS (CONTINUED)

ultimate commercialisation and financial return, no longer supports on-going development and commercialisation 
activity, and cannot be successfully redirected to an alternative commercial path, Allied Minds will look to cease 
operations and terminate the project.

In 2016, Allied Minds ceased operations at its subsidiary SiEnergy having determined that the clean energy 
technology would not meet key milestones.

Post-period  end  ABLS  I  ceased  operations  and  was  dissolved  following  Board  determination  that  it  had  not 
successfully  completed  initial  feasibility  studies  and  Vatic  Materials  was  closed  following  unsatisfactory  due 
diligence  outcomes.  Also  post-period  end  funding  was  discontinued  at:  Biotectix;  Cephalogics;  CryoXtract; 
Novare Pharmaceuticals; Optio Labs; RF Biocidics; SoundCure; and Tinnitus Treatment Solutions, following Board 
determination that these subsidiaries were unlikely to generate appropriate returns and capital and management 
resource should be diverted to more promising areas of the portfolio and pipeline.

26

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
FINANCIAL REVIEW 

The financial results of the year reflect the Group’s sustainable model of deploying capital into our portfolio of 
Group controlled businesses at the right pace. During 2016, $108.2 million was invested into new and existing 
portfolio companies. This included $60.2 million from subsidiary fundraisings (including $6.0 million raised in 
2015 but received from investors in 2016), with $48.5 million coming from third-party investment, to further 
accelerate the development of four of the Group’s existing companies, ABLS II, Federated Wireless, Precision 
Biopsy and HawkEye 360.  In addition to these fundraisings, $48.0 million was invested by the Group into new 
and other existing portfolio companies.

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Loss

For the years ended 31 December

Revenue

Cost of revenue

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Research and development expenses

Finance cost, net

Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive loss

of which attributable to:

Equity holders of the parent

Non-controlling interests

2016

$ ‘000

2015

$ ‘000

2,664 

3,300 

(5,563)

       (3,925)

(55,484)

     (46,888)

(55,292)

     (49,209)

(15,267)

(1,267) 

208

          46

(128,734)

     (97,943)

(96,125)

     (77,752)

(32,609)

     (20,191)

Revenue decreased by $0.6 million, to $2.7 million in 2016 (2015: $3.3 million). This decrease is mainly 
attributable to the lower product revenue at RF Biocidics. The revenue in the early stage companies’ segment 
decreased to $0.6 million in 2016 (2015: $1.1 million). Cost of revenue increased by $1.6 million to $5.6 
million (2015: $3.9 million), reflecting write offs of inventory at RF Biocidics and CryoXtract.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses increased by $8.6 million, to $55.5 million, for the year 
ended  31  December  2016  (2015:  $46.9  million),  largely  due  to  the  overall  growth  of  the  Group.  Of  this 
increase, $6.5 million relates to an increase in personnel expenses reflecting the increase in headcount and 
salaries as well as an increase in non-cash share-based compensation expense by $1.7 million.  The increase 
is also attributed to higher non-cash depreciation, amortisation and impairment charges which were higher by 
$3.8 million compared to prior year, offset by a $0.8 million decrease in sales and marketing cost, a $1.0 
million decrease in occupancy and related expenses, and a $0.7 million decrease in professional services.

R&D  expenses  increased  by  $6.1  million  to  $55.3  million  for  the  year  ended  31  December  2016  (2015: 
$49.2 million). The increase is attributed to the overall growth of the Group’s research and development activities, 
reflecting the acceleration of activities at a few companies as supported by third party financing rounds in 2015 
and 2016 and ramping up full scale of R&D activities of companies created in late 2014 and into 2015.

Finance cost, net increased by $14.0 million to $15.3 million in 2016 (2015: $1.3 million) primarily due 
to the finance cost from fair value accounting adjustment of the subsidiary preferred shares liability balance of 

27

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016Strategic ReportFINANCIAL REVIEW (CONTINUED) 

$17.6 million, offset by exchange rate profits of $1.3 million and interest income, net of interest expense, of 
$1.0 million.

As  a  result  of  the  above  discussed  factors,  total  comprehensive  loss  increased  by  $30.8  million  to  $128.7 
million for the year ended 31 December 2016 (2015: $97.9 million). Total comprehensive loss for the year 
attributed  to  the  equity  holders  of  the  Group  was  $96.1  million  (2015:  $77.8  million)  and  $32.6  million 
(2015: $20.2 million) was attributable to the owners of non-controlling interests.

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

As of 31 December

Non-current assets

Current assets

Total assets

Non-current liabilities

Current liabilities

Equity

Total liabilities and equity

2016

$ ‘000

2015

$ ‘000

         38,282 

92,784

      232,007 

      158,427

      270,239

      251,211

720 

           863 

155,402 

      114,117 

108,974 

141,374

      270,239 

      251,211

Significant  performance-impacting  events  and  business  developments  reflected  in  the  Company’s  financial 
position at year end include: 

•  Property and equipment decreased by $2.3 million to $31.9 million as at 31 December 2016 (2015: 
$34.2 million), mainly reflecting depreciation expense of $5.7 million and impairment charges of $0.4 
million, offset by purchases of approximately $3.8 million, of which $1.8 million relates to STT;

• 

Intangible assets as of 31 December 2016 decreased by $1.6 million to $2.8 million (2015: $4.4 
million)  mainly  as  a  result  of  amortisation  expense  of  $0.9  million  and  impairment  charges  of  $1.0 
million,  offset  by  additions  of  $0.3  million  in  capitalised  development  costs,  acquired  licenses  and 
software assets;

•  Other investments, non-current decreased to $2.7 million (2015: $51.5 million) reflecting the investment 
of excess cash into fixed income government and corporate securities that have maturities longer than 
twelve months;

•  Cash and cash equivalents increased by $103.6 million to $209.2 million at 31 December 2016 from 
$105.6 million at 31 December 2015. The increase is mainly attributed to $128.1 million of cash from 
financing activities from the Company’s equity placing in December 2016 and proceeds from subsidiary 
financing rounds, and $70.7 million cash from investing activities mainly reflecting the conversion of 
fixed income security investments into cash and cash equivalents. The overall increase in cash and cash 
equivalents was offset by $95.2 million of net cash used in operations;

•  Other investments, current decreased to $14.2 million (2015: $37.6 million) reflecting the investment 
of excess cash into fixed income government and corporate securities that have maturities shorter than 
twelve months;

28

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016FINANCIAL REVIEW (CONTINUED) 

• 

Inventories increased by $1.1 million to $2.6 million as at 31 December 2016 (2015: $1.5 million) 
reflecting the purchases of inventories of $2.1 million, offset by cost of goods sold and other obsolescence 
charges of $1.0 million;

•  Trade and other receivables decreased by $1.4 million to $5.9 million at 31 December 2016 (2015: 
$7.3 million) as a result of decrease in prepaid and other current assets of $0.7 million mainly from 
write off of advance payments for inventory units at RFB, plus a net decrease of $0.7 million in trade 
receivables;

•  Subscription receivable of $6.0 million reflecting the second tranche of the Series A preferred round at 
Precision Biopsy due by third party investors was collected in 2016 and the balance decreased to nil 
as at 31 December 2016 (2015: $6.0 million);

•  The  loans  balance,  current  and  non-current,  decreased  to  $0.1  million  as  of  31  December  2016 

(2015: $0.3 million) reflecting the repayment of the principal balance by CryoXtract Instruments;

•  Subsidiary preferred shares increased by $46.8 million to $140.9 million as of 31 December 2016 
(2015: $94.1 million) as a result of Series A preferred rounds of $29.2 million at  Federated Wireless, 
Precision Biopsy and HawkEye 360 in 2016 as well as the fair value adjustment for the year of $17.6 
million primarily at SciFluor and STT;

•  Deferred revenue remained consistent at $0.5 million as of 31 December 2016, when compared to 

$0.4 million in prior year; and

•  Share capital and premium increased by $1.4 million to a combined $160.7 million at 31 December 
2016 (2015: $159.3 million) primarily due to exercises of stock options under the U.S. Stock Option 
Plan. Merger reserve increased by $77.9 million due to the net proceeds from the Company’s equity 
placing in December 2016. The increase in accumulated deficit of $96.6 million to $289.4 million 
(2015: 192.8 million) reflected the net comprehensive loss attributable to equity holders of the Group for 
the year of $96.1 million (2015: $77.8 million) and the effect from change in non-controlling interest of 
$6.2 million (2015: $3.2 million), offset by the share-based compensation expense charge for the year 
of $5.9 million (2015: $3.2 million).

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

For the years ended 31 December

Net cash outflow from operating activities

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from investing activities

Net cash inflow from financing activities

2016

$ ‘000

2015

$ ‘000

      (95,220)

      (81,918)

      70,729

      (74,999)

 128,087      

      38,397

Net increase/(decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

    103,596 

(118,520)

Cash and cash equivalents in the beginning of the year

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

 105,555      

224,075         

209,151 

     105,555 

29

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016Strategic ReportFINANCIAL REVIEW (CONTINUED) 

The Group’s net cash outflow from operating activities of $95.2 million in 2016 (2015: $81.9 million) was 
primarily due to the net operating losses for the year of $113.7 million, offset by the net effect from movement in 
working capital of $0.5 million, adjustment for non-cash items such as depreciation, amortisation, impairments 
and share-based expenses of $16.4 million and interest received net of paid and other finance charges of $1.6 
million.

The Group had a net cash inflow from investing activities of $70.7 million in 2016 (2015: outflow of $75.0 
million) mainly reflecting the disposal of fixed income investment securities of $72.3 million and $2.5 million 
from disposal of an equity accounted investee, offset by purchases or property and equipment net of disposals 
of $3.8 million, and purchases of intangible assets net of disposals of $0.3 million. 

The Group’s net cash inflow from financing activities of $128.1 million in 2016 (2015: $38.4 million) primarily 
reflects $78.1 million of net proceeds from the Company’s equity placing in December 2016, $49.0 million 
proceeds from subsidiary financing rounds in ABLS II, Federated Wireless, HawkEye 360 and Precision Biopsy, 
and $1.2 million from exercises of stock options, offset by $0.2 million repayment of notes payable.

The Group’s strategy is to maintain healthy, highly liquid cash balances that are readily available to support the 
activities of its subsidiaries by providing working capital, maintaining the level of research and development 
activities  required  to  achieve  the  set  milestone  goals,  and  acquiring  capital  equipment  where  necessary  to 
support research and development activities. To further minimise its exposure to risks the Group does not maintain 
any material borrowings or cash balances in foreign currency.

30

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016RISK MANAGEMENT

The execution of the Group’s strategy is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. A key focus for the Board 
is to formally identify the principal risks facing the Group and develop a robust and effective framework to ensure 
that the risks are both well understood and appropriate for the Company’s risk appetite to achieve the stated 
corporate goals. This process needs to address both risks arising from the internal operations of the Group and 
those arising from the business environment in which it operates. It is possible that one or more of these identified 
risks could impact the Group in a similar timeframe which may compound their effects.

As an early-stage investor in start-ups, the Group inherently faces significant risks and challenges. The overall aim 
of the risk management policy is to achieve an effective balancing of risk and reward, although ultimately no 
strategy can provide an absolute assurance against loss.

The Board has carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks facing the Group, including those that would 
threaten  its  business  model,  future  performance,  solvency  and/or  liquidity.  The  major  risks  and  uncertainties 
identified by the Board are set out below along with the consequences and mitigation strategy of each risk.

 1.) The science and technology being developed or commercialised by the Group’s businesses may fail and/
or the Group’s business may not be able to develop their intellectual property into commercially viable 
products or technologies. There is also a risk that some of the subsidiary businesses may fail or not succeed 
as anticipated, resulting in an impairment of the Group’s value.

Impact: The failure of any of the Group’s subsidiary businesses would impact the Group’s value. A failure 
of one of the major subsidiary businesses could also impact on the perception of the Group as a builder 
of high value businesses and possibly make additional fund raising at the Group or subsidiary level more 
difficult. 

Mitigation:

•  Before making any investment, extensive due diligence is carried out by the Group which covers 
all the major business risks including market size, strategy, adoption and intellectual property.

•  The  initial  seed  round  investment  is  typically  quite  small  with  additional  investment  only  being 

made on successful completion of milestones.

•  A  disciplined  approach  to  capital  allocation  is  pursued  such  that  proof  of  concept  has  to  be 

achieved before substantial capital is committed.

•  Members of the Group’s management team who carry out the initial due diligence initially run 
the subsidiary in its incubation phase and subsequently move to becoming independent directors 
staying with the project to help ensure consistency of management. The Group’s point of contact 
will stay in regular communication with the senior management of the subsidiary business.

•  Dedicated  leadership  with  deep  industry  or  sector  knowledge  is  recruited  and  retained  as 
appropriate, and the Group ensures that each subsidiary has independent directors and/or other 
advisors, as appropriate for the relevant stage of development.

•  During incubation stage, we closely monitor milestone developments and should a project fail to 

achieve sufficient progress, we terminate the investments.

•  The  Company  carries  out  face-to-face  quarterly  reviews  with  the  management  of  each  of  the 

subsidiary businesses.

•  The shared services model provides significant administrative support to the subsidiary businesses 

whilst the budgetary and financial controls ensure good governance.

31

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016Strategic Report 
 
RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

•  Within the Group there is a wealth of management expertise which can be called upon to support 

each of the subsidiary businesses where necessary.

•  The Group actively uses third party advisors and consultants, specific to the particular domain in 

which a subsidiary business operates, to assist on market strategy and direction. 

 2.) The  Group  expects  to  continue  to  incur  substantial  expenditure  in  further  research  and  development, 
product development and marketing activities of its businesses. There is no guarantee that the Group will 
become profitable prior to achieving a sale or other exit event, and, even if it does, it may be unable to 
sustain profitability.  

Impact: The strategic aim of the business is to generate profits for its shareholders through the investment 
into IP-based start-ups, delivering value through capital gain. As such, profits will be generated on exits. 
The timing and size of these potential inflows is uncertain and should exits not be forthcoming, or in the 
event that they are achieved but at values significantly less than the amount of capital invested, then it 
would be difficult to sustain the current levels of investment in the subsidiary businesses and continue to 
make new investments. This will lead to reduced activity across the Group. In turn this could make raising 
additional capital at the Group level difficult and it could ultimately lead to the failure of the Group as a 
whole.

Mitigation:

•  The Group retains significant cash balances in order to support its internal cash flow requirements, 
including to support the cash requirements for each subsidiary and for corporate resources.

•  The Group has close relationships with a wide group of investors, including its shareholder base 

to ensure it can continue to access the capital markets.

•  Senior management continually seek to create additional strategic relationships for the Group, and 
each subsidiary continually seeks to engage in strategic relationships relevant to their respective 
markets and to maintain current information on and awareness of potential exit strategies.

 3.) If a significant number of the Group’s relationships with US universities and federal government institutions 
were to break down or be terminated or expire, then the Group would lose any rights that it has to act as a 
private sector partner in the commercialisation of intellectual property being generated by such universities, 
other research intensive institutions or US federal research institutions.

Impact: Termination of certain of the Group’s existing relationships would impact the quantity and potential 
quality of the Company’s deal flow. This may in turn prevent the Company from completing promising new 
deals and reduce its opportunity to create new subsidiaries. This could potentially have an adverse effect 
on the Group’s long term prospects and performance.

Mitigation:

•  The Group currently receives in excess of 2,700 items of intellectual property per year from its 
207  partner  institutions.  The  risk  of  losing  deal  flow  through  the  termination  of  relationships  is 
greatly lessened by the wide portfolio and geographic spread of our partners. 

•  The Group continues to strengthen its partner network. The Group seeks to ensure that it has a 
diversity of relationships to ensure that no one university or US government laboratory has inordinate 
influence on our prospects, and at same time we seek to develop deep relationships with select 
research institutions in order to strengthen the quality and quantity of new deal opportunities. 

•  The Group dedicates resources to manage and expand the partner network.

32

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
 
RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

•  The Group is fostering new relationships with strategic corporate partners to expand and strengthen 

its partner network and pipeline for opportunities.

 4.) A majority of the Group’s intellectual property relates to technologies originated in the course of research 
conducted in, and initially funded by, US universities or other federally-funded research institutions. Although 
the Group has been granted exclusive licenses to use this intellectual property, there are certain limitations 
inherent in these licenses, for example as required by the Bayh-Dole Act of 1980.

Impact: There are certain circumstances where the US government has rights to utilise the underlying intel-
lectual property without any economic benefit flowing back to the Group. In the event this were to happen, 
this could impact the financial return to the Group on its investment in the applicable subsidiary businesses.

Mitigation:

•  To the Board’s knowledge, while these so called “march in” rights exist, the US government has 

never had cause to use them.

•  The Group seeks to develop dual use capabilities for the technology it licenses and generally 

tends to avoid use cases directly applicable to government use.

•  This risk is also mitigated through employing experienced technology transfer experts supported 

by our legal team to assess risks that may arise out of this eventuality.

 5.) The  Group  currently  has  in  place  cooperative  research  and  development  agreements  with  certain  US 
Department  of  Defense  laboratories  and  federal  funded  government  institutions.  Certain  regulatory 
measures  apply  to  these  agreements  which  restrict  the  export  of  information  and  material  that  may  be 
used for military or intelligence applications by a non-US person, and compliance with these regulatory 
measures may be complex and limit commercial alternatives.

Impact: If the Group were to breach restrictions on the use of certain licensed technologies, particularly 
those derived from federally funded research facilities, this could materially impact upon the Group’s ability 
to license additional intellectual property from these establishments. In certain circumstances it may also 
lead to the termination of existing licenses. In the event that this were to happen, this could materially affect 
a number of the Group’s businesses and potentially harm the reputation and standing of the Group and 
cause the termination of certain important relationships with federally funded research institutions.

Mitigation:

•  Prior  to  licensing  any  technology  under  these  agreement,  the  Group’s  management  seeks  to 
identify the commercial and other alternatives available for products and services associated with 
such technology and innovations, and to ensure that there are sufficient markets available to justify 
the capital investment.

•  Prior to the commercialisation process, the Group’s management seeks to obtain all the necessary 
clearances from applicable regulatory bodies to ensure that the export of products based upon 
the licensed IP is strictly in accordance with government guidelines.

•  The Group employs a number of individuals with experience in working with various government 

agencies.

•  Senior management is fully cognisant with the regulations and sensitivities in relation to this issue 
and in particular with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) which regulate the use of 
technologies for export, and has numerous mitigating actions available should issues arise.

33

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016Strategic Report 
 
RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

 6.) The  Group  operates  in  complex  and  specialised  business  domains  and  requires  highly  qualified  and 
experienced management to implement its strategy successfully. All of the operations of the Group and its 
subsidiary businesses are located in the United States, which is a highly competitive employment market. 
There is a risk that the Group may lose key personnel, or fail to attract or retain new personnel. Furthermore, 
given the relatively small size of the senior management at the corporate level, the Group is reliant on a 
small number of key individuals.

Impact: The loss of key personnel would have an adverse impact on the ability of the Group to continue 
to grow and may negatively affect the Group’s competitive advantage.

Mitigation:

•  The Board annually seeks external expertise to assess the competitiveness of the compensation 

packages of its senior management.

•  Senior  management  continually  monitor  and  assess  compensation  levels  to  ensure  the  Group 

remains competitive in the employment market.

•  While staff turnover has historically been low and the Group continues to attract highly qualified 
individuals, management encourages development and inclusion through coaching and mentoring 
programmes.

 7.) A large proportion of the overall value of the Group’s businesses may be concentrated in a small proportion 
of the Group’s businesses. If one or more of the intellectual property rights relevant to a valuable business 
were terminated, this would have a material adverse impact on the overall value of the Group’s businesses.

Impact: The termination of critical IP licenses would materially impact the value of the subsidiary business 
and have a consequent effect on the value of the overall Group.

Mitigation:

• 

In each subsidiary, the management is specifically directed to pursue a policy of generating and 
patenting additional intellectual property to both provide additional protection and create direct 
IP ownership for the subsidiary business.

•  Where  possible,  the  Group  seeks  to  negotiate  intellectual  property  ownership  rights  in  any 
research and development agreement it enters into with a network partner, such that the Group 
becomes a part owner of the underlying IP.

•  The  Group  has  a  diversified  portfolio  of  subsidiary  businesses.  The  value  of  any  one  of  its 
subsidiaries relative to the aggregate value of the Group is closely monitored to ensure that the 
concentration risk of any one subsidiary is not disproportionate.

 8.) Clinical  studies  and  other  tests  to  assess  the  commercial  viability  of  a  product  are  typically  expensive, 
complex  and  time-consuming,  and  have  uncertain  outcomes.  If  the  Company  fails  to  complete  or 
experiences  delays  in  completing  tests  for  any  of  its  product  candidates,  it  may  not  be  able  to  obtain 
regulatory approval or commercialise its product candidates on a timely basis, or at all.

Impact: Significant delays in any of the clinical studies to support the appropriate regulatory approvals 
could significantly impact the amount of capital required for the subsidiary business to achieve final 
regulatory approval, which in turn may impact the value of such subsidiary. A critical failure in any stage 
of a clinical testing programme would probably necessitate a termination of the project and a loss of the 
Group’s investment. 

34

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
 
 
RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

Mitigation:

•  The  Group  has  dedicated  internal  resources  to  establish  and  monitor  each  of  the  clinical 

programmes in order to try and maximise successful outcomes.

•  During the evaluation and due diligence phase prior to the initial investment, focus is placed on 

an analysis of the risks of the clinical phase of development.

•  Prior  to  the  launch  of  any  clinical  testing  it  will  be  normal  for  a  dedicated  management  team 
(and in certain cases an advisory team to include key opinion leaders (KOLs)) to be hired, and 
experience with the management of clinical programmes would be a prerequisite qualification.

• 

In the event of the outsourcing of these trials, care and attention is given to assure the quality of 
the Contract Research Organization (CRO) vendors used to perform the work.

 9.) The Group expects to remain viable through December 2019 given its current cash and financial position.  
However,  if  the  Group  is  unable  to  raise  capital,  generate  sufficient  revenue,  appropriately  manage 
expenses, or exit any of its existing Group businesses prior to the end of such period, then the Group’s 
business,  financial  condition,  results  of  operations,  prospects  and  future  viability  could  be  adversely 
affected.

Impact:  Lack  of  capital  could  restrict  the  Group’s  ability  to  further  fund,  develop  and  commercialise  its 
existing businesses and prevent the Group from investing in attractive new opportunities.  In turn, this could 
ultimately lead to failure of individual subsidiaries and loss of investment as well as failure of the Group as 
a whole.   

Mitigation:

•  The Group maintains close relationships with its shareholder base, strategic partners, and a wide 

group of investors to ensure it continuous access to the capital markets.

•  The  Group  has  historically  had  a  strong  financial  position,  including  prior  to  its  initial  public 
offering (IPO), and holds significant control over the Company’s investments and how subsidiary 
company working capital requirements are met.

•  The Company strives to maintain majority ownership and/or control over all of the subsidiary 
companies,  so  that  it  can  seek  to  influence  optimal  capital  allocation,  use  of  cash,  and  fund-
raising strategy.  

•  The Company has built a valuable portfolio of subsidiary companies since its inception.

•  The Company continuously and critically reviews the progress of its subsidiaries against pre-set 
milestones to ensure its financial capital and human resource is properly allocated to the more 
promising areas of its portfolio to help strengthen and accelerate the Group’s path to monetisation.

BREXIT

On 23 June 2016, the UK electorate voted to leave the European Union in a so-called “Brexit” referendum. The 
full consequences of the decision to leave the European Union will not be known for some time. The uncertainty 
surrounding  the  implementation  and  effect  of  Brexit  has  caused  and  is  likely  to  continue  to  cause  increased 
economic volatility.  

It is expected that companies based in the UK and with significant UK and EU operational focus will be the most 
directly impacted by Brexit.  All of the Group’s subsidiary businesses are based in the US, and substantially all of 
the business and operations of the Group are conducted in the US.  However, the Group has raised significant 

35

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016Strategic Report 
 
RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

capital in the UK and may need to raise additional capital in the UK in the future to support the growth and 
development of its subsidiaries.  The uncertainty caused by Brexit may result in the Group being unable to obtain 
additional capital on a timely basis on commercially acceptable terms.  

In addition, Brexit exposes the Group to increased foreign currency risk.  Foreign exchange risk is an exposure 
for  the  Group  as  it  derives  substantially  all  of  its  revenue  in  US  dollars  and  the  Group’s  businesses  borrow, 
account in, and are valued in, US dollars, but its shares trade in amounts denominated in pounds sterling.  Any 
capital raised by the Group in the UK would be denominated in pounds sterling, but would be allocated to 
subsidiary businesses which operate in the US and whose functional currency is US dollars.

If the Group requires and fails to obtain sufficient capital on acceptable terms, it may be forced to curtail or 
abandon its planned growth activity and to forego further investment in developing certain of its current businesses, 
and otherwise be subject to a material adverse impact on the Group’s business and financial condition.

CORPORATE AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Details  on  the  Group’s  policies,  activities  and  aims  with  regard  to  its  corporate  and  social  responsibilities, 
including diversity, are included in the Sustainability section on pages 58 to 61 and are incorporated into this 
Strategic Report by reference.

This Strategic Report has been approved by the Board of Directors. 

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Peter Dolan 
Chairman 

Jill Smith 
Chief Executive Officer

27 April 2017

36

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
 
 
THE BOARD

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Jill Smith – Chief Executive Officer

Jill joined Allied Minds as a non-executive director in January 2016, and was appointed to the role of interim 
Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director in March 2017.  Jill has more than 25 years of experience as an 
international business leader, including 16 years as Chief Executive Officer of private and public companies in 
the technology and information services markets.  Most recently, Jill served as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer 
and President of DigitalGlobe Inc. (NYSE:DGI), a global provider of satellite imagery products and services.  
Beginning her career as a consultant at Bain & Company, where she rose to become Partner, other leadership 
capacities in which she has served include Vice President of Sara Lee, Chief Executive Officer and President 
of eDial, Chief Executive Officer and President of SRDS, L.P., Chief Operating Officer of Micron Electronics, 
and Co-Founder of Treacy & Company, a consulting and boutique investment business.  Currently, Jill serves as 
an independent director on the Boards of Directors of Endo International plc (NASDAQ: ENDP) and Hexagon 
(Nasdaq Stockholm: HEXA B).  She will not be standing for re-election at the Hexagon AGM in May 2017, but 
has been proposed for election at the May 2017 AGM of Gemalto N.V. (Euronext: GTO).  Jill holds a Master of 
Science degree in Business Administration from the MIT Sloan School of Management.  Jill served as a member 
of the Audit Committee throughout 2016, but was replaced by Kevin Sharer upon her appointment as interim 
Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director.

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Peter Dolan – Non-Executive Chairman

Peter joined Allied Minds in April 2014. Peter has 30 years of operating experience, including 18 years at 
Bristol-Myers Squibb, where he served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. He subsequently served as 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Gemin X, a venture capital backed oncology company that was sold 
to Cephalon. Peter is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Tufts University having served in several lead-
ership capacities, including Vice Chair, and as a member of the Compensation, Academic Affairs and Audit 
Committees, before his election as Chairman in November 2013. Most recently, Peter served on the Board 
of Overseers of the Tuck School at Dartmouth College and on the Board of Directors of the National Centre 
on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University. Additionally, he has served on the Boards of the 
American Express Company, C-Change (a cancer coalition organisation), and was Chairman of the Pharma-
ceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. Peter holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Tufts University in 
Social Psychology and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Amos Tuck School of Business at 
Dartmouth. Peter was appointed to the Board in May 2014, and has served as Chairman since May 2015. 

Rick Davis – Senior Independent Director

Rick joined Allied Minds in August 2011. Rick is an internationally recognised political leader with more than 30 
years of experience in business and public affairs. Rick currently serves as a Partner and Chief Operating Officer 
at Pegasus Capital Advisors, a $2.2 billion private equity fund founded in 1995. He has a long and distin-
guished career in both the public and private sector. Having served on President Ronald Reagan’s political team, 
Rick also served in three Reagan Administration Cabinet Agencies including as White House Special Assistant to 
the President for the Domestic Policy Council. In his capacity in the White House, Rick managed all policy devel-
opment related to Climate, Energy and Environment. President George H.W. Bush appointed him as Deputy Ex-
ecutive Director for the White House Conference on Science and Economic Research Related to Global Climate 
Change. While in the private sector, Rick built one of the most influential and successful public affairs companies 
in the United States. In 2000 and 2008, Rick served as Senator John McCain’s national campaign manager 
leading all aspects of the campaign activity. While serving as Senator McCain’s chief strategist and political ad-
visor, Rick was integral in the development of some key legislative initiatives including ground breaking Climate 
Legislation and Campaign  Finance  Reform. Rick currently serves on the Board of The Environmental  Defense 

37

Management &  GovernanceANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
THE BOARD (CONTINUED)

Action Fund developing initiatives and ties to the corporate community that promotes better stewardship of the 
environment. Rick was appointed to the Board in May 2014, but was a member of the predecessor company 
board since 2011, and serves on each of the Audit, Nomination (Chairman), and Remuneration Committees. 

Jeff Rohr – Independent Non-Executive Director

Jeff  joined  Allied  Minds  in  April  2014.  He  has  30  years  of  senior  management  experience  at  Deloitte  LLP. 
Jeff  has  career  long  experience  serving  clients  in  a  multitude  of  industries  and  extensive  experience  in  gov-
ernance  processes  having  last  served  in  the  role  of  Vice  Chairman  and  Chief  Financial  Officer  at  Deloitte. 
In  the  role  of  Chief  Financial  Officer,  Jeff  was  responsible  for  all  aspects  of  financial  affairs  of  the  Deloitte 
Global Firm and the Deloitte US Firm, including strategy, accounting and financial reporting, treasury, capital 
adequacy,  liquidity,  taxes,  pensions,  and  risk  management.  Previously,  Jeff  served  as  the  Managing  Partner 
of  Deloitte’s  Midwest  and  Mid-Atlantic  regions  as  well  as  National  Director  of  Deloitte’s  Business  Planning. 
Currently, Jeff serves on a number of Boards and Foundations. He is a member of the Board of Directors of 
American Express Centurion Bank where he is the Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee, has served for 
ten  years  as  Chairman  of  the  Audit  Committee  of  the  Florida  State  University  Foundation  Board  of  Trustees 
and  is  Chairman  of  the  College  of  Business  Board  of  Governors.  Jeff  is  a  graduate  of  Florida  State  Univer-
sity with a B.S. degree in Accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant. Jeff was appointed to the Board 
in  May  2014,  and  serves  on  each  of  the  Audit  (Chairman),  Nomination,  and  Remuneration  Committees. 

Kevin Sharer – Independent Non-Executive Director

Kevin joined Allied Minds in June 2015.  Globally recognised as a leader and mentor to senior management 
teams engaged in high-growth strategies, Kevin spent more than 20 years leading Amgen, the world’s largest 
independent  biotechnology  firm,  starting  as  President  and  Chief  Operating  Officer  and  then  taking  over  as 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.  Kevin began his career in the United States Navy, serving as Chief Engi-
neer on the USS Memphis and later rising to become a Lieutenant Commander.  After his service, Kevin worked 
as a consultant at McKinsey & Co., in corporate development at General Electric Co., and as an Executive Vice 
President in Marketing at MCI Telecommunications Corp.  Having previously served on the Boards of Directors 
of  Chevron  Corp.  and  Northrop  Grumman  Corp.,  Kevin  is  currently  a  faculty  member  at  Harvard  Business 
School, where he teaches General Management and other classes.  Kevin holds a Bachelor of Science degree 
and a Master of Arts degree in Engineering from the United States Naval Academy and a Master of Business 
Administration degree from the University of Pittsburgh’s Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business.  Kevin 
was appointed to the Board in June 2015, and serves on each of the Audit, Nomination, and Remuneration 
(Chair) Committees.

FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Chris Silva – Chief Executive Officer (resigned) 

Chris  joined  Allied  Minds  in  March  2006,  and  resigned  his  appointments  as  Chief  Executive  Officer  and 
Executive Director in March 2017.  Before joining Allied Minds, Chris was a Partner at JSA Partners, a profes-
sional M&A and strategy consultancy in Boston, MA, which provides technology companies with market entry, 
competitive strategy, acquisitions and investment decisions. His consulting background includes three years with 
A.T. Kearney’s Aerospace Aviation and Defense Practice. Chris was also the Director of Business Development 
for GRC International, a scientific and technical support contractor to the Department of Defense and US Intelli-
gence Community. Earlier, Chris served in the US Air Force. Chris holds a BA degree from Tufts University and a 
Masters of Business Administration. Chris was appointed to the Board in April 2014, but was a member of the 
predecessor company board since 2006.

38

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016THE BOARD (CONTINUED)

Table of Board Attendance 
The table below summarises the attendance of the Directors at the scheduled meetings held during the year:

DIRECTOR

Jill Smith

Peter Dolan

Rick Davis

Jeff Rohr

Kevin Sharer

Chris Silva

MEETINGS ATTENDED

BOARD

AUDIT 
COMMITTEE

NOMINATION 
COMMITTEE

REMUNERATION 
COMMITTE

5 of 6

6 of 6

4 of 6

5 of 6

5 of 6

6 of 6

5 of 5

n/a

3 of 5

5 of 5

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

1 of 2

2 of 2

2 of 2

n/a

n/a

n/a

3 of 4

4 of 4

3 of 4

n/a

(1.)  Ms. Smith served as a member of the Audit Committee throughout 2016, but was replaced by Kevin Sharer on 10 March 2017 upon her 

appointment as interim Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director.

(2.)  Mr. Silva resigned as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director as of 10 March 2017.

(3.)  The  missed  meetings  were  as  a  result  of  unexpected  or  previously  scheduled  conflicts,  except  that  one  administrative  Board  meeting  was 
conducted by a quorum of Messrs. Dolan and Silva, and the remaining members were briefed by the Company Secretary before and after 
such meeting.

(4.)  In addition, a special committee of the Board of Directors comprised of Messrs. Silva and Rohr, and Ms. Smith, was formed in connection with 

the placing of ordinary shares completed on 2 December 2016, and such committee held two meetings to consider and approve such placing.

39

Management &  GovernanceANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
 
 
 
DIRECTORS’ REPORT

The  Directors  present  their  report  together  with  the  audited  financial  statements  for  Allied  Minds  plc  and  its 
subsidiaries for the year ended 31 December 2016. The Company was incorporated on 15 April 2014 under 
the UK Companies Act 2006 (Companies Act).

DIRECTORS

The Directors of the Company as at 31 December 2016 were those listed on pages 37 to 38, and these pag-
es are incorporated into this Directors’ Report by reference. The only change to the composition of the Board 
during the year was the appointment of Jill Smith as a Non-Executive Director in January 2016. Each of Chris 
Silva and Rick Davis served on the predecessor company board. Post period on 10 March 2017, Mr. Silva 
resigned his appointments as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, and Ms. Smith was appointed as 
interim Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director. The Directors’ interests in the share capital of the Company 
are as shown in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 82 to 83. None of the Directors were materially 
interested in any significant contract to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries were party during the year. 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Information that fulfils the requirements of the corporate governance statement can be found in the Corporate 
Governance  Report  on  pages  48  to  57,  the  Directors’  Remuneration  Report  on  pages  62  to  91,  and  the 
Audit Committee Report on pages 92 to 95, and is incorporated into this Report of the Directors by reference. 

EMPLOYEES

The Group’s policies in relation to employees are disclosed on page 61, and these pages are incorporated into 
this Directors’ Report by reference.

RESULTS AND DIVIDENDS

During the period, the Group generated a net comprehensive loss after taxation for the year ended 31 Decem-
ber 2016 of $128.7 million (2015: $97.9 million). The Directors do not recommend the payment of a dividend 
for 2016 (2015: nil).

STRATEGIC REPORT

The Group’s Strategic Report can be found on pages 3 to 36, and includes information as to the Group’s activi-
ties in the field of research and development, and as to the likely future development of the Group. Financial key 
performance indicators can be found on page 19. 

The  Strategic  Report  contains  forward-looking  statements  with  respect  to  the  business  of  Allied  Minds.  These 
statements reflect the Board’s current view, are subject to a number of material known and unknown events, risks 
and uncertainties, and could change in the future. Factors that could cause or contribute to such changes include, 
but are not limited to, general economic climate and trading conditions, as well as specific factors relating to the 
financial or commercial prospects or performance of the Group’s individual subsidiary companies, the ability to 
consummate expected transactions, and the ability to identify promising new technologies invented by university 
or Federal laboratory partners.

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Group through its operations is exposed to a number of risks. The Group’s risk management objectives and 
policies are described on pages 31 to 36 and in the Governance Report on pages 56 to 57. Further informa-
tion on the Group’s financial risk management objectives and policies, including those in relation to credit risk, 
liquidity risk and market risk, is provided in note 23 to the consolidated financial statements, along with further 

40

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
 
DIRECTORS’ REPORT (CONTINUED)

information on the Group’s use of financial instruments.  The pages referenced in this paragraph are incorporated 
into this Directors’ Report by reference.

SIGNIFICANT AGREEMENTS

The Group has not entered into any significant agreements which may be impacted by a change of control 
following a takeover bid.

SHARE CAPITAL

Details of the structure of the Company’s share capital and the rights attaching to the Company’s shares are set 
out in note 16 to the consolidated financial statements. Other than the minimum share ownership policy adopted 
by the Board in April 2016 with respect to Executive Directors, there are no specific restrictions on the holding 
of securities or on the transfer of shares, which are both governed by the general provisions of the Company’s 
Articles of Association (Articles) and prevailing legislation. None of the ordinary shares carry any special rights 
with regard to control of the Company and there are no restrictions on voting rights. 

In connection with the strategic alliance entered into with GE Ventures in September 2016, GE Ventures received 
an option to participate in any future capital raise by the Company for at least 6% of the total raise, subject to 
current pre-emption rights, applicable authorisations and applicable laws and regulations.

At the last Annual General Meeting of the Company held on 26 May 2016 (2016 AGM), authority was given 
to the Directors pursuant to the relevant provisions of the Companies Act to allot unissued relevant securities in the 
Company up to a maximum amount equivalent to approximately one-third of the issued ordinary share capital 
on 21 April 2016 at any time up to the earlier of the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting (AGM) 
of the Company and 1 August 2017. In addition, at the 2016 AGM, the Directors were also given authority 
effective for the same period as the aforementioned authority to allot relevant securities in the Company up to a 
maximum of approximately two-thirds of the total ordinary share capital in issue on 21 April 2016 in connection 
with an offer by way of a fully preemptive rights issue. The Directors propose to renew both of these authorities 
at the Company’s next AGM to be held on 1 June 2017. The authorities being sought are in accordance with 
guidance issued by the Investment Association.

A further special resolution passed at the 2016 AGM granted authority to the Directors to allot equity securities 
in the Company for cash, without regard to the pre-emption provisions of the Companies Act, both: (i) up to a 
maximum of approximately two-thirds of the total ordinary share capital in issue on 21 April 2016 in connection 
with a fully preemptive rights issue; and (ii) up to a maximum of approximately 10% of the aggregate nominal 
value of the shares in issue on 21 April 2016, each authority exercisable at any time up to the earlier of the 
conclusion of the next AGM of the Company and 1 August 2017. The former of these authorities was not used 
during the year. The latter of these authorities was used in a connection with the equity fundraising to raise $80.3 
million which was completed by the Company on 2 December 2016. The Directors will seek to renew these 
authorities, with certain amendments to comply with guidelines issued by the Pre-emption Group, for a similar 
period at the next AGM to be held on 1 June 2017.  Further details of such authorities are set forth in the Notice 
of AGM circulated with this Report and Accounts.

The Directors intend to adhere to the provisions in the Pre-emption Group’s Statement of Principles, as updated in 
March 2015, and not to allot shares for cash on a non-pre-emptive basis:

• 

in excess of an amount equal to 5% of the total issued ordinary share capital of the Company (excluding 
treasury shares); or 

41

Management &  GovernanceANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016DIRECTORS’ REPORT (CONTINUED)

• 

in  excess  of  an  amount  equal  to  7.5%  of  the  total  issued  ordinary  share  capital  of  the  Company 
(excluding treasury shares) within a rolling three-year period, without prior consultation with shareholders,

in each case, other than in connection with an acquisition or specified capital investment which is announced 
contemporaneously  with  the  allotment  or  which  has  taken  place  in  the  preceding  six-month  period  and  is 
disclosed in the announcement of the allotment.

Under the Companies Act, the Company has the power to purchase its own shares in accordance with Part 
18,  Chapter  5  of  the  Companies  Act.  At  the  2016  AGM,  a  special  resolution  was  passed  which  granted 
the Directors authority to make market purchases of the Company’s shares pursuant to these provisions of the 
Companies Act up to a maximum of approximately 10% of the Company’s issued share capital on 21 April 
2016 provided that the authority granted set a minimum and maximum price at which purchases can be made 
and is exercisable at any time up to the earlier of the conclusion of the next AGM and 1 August 2017. This 
authority has not been used during the year and therefore the outstanding authority is 21,563,736. The Directors 
will seek to renew the authority within similar parameters and for a similar period at the next AGM to be held 
on 1 June 2017.

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

The Company’s Articles may be amended by a special resolution of the shareholders. 

SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDERS

As at 31 December 2016, the Company had been advised of the following notifiable interests in the Compa-
ny’s voting rights under DTR 5. Other than as shown, so far as the Company (and its directors) are aware, no 
other person holds or is beneficially interested in a disclosable interest in the Company.

SHAREHOLDER

Woodford Investment Management

Invesco Asset Management Limited

Mark Pritchard

GIC Private Limited

SandAire

P3 Private Equity Fund

NUMBER OF 
SHARES

PERCENTAGE

65,939,855

62,969,115

15,197,240

14,771,343

9,930,236

7,721,846

28.21%

26.93%

6.50%

6.32%

4.25%

3.30%

Between  the  year  end  and  24  April  2017  (the  latest  practicable  date  prior  to  publication),  the  Company 
issued and allotted 501,866 ordinary shares, and was advised pursuant to DTR 5 that (1) GIC Private Limited 
had increased its holdings to 19,382,360 shares, or 8.27%, and (2) Invesco Asset Management Limited had 
decreased its holdings to 53,387,490 shares, or 22.79%. As a result, the percentage ownership as of 24 
April 2017 is as follows: Woodford (28.15%); Invesco (23.24%); GIC (8.27%); Pritchard (6.49%); SandAire 
(4.24%); and P3 (3.30%).

RELATIONSHIP AGREEMENT 

In  accordance  with  Listing  Rule  9.8.4R  (14),  the  Company  has  set  out  below  a  statement  describing  the 
relationship agreement entered into by the Company with its principal shareholder which was in force during 
2014 and 2015, and was terminated on 9 October 2015.  

42

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
DIRECTORS’ REPORT (CONTINUED)

On 19 June 2014, the Company entered into a Relationship Agreement with Invesco Asset Management Limited 
(Invesco), which came into force at the Company’s initial public offering (IPO) on the Main Market of the London 
Stock Exchange. The principal purpose of the Relationship Agreement was to ensure that the Company was 
capable at all times of carrying on its business independently of Invesco.

If any person acquired control of the Company or the Company ceased to be admitted to the Official List, the 
Relationship Agreement could be terminated by Invesco. If Invesco (together with its associates) ceased to hold 
30% or more of the voting rights over the Company’s shares, the Relationship Agreement would terminate save 
for certain specified provisions.

On 9 October 2015, Invesco reported pursuant to DTR 5 that it had decreased its holdings to 63,502,442 
shares, or 29.45%.  On 20 April 2017, Invesco further reported pursuant to DTR 5 its holdings as 53,387,490, 
or 22.79%.  On the basis that Invesco no longer exercises or controls, on its own or together with any person 
with which they are acting in concert, 30% or more of the voting rights over the Company’s shares, Invesco is 
no longer a “controlling shareholder” under the Listing Rules, and the Relationship Agreement terminated on 9 
October 2015 in accordance with its terms and conditions.

The Relationship Agreement provided that Invesco would undertake to use all reasonable endeavors to procure 
that its associates and any person with whom it was acting in concert shall:

•  conduct all agreements, arrangements, transactions and relationships with any member of the Group 
on an arm’s length basis and on a normal commercial basis and in accordance with the related party 
transaction requirements of Chapter 11 of the Listing Rules;

•  not  take  any  action  that  would  have  the  effect  of  preventing  the  Company  from  complying  with  its 
obligations under the Listing Rules or preclude or inhibit any member of the Group from carrying on its 
business independently of Invesco, its associates and any person with whom it was acting in concert;

•  not propose or procure the proposal of a shareholder resolution which was intended to, or appeared to 

be intended to, circumvent the proper application of the Listing Rules; and

•  not exercise any of its voting rights attaching to the shares held by it to procure any amendment to the 
Articles of Association of the Company which would be inconsistent with, undermine or breach any of 
the provisions of the Relationship Agreement.

The Board believes that the terms of the Relationship Agreement enabled the Company to carry on its business 
independently, prior to its termination, from Invesco and its associates, and ensured that all transactions and 
relationships between the Company and Invesco were at arm’s length and on a normal commercial basis.

The Company has and, in so far as it is aware, Invesco and its associates have, complied with the independence 
provisions set out in the Relationship Agreement from the date of the agreement, during the relevant period under 
review, until its termination on 9 October 2015. The ordinary shares owned by Invesco rank pari passu with the 
other ordinary shares in all respects.

POLITICAL DONATIONS

The Group did not make any political or charitable donations in 2015 or 2016.

CORPORATE AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Details on the Group’s policies, activities and aims with regard to its corporate and social responsibilities are 
included in the Sustainability section on pages 58 to 61, and are incorporated into this Director’s Report by 
reference.

43

Management &  GovernanceANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016DIRECTORS’ REPORT (CONTINUED)

DIRECTORS’ INDEMNITY AND LIABILITY INSURANCE

During the year, the Company has maintained liability insurance in respect of its directors who held office during 
the period. Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act, the Articles provide that every director is entitled to 
be indemnified out of the funds of the Company against any liabilities incurred in the execution or discharge of 
his or her powers or duties.

ISSUANCE OF EQUITY BY MAJOR SUBSIDIARY UNDERTAKING

None of the Company’s major subsidiary undertakings (as defined in the Listing Rules) issued equity in 2016. 

REQUIREMENTS OF THE LISTING RULES

The following table provides references to where the information required by Listing Rule 9.8.4R is disclosed:

SECTION

LISTING RULE REQUIREMENT

Interest capitalised

Publication of unaudited financial information

Details of long-term incentive schemes

Waiver of emoluments by a director

Waiver of future emoluments by a director

Non pre-emptive issues of equity for cash

LOCATION

Not applicable

Not applicable

Directors’ Remuneration Report, page 62

Not applicable

Not applicable

Notes to the Consolidated Financial 
Statements, Note 16

Non pre-emptive issues of equity for cash by any major 
subsidiary undertaking

Parent participation in a placing by a listed subsidiary

Contract of significance with director

Provision of services by a controlling shareholder

Shareholder waivers of dividends

Shareholder waivers of future dividends

Not applicable

Not applicable

Not applicable

Not applicable

Not applicable

Not applicable

Relationship agreements with the controlling shareholder

Directors’ Report, pages 42 to 43

1

2

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS

Material events occurring since the balance sheet date are disclosed in the Strategic Report. In summary, they 
are:

•  On 10 March 2017, Jill Smith resigned as a Non-Executive Director, and was appointed interim Chief 

Executive Officer and Executive Director, replacing Chris Silva who resigned as of such date; 

•  On  5  April  2017,  the  Company  announced  that  it  would  undertake  a  restructuring,  reallocating 
capital and management resources across the portfolio and pipeline in line with its goal to accelerate 
commercialisation. The restructuring will result in discontinued funding for several subsidiaries (Discontinued 
Subsidiaries). A process has been undertaken to seek strategic alternatives for these businesses, which 
could include sales or transfers of legal entities or assets, or liquidations. The Discontinued Subsidiaries 
are:  Biotectix;  Cephalogics;  CryoXtract;  Novare  Pharmaceuticals;  Optio  Labs;  RF  Biocidics;  and 

44

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
DIRECTORS’ REPORT (CONTINUED)

SoundCure/Tinnitus Treatment Solutions; and Treatment Solutions. 

•  On 26 April 2017, Marc Eichenberger resigned as Chief Operating Officer.

VIABILITY STATEMENT

While the financial statements and accounts have been prepared on a going concern basis, section C.2.2 of 
the 2014 revision of the UK Corporate Governance Code (Code) requires the Directors to make a statement 
in the Annual Report with regard to the viability of the Group, including explaining how they have assessed 
the  prospects  of  the  Group,  the  period  of  time  for  which  they  have  made  the  assessment,  and  why  they 
consider  that  period  to  be  appropriate.    Accordingly,  the  Directors  conducted  this  assessment  over  the  three 
years to December 2019, taking into account the Group’s current position, investment strategy, the effects of the 
reallocation of capital resources announced on 5 April 2017, and the principal risks detailed in the Strategic 
Report. The Directors believe that a three-year assessment is most appropriate as it aligns with the Group’s normal 
and well-established budgeting process. In making their assessment, the Directors considered a wide range of 
information, including present and future economic conditions, future projections of profitability, cash flows and 
capital requirements and availability of sources of funding. 

The Group’s annual budgeting process builds into a robust three-year plan, which is the period the Directors 
consider as an appropriate period to be covered by the viability statement. This plan forms the basis for strategic 
decisions across the Group. The consolidated plan is reviewed and approved annually by the Directors at the 
beginning of the year. The plan is then deployed down to the subsidiary businesses and used to set performance 
metrics and objectives (MBOs). Progress against the original plan is reviewed quarterly by the Directors, and 
adjustments to the plan can be made if needed to address new risks or take advantage of new opportunities.

In summary, the Directors have assessed the viability of the Group over the three year period to December 2019. 
They  were  comforted  by  the  Group’s  strong  financial  position,  its  ability  to  raise  or  borrow  capital,  its  long-
term investment objectives, the stability of the business model, the Group’s control over its investments and how 
working capital requirements are met. Based on this assessment, the Directors have a reasonable expectation 
that the Group will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the three year 
period to December 2019.

DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO AUDITOR

Each of the persons who is a Director at the date of approval of this Annual Report confirms that:

•  so far as the Director is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Company’s auditor is 

unaware; and

• 

the Director has taken all steps that he or she ought to have taken as a Director in order to make himself 
or herself aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Company’s auditor is aware 
of that information.

This confirmation is given and should be interpreted in accordance with the provisions of Section 418 of the 
Companies Act.

45

Management &  GovernanceANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016DIRECTORS’ REPORT (CONTINUED)

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on 1 June 2017. The Notice of AGM circulated with this 
Report and Accounts contains a full explanation of the business to be conducted at that meeting. This includes 
a resolution to re-appoint KPMG LLP as the Company’s auditors. 

DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and Accounts and the Group and parent Company 
financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company  law  requires  the  Directors  to  prepare  Group  and  parent  Company  financial  statements  for  each 
financial year. Under that law, they are required to prepare the Group financial statements in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as adopted by the European Union (EU) and applicable law 
and have elected to prepare the parent Company financial statements on the same basis.

Under company law, the Directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they 
give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Group and parent Company and of their profit or loss for that 
period. In preparing each of the Group and parent Company financial statements, the Directors are required to: 

•  select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

•  make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

•  state whether they have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the EU; and

•  prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the 

Group and the parent Company will continue in business.

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain 
the parent Company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of 
the parent Company and enable them to ensure that its financial statements comply with the Companies Act. 
They have general responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets of 
the Group and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.

Under  applicable  law  and  regulations,  the  Directors  are  also  responsible  for  preparing  a  Strategic  Report, 
Directors’ Report, Directors’ Remuneration Report and Corporate Governance Statement that complies with that 
law and those regulations.

The  Directors  are  responsible  for  the  maintenance  and  integrity  of  the  corporate  and  financial  information 
included  on  the  Company’s  website.  Legislation  in  the  UK  governing  the  preparation  and  dissemination  of 
financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT OF THE DIRECTORS IN RESPECT OF THE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT

We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

• 

• 

the financial statements, prepared in accordance with the applicable set of accounting standards, give a 
true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Group and the parent 
Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole; and

the Strategic Report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the 
position of the Group and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole, together with 
a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face.

46

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016DIRECTORS’ REPORT (CONTINUED)

We consider the Annual Report and Accounts, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and 
provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Group’s position and performance, business 
model and strategy.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Peter Dolan  
Chairman    

Jill Smith 
Chief Executive Officer

27 April 2017

47

Management &  GovernanceANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
 
 
 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT

COMPLIANCE WITH THE UK CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CODE

The Directors are committed to a high standard of corporate governance and compliance with the best practice 
of the UK Corporate Governance Code (Code) which was issued by the Financial Reporting Council in 2010 
and revised in September 2014. The Code is available at the Financial Reporting Council website at www.frc.
org.uk. During the twelve months ended 31 December 2016, the Directors consider that the Company has been 
in compliance with the provisions set out in the Code with the following exceptions:

•  Contrary to provision D.1.3 of the Code, certain Non-Executive Directors hold restricted ordinary shares 
that vest over time. These shares were granted to the Non-Executive Directors prior to the IPO and do not 
have performance conditions. The Board does not believe that ownership of these shares impacts the 
independence of the Non-Executive Directors.

•  Contrary  to  provision  D.1.3  of  the  Code,  certain  Non-Executive  Directors  hold  restricted  stock  units 
(RSUs) that vest over time. These RSUs were granted to the Non-Executive Directors in 2015 and 2016, 
and do not have performance conditions. The Board does not believe that ownership of these RSUs 
impacts the independence of the Non-Executive Directors.

Further explanation as to how the provisions set out in the Code have been applied by the Company is provided 
in  the  following  statement,  the  Directors’  Remuneration  Report,  the  Audit  Committee  Report  and  the  Strategic 
Report.

THE BOARD

Role and Responsibilities of the Board

The  Board  is  responsible  to  shareholders  for  the  overall  management  of  the  Group  as  a  whole,  providing 
entrepreneurial leadership within a framework of controls for assessing and managing risk; defining, challenging 
and interrogating the Group’s strategic aims and direction; maintaining the policy and decision-making framework 
in which such strategic aims are implemented; ensuring that the necessary financial and human resources are 
in  place  to  meet  strategic  aims;  monitoring  performance  against  key  financial  and  non-financial  indicators; 
succession planning; overseeing the system of risk management; setting values and standards in governance 
matters  and  monitoring  policies  and  performance  on  corporate  social  responsibility.  The  Directors  are  also 
responsible for ensuring that obligations to shareholders and other stakeholders are understood and met and a 
satisfactory dialogue with shareholders is maintained. All Directors are equally accountable to the Company’s 
shareholders for the proper stewardship of its affairs and the long-term success of the Group.

The responsibility of the Directors is collective, taking into account their respective roles as Executive Directors and 
Non-Executive Directors. The Executive Directors are directly responsible for running the business operations and 
the Non-Executive Directors are responsible for constructively challenging proposals on strategy, scrutinising the 
performance of management, determining levels of remuneration and for succession planning for the Executive 
Directors. The Non-Executive Directors must also satisfy themselves on the integrity of financial information and 
that financial controls and systems of risk management are robust.

The Board reviews strategic issues on a regular basis and exercises control over the performance of the Group 
by agreeing on budgetary targets and monitoring performance against those targets. The Board has overall 
responsibility for the Group’s system of internal controls and risk management, as described on pages 56 to 57. 
Any decisions made by the Board on policies and strategy to be adopted by the Group or changes to current 
policies and strategy are made following presentations by the Executive Directors and a detailed process of 
review and challenge by the Board. Once made, the Executive Directors are fully empowered to implement 
those decisions.

Except for a formal schedule of matters which are reserved for decision and approval by the Board, the Board 

48

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT (CONTINUED)

has delegated the day-to-day management of the Group to the Chief Executive Officer who is supported by the 
Executive Directors and other members of the senior management team. The schedule of matters reserved for 
Board decision and approval are those significant to the Group as a whole due to their strategic, financial or 
reputational implications.

This schedule is reviewed and updated regularly and currently includes those matters set forth below:

•  Approval  and  monitoring  of  the  Group’s  strategic  aims  and  objectives,  and  approval  of  the  annual 

operating budget.

•  Strategic acquisitions by the Group.

•  Major disposals of the Group’s assets or subsidiaries.

•  Changes to the Group’s capital structure, the issue of any securities and material borrowing of the Group.

•  Approval of the annual report and half-year results statement, accounting policies and practices or any 

matter having a material impact on future financial performance of the Group.

•  Ensuring a sound system of internal control and risk management.

•  Approval  of  all  circulars,  prospectuses  and  other  documents  issued  to  shareholders  governed  by  the 
FCA’s Listing Rules, Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules or the City Code on Takeovers and 
Mergers.

•  Approving Board appointments and removals, and approving policies relating to directors’ remuneration.

•  The division of responsibility between the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer.

•  Approval of terms of reference and membership of Board Committees.

•  Considering and, where appropriate, approving directors’ conflicts of interest.

•  Approval, subject to shareholder approval, of the appointment and remuneration of the auditors.

•  Major changes in employee share schemes.

• 

Insurance and litigation.

The schedule of matters reserved to the Board is available on request from the Company Secretary or within the 
Investors section of the Group’s website at www.alliedminds.com.

The  Board  delegates  specific  responsibilities  to  certain  Committees  that  assist  the  Board  in  carrying  out  its 
functions and ensure independent oversight of internal control and risk management. The three principal Board 
Committees (Audit, Remuneration and Nomination) play an essential role in supporting the Board in fulfilling its 
responsibilities and ensuring that the highest standards of corporate governance are maintained throughout the 
Group. Each Committee has its own terms of reference which set out the specific matters for which delegated 
authority has been given by the Board. The initial terms of reference for each of the Committees, which are 
fully compliant with the provisions of the Code and which reflect both best practice and the recommendations 
arising from the external evaluation process undergone by the Board and its Committees in connection with the 
Company’s IPO, were adopted by the Board during 2014. These were reviewed in November 2016, and will 
be reviewed annually on an ongoing basis and updated where necessary. All of these are available on request 
from the Company Secretary or within the Investors section of the Group’s website at www.alliedminds.com.

49

Management &  GovernanceANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT (CONTINUED)

Board Size and Composition

As at 31 December 2016, there were six Directors on the Board: the Non-Executive Chairman, one Executive 
Director and four Non-Executive Directors. During the year, Jill Smith joined the Board as a Non-Executive Di-
rector in January 2016. The biographies of all of the Directors are provided on pages 37 and 38. Post period 
on 10 March 2017, Mr. Silva resigned his appointments as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, 
and Ms. Smith was appointed as interim Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director.

The Company’s policy relating to the terms of appointment and the remuneration of both Executive and Non-
Executive Directors is detailed in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 62 to 91.

The size and composition of the Board is regularly reviewed by the Board, and in particular the Nomination 
Committee, to ensure there is an appropriate and diverse mix of skills and experience on the Board.

The  Company’s  Articles  of  Association  allow  appointment  of  Directors  by  ordinary  resolution  and  require  all 
Directors  to  submit  themselves  for  re-election  by  the  shareholders  at  the  Company’s  AGM  following  their  first 
appointment and thereafter at each AGM in respect of which they have held office for the two preceding AGMs 
and did not retire at either of  them. In addition, each director who has held office with the Company  for a 
continuous period of nine years or more must retire and offer themselves up for re-election at every AGM.

However, because the Company is a FTSE 350 company, in accordance with the Code, all Directors will submit 
themselves  for  annual  re-election  by  shareholders  at  the  AGM  of  the  Company  to  be  held  on  1  June  2017 
(2017 AGM). The Board recommends to shareholders the reappointment of all Directors retiring at the meeting 
and offering themselves for re-election on the basis that independent performance reviews demonstrated that 
they each contribute effectively to the Board and continue to display the appropriate level of commitment in their 
respective roles.  

Diversity

The Board is committed to a culture that attracts and retains talented people to deliver outstanding performance 
and further enhance the success of the Company. In that culture, diversity across a range of criteria is valued, 
primarily in relation to skills, knowledge and experience and also in other criteria such as gender and ethnicity. 
The Company will give careful consideration to issues of overall Board balance and diversity in making new 
appointments to the Board and, in identifying suitable candidates, the Nomination Committee will seek candidates 
from a range of backgrounds, with the final decision being based on merit against objective criteria. In addition, 
the terms of reference of the Nomination Committee include a requirement for the Committee to consider diversity, 
including gender, in evaluating the composition of the Board and in identifying suitable candidates for Board 
appointments. A breakdown of employee gender showing the percentage of persons who were Directors of the 
Company and senior managers during the period covered by this Annual Report can be found on page 61. 

Non-Executive Directors
The Non-Executive Directors provide a wide range of skills and experience to the Group. They bring their own 
senior level of experience in each of their respective fields, robust opinions and an independent judgement on 
issues of strategy, performance, risk and people. They are well-placed to constructively challenge and scrutinise 
the performance of management at Board and Committee meetings. The Code sets out the circumstances that 
should be relevant to the Board in determining whether each Non-Executive Director is independent. The Board 
considers  non-executive  director  independence  on  an  annual  basis  as  part  of  each  non-executive  director’s 
performance evaluation. Having undertaken this review and with due regard to provision B.1.1 of the Code, 
the Board has concluded this year that all of the Non-Executive Directors are considered by the Board to be 

50

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT (CONTINUED)

independent of management and free of any relationship or circumstance which could materially influence or 
interfere with, or affect, or appear to affect, the exercise of their independent judgement.

Non-Executive  Directors  are  required  to  obtain  the  approval  of  the  Chairman  before  taking  on  any  further 
appointments and the Chairman and Executive Director require the approval of the Board before adding to their 
commitments. In all cases, the Directors must ensure that their external appointments do not involve excessive time 
commitment or cause a conflict of interest.

The Roles of Chairman and Chief Executive

Peter Dolan is the current Non-Executive Chairman. The division of responsibilities between the Chairman and 
the Chief Executive Officer is clearly established, set out in writing and agreed by the Board. The Chairman is 
responsible for the leadership and conduct of the Board, the conduct of the Group’s affairs and strategy and for 
ensuring effective communication with shareholders. The Chairman facilitates the full and effective contribution 
of  Non-Executive  Directors  at  Board  and  Committee  meetings,  ensures  that  they  are  kept  well  informed  and 
ensures a constructive relationship between the Executive Directors and Non-Executive Directors. The Chairman 
also ensures that the Board Committees carry out their duties, including reporting back to the Board either orally 
or in writing following their meetings at the next Board meeting.  The Chairman was deemed to be independent 
of management upon his appointment to the role.

The role of the current Chief Executive Officer, Jill Smith, is to lead the delivery of the strategy and the executive 
management  of  the  Group  and  its  operating  businesses.  She  is  responsible,  amongst  other  things,  for  the 
development and implementation of strategy and processes which enable the Group to meet the requirements 
of shareholders, for delivering the operating plans and budgets for the Group’s businesses, monitoring business 
performance against key performance indicators (KPIs) and reporting on these to the Board and for providing 
the appropriate environment to recruit, engage, retain and develop the high quality personnel needed to deliver 
the Group’s strategy.

Senior Independent Director

Rick Davis is the current Senior Independent Director. A key responsibility of the Senior Independent Director is to 
be available to shareholders in the event that they may feel it inappropriate to relay views through the Chairman 
or Chief Executive Officer. In addition, the Senior Independent Director serves as an intermediary between the 
rest of the Board and the Chairman where necessary and takes the lead when the Non-Executive Directors assess 
the Chairman’s performance and when the appointment of a new Chairman is considered. Further, the Senior 
Independent Director will lead the Board in its deliberations on any matters on which the Chairman is conflicted.

Board Support

The Company Secretary is responsible to the Board for ensuring Board procedures are followed, applicable 
rules  and  regulations  are  complied  with  and  that  the  Board  is  advised  on  governance  matters  and  relevant 
regulatory matters. All Directors have access to the impartial advice and services of the Company Secretary. 
There  is  also  an  agreed  procedure  for  directors  to  take  independent  professional  advice  at  the  Company’s 
expense.  In  accordance  with  the  Company’s  Articles  of  Association  and  a  contractual  Deed  of  Indemnity, 
directors have been granted an indemnity issued by the Company to the extent permitted by law in respect of 
liabilities incurred to third parties as a result of their office. The indemnity would not provide any coverage where 
a  director  is  proved  to  have  acted  fraudulently  or  with  willful  misconduct.  The  Company  has  also  arranged 
appropriate insurance coverage in respect of legal action against its directors and officers.

51

Management &  GovernanceANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT (CONTINUED)

Board Meetings and Decisions

The  Board  meets  regularly  during  the  year,  as  well  as  when  required  by  business  need.  The  Board  had  six 
scheduled  Board  meetings  in  2016.  During  their  term  of  service,  each  of  the  Directors  were  present  at  the 
meetings during the year as set out in the table on page 39. The Chairman and Non-Executive Directors also 
met without the presence of the Executive Directors four times during the year.

The  schedule  of  Board  and  Committee  meetings  each  year  is,  so  far  as  is  possible,  determined  before  the 
commencement of that year and all Directors or, if appropriate, all Committee members are expected to attend 
each meeting. Supplementary meetings of the Board and/or the Committees are held as and when necessary. 
Each  member  of  the  Board  receives  detailed  Board  packs,  including  an  agenda  based  upon  the  schedule 
of  matters  reserved  for  its  approval,  appropriate  reports  and  briefing  papers  in  advance  of  each  scheduled 
meeting. If a director is unable to attend a meeting due to exceptional circumstances, he or she will still receive 
the supporting papers and is expected to discuss any matters he or she wishes to raise with the Chairman in 
advance of the meeting. The Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary 
work together to ensure that the Directors receive relevant information to enable them to discharge their duties 
and that such information is accurate, timely and clear. This information includes quarterly management accounts 
containing analysis of performance against budget and other forecasts. Additional information is provided as 
appropriate or if requested. At each meeting, the Board receives information, reports and presentations from the 
Chief Executive Officer and, by invitation, other members of senior management as required. This ensures that 
all Directors are aware of, and are in a position to monitor effectively, the overall performance of the Group, its 
development and implementation of strategy and its management of risk.

Any matter requiring a decision by the Board is supported by a paper analysing the relevant aspects of the 
proposal  including  costs,  benefits,  potential  risks  involved  and  proposed  executive  management  action  and 
recommendations.

The  majority  of  Board  meetings  are  held  at  the  Group’s  offices  in  Boston,  Massachusetts,  USA,  which  gives 
members of the Company’s senior management team, as well as the senior managers of the subsidiaries, the 
opportunity to formally present to the Board on business development and new investment opportunities. This 
assists the Board in gaining a deeper understanding of the breadth, stage of development and diversity of the 
Group’s subsidiaries. Meetings between the Chairman and Non-Executive Directors, both with and without the 
presence of the Chief Executive Officer, are also held as the need arises.

Directors’ Conflicts of Interest

Each director has a statutory duty under the Companies Act to avoid a situation in which he or she has or can 
have a direct or indirect interest that conflicts or may potentially conflict with the interests of the Company. This 
duty is in addition to the continuing duty that a director owes to the Company to disclose to the Board any 
transaction or arrangement under consideration by the Company in which he or she is interested. The Company’s 
Articles  of  Association  permit  the  Board  to  authorise  conflicts  or  potential  conflicts  of  interest.  The  Board  has 
established procedures for managing and, where appropriate, authorising any such conflicts or potential conflicts 
of interest. It is a recurring agenda item at all Board meetings and this gives the directors the opportunity to raise 
at the beginning of every Board meeting, any actual of potential conflict of interests that they may have on the 
matters to be discussed, or to update the Board on any change to a previous conflict of interest already declared. 
In deciding whether to authorise any conflict, the directors must have regard to their general duties under the 
Companies Act and their overriding obligation to act in a way they consider, in good faith, will be most likely 
to promote the Company’s success. In addition, the directors are able to impose limits or conditions when giving 

52

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT (CONTINUED)

authorisation  to  a  conflict  or  potential  conflict  of  interest  if  they  think  this  is  appropriate.  The  authorisation  of 
any conflict matter, and the terms of any authorisation, may be reviewed by the Board at any time. The Board 
believes that the procedures established to deal with conflicts of interest are operating effectively.

Induction, Awareness and Development

A comprehensive induction process is in place for new directors. The programme is tailored to the needs of each 
individual director and agreed with him or her so that he or she can gain a better understanding of the Group 
and its businesses. This will generally include an overview of the Group and its businesses, structure, functions 
and strategic aims; site visits to the Group’s head office in Boston, Massachusetts, USA; and, upon request, 
site visits to a number of the Group’s subsidiary companies, which will include meeting with such companies’ 
management and a presentation from them on their businesses. In addition, the Company facilitates sessions as 
appropriate with the Group’s advisers, in particular its joint corporate brokers, Credit Suisse International and 
Numis Securities Limited, as well as with appropriate governance specialists, to ensure that any new directors 
are fully aware of and understand their responsibilities and obligations as a director of a FTSE 250 company 
and of the governance framework within which they must operate.  A new director may also seek to meet major 
shareholders.

In order to ensure that the Directors continue to further their understanding of the issues facing the Group, the Board 
is also exposed to the early-stage opportunities in which the Group has invested through presentations at Board 
meetings by relevant members of the Group’s staff. In addition, other members of senior management present to 
the Board to enhance the Board’s awareness of how the Group operates on a day-to-day basis and how such 
functions operate so as to assist in the execution of the Group’s core strategy of systematically developing an 
innovation company that forms, funds, manages and builds start-ups based on early-stage technology originating 
from US universities and federally funded research institutions.

As a further aspect of their ongoing development, each Director also receives feedback on his or her performance 
following  the  Board’s  performance  evaluation  in  each  year  and,  through  the  Company  Secretary,  access  is 
facilitated  to  relevant  training  and  development  opportunities  including  those  relevant  to  the  Non-Executive 
Directors’ membership on the Board’s Committees.

Board Effectiveness and Performance Evaluation

A performance evaluation of the Board and its Committees is carried out annually to ensure that they continue to 
be effective and that each of the Directors demonstrates commitment to his or her respective role and has sufficient 
time to meet his or her commitment to the Company. The Board will seek the assistance of an independent third 
party provider at least once every three years in its evaluation in compliance with the Code (the next of which 
is scheduled to take place in 2017), and otherwise carry out an internally facilitated Board evaluation led by 
the Chairman, assisted by the Company Secretary, and covering the effectiveness of the Board as a whole, its 
individual Directors and its Committees. This review will include each of the Board and Committee members 
completing a detailed and tailored survey and one-to-one discussions between the Chairman and each of the 
individual Directors. A summary of the results of the review, together with the Chairman and Company Secretary’s 
observations and recommendations, will be prepared and shared with members of the Board. In addition to 
the above, the Non-Executive Directors, led by the Senior Independent Director, will appraise the Chairman’s 
performance,  following  which  the  Senior  Independent  Director  will  provide  feedback  to  the  Chairman.  The 
performance  of  each  of  the  Directors  on  the  Board  will  be  reviewed  by  the  Chairman  and  the  operational 
performance of the other Executive Directors will be reviewed by the Chief Executive Officer as part of the annual 
appraisal process. In addition to the aforementioned annual reviews, the performance of Executive Directors will 
be reviewed by the Board on an ongoing basis, as deemed necessary, in the absence of the Executive Director 
under review.

53

Management &  GovernanceANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT (CONTINUED)

During the 2016 financial year, the Board assessed its own effectiveness through an internal Board evaluation 
process. This process was based on: a review of documentation including Board and Committee terms of reference, 
the completion of a survey to Directors comprising quantitative and qualitative questions; and discussions with 
all Board members and a number of stakeholders who regularly interact with the Board, including the Company 
Secretary. 

The results were analysed by the Chairman and the Company Secretary, and a detailed discussion was facilitated 
with  the  Board  to  outline  the  observations  and  recommendations.  Overall  it  was  concluded  that  the  Board 
continues to work effectively. The changes to the Board composition in 2015 and 2016 have resulted in a well-
balanced Board with a range of skills and experience. The Board did not recommend any changes it considered 
necessary, other than noting that (i) Non-Executive Director meetings with subsidiary Chief Executive Officers 
are useful to increase awareness of strategic operations, (ii) continued regular Board access to management 
outside of Board meetings is critical, and (iii) the every other month Board updates on corporate and subsidiary 
operations are helpful for monitoring operational progress.

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD

The composition of the three Committees of the Board and the attendance of the members throughout the year 
is set out in the table on page 39. The terms of reference of each Committee are available on request from the 
Company Secretary or within the Investors section of the Group’s website at www.alliedminds.com.

Remuneration and Audit Committees

Separate reports on the role, composition, responsibilities and operation of the Remuneration Committee and the 
Audit Committee are set out on pages 89 to 90, and pages 92 to 95, respectively, and are incorporated by 
reference into this Corporate Governance Report.

Nomination Committee

The Nomination Committee leads the process for Board appointments, re-election and succession of directors 
and the Chairman. Its key objective is to ensure that the Board comprises individuals with the necessary skills, 
knowledge  and  experience  to  ensure  that  it  is  effective  in  discharging  its  duties.  It  is  responsible  for  making 
recommendations to the Board and its Committees concerning the composition and skills of the Board including 
any  changes  considered  necessary  in  the  identification  and  nomination  of  new  directors,  the  reappointment 
of existing directors and the appointment of members to the Board’s Committees. It also assesses the roles of 
the existing directors in office to ensure there continues to be a balanced Board in terms of skills, knowledge, 
experience  and  diversity.  In  addition,  the  Nomination  Committee  reviews  the  senior  leadership  needs  of  the 
Group  to  enable  it  to  compete  effectively  in  the  marketplace.  The  Nomination  Committee  also  advises  the 
Board on succession planning for Executive Director appointments, although the Board itself is responsible for 
succession generally. 

The  Committee  is  chaired  by  Rick  Davis  and  its  other  members  as  at  31  December  2016  were  Jeff  Rohr 
and Kevin Sharer, being a majority of independent Non-Executive Directors as prescribed by the Code. The 
Nomination Committee meets as and when required or requested by the Board and met two times during 2016 
to review the structure, size and composition of the Board, following which it discussed the conclusions with the 
Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer. Messrs. Rohr and Sharer were present at all meetings during the year, 
and Mr. Davis missed one meeting due to an unexpected scheduling conflict.

Before  selecting  new  appointees  to  the  Board,  the  Nomination  Committee  shall  consider  the  balance,  skill, 
knowledge, independence, diversity (including gender) and experience on the Board to ensure that a suitable 

54

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT (CONTINUED)

balance  is  maintained.  The  Committee  shall  adopt  a  formal,  rigorous  and  transparent  procedure  for  the 
appointment  of  new  directors  to  the  Board.  Consideration  shall  always  be  given  as  to  whether  identified 
candidates have sufficient time available to devote to the role. When searching for appropriate candidates, 
the Committee shall give consideration to using an external search company, but may also consider candidates 
who are proposed by existing Board members or employees of the Group. When the Committee has found a 
suitable candidate, the Chairman of the Committee will make a proposal to the whole Board. The appointment 
of  a  candidate  is  the  responsibility  of  the  whole  Board  following  recommendation  from  the  Committee.  The 
Committee did not use the services of an external search company in 2016.

As part of its annual duties in 2016, the Committee and the full Board fulfilled its duties which resulted in the 
appointment of Jill Smith as a Non-Executive Director in January 2016.  The Committee did not use an external 
search firm to identify and recruit Ms. Smith, as she was known to members of the Board as a result of her 
prior business experience leading a technology company, and service on several public and private company 
boards. In the year ahead, the Nomination Committee will continue to assess the Board’s size and composition 
and how it may be enhanced. 

Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Succession

Last  year,  we  reported  the  steps  taken  to  enhance  our  Non-Executive  Director  representation  on  the  Board, 
which included the appointment of Jill Smith.  Ms. Smith’s extensive leadership experience at a number of public 
and private technology companies was seen as a perfect complement to the life science and other leadership 
experience possessed by Messrs. Dolan and Sharer. 

When the Board determined to accept the post period resignation of Mr. Silva, the Company was well placed to 
accelerate an orderly CEO succession and transition plan. The Board, with full participation of all the Chairman 
of the Board and all other Non-Executive Directors, spent time considering the future strategic direction of the 
Group and, with input from advisors to the Group, compiled a CEO role profile. The profile contained a brief 
of the requirements and the desired skill-set that a potential successor would need. This brief emphasised the 
importance that the Board and Committee placed on the CEO being a great business leader and commercial 
operator.

The Board quickly determined that Ms. Smith’s experience and skills, and most importantly, her track record of 
successful commercialisation and operating experience, made her well-qualified for the CEO role.  Ms. Smith 
interviewed  with  each  of  the  Non-Executive  Directors  and  certain  advisors  to  the  Group,  and  outlined  her 
preliminary strategy for the Group.  Each Non-Executive Director made it clear that they supported Ms. Smith’s 
appointment, and then Ms. Smith met with Mr. Sharer to agree on a remuneration proposal. The Nomination 
Committee then recommended that Ms. Smith be appointed as interim Chief Executive Officer and Executive 
Director, to take effect from 10 March 2017.

The Board was unanimous in supporting the appointment of Jill Smith as interim Chief Executive Officer. It was 
felt that her service as a Non-Executive Director and knowledge of the Company and its business, taken together 
with her extensive international leadership and operating experience and track record of delivering commercial 
success, would bring the right experience and skills to the role at an important point in Allied Minds’ development.

Since her appointment, Ms. Smith has met extensively with key members of senior management, including the 
CEOs and general managers of the subsidiary businesses.  She has also started to meet with major shareholders 
to listen to their views on Allied Minds. She will share her final strategic overview and vision for the Group later 
in the year. 

55

Management &  GovernanceANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT (CONTINUED)

It is expected that in due course Ms. Smith will notify the Board as to her willingness to transition to serve as 
“permanent” Chief Executive Officer.  Upon any such notification, Ms. Smith and the Board shall mutually agree 
on the revised terms of such employment, including base salary, annual incentive bonus awards, equity grants 
and other terms of remuneration. The final terms of Ms. Smith’s service contract and remuneration are expected 
to  be  in  accordance  with  the  Remuneration  Policy,  subject  to  the  considerations  set  forth  in  the  approach  to 
remuneration recruitment set forth in this Annual Report.

INTERNAL CONTROL

The  Board  fully  recognises  the  importance  of  the  guidance  contained  in  Guidance  on  Risk  Management, 
Internal Control and Related Financial and Business Reporting (Financial Reporting Council). The Group’s internal 
controls, which are Group wide, were in place during the whole of 2016, were reviewed by the Board and 
Audit Committee and were considered to be effective throughout the year ended 31 December 2016 and up 
to the date of approval of the Annual Report and Accounts.

The Board and Audit Committee are responsible for establishing and monitoring internal control systems and 
for reviewing the effectiveness of these systems. The Board views the effective operation of a rigorous system of 
internal control as critical to the success of the Group; however, it recognises that such systems are designed to 
manage rather than eliminate risk of failure and can provide only reasonable and not absolute assurance against 
material misstatement or loss. The key elements of the Group’s internal control system, all of which have been 
in place during the financial year and up to the date these financial statements were approved, are as follows:

Control environment and procedures

The Group has a clear organisational structure with defined responsibilities and accountabilities. It adopts the 
highest values surrounding quality, integrity and ethics, and these values are documented and communicated 
clearly throughout the whole organisation.

Detailed written policies and procedures have been established covering key operating and compliance risk 
areas. These are reviewed and updated at least once a year. The effectiveness of the systems of internal control 
is reviewed at least annually by the Board. The Board considers that the controls have been effective for the year 
ended 31 December 2016.

Identification and evaluation of risks

The Board actively identifies and evaluates the risks inherent in the business, and ensures that appropriate controls 
and  procedures  are  in  place  to  manage  these  risks.  The  Board  obtains  an  update  regarding  the  subsidiary 
businesses on a regular basis, and reviews the performance of the Group and its subsidiaries on a quarterly 
basis, although performance of specific investments may be reviewed more frequently if deemed appropriate. 
The Board also obtains a risk management report from members of senior management on a regular basis. The 
key risks and uncertainties faced by the Group, as well as the relevant mitigations, are set out on pages 31 to 36.

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

The operations of the Group and the implementation of its objectives and strategy are subject to a number of 
key  risks  and  uncertainties.  Risks  are  formally  reviewed  by  the  Board  and  Audit  Committee  at  least  annually 
and appropriate procedures are put in place to monitor and, to the extent possible, mitigate these risks. Where 
more than one of the risks to occur together, the overall impact on the Group may be compounded. A summary 
of  the  key  risks  affecting  the  Group  and  the  steps  taken  to  manage  these  is  set  out  on  pages  31  to  36. 

Information and financial reporting systems

The  Group  evaluates  and  manages  significant  risks  associated  with  the  process  for  preparing  consolidated 

56

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT (CONTINUED)

accounts by having in place systems and controls that ensure adequate accounting records are maintained and 
transactions are recorded accurately and fairly to permit the preparation of financial statements in accordance 
with  IFRS.  The  Board  approves  the  annual  operating  budgets  and  each  quarter  receives  details  of  actual 
performance measured against the budget.

RELATIONS WITH STAKEHOLDERS

The Company is committed to a continuous dialogue with shareholders as it believes that this is essential to ensure 
a greater understanding of and confidence amongst its shareholders in the medium and longer term strategy of 
the Group. It is the responsibility of the Board as a whole to ensure that a satisfactory dialogue does take place.
The  Board’s  primary  shareholder  contact  is  through  each  of  the  Chairman  and  Chief  Executive  Officer.  The 
Senior Independent Director and other Directors, as appropriate, make themselves available for contact with 
major shareholders and other stakeholders in order to understand their issues and concerns.  The Chairman and 
Chief Executive Officer met with major shareholders, IP commercialisation sector brokers and analysts, and other 
stakeholders, or numerous occasions throughout the year in order to gather their views on the Company and its 
business.

The Company uses the AGM as an opportunity to communicate with its shareholders. Notice of the AGM, which 
will be held at 1 p.m. BST on 1 June 2017 at the offices of DLA Piper UK LLP, 1 London Wall, London EC2Y 5EA, 
United Kingdom, is enclosed with this Report and Accounts. In accordance with the Code, the Notice of AGM is 
sent to shareholders at least 20 working days before the meeting. Details of the resolutions and the explanatory 
notes thereto are included with the Notice. To ensure compliance with the Code, the Board proposes separate 
resolutions for each issue and proxy forms allow shareholders who are unable to attend the AGM to vote for 
or against or to withhold their vote on each resolution. The results of all proxy voting shall be published on the 
Group’s website after the meeting and at the meeting itself to those shareholders who attend. Shareholders who 
attend the AGM will have the opportunity to ask questions and the Chairman and the Executive Directors are 
expected to be available to take questions.

The Group’s website at www.alliedminds.com is the primary source of information on the Group. The website 
includes an overview of the activities of the Group, details of its subsidiary companies and its key university and 
federal government partnerships, and details of all recent Group and subsidiary business announcements.

POLITICAL EXPENDITURE

It is the Board’s policy not to incur political expenditure or otherwise make cash contributions to political parties 
and it has no intention of changing that policy.

GOING CONCERN

The Directors confirm that they have a reasonable expectation that the Group will have adequate resources to 
continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and accordingly they continue to adopt the going 
concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Rick Davis 
Chairman of the Nomination Committee

27 April 2017

57

Management &  GovernanceANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016SUSTAINABILITY

POLICY STATEMENT

Allied Minds aims to conduct its business in a socially responsible manner, to contribute to the communities in 
which it operates and to respect the needs of its employees and all of its stakeholders. 

The Group is committed to growing the business while ensuring a safe environment for employees as well as 
minimising the overall impact on the environment.

Allied  Minds  endeavours  to  conduct  its  business  in  accordance  with  established  best  practice,  to  be  a 
responsible  employer  and  to  adopt  values  and  standards  designed  to  help  guide  staff  in  their  conduct  and 
business relationships.

GREENHOUSE GAS (GHG) EMISSIONS

Given the overall size of the Group, we consider the direct environmental impact of the Group as relatively 
low. However, we firmly recognise our responsibility to ensure that our business operates in an environmentally 
responsible  and  sustainable  manner.  The  Group  complies  with  all  current  regulations  on  emissions  including 
GHG emissions, where such regulation exists in our markets.

Though the Group’s day-to-day operational activities have a relatively limited impact on the environment, we do 
recognise that the more significant impact occurs indirectly through the nature and operations of the companies 
that we choose to support with human and financial capital.

The Group therefore considers it important to establish and nurture businesses that comply with existing applicable 
environmental, ethical and social legislation. It is also important that these businesses can demonstrate that an 
appropriate strategy is in place to meet future applicable legislative and regulatory requirements and that these 
businesses can operate to specific industry standards, striving for best practice.

The section below includes our mandatory reporting of GHG emissions.  The reporting period is the same as 
the Group’s financial year.

ORGANISATION BOUNDARY AND SCOPE OF EMISSIONS

We have reported on all of the emission sources required under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report 
and Directors’ Reports) Regulations 2013.  These sources fall with the Group’s consolidated financial statement.

An operational control approach has been used in order to define our organisational boundary. This is the basis 
for determining the Scope 1 and 2 emissions for which the Group is responsible.  

METHODOLOGY

For the Group’s reporting, the Group has employed the services of a specialist adviser, Verco, to quantify and 
verify the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions associated with the Group’s operations.

The  following  methodology  was  applied  by  Verco  in  the  preparation  and  presentation  of  this  data: 

• 

the Greenhouse Gas Protocol published by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development 
and the World Resources Institute (WBCSD/WRI GHG Protocol); 

•  application of appropriate emission factors to the Group’s activities to calculate GHG emissions;

• 

implementation of the new scope 2 reporting methods – application of location-based and market-based 
emission factors for electricity supplies;

58

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016SUSTAINABILITY (CONTINUED)

• 

inclusion of all the applicable Kyoto gases, expressed in carbon dioxide equivalents, or CO2e; and

•  presentation of gross emissions as the Group does not purchase carbon credits (or equivalents).

ABSOLUTE EMISSIONS

The total Scope 1 and 21 GHG emissions from the Group’s operations in the year ending date-month-year were: 

•  939.0  tonnes  of  CO2  equivalent  (tCO2e)  using  a  ‘location-based’  emission  factor  methodology  for 

Scope 2 emissions; and

•  1,013.3  tonnes  of  CO2  equivalent  (tCO2e)  using  a  ‘market-based’  emission  factor  methodology  for 

Scope 2 emissions.

INTENSITY RATIO

As well as reporting the absolute emissions, the Group’s GHG emissions are reported below on the metrics of 
tonnes per employee and kilograms per square foot of the occupied areas2. These are the most appropriate 
metrics given that the majority of emissions result from the operation of the Group’s offices and the day-to-day 
activities of the employees.  

TARGET AND BASELINES

Given the comparatively low GHG impact of the Group’s operations, the Group’s objective is to maintain or 
reduce its GHG emissions per employee and per square foot of office space each year and will report each 
year whether it has been successful in this regard.

1  The apportioned consumption associated with occupied premises which are not sub-metered have been assigned to Scope 2  
   emissions.  This is because the Group is deemed to have operational control over these emissions, emissions arising from such    
   activities account for 2% of the total carbon emissions.

2  For some of the companies, floor area was not known therefore they are not included in the kg persquare footage of office space  
   intensity metric.

59

Management &  GovernanceANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
 
SUSTAINABILITY (CONTINUED)

Key Figures

Allied Minds plc - Breakdown of emissions by scope

e
2
O
C

f
o

s
e
n
n
o
T

2016

(location-based)

97.6

2016

(market-based)

97.6

841.4

841.4

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Scope 1

Scope 2

GHG EMISSIONS

Scope 11

Scope 22

Scope 23

Total GHG emissions 
(Location-based Scope 2)

Total GHG emissions  
(Market-based Scope 2)

2016
TONNES CO2E
97.6

841.4

915.7

939.0

 1,013.3

TCO2E / EMP. 4
0.46

KGCO2E / SQ. FT. 5
0.001

4.01

4.36

4.47

4.83

0.011

0.012

0.012

0.013

1 Scope 1 being emissions from the Group’s combustion of fuel and operation of facilities.

2 Scope 2 being electricity (from location-based calculations), heat, steam and cooling purchased for the Group’s own use.

3 Scope 2 being electricity (from market-based calculations), heat, steam and cooling purchased for the Group’s own use

4 Employee numbers: 209

5 Occupied office space: 66,696 sq. ft. (this does not include sites where floor area was not known) 

UNDERSTANDING THE INDIRECT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF OUR BUSINESS ACTIVITIES

The  Group’s  day-to-day  operational  activities  have  a  limited  impact  on  the  environment.  We  do,  however, 
recognise that the more significant impact occurs indirectly, through the investment decisions we make and the 
operation of the companies we choose to invest in. The Group therefore considers it important to establish and 

60

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
 
 
SUSTAINABILITY (CONTINUED)

invest in businesses that comply with existing applicable environmental, ethical and social legislation. It is also 
important that these businesses can demonstrate that an appropriate strategy is in place to meet future applicable 
legislative  and  regulatory  requirements  and  that  these  businesses  can  operate  to  specific  industry  standards, 
striving for best practice.

OUR BUSINESS ETHICS AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

The Group seeks to conduct all of its operating and business activities in an honest, ethical and socially responsible 
manner. We are committed to acting professionally, fairly and with integrity in all our business dealings and 
relationships wherever we operate, and for its directors and staff to have due regard to the interest of all of its 
stakeholders including investors, university and government partners, employees, suppliers and the businesses in 
which the Group invests.

We take  a zero tolerance approach to bribery and corruption and implement and enforce effective  systems 
to  counter  bribery.  The  Group  is  bound  by  the  laws  of  the  UK,  including  the  Bribery  Act  2010,  and  has 
implemented policies and procedures to address such laws, as well as the laws in each jurisdiction where the 
Group operates, including the US.

The Group’s management and employees are fundamental to our success and as a result we are committed to 
encouraging the ongoing development of our staff with the aim of maximising the Group’s overall performance. 
Emphasis is placed on staff development through work-based learning, with senior members of staff acting as 
coaches and mentors. Allied Minds has continued to employ regular all-staff update meetings as the main source 
of employee communication.

EMPLOYEE DIVERSITY AND EMPLOYMENT POLICIES

The Group seeks to operate as a responsible employer and has adopted standards which promote corporate 
values designed to help and guide employees in their conduct and business relationships. The Group seeks to 
comply with all laws, regulations and rules applicable to its business and to conduct the business in line with 
applicable established best practice. The Group’s policy is one of equal opportunity in the selection, training, 
career development and promotion of employees, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, 
religion and whether disabled or otherwise. The Group had 413 employees and consultants as at 31 December 
2016 (but fewer than 250 full time employees). A breakdown of employees by gender as at 31 December 
2016 can be seen in the illustrations below. Allied Minds supports the rights of all people as set out in the UN 
Universal  Declaration  of  Human  Rights  and  ensures  that  all  transactions  the  Group  enters  into  uphold  these 
principles. 

Total Employees

Senior Management

Directors

20%

80%

9%

91%

Female

Male

17%

83%

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Management &  GovernanceANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016                              
DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT

STATEMENT BY CHAIRMAN OF THE REMUNERATION COMMITTEE

I am pleased to present, on behalf of the Board, the Remuneration Report for the year ended 31 December 2016.  
Our Remuneration Policy,  which was approved by shareholders at our 2016 AGM, was applied  in  2016.  
During the final quarter of 2016, the Remuneration Committee reviewed all of the elements of remuneration for 
Executive Directors and senior management to assess whether the Remuneration Policy approved at the 2016 
AGM was meeting its’ design objectives.  Based on this review and the application of the Remuneration Policy, 
the Remuneration Committee resolved that no further changes were necessary or appropriate, and the current 
Remuneration Policy will remain in effect. 

The Work of the Remuneration Committee

The Committee met on four occasions during the year. Mr. Rohr was present at all meetings during the year, 
and each of Mr. Davis and myself missed one meeting due to an unexpected or previously scheduled conflict. 
I met several times during the final quarter of 2016 with members of senior management in order to review all 
elements of remuneration and their operation.  The Committee also received professional advice from Korn Ferry 
| Hay Group where appropriate.

A  key  objective  of  this  review  was  to  ensure  the  Remuneration  Policy  remained  appropriate  for  a  UK  listed 
company, whilst also ensuring that it was designed to continue to attract and retain US-based management and 
employees of the highest calibre. The programme is weighted toward rewarding entrepreneurial achievement 
and the creation of shareholder value over time. During the year, the key activities carried out by the Committee 
were:

•  Conducted a review of all elements of remuneration for Executive Directors and senior management;

•  Reviewed feedback received from major shareholders and shareholder advisory services in connection 

with the adoption and implementation of the revised Remuneration Policy in 2016;

• 

In connection with the annual review of the Remuneration Policy, the Remuneration Committee resolved 
that no further changes were necessary or appropriate, and the current Remuneration Policy will remain 
in effect;

•  Reviewed the Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) to ensure that it continues to advance the Committee’s policy 
to  provide  a  competitive,  performance-linked,  long-term  incentive  mechanism  to  align  the  interests  of 
management and shareholders;

•  Determined the cash incentive bonus awards for the Executive Officers for the last financial year;

•  Determined base salaries of the Executive Directors, for the period starting 1 January 2017;

• 

Issued LTIP awards on 9 May 2016;

•  Reviewed progress against 2014, 2015 and 2016 LTIP award performance targets for the last financial 

year;

•  Established 2015 and 2016 LTIP award performance targets for the current financial year; and

•  Reviewed the remuneration reporting regulations in connection with the review of the Group’s Remuneration 

Policy and preparation of the Directors’ Remuneration Report.

Objectives of the Remuneration Policy

Pursuant to the current Remuneration Policy, the Committee focuses on simple and transparent market competitive 
remuneration and incentive schemes. The current Remuneration Policy is designed to:

62

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT (CONTINUED)

•  attract, retain and motivate high calibre US-based senior management, and to focus them on the delivery 

of the Company’s long-term strategic and business objectives;

•  promote a strong, fair and sustainable performance culture;

• 

incentivise growth and the achievement of milestones;

•  align  the  interests  of  Executive  Directors  and  members  of  the  senior  management  team  with  those  of 

shareholders through equity ownership; and

•  be simple to understand and implement, and designed taking into account best practice guidelines for 

UK listed companies.

The key components of remuneration are set out in detail within the Remuneration Policy approved by shareholders 
at the 2016 AGM.

Performance and Reward for 2016

As detailed in the Annual Report on Remuneration, the Committee determined to provide cash incentive bonus 
awards and LTIP awards to the Executive Directors that reflected the level of performance and achievement in 
2016. 

Shareholder Feedback

The Committee recognises that building a close relationship with shareholders can complement the work of the 
Committee in developing the Remuneration Policy. During 2016, we received feedback from major shareholders 
and shareholder advisory services with respect to our remuneration programme. One of our overarching aims 
has been to implement the Remuneration Policy which closely aligns the interests of our senior executives and 
our shareholders.

We continue to appreciate any feedback shareholders may have.

Kevin Sharer 
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

27 April 2017

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Management &  GovernanceANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT (CONTINUED)

What is in this report?

The  Directors’  Remuneration  Report  sets  out  the  Remuneration  Policy  for  the  Company  on  pages  66  to  77, 
and  describes  the  implementation  of  that  Remuneration  Policy.  It  has  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  the 
Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, as amended. The 
Remuneration Policy was developed taking into account the principles of the UK Corporate Governance Code 
2014, the Listing Rules and shareholders’ executive remuneration guidelines. The Remuneration Policy for the 
Executive and Non-Executive Directors was put to a binding shareholder vote at the 2016 AGM and approved 
by shareholders.  The Remuneration Policy took formal effect from that date, and remains in effect.

The Statement by Chairman of the Remuneration Committee on pages 62 to 63, together with the Annual Report 
on Remuneration on pages 78 to 91, will be subject to an advisory vote at the AGM.

REMUNERATION POLICY OVERVIEW

The  Remuneration  Committee  has  responsibility  for  determining  remuneration  for  the  Executive  Directors,  and 
monitoring the level and structure of remuneration for senior management. The Committee’s terms of reference 
are available on the Company’s website.

The  Committee  designed  this  Remuneration  Policy  with  close  regard  to  market  practice  in  other  UK  listed 
companies so as to ensure that the arrangements are appropriately competitive and structured in line with best 
practice. However, the Remuneration Policy also retains some of the key elements which helped to drive the 
Group’s success prior to IPO, and other customary service arrangements and incentive elements for US-based 
management and employees.

Allied  Minds’  success  depends  in  part  on  the  talent  of  its  management  and  employees.  Allied  Minds  has 
a  highly  skilled  workforce,  with  significant  expertise  throughout  the  Group  across  a  range  of  science  and 
technology disciplines, as well as a highly experienced management team. Allied Minds seeks to ensure that 
its management team and its employees and consultants working within the Group’s individual businesses are 
fairly and appropriately rewarded and incentivised. Allied Minds seeks to achieve this through a combination 
of competitive levels of remuneration that is appropriate to the scale of responsibility and performance of the 
employee or consultant, and incentives tied directly to increasing shareholder value.

The  Group  operates  in  the  highly  competitive  US  market,  and  attraction  and  retention  of  individual  talent  is 
important to success of the Group’s businesses. Allied Minds deploys a careful and considered approach to 
remuneration with the objective of attracting, motivating and retaining individuals of the necessary calibre. It is 
important to note that each national market for talent is different, making cross-border comparisons very difficult. 
In  addition  to  general  standard  of  living  costs,  there  are  large  differences  with  respect  to  taxes,  pensions, 
provision of cars, and medical plans and costs, among many others.

The  Company  believes  that  it  is  important  that  remuneration  is  weighted  toward  rewarding  entrepreneurial 
achievement and the creation of shareholder value over time as its employees work toward the commercialisation 
of scientific and technological innovations. Accordingly, Allied Minds has established share incentive plans with 
the aim of incentivising and rewarding employees and Directors to achieve long term shareholder value. The 
Directors believe the share incentive arrangements at the level of the subsidiary businesses, as well as the overall 
Group, are an important factor in the promotion of shareholder value creation.

The  aim  of  the  Remuneration  Policy  is  to  attract,  retain  and  motivate  high  calibre  senior  management  and 
employees, and to focus them on the delivery of the Company’s long-term strategic and business objectives, to 

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT (CONTINUED)

promote a strong and sustainable performance culture, incentivise growth and the achievement of milestones, 
and to align the interests of Executive Directors and senior management team with those of shareholders through 
equity ownership. In promoting these objectives the Remuneration Policy aims to be simple in design, transparent 
and  understandable  both  to  participants  and  shareholders,  and  has  been  structured  so  as  to  adhere  to  the 
principles of good corporate governance and appropriate risk management.

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REMUNERATION POLICY (PAGES 66 TO 77)

The Remuneration Policy for the Executive and Non-Executive Directors was approved by shareholders at the 
2016  AGM.  The  Remuneration  Policy  took  formal  effect  from  that  date.  The  Remuneration  Committee  will 
consider  the  Remuneration  Policy  annually  to  ensure  that  it  continues  to  align  with  the  Company’s  strategic 
objectives; however, it is intended that the Remuneration Policy will apply for three years from the 2016 AGM. 
If, during that timeframe, any amendments need to be made to the Remuneration Policy, it will be presented to 
the shareholders to be voted on.

How the views of shareholders and employees are taken into account

The Committee does not formally consult directly with employees on executive pay but does receive periodic 
updates in relation to salary and bonus reviews across the Company. As set out in the Remuneration Policy table 
below, in setting remuneration for the Executive Directors, the Committee takes note of the overall approach to 
reward for employees in the Company and salary increases will ordinarily be considered in light of those of the 
wider workforce. Thus, the Committee is satisfied that the decisions made in relation to Executive Directors’ pay 
are made with an appropriate understanding of the wider workforce.

Any feedback received from time to time from shareholders will be considered as part of the Committee’s annual 
review of the Remuneration Policy. The Committee will seek to engage with shareholders and their representative 
bodies when it is proposed that any material changes are to be made to the Remuneration Policy. The voting 
outcomes from the 2016 AGM are available on page 91.

The Future Remuneration Policy Table for Executive Directors

The total remuneration package is structured so that variable elements (annual bonus and long-term incentives) 
make  up  a  significant  proportion  of  the  package,  with  the  emphasis  on  variable  pay  focused  on  long-term 
incentives.  The  tables  below  summarise  the  key  aspects  of  the  Company’s  Remuneration  Policy  for  Executive 
Directors.

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ELEMENT OF 
REMUNERATION

SALARY

HOW IT SUPPORTS 
THE COMPANY’S 
SHORT AND 
LONG-TERM 
STRATEGIC 
OBJECTIVES

The Company is 
required to provide 
an appropriate level 
of salary in order to 
be competitive and 
to maintain its ability 
to recruit and retain 
Executive Directors. 
Salaries are set to 
achieve this objective.

The Committee wishes 
to ensure that fixed 
costs are minimised 
and that total actual 
payments to executives 
will be driven to a more 
significant extent through 
the operation of the 
performance related 
elements of the package.

As described in this 
Remuneration Policy, the 
performance elements of 
total reward are directly 
linked to the achievement 
of the Company’s 
strategic objectives.

OPERATION

OPPORTUNITY

PERFORMANCE 
METRICS

There are no 
performance conditions 
attached to the payment 
of salary although 
there are a number of 
performance-based 
factors both at the 
individual and Company 
level that influence the 
level of salaries provided 
to Executive Directors 
for annual performance 
appraisals.

An Executive 
Director’s basic 
salary is considered 
by the Committee 
on appointment and 
normally reviewed once 
per year or when there 
is a significant change to 
role or responsibility.

There is no prescribed 
maximum annual 
salary. The Committee 
seeks to ensure that the 
salaries conform to its 
strategy, whilst remaining 
competitive against 
similar roles within the 
relevant peer groups.

When making a 
determination as 
to the appropriate 
remuneration, the 
Committee, where it is 
relevant, benchmarks the 
remuneration against the 
Company’s peer groups.

For the purpose of 
benchmarking salaries 
and other remuneration, 
the principal peer 
grouping used by the 
Company consists of 
companies within similar 
industry sectors which 
are either US or UK 
listed with a range of 
capitalisations.

The results of 
benchmarking will, 
however only be one 
of a number of factors 
taken into account by the 
Remuneration Committee 
and which will include:

• scale, scope and 
responsibility of the role;

• skills and experience of 
the individual;

• retention risk;

• base salary of other 
employees; and

• economic environment.

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ELEMENT OF 
REMUNERATION

BENEFITS

HOW IT SUPPORTS 
THE COMPANY’S 
SHORT AND 
LONG-TERM 
STRATEGIC 
OBJECTIVES

The Committee’s intention 
is to provide a benefits 
package in line with 
US employment market 
practice.

The Company is required 
to provide this benefits 
package in order to 
be competitive and 
to maintain its ability 
to recruit and retain 
Executive Directors.

OPERATION

OPPORTUNITY

PERFORMANCE 
METRICS

There are no 
performance conditions 
attached to the payment 
of benefits.

The cost of benefits 
provided changes in 
accordance with market 
conditions and will, 
therefore, determine the 
maximum amount that 
would be paid in the 
form of benefits. There 
is therefore no overall 
maximum opportunity 
under this component of 
the Remuneration Policy.

The Executive Directors 
may be entitled to the 
following benefits:

• life insurance;

• disability insurance;

• medical benefits and 
dental care;

• a car allowance; and

• an annual payment to 
cover personal legal and 
tax advice.

Executive Directors may 
also participate in any 
all-employee share plans 
that may be operated by 
the Group from time to 
time on the same terms 
as other employees.

Additional benefits, 
which may include 
relocation expenses, 
housing allowance or 
other benefits-in-kind, 
may be provided in 
certain circumstances if 
considered appropriate 
and reasonable by the 
Committee, including 
as may be required on 
recruitment.

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ELEMENT OF 
RENUMERATION 

CASH 
INCENTIVE 
BONUS 
AWARDS

HOW IT SUPPORTS 
THE COMPANY’S 
SHORT AND 
LONG-TERM 
STRATEGIC 
OBJECTIVES

The cash incentive bonus 
award, taken together 
with base salary, is 
required in order to 
be competitive and 
to maintain the ability 
to recruit and retain 
Executive Directors. Cash 
incentive bonus awards 
are set to achieve this 
objective.

As described in this 
Remuneration Policy, the 
performance elements 
of cash incentive bonus 
awards and total reward 
are directly linked to 
the achievement of the 
Company’s strategic 
objectives.

OPERATION

OPPORTUNITY

PERFORMANCE 
METRICS

There are no caps on the 
amount of bonus which 
may be paid. However, 
each year the Committee 
determines the maximum 
opportunity for each 
Executive Director.

When making a 
determination as to the 
appropriate maximum 
bonus, the Committee, 
where it is relevant, 
benchmarks the 
remuneration against the 
Company’s peer groups.

For the purpose of 
benchmarking cash 
incentive bonus awards 
and other remuneration, 
the principal peer 
grouping used by the 
Company consists of 
companies within similar 
industry sectors which 
are either US or UK 
listed with a range of 
capitalisations.

The Committee and 
senior management 
review the Group’s 
management by 
objectives (MBOs) 
annually prior to the start 
of each financial year 
to ensure the detailed 
performance measures 
and weightings are 
appropriate and continue 
to support the business 
strategy. 

Annual MBOs, including 
financial, operational, 
technical and other 
performance targets and 
their weightings for the 
upcoming year are set 
at or around the start of 
each financial year.

An Executive Director’s 
cash incentive bonus 
award is considered 
by the Committee upon 
completion of each 
financial year. The 
decision to provide any 
cash incentive bonus 
award and the amount 
and terms of any such 
award, are determined 
solely by the level of 
achievement against 
the MBOs set by the 
Committee at the start of 
the financial year.

As noted in “Operation”, 
the decision to provide 
any cash incentive bonus 
award and the amount 
and terms of any such 
award, are determined 
solely by the level of 
achievement against 
the MBOs set by the 
Committee at the start of 
the financial year.

The Committee may 
consider any and all 
performance criteria 
in setting the annual 
MBOs to be used in the 
determination to provide 
an award, and may 
generally consider:

• the general 
performance of the 
Group, including 
financial, operational, 
technical and other 
performance targets; and

• the individual 
performance of the 
Executive Director.

Weighting will be 
primarily towards Group, 
and not individual, 
MBO performance for 
Executive Directors. 

Performance will typically 
be measured over one 
year.

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Management &  GovernanceANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT (CONTINUED)

ELEMENT OF 
REMUNERATION

PENSION

HOW IT SUPPORTS 
THE COMPANY’S 
SHORT AND 
LONG-TERM 
STRATEGIC 
OBJECTIVES

It is the Committee’s 
intention to provide 
pension benefits in line 
with US employment 
market practice.

The Company is not 
required to provide 
pension benefits in order 
to be competitive and to 
ensure its ability to recruit 
and retain Executive 
Directors.

OPERATION

OPPORTUNITY

PERFORMANCE 
METRICS

None.

None.

No element of the 
Executive Directors’ 
remuneration is 
pensionable. The Group 
does not operate any 
pension scheme or 
other scheme providing 
retirement or similar 
benefits. The Group 
does not contribute to 
any personal pension 
schemes for employees.

However, the Company 
offers a retirement plan 
in accordance with 
subsection 401(k) of the 
Internal Revenue Code 
(401(k) Plan) in which 
Executive Directors may 
make voluntary pre-tax 
contributions toward 
their own retirement. 
The Company does not 
make any payments or 
contributions to such 
401(k) Plan.

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT (CONTINUED)

ELEMENT OF  
REMUNERATION

ALLIED MINDS 
LONG TERM 
INCENTIVE PLAN 
(LTIP)

HOW IT SUPPORTS 
THE COMPANY’S 
SHORT AND 
LONG-TERM 
STRATEGIC 
OBJECTIVES

The LTIP provides 
a competitive, 
performance-linked 
long-term incentive 
mechanism that will:

• attract, retain 
and motivate 
individuals with the 
required personal 
attributes, skills and 
experience;

• provide a real 
incentive to achieve 
the Company’s 
long-term strategic 
objectives; and

• align the interests 
of management and 
shareholders.

OPERATION

OPPORTUNITY

PERFORMANCE METRICS

Under the terms of the 
LTIP, the maximum value of 
ordinary shares over which 
awards under the LTIP may 
be granted to a participant 
in any financial year of 
the Company may not 
generally exceed 300% of 
base salary for that financial 
year, unless circumstances 
arise which the Committee 
believe justify granting an 
award outside this limit. 
The Committee would only 
envisage overriding the 
300% limit in exceptional 
circumstances such as 
where there was a need 
to do so to attract a new 
executive.

Notwithstanding the 
maximum value permitted 
under the terms of the LTIP, 
each year the Committee 
determines the maximum 
opportunity for each 
Executive Director. 

When making a 
determination as to the 
appropriate maximum 
LTIP award, the 
Committee where it is 
relevant, benchmarks the 
remuneration against the 
Company’s peer groups.

For the purpose of 
benchmarking LTIP awards 
and other remuneration, 
the principal peer grouping 
used by the Company 
consists of companies within 
similar industry sectors 
which are either US or 
UK listed with a range of 
capitalisations.

The LTIP is reviewed 
annually at or around 
the start of each 
financial year to 
ensure the detailed 
performance measures 
and weightings are 
appropriate and 
continue to support the 
business strategy.

Financial and/or non-
financial performance 
targets are set at or 
around the start of 
each financial year.

Awards under the LTIP 
to Executive Directors 
will normally take 
the form of restricted 
share units (RSUs) (a 
form of conditional 
share award) in 
respect of shares in 
Allied Minds (although 
instruments with similar 
economic effect may 
be used if considered 
appropriate.)

Calculations of the 
achievement of 
the vesting targets 
are reviewed and 
approved by the 
Committee.

Awards are subject 
to cancellation or 
clawback provisions 
under which in the 
event of a material 
correction of any 
accounts of the 
Company used to 
assess satisfaction 
of any performance 
conditions, or in the 
event of a participant’s 
gross misconduct, 
awards may be 
reduced, adjusted 
or cancelled as 
determined by the 
Committee. Clawback 
applies for the two 
year period following 
vesting.

Specific performance targets may vary 
from year to year in accordance with 
priorities support the business strategy.

In respect of the LTIP awards made in 
2014 and 2015, vesting is dependent 
upon performance metrics measured as 
follows:

• 60% of each award will be subject 
to performance conditions based on the 
Company’s total shareholder return (TSR) 
performance in respect of a three-year 
period; and

• 40% of each award will be subject 
to performance conditions based on 
a basket of shareholder value metrics, 
including, but not limited to:

(i) the increase in quality of pipeline 
intellectual property reviewed; (ii) the 
increase in quality of the partnership 
pipeline; and (iii) subsidiary level 
performance (assessed by reference to 
such matters as external funding raised, 
corporate collaborations, product 
co-development and proof of principal 
commercial pilots and revenues). 
Performance will be assessed on these 
measures on a scorecard basis over a 
three year period.

At the end of the three year period, 
performance against the relevant 
measures will be calculated to determine 
the number of ordinary shares capable 
of vesting. For the 2014 awards, 50% 
of the award will then vest at that time. 
The remaining 50% will vest in two equal 
tranches in years 4 and 5 subject to the 
relevant participant still being employed 
within the Group at the relevant vesting 
date. For the 2015 awards, 100% of 
the award will vest at the end of the three 
year period.

The level of vesting for threshold 
performance for the 2015 awards is 
33.33% of the maximum. The level of 
vesting for target performance is 66.67% 
of the maximum.

Starting in 2016, the Committee expects 
to make annual awards under the LTIP 
with 100% of each award subject to 
performance conditions based on the 
Company’s relative total shareholder 
return (rTSR) performance in respect of 
a three-year period. The Group TSR will 
be measured relative to the FTSE 250, 
the S&P 500, and a peer group of four 
publicly-traded companies.

The level of vesting for threshold 
performance is 16.67% of the maximum. 
The level of vesting for target performance 
is 66.67% of the maximum.

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ELEMENT OF  
REMUNERATION

ALLIED MINDS  
PHANTOM PLAN

HOW IT 
SUPPORTS THE 
COMPANY’S 
SHORT AND 
LONG-TERM 
STRATEGIC 
OBJECTIVES

The Committee’s 
intention is to 
reward participants 
for a successful 
subsidiary 
company 
liquidity event. 
The Committee 
recognises 
that successful 
subsidiary 
company liquidity 
events are a key 
strategic objective 
of the Group and 
its shareholders, 
and believes that 
the Phantom Plan 
is designed to 
align the interests 
of the Executive 
Directors and 
management of 
Allied Minds with 
such objective.

OPERATION

OPPORTUNITY

PERFORMANCE 
METRICS

No amounts accrue under the 
Phantom Plan, and no amounts 
are distributed to participants, 
until and unless a successful 
subsidiary company liquidity 
event occurs, and the cash 
generated in such liquidity 
event exceeds the amount 
Allied Minds invested in such 
subsidiary company, plus 
accrued interest and expenses 
in respect of such investment. 
No other performance metrics 
apply.

The maximum aggregate 
number of units that may 
be awarded under the 
Phantom Plan is 200,000 
units. 

Upon a liquidity event 
Allied Minds will distribute 
80% of the Phantom Plan 
account to the participants 
based on their pro 
rata share of all vested 
units on the date of the 
applicable liquidation 
event, and the remaining 
20% of the Phantom 
Plan account will be 
distributed to participants 
at the discretion of the 
Committee.

The Phantom Plan is a 
performance-based, 
cash settled bonus 
plan for Allied Minds’ 
Executive Directors 
and management. 
The Plan is triggered 
by a successful 
subsidiary liquidity 
event, including (i) 
a subsidiary IPO, 
(ii) the sale of all or 
substantially all of a 
subsidiary company’s 
assets, (iii) the sale 
of at least two-thirds 
of the outstanding 
shares of a subsidiary 
company’s voting 
equity, (iv) the merger 
or consolidation of a 
subsidiary company 
with or into another 
entity, or (v) a 
subsidiary company’s 
liquidation. Upon a 
liquidity event, Allied 
Minds will deduct the 
amount it invested 
in such subsidiary 
company and deduct 
the accrued interest 
in respect of such 
investment, and will 
then allocate 10% 
of the remaining 
net proceeds to the 
Phantom Plan account 
for allocation among 
the participants.

Participation in the 
Phantom Plan is 
evidenced by “units.”

Vesting of units is 
determined at the time 
of grant of the units. 

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT (CONTINUED)

ELEMENT OF  
REMUNERATION

NON-EXECUTIVE  
DIRECTORS’ FEES

HOW IT SUPPORTS 
THE COMPANY’S 
SHORT AND 
LONG-TERM 
STRATEGIC 
OBJECTIVES

The Company’s intention 
is to set fees at a level 
necessary to attract and 
retain experienced and 
skilled Non-Executive 
Directors with the 
necessary experience 
and expertise to advise 
and assist in establishing 
and monitoring the 
strategic objectives 
of the Company. 
Fees also reflect the 
time commitment and 
responsibilities of the 
roles.

An additional fee is paid 
for Chairmanship of a 
Board Committee and 
to the Chairman of the 
Board.

OPERATION

OPPORTUNITY

PERFORMANCE 
METRICS

There are no 
performance conditions 
attached to the payment 
of fees or the vesting 
under the awards 
granted under the LTIP.

The fees paid 
take account of 
responsibilities in acting 
as Chairman of the 
Board, Chairman of a 
Board Committee or 
as Senior Independent 
Director. 

The fees paid to the 
Chairman shall only 
be payable where the 
Chairman is a Non-
Executive Director. 
Given the US-based 
nature of the Group’s 
business, and the need 
to attract and retain 
independent directors 
with significant US 
business and leadership 
experience, the fees 
include an equity 
component, based upon 
a recommendation from 
Korn Ferry | Hay Group. 

The Committee is 
satisfied that the level 
of fees conform to its 
strategy, whilst remaining 
competitive against 
similar roles within the 
relevant peer groups. 
Careful consideration 
has been given as to 
whether including an 
equity component would 
affect the independence 
of the Non-Executive 
Directors, and the 
conclusion was reached 
that it would not, given 
the level of the awards 
and the fact that they are 
not performance-related.

Non-Executive Directors 
have specific terms 
of engagement 
provided in formal 
letters of appointment. 
Their remuneration 
is determined by 
the Board, taking 
into account 
recommendations 
from the Remuneration 
Committee, within the 
limits set by the Articles 
of Association and 
based on equivalent 
roles in FTSE 250 
companies and the 
peer groups used for 
Executive Directors. The 
fees for Non-Executive 
Directors are reviewed 
annually and fixed for 
the fiscal year. The 
Non-Executive Directors 
are appointed for a 
three year term, subject 
to annual re-election by 
the shareholders, at the 
Company’s AGM.

Non-Executive Directors 
do not receive any cash 
incentive bonus and 
do not participate in 
any Company pension 
scheme.

The Non-Executive 
Directors are eligible 
for RSU awards under 
the LTIP. Awards to the 
Non-Executive Directors 
will be subject to time-
based vesting provisions, 
and will not be subject 
to performance metrics. 
Each Non-Executive 
Director is also entitled 
to reimbursement of 
reasonable and properly 
documented expenses 
incurred in performing 
the duties of their office.

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The  Committee  reserves  the  right  to  make  any  remuneration  payments  and  payments  for  loss  of  office, 
notwithstanding that they are not in line with the Remuneration Policy set out in the tables on the previous pages, 
where the terms of the payment were agreed either: (i) before the policy came into effect, or (ii) at a time when 
the relevant individual was not a director of the Company and, in the opinion of the Committee, the payment 
was not in consideration for the individual becoming a Director of the Company. For these purposes “payments” 
include the Committee satisfying awards of variable remuneration and, in relation to an award over shares, the 
terms of the payment are “agreed” at the time the award is granted. Details of any such payments will be set out 
in the Annual Report on Remuneration as they arise.

Differences between the Remuneration Policy and that applied to employees generally

The components of remuneration set out on the previous pages for Executive Directors are also generally applied 
to  the  Group’s  senior  management  team  and  differ  only  in  vesting  terms,  values  and  award  maxima.  The 
basic benefits package is typically available to all US employees at the Group level following completion of 
a probationary period. Overall, there is more emphasis on variable pay for the Executive Directors and senior 
management,  but  all  US  employees  at  the  Group  level  are  eligible  for  discretionary  cash  incentive  bonus 
awards. In addition, the Company is committed to fostering alignment with shareholders through widespread 
share ownership, and thus all US employees at the Group level are eligible to participate in the LTIP. The Group 
has  also  implemented  equity  incentive  plans  within  its  subsidiaries  in  order  to  incentivise  employees  within 
the subsidiary businesses. Generally, the employees of the subsidiary businesses do not participate in any of 
the Group level incentive plans.  The Chief Executive Officer of each of our most significant subsidiaries may 
participate in the future in the LTIP, but the levels of such awards under the LTIP are not expected to be a significant 
percentage of their total compensation.

Schemes or arrangements under which allocations or awards are no longer being made

In addition to the Executive Directors’ remuneration arrangements set forth in the Remuneration Policy, the Group 
previously  maintained  the  Allied  Minds  Stock  Option/Stock  Issuance  Plan  (US  Stock  Plan).  The  Company 
does not intend to make any further grants under the US Stock Plan. The interests of the Executive Directors in 
outstanding options under the US Stock Plan are shown in the statement of directors’ shareholding and share 
interest on pages 82 to 83 of this Annual Report.

The exercise price of the options is equivalent to the fair market value of Common Stock of Allied Minds, Inc. 
(now Allied Minds, LLC) as at the date of grant of the options and all outstanding options have already vested 
and become exercisable.

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT (CONTINUED)

Maximum

20%

37%

44%

Threshold

80% 20%

Minimum

100%

-

$500 $1,000 $1,500 $2,000 $2,500 $3,000 $3,500

Base

Bonus

LTIP

-

Approach to Recruitment Remuneration

The  Committee  will  apply  the  Remuneration  Policy  for  any  new  Executive  Director  recruited  to  the  Board  in 
respect  of  all  elements  of  forward-looking  remuneration.  The  maximum  level  of  variable  remuneration  under 
the cash incentive bonus awards and LTIP that may be awarded will be within the usual maximums set out in 
the Remuneration Policy, subject to the exceptions permitted under the LTIP. The Committee retains flexibility to 
provide benefits in kind, pensions and other allowances, such as relocation, education and tax equalisation, 
required in order to recruit the intended candidate.

The  Committee  may  make  awards  on  hiring  an  external  candidate  to  buy  out  remuneration  arrangements 
forfeited on leaving a previous employer. In doing so, the Committee will seek to structure buyout awards on a 
comparable basis to awards forfeited, taking into account relevant factors including any performance conditions 
attached to these awards, the form in which they were granted (e.g. cash or shares) and the timeframe of awards. 
It is intended that the value awarded would be no higher than the expected value of the forfeited awards. The 
Committee would seek as far as possible to make such buyout awards under the Company’s existing share plans 
but, if necessary, may rely on the Listing Rules exemption which allows for the grant of awards to facilitate, in 
exceptional circumstances, the recruitment of a Director.

Similarly, the Remuneration Policy for a new Chairman or new Non-Executive Directors would be to apply the 
same remuneration elements as applicable to existing Non-Executive Directors under the Remuneration Policy.

In  addition  to  the  above  principles,  the  following  additional  considerations  may  be  applied  as  appropriate 
depending on the circumstances:

• 

• 

In the case of internal promotion, any existing performance-related elements arising from an individual’s 
previous role will continue to be honoured under the Remuneration Policy, even if they may not otherwise 
be consistent with the Remuneration Policy prevailing when the commitment is fulfilled.

In the case of promotion to executive director following an acquisition or other business combination, the 
Committee may permit equity-based incentive arrangements to continue in force if they can be “rolled-up” 
into awards over Allied Minds’ shares provided the performance and vesting conditions are considered 
appropriate.

• 

In the case of the recruitment of an executive at a time of the year when it would be inappropriate or not 

75

Management &  GovernanceANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016                         
DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT (CONTINUED)

possible to provide an LTIP award for that year (for instance due to price sensitive information or if there 
is insufficient time to assess performance), the quantum in respect of the months employed during the year 
may be transferred to and amalgamated with the subsequent year’s award if considered reasonable to 
do so by the Committee.

The  Committee  will  include  details  of  the  implementation  of  the  Remuneration  Policy  in  respect  of  any  such 
recruitment to the Board in its future Annual Reports on Remuneration.

Letters of Appointment

Each of Rick Davis, Peter Dolan and Jeff Rohr have Non-Executive Director letters of appointment that commenced 
May 2014.  Kevin Sharer and Jill Smith have Non-Executive Director letters of appointment that commenced June 
2015 and January 2016, respectively.  Each of the letters of appointment are for an initial fixed term of three 
years, which are reviewed and may be extended, and are terminable on one months’ notice by either party. 
The letters of appointment for the Non-Executive Directors do not provide for any compensation on termination.

At 10 March 2017, Jill Smith’s Non-Executive Director letter of appointment was terminated, and she entered 
into a new Executive Director letter of appointment. The letter of appointment immediately terminates upon the 
termination of her appointment as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.  The letter of appointment does 
not provide for any compensation on termination.

The letters of appointment are available for inspection at the Company’s registered office. In accordance with 
the Code, all Directors submit themselves for election at the first AGM since their appointment to the Board, and 
for annual re-election by shareholders at each AGM.

Remuneration Policy on Payment for Loss of Office

The Directors believe the payments owed upon loss of office detailed below are customary and appropriate to 
attract and retain US-based senior management of the highest calibre.

The Committee reserves the right to make payments where they are made in good faith in discharge of an existing 
obligation (or by way of damages for breach of such an obligation) or by way of settlement or compromise of 
any claim arising in connection with the termination of a Director’s office or employment where they are in the 
best interests of Allied Minds and its shareholders and reflecting the directors’ contractual and legal rights.

Impact of Loss of Office on Awards under LTIP

Participants who cease to be employees, directors or service providers to the Group will normally forfeit any 
unvested awards.

However,  if  a  participant  leaves  as  a  result  of  death,  disability,  dismissal  other  than  for  cause  or  any  other 
reason determined by the Committee, awards will vest on the normal vesting date on a pro-rata basis taking into 
account performance and the period of time during the applicable performance measurement period in which 
the participant continuously provided services.  The Committee may in its discretion determine that there are 
exceptional circumstances justifying vesting to a greater or lesser extent.

Impact of Change of Control on Awards under LTIP

If there is a change of control of the Company, the number of ordinary shares over which awards will vest will 
be calculated on the basis of the extent to which the performance criteria applicable to those awards have been 
satisfied as at the date of the change of control. The resulting number of shares will then be reduced on a pro 

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT (CONTINUED)

rata basis to reflect the reduced period between the date the award was made and the date of the change of 
control, unless the Committee decides otherwise. In exceptional circumstances, the Committee may recommend 
full vesting. This discretion to accelerate vesting upon a change of control is included in the LTIP to meet the 
expectations of a US-based workforce.

Statement of Consideration of Employment Conditions Elsewhere in the Company

In  considering  changes  to  the  remuneration  of  the  Executive  Directors,  the  Committee  is  mindful  of  pay  and 
conditions in the wider Group. Whilst the Group operates a range of bonus plans appropriate to its various 
businesses,  the  main  drivers  of  these  subsidiary  plans,  in  common  with  the  cash  incentive  bonus  awards  to 
Executive Directors, are the achievement of company milestones, and other company and individual objectives. 
The Committee has not expressly sought the views of employees and no remuneration comparison measurements 
were used when drawing up the Remuneration Policy. Through the Board, however, the Committee is regularly 
updated as to employees’ views on remuneration generally.

In the event that an employee is promoted to the Board, that individual would be allowed to retain any pre-
existing incentive entitlement that had not vested at that time.

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ANNUAL REPORT ON REMUNERATION (PAGES 78 TO 91)

The Annual Report on Remuneration will be subject to an advisory vote at the AGM.

Single Total Figure of Remuneration for Each Director (audited)

The following table sets out the single total figure for remuneration for Directors for the financial years ended 31 
December 2016 and 2015. 

BASE SALARY/ 
FEES(1)

BENEFITS(2)

PENSION

ANNUAL 
BONUS

EBP(3)

TOTAL

IN $’000

2016

2015

2016

2015

2016

2015

2016

2015

2016

2015

2016

2015

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Chris Silva(4)

515

500

61

42

—

—

573

525 8,029

— 9,178

1,067

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Rick Davis

Peter Dolan

Jeff Rohr

Kevin Sharer(5)

Jill Smith(6)

Notes:

85

150

100

85

72

85

124

100

49

-—

-—

-—

-—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

12

8

8

8

—

—

—

—

—

—

97

158

108

93

72

85

124

100

49

—

(1.)  Actual Non-Executive Directors’ fees, pro-rated for the portion of the year they served on the Board.

(2.)  Includes, where applicable, Company contribution to medical and dental insurance premiums, car allowance, and reimbursement for personal 

legal and tax advice.

(3.)  Equities  based  payments  include  the  value  of  LTIP  awards  granted  to  the  Executive  Directors  in  2014  which  are  expected  to 
vest  in  May  2017  based  upon  performance  conditions  met  as  of  31  December  2016.    As  noted  on  pages  81  and  82,  the 
Remuneration  Committee  has  made  a  preliminary  assessment  that  these  awards  will  vest  at  94.33%  of  the  maximum  number 
of  shares  under  the  award.    The  2016  value  has  been  calculated  using  the  expected  94.33%  level  of  vesting,  and  the  share 
price  at  31  December  2016  (net  of  settlement  price).    If  the  share  price  at  24  April  2017  (being  the  latest  practicable  date  prior  to 
the  publication  of  this  document)  had  been  used,  the  disclosed  amount  would  have  been  $2,712,038  (net  of  settlement  price). 

Equities based payments also include the value of LTIP awards granted to the Non-Executive Directors that vested in 2016 (based on the value 
on the date the awards vested and the shares were granted).  In addition, management has adjusted the 2015 numbers for Non-Executive 
Directors  by  an  aggregate  of  $99,000  considering  that  performance  conditions  for  the  restricted  share  awards  were  met  in  2014,  and 
aggregate amount of $99,000 should have been included in the single total figure table for 2014.

(4.)  Mr.  Silva  resigned  as  Chief  Executive  Officer  and  Executive  Director  as  of  10  March  2017.    Details  of  the  effect  of  his  resignation  on 

outstanding payments and benefits are given on pages 87 to 88.

(5.)  Mr. Sharer was appointed as a Non-Executive Director in June 2015.

(6.)  Ms. Smith was appointed as a Non-Executive Director in January 2016. Ms. Smith resigned as Non-Executive Director on 10 March 2017, 

and was appointed as interim Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director as of such date.

Individual Elements of Remuneration

Base Salary and Cash Incentive Bonus Awards during 2016

The  Remuneration  Committee  engaged  Korn  Ferry  |  Hay  Group  to  conduct  a  compensation  benchmarking 
study for the Company’s senior management in conjunction with the Company’s 2016 year-end compensation 
process, including an analysis of the traditional elements of executive pay (base salary, annual cash incentive 
bonus, long-term equity incentives and total direct compensation). Korn Ferry | Hay Group utilised a variety of 
information sources to evaluate the market for executive compensation, including an analysis of eight publicly-
traded companies. For the purpose of benchmarking salaries and other remuneration the principal peer grouping 
used by the Company consisted of listed companies within similar industry sectors with a range of capitalisation.

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT (CONTINUED)

Based upon the results of the benchmarking study, the Remuneration Committee concluded each of the Executive 
Directors’ total direct compensation was still at or below the 50th percentile of the peer group. Given the strong 
Company  performance  in  2015,  the  Remuneration  Committee  recommended  to  the  Board  the  following  for 
2016:

•  a modest 3% increase in base salary for the Chief Executive Officer; and

•  a maximum cash incentive bonus award of 150% of base salary for the Chief Executive Officer, and 
target award at 100% of base salary.  For reference, as a percentage of base salary, the actual award 
was 65.7% in 2013, 125.0% in 2014 and 105.0% in 2015.

The  Remuneration  Committee  designed  the  increase  in  base  salary  and  potential  increase  in  cash  incentive 
bonus award to reflect its policy of moving the Executive Director compensation, in connection with superior 
performance, towards the 50th percentile of the peer group. The Remuneration Committee also designed the 
potential increases to emphasise the variable component of compensation, by allocating more of the potential 
increase to the cash incentive bonus award and not base salary. Notwithstanding the increases, the Executive 
Director total direct compensation remained below the median for the peer group during 2016. The increase in 
base salary was from $500,000 in 2015 to $515,000 in 2016. The increase in cash incentive bonus award 
was from $525,000 in 2015 to $572,680 in 2016.

As  described  in  the  Remuneration  Policy,  the  Remuneration  Committee  and  senior  management  review  the 
Group’s management by objectives (MBOs) annually prior to the start of each financial year to ensure the detailed 
performance measures and weightings are appropriate and continue to support the business strategy. Annual 
MBOs, including financial, operational, technical and other performance targets and their weightings for the 
upcoming year are set at or around the start of each financial year. An Executive Director’s cash incentive bonus 
award is considered by the Remuneration Committee upon completion of each financial year. The decision to 
provide any cash incentive bonus award and the amount and terms of any such award, are determined solely by 
the level of achievement against the MBOs set by the Remuneration Committee at the start of the financial year.
The  MBOs  set  by  the  Remuneration  Committee  for  2016,  along  with  the  level  of  achievement  against  such 
MBOs, is set forth below:

MBO

Group 1(1) Validating Events(2) 

Group 1 Technical Milestones(3)

Group 2(4) Validating Events

Group 2 Technical Milestones

New Company Formation

Group Fundraising and Cash Management

Group Revenue

   TOTAL PERCENTAGE OF TARGET

Notes:

THRESHOLD 
WEIGHTINGS

TARGET 
WEIGHTINGS

MAXIMUM 
WEIGHTINGS

ACHIEVED 
WEIGHTINGS

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

30.0%

10.0%

10.0%

5.0%

20.0%

20.0%

5.0%

45.0%

15.0%

15.0%

7.5%

30.0%

30.0%

7.5%

37.5%

10.3%

13.5%

4.4%

20.0%

25.5%

0.0%

100.0%

150.0%

111.2%

(1.)  “Group  1”  represents  subsidiary  operating  companies  of  the  Group  that  are  at  a  more  mature  stage  of  technical  and/or  commercial 

development, and generally represent a more significant percentage of Group Subsidiary Ownership Adjusted Value (GSOAV).

(2.)  “Validating Events” represent various material achievements, such as fundraisings, mergers and acquisitions, development partnerships, strategic 

alliances, customer contracts and other significant corporate events.

(3.)  “Technical Milestones” represent various research and development achievements, as well as advancement of clinical trials.

(4.)  “Group 2” represents subsidiary operating companies of the Group that are at a less mature stage of technical and/or commercial development, 

and generally represent a less significant percentage of GSOAV.

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Management &  GovernanceANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
 
 
 
 
DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT (CONTINUED)

The  Remuneration  Committee  determined  that  the  MBO  percentage  achievement  for  2016  was  111.2%  of 
target percentage. The Remuneration Committee determined such achievement in accordance with the MBOs 
set at the beginning of 2016, and did not exercise any material discretion. As noted above, the target cash 
incentive bonus award for the Chief Executive Officer was set at 100% of base salary for 2016, with maximum 
award set at 150% of base salary. Based upon the MBO achievement, the cash incentive bonus award to the 
Chief Executive Officer was set at 111.2% of base salary, or $572,680.  

LTIP Awards made during 2016 (audited)

BASIS OF 
AWARD

TYPE

NUMBER 
OF 
SHARES

FACE 
VALUE OF 
AWARD 
($’000)

% OF 
VALUE TO 
VEST AT 
THRESHOLD

% OF VALUE 
TO VEST AT 
TARGET

VESTING 
CONDITIONS

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Chris Silva

RSU See below 238,470

$1,159

16.67%

66.67%

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Rick Davis

RSU See below 10,290

$50

n/a

n/a

Peter Dolan

RSU See below 15,435

$75

n/a

n/a

Jeff Rohr

RSU See below 10,290

$50

n/a

n/a

Kevin Sharer

RSU See below 10,290

$50

n/a

n/a

Jill Smith

RSU See below 10,290

$50

n/a

n/a

Based on performance 
achievement, 100% at 
end of 2018

Based on service, an-
nually over three years 
to May 2019

Based on service, an-
nually over three years 
to May 2019

Based on service, an-
nually over three years 
to May 2019

Based on service, an-
nually over three years 
to May 2019

Based on service, an-
nually over three years 
to May 2019

At 9 May 2016, the LTIP award above was granted to the Chief Executive Officer.  The total value of the award 
has been calculated using the closing share price of 337p on such date.  The level of award was determined by 
the Committee after giving due consideration to the 2015 Korn Ferry | Hay Group compensation benchmarking 
study which concluded that the target amount of the award ($772,500), or 150% of base salary, would position 
the CEO below the median for the peer group for total compensation during 2016. The maximum value of such 
award which could be received by Mr. Silva is 225% of base salary. Vesting of the LTIP award is dependent 
upon performance metrics measured over the three years to 31 December 2018, details of which are set out 
in the Remuneration Policy table on page 71 of the Report. The level of vesting for threshold performance is 
16.67% of the maximum.  The level of vesting for target performance is 66.67% of the maximum. Following Mr. 
Silva’s resignation as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, the 2016 LTIP award will continue to be 
subject to achievement of performance criteria, but on a pro-rata basis.  Further details are given on pages 87 to 88.

At 9 May 2016, the LTIP awards above were granted to the Non-Executive Directors. The total value of the award 
has been calculated using the closing share price of 337p on such date. The level of award was determined by 
the Committee after giving due consideration to the 2015 Korn Ferry | Hay Group compensation benchmarking 
study which recommended such awards in light of the US-based nature of the Group’s business, and the need to 
attract and retain independent directors with significant US business and leadership experience. Vesting of the 

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
 
 
DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT (CONTINUED)

LTIP award is based upon time of service, with each award vesting in three equal installments over a three year 
period. There are no performance conditions attached to the vesting under the awards granted under the LTIP.  

Long Term Incentive Plan Vesting during 2016 (audited information)

The Company did not make any awards under the LTIP prior to 2014. Accordingly, no equity-based awards 
vested under the LTIP during 2015 or 2014. 

LTIP awards granted to the Non-Executive Directors in June 2015 partially vested in 2016.  Vesting of the Non-
Executive Director LTIP awards is based upon time of service, with each award vesting in three equal installments 
over a three year period. There are no performance conditions attached to the vesting under the awards granted 
under the LTIP to the Non-Executive Directors.  As a result of such vesting, 2,723 ordinary shares were allotted 
and issued to Mr. Dolan, and 1,815 ordinary shares were allotted and issued to each of Messrs. Davis, Rohr 
and Sharer.

No LTIP awards granted to Executive Directors vested during 2016. However, the performance period for LTIP 
awards made to Executive Directors during 2014 ends on 31 December 2016, and such awards are expected 
to partially vest in May 2017 based upon the performance metrics set forth below.

In respect of the LTIP awards made to Executive Directors during 2014, vesting is dependent upon performance 
metrics measured as follows:

•  60% of each award will be subject to performance conditions based on the Company’s total shareholder 

return (TSR) performance in respect of a three-year period, as follows:

 o threshold vesting (33.33% of maximum) for achievement of a 10% annualised TSR,

 o target vesting (66.67% of maximum) for achievement of a 15% annualised TSR, and

 o maximum vesting for achievement of a 20% annualised TSR; and

•  40% of each award will be subject to performance conditions based on a basket of shareholder value 

metrics (SVM), including, but not limited to:

 o the increase in quality of pipeline intellectual property reviewed,

 o the increase in quality of the partnership pipeline, and

 o subsidiary  level  performance  (assessed  by  reference  to  such  matters  as  external  funding  raised, 
corporate  collaborations,  product  co-development  and  proof  of  principal  commercial  pilots  and 
revenues).

In May 2017, performance against the relevant measures will be calculated to finally determine the number of 
ordinary shares capable of vesting, and the potential award will then vest at that time. 

The Company’s annualised TSR for the measurement period was 33.99%, which consisted of an increase from 
190.0p at the Company’s IPO in June 2014 to a 30-day trailing high/low average on 31 December 2016 of 
399.2p.  Thus, the TSR condition exceeded the maximum TSR and 60.00% (out of a possible 60.00%) of the 
maximum number of shares under the award are expected to vest in May 2017.

The Remuneration Committee has undertaken a preliminary assessment of Company performance in each of 
January 2015, 2016 and 2017 to assess the level of achievement under the SVM condition, and awarded 
a  preliminary  score  of  4.0  (maximum)  for  2014,  3.0  (target)  for  2015,  and  3.3  (above  target)  for  2016.  
The  Remuneration  Committee  will  make  its  final  assessment  in  May  2017,  but  based  upon  the  preliminary 
assessment, the SVM condition averaged 3.433 over the measurement period, and 34.33% (out of a possible 

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Management &  GovernanceANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT (CONTINUED)

40.00%) of the maximum number of shares under the award would on this basis be expected to vest in May 
2017.

Taken together, and based on the preliminary assessment, 94.33% of the maximum number of shares under the 
award are expected to be eligible for vesting in May 2017.  

US Stock Plan Awards made during 2016 (audited information)

The Company did not make any grants under the US Stock Plan in 2016, and does not intend to make any 
further grants. The interests of the Executive Directors in outstanding options under the US Stock Plan are shown 
in the statement of directors’ shareholding and share interest on pages 82 to 83 of this Annual Report.

Payments to Past Directors (audited information)

No payments to past Directors were made during the last financial year.

Loss of Office Payments (audited information)

No payments for loss of office were made to past Directors during the last financial year.

Total Pension Entitlements (audited information)

No payments for pension entitlements were made to Directors during the last financial year. The Company offers 
a retirement plan in accordance with subsection 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code (401(k) Plan) in which 
Executive Directors may make voluntary pre-tax contributions toward their own retirement.  The Company does 
not make any payments or contributions to such 401(k) Plan.

Statement of Directors’ Shareholding and Share Interests (audited)

Share ownership plays a key role in the alignment of our executives with the interests of shareholders. In April 
2016,  the  Remuneration  Committee  adopted  a  share  ownership  policy  for  Executive  Directors.  The  policy 
requires Executive Directors to acquire and maintain a minimum ownership level of ordinary shares in the capital 
of the Company, thereby helping to align their interests with those of shareholders. The Committee has set the 
current requirements at share value of 400% of base salary for Executive Officers. The Committee has not set a 
timeframe during which Executive Officers are required to accumulate their share ownership level. During 2016, 
the Executive Director met this requirement. The table below sets out the number of shares held by Directors as at 
31 December 2016, and the Company is not aware of any changes through 27 April 2017. 

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT (CONTINUED)

SHARES HELD 
OUTRIGHT

SHARES 
CONDITIONAL ON 
PERFORMANCE

SHARES 
CONDITIONAL 
ON SERVICE

OPTIONS TO 
PURCHASE 
SHARES

TOTAL

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Chris Silva

2,844,402

1,763,441

—

3,105,498

7,713,341

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Rick Davis

Peter Dolan

Jeff Rohr

Kevin Sharer

Jill Smith

Performance Graph

261,415

42,323

41,415

1,815

—

—

—

—

—

—

13,921

20,882

13,921

13,921

10,290

—

—

—

—

—

275,336

63,205

55,336

15,736

10,290

The graph below illustrates the Company’s Total Shareholder Return (TSR) performance relative to the constituents 
of the FTSE 250 index excluding investment companies and the FTSE All Share index of which the Company is 
a constituent, from the start of conditional share dealing on 25 June 2014. The graph shows performance of a 
hypothetical £100 invested and its performance over that period. 

Change in remuneration of Chief Executive Officer compared to US Group employees

120

 115

110  

105

100

95

31-12
2015

ALM

FTSE 250

FTSE All Share

31-12
2016

The table below sets out the increase in total remuneration of the Chief Executive Officer and that of our US 
Group employees (excluding Directors) from 2015 to 2016: 

CEO

US Group Employees

% CHANGE 
IN BASE 
SALARY

% CHANGE 
IN CASH 
BONUS

% CHANGE 
IN BENEFITS

3.0%

4.8%

9.1%

9.1%

45.2%

8.2%

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Management &  GovernanceANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016                                    
                                   
DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT (CONTINUED)

Historical CEO remuneration outcomes

The table below summarises the Chief Executive Officer single total figure for total remuneration, annual cash 
incentive bonus award, LTIP vesting as a percentage of maximum opportunity, and US Stock Plan share award 
vesting as a percentage of maximum opportunity, for the last financial year. As the company listed in 2014, the 
comparative begins with the 2013 period. 

CEO single total figure for remuneration ($’000)

Annual cash incentive bonus award pay-out (% of maximum)(1)

LTIP award vesting (% of maximum)(2)

US Stock Plan award vesting (% of maximum)(3)

Notes:

2016

$1,149

74.13%

n/a

n/a

2015

2014

2013

$1,067

$15,942

$1,236

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

100%

100%

(1.)  With respect to 2015, 2014 and 2013, the percentage of maximum is not applicable because the Company did not have any cap on cash 
incentive bonus award payments in those financial years. As a percentage of base salary, the award was 65.7% in 2013, 125.0% in 2014 
and 105.0% in 2015. For 2016, the maximum cash incentive bonus award for Executive Officers was 150% of base salary.

(2.)  No equity-based awards vested under the LTIP during 2016, 2015, 2014 or 2013. However, the performance period for LTIP awards made 
to Executive Directors during 2014 ended on 31 December 2016, and such awards are expected to partially vest in May 2017.  As noted 
above, 94.33% of the maximum number of shares under the 2014 LTIP award are expected to be eligible for vesting in May 2017.

(3.)  Equity-based payments include awards under the US Stock Plan. All equity awards, including stock options and restricted stock, under the US 

Stock Plan became vested and fully exercisable, or vested and fully transferable, in connection with the IPO. 

Relative importance of spend on pay

The chart below shows the total employee costs, change in Group Subsidiary Ownership Adjusted Value, and 
change in share price from 2015 to 2016.

The information shown in this chart is based on the following:

•  Total employee pay: Total US Group employee staff costs from note 5 on page 123, including wages 

and salaries, social security and healthcare costs, and share-based payments.

•  Change in Group Subsidiary Ownership Adjusted Value (GSOAV) taken from page 16.

•  Returns to shareholders: since the Group does not currently pay a dividend, returns to shareholders are 
represented by the change in the Group’s share price over the period from 31 December 2015 to 31 
December 2016. 

•  Please  note  that  for  the  purposes  of  this  chart  only,  the  GSOAV  determined  in  April  2017  shall  be 

assumed retroactive to 31 December 2016. 

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT (CONTINUED)

48.3

535.8

40.1

416.2

470.0

400.0

Total employee costs
($m)
(+20.4%)

GSOAV ($m)

Share Price (p)

(-22.3%)

(+17.5%)

2016

2015

Statement of implementation of remuneration policy in the following financial year

Base Salary and Benefits

Effective from 01 January 2017, the base salary of the current Executive Director will be: 

Jill Smith

BASE SALARY

INCREASE

% INCREASE

$1,200,000

n/a

n/a

During the period that Ms. Smith is serving as “interim” Chief Executive Officer, she will be paid a base salary 
of $100,000 per month, and she will not be eligible for any cash incentive bonus awards, LTIP awards, or 
any other incentive or equity schemes.  It is expected that in due course Ms. Smith will notify the Board as to 
her willingness to transition to serve as “permanent” Chief Executive Officer.  Upon any such notification, Ms. 
Smith  and  the  Board  shall  mutually  agree  on  the  revised  terms  of  such  employment,  including  base  salary, 
annual incentive bonus awards, equity grants and other terms of remuneration. The final terms of Ms. Smith’s 
service contract and remuneration are expected to be in accordance with the Remuneration Policy, subject to the 
considerations set forth in the approach to remuneration recruitment above.

The  benefits  package  during  2017  will  continue  to  be  in  line  with  US  employment  market  practice  and  the 
Remuneration Policy.

Cash Incentive Bonus Awards

As noted above, Ms. Smith will not be eligible for any cash incentive bonus award unless she transitions to the 
role of “permanent” Chief Executive Officer.

The Remuneration Committee expects to implement the following to the cash incentive bonus awards, which is 
permitted under the Remuneration Policy. During 2016, the maximum cash incentive bonus award opportunity 
for  each  Executive  Director  was  set  at  150%  of  base  salary.  Under  the  Remuneration  Policy,  each  year  the 
Remuneration  Committee  will  determine  the  maximum  opportunity  for  each  Executive  Director.  The  maximum 
opportunity for each Executive Director in 2017 may be up to 300% of base salary.

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Management &  GovernanceANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT (CONTINUED)

The Executive Director’s cash incentive bonus awards shall be considered by the Remuneration Committee upon 
completion  of  the  financial  year.  The  decision  to  provide  any  cash  incentive  bonus  award  and  the  amount 
and terms of any such award, are determined solely by the level of achievement against the MBOs set by the 
Committee at the start of the financial year.  The annual MBOs, including financial, operational, technical and 
other performance targets and their weightings for the upcoming year were set at the start of 2017, and refined 
in April 2017, as follows: 

MBO

THRESHOLD 
WEIGHTINGS

TARGET 
WEIGHTINGS

MAXIMUM 
WEIGHTINGS

Deliver Validating Events(1) and Technical Milestones(2)  for Key Subsidiaries

Secure Funding and Strategic Relationships for  Subsidiary Companies

Strengthen Investment Committee Process: 

     Establish Corporate Partner Goals and Commitments

     Expand New Company Pipeline Development

Define Path to Commercialisation, Liquidity Event or Key Commercial or  

     Strategic Differentiators

Develop Strategic Plan to Drive Shareholder Value

Manage Cash

   TOTAL PERCENTAGE OF TARGET

Notes:

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

40.0%

20.0%

5.0%

5.0%

10.0%

10.0%

10.0%

60.0%

30.0%

7.5%

7.5%

15.0%

15.0%

15.0%

100.0%

150.0%

(1.)  “Validating Events” represent various material achievements, such as fundraisings, mergers and acquisitions, development partnerships, strategic 

alliances, customer contracts and other significant corporate events.

(2.)  “Technical Milestones” represent various research and development achievements, as well as advancement of clinical trials.

Long Term Incentive Plan

As noted above, Ms. Smith will not be eligible for any long term incentive plan awards unless she transitions to 
the role of “permanent” Chief Executive Officer.

The Remuneration Committee does not expect to implement any changes to LTIP awards in 2017.  In 2016, the 
Remuneration Committee implemented the following changes to the LTIP awards, which were permitted under 
the Remuneration Policy. During 2015, there was no cap on the amount of LTIP award to be made to Executive 
Directors, other than the cap of 300% of base salary per financial year as specified in the LTIP. Under the current 
Remuneration  Policy,  each  year  the  Committee  will  determine  the  maximum  opportunity  for  each  Executive 
Director. The maximum opportunity for each Executive Director in 2017 shall be up to 300% of base salary.

In  2016,  the  Committee  made  awards  under  the  LTIP  with  100%  of  each  award  subject  to  performance 
conditions based on the Company’s relative total shareholder return (rTSR) performance in respect of a three-
year period. The Group TSR will be measured relative to the FTSE 250, the S&P 500, and a peer group of 
four publicly-traded companies. The level of vesting for threshold performance is 16.67% of the maximum. The 
level of vesting for target performance is 66.67% of the maximum.  With respect to any LTIP awards granted to 
Executive Directors in 2017, the Committee expects to continue the same rTSR performance vesting terms.

In respect of the 2015 awards, the Committee expects vesting to continue to be dependent upon performance 
metrics as follows:

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DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT (CONTINUED)

•  60% of each award will be subject to performance conditions based on the Company’s total shareholder 

return performance in respect of a three-year period; and

•  40% of each award will be subject to performance conditions based on a basket of shareholder value 
metrics, including but not limited to: (i) the increase in quality of pipeline intellectual property reviewed; 
(ii) the increase in quality of the partnership pipeline; and (iii) subsidiary level performance (assessed by 
reference to such matters as external funding raised, corporate collaborations, product co-development 
and proof of principal commercial pilots and revenues). Performance will be assessed on these measures 
on a scorecard basis over a three-year period.

In respect of the 2015 awards, following the end of the three-year period, performance against the relevant 
measures will be calculated to determine the number of ordinary shares capable of vesting. The level of vesting 
for threshold performance will be 33.33% of the maximum. The level of vesting for target performance will be 
66.67% of the maximum.

Details of the expected vesting of the 2014 awards are given on page 81.

Service Contract and Post Period Loss of Office Payments (Former CEO)

At 31 December 2016, the former Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director (Chris Silva) had a service 
contract  that  commenced  in  May  2014.  With  effect  from  10  March  2017,  Mr.  Silva  resigned  as  Chief 
Executive Officer and as an Executive Director of the Company.

The  Remuneration  Committee  approved  the  arrangements  below  which  are  in  line  with  the  Company’s 
Remuneration Policy approved by the Company’s shareholders at the 2016 AGM.   

Payments and benefits

Mr. Silva will be entitled to:

•  An annual incentive award for 2017, which shall be a lump sum payment of $100,675.73, which is 
equal to the product of: (A) $532,560 (his average annual bonus for the three full years preceding his 
resignation) and (B) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days he was employed by the 
Company during 2017 and the denominator of which is the number of days in such year.

•  Continued payment of his base salary at the rate of $600,000 per year for a period of twenty-four (24) 

months.

•  Participation at the Company’s expense under COBRA for six months for him and each of his eligible 
dependents in all medical, dental, hospitalization and other employee welfare benefit plans, programs 
and arrangements covered by COBRA.

• 

Life and disability insurance cover at the Company’s expense for six months. 

Incentive arrangements

Mr .Silva has outstanding restricted share unit awards (RSUs) granted under the Company’s Long Term Incentive 
Plan, outstanding share options (Options) granted under the Allied Minds Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan, and 
outstanding awards in the form of units (Phantom Units) granted under the Allied Minds Phantom Plan (Phantom 
Plan).  The RSUs and Options are settled in ordinary shares in the Company (Shares) and the Phantom Units are 
settled in cash.

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DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT (CONTINUED)

In accordance with the terms of such awards and the Company’s Remuneration Policy:

•  The RSUs will continue to vest subject to achievement of the relevant performance criteria and, to the 
extent that they vest, Mr. Silva will be entitled to a pro rata number of Shares taking into account the 
time which Mr. Silva has worked in the period over which the performance criteria are measured.  The 
Remuneration Committee has exercised its discretion to determine that the pro-rating shall be by reference 
to the number of days worked from the beginning of the relevant measurement period, rather than from 
the  date  of  grant  of  the  relevant  RSU.    Mr.  Silva  has  outstanding  RSUs  to  acquire  an  aggregate  of 
1,763,441 Shares at maximum vesting.

•  The Options are fully vested.  Following the Remuneration Committee determination to extend the period 
for  exercise  of  the  Options  from  three  to  twelve  months  following  termination,  Mr.  Silva  has  until  10 
March 2018 to exercise such Options, failing which they will lapse.  Mr. Silva has outstanding Options 
which entitle him to acquire an aggregate of 3,105,498 Shares.

•  The Phantom Units are also fully vested.  Settlement of Phantom Units under the Phantom Plan is triggered 
by  a  successful  subsidiary  liquidity  event  (Liquidity  Event).    Mr.  Silva  remains  entitled  to  a  proportion 
of  the  payment  he  would  have  received  on  a  Liquidity  Event  had  he  remained  an  employee.    That 
proportion is 90% if the Liquidity Event occurs within 9 months of his resignation date, 75% if 10-18 
months from his resignation date; 50% if 19-27 months from his resignation date; 25% if 28-36 months 
from his resignation date, and 0% if later than 36 months from his resignation date.  Mr. Silva has 8,857 
Phantom Units.

No further payments will be made to Mr. Silva in connection with his loss of office. 

Service Contract and Letter of Appointment (New Interim CEO)

At 10 March 2017, the new interim Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director (Jill Smith) entered into a 
service contract. The employment arrangement is “at-will”, which means that either Ms. Smith or Allied Minds 
may terminate the employment arrangement at any time, with or without cause and with or without prior notice.

During the period that Ms. Smith is serving as “interim” Chief Executive Officer, she will be paid a base salary 
of $100,000 per month, and she will not be eligible for any cash incentive bonus awards, LTIP awards, or 
any other incentive or equity schemes.  It is expected that in due course Ms. Smith will notify the Board as to 
her willingness to transition to serve as “permanent” Chief Executive Officer.  Upon any such notification, Ms. 
Smith  and  the  Board  shall  mutually  agree  on  the  revised  terms  of  such  employment,  including  base  salary, 
annual incentive bonus awards, equity grants and other terms of remuneration. The final terms of Ms. Smith’s 
service contract and remuneration are expected to be in accordance with the Remuneration Policy, subject to the 
considerations set forth in the approach to remuneration recruitment above.

At 10 March 2017, Ms. Smith’s Non-Executive Director letter of appointment was terminated, and she entered 
into a new Executive Director letter of appointment. The letter of appointment immediately terminates upon the 
termination of her appointment as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.  The letter of appointment does 
not provide for any compensation on termination.

On 9 May 2016, in her capacity as a Non-Executive Director, Ms. Smith received a grant of 10,290 RSUs 
under the Company’s LTIP. The RSUs vest annually over a three-year period, with the first vesting date scheduled 
to occur on 9 May 2017. Under the terms of the RSUs, vesting is time-based and occurs so long as Ms. Smith 
continues to be a Director of the Company.  Notwithstanding the terms of such RSUs, Ms. Smith has informed 
the Company that she intends to forfeit the awards in light of her appointment as interim Chief Executive Officer 
and Executive Director because such RSUs do not contain performance vesting conditions, and therefore are not 
in compliance with the Remuneration Policy.  

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DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT (CONTINUED)

The service contract and letter of appointment are available for inspection at the Company’s registered office. In 
accordance with the Code, Ms. Smith will submit herself for election at the AGM, and for annual re-election by 
shareholders at each AGM.

Chairman and Non-Executive Directors

Effective from 01 January 2017, the base salaries of the Chairman and Non-Executive Directors will be:

CASH COMPONENT

Non-Executive Director Annual Fee

Audit Committee Chair Annual Fee

Remuneration Committee Chair Annual Fee

Nomination Committee Chair Annual Fee

Chairman of the Board Annual Fee

EQUITY COMPONENT

Non-Executive Director LTIP Award Value

Chairman of the Board LTIP Award Value

2017

$75,000

$25,000

$10,000

$10,000

$75,000

$50,000

$75,000

The Chairman, Non-Executive Director and Committee Chair annual fees set forth in the table above remain 
unchanged from 2016. The additional fee for serving as Chairman shall only be payable where the Chairman 
is a Non-Executive Director. Given the US-based nature of the Group’s business, and the need to attract and 
retain independent directors with significant US business and leadership experience, the proposed fees above 
include an equity component, which will have a time-based vesting schedule. Jill Smith, as an Executive Director, 
will not be entitled to any Board fees.

Outside Appointments for Executive Directors

Any proposed external directorships are considered and approved by the Board to ensure they do not cause a 
conflict of interest but, subject to this, Executive Directors may accept outside non-executive appointments.

Limits on the number of shares used to satisfy share awards (dilution limits)

All of the Group’s incentive schemes that contain an element that may be satisfied in Allied Minds plc shares 
incorporate provisions that in any ten-year period (ending on the relevant date of grant), the maximum number 
of the shares that may be issued or issuable under all such schemes shall not exceed 10% of the issued ordinary 
share capital of the Company from time to time (excluding shares issued pursuant to awards granted prior to IPO 
under the US Stock Plan).

The Committee regularly monitors the position and prior to the making of any share-based award, considers the 
effect of potential vesting of outstanding awards to ensure that the Company remains within these limits. Any 
awards which are required to be satisfied by market purchased shares are excluded from such calculations. No 
treasury shares were held or utilised in the year ended 31 December 2016.

Remuneration Committee: details and governance

The full terms of reference of the Committee, which are reviewed annually, are available on the Group’s website 
at www.alliedminds.com. In summary, the Remuneration Committee has specific responsibility for advising the 
Board on the remuneration and other benefits of executive directors, an overall policy in respect of remuneration 
of other employees of the Group and establishing the Group’s policy with respect to employee incentivisation 
schemes.

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Management &  GovernanceANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT (CONTINUED)

The Remuneration Committee is currently comprised of the following independent Non-Executive Directors, all 
of whom served during the entire financial year, and whose backgrounds and experience are summarised on 
pages 37 to 38:

•  Kevin Sharer (Chair)

•  Rick Davis

• 

Jeff Rohr

Committee  meetings  are  administered  and  minuted  by  the  Company  Secretary.  In  addition,  the  Committee 
received assistance from the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, each of who attend certain 
meetings by invitation, except when matters relating to their own remuneration were being discussed.

During the year, the key activities carried out by the Committee were:

•  Conducted a review of all elements of remuneration for Executive Directors and senior management;

•  Reviewed feedback received from major shareholders and shareholder advisory services in connection 

with the implementation of the revised Remuneration Policy in 2016;

•  Confirmed  that  the  Remuneration  Policy  was  designed  to  be  appropriate  for  a  UK  listed  company, 
whilst also ensuring that it was designed to continue to attract and retain US-based management and 
employees of the highest calibre;

• 

In accordance with the Remuneration Policy, implemented (i) a revised process for the determination of 
annual cash incentive bonus awards which utilised specific performance targets and weighting set in 
advance from year to year, and (ii) revised performance metrics for annual LTIP awards solely based 
upon relative total shareholder return (rTSR);

•  Reviewed the LTIP to ensure that it continues to advance the Committee’s policy to provide a competitive, 
performance-linked long-term incentive mechanism that will: (i) attract, retain and motivate individuals 
with  the  required  personal  attributes,  skills  and  experience,  (ii)  provide  a  real  incentive  to  achieve 
the  Company’s  long-term  strategic  objectives,  and  (iii)  and  align  the  interests  of  management  and 
shareholders;

•  Set  the  management  by  objectives  (MBOs),  including  financial,  operational,  technical  and  other 
performance targets and their weightings at the start of 2016, and determined the level of achievement 
against the MBOs at the end of the year, in order to determine the cash incentive bonus awards for the 
Executive Officers for the last financial year;

•  Considered the (i) scale, scope and responsibility of the role, (ii) skills and experience of the individual, 
(iii) retention risk, (iv) base salary of other employees, (v) and economic environment, and carried out 
benchmarking, in order to determine base salaries of the Executive Directors, for the period starting 1 
January 2017;

• 

Issued LTIP awards on 9 May 2016;

•  Reviewed progress against 2014, 2015 and 2016 LTIP award performance targets for the last financial 

year;

•  Established 2014 and 2015 LTIP award performance targets for the current financial year; and

•  Reviewed  the  remuneration  reporting  regulations  in  connection  with  the  review  and  revision  of  the 

Group’s Remuneration Policy and preparation of the Directors’ Remuneration Report.

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT (CONTINUED)

External advisers

The  Remuneration  Committee  is  authorised,  if  it  wishes,  to  seek  independent  specialist  services  to  provide 
information and advice on remuneration at the Company’s expense, including attendance at Committee meetings.

During  the  year,  the  Remuneration  Committee  continued  its  review  of  executive  remuneration  and  took  into 
consideration professional advice from Korn Ferry | Hay Group carried out in the period from November 2016 
through December 2016. Korn Ferry | Hay Group performed peer benchmarking to assist the Committee with 
determinations regarding base salary, cash incentive bonus awards, and proposed LTIP awards. Fees paid to 
Korn Ferry | Hay Group in connection with advice to the Committee in 2016 were $30,000 (2015: $28,000). 
Korn Ferry | Hay Group did not provide any other services or advice to the Group during the year. They are 
a member of the Remuneration Consultants Group and adhere to its Code of Conduct in relation to executive 
remuneration consulting in the UK.

Statement of voting at general meeting

The table below sets out the proxy results of the vote on the Group’s Remuneration Report and Remuneration 
Policy at the Group’s 2016 AGM: 

VOTES FOR

VOTES AGAINST

NUMBER

144,357,660

143,253,719

% OF CAST 
VOTES

NUMBER

% OF CAST 
VOTES

VOTES CAST

VOTES 
WITHHELD

93.16%

91.64%

10,604,891

6.84%

154,962,551

2,642,679

13,062,976

8.36%

156,316,695

1,288,535

Remuneration Report

Remuneration Policy

Remuneration disclosure

This Report and Accounts complies with the requirements of the Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups 
Regulations 2008 as amended in 2013, the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code (September 
2014) and the Listing Rules.

Approval

This Directors’ Remuneration Report, including both the Remuneration Policy and Annual Report on Remuneration 
has been approved by the Board of Directors.

Kevin Sharer 
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

27 April 2017

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Management &  GovernanceANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

The Audit Committee plays an integral role in assisting the Board fulfil its oversight responsibilities. In performing 
its  duties,  the  Committee  strives  to  maintain  effective  working  relationships  with  the  Board,  the  Company’s 
management and the external auditors. The Committee reviews the integrity of the financial statements of the 
Group,  reviews  all  proposed  half-yearly  and  annual  results,  and  advises  the  Board  whether  it  believes  the 
annual report and accounts, taken as a whole, fairly present the Company’s financial position and provide the 
necessary information to the shareholders of the Company to assess the Company’s position and performance, 
business model, and strategy.

MEMBERSHIP

The Committee comprises three independent Non-executive Directors. Members of the Committee are appointed 
by the Board. The CEO, COO, CFO, General Counsel and external auditors also participate in Committee 
meetings by invitation. As Chair of the Audit Committee, Mr. Jeff Rohr has relevant, recent financial experience 
being a Certified Public Accountant with over thirty years of senior management and executive experience. At 
the beginning of 2016, Mr. Rick Davis and Mr. Kevin Sharer served as the other two independent members of 
the Committee.  In January 2016, Ms. Jill Smith was appointed to replace Mr. Sharer.  Ms. Smith served as a 
member of the Audit Committee throughout 2016, but was replaced by Kevin Sharer on 10 March 2017 upon 
her appointment as interim Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director.

The Committee met five times in 2016, and the external auditors participated in four of these meetings. Mr. Rohr 
and Ms. Smith were present at all meetings during the year during their term of service, and Mr. Davis missed 
two meetings due to an unexpected or previously scheduled conflict.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Committee’s main responsibilities are to monitor the integrity of the financial statements of the Company, 
including  its  annual  and  half-yearly  reports  and  accounts  and  any  other  formal  announcement  relating  to  its 
financial performance; and reviewing and reporting to the Board on significant financial reporting issues and 
judgements  made  and  matters  communicated  to  it  by  the  auditor.  The  roles  and  responsibilities  of  the  Audit 
Committee additionally include to:

•  Review the Company’s internal financial controls and the Company’s internal control and risk management 

systems;

•  Advise on the need and monitor and review the effectiveness of the Company’s internal audit function;

•  Make  recommendations  to  the  Board,  for  it  to  put  to  the  shareholders  for  their  approval  in  general 
meeting, in relation to the appointment of the external auditor and to approve the remuneration and terms 
of engagement of the external auditor;

•  Review and monitor the external auditor’s independence and objectivity and the effectiveness of the audit 

process, taking into consideration relevant UK professional and regulatory requirements;

•  Develop and implement policy on the engagement of the external auditor to supply non-audit services, 
taking into account relevant ethical guidance regarding the provision of non-audit services by the external 
audit firm; and to report to the Board, identifying any matters in respect of which it considers that action 
or improvement is needed, and making recommendations as to the steps to be taken; and

•  Report to the Board on how it has discharged its responsibilities.

The Committee carries out these duties for the Company, major subsidiary undertakings and the Group as a 
whole, as appropriate.

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT (CONTINUED)

ACTIVITIES DURING THE YEAR

The Committee’s activities for the year ended 31 December 2016 included the responsibilities set forth above, 
as well as the items set forth below:

Financial reporting

•  Reviewed and approved the appropriate audit plan, before the start of the annual audit cycle;

•  Reviewed and provided comments and recommendations in respect of the financial statements in the 
half-yearly report for the period ended 30 June 2016, and the financial statements in the Annual Report 
and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2016;

•  Reviewed  the  Company’s  approach  and  methodology  for  determining  the  fair  value  of  investments, 
including review of the fair value reports on the individual investments. Considered and recommended 
the involvement of external valuation specialist firm to assist management and the Board in deriving the 
fair value of the subsidiary undertakings; and

•  Considered significant matters, risk areas, and areas of judgement in relation to the Group’s financial 
statements taking into account the areas highlighted by the external auditors in their presentations to the 
Committee, and challenged where necessary.

The Committee is satisfied with the integrity of the financial statements of the Company in all material aspects, 
including the application of significant accounting policies, the methods used to account for significant transactions, 
use of judgements and estimates made by management, including those made in deriving the fair value of the 
subsidiary undertakings, and the quality and completeness of the disclosures in the financial statements of the 
Company.

The Committee is satisfied that this Annual Report as a whole is fair, balanced and understandable, and provides 
the information necessary for a reasonable shareholder to assess the Company’s performance, business model 
and strategy.

Internal controls and risk management systems

•  Reviewed the principal elements of the Company’s risk management framework as set out on pages 31to 
36 of this Annual Report. The Committee gives consideration and provides guidance on enhancing the 
internal controls and risk management framework, as needed;

•  Reviewed the established procedures, which provide a reasonable basis for the Board to make proper 
judgements on an ongoing basis as to the Financial Position, Prospects and Procedures (FPPP) of the 
Company following the adopted risk approach; and

•  Reviewed the whistleblower policy that was established and approved by the Board in 2014, which has 
been communicated to employees. The Audit Committee is satisfied that the policy has been designed 
to encourage staff to report suspected wrongdoing as soon as possible, provide staff with guidance on 
how to raise those concerns, and ensure staff that they should be able to raise genuine concerns without 
fear of reprisals, even if they turn out to be mistaken.

SIGNIFICANT AREAS REPORTED TO THE BOARD

Valuation of Group subsidiaries

At the close of each annual financial period, the Directors formally approve the value of all subsidiary businesses 
in the Group, which is used to derive the Group Subsidiary Ownership Adjusted Value (GSOAV). This Group 
Subsidiary Ownership Adjusted Value is a sum-of-the-parts (SOTP) valuation of all the subsidiaries that make up 
the Group.

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AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT (CONTINUED)

The  Audit  Committee  discusses  with  management  and  the  auditors  the  appropriateness  of  the  adopted 
methodology and approach in deriving the GSOAV. Further details of the Group valuation methodology are 
outlined in note 11 on pages 136 to 137. Although the fair values of the Group’s investments in subsidiaries are 
not included in the Group’s Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, additional disclosures are provided in 
the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. This is a significant performance metric for the Group.

Financial instruments – subsidiary preferred shares

Certain of the Group’s subsidiaries have outstanding preferred shares which have been classified as subsidiary 
preferred shares in current liabilities as the subsidiaries have a contractual obligation to deliver cash or other 
assets to the holders under certain future liquidity events, and/or a requirement to deliver an uncertain number of 
common shares upon conversion. Significant judgement is used in determining the classification of these financial 
instruments in terms of liability or equity and significant estimates are made when determining the appropriate 
valuation methodology and deriving the estimated fair value of the subsidiary preferred shares. As such, they 
present a significant risk for the financial statements.

EXTERNAL AUDIT

•  Reviewed and approved the scope of the external audit procedures over the half-yearly report for the 
period ended 30 June 2016, and the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 
2016;

•  Discussed  with  management  and  agreed  upon  the  terms  of  the  engagement  of  the  external  auditors 
and the auditors’ remuneration for audit and non-audit services. In assessing independence, the Audit 
Committee received the auditor’s presentation and confirmation that in its professional judgment, KPMG 
LLP is independent within the meaning of regulatory and professional requirements and the objectivity 
of the partner and audit staff is not impaired. The Committee was satisfied that throughout the year that 
the objectivity and independence of KPMG LLP was not in any way impaired by the non-audit services 
they provided to the Group during the year, by the amounts of non-audit fees, or by any other factors;

•  Assessed  the  independence,  objectivity  and  qualifications  of  KPMG  LLP  as  the  external  auditor  and 
evaluated the quality and effectiveness of the audit procedures. In doing so, the Committee reviewed the 
audit plan and monitored performance against the plan, reviewed the periodic reports of KPMG LLP to 
the Committee that highlighted key areas of focus during the audit and the applied audit approach, and 
obtained feedback from the finance department in respect to quality and status of KPMG LLP work in the 
course of the audit. The Committee concluded that the audit process during the year was effective; and

•  Reviewed  and  discussed  the  principal  areas  of  financial  reporting  risk,  as  highlighted  above,  and 

reported to the Board.

KPMG LLP has been the external auditor of the Group since the first audit of the consolidated financial statements 
in 2008. The total fees to KPMG LLP for the year ended 31 December 2016 were $0.6 million, of which $0.1 
million was for non-audit services (see note 5 of the consolidated financial statements). The Audit Committee 
has considered the recent European Union audit reforms in terms of tendering and auditor’s tenure.  Given that 
the Group listed on the London Stock Exchange during 2014 and became a public interest entity (PIE), the next 
anticipated requirement to tender audit will be for the 2024 calendar year.  As such, the Company is complying 
with the Statutory Audit Services Order.

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT (CONTINUED)

INTERNAL AUDIT

Given the size and composition of the Group, taking into account relevant significant matters, risk areas, areas of 
judgement in relation to the Group’s financial statements, and the centralised internal controls system in respect to 
the Group’s financial reporting process, the Board did not consider it necessary to have an internal audit function 
during the year. The Board will keep this decision under annual review.

Jeff Rohr 
Chairman of the Audit Committee

27 April 2017

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Management &  GovernanceANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
◄►

◄►

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ALLIED 
MINDS PLC ONLY

Opinions and conclusions arising from our audit
1. OUR OPINION ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS IS UNMODIFIED 

We have audited the financial statements of Allied Minds plc for the year ended 31 December 2016 set out on 
pages 101 to 162.  In our opinion:  

• 

• 

• 

• 

the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s and of the parent Company’s 
affairs as at 31 December 2016 and of the group’s loss for the year then ended;  

the group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union (IFRSs as adopted by the EU); 

the  parent  company  financial  statements  have  been  properly  prepared  in  accordance  with  IFRSs  as 
adopted by the EU and as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006; and 

the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 
2006 and, as regards the group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.  

2. OUR ASSESSMENT OF RISKS OF MATERIAL MISSTATEMENT

In arriving at our audit opinion above on the financial statements the risks of material misstatement that had the 
greatest effect on our audit, in decreasing order of audit significance, were as follows:

Disclosure of Group Subsidiary Ownership Adjusted Value ($416.2 million, 2015: $535.8 million) Risk vs FY15 ◄► 

Refer to page 92 (Audit Committee Report) and pages 135 to 137 (financial disclosures)

The risk - The Group owns 33 subsidiaries in which it has ownership stakes of between 30.25% and 100%.  The 
results and financial position of the subsidiaries are consolidated in the group accounts.  Although the Group’s 
holdings in subsidiaries are not included in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position at fair value, the 
financial statements do include additional disclosure in relation to the Group Subsidiary Ownership Adjusted 
Value  of  the  subsidiaries,  as  the  Directors  have  determined  that  it  is  appropriate  to  voluntarily  present,  as 
supplementary information.  The policy adopted by the Group is detailed in note 11.  The Group’s subsidiaries 
are, for the most part, still at the development stage and the majority do not yet generate revenues.  This has 
therefore been determined to be a significant risk for our audit for the following reasons:

•  as a result of the group policy not to formally revalue each subsidiary at each accounting period end 
there is significant judgement required to assess if there has been an indication of a decrease in the value 
of a subsidiary, therefore requiring a valuation; 

•  where there is a valuation driven by a DCF, the inherent uncertainty involved in forecasting the trading of 
such companies and the significant level of judgement required to determine the assumptions used in the 
DCFs such as discount rate,  revenue and EBIT forecasts and probability of success and the valuations 
are sensitive to changes in these assumptions;

• 

for valuations based on recent third party funding rounds, the relatively low number of investors partaking 
in funding rounds meaning that there is a risk that recent investment on which fair value is based are not 
sufficiently at arm’s length to ensure an independent market valuation representative of fair value and;

• 

the significance of the Group Subsidiary Ownership Adjusted Value disclosures in the group accounts 
to the users of the financial statements. 

Our response - In this area our procedures included, 

96

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
◄►

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ALLIED 
MINDS PLC ONLY (CONTINUED)

•  Where it had been determined that no formal valuation, will be prepared in the current year we assessed 
the appropriateness of this conclusion by critically assessing the performance of the related subsidiaries 
compared to prior year forecasts to identify indications of a decrease in the value of the company. We 
challenged the explanations received for the  variances in the context of the progression of the entity 
towards achieving milestones set and in relation to wider industry trends in the period.

•  Where valuations are based on the implied value from the most recent third party funding we assessed 
the accuracy of the data used including agreeing to share subscription agreements and shareholding 
structures as detailed in the capitalisation tables.  We evaluated the independence of the funding rounds 
on which the valuation was based by looking at the number of external investors included within the 
funding round, the significance of their investments and whether they are sufficiently independent from 
the Group to form a basis for the valuation.  

•  Where valuations had been prepared by an external expert on behalf of the company we used our 
own  valuation  specialists  to  assist  us  in  evaluating  the  assumptions  and  methodologies  used  in  the 
valuations.    We  critically  assessed  the  appropriateness  of  the  assumptions  underlying  the  forecasts, 
including assumptions over projected revenue including forecast product commercialisation or license 
date and royalty rates where applicable and operating costs and EBIT margin terminal values and the 
probability of success factors where applicable.  In doing this we used our knowledge of each subsidiary 
and its industry with reference to both internal management information and externally derived data and 
benchmarks, including market size data, royalty rates and competitor analyses based on information 
from public material.  

•  We  critically  assessed  the  appropriateness  of  the  discount  rates  applied,  with  specific  focus  on  the 
company  specific  premium  and  the  appropriateness  of  the  probability  of  success,  assessing  also  for 
consistency with the assumptions used in the prior year.  

•  We also assessed whether the Group's disclosures were consistent with the valuations performed and 

whether the group's disclosures adequately highlighted the uncertainty inherent in the valuations.

Financial instruments – preferred shares classification and valuation  ($140.9 million, 2015: $94.1 million) 
Risk vs FY15 ◄►

Refer to page 92 (Audit Committee Report), pages 109 to 110 (accounting policy) and pages 141 to 145 and 
pages 147 to 148 (financial disclosures)

The risk – The Group finances its operations and subsidiaries partly through financial instruments such as preferred 
shares.    There  is  a  significant  level  of  judgement  in  determining  whether  the  instruments  should  be  classified 
as  debt  or  equity  and,  when  classified  as  debt,  whether  there  are  any  embedded  derivatives  that  require 
separation and would prevent the designation of the entire hybrid contract at fair value through profit or loss.  
The fair value is derived using the option pricing model which involves a significant level of judgement around 
the  key  assumptions,  such  as  subsidiary  values  (either  the  implied  value  from  a  third  party  funding  round,  a 
valuation based on a DCF or asset based valuation – see relevant sections in “Disclosure of Group Subsidiary 
Ownership Adjusted Value”), volatility, expected time to the conversion event, forecast exit dates and scenarios 
and applicable probability weighting. 

Our response – in this area our procedures included,:

•  We  critically  assessed  the  conclusions  reached  by  the  Group  in  relation  to  the  debt  versus  equity 
classification of the issued financial instruments by considering the key terms and features of the contracts 
through applying and interpreting relevant accounting standards;

•  Where the Group designated the entire hybrid contract at fair value through profit or loss, we evaluated 

97

Financial StatementsANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ALLIED 
MINDS PLC ONLY (CONTINUED)

whether certain embedded derivatives required separate accounting by critically assessing the key terms 
and features of those derivatives.

•  The value of the subsidiary which is a key input into the option pricing model to give the value per share 
is either based on a third party funding round or on a DCF and therefore the procedures performed are 
detailed in ‘our responses’ to the ‘disclosure of group subsidiary ownership adjusted value’.  

•  We used our own valuation specialists to assist us in critically assessing other key inputs utilised within 
the option pricing model.  These key inputs were assessed for reasonableness by reference to externally 
derived data or internal data.  In the case of the volatility assumption, comparable company data is 
utilised and is critically assessed for appropriateness.   Internal data such as strategic plans, forecasts 
and budgets and actual results are   utilised for inputs such as exit dates and scenarios and probability 
of  exit  scenarios  where  procedures  performed  include  comparing  to  prior  periods  for  consistency, 
understanding key changes and critically assessing current progress against milestones set and assessing 
where  there  is  an  impact  on  the  forecast  exit  date  and  assessing  whether  the  assumptions  used  are 
consistent  with  the  strategic  plans.  We  assessed  the  assumptions  used  for  consistency  with  the  prior 
year and with assumptions used in the other portfolio companies and critically assessed variances as 
appropriate, understanding and challenging the variances based on our knowledge of the group;

•  We  also  assessed  whether  the  Group’s  disclosures  were  consistent  with  the  conclusions  reached  in 
relation to both the classification of the financial instruments and in relation to the key assumptions related 
to the valuations.

In our audit report for the year ended 31 December 2015 we included Development Cost Capitalisation as 
one  of  the  risks  of  material  misstatement  that  had  the  greatest  effect  on  our  audit.    We  continue  to  perform 
procedure over this risk, however, having gained a better understanding of the business and the products under 
development it has been determined that, given that the products being developed are a number of years from 
technical feasibility and also the fact that when technical feasibility and commercial viability are established there 
is then limited further spend on R&D we have not assessed this as one of the risk that had the greatest effect on 
our audit and, therefore, it is not separately identified in our report this year.

3. OUR APPLICATION OF MATERIALITY AND AN OVERVIEW OF THE SCOPE OF OUR AUDIT

Materiality for the group financial statements as a whole was set at $1 million (2015: $1 million), determined 
with  reference  to  a  benchmark  of  group  total  expenses,  of  $116  million  (2015:  $100  million),  of  which  it 
represents 1% (2015: 1%), which we consider to be one of the principal considerations for the members of the 
company in assessing the financial performance of the Group, since the Group’s activities are currently principally 
in relation to expenditure on developing forms of intellectual property which can be exploited commercially to 
generate income and growth in the future.  

We  reported  to  the  Audit  Committee  any  corrected  or  uncorrected  identified  misstatements  exceeding  $50 
thousand  (2015:  $50  thousand),  in  addition  to  other  identified  misstatements  that  warranted  reporting  on 
qualitative grounds. 

Of the Group's three (2015: two) reporting components, we subjected three (2015: two) to audits for group 
reporting purposes. This covered 100% of total group revenue, group loss before tax, and total group assets.
The group team instructed component auditors as to the significant areas to be covered, including the relevant 
risks detailed above and the information to be reported back. 

The  group  team  approved  the  component  materiality,  which  ranged  from  $200,000  to  $900,000  (2015: 
$150,000 to $500,000), having regard to the mix of size and risk profile of the components. The work on two 
of the three components (2015: one of the two components) was performed by component auditors and the rest 
by the group team.

98

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ALLIED 
MINDS PLC ONLY (CONTINUED)

The group audit team maintained close communication with the component audit team throughout the engagement 
including  but  not  limited  to  discussions  and  meetings  in  relation  to  risks  identified,  the  audit  approach  to  be 
adopted, the results of procedures performed and significant findings and visited the site at which two (2015: 
one) of the components are located. 

4. OUR OPINION ON OTHER MATTERS PRESCRIBED BY THE COMPANIES ACT 2006 IS UNMODIFIED  

In our opinion:  

• 

• 

the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance 
with the Companies Act 2006; and

the information given in the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report for the financial year for which the 
financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and  

5. WE HAVE NOTHING TO REPORT ON THE DISCLOSURES OF PRINCIPAL RISKS

Based on the knowledge we acquired during our audit, we have nothing material to add or draw attention to 
in relation to: 

• 

the directors’ Viability Statement on page 45, concerning the principal risks, their management, and, 
based on that, the directors’ assessment and expectations of the group’s continuing in operation over the 
three years to 31 December 2019; or 

• 

the disclosures in Note 1 of the financial statements concerning the use of the going concern basis of 
accounting. 

6.  WE HAVE NOTHING TO REPORT IN RESPECT OF THE MATTERS ON WHICH WE ARE REQUIRED TO 
REPORT BY EXCEPTION  

Under ISAs (UK and Ireland) we are required to report to you if, based on the knowledge we acquired during 
our audit, we have identified other information in the annual report that contains a material inconsistency with 
either that knowledge or the financial statements, a material misstatement of fact, or that is otherwise misleading. 
In particular, we are required to report to you if: 

•  we have identified material inconsistencies between the knowledge we acquired during our audit and 
the  directors’  statement  that  they  consider  that  the  annual  report  and  financial  statements  taken  as  a 
whole is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for shareholders to 
assess the group’s position and performance, business model and strategy; or

• 

the Audit Committee Report does not appropriately address matters communicated by us to the audit 
committee.

Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion:  

•  adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent company, or returns adequate for our 

audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or  

• 

the parent company financial statements and the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited 
are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or  

•  certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or  

•  we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or  

•  a Corporate Governance Statement has not been prepared by the company.  

99

Financial StatementsANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ALLIED 
MINDS PLC ONLY (CONTINUED)

Under the Listing Rules we are required to review:  

• 

• 

the  directors’  statements,  set  out  on  page  57  and  45,  in  relation  to  going  concern  and  longer-term 
viability; and

the part of the Corporate Governance Statement on page 48 relating to the company’s compliance with 
the eleven provisions of the 2014 UK Corporate Governance Code specified for our review.

We have nothing to report in respect of the above responsibilities.

SCOPE OF REPORT AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities Statement set out on page 46, the directors are responsible 
for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view.  A 
description  of  the  scope  of  an  audit  of  financial  statements  is  provided  on  the  Financial  Reporting  Council’s 
website at www.frc.org.uk/auditscopeukprivate. This report is made solely to the company’s members as a body 
and is subject to important explanations and disclaimers regarding our responsibilities, published on our website 
at www.kpmg.com/uk/auditscopeukco2014a, which are incorporated into this report as if set out in full and 
should be read to provide an understanding of the purpose of this report, the work we have undertaken and the 
basis of our opinions.

Charles le Strange Meakin (Senior Statutory Auditor)  

for and on behalf of KPMG LLP, Statutory Auditor   

Chartered Accountants  
15 Canada Square
Canary Wharf
London
E14 5GL

27 April 2017

100

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER

NOTE

Revenue

Operating expenses:

Cost of revenue

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Research and development expenses

OPERATING LOSS

Finance income

Finance cost

Finance cost from IAS 39 fair value accounting 

Taxation

FINANCE COST, NET 

Loss before taxation

LOSS FOR THE PERIOD

3

4,5

4,5

4,5

7

7

7

25

2016

$ '000

2,664

(5,563)  

(55,484)  

(55,292)  

(113,675)  

2,879  

(561)  

(17,585)  

(15,267)  

(128,942)  

—    

(128,942)  

2015

$ '000

3,000

(3,925)  

(46,888)  

(49,209)  

(96,722)  

723   

(53)   

(1,937)   

(1,267)   

(97,989)  

—    

(97,989)  

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS:

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:

Foreign currency translation differences

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF TAXATION

208   

208   

46  

46  

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS FOR THE PERIOD

(128,734)  

(97,943)  

LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO:

Equity holders of the parent

Non-controlling interests

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO:

Equity holders of the parent

Non-controlling interests

LOSS PER SHARE

Basic

Diluted

17

8

8

(96,333)  

(32,609)  

(128,942)  

(96,125)  

(32,609)  

(128,734)  

$

$

(0.44)  

(0.44)  

(77,797)  

(20,192)  

(97,989)  

(77,752)  

(20,191)  

(97,943)  

(0.36)  

(0.36)  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

101

Financial StatementsANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 

31 DECEMBER 2016

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

AS OF 31 DECEMBER

NOTE

NON-CURRENT ASSETS

      Property and equipment 

      Intangible assets

      Investment in equity accounted investees

      Other investments

      Other financial assets

      Other non-current assets

TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS

      Cash and cash equivalents

      Other investments

      Inventories

      Trade and other receivables

      Subscription receivable

      Other financial assets

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

TOTAL ASSETS

EQUITY

      Share capital

      Share premium

      Merger  reserve

      Translation reserve

      Accumulated deficit (i)

EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE TO OWNERS OF THE COMPANY

      Non-controlling interests (i)

TOTAL EQUITY

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

      Loans

      Other non-current liabilities

TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

CURRENT LIABILITIES

      Trade and other payables

      Deferred revenue

       Loans

      Subsidiary preferred shares

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

TOTAL LIABILITIES

TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

9

10

11

12

22

13

12

14

15

22

22

16

16

16

16

16

16, 17

19

20

20

3

19

18

2016

$ ‘000

31,882

2,762

—

2,668

904

16

38,232

209,151

14,244

2,551

5,900

—

161

232,007   

270,239

3,657

157,067

263,435

192

(289,437)

134,914     

(20,797)   

114,117

—

720

720

2015

$ ‘000

34,173  

4,384  

1,612  

51,545  

842

228 

92,784  

105,555  

37,648  

1,511  

7,342  

6,000  

371  

158,427  

251,211 

3,429  

155,867  

185,544  

(16) 

(192,819) 

152,005  

(10,631)  

141,374  

112  

751  

863  

13,941

14,268  

458

115

140,888

155,402  

156,122  

270,239  

395

228

94,083  

108,974  

109,837  

251,211  

(i) The 2015 amounts have been reclassified. See note 1.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 

102

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION (CONTINUED)

Registered number: 8998697

The financial statements on pages 101 to 155 were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for 
issue on 27 April 2017 and signed on its behalf by:

Jill Smith 
Chief Executive Officer

103

Financial StatementsANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2016

NOTE

SHARE CAPITAL

SHARE

MERGER

TRANSLATION

ACCUMULATED

TOTAL PARENT

SHARES

AMOUNT

PREMIUM

RESERVE

RESERVE

DEFICIT (I)

EQUITY

NON-CON-
TROLLING

INTERESTS (I)

TOTAL

EQUITY

$’ 000

$’ 000

$’ 000

$’ 000

$’ 000

$’ 000

$’ 000

$’ 000

BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER 2014 

214,445,579   

3,411   

153,442   

185,544   

(61)  

(115,027)  

227,309  

(2,524)   

229,833  

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS FOR THE YEAR

Loss from continuing operations

Foreign currency translation

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS FOR THE YEAR

Gain/(loss) arising from change in

non-controlling interest

Exercise of stock options

Equity-settled share based payments

BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER 2015

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS FOR THE YEAR

Loss from continuing operations

Foreign currency translation

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS FOR THE YEAR

Issuance of ordinary shares

New funds into non-controlling interest

Gain/(loss) arising from change in

non-controlling interest

Exercise of stock options

Equity-settled share based payments

17

6

6

16

16

17

6

6

—    

—    

—    

1,191,784  

—    

—    

—    

—    

18   

—    

—    

—    

—    

2,425   

—    

—    

—    

—    

—    

—    

—    

45  

45  

—    

—    

—    

(77,797)  

—    

(77,797)  

(3,228)   

—    

3,233    

(77,797)  

45  

(20,192)  

(97,989)  

1   

46  

(77,752)  

(20,191)  

(97,943)  

(3,228)   

2,443   

3,233   

3,228  

—    

3,808   

—    

2,443   

7,041   

215,637,363   

3,429   

155,867   

185,544   

(16)  

(192,819)  

152,005   

(10,631)   

141,374   

—    

—    

17,457,015  

—    

—    

650,000  

—    

—    

—    

219   

—    

—    

9   

—    

—    

—    

—    

—    

—    

1,200   

—    

—    

—    

77,891    

—    

—    

—    

—    

—    

208  

208  

—    

—    

—    

—    

—    

(96,333)  

—    

(96,333)  

—    

—    

(6,229)   

—    

5,944    

(96,333)  

208  

(96,125)  

78,110   

—    

(6,229)   

1,209   

5,944   

(32,609)  

(128,942)  

—    

208  

(32,609)  

(128,734)  

—    

13,773   

78,110   

13,773   

6,229   

—    

2,441   

—    

1,209   

8,385   

BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER 2016

233,744,378   

3,657   

157,067   

263,435   

192  

(289,437)  

134,914   

(20,797)   

114,117   

(i) The 2014 and 2015 amounts have been reclassified. See note 1.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

104

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2016

NOTE

SHARE CAPITAL

SHARE

MERGER

TRANSLATION

ACCUMULATED

TOTAL PARENT

SHARES

AMOUNT

PREMIUM

RESERVE

RESERVE

DEFICIT (I)

EQUITY

NON-CON-

TROLLING

INTERESTS (I)

TOTAL

EQUITY

$’ 000

$’ 000

$’ 000

$’ 000

$’ 000

$’ 000

$’ 000

$’ 000

BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER 2014 

214,445,579   

3,411   

153,442   

185,544   

(61)  

(115,027)  

227,309  

(2,524)   

229,833  

BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER 2015

215,637,363   

3,429   

155,867   

185,544   

(16)  

(192,819)  

152,005   

(10,631)   

141,374   

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS FOR THE YEAR

Loss from continuing operations

Foreign currency translation

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS FOR THE YEAR

Gain/(loss) arising from change in

non-controlling interest

Exercise of stock options

Equity-settled share based payments

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS FOR THE YEAR

Loss from continuing operations

Foreign currency translation

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS FOR THE YEAR

Issuance of ordinary shares

New funds into non-controlling interest

Gain/(loss) arising from change in

non-controlling interest

Exercise of stock options

Equity-settled share based payments

17

6

6

16

16

17

6

6

1,191,784  

—    

—    

—    

—    

—    

—    

—    

—    

—    

—    

—    

—    

18   

—    

—    

—    

219   

—    

—    

9   

—    

—    

—    

2,425   

—    

—    

—    

—    

—    

—    

—    

—    

17,457,015  

77,891    

650,000  

1,200   

—    

—    

—    

—    

—    

—    

—    

—    

—    

—    

—    

—    

45  

45  

—    

—    

—    

—    

208  

208  

—    

—    

—    

—    

—    

(77,797)  

—    

(77,797)  

(3,228)   

—    

3,233    

(96,333)  

(96,333)  

—    

—    

—    

(6,229)   

—    

5,944    

(77,797)  

45  

(20,192)  

(97,989)  

1   

46  

(77,752)  

(20,191)  

(97,943)  

(3,228)   

2,443   

3,233   

(96,333)  

208  

(96,125)  

78,110   

—    

(6,229)   

1,209   

5,944   

3,228  

—    

3,808   

—    

2,443   

7,041   

(32,609)  

(128,942)  

(32,609)  

(128,734)  

—    

—    

13,773   

6,229   

—    

2,441   

208  

78,110   

13,773   

—    

1,209   

8,385   

BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER 2016

233,744,378   

3,657   

157,067   

263,435   

192  

(289,437)  

134,914   

(20,797)   

114,117   

(i) The 2014 and 2015 amounts have been reclassified. See note 1.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER

NOTE

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

Net operating loss

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash

used in operating activities:

Depreciation

Amortisation

Impairment losses on property and equipment

Impairment losses on intangible assets

Share-based compensation expense

Changes in working capital:

(Increase)/decrease in inventory

Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables

Decrease in other assets

(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables

(Decrease)/increase in other non-current liabilities

Increase(decrease) in deferred revenue

Interest received

Interest paid

Other finance income

NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

Purchases of property and equipment, net of disposals

Purchases of intangible assets, net of disposals

Disposal of investment in equity accounted investees

Disposal/(purchases) of other investments

NET CASH PROVIDED BY/(USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

Repayment of notes payable

Proceeds from issuance of share capital

Proceeds from issuance of share capital in subsidiaries

Proceeds from issuance of preferred shares in subsidiaries

NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES

NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF THE PERIOD

9

10

9

10

5,6

14

15

20

20

3

7

7

7

9

10

11

12

16

19

16

17

18

2016

$ ‘000

2015

$ ‘000

(113,675)   

(96,722)  

5,714   

921   

340   

1,025   

8,385   

(1,040)   

1,442   

361   

(327)   

(31)   

63   

1,610   

(527)   

519   

3,339   

747   

308   

1   

7,041   

1,408  

(1,505)  

—   

2,929   

569  

(749)  

721   

(41)  

36  

(95,220)   

(81,918)  

(3,763)   

(324)   

2,535   

72,281   

70,729   

1,209   

(225)   

78,110   

13,773   

35,220   

128,087   

103,596   

105,555   

209,151   

(21,490)  

(1,723)  

—   

(51,786)  

(74,999)  

2,443   

(211)  

—   

—   

36,165   

38,397   

(118,520)   

224,075   

105,555   

105

Financial StatementsANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2016

1.) ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Preparation

Allied Minds plc (“Allied Minds” or the “Company”) is a company incorporated and domiciled in the UK. 
The Annual Report and Accounts of Allied Minds and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the “Group”) 
are presented for the year ended 31 December 2016. The group financial statements consolidate those of 
the Company and its subsidiaries and include the Group’s interest in associates using the equity method of 
accounting. The Group financial statements have been prepared and approved by the directors in accordance 
with the International Financial Reporting Standards, International Accounting Standards, and Interpretations 
(collectively  “IFRS”)  issued  by  the  International  Accounting  Standards  Board  (“IASB”)  as  adopted  by  the 
European Union (“adopted IFRSs”). The accounting policies set out below have, unless otherwise stated, 
been applied consistently to all periods presented in these consolidated financial statements.

Reclassification

During the year management further considered certain aspects of accounting for share options issued by 
subsidiary companies and concluded that the credit in equity associated with the related IFRS 2 charges 
is more appropriately allocated wholly to non-controlling interests rather than pro-rata to parent equity and 
non-controlling interests. As a result a reclassification has been reflected at 31 December 2015 to reduce 
negative non-controlling interests and reduce accumulated deficit within parent equity by $10.2 million (31 
December 2014: $7.5 million). There is no impact on total equity at either 31 December 2015 or 31 
December 2014 and no impact on the consolidated statement of comprehensive loss for the year ended 
31 December 2015.

Basis of Measurement

The consolidated financial statements, with exception of financial instruments, have been prepared on the 
historical cost basis.

Use of Judgments and Estimates

In  preparing  these  consolidated  financial  statements,  management  has  made  judgments,  estimates  and 
assumptions that affect the application of the Group’s accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, 
liabilities,  income  and  expenses.  Actual  results  may  differ  from  these  estimates.  Estimates  and  underlying 
assumptions are reviewed on an on-going basis. Revisions to estimates are recognised prospectively. The 
effects on the amounts recognised in the consolidated financial statements, or on other alternative performance 
measures, is included in the following notes:

•  Note  11  and  18  –  portfolio  and  subsidiary  preferred  shares  valuations:  when  determining  the 
appropriate valuation methodology and deriving the estimated fair value of subsidiary undertakings 
and  subsidiary  preferred  shares.  This  includes  making  certain  estimates  of  the  future  earnings 
potential of the subsidiary businesses, appropriate discount rate and earnings multiple to be applied, 
marketability and other industry and company specific risk factors. 

•  Note 18 – subsidiary preferred shares liability classification: when determining the classification of 
financial instruments in terms of liability or equity. These judgements include an assessment whether 
the financial instrument include any embedded derivative features, whether they include a contractual 
obligations upon the Group to deliver cash or other financial assets or to exchange financial assets or 
financial liabilities with another party, and whether that obligation will be settled by the Company’s 

106

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

exchanging  a  fixed  amount  of  cash  or  other  financial  assets  for  a  fixed  number  of  its  own  equity 
instruments. Further information about these critical judgments and estimates is included below under 
Financial Instruments. 

Changes in Accounting Policies

No other new standards, interpretations and amendments effective for the first time from 1 January 2016 
have had a material effect on the Group’s financial statements.

Going Concern

The  Directors  have  prepared  trading  and  cash  flow  forecasts  for  the  Group  covering  the  period  to  31 
December 2019. Despite the fact that the Group is currently loss making and is likely to continue to be so, 
at least in the short term, after making enquiries and considering the impact of risks and opportunities on 
expected cashflows, and given the fact that the Group has $226 million of available funds in the form of 
cash and fixed income securities as at 31 December 2016, the Directors have a reasonable expectation 
that the Group has adequate cash to continue in operational existence for the period to 31 December 2019. 
For this reason, they have adopted the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

Basis of Consolidation

Allied Minds plc was formed on 15 April 2014 and the consolidated financial statements for each of the 
years ended 31 December 2016 and 2015 comprises the financial statements of Allied Minds plc and its 
subsidiaries.

Subsidiaries

The financial information of the subsidiaries is prepared for the same reporting period as the parent Company, 
using consistent accounting policies. Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Group. The Group controls 
an entity when it is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has 
the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity. The financial statements of subsidiaries are 
included in the consolidated financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that 
control ceases. Losses applicable to the non-controlling interests in a subsidiary are allocated to the non-
controlling interests even if doing so causes the non-controlling interests to have a deficit balance.

Changes in the Group’s interest in a subsidiary that do not result in a loss of control are accounted for as 
equity transactions. Where the Group loses control of a subsidiary, the assets and liabilities are derecognised 
along with any related NCI and other components of equity. Any resulting gain or loss is recognised in profit 
or loss. Any interest retained in the former subsidiary is measured at fair value when control is lost.

Associates

Associates are those entities in which the Group has significant influence, but not control, over the financial 
and operating policies. Significant influence is presumed to exist when the Group holds between 20 and 
50 percent of the voting power of another entity.

Associates are accounted for using the equity method (equity accounted investees) and are initially recognised 
at cost. The Group’s investment includes goodwill identified on acquisition, net of any accumulated impairment 
losses. The consolidated financial statements include the Group’s share of the total comprehensive income 
and equity movements of equity accounted investees, from the date that significant influence commences 
until the date that significant influence ceases. When the Group’s share of losses exceeds its interest in an 

107

Financial StatementsANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

equity accounted investee, the Group’s carrying amount is reduced to nil and recognition of further losses is 
discontinued except to the extent that the Group has incurred legal or constructive obligations or made payments 
on behalf of an investee.

Transactions eliminated on consolidation

Intra-group balances and transactions, and any unrealised income and expenses arising from intra- group 
transactions, are eliminated. Unrealised gains arising from transactions with equity-accounted investees are 
eliminated against the investment to the extent of the Group’s interest in the investee. Unrealised losses are 
eliminated in the same way as unrealised gains, but only to the extent that there is no evidence of impairment.

Acquisitions and disposals of non-controlling interests

Non-controlling interests (‘‘NCI’’) are measured at their proportionate share of the acquiree’s identifiable net 
assets at the acquisition date. Changes in the Group’s interest in a subsidiary that do not result in a loss of 
control are accounted for as equity transactions.

Acquisitions and disposals of non-controlling interests that do not result in a change of control are accounted 
for as transactions with owners in their capacity as owners and therefore no goodwill is recognised as a 
result of such transactions. The adjustments to non-controlling interests are based on a proportionate amount 
of the net assets of the subsidiary. Any difference between the price paid or received and the amount by 
which non-controlling interests are adjusted is recognised directly in equity and attributed to the owners of 
the parent.

Functional and Presentation Currency

This consolidated financial statements are presented in US dollars, which is the functional currency of most 
of the entities in the Group.

Foreign Currency

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated to the respective functional currencies of Group entities at 
the foreign exchange rate ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated 
in  foreign  currencies  at  the  balance  sheet  date  are  retranslated  to  the  functional  currency  at  the  foreign 
exchange  rate  ruling  at  that  date.  Foreign  exchange  differences  arising  on  translation  are  recognised  in 
the income statement. Non-monetary assets and liabilities that are measured in terms of historical cost in a 
foreign currency are translated using the exchange rate at the date of the transaction. Non-monetary assets 
and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies that are stated at fair value are retranslated to the functional 
currency at foreign exchange rates ruling at the dates the fair value was determined.

The  assets  and  liabilities  of  foreign  operations,  including  goodwill  and  fair  value  adjustments  arising  on 
consolidation, are translated to the Group’s presentational currency (U.S. dollar) at foreign exchange rates 
ruling  at  the  balance  sheet  date.  The  revenues  and  expenses  of  foreign  operations  are  translated  at  an 
average rate for the year where this rate approximates to the foreign exchange rates ruling at the dates of 
the transactions. Exchange differences arising from this translation of foreign operations are reported as an 
item of other comprehensive income and accumulated in the translation reserve or non- controlling interest, 
as the case may be. When a foreign operation is disposed of, such that control, joint control or significant 

108

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

influence  (as  the  case  may  be)  is  lost,  the  entire  accumulated  amount  in  the  Translation  reserve,  net  of 
amounts previously attributed to non-controlling interests, is reclassified to profit or loss as part of the gain or 
loss on disposal. When the Group disposes of only part of its interest in a subsidiary that includes a foreign 
operation  while  still  retaining  control,  the  relevant  proportion  of  the  accumulated  amount  is  reattributed 
to non-controlling interests. When the Group disposes of only part of its investment in a subsidiary or an 
associate  that  includes  a  foreign  operation  while  still  retaining  significant  influence  or  joint  control,  the 
relevant proportion of the cumulative amount is reclassified to profit or loss.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid instruments with original maturities of three months or less.

Inventories

Inventories are measured at the lower of cost and net realisable value. The cost of inventories is based on 
the specific identification or weighted-average method. The cost of inventories includes expenditure incurred 
in acquiring the inventories, production or conversion costs and other costs incurred in bringing them to their 
existing location and condition. In the case of manufactured inventories and work in progress, cost includes 
an appropriate share of production overheads based on normal operating capacity.

Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less the estimated costs 
of completion and selling expenses.

Financial Instruments

Financial Assets

The Group initially recognises loans and receivables and deposits on the date that they are originated. All 
other financial assets are recognised initially on the trade date at which the Group becomes a party to the 
contractual provisions of the instrument.

The Group derecognises a financial asset when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire, 
or it transfers the rights to receive the contractual cash flows on the financial asset in a transaction in which 
substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the financial asset are transferred.

Financial  assets  and  liabilities  are  offset  and  the  net  amount  presented  in  the  Consolidated  Statement  of 
Financial Position when, and only when, the Group has a legal right to offset the amounts and intends either 
to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

The Group classifies its financial assets into the following categories: cash and cash equivalents, trade and 
other  receivables,  security  and  other  deposits,  other  investments.  Fixed  income  securities  are  recognised 
at fair value through profit and loss. The remaining categories are recognised at amortised cost using the 
effective interest rate method.

Other investments comprise fixed income debt securities, including government agency and corporate bonds, 
are stated at amortised cost less impairment. It is the Group policy to hold these investments until a maximum 
maturity of three years.

Financial Liabilities

The Group initially recognises debt securities issued and subordinated liabilities on the date that they are 

109

Financial StatementsANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

originated. All other financial liabilities are recognised initially on the trade date at which the Group becomes 
a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

The Group derecognises a financial liability when its contractual obligations are discharged, cancelled or 
expire.

The Group classifies non-derivative financial liabilities into the following categories: trade and other payables 
and  loans.  Such  financial  liabilities  are  recognised  at  fair  value  through  profit  and  loss  plus  any  directly 
attributable  transaction  costs.  Subsequent  to  initial  recognition  these  financial  liabilities  are  measured  at 
amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Warrants are accounted for as financial liabilities and recorded at fair value.

The Group’s financial liabilities include subsidiary preferred shares some of which incorporate embedded 
derivatives.  In accordance with IAS 39.11 the Group has elected not to bifurcate  the embedded derivative 
but fair value the entire instrument at each reporting date.  The gain or loss on remeasurement to fair value 
is recognised immediately in profit or loss.

Financial instruments issued by the Group

Following the adoption of IAS 32, financial instruments issued by the Group are treated as equity only to the 
extent that they meet the following two conditions:

• 

they  include  no  contractual  obligations  upon  the  Group  to  deliver  cash  or  other  financial  assets 
or  to  exchange  financial  assets  or  financial  liabilities  with  another  party  under  conditions  that  are 
potentially unfavourable to the Group; and

•  where the instrument will or may be settled in the Company’s own equity instruments, it is either a 
non-derivative that includes no obligation to deliver a variable number of the Company’s own equity 
instruments or is a derivative that will be settled by the Company’s exchanging a fixed amount of cash 
or other financial assets for a fixed number of its own equity instruments.

To the extent that this definition is not met, the financial instrument is classified as a financial liability. Where 
the instrument so classified takes the legal form of the Company’s own shares, the amounts presented  in 
the financial information for share capital and merger reserve account exclude amounts in relation to those 
shares.

Where  a  financial  instrument  that  contains  both  equity  and  financial  liability  components  exists  these 
components are separated and accounted for individually under the above policy.

Share Capital

Ordinary shares are classified as equity. The Group considers its capital to comprise share capital, share 
premium, merger reserve, translation reserve, and accumulated deficit. 

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment 
losses.  Cost  includes  expenditure  that  is  directly  attributable  to  the  acquisition  of  the  asset.  Assets  under 
construction represent machinery and equipment to be used in operations, R&D activities, or to be leased to 
customers once completed.

110

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

When  parts  of  an  item  of  property  and  equipment  have  different  useful  lives,  they  are  accounted  for  as 
separate items (major components) of property and equipment. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-
line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets:

Computers and electronics

Furniture and fixtures

Machinery and equipment

Under construction

Leasehold improvements

3 years

5 years

5 -20 years

Not depreciated until transferred into use

Shorter of the lease term or estimated useful life of the asset

Depreciation  methods,  useful  lives  and  residual  values  are  reviewed  at  least  annually  and  adjusted  if 
appropriate.

Intangible Assets

Licenses (or Options to License) and Purchased In Process Research & Development

Licenses or options to license represent licenses or such options provided by universities, federal laboratories, 
and scientists in exchange for an equity ownership in the entities or cash. Purchased in process research 
&  development  (‘‘IPR&D’’)  represents  time  and  expertise  already  invested  by  the  scientist  and  provided 
in  exchange  for  an  equity  interest  in  the  entity.  Licenses  or  options  to  license  and  purchased  IPR&D  are 
valued based on the amount of cash directly paid to acquire those assets or based on the amount of cash 
contributed by Allied Minds, at inception of the subsidiary, and the proportionate amount of equity ascribed 
to Allied Minds. The licenses or options to license and IPR&D are capitalised only when they meet the criteria 
for capitalisation, namely separately identifiable and measurable and it is probable that economic benefit 
will flow to the entity.

Capitalised Development Costs

Research and development costs include charges from universities based on sponsored research agreements 
(SRAs) that the subsidiaries of Allied Minds enter into with universities. Under these agreements, the universities 
perform research on the technology that is being licensed to the subsidiaries. Research and development 
costs  also  include  charges  from  independent  research  and  development  contractors,  contract  research 
organisations (CROs), and other research institutions.

Expenditure  on  research  activities  is  recognised  in  profit  or  loss  as  incurred.  Development  expenditure  is 
capitalised  only  if  the  expenditure  can  be  measured  reliably,  the  product  or  process  is  technically  and 
commercially  feasible,  future  economic  benefits  are  probable,  the  Group  intends  to  and  has  sufficient 
resources to complete development and to use or sell the asset, and if the Group can measure reliably the 
expenditure attributable to the intangible asset during its development. The point at which technical feasibility 
is determined to have been reached is when regulatory approval has been received, where applicable. 
Management determines that commercial viability has been reached when a clear market and pricing point 
have been identified, which may coincide with achieving recurring sales. Development activities involve a 
plan or design for the production of new or substantially improved products or processes. The expenditure 
considered  for  capitalisation  includes  the  cost  of  materials,  direct  labour  and  an  appropriate  proportion 
of  overhead  costs.  Otherwise,  the  development  expenditure  is  recognised  in  profit  or  loss  as  incurred. 
Subsequent to initial recognition, development expenditure is measured at cost less accumulated amortisation 
and any accumulated impairment losses.

111

Financial StatementsANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016  
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

Software

Software intangible assets that are acquired by the Group and have finite useful lives are measured at cost 
less accumulated amortisation and any accumulated impairment losses.

Finite-lived intangible assets are amortised on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, from the 
date that they are available for use. Intangible assets which are not yet available for use (and therefore not 
amortised) are tested for impairment at least annually.

Amortisation

Amortisation is charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of 
intangible assets unless such lives are indefinite. Intangible assets with an indefinite useful life and goodwill 
are systematically tested for impairment at each balance sheet date. Other intangible assets are amortised 
from the date they are available for use. Amortisation methods, useful lives and residual values are reviewed 
at least annually and adjusted if appropriate.

The estimated useful lives of the Group’s intangible assets are as follows:

Licences and Options to License

Over the remaining life of the underlying patents

Purchased IPR&D

Development cost

Software

Taxation

Over  the  remaining  life  of  the  underlying  patents,  once 
commercial viability has been achieved

Over the remaining life of the underlying technology

2 years

Tax on the profit or loss for the year comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in the income 
statement except to the extent that it relates to items recognised directly in equity, in which case it is recognised 
in equity.

Current Income Tax

Current tax is the expected tax payable or receivable on the taxable income or loss for the year, using tax 
rates enacted or substantially enacted at the reporting date, and any adjustment to tax payable in respect 
of previous years.

Deferred Income Tax

Deferred tax is recognised in respect of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and 
liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. Deferred tax assets 
are recognised for unused tax losses, unused tax credits and deductible temporary differences to the extent 
that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which they can be used. Deferred tax 
assets are reviewed at each reporting date and are reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that 
the related tax benefit will be realised.

Deferred tax is measured at the tax rates that are expected to be applied to temporary differences when they 
reverse, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset if there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax liabilities 
and assets, and they relate to taxes levied by the same tax authority on the same taxable entity, or on different 
tax entities where the Group intends to settle current tax liabilities and assets on a net basis or their tax assets 
and liabilities will be realised simultaneously.

112

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

Deferred taxes are recognised in profit or loss except to the extent that it relates to items recognised directly 
in equity or in other comprehensive income.

Impairment

Impairment of Non-Financial Assets

Non-financial assets consist of property and equipment and intangible assets, including licences, purchased 
IPR&D, capitalised development cost, with finite lives and such intangible assets which are not yet available 
for use.

The Group reviews the carrying amounts of its property and equipment and finite-lived intangibles at each 
reporting date to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. If any such indication exists, then 
the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated. Intangible assets which are not yet available for use are tested 
annually for impairment.

For impairment testing, assets are grouped together into the smallest group of assets that generates cash 
inflows from continuing use that are largely independent of the cash inflows of other assets or cash-generating 
units (‘‘CGUs’’).

The recoverable amount of an asset or CGU is the greater of its value in use and its fair value less costs to 
sell. Value in use is based on the estimated future cash flows, discounted to their present value using a pre-
tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to 
the asset or CGU.

An impairment loss is recognised in profit and loss if the carrying amount of an asset or CGU exceeds its 
recoverable amount. Impairment losses are allocated to reduce the carrying amounts of assets in a CGU on 
a pro rata basis.

Impairment of Financial Assets

Financial assets not classified as at fair value through profit or loss are assessed at each reporting date to 
determine whether there is objective evidence of impairment.

Objective evidence that financial assets are impaired includes:

•  default or delinquency by a debtor;

• 

• 

restructuring of an amount due to the Group on terms that the Group would not consider otherwise;

indications that a debtor or issuer will enter bankruptcy;

•  adverse changes in the payment status of borrowers or issuers;

• 

the disappearance of an active market for a security; or

•  observable data indicating that there is measurable decrease in expected cash flows from a group 

of financial assets.

Financial Assets Measured at Amortised Cost

The Group considers evidence of impairment for these assets at both an individual asset and a collective 
level.  All  individually  significant  assets  are  individually  assessed  for  impairment.  Those  found  not  to  be 

113

Financial StatementsANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

impaired are then collectively assessed for any impairment that has been incurred but not yet individually 
identified.  Assets  that  are  not  individually  significant  are  collectively  assessed  for  impairment.  Collective 
assessment is carried out by grouping together assets with similar risk characteristics.

In assessing collective impairment, the Group uses historical information on the timing of recoveries and the 
amount of loss incurred, and makes an adjustment if current economic and credit conditions are such that the 
actual losses are likely to be greater or lesser than suggested by historical trends.

An  impairment  loss  is  calculated  as  the  difference  between  an  asset’s  carrying  amount  and  the  present 
value of the estimated future cash flows discounted at the asset’s original effective interest rate. Losses are 
recognised in profit or loss and reflected in an allowance account. When the Group considers that there 
are  no  realistic  prospects  of  recovery  of  the  asset,  the  relevant  amounts  are  written  off.  If  the  amount  of 
impairment loss subsequently decreases and the decrease can be related objectively to an event occurring 
after  the  impairment  was  recognised,  then  the  previously  recognised  impairment  loss  is  reversed  through 
profit or loss.

Share-based Payments

Share-based  payment  arrangements  in  which  the  Group  or  its  subsidiaries  receive  goods  or  services  as 
consideration  for  their  own  equity  instruments  are  accounted  for  as  equity-settled  share-based  payment 
transactions, regardless of how the equity instruments are obtained by the Group or its subsidiaries. Grants 
of equity instruments under the subsidiary stock option incentive plans are accounted for as equity-settled in 
the consolidated accounts of the parent and are reflected in equity as a credit to Non-Controlling Interest.

The  grant  date  fair  value  of  share-based  payment  awards  granted  to  employees  is  recognised  as  an 
employee expense, with a corresponding increase in equity, over the period that the employees become 
unconditionally entitled to the awards. The fair value of the options granted is measured using an option 
pricing valuation model, taking into account the terms and conditions upon which the options were granted. 
The  amount  recognised  as  an  expense  is  adjusted  to  reflect  the  actual  number  of  awards  for  which  the 
related service and non-market vesting conditions are expected to be met, such that the amount ultimately 
recognised as an expense is based on the number of awards that do meet the related service and non-market 
performance conditions at the vesting date. For share-based payment awards with non-vesting conditions, 
the grant date fair value of the share-based payment is measured to reflect such conditions and there is no 
true-up for differences between expected and actual outcomes.

Employee Benefits

Short-term Employee Benefits

Short-term employee benefit obligations are measured on an undiscounted basis and are expensed as the 
related service is provided. A liability is recognised for the amount expected to be paid if the Group has 
a  present  legal  or  constructive  obligation  to  pay  this  amount  as  a  result  of  past  service  provided  by  the 
employee, and the obligation can be estimated reliably.

Defined Contribution Plans

A defined contribution plan is a post-employment benefit plan under which an entity pays fixed contributions 
into a separate entity and has no legal or constructive obligation to pay further amounts. Obligations for 
contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised as an employee benefit expense in the periods 
during which related services are rendered by employees. Prepaid contributions are recognised as an asset 
to the extent that a cash refund or a reduction in future payments is available.

114

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

Phantom Plan

The Phantom Plan is a cash settled bonus plan. Expense is accrued when it is determined that it is probable 
that a payment will be made and when the amount can be reasonably estimated.

Provisions

A provision is recognised in the balance sheet when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation 
as a result of a past event, that can be reliably measured and it is probable that an outflow of economic 
benefits will be required to settle the obligation. Provisions are determined by discounting the expected future 
cash flows at a pre-tax rate that reflects risks specific to the liability.

Revenue Recognition

Sale of Goods

Revenue is recognised when the significant risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the 
customer, recovery of the consideration is probable, the associated costs and possible return of goods can 
be estimated reliably, there is no continuing management involvement with the goods and the amount of 
revenue can be measured reliably.

The transfer of significant risks and rewards of ownership usually occurs when products are shipped and the 
customer takes ownership and assumes risk of loss.

Rendering of Services

The Group recognises revenue from rendering of services at the time services are provided to the customer 
and the Group has no additional performance obligation to the customer.

Government Grants

Grants received are recognised as revenue when the related work is performed and the qualifying research 
and development costs are incurred.

License Revenue

The Group recognises revenue from fees associated with licensing of its technologies to third parties in the 
form of license fees and royalties on an accruals basis in accordance with the substance of the relevant 
agreement and when the Company’s right to receive payment is established, provided that it is probable 
that the economic benefits will flow to the Company and the amount of revenue can be measured reliably.

Finance Income and Finance Costs

Finance income mainly comprises interest income on funds invested and foreign exchange gains. Finance 
costs  mainly  comprise  loan  interest  expense  and  foreign  exchange  losses.  Interest  income  and  interest 
payable are recognised as they accrue in profit or loss, using the effective interest method.

Fair Value Measurements

A number of the Group’s accounting policies and disclosures require the measurement of fair values, for both 
financial and non-financial assets and liabilities.

When measuring the fair value of an asset or a liability, the Group uses market observable data as far as 

115

Financial StatementsANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

possible. Fair values are categorised into different levels in a fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used 
in the valuation techniques as follows:

• 

• 

• 

Level 1: quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2: inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, 
either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices).

Level 3: inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable 
inputs).

If the inputs used to measure the fair value of an asset or a liability might be categorised in different levels of 
the fair value hierarchy, then the fair value measurement is categorised in its entirety in the same level of the 
fair value hierarchy as the lowest level input that is significant to the entire measurement.

The Group recognises transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy at the end of the reporting period 
during which the change has occurred.

The  carrying  amount  of  cash  and  cash  equivalents,  accounts  receivable,  deposits,  accounts  payable, 
accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the Group’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Position 
approximates their fair value because of the short maturities of these instruments.

Operating Leases

Payments made under operating leases are recognised in profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the term 
of the lease. Lease incentives received are recognised as an integral part of the total lease expense, over 
the term of the lease.

Operating Segments

Allied Minds determines and presents operating segments based on the information that internally is provided 
to  the  executive  management  team,  the  body  which  is  considered  to  be  Allied  Minds’  Chief  Operating 
Decision Maker (‘‘CODM’’).

An operating segment is a component of Allied Minds that engages in business activities from which it may 
earn revenues and incur expenses, including revenues and expenses that relate to transactions with any of 
the Allied Minds’ other components. The operating segment’s operating results are reviewed regularly by the 
CODM to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment, to assess its performance, and 
for which discrete financial information is available.

2.) NEW STANDARDS AND INTERPRETATIONS NOT YET ADOPTED

A number of new standards, interpretations and amendments to existing standards are effective for annual 
periods beginning after 1 January 2017, and have not therefore been applied in preparing this consolidated 
financial information. Management has yet to complete an analysis of these new standards, interpretations 
and amendments to existing standards on the results of its operations, financial position, and disclosures. The 
Group intends to adopt these standards on their respective effective dates.

The following are amended or new standards and interpretations that may impact the Group. The Group 
is currently considering the impact of the proposed changes but their adoption is not expected to have a 
material effect on the financial statements unless otherwise indicated:

116

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

IFRS 9, ‘Financial instruments’ (effective 1 January 2018)

IFRS  9,  ‘Financial  instruments’,  deals  with  recognition,  measurement,  classification  and  impairment  and 
derecognition of financial instruments. The actual impact of adopting IFRS 9 on the Group’s consolidated 
financial statements in 2018 is not known and cannot be reliably estimated because it will be dependent 
on the financial instruments that the Group holds and economic conditions at that time as well as accounting 
elections and judgements that it will make in the future. The new standard may require the Group to revise 
its accounting processes and internal controls related to reporting financial instruments and these changes 
are not yet complete. However, the Group has performed a preliminary assessment of the potential impact 
of adoption of IFRS 9 based on its positions at 31 December 2016 under IAS 39.

Classification – Financial assets

IFRS 9 contains three principal classification categories for financial assets that reflect the business model 
in which assets are managed and their cash flow characteristics: measured at amortised cost, fair value 
through other comprehensive income (“FVOCI”) and fair value through profit or loss (“FVTPL”). The standard 
eliminates the existing IAS 39 categories of held to maturity, loans and receivables and available for sale. 
Based on its preliminary assessment, the Group does not believe that the new classification requirements, if 
applied at 31 December 2016, would have had a material impact on its financial assets that are managed 
on a fair value basis. 

Other investments 

At 31 December 2016, the Group had equity investments in the form of fixed income securities classified as 
available-for-sale with a fair value of $16.9 million that are held for supporting the short-term liquidity needs 
of the Group. The Group does not expect the purpose of those investment to change and as such, all fair 
value gains and losses will continue to be recognised in profit or loss as they arise.

Investments in subsidiaries

Currently, all group subsidiaries are fully consolidated in the consolidated financial statements. The value of 
those investments is disclosed as an alternative performance measure, which was determined at $416.2 
million as of 24 April 2017. In future, the Company’s position in those investments may be reduced to a point 
where the Company no longer exercises control over these entities and they are deconsolidated from the 
group accounts and presented separately as investments in equity securities on the consolidated statement 
of financial position. If these investments continue to then be held for the same long-term strategic purposes, 
per the application of IFRS 9, the Group may elect then to classify them as FVOCI or FVTPL. The Group has 
not yet made a decision in this regard. In the former case, all fair value gains and losses would be reported 
in other comprehensive income, no impairment losses would be recognised in profit or loss and no gains 
or losses would be reclassified to profit or loss on disposal. In the latter case, all fair value gains and losses 
would be recognised in profit or loss as they arise, increasing volatility in the Group’s profits.

Classification – Financial liabilities

Under  IAS  39  all  fair  value  changes  of  liabilities  designated  as  at  fair  value  through  profit  or  loss  are 
recognised in profit or loss, whereas under IFRS 9 these fair value changes are generally presented as follows:

• 

the amount of change in the fair value that is attributable to changes in the credit risk of the liability is 
presented in OCI; and

• 

the remaining amount of change in the fair value is presented in profit or loss.

117

Financial StatementsANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

The Group has designated subsidiary preferred shares liability at FVTPL. The Group’s preliminary assessment 
did not indicate any material impact if IFRS 9’s requirements regarding the classification of financial liabilities 
were applied at 31 December 2016.

IFRS 15, ‘Revenue from contracts with customers’ (effective 1 January 2018)

IFRS 15, ‘Revenue from contracts with customers’, deals with revenue recognition and establishes principles 
for reporting useful information to users of financial statements about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty 
of revenue and cash flows arising from an entity’s contracts with customers. For sale of certain products that 
require extensive testing and acceptance period, revenue is currently recognized upon final acceptance from 
the customer and the consideration is received or the uncertainty around it is removed, i.e. related risk and 
regards of ownership are transferred to the customer and the economic benefits from the transaction flow 
to the Company. Under IFRS 15, revenue can be recognised earlier when a customer obtains control of a 
good or service while the product goes through the testing period and thus has the ability to direct the use 
and obtain the benefits from the good or service. However, risk of collectability may still exist and prevent 
from earlier revenue recognition. The Group assessed the impact of IFRS 15 on existing and future expected 
revenue transactions and concluded that the adoption of IFRS 15 will have no material impact on the group 
consolidated financial statements.

Amendments to IAS 7, ‘Statement of cash flows’ disclosure initiative (effective date to be confirmed)

Amendments to IAS 12, ‘Income taxes’ regarding the recognition of deferred tax assets for unrealised 
losses (effective date to be confirmed)

Amendments to IFRS 2, ‘Share-based Payment’ to clarify classification and measurement (effective date 
to be confirmed)

IFRS 16, ‘Leases’ (effective 1 January 2019)

3.) REVENUE

Revenue recorded in the statement of comprehensive loss consists of the following:

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER:

Product revenue

Service revenue

Grant revenue 

TOTAL REVENUE IN CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF LOSS

2016

$’000

2015

$’000

1,829   

835   
—

2,664   

2,208   

606   

486   

3,300   

Product revenue includes license revenue of $55,000 and $10,000 during 2016 and 2015, respectively.

118

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

Deferred revenue recorded in the statement of financial position consists of the following:

AS OF 31 DECEMBER:

Customer deposits

Other deferred revenue, current

TOTAL DEFERRED REVENUE IN STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

2016

$’000

2015

$’000

297   

161   

458   

—   

395   

395   

4.) OPERATING SEGMENTS 

Basis for Segmentation

For  management  purposes,  the  Group’s  principal  operations  are  currently  organised  in  two  types  of 
activities:

(1.) Early  stage  companies  –  subsidiary  businesses  that  are  in  the  early  stage  of  their  lifecycle 

characterised by incubation, research and development activities; and

(2.) Commercial  stage  companies  –  subsidiary  businesses  that  have  substantially  completed  their 
research  and  development  activities  and  that  have  developed  one  or  more  products  that  are 
actively marketed.

Due to their size and nature Spin Transfer Technologies, Inc. (or ‘‘STT’’, an early stage company) and 
RF Biocidics, Inc. (or ‘‘RFB’’, a commercial stage company) are not aggregated and presented as two 
additional separate reportable segments. The Group’s principal operations are therefore presented as 
four reportable segments being early stage company – STT, early stage companies – other, commercial 
stage company – RFB, and commercial stage companies – other.

The Group’s CODM reviews internal management reports on these segments at least quarterly in order 
to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and to assess its performance.

Other operations include the management function of the head office at the parent level of Allied Minds.

119

Financial StatementsANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

Information about Reportable Segments

The  following  provides  detailed  information  of  the  Group’s  reportable  segments  as  of  and  for  the  years 
ended 31 December 2016 and 2015, respectively:

2016

$’000

EARLY STAGE

COMMERCIAL

      OTHER 

STT

OTHER

RFB

OTHER

OPERATIONS

CONSOLIDATED 

STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

Revenue

Cost of revenue

 —

—

622 

     553 

1,489 

(134)

(3,911)

    (1,518)

— 

— 

2,664 

(5,563)

Selling, general and administrative expenses

(8,628)

(17,392)

  (4,304)

  (5,536)

(19,624)

(55,484)

Research and development expenses

(15,006)

(39,048)

     (140)

  (1,098)

—

(55,292)

Finance income/(cost), net 

(9,791) 

 (7,682) 

         —        (26)

2,232 

(15,267) 

LOSS FOR THE PERIOD

(33,425)

  (63,634)

  (7,802)

  (6,689)

(17,392)

 (128,942)

Other comprehensive income/(loss)

— 

           — 

       (74)

         —

282 

208 

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(33,425)

  (63,634)

  (7,876)

  (6,689)

(17,110)

 (128,734)

Total comprehensive loss attributable to:

Equity holders of the parent

(16,924)

  (52,173)

  (4,523)

  (5,395)

(17,110)

(96,125)

Non-controlling interests

(16,501)

    (11,461)

  (3,353)

(1,294)

—

(32,609)

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(33,425)

  (63,634)

  (7,876)

  (6,689)

(17,110)

(128,734)

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

Non-current assets

29,235 

      3,402 

    738 

   1,032 

3,825 

38,232 

Current assets

13,859 

    78,197 

    4,808 

   822 

134,321 

232,007 

TOTAL ASSETS

43,094 

    81,599 

    5,546 

   1,854 

138,146 

270,239 

Non-current liabilities

       (90)

       (4)

       (18)

     (110)

(498)

(720)

Current liabilities

    (64,394)

    (86,362)

(1,075)

  (493)

(3,078)

(155,402)

TOTAL LIABILITIES

    (64,484)

    (86,366)

(1,093)

  (603)

(3,576)

(156,122)

NET ASSETS

   (21,390) 

    (4,767) 

    4,453 

   1,251 

134,570 

114,117 

120

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016                   
                  
          
                   
           
                
          
                   
          
          
     
                   
          
            
           
          
                 
                
     
            
     
            
          
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

2015

$’000

EARLY STAGE

COMMERCIAL

     OTHER 

STT

OTHER

RFB

OTHER

OPERATIONS

CONSOLIDATED 

STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

Revenue

           — 

   1,141 

     957 

1,202 

—                3,300 

Cost of revenue

           — 

    (205)

(2,791)

     (929)

— 

             (3,925)

Selling, general and administrative expenses

    (7,591)

(14,116)

  (5,162)

  (5,255)

(14,764)

           (46,888)

Research and development expenses

  (11,752)

(35,145)

     (217)

  (2,095)

— 

           (49,209)

Finance income/(cost), net 

(1,506) 

         (330) 

         — 

       (43)

612 

(1,267) 

LOSS FOR THE PERIOD

  (20,849)

  (48,655)

  (7,213)

  (7,120)

(14,152)

           (97,989)

Other comprehensive income/(loss)

           — 

           — 

       (26)

         —

72 

                    46 

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

  (20,849)

  (48,655)

  (7,239)

  (7,120)

(14,080)

           (97,943)

Total comprehensive loss attributable to:

Equity holders of the parent

    (11,331)

  (42,404)

  (4,230)

  (5,707)

(14,080)

           (77,752)

Non-controlling interests

  (9,518)

    (6,251)

  (3,009)

(1,413)

— 

           (20,191)

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

  (20,849)

  (48,655)

  (7,239)

  (7,120)

(14,080)

           (97,943)

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

Non-current assets

   31,692 

      4,568 

    2,810 

   1,687 

52,027 

             92,784 

Current assets

   34,531 

    52,590 

    5,068 

   1,774 

64,464 

           158,427 

TOTAL ASSETS

   66,223 

    57,158 

    7,878 

   3,461 

116,491 

           251,211 

Non-current liabilities

       (113)

       (339)

(271)

     (115)

(25)

                (863)

Current liabilities

    (55,265)

    (48,757)

(1,140)

  (1,149)

(2,663)

(108,974)

TOTAL LIABILITIES

    (55,378)

    (49,096)

(1,411)

  (1,264)

(2,688)

(109,837)

NET ASSETS

   10,845 

    8,062 

    6,467 

   2,197 

113,803 

           141,374 

121

Financial StatementsANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016      
                   
                  
          
                   
          
                 
                  
          
                   
          
          
     
                   
          
            
            
          
       
                 
     
            
           
     
            
           
          
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

In 2016, Cost of revenue and Selling, general and administrative expenses of segments STT, Early stage 
–  other,  RFB,  Commercial  stage  –  other,  and  Other  operations  included  depreciation  and  amortisation 
expense  of  $4,728,000,  $1,036,000,  $480,000,  $238,000,  and  $153,000  respectively  (2015: 
$2,316,000, $936,000, $554,000, $232,000, and $49,000).

The proportion of net assets shown above that is attributable to non-controlling interest is disclosed further in 
notes 11 and 17.

Geographic Information

Whilst the Group includes RF Biocidics (UK) Limited, which is a UK company, the revenues and net operating 
losses of that subsidiary are not considered material to the Group, and therefore the Group revenues and 
net  operating  losses  for  the  years  ended  31  December  2016  and  2015  are  considered  to  be  entirely 
derived from its operations within the United States and accordingly no additional geographical discloses 
are provided.

5.) OPERATING EXPENSES

The average number of persons employed by the Group (including Directors) during the year, analysed by 
category, was as follows:

FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER:

2016

2015

Selling, general and administrative

Research and development

TOTAL

88 

121 

209    

73   

87   

160   

The aggregate payroll costs of these persons were as follows:

FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER:

Selling, general and administrative

Research and development

TOTAL

2016

$’000

2015

$’000

28,913   

21,644   

22,416   

17,710   

50,557   

40,126   

122

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

Total operating expenses were as follows:

FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER:

Salaries and wages

Payroll taxes

Healthcare benefit

Other payroll cost

Share-based payments

TOTAL

Cost of revenue

Other SG&A expenses

Other R&D expenses

2016

$’000

2015

$’000

36,050   

27,602   

2,110   

2,837   

1,175   

8,385   

1,781   

2,328   

1,374   

7,041   

50,557   

40,126   

5,563   

26,571   

33,648   

3,925   

24,472   

31,499   

TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES

116,339   

100,022   

AUDITOR’S REMUNERATION

Audit of these financial statements

Audit of the financial statements of subsidiaries

Review of half-yearly report

Taxation compliance services

2016

$’000

2015

$’000

425   

20   

106

—

551   

346

20   

89

49   

504   

The cumulative amount of litigation settlements during 2016 is $1,750,000.

See note 6 for further disclosures related to share-based payments and note 24 for management’s remuneration 
disclosures.

6.) SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS

UK Long Term Incentive Plan

On 19 June 2014, Allied Minds plc established the UK Long Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”). Under the LTIP, 
awards  over  Ordinary  Shares  may  be  made  to  employees,  officers  and  Directors,  and  other  individuals 
providing services to the Company and its subsidiaries. Awards may be granted in the form of share options, 
share appreciation rights, restricted or unrestricted share awards, performance share awards, restricted share 
units, phantom-share awards and other share-based awards. Awards were made under the LTIP upon the 
Company’s admission to the LSE at the IPO. Vesting is subject to the achievement of performance conditions 
and continued services of the participant. In respect of these initial awards made to employees at the IPO, 
vesting is dependent upon performance metrics as follows:

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Financial StatementsANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

•  60 per cent of each award will be subject to performance conditions based on the Company’s total 

shareholder return (“TSR”) performance over a three year period; and

•  40 per cent of each award will be subject to performance conditions based on a basket of shareholder 
value metrics (“SVM”). Performance will be assessed on these measures on a scorecard basis over a 
three year period.

In respect of the initial awards, at the end of the three year measurement period, performance against the 
relevant measures is calculated to determine the number of Ordinary Shares which have satisfied the vesting 
criteria and 50 per cent of the award will then vest at that time. The remaining 50 per cent will vest in two 
equal tranches after one and two years from the end of the vesting period, respectively, subject to the relevant 
participant still being employed within (or being a director of a company within) the Group at the relevant 
vesting date (or being an earlier good leaver as described further in the LTIP).

Subsequently, in the first half of 2015, annual awards were made to employees under the LTIP that vest 100 
per cent after the three year measurements period subject to both the TSR and SVM performance conditions. 

During 2016, annual awards were made to employees of the Group under the LTIP that vest 100 per cent 
after the three year measurements period subject to the TSR performance conditions only. 

Awards made to Directors of Allied Minds vest 100 per cent after a three year period subject to continued 
service condition only.

Awards have been made under the LTIP during 2016 and 2015 in respect of a total of 1,499,247 and 
450,251 Ordinary Shares, respectively. A summary of stock option activity under the UK LTIP for the year 
ended 31 December 2016 and 2015, respectively, is shown below:

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER:

2016

2015

Number of shares granted

at maximum (‘000)

Weighted average fair value (£)

Fair value measurement basis

TSR

SVM

TSR

SVM

1,443

2.19

Monte 
Carlo

56

3.37

Market value 
of ordinary 
share

170

7.01

Monte 
Carlo

280

5.99

Market value 
of ordinary 
share

The share grants that vest upon the occurrence of a market condition (i.e. the TSR performance) and service 
condition were adjusted to current market price at the date of the grant to reflect the effect of the market 
condition on the non-vested shares’ value. The Company used a Monte Carlo simulation analysis utilising a 
Geometric Brownian Motion process with 50,000 simulations to value those shares. The model takes into 
account share price volatilities, risk-free rate and other covariance of comparable UK public companies and 
other market data to predict distribution of relative share performance. This is applied to the reward criteria 
to arrive at expected value of the TSR awards.

The share grants that vests only upon the occurrence of a non-market performance condition (i.e. the SVM 
grants) and service condition were valued at the fair value of the shares on the date of the grants and the 

124

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

vesting conditions are taken into account by subsequently adjusting the number of instruments included in the 
measurement of the transaction amount so that, ultimately, the amount of recognised share-based expense is 
based on the number of instruments that eventually vest.

The accounting charge does not necessarily represent the intended value of share-based payments made 
to recipients, which are determined by the Remuneration Committee according to established criteria. The 
share-based payment charge for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2016 related to the UK LTIP was $5.9 
million (2015: $3.1 million).

U.S. Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan

The U.S. Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan (the “U.S. Stock Plan”) was originally adopted by Allied Minds, 
Inc. (now Allied Minds, LLC) in 2008. The U.S. Stock Plan provides for the grant of share option awards, 
restricted share awards, and other awards to acquire common stock of Allied Minds, Inc. (now Allied Minds, 
LLC). All stock options granted to employees under this plan are equity settled, for a ten-year term. Pursuant 
to the Company’s IPO in 2014, Allied Minds plc adopted and assumed the rights and obligations of Allied 
Minds, Inc. (now Allied Minds, LLC) under this plan except that the obligation to issue Common Stock is 
replaced with an obligation to issue ordinary shares to satisfy awards granted under the U.S. Stock Plan.

No  new  stock  option  grants  were  awarded  in  2016  and  2015  under  the  Allied  Minds  2008  Plan.  A 
summary of stock option activity in the U.S. Stock Plan is presented in the following table:

NUMBER OF 
OPTIONS 
2016

WEIGHTED 
AVERAGE 
EXERCISE 
PRICE 
2016

NUMBER OF 
OPTIONS 
2015

WEIGHTED 
AVERAGE 
EXERCISE PRICE 
2015

 OUTSTANDING AS OF 1 JANUARY

9,204,712   

$ 2.10

10,396,496   

 Granted during the year

—   

—

—   

 Exercised during the year

(650,000)   

$ 1.86

(1,191,784)  

 Forfeited during the year

—   

 OUTSTANDING AS OF 31 DECEMBER

8,554,712   

 Exercisable as of 31 December

8,554,712   

—

$ 2.12

$ 2.12

—    

9,204,712   

9,204,712   

 Intrinsic value of Exercisable

$ 31.5 million

$ 35.2 million

$ 2.09

—

$ 2.05

—    

$ 2.10

$ 2.10

The options outstanding as of 31 December 2016 and 31 December 2015 had an exercise price in the 
range of $0.68 to $2.60.

As of 19 June 2014, the maximum number of options reserved under the plan were issued and outstanding 
and as a result of the Company’s IPO in 2014, all issued and outstanding options vested on 19 June 2014 
and some options were exercised, resulting in the accelerated share- based payment charge of additional 
$2.4 million for the period. The Company does not intend to make any further grants under the U.S. Stock 
Plan.

Restricted share awards are outstanding over 118,800 ordinary shares, which were granted under the U.S. 
Stock Plan to the non-executive Directors. These ordinary shares vest in three equal tranches on each of the 
first three anniversaries of Admission provided that the non-executive Director in question is still providing 
services to the Group on the relevant vesting date.

125

Financial StatementsANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

The share-based payment charge for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2016 related to the U.S. Stock 
Plan was $57,000 (2015: $131,000).

Other Plans

Spin Transfer Technologies

Stock compensation expense was approximately $1,129,000 and $1,937,000 and for the year ended 
31 December 2016 and 2015, respectively. Deferred stock compensation expense under these grants was 
approximately $1,199,000 and $1,277,000 as of 31 December 2016 and 2015, respectively.

The fair value of the stock option grants awarded in 2016 and 2015 under the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan 
was estimated as of the date of grant using a Black-Scholes- Merton option valuation model that uses the 
following weighted average assumptions: 

Expected option life (in years)

Expected stock price volatility

Risk-free interest rate

Expected dividend yield

Grant date option fair value

Share price at grant date

Exercise 
price

2016

2015

6.10 

40.99%

1.21%

— 

$ 3.18

$ 7.77

5.79

41.54%

1.79%

— 

$ 3.23

$ 7.77

$ 7.77

$ 7.77

Expected volatility has been based on an evaluation of the historical volatility of the share price of publicly 
traded companies comparable to STT, particularly over the historical period commensurate with the expected 
term.  The  expected  term  of  the  instruments  has  been  based  on  historical  experience  and  general  option 
holder behavior.

A summary of stock option activity in the STT plans is presented in the following table:

NUMBER OF 
OPTIONS 
2016

1,849,367   

346,426   

—    

(7,500)   

2,188,293   

1,397,056   

$ 0.1 million

WEIGHTED 
AVERAGE 
EXERCISE 
PRICE 
2016

$ 7.43

$ 7.77

—    

$ 7.77

$ 7.48

$ 7.34

NUMBER OF 
OPTIONS 
2015

1,440,394   

434,746   

—    

(25,773)  

1,849,367   

964,632   

$ 0.5 million

WEIGHTED 
AVERAGE 
EXERCISE 
PRICE 
2015

$ 7.29

$ 7.77

—    

$ 5.40

$ 7.43

$ 7.30

 OUTSTANDING AS OF 1 JANUARY

 Granted during the year  

 Exercised during the year  

 Forfeited during the year  

OUTSTANDING AS OF 31 
DECEMBER  

 Exercisable as of 31 December  

 Intrinsic value of Exercisable

The options outstanding as of 31 December 2016 had an exercise price in the range of $6.97 to $7.77 
(2015: $6.97 to $7.77) and a weighted-average contractual life of approximately 8.7 years (2015: 9.1 
years).

126

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

Plans Under Other Subsidiaries

The  stock  compensation  expense  under  other  subsidiaries  of  the  Company,  which  adopted  stock  option 
incentive plans in 2016 and prior was $1,312,000 (2015: $1,871,000). Deferred stock compensation 
expense under these grants as of 31 December 2016 was approximately $1,035,000 (2015: $1,655,000).

Allied Minds Phantom Plan

In 2007, Allied Minds established a cash settled bonus plan for Allied Minds employees, also known as 
its  Phantom  Plan.  In  2012,  the  board  of  directors  adopted  the  Amended  and  Restated  2007  Phantom 
Plan. Under the terms of the Amended and Restated Plan, upon a liquidity event Allied Minds will allocate 
10% of the value (after deduction of the amount invested by Allied Minds and accrued interest at a rate not 
exceeding 5% per annum) of the invested capital owned by Allied Minds of each operating company to the 
plan account. Upon a liquidity event, plan participants holding units will receive their proportionate share of 
the plan account. The allocated shares at all times remain the sole and exclusive property of Allied Minds 
and holders of units have no rights or interests in Allied Minds. No amount has been paid out to employees 
under the Phantom Stock Plan through 31 December 2016.

Allied Minds has not accrued any expense relating to the Phantom Plan as of 31 December 2016 or 2015. 
Management will record an expense relating to this plan when it is probable that a subsidiary will be sold 
and the amount of the payout is reasonably estimable.

Share-based Payment Expense

The    Group    recorded    share-based    payment    expense    related    to    stock    options    of    approximately 
$8,385,000 and $7,041,000 for the years ended 31 December 2016 and 2015, respectively. There 
was  no  income  tax  benefit  recognised  for  share-  based  payment  arrangements  for  the  years  ended  31 
December 2016 and 2015, respectively, due to operating losses. Shared-based payment expenses are 
included in selling, general and administrative expenses and research and development expenses in the 
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.

127

Financial StatementsANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

7.) FINANCE COST, NET

The following table shows the breakdown of finance income and cost:

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER:

2016

$’000

2015

$’000

Interest income on:  

 – Bank deposits  

Foreign exchange gain

Finance income

Interest expense on:

 – Financial liabilities at amortised 
cost

Foreign exchange loss  

Finance cost contractual  

Loss on fair value measurement of 
subsidiary preferred shares 

Finance cost

TOTAL FINANCE COST, NET

1,610   

1,269   

2,879   

(527)   

(34)   

(561)   

721   

2   

723   

(41)  

(12)  

(53)  

(17,585)   

(18,146)   

(15,267)   

(1,937)  

(1,990)  

(1,267)   

See note 18 for further disclosure related to subsidiary preferred shares.

8.) LOSS PER SHARE

The  calculation  of  basic  and  diluted  loss  per  share  as  of  31  December  2016  was  based  on  the  loss 
attributable  to  ordinary  shareholders  of  $96.3  million  (2015:  $77.8  million)  and  a  weighted  average 
number of ordinary shares outstanding of 217,317,696 (2015: 214,958,849), calculated as follows:

Loss attributable to ordinary shareholders

Loss for the year attributed to the

owners of the Company

Loss for the year attributed to the

ordinary shareholders

2016

$’000

2015

$’000

Basic

Diluted

Basic

Diluted

(96,333)   

(96,333)   

(77,797)  

(77,797)  

(96,333)     

(96,333)   

(77,797)    

(77,797)  

128

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

Weighted average number of ordinary shares

2016

2015

Basic

Diluted

Basic

Diluted

Issued ordinary shares on 1 January

215,637,363

215,637,363

214,445,579

214,445,579

Effect of share capital issued

Effect of share options exercised

1,390,196

290,137

1,390,196

290,137

—

—

513,270

513,270

Weighted average ordinary shares

217,317,696

217,317,696

214,958,849

214,958,849

Loss per share

Loss per share

2016

   $

2015

$

Basic

(0.44) 

Diluted

(0.44) 

Basic

(0.36)

Diluted

(0.36)

9.) PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment, net, consists of the following at:

Cost 

$’000

Balance as of 31 December 2014

Additions, net of transfers

Disposals

Balance as of 31 December 2015

Additions, net of transfers

Disposals

Balance as of 31 December 2016

MACHINERY 
AND 
EQUIPMENT

FURNITURE 
AND 
FIXTURES

LEASEHOLD 
IMPROVEMENTS

COMPUTERS 
AND 
ELECTRONICS

UNDER 
CONSTRUCTION

14,362

18,184

(168)

32,378

4,560

(1,829)

35,109

403

169

—

572

313

(23)

862

1,536

3,135

—

4,671

919

(27)

5,563

601

564

—

1,165

239

(53)

1,351

3,531

(562)

—

2,969

(2,268)

—

701

Accumulated Depreciation and Impairment Loss

$’000

Balance as of 31 December 2014

Depreciation

Impairment loss

Disposals

Balance as of 31 December 2015

Depreciation

Impairment loss

          Disposals

          Balance as of 31 December 2016

MACHINERY 
AND 
EQUIPMENT

FURNITURE 
AND 
FIXTURES

LEASEHOLD 
IMPROVEMENTS

COMPUTERS 
AND 
ELECTRONICS

UNDER 
CONSTRUCTION

(3,180)

(2,371)

(422)

168

(5,805)

(4,378)

(320)

1,829

(8,674)

(149)

(198)

150

—

(197)

(135)

(7)

23

(316)

(770)

(235)

(6)

—

(1,011)

(876)

—

27

(1,860)

(316)

(223)

(30)

—

(569)

(325)

(13)

53

(854)

312

(312)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

TOTAL

20,433

21,490

(168)

41,755

3,763

(1,932)

43,586

TOTAL

(4,103)

(3,339)

(308)

168

(7,582)

(5,714)

(340)

1,932

(11,704)

129

Financial StatementsANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

Property and Equipment, net

$’000

Balance as of 31 December 2015

Balance as of 31 December 2016

MACHINERY 
AND 
EQUIPMENT

26,573

26,435

FURNITURE 
AND 
FIXTURES

375

546

LEASEHOLD 
IMPROVEMENTS

3,660

3,703

COMPUTERS 
AND 
ELECTRONICS

596

497

UNDER 
CONSTRUCTION

TOTAL

2,969

701

34,173

31,882

Impairment of property and equipment of $340,000 and $308,000 for the years ended 31 December 
2016 and 2015, respectively, is mainly attributed to the closing of subsidiary companies, which resulted in 
the associated assets being impaired, see further detail in note 26. Impairment of property and equipment 
is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of comprehensive 
income.

Property and equipment under constructions represents assets that are in the process of being built and not 
placed in service as of the reporting date. 

10.) INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Information regarding the cost and accumulated amortisation of intangible assets is as follows:

Cost

$’000

LICENSES

PURCHASED 
IPR&D

SOFTWARE

DEVELOPMENT 
COST

TOTAL

Balance as of 31 December 2014

Additions - Acquired separately

Additions - Internally developed

Disposals

4,385   

1,032   

—    

—    

Balance as of 31 December 2015

5,417   

Additions - Acquired separately

Additions - Internally developed

Disposals

Balance as of 31 December 2016

85   

—    

(681)   

4,821   

768   

—    

—    

—    

768   

—    

—    

—    

768   

257   

490   

—    

(3)  

744   

20   

—    

(34)    

730   

303   

—    

201   

—    

504   

—    

219   

(629)   

94   

5,713   

1,522   

201   

(3)  

7,433   

105   

219   

(1,344)  

6,413   

Accumulated Amortisation and Impairment Loss

$’000

LICENSES

PURCHASED 
IPR&D

SOFTWARE

DEVELOPMENT 
COST

TOTAL

Balance as of 31 December 2014

Amortisation

Impairment loss

Disposals

(2,103)  

(512)   

—    

—    

Balance as of 31 December 2015

(2,615)  

Amortisation

Impairment loss

Disposals

(522)   

(487)   

681   

 Balance as of 31 December 2016

(2,943)  

(79)  

(23)  

—    

—    

(102)  

(22)  

—    

—    

(124)  

(98)  

(180)  

(1)  

3   

(276)  

(318)  

—    

34    

(560)  

(24)  

(32)  

—    

—    

(56)  

(59)  

(538)  

629  

(24)  

(2,304)  

(747)  

(1)  

3   

(3,049)  

(921)  

(1,025)  

1,344   

(3,651)  

130

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

Intangible Assests, net

$’000

LICENSES

PURCHASED 
IPR&D

SOFTWARE

DEVELOPMENT 
COST

TOTAL

Balance as of 31 December 2015

Balance as of 31 December 2016

2,802   

1,878   

666   

644   

468   

170   

448   

70   

4,384   

2,762   

Amortisation expense is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement 
of comprehensive loss. Amortisation expense, recorded using the straight-line method, was approximately 
$921,000 and $747,000 for the years ended 31 December 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Impairment  of  intangible  assets  of  $1,025,000  and  $1,000  for  the  years  ended  31  December  2016 
and 2015, respectively, is mainly attributed to the closing of subsidiary companies, which resulted in the 
associated intangible assets being impaired to zero, see further detail in note 26. Impairment expense is 
included  in  selling,  general  and  administrative  expenses  in  the  consolidated  statement  of  comprehensive 
income.

At each reporting period, management considers qualitative and quantitative factors that define the future 
prospects of the respective investment and assesses whether it supports the value of the underlying intangible.

11.) INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARIES AND ASSOCIATES 

Group Subsidiaries

Allied  Minds  has  33  subsidiaries  as  of  31  December  2016.  As  of  and  for  the  two  years  ended  31 
December  2016  the  capitalisation  of  all  subsidiary  companies  in  the  Group  portfolio  is  in  the  form  of 
ordinary shares only, except for certain subsidiaries where Series A preferred shares were issued to both the 
parent company and third parties in financing rounds, namely ABLS II, Federated Wireless, HawkEye 360, 
Precision Biopsy, SciFluor Life Sciences and Spin Transfer Technologies. Series A preferred shares as per cent 
of the total ownership percentage of economic interest in those subsidiaries as of 31 December 2016 were 
19.14%, 6.71%, 56.11% 18.15%, 3.82% and 8.01%, respectively.

131

Financial StatementsANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

The  following  outlines  the  formation  of  each  subsidiary  and  evolution  of  Allied  Minds’  equity  ownership 
interest over the two year period ended 31 December 2016:

ACTIVE SUBSIDIARIES

HOLDING COMPANIES

Allied Minds, LLC (1), (3)

Allied Minds Securities Corp. (3)

Project Poldark (Jersey) Limited (3)

EARLY STAGE COMPANIES

ABLS Capital, LLC

Allied-Bristol Life Sciences, LLC

ABLS I, LLC

ABLS II, LLC

ABLS III, LLC

INCEPTION

DATE

OWNERSHIP PERCENTAGE 

OF ECONOMIC INTEREST AT 

31 DECEMBER (2)

LOCATION (4)

2016

2015

19/06/14

Boston, MA

21/12/15

Boston, MA

29/11/16

Boston, MA

09/07/15

Boston, MA

31/07/14

Boston, MA

24/09/14

Boston, MA

24/09/14

Boston, MA

10/03/16

Boston, MA

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

30.25%

80.00%

74.00%

35.95%

80.00%

100.00%

100.00%

—

—

80.00%

80.00%

80.00%

—

Allied Minds Federal Innovations, Inc.

09/03/12

Boston, MA

100.00%

100.00%

Federated Wireless, Inc.

08/08/12

Arlington, VA

Federated Wireless Government Solutions, Inc. (3)

04/05/16

Arlington, VA

Foreland Technologies, Inc.

BridgeSat, Inc.

Cephalogics, LLC

HawkEye 360, Inc.

HawkEye 360 Federal, Inc. (3)

LuxCath, LLC

Optio Labs, Inc.

Percipient Networks, LLC

Precision Biopsy, Inc.

23/01/13

Boston, MA

09/02/15

Boston, MA

29/11/06

Cambridge, MA

16/09/15

Herndon, VA

22/09/15

Herndon, VA

29/05/12

Boston, MA

28/02/12

Baltimore, MD

17/06/08

Denver, CO

ProGDerm, Inc. (dba Novare Pharmaceuticals)

19/09/08

Boston, MA

SciFluor Life Sciences, LLC

Seamless Devices, Inc.

Signature Medical, Inc.

Spin Transfer Technologies, Inc.

Vatic Materials, Inc.

Whitewood Encryption Systems, Inc.

COMMERCIAL STAGE COMPANIES

Biotectix, LLC

CryoXtract Instruments, LLC

RF Biocidics, Inc.

RF Biocidics (UK) Ltd (3)

SoundCure, Inc.(3)

14/12/10

Cambridge, MA

14/10/14

San Jose, CA 

12/12/16

Boston, MA 

03/12/07

Fremont, CA

21/11/16

Boston, MA 

21/07/14

Boston, MA

16/01/07

Richmond, CA

23/05/08

Woburn, MA

12/06/08

Sacramento, CA

10/09/10

United Kingdom

04/06/09

San Jose, CA

72.99%

72.99%

100.00%

100.00%

95.00%

56.11%

56.11%

98.00%

81.23%

90.58%

90.58%

100.00%

100.00%

95.00%

81.25%  

81.25%  

98.00%

81.23%

64.59%

90.38%

69.89%

79.12%

100.00%

48.40%

100.00%

100.00%

64.35%

93.24%

67.14%

67.14%

84.62%

68.32%

90.38%

69.89%

79.41%

—

48.40%

—

100.00%

64.35%

93.24%

67.14%

67.14%

84.62%

29/01/14

Wakefield, MA

100.00%

100.00%

Tinnitus Treatment Solutions, LLC

26/02/13

San Jose, CA

100.00%

100.00%

CLOSED SUBSIDIARIES

SiEnergy Systems, LLC  (3)

21/09/07

Cambridge, MA

—    

100.00%

NUMBER OF ACTIVE SUBSIDIARIES AT 31 DECEMBER:

33

29

132

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

Notes:

(1.)  On 19 June 2014, Allied Minds plc completed a reorganisation of its corporate structure, whereby Allied Minds plc acquired the entire 
issued share capital of Allied Minds, Inc., first incorporated on 4 June 2004, which at the same time changed its name to Allied Minds, LLC;

(2.)  Represents ownership percentage used in allocations to non-controlling interests except for Federated Wireless, HawkEye 360, Precision 
Biopsy, SciFluor Life Sciences, and Spin Transfer Technologies in which cases the percentage used to allocate the non-controlling interests 
was 94.15%, 0%, 80.35%, 86.86%, and 56.13%, respectively, where in these cases there are liability classified preferred shares in 
issue, which are excluded.

(3.)  These subsidiaries do not represent separate subsidiary businesses referred to earlier within the annual report.

(4.)  All subsidiaries have a registered office address at CT Corporation System,  Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, 
DE 19801, United States except for Allied Minds Securities Corp. with registered office address at CT Corporation System, 155 Federal 
Street, Suite 700, Boston, MA 02110, United States; Project Poldark (Jersey) Limited with registered office address 44 Esplanade, St Helier, 
Jersey, JE4 9WG, United Kingdom and Biotectix, LLC, Cephalogics, LLC, and CryoXtract, LLC at  CT Corporation System, 120 South 

Central Avenue, Suite 400, Clayton, MO 63105, United States.

In  April  2016,  Allied  Minds  completed  the  formation  of  ABLS  Capital,  LLC  in  partnership  with  existing 
shareholders of the Group. The members of ABLS Capital committed to up to $80 million for the development 
of drug discovery programs, of which 22.5% was committed by Allied Minds, and contributed an initial $2 
million for 2 million Class B shares to fund the operations of the subsidiary. The purpose of this partnership 
is to fund 80% of the lead optimization phase of up to ten new drug candidates that pass initial feasibility 
studies funded by Allied Bristol Life Sciences, LLC (“ABLS”). The remaining 20% of lead optimization phase 
investment, or up to an additional $20 million, will be funded by Bristol-Myers Squibb, pursuant to the terms 
of the partnership formed in 2014 through ABLS. Further, in August 2016, ABLS Capital raised $12 million of 
new equity in a Class B shares round pursuant to the initial commitment discussed above, which were used to 
further fund the development at ABLS II. Under the terms of the ABLS Capital organization documents, Allied 
Minds is appointed as the manager of the company and effectively controls the policies and management of 
ABLS Capital. As a result, following the transactions from 2016, Allied Minds continues to exercise effective 
control over ABLS Capital and as such the subsidiary will continue to be fully consolidated within the group’s 
financial statements. 

In August 2016, ABLS II closed a Series A round of financing issuing 6,410,256 shares of Preferred Stock 
at issue price of $2.34/share to ABLS Capital ($12.0 million) and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company ($3.0 
million), raising approximately $15.0 million. Under the terms of the ABLS II organization documents, through 
its control over ABLS and ABLS Capital, the Company effectively controls the policies and management of 
ABLS II. As a result, following the transaction, Allied Minds continues to exercise effective control over ABLS 
II and as such the subsidiary will continue to be fully consolidated within the group’s financial statements.

In October 2014, Spin Transfer Technologies (“STT”) completed a Series A financing round as a result of 
which the Allied Minds’ ownership percentage in STT decreased from 56.13% to 48.40%. Whilst Allied 
Minds  owns  less  than  50.00%  of  the  voting  share  capital  after  the  transaction  and  as  of  31  December 
2014,  the  company  remains  the  largest  single  shareholder  at  48.40%  of  the  voting  share  capital,  and 
retains  control  over  the  majority  of  the  voting  rights  on  the  board  of  directors  of  STT.  Under  the  terms  of 
the STT organisational documents, the board of directors effectively controls the policies and management 
of STT, and in all instances, the board acts by majority vote. In addition, all material shareholder voting 
provisions of the STT organisational documents require a simple majority for approval, giving the Company 
substantial influence over the outcome of all actions which require a shareholder vote. As a result, following 
the transaction, Allied Minds continues to exercise effective control over STT and as such will continue to be 
fully consolidated within the group’s financial statements.

133

Financial StatementsANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

The following tables summarise the financial information related to the Group’s subsidiaries with material non-
controlling interests, aggregated for interests in similar entities, and before intra-group eliminations.

AS OF AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER:

2016

$’000

EARLY STAGE

COMMERCIAL

STT

OTHER

RFB

OTHER

STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

Revenue

Loss for the year

Other comprehensive loss

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

Comprehensive loss attributed to NCI

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

Non-current assets

Current assets

TOTAL ASSETS

Non-current liabilities

Current liabilities

TOTAL LIABILITIES

NET ASSETS

Carrying amount of NCI

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

Cash flows from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

—

594

(33,425)

(59,193)

—

(33,425)

(16,501)

29,235

13,859

43,094

(90)

(64,394)

(64,484)

(21,390)

(15,074)

(18,617)

(2,360)

303

(20,674)

—

(59,193)

(11,461)

3,242

77,637

80,879

(4)

(85,658)

(85,662)

(4,783)

10,061

(51,853)

(402)

80,888

28,633

553

(7,802)

(74)

(7,876)

(3,353)

738

4,808

5,546

(18)

(1,075)

(1,093)

4,453

(9,114)

(7,993)

1,595

8,189

1,791

1,223

(5,937)

—

(5,937)

(1,294)

1,029

751

1,780

—

(421)

(421)

1,359

(6,670)

(7,653)

(332)

8,154

169

134

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

AS OF AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER:

STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

Revenue

Loss for the year

Other comprehensive loss

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

Comprehensive loss attributed to NCI

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

Non-current assets

Current assets

TOTAL ASSETS

Non-current liabilities

Current liabilities

TOTAL LIABILITIES

NET ASSETS

Carrying amount of NCI

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

Cash flows from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

2015

$’000

EARLY STAGE

COMMERCIAL

STT

OTHER

RFB

OTHER

—

654

(20,849)

(42,119)

—

(20,849)

(9,518)

31,692

34,531

66,223

(113)

(55,265)

(55,378)

10,854

(4,281)

(17,142)

(19,629)

1,863

(34,908)

—

(42,119)

(6,250)

5,920

51,774

57,694

(38)

(48,198)

(48,236)

9,458

(3,550)

(41,293)

(4,079)

75,974

30,602

957

(7,213)

(26)

(7,239)

(3,009)

2,810

5,068

 7,878

(271)

(1,140)

(1,411)

6,467

(7,031)

(8,237)

(198)

7,228

(1,207)

1,104

(7,171)

—

(7,171)

(1,413)

1,685 

1,725 

3,410 

(117)

(1,142)

(1,259)

2,151

(5,928)

(9,369)

(348)

9,154

(563)

Portfolio Valuation

At  the  close  of  each  annual  financial  period,  the  Directors  formally  approve  the  value  of  all  subsidiary 
businesses in the Group, which is used to derive the ‘‘Group Subsidiary Ownership Adjusted Value’’. This 
Group Subsidiary Ownership Adjusted Value is a sum-of-the-parts (‘‘SOTP’’) valuation of all the subsidiaries 
that make up the Group. GSOAV is an alternative performance measure  (“APM”) used by the Directors as a 
key performance indicator (“KPI”) to measure the performance of the Group. An APM is a numeric measure 
of the Group’s financial position that is not a GAAP measure. As the Group exercises control over all of its 
investments in subsidiary undertakings their activities are fully consolidated in the group accounts and the 
value of those investments is not separately disclosed in the statement of financial position. Only the value of 
non-controlling interests of certain subsidiaries reflecting the subsidiary preferred shares liability is disclosed 
separately in the statement of financial position, as further discussed in footnote 18.

The Group Subsidiary Ownership Adjusted Value (‘‘GSOAV’’) was $416.2 million as of 24 April 2017 
(2015: $535.8m). The decrease compared to prior year is primarily attributed to the liquidation of several 
subsidiary  businesses  subsequent  to  year  end  as  discussed  in  note  26,  namely  Biotectix,  Cephalogics, 
CryoXtract, Novare Pharmaceuticals, Optio Labs, RF Biocidics (including RF Biocidics (UK) Ltd), SoundCure 
and Tinnitus Treatment Solutions.  The decrease was partially offset by an increase in value at HawkEye 
360 demonstrated by the consummation of a third-party fundraising and an increase to ABLS due to ABLS II 
moving into the lead optimisation program.Cephalogics, CryoXtract, Novare Pharmaceuticals, Optio Labs, 
RF Biocidics (including RF Biocidics (UK) Ltd), SoundCure and Tinnitus Treatment Solutions.  The decreases 

135

Financial StatementsANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

was offset primarily by an increase in value at HawkEye 360 demonstrated by the consummation of a third-
party fundraising and an increase to ABLS due to ABLS II moving into the lead optimisation programme.

Ownership  adjusted  value  represents  Allied  Minds’  interest  in  the  equity  value  of  each  subsidiary  and 
is  calculated  as  follows:  lower  of  (Business  Enterprise  Value  –  Long  Term  Debt  +  Cash)  x  Allied  Minds 
percentage ownership plus the value of debt provided by Allied Minds plc to each subsidiary business, or 
the subsidiary Business Enterprise Value. Allied Minds commits post seed funding to its subsidiaries in the 
form of loans.

Valuation Methodology

Each subsidiary company is regularly evaluated based on a range of inputs, including: company performance 
and progress towards development milestones; market and competitor analyses based on information from 
databases and public material; and interviews with scientists and physicians.

The  Group  Subsidiary  Ownership  Adjusted  Value  represents  the  sum-of-the-parts  (‘‘SOTP’’)  of,  principally, 
net present value (‘‘NPV’’) or risk-adjusted net present value (‘‘rNPV’’) from discounted cash flow (‘‘DCF’’) 
valuations and valuations based on recent third party investment at the subsidiary level. A DCF valuation 
is used for the majority of Allied Minds subsidiaries. The DCF valuations are updated when the underlying 
assumptions for the valuations warrant a change. Generally, valuations are not increased unless warranted 
by or in anticipation of a financing transaction. Valuations are decreased in situations where the subsidiary 
is falling short of expected progress. Otherwise, the DCF valuations are kept constant. When available, 
financing transactions are used as the basis for the subsidiary valuation. In limited instances other techniques 
such as based on asset values are utilised.

Set out below are the two principal methodologies applied to value each Group company to derive the 
Group Subsidiary Ownership Adjusted Value as of the current year annual report and accounts:

DISCOUNTED CASH FLOW(1)

FUNDING TRANSACTION(2)

BridgeSat, Inc

Allied Bristol Life Sciences, LLC

Foreland Technologies, LLC

ABLS II, LLC

LuxCath, LLC

Percipient Networks, LLC

Seamless Devices, Inc.

Federated Wireless, Inc.

HawkEye 360, Inc.

Precision Biopsy, Inc.

Whitewood Encryption Systems, Inc.

SciFluor Life Sciences, Inc.

Spin Transfer Technologies, Inc.

As per cent of GSOAV:

8.0% (2015: 26.5%)

As per cent of GSOAV:

87.1% (2015: 70.7%)

(1.)  The DCF valuation model was updated in the current year for BridgeSat, while for the remaining companies where DCF is used as basis for the 

subsidiary valuation the values were kept constant from prior year;

(2.)  Funding transactions used as basis for the subsidiary valuations were consummated in the current year, except for Allied Bristol Life Sciences 

(2014), Spin Transfer Technologies (2014), and SciFluor Life Sciences (2015).

136

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

In addition to the two principal valuation methodologies, the Directors have valued using alternative valuation 
methodologies Allied Minds Federal Innovations, Inc. (“AMFI”)representing 4.9% of the group Subsidiary 
Ownership Adjusted Value (2015: 2.8%). AMFI was valued using an asset-based methodology that reflects 
the intellectual property to which it has access as at 31 December 2016 and 2015.

For detail of the Net Present Value (“NPV”) method used in estimating the group valuations from discounted 
cash flows see footnote 18. 

Associates

OWNERSHIP PERCENTAGE

REGISTERED

31 DECEMBER

LOCATION

NUMBER

2016

2015

Stalam S.p.A.

Vicenza, Italy

2083930244

—

28.5%    

Stalam S.p.A.

CARRYING AMOUNT FOR EQUITY ACCOUNTED INVESTEES

2016

$’000

—   

—

2015

$’000

1,612    

1,612    

In December 2013, RF Biocidics (“RFB”) entered into a manufacturing agreement with the strategic partner 
Stalam S.p.A. (“Stalam”) in Italy, which made Stalam an exclusive manufacturer of the Apex product line 
series, as well as any new generation RF Systems that incorporates both Stalam and RFB technologies which 
the parties develop jointly as part of the agreement. Following this transaction in March 2014, RF Biocidics 
acquired ordinary shares representing 28.5% of the capital of that manufacturer in exchange for 1.1 million 
Euro ($1.5 million).

The Group’s interest in Stalam is presented in the below table as of 31 December:

Carrying amount of interest in associates

Share of:

Profit from continuing operations

Total comprehensive income

2016

$’000

2015

$’000

—   

—   

52    

52    

In November 2016, Stalam was acquired by third party investors and RF Biocidics sold its interest in the 
investment in Stalam for 2.3 million Euro ($2.4 million) plus a potential earn out of 0.6 million Euro ($0.6 
million) of which 0.2 million Euro ($0.2 million) was realised in 2016, resulting in a gain for the period of 
$0.9 million.

137

Financial StatementsANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

12.) OTHER INVESTMENTS 

AS OF 31 DECEMBER:

Fixed income securities

Treasury and government agencies

Corporate bonds

Other investments, current

Fixed income securities

Treasury and government agencies

Corporate bonds

Other investments, long-term

TOTAL OTHER INVESTMENTS

2016

$’000

—   

14,244   

14,244   

—   

2,668   

2,668   

16,912   

2015

$’000

3,468   

34,180   

37,648   

10,871    

40,674    

51,545    

89,193    

Other investments represent investments in fixed income securities issued by government agencies and US 
and  non-US  corporations.  As  of  31  December  2016,  the  investments  had  a  credit  rating  of  A-  to  A+, 
maturities of up to 2 years and original coupon rate from 0.00% to 5.00% (2015: 0.50% to 7.65%).

13.) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

AS OF 31 DECEMBER:

Bank balances

Restricted cash

       TOTAL CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

2016

$’000

2015

$’000

209,283  

105,687   

(132)  

(132)  

209,151  

105,555   

Restricted cash represents cash reserved as collateral against a letter of credit with a bank issued for the 
benefit of a landlord in lieu of a security deposit to an office space lease for one of the Group’s subsidiaries. 
The amount is classified as other financial assets, non-current in the statement of financial position.

14.) INVENTORIES 

AS OF 31 DECEMBER:

Finished units

Work in progress

Raw materials

TOTAL INVENTORIES

138

2016

$’000

2015

$’000

2,505   

1,007   

15   

31   

149   

355   

2,551   

1,511   

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

Finished units and raw materials recognised as cost of revenue in the year amounted to $1,756,000 (2015: 
$2,057,000). The write-down of inventories to net realisable value recognized through cost of revenue was 
$3,403,000 (2015: $1,778,000).

15.) TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

AS OF 31 DECEMBER:

Trade receivables

Prepayments and other current assets

TOTAL TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

16.) EQUITY

2016

$’000

312   

5,588   

5,900   

2015

$’000

1,012   

6,33

7,342   

In December 2016, the Company issued 17,457,015 ordinary shares of one pence at 367 pence, which 
were admitted to the premium listing segment of the Official List of the UK Listing Authority and to trading on 
the LSE’s Main Market for listed securities. This resulted in approximately $78.1 million of net proceeds from 
the equity placing (net of issue cost of $2.2 million). The amounts subscribed for share capital in excess of the 
nominal value in relation to this transaction are reflected in the merger reserve balance as of 31 December 
2016. 

During 2016, existing and former employees of the Group exercised options to purchase 650,000 shares 
of the Company under the U.S. Stock Plan (2015: 1,191,784), resulting in additional share premium of 
$1,200,000 (2015: $2,443,000).

As of 31 December 2016, 11,551,496 ordinary shares were reserved under the U.S. Stock Plan and 
23,374,437 were reserved under the LTIP, see note 6 for further discussion of the share-based payment 
plans. 

Movements below explain the movements in share capital:

AS OF 31 DECEMBER:

EQUITY

2016

$’000

2015

$’000

Share capital, £0.01 par value, issued and fully paid

3,657   

3,429   

233,744,378 and 215,637,363, respectively

Share premium

Merger reserve

Translation reserve

Accumulated deficit (i)

EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE TO OWNERS OF THE COMPANY

Non-controlling interests (i)

TOTAL EQUITY

(i) The 2015 amounts have been reclassified, see note 1.

157,067   

263,435   

192  

155,867   

185,544   

(16)   

(289,437)  

(192,819)  

134,914   

(20,797)   

114,117   

152,005   

(10,631)   

141,374   

139

Financial StatementsANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

Holders of Ordinary Shares are entitled to vote, on all matters submitted to shareholders for a vote. Each 
Ordinary  Share  is  entitled  to  one  vote.  Each  ordinary  share  is  entitled  to  receive  dividends  when  and  if 
declared by the Company’s board of directors. The Company has not declared any dividends in the past. 

Share premium represents the amounts subscribed for share capital in excess of the nominal value, net of 
directly attributable issue costs.

Merger reserve reflects the amounts subscribed for share capital in excess of the nominal value in relation to 
the qualifying acquisition of subsidiary undertakings.

Translation reserve comprises all foreign exchange differences arising from the translation of the financial 
statements of foreign operations.

17.) ACQUISITION OF NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST (“NCI”)

For the two years ended 31 December 2016, the Group recognised the following changes in common and 
preferred stock ownership in subsidiaries resulting in changes to non-controlling interest:

• 

• 

In  March  2016,  Allied-Bristol  Life  Sciences  (ABLS)  launched  its  third  project  –  ABLS  III,  LLC  (dba 
iβeCa  Therapeutics),  in  a  partnership  with  New  York  University  (NYU).  ABLS  owns  100%  of  the 
common  stock  of  ABLS  III.  Following  the  transaction  Allied  Minds  continues  to  exercise  effective 
control over ABLS and subsidiaries including ABLS III and as such the subsidiary will continue to be 
fully consolidated within the group’s financial statements

In April 2016, the Group completed the formation of ABLS Capital, LLC in partnership with existing 
shareholders  of  Allied  Minds.  The  members  of  the  LLC  committed  to  up  to  $80  million  for  the 
development of up to 10 drug discovery programs, of which Allied Minds commits 22.5%, and 
contributed an initial $2 million funding for 2 million Class B shares. The purpose of this partnership 
is to fund 80% of the lead optimisation phase of up to ten new drug candidates that pass initial 
feasibility studies funded by ABLS. The remaining 20% of lead optimization phase investment, or up 
to an additional $20 million, will be funded by Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMS), pursuant to 
the terms of the partnership formed in 2014 through ABLS. Following the transaction, Allied Minds 
continues to exercise effective control over ABLS Capital and as such the subsidiary will continue to 
be fully consolidated within the group’s financial statements. 

In August 2016, ABLS Capital raised $12 million of new equity in a Class B shares round pursuant 
to the initial commitment discussed to fund its portion of the ABLS II financing (see below). There is 
no change in the subsidiary’s governance structure as a result of the round. Following the transaction 
Allied Minds continues to exercise effective control over ABLS Capital and as such the subsidiary will 
continue to be fully consolidated within the group’s financial statements.

• 

In August 2016, ABLS II closed a Series A round of financing issuing 6,410,256 shares of Preferred 
Stock at issue price of $2.34 per share to ABLS Capital and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, raising 
approximately $15.0 million, resulting in a $19.0 million post-money valuation. The use of proceeds 
from the Series A round is intended primarily to fund further development of the lead optimisation 
program. Should this next lead optimisation phase prove successful, Bristol-Myers Squibb has the 
right to acquire Allied Minds’ interest in ABLS II at a pre-determined multiple of invested capital. 

140

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

The following summarises the changes in the non-controlling ownership interest in subsidiaries by reportable 
segment:

EARLY STAGE

COMMERCIAL

CONSOLIDATED

NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST AS OF 
31 DECEMBER 2014 (I)

Share of comprehensive loss

Effect of change in Company’s ownership 
interest

Equity-settled share based payments

NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST AS OF 
31 DECEMBER 2015 (I)

New funds into non-controlling interest

Share of comprehensive loss

Effect of change in Company’s ownership 
interest

Equity-settled share based payments

NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST AS OF 
31 DECEMBER 2016

STT

$’000

OTHER

$’000

RFB

$’000

(3,000)

(3,009)

8

103

OTHER

$’000

(4,054)

(1,413)

— 

61

1,904

(6,251)

3,077

1,707

437

(5,898)

(5,406)

13,773

(11,460)

—

—

(3,353)

(1,295)

6,030

1,281

137

—

— 

31

7,674

(9,518)

143

1,937

236

—

(16,501)

62

1,129

$’000

2,524

(20,191)

3,228

3,808

(10,631)

13,773

(32,609)

6,229

2,441

(15,074)

10,061

(9,114)

(6,670)

(20,797)

(i) The 2014 and 2015 amounts have been reclassified, see note 1.

18.) SUBSIDIARY PREFERRED SHARES

Certain  of  the  Group’s  subsidiaries  have  outstanding  preferred  shares  which  have  been  classified  as  a 
subsidiary  preferred  shares  in  current  liabilities  in  accordance  with  IAS  39  as  the  subsidiaries  have  a 
contractual obligation to deliver cash or other assets to the holders under certain future liquidity events, and/
or a requirement to deliver an uncertain number of common shares upon conversion. The preferred shares 
do not contain mandatory dividend rights. The preferred shares are convertible into common stock of the 
subsidiary at the option of the holder and mandatorily convertible into common stock of the subsidiary upon 
a qualified public offering at or above certain value and gross proceeds specified in the agreements or upon 
the vote of the holders of a majority of the subsidiary preferred shares. Under certain scenarios the number 
of common stock shares receivable on conversion will change. The Group has elected not to bifurcate the 
variable conversion feature as a derivative liability, but account for the entire instrument at fair value through 
the income statement.  

The preferred shares are entitled to a vote with holders of common stock on an as converted basis. The 
holders of the preferred shares are entitled to a liquidation preference amount in the event of a liquidation 
or a deemed liquidation event of the respective subsidiary.  The Group recognises the subsidiary preferred 
shares balance upon the receipt of cash financing, and records the change in its fair value for the respective 
reporting period through profit and loss. Preferred shares are not allocated shares of the subsidiary losses.

141

Financial StatementsANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

The following summarises the subsidiary preferred shares balance:

AS OF 31 DECEMBER:

Spin Transfer Technologies

SciFluor Life Sciences

Precision Biopsy

Federated Wireless

HawkEye 360

FINANCE COST 
FROM IAS 39 
FAIR VALUE 
ACCOUNTING

ADDITIONS

$’000

$’000

9,865    

6,798    

536    

372    

14    

—    

—

5,000    

16,970    

7,250    

2016

$’000

61,383    

32,381    

22,518    

17,342    

7,264    

2015

$’000

51,518    

25,583    

16,982    

—

—    

TOTAL SUBSIDIARY PREFERRED SHARES

140,888   

17,585    

29,220    

94,083   

The redemption is conditional on occurrence of uncertain future events beyond the control of the Group. The 
amount that would be payable in case of such events is as follows:
2015

2016

AS OF 31 DECEMBER:

$’000

        $’000

Spin Transfer Technologies

SciFluor Life Sciences

Precision Biopsy

Federated Wireless

HawkEye 360

50,000   

25,200   

22,000   

17,000   

7,250   

50,000   

25,200   

17,000   

—   

—

TOTAL LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE

121,450   

92,200   

For the two years ended 31 December 2016, the Group recognised the following changes in subsidiary 
preferred shares:

2016

•  Federated Wireless completed a $22.0 million round of Series A financing in January 2016. Of the 
$22.0 million raised in this financing, Allied Minds contributed approximately $5.0 million for the 
purchase of 2,727,580 preferred shares, and other existing shareholders of the Group contributed 
with the remainder of the round.

•  Precision Biopsy received the second tranche of the October 2015 Series A round (see below) and 
raised addition $5.0 million from one of the existing shareholders that originally participated in the 
round for additional 945,966 shares.

•  HawkEye 360 completed a $11.0 million round of Series A-2 financing in November 2016. Of the 
$11.0 million raised in this financing, Allied Minds contributed approximately $4.0 million for the 
purchase of 3,096,459 preferred shares, and other new investors contributed with the remainder 
of the round.

2015

•  SciFluor Life Sciences completed a $30.0 million round of Series A financing in April 2015. Of the 

142

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

$30.0 million raised in this financing, Allied Minds contributed approximately $4.8 million for the 
purchase of 501,857 preferred shares, and other existing shareholders of the Group contributed with 
the remainder of the round.

•  Precision  Biopsy  completed  a  $33.6  million  round  of  Series  A  financing  in  October  2015.  Of 
the  $33.6  million  raised  in  this  financing,  Allied  Minds  contributed  approximately  $16.6  million 
for  the  purchase  of  3,140,608  preferred  shares,  and  other  existing  shareholders  of  the  Group 
contributed with the remainder of the round. The round was funded in two tranches and the second 
tranche of $10.0 million was due after one year from closing of the round, of which $4.0 million 
was contributed by Allied Minds and other existing shareholders of the Group contributed with the 
remainder $6.0 million.

The fair value is derived using the option pricing model where the key inputs and assumptions include the 
subsidiary valuations, which are either based on the implied value from a third party funding round,  on a 
Net Present Valuation method  or asset based valuation, volatility, time to liquidity, risk free rate and discount 
for lack of marketability (DLOM).

Net Present Valuation (‘‘NPV’’) method

NPV is a standard technique used in valuation and can be defined as the difference between the present 
value of the future cash flows from an investment and the amount of investment. Present value of the estimated 
cash flows is computed by discounting them at the required rate of return which includes an adjustment for 
risk.

The following are important factors when determining fair value based on NPV:

•  Estimated  income  generally  consists  of  sales,  co-development  revenues,  one-time  payments  and 
royalty payments on sales depending on the company, its business model and industry. These are 
estimated  based  on  a  variety  of  factors  including:  total  addressable  market;  competitive  factors; 
barriers to competition; pricing; typical standards for contract value; royalty rates; and likelihood of 
development of a product that is commercially viable.

•  Costs  and  capital  expenditures  are  estimated  for  each  phase  of  development  based  on  the 
companies’ information or according to industry standards. Costs are typically forecasted for cost of 
goods, SG&A (selling, general and administrative), research and development as well as a variety 
of other expenses. These are typically developed ‘‘from the ground up’’ for earlier years and for later 
years depicted as a factor or percentage of sales.

•  The  terminal  or  exit  value  represents  the  aggregate  value  of  an  entity  at  the  end  of  the  discrete 
forecast period. Terminal value may be estimated using the terminal multiple method, which inherently 
assumes that the business will be valued at the end of the projection period based on reference 
valuations. Under this methodology, the terminal value is typically calculated by applying one of two 
commonly accepted methodologies:

 o Multiple  base  terminal  value:  Use  of  an  appropriate  multiple  to  the  relevant  financial  metric 
forecasted for the last projected year taking into consideration the ongoing growth potential of 
the business in the terminal year. Exit values included in the analysis are typically projected as a 
multiple of EBIT, EBITDA or Sales based on the final year results for the forecast period. Where 
available, a set of guideline public companies that are similar to the company to be used for 
comparative purposes and the multiple is derived from this set;

 o Gordon growth model based terminal value: Use of a formula that calculates the present value 
of cash flow in the terminal year growing into infinity at an ascribed terminal growth rate. The 

143

Financial StatementsANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

terminal growth rate is derived by estimating the long-term annual growth potential of the business 
at the terminal year.

•  Selection of discount rates is based on part utilising American Institute of Certified Public Accountants 
(AICPA) practice standards varying by stage of development of the subsidiary as well as other risk 
factors and typically range from 20-45%. 

•  Where available NPV results are compared against peer companies and to valuations for similar 

companies.

Due to the early stage nature of the Group’s subsidiary companies, projections are particularly sensitive to 
certain key assumptions namely:

•  Discount rate and in particular risk premium;

•  The ability to predict the cost and timing of achieving technical and commercial viability;

•  Projected revenue and operating costs in the post-product development phase of each company; 

and

•  The size and share of addressable market for intellectual property, products and services developed.

Where has been a third party funding round in the year this has been used as the implied value of the 
subsidiary, adjusted for indexation where this is deemed to be appropriate.

Whilst the Board considers the methodologies and assumptions adopted in the valuation are supportable, 
reasonable and robust, because of the inherent uncertainty of valuation, those estimated values may differ 
significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market for the investment existed and 
the differences could be significant.

Option Pricing Model Inputs

The following presents the quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair 
value measurement of the Group’s subsidiary preferred shares liability designated:

AS OF 31 DECEMBER:

TIME TO LIQUIDITY

VOLATILITY

Volatility

33.0% - 75.5%

60.0% - 70.0%

Time to Liquidity (years)

2.06 – 3.76

3.78 - 4.76

Risk-Free Rate

DLOM

1.22% - 1.70%

1.48% - 1.71%

20.0% - 27.5%

20.0% - 27.8%

144

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

Sensitivity Analysis

The  following  summarises  the  sensitivity  from  the  assumptions  made  by  the  Company  in  respect  to  the 
unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Group’s subsidiary preferred shares liability, 
as well as that in respect to the enterprise value of the underlying subsidiary in general:

INPUT

SENSITIVITY RANGE

AS OF 31 DECEMBER:

SUBSIDIARY PREFERRED SHARES LIABILITY  
INCREASE/(DECREASE)

2016

$'000

2015

$'000 

Enterprise Value

Volatility

Time to Liquidity

Risk-Free Rate (1)

DLOM

-2%

+2%

-10%

+10%

-6 months

+6 months

-0.18% / -0.12%

+0.13% /+0.12%

-5.0%

+5.0%

(1,746)

1,746

(377)

(776)

416

(762)

416

(762)

42

(26)

(1,232)

1,232

1,783

(2,353)

1,253

(1,221)

1,253

(1,221)

42

(26)

(1) Risk-free rate is a function of the time to liquidity input assumption.

The change in fair value of the subsidiary preferred shares is recorded in Finance cost, net in the consolidated 
statement of comprehensive loss.

19.) LOANS

AS OF 31 DECEMBER:

Non-current liabilities - Loans:

Unsecured loan

Current liabilities - Loans:

Unsecured loan

TOTAL LOANS

2016

$’000

2015

$’000

—   

—   

115   

115   

115   

112   

112   

228  

228  

340  

145

Financial StatementsANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

The terms and conditions of outstanding loans are as follows:

AS OF 31 DECEMBER:

2016

$’000

2015

$’000

Currency

Nominal  
interest 
rate

Year of 
maturity

Face 
value

Carrying 
amount

Face 
value

Carrying 
amount

Unsecured loan

USD

6.5%

2013-17

TOTAL INTEREST  
BEARING LIABILITIES

115

115

115

115

340

340

340

340

CryoXtract Instruments, LLC Promissory Note

In May 2012, CryoXtract Instruments, LLC signed a promissory note with a state financing authority in the 
amount  of  $800,000  to  provide  working  capital  for  materials  and  fund  salaries.  The  note  fully  matures 
in May 2017 and bears interest of 6.5%. Payment of interest only is due in the first 18 months. As of 31 
December 2013, CryoXtract had drawn the full balance of the note, of which $225,000 and $221,000 
was repaid during 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $115,000 (2015: $28,000), net of discount, is 
included in current liabilities. Interest expense incurred on the note was $26,000 and $41,000 for the years 
ended 31 December 2016 and 2015, respectively.

As part of the consideration for the loan, CryoXtract had issued to the lender a warrant entitling the lender to 
purchase an aggregate of 65,310 membership units in the subsidiary’s ordinary shares, representing 0.01% 
of the total membership units. The fair value of the warrant issued of $35,000 is amortised over the life of 
the loan as a discount against the note balance.

20.) TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

AS OF 31 DECEMBER:

Trade payables

Accrued expenses

Other current liabilities

Trade and other payables, current

Other non-current payables

TOTAL TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

21.) LEASES

2016

$’000

2015

$’000

4,362   

9,210   

369   

13,941   

720   

14,661   

6,326   

7,690   

252   

14,268   

751   

15,019   

Office  and  laboratory  space  is  rented  under  non-cancellable  operating  leases.  These  lease  agreements 
contain various clauses for renewal at the Group’s option and, in certain cases, escalation clauses typically 
linked to rates of inflation.

146

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

Minimum rental commitments under non-cancellable leases were payable as follows:

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER:

2016

$’000

2015

$’000

 Less than one year  

 Between one and five years  

 More than five years  

TOTAL MINIMUM LEASE PAYMENTS

2,015   

3,713   

438   

6,166   

2,421   

4,822   

1,183   

8,426   

Total  rent  expense  under  these  leases  was  approximately  $2,859,000  and  $2,673,000  in  2016  and 
2015, respectively. Rent expenses are included in selling, general and administrative expenses and research 
and development expenses in the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.

22.) FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RELATED DISCLOSURES

The following table shows the carrying amounts and fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities, 
including their levels in the fair value hierarchy:

AS OF 31 DECEMBER:

2016

$’000

CARRYING 
AMOUNT

FAIR VALUE

LEVEL 1

LEVEL 2

LEVEL 3

 TOTAL

FINANCIAL ASSETS DESIGNATED 
AS FAIR VALUE THROUGH PROFIT 
OR LOSS

Fixed income securities

16,912

—

16,912

LOANS AND RECEIVABLES

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables

Security and other deposits

TOTAL

209,151

5,900

1,065

233,028

FINANCIAL LIABILITIES DESIGNATED 
AS FAIR VALUE THROUGH PROFIT 
OR LOSS

Subsidiary preferred shares

140,888

FINANCIAL LIABILITIES MEASURED 
AT AMORTISED COST

Unsecured loan

Trade and other payables

Subsidiary preferred shares

TOTAL

115 

14,662

— 

155,665 

— 

— 

—

—

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

16,912

209,151

5,900

1,065

233,028

209,151

5,900

1,065

233,028

— 140,888

140,888

123

14,662

— 

— 

— 140,888 

14,785

140,888

123

14,662

140,888

155,673

147

Financial StatementsANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

AS OF 31 DECEMBER:

2015

$’000

CARRYING 
AMOUNT

FAIR VALUE

LEVEL 1

LEVEL 2

LEVEL 3

TOTAL

FINANCIAL ASSETS DESIGNATED AS 
FAIR VALUE THROUGH PROFIT OR 
LOSS

Fixed income securities

89,193

14,360

75,385

— 

89,745

LOANS AND RECEIVABLES

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables

Subscription receivable

Security and other deposits

TOTAL

105,555

7,342

6,000

1,213

—

— 

— 

— 

105,555

7,342

6,000

1,213

209,303

14,360

195,495

—

— 

— 

— 

— 

105,555

7,342

6,000

1,213

209,855

FINANCIAL LIABILITIES DESIGNATED 
AS FAIR VALUE THROUGH PROFIT 
OR LOSS

     Subsidiary preferred shares

94,083

FINANCIAL LIABILITIES MEASURED AT 
AMORTISED COST

Unsecured loan

Trade and other payables

TOTAL

340

15,019

109,442

—

— 

— 

— 

—

94,083

94,083

359

15,019

15,378

— 

— 

359

15,019

94,083 

109,461

The fair value of financial instruments that are not traded is determined by using valuation techniques that 
maximise  the  use  of  observable  market  data  where  it  is  available  and  rely  as  little  as  possible  on  entity 
specific estimates. If all significant inputs required to fair value an instrument are observable, the instrument 
is included in Level 2. Where the inputs for determining the fair value of financial instruments are not based 
on observable market data, the instrument is included in Level 3.

The Group has determined that the carrying amounts for cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables 
and payables, security and other deposits, and customer deposits are a reasonable approximation of their 
fair values and are included in Level 2.

For  assumptions  used  in  the  fair  value  measurement  of  the  Group’s  subsidiary  preferred  shares  liability 
designated as Level 3, see footnote 18.

23.) CAPITAL AND FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT

The  Group’s  policy  is  to  maintain  a  strong  capital  base  so  as  to  maintain  investor,  creditor  and  market 
confidence  and  to  sustain  future  development  of  the  business.  Management  monitors  the  level  of  capital 
deployed and available for deployment in subsidiary projects. The board of directors seeks to maintain a 
balance between the higher returns that might be possible with higher levels of deployed capital and the 
advantages and security afforded by a sound capital position.

148

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

The  Group’s  executive  management  and  board  of  directors  have  overall  responsibility  for  establishment 
and oversight of the Group’s risk management framework. The Group is exposed to certain risks through 
its normal course of operations. The Group’s main objective in using financial instruments is to promote the 
commercialisation  of  intellectual  property  through  the  raising  and  investing  of  funds  for  this  purpose.  The 
Group’s policies in calculating the nature, amount and timing of funding are determined by planned future 
investment activity. Due to the nature of activities and with the aim to maintain the investors’ funds secure 
and protected, the Group’s policy is to hold any excess funds in highly liquid and readily available financial 
instruments and reduce the exposure to other financial risks.

The Group has exposure to the following risks arising from financial instruments:

Credit Risk

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Group if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails 
to meet its contractual obligations. Financial instruments that potentially subject the Group to concentrations 
of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, other investments in the form of fixed income 
securities, and trade and other receivables.

The Group held following balances:

AS OF 31 DECEMBER:

2016

$’000

2015

$’000

Cash and cash equivalent

209,151   

105,555  

Other investments

Trade and other receivables

16,912   

5,900   

89,193  

7,342  

231,963   

202,090  

The Group maintains money market funds, certificates of deposits, and fixed income securities with financial 
institutions, which the Group believes are of high credit quality. Risk control assesses the credit quality of the 
customer, taking into account its financial position, past experience and other factors. Individual risk limits 
are set based on ratings in accordance with limits set by the board. The utilisation of credit limits is regularly 
monitored. The credit quality of financial assets that are neither past due nor impaired can be assessed by 
reference to credit ratings (if available) or to historical information about counterparty default rates.

Group policy is to maintain its funds in highly liquid deposit accounts with reputable financial institutions. 

The aging of trade receivables that were not impaired was as follows:

AS OF 31 DECEMBER:

Neither past due nor impaired

Past due 30-90 days

Past due over 90 days

Reserve for bad debt

2016

$’000

2015

$’000

162   

81   

921   

(852)  

312   

784   

110   

842   

(724)  

1,012   

149

Financial StatementsANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

The Group has no significant concentration of credit risk. The Group assesses the credit quality of customers, 
taking into account their current financial position. An analysis of the credit quality of trade receivables that 
are neither past due nor impaired is as follows:

AS OF 31 DECEMBER:

2016

$’000

2015

$’000

Customers with less than three years of 

312   

1,012   

trading history with the Group

312

1,012   

Liquidity Risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will encounter difficulty in meeting the obligations associated with its 
financial liabilities that are settled by delivering cash or another financial asset. The Group’s approach to 
managing liquidity is to ensure, as far as possible, that it will have sufficient liquidity to meet its liabilities 
when they are due, under both normal and stressed conditions, without incurring unacceptable losses or 
risking damage to the Group’s reputation.

The Group seeks to manage liquidity risk, ensuring that sufficient liquidity is available to meet foreseeable 
requirements.

The  following  are  the  remaining  contractual  maturities  of  financial  liabilities  at  the  reporting  date.  The 
amounts are gross and undiscounted, and include estimated interest payments and exclude the impact of 
netting agreements. The current portion of the carrying amount of lease obligations is included in trade and 
other payables.

AS OF 31 DECEMBER 2016:

CONTRACTUAL CASH FLOWS

$’000

CARRYING 
AMOUNT

TOTAL

LESS THAN 
1 YEAR 

2-5 YEARS

MORE THAN 
5 YEARS

Trade and other payables

Other non-current liabilities

Unsecured bank loans

13,941   

13,941   

13,941   

720   

115   

720   

115   

236   

115   

14,776   

14,776   

14,292   

—    

433   

—   

433   

—    

51   

—    

51   

AS OF 31 DECEMBER 2015:

CONTRACTUAL CASH FLOWS

$’000

CARRYING 
AMOUNT

TOTAL

LESS THAN 
1 YEAR 

2-5 YEARS

MORE THAN 
5 YEARS

Trade and other payables

14,268   

14,268   

14,268   

Other non-current liabilities

Unsecured bank loans

751   

340   

751   

370   

358   

252   

15,359   

15,389   

14,878   

—    

365   

118   

483   

—    

28   

—    

28   

150

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

It is not expected that the cash flows included in the maturity analysis could occur significantly earlier, or at 
significantly different amounts.

Market Risk

Market risk is the risk that changes in market prices – such as foreign exchange rates, interest rates and equity 
prices – will affect the Group’s income or the value of its holdings of financial instruments. The objective 
of market risk management is to manage and control market risk exposures within acceptable parameters, 
while optimising the return. The Group maintains the exposure to market risk from such financial instruments 
to insignificant levels. The Group exposure to changes in interest rates is determined to be insignificant.

Capital Risk Management

The Group is funded by equity finance and long term borrowings. Total capital is calculated as ‘total equity’ 
as shown in the consolidated statement of financial position.

The Group’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Group’s ability to continue as a going 
concern in order to provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders and to maintain an 
optimal capital structure to reduce the cost of capital. In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, 
the Group may issue new shares or borrow new debt. The Group has some external debt and no material 
externally imposed capital requirements. The Group’s share capital is set out in note 16.

24.) RELATED PARTIES

Transactions with Key Management Personnel

Key Management Personnel Compensation

Key management personnel compensation received comprised the following:

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER:

 Short-term employee benefits  

 Share-based payments  

TOTAL

2016

$’000

2015

$’000

3,097   

2,073   

5,170   

3,341   

1,708   

5,049   

Short-term employee benefits of the Group’s key management personnel include salaries and bonuses, health 
care and other non-cash benefits.

Share-based  payments  include  the  value  of  awards  granted  under  the  LTIP  during  the  year.  Share-based 
payments under the LTIP are subject to vesting terms over future periods. See further details of the two plans 
in note 6.

Bonuses to key management for the year of $1,673,000 were outstanding at 31 December 2016 (2015: 
$1,260,000) and were paid in January of 2017.

151

Financial StatementsANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

Key Management Personnel Transactions

Directors’ remuneration for the year comprised the following:

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER:

Non-executive Directors’ fees

Non-executive Directors’ share-based payments

TOTAL

2016

$’000

492   

275   

767   

2015

$’000

357   

225   

582   

There were no outstanding fees to non-executive Directors  at 31 December 2016 (2015: $105,000).

Executive management and Directors of the Company control 2.0% of the voting shares of the Company as 
of 31 December 2016 (2015: 2.2%).

Other related party transactions

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Loss

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER:

PURCHASE OF GOODS

Equity-accounted investee

2016

$’000

2015

$’000

948   

1,334    

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position 

AS OF 31 DECEMBER:

Purchase of goods outstanding balance

Equity-accounted investee

2016

$’000

2015

$’000

—

171    

The  Group  has  not  engaged  in  any  other  transactions  with  key  management  personnel  or  other  related 
parties.

25.) TAXATION

Amounts recognised in profit or loss

No current income tax expense was recorded for US jurisdictions for the years ended 31 December 2016 
and 2015 due to accumulated losses. 

152

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER:

Net loss

Income taxes

NET LOSS BEFORE TAXES

2016

$’000

2015

$’000

128,942

97,989

— 

— 

128,942

97,989

Reconciliation of Effective Tax Rate

The Group is primarily subject to taxation in the US, therefore the reconciliation of the effective tax rate has 
been prepared using the US statutory tax rate. A reconciliation of the US statutory rate to the effective tax 
rate is as follows:

Weighted average statutory rate

Effect of state tax rate in US

Credits

Share-based payment remeasurement

Other

Current year losses for which no deferred 

tax asset is recognised

2016

%

35.0 

5.2 

3.4 

(1.8)  

(5.0)

(36.8) 

— 

2015

%

35.0 

5.3 

3.7 

(2.6) 

(2.6)

(38.8)

— 

Factors that may affect future tax expense

The Group is primarily subject to taxation in the US and UK. Additionally, the Group is exposed to state 
taxation  in  various  jurisdictions  throughout  the  US.  Changes  in  corporate  tax  rates  can  change  both  the 
current tax expense (benefit) as well as the deferred tax expense (benefit). Reductions in the UK corporation 
tax rate to 19% (effective 1 April 2017) and to 18% (effective 1 April 2020) were substantially enacted 
on 26 October 2015. A further reduction to 17% (effective 1 April 2020) was substantially enacted on 6 
September 2016. The maximum corporate tax rate in the US for the corresponding periods is 35%.

153

Financial StatementsANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

Unrecognised Deferred Tax Assets

Deferred tax assets have not been recognised in respect of the following items, because it is not probable 
that future taxable profit will be available against which the Group can use the benefits therefrom:

AS OF 31 DECEMBER:

Operating tax losses (1)

Capital losses (2)

Research credits (1)

Temporary differences (3)

Deferred tax assets

Other temporary differences (3)

Deferred tax liabilities

2016

$’000

2015

$’000

115,868

87,280

1,146

10,130

20,620

147,751

(1,079) 

(1,079) 

1,612

6,558

15,390

110,840

(398)

(398)

Deferred tax assets, net, not recognised

146,685

110,442

(1) expire starting in 2024

(2) expiring since 2015

(3) generally will expire 20 years subsequent to the time the deduction is taken

Deferred tax is measured at the rates that are expected to apply in the period when the temporary differences 
are expected to reverse, based on tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantially enacted by the 
statement of financial position date. The reduction in the main rate of UK corporation tax to 20% (from 23%) 
was substantially enacted on 2 July 2013 and applied from 1 April 2015. However, the UK corporation 
tax rate initially reduced from 23% to 21% from 1 April 2014. The change in the UK corporate tax rate did 
not materially impact the calculation of the deferred tax assets as these assets are generally exposed to tax 
in US jurisdiction.

There were no movements in deferred tax recognised in income or equity in 2016 or 2015 as the deferred 
tax asset was not recognised in any of those years.

As  of  31  December  2016  the  Company  had  United  States  federal  net  operating  losses  carry  forwards 
(NOLs) of approximately $287.6 million  (2015: $216.6 million) available to offset future taxable income, 
if any.  These carry forwards start to expire in 2026 and are subject to review and possible adjustment by 
the Internal Revenue Service.  The Company may be subject to limitations under Section 382 of the Internal 
Revenue Code as a result of changes in ownership.

26.) SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Company has evaluated subsequent events through 27 April 2017, which is the date the consolidated 
financial information is available to be issued.

HawkEye 360, Inc.

In February 2017, HawkEye completed a second closing of the Series A-2 financing round for additional 
$2.75 million, of which $1.25 million from existing shareholders of the Group and members of management 

154

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

of the company for 967,641 Series A-2 shares and a warrant to purchase 1,161,172 Series A-2 shares 
for $1.5 million issued to an existing investor of the company. 

Group Restructuring Plan

In  April  2017, concurrent  with  the  departure of the former CEO, management undertook a reevaluation 
of  the  portfolio  and  strategic  investment  direction  of  the  Group  and  the  Board  of  Directors  approved  a 
restructuring plan that resulted in the discontinuance of funding for several of the group subsidiary businesses. 
Those  companies  included  Biotectix,  Cephalogics,  CryoXtract,  Novare  Pharmaceuticals,  Optio  Labs,  RF 
Biocidics, and SoundCure/Tinnitus Treatment Solutions. This decision will allow the Group to reallocated 
capital and management resources previously earmarked for these subsidiaries in the previously approved 
2017 budgets to the portfolio and pipeline of our most promising companies consistent with the goal to 
accelerate commercialisation of existing companies and invest in new opportunities where there is greater 
potential  for  value  creation.  The  Company  is  in  process  of  determining  the  net  realisable  value  of  the 
underlying assets at these subsidiaries to which those assets will be written off, which as of 31 December 
2016 included property and equipment of $0.8 million, intangible assets of $1.6 million, inventories of 
$2.5 million, trade and other receivables of $0.3 million, and other non-current financial assets of $0.1 
million. The Company wrote off fixed and intangible assets of $1.1 million and $0.3 million at CryoXtract 
and  Novare  Pharmaceuticals,  respectively,  as  of  31  December  2016,  reflecting  indications  that  those 
investments were impaired as of the year end. The Company expects the total cost of this restructuring plan to 
be approximately $5.5 million and have accrued this amount accordingly in April 2017. The restructuring is 
estimated to result in approximately $9.0 million of savings from costs that the Group would have otherwise 
incurred if it continued to support these businesses in 2017 after the restructuring event.

Vatic Materials, Inc. 

Operations at Vatic Materials, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Group, were discontinued subsequent 
to year end in April 2017. There was no material impact of this event to the Group financials as of 31 
December 2016. 

155

Financial StatementsANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016COMPANY BALANCE SHEET

AS OF 31 DECEMBER

NOTE

2 

3 

4 

5

5

5

5

5

5

NON-CURRENT ASSETS

Investment in subsidiary

TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents 

Trade and other receivables 

Loan to subsidiary

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

TOTAL ASSETS

EQUITY

Share capital

Share premium

Merger reserve

Translation reserve

Accumulated deficit

TOTAL EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES

     Trade and other payables

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

TOTAL LIABILITIES

TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

Registered number: 8998697

2016

$ ‘000

2015

$ ‘000

158,431   

158,431   

1,297   

144   

183,397   

184,838   

343,269   

3,657  

157,067  

263,435   

(79,815) 

(1,518)  

342,826 

443

443

443

190,055   

190,055   

1,564   

480   

126,109   

128,153   

318,208   

3,429  

155,867  

185,544  

(25,852) 

(812) 

318,176  

32

32

32

343,269 

318,208  

The financial statements on pages 156 to 162 were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue 
on 27 April 2017 and signed on its behalf by:

Jill Smith 
Chief Executive Officer

156

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COMPANY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2016

BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER 2014

214,445,579   

3,411   

153,442   

185,544   

(10,209)  

250  

332,438   

SHARE CAPITAL

SHARES

AMOUNT

$’000

SHARE

PREMIUM

$’000

MERGER

RESERVE

$’000

TRANSLATION

ACCUMULATED

RESERVE

$’000

DEFICIT

$’000

TOTAL

EQUITY

$’000

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS FOR THE YEAR

     Loss for the year

     Foreign currency translation

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS FOR THE YEAR

    Exercise of stock options

    Exercise of stock options

    Equity-settled share based payments

    Equity-settled share based payments

—

—

1,191,784   

—    

—

—

18   

—    

—

—

2,425   

—    

—

—

—    

—    

—

(15,643) 

(15,643)

—    

—    

BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER 2015

215,637,363   

3,429   

155,867   

185,544   

(25,852)  

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS FOR THE YEAR

    Loss for the year

    Foreign currency translation

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS FOR THE YEAR

Issuance of ordinary shares

Exercise of stock options

Equity-settled share based payments

BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER 2016

—    

—    

17,457,015   

650,000   

—    

—    

—    

219   

9   

—    

—    

—    

—    

1,200   

—    

—    

—    

77,891   

—    

—    

—    

(53,963)  

(53,963)  

—    

—    

—    

233,744,378 

3,657   

157,067   

263,435   

(79,815)  

(4,268)

(27)  

(4,295)

—    

3,233    

(812)  

(6,008)  

(642)   

(6,650)  

—    

—    

5,944    

(1,518)  

(4,268)

(15,670) 

(19,938)

2,443   

3,233   

318,176   

(6,008)  

(54,605)  

(60,613)  

78,110   

1,209   

5,944   

342,826   

157

Financial StatementsANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 
2016

$ ‘000

2015

$ ‘000

(9,131)   

(4,270)   

5 

5,944   

3,233   

4

5

5

335   

411   

1   

1,127   

(1,313)   

(78,272)   

(78,272)   

78,110   

1,208   

79,318   

(267)   

1,564   

1,297   

(447)  

131  

2  

(352)  

(1,703)  

(815)  

(815)  

—   

2,443   

2,443   

(75)   

1,639   

1,564   

COMPANY STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER:

NOTE

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

Net operating loss

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash

used in operating activities:

Share-based compensation expense

Changes in working capital:

Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables

Increase in trade and other payables

Interest received

Other finance cost

NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

Issuance of note receivable to subsidiary, net of repayments

NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

Proceeds from issuance of share capital

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES

NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF THE PERIOD

158

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2016

1.) ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Preparation and Measurement

The financial statements of the parent company have been prepared under the historical cost convention, 
in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 and the International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). 
In preparing these financial statements, the Company applies the recognition, measurement and disclosure 
requirements of the International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU (“Adopted IFRSs”). A 
summary of the more important accounting policies which have been applied consistently throughout the 
year are set out below.

Functional and Presentation Currency

The  functional  currency  of  the  parent  company  is  British  Pounds.  The  financial  statements  of  the  parent 
company are presented in US dollars.

Foreign Currency

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated to the respective functional currencies of the parent company 
at the foreign exchange rate ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated 
in  foreign  currencies  at  the  balance  sheet  date  are  retranslated  to  the  functional  currency  at  the  foreign 
exchange  rate  ruling  at  that  date.  Foreign  exchange  differences  arising  on  translation  are  recognised  in 
the income statement. Non-monetary assets and liabilities that are measured in terms of historical cost in a 
foreign currency are translated using the exchange rate at the date of the transaction. Non-monetary assets 
and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies that are stated at fair value are retranslated to the functional 
currency at foreign exchange rates ruling at the dates the fair value was determined.

On translation of the Company financial statements from functional currency to presentational currency the 
assets and liabilities are translated at the closing exchange rates. Profit and loss accounts are translated at 
the average rates of exchange during the year. Gains and losses arising on these translations are taken to 
reserves.

Investments

Investments are stated at historic cost less any provision for impairment in value and are held for long-term 
investment purposes. Provisions are based upon an assessment of events or changes in circumstances that 
indicate that an impairment has occurred such as the performance and/or prospects (including the financial 
prospects)  of  the  investee  company  being  significantly  below  the  expectations  on  which  the  investment 
was  based,  a  significant  adverse  change  in  the  markets  in  which  the  investee  company  operates  or  a 
deterioration in general market conditions.

Intercompany Loans

All intercompany loans are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost. 
Where intercompany loans are intended for use on a continuing basis in the Company’s activities and there 
is no intention of their settlement in the foreseeable future, they are presented as current assets.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid instruments with original maturities of three months or less.

159

Financial StatementsANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

Impairment

If there is an indication that an asset might be impaired, the Company will perform an impairment review. 
An asset is impaired if the recoverable amount, being the higher of net realisable value and value in use, 
is less than its carrying amount. Value in use is measured based on future discounted cash flows (“DCF”) 
attributable to the asset. In such cases, the carrying value of the asset is reduced to recoverable amount with 
a corresponding charge recognised in the profit and loss account.

Financial Instruments

Currently the Company does not enter into derivative financial instruments. Financial assets and financial 
liabilities are recognised and cease to be recognised on the basis of when the related titles pass to or from 
the Company.

Share-based Payments

Share-based payment arrangements in which the Company receives goods or services as consideration for 
its own equity instruments are accounted for as equity-settled share-based payment transactions, regardless 
of how the equity instruments are obtained by the Company.

The grant date fair value of share-based payment awards granted to employees is recognised as an employee 
expense, with a corresponding increase in equity, over the period that the employees become unconditionally 
entitled to the awards. The fair value of the options granted is measured using an option valuation model, 
taking into account the terms and conditions upon which the options were granted. The amount recognised 
as an expense is adjusted to reflect the actual number of awards for which the related service and non-
market vesting conditions are expected to be met, such that the amount ultimately recognised as an expense 
is based on the number of awards that do meet the related service and non-market performance conditions 
at the vesting date. For share-based payment awards with non-vesting conditions, the grant date fair value 
of the share-based payment is measured to reflect such conditions and there is no true-up for differences 
between expected and actual outcomes.

2.) INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARY

2016

$’000

2015

$’000

Balance at 1 January

190,055   

199,429  

Additions

Impairment

Disposals

—   

—   

—   

—    

—    

—    

Effect from currency translation

Balance at 31 December

(31,624)   

158,431   

(9,374)  

190,055   

Investment  in  subsidiary  represents  the  Company’s  wholly-owned  investment  in  Allied  Minds,  LLC.  Allied 
Minds, LLC operates in the US as a US-focused science and technology development and commercialisation 
company. For a summary of the Company’s indirect subsidiaries see note 11 to the consolidated financial 
statements.

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ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

3.) CASH EQUIVALENTS

AS OF 31 DECEMBER:

2016

$’000

2015

$’000

Bank balances

     CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

1,297   

1,297   

1,564   

1,564   

4.) LOAN TO SUBSIDIARY

Balance at 1 January

Additions

Repayments

Effect from currency translation

Balance at 31 December

2016

$’000

2015

$’000

126,109   

79,973   

(1,701)   

(20,984)   

183,397   

131,500   

3,913   

(3,098)   

(6,206)   

126,109   

The Company has loaned its excess cash to its operating subsidiary Allied Minds, LLC to be further deployed 
in support of the continuing operations of the Group. The note bears an interest of 1.25% and is repayable 
upon demand. However, there is no intention of its settlement in the foreseeable future.

5.) SHARE CAPITAL AND RESERVES

Allied Minds plc was incorporated with the Companies House under the Companies Act 2006 as a public 
company on 15 April 2014. Full detail of the share capital and reserves activity for the year can be found 
in note 16 to the consolidated financial statements.

AS OF 31 DECEMBER:

EQUITY

2016

$’000

2015

$’000

Share capital, £0.01 par value, issued and fully paid

3,657   

3,429   

233,744,378 and 215,637,363, respectively

Share premium

Merger reserve

Translation reserve

Accumulated deficit

TOTAL EQUITY

157,067   

263,435   

(79,815)   

(1,518)   

342,826   

155,867   

185,544   

(25,852)   

(812)   

318,176   

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Financial StatementsANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

In December 2016, the Company issued 17,457,015 ordinary shares of one pence at 367 pence, which 
were admitted to the premium listing segment of the Official List of the UK Listing Authority and to trading on 
the LSE’s Main Market for listed securities. This resulted in approximately $78.1 million of net proceeds from 
the equity placing (net of issue cost of $2.2 million). The amounts subscribed for share capital in excess of the 
nominal value in relation to this transaction are reflected in the merger reserve balance as of 31 December 
2016. 

The share-based payment charge for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2016 included in accumulated 
deficit was $5.9 million (2015: $3.2 million).

6.) PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT

As permitted by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the Company’s profit and loss account has not 
been  included  in  these  financial  statements.  The  Company’s  loss  for  the  year  was  $6,402,000  (2015: 
$4,268,000).

7.) DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION, EMPLOYEE INFORMATION AND SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS

The  remuneration  of  the  Directors  of  the  Company  is  disclosed  in  note  24  to  the  consolidated  financial 
statements. Full details for their remuneration can be found in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 
62 to 91. Full detail of the share-based payment charge and related disclosures can be found in note 6 to 
the consolidated financial statements.

The Company had no employees during 2016 and 2015.

162

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016COMPANY INFORMATION

Company Registration Number 08998697

BROKERS

REGISTERED OFFICE 

40 Duke’s Place 
London EC3A 7NH
United Kingdom

WEBSITE

www.alliedminds.com 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

Peter Dolan 
(Non-Executive Chairman)

Jill Smith 
(Chief Executive Officer)

Rick Davis 
(Senior Independent Director)

Jeff Rohr 
(Independent Non-Executive Director)

Kevin Sharer 
(Independent Non-Executive Director)

COMPANY SECRETARY

Michael Turner

Credit Suisse International
1 Cabot Square
London E14 4QJ
United Kingdom
TEL: +44 (0)20 7888 8888

Numis Securities Limited
The London Stock Exchange Building 
10 Paternoster Square
London EC4M 7LT 
United Kingdom
TEL: +44 207 260 1000

REGISTRAR

Capita Asset Services
The Registry
34 Beckenham Road 
Beckenham Kent BR3 4TU 
United Kingdom
TEL UK: 0871 664 0300
TEL Overseas: +44 208 639 3399

SOLICITORS

DLA Piper UK LLP 
3 Noble Street 
London EC2V 7EE 
United Kingdom
TEL: +44 870 011 1111

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR

KPMG LLP
15 Canada Square 
London E14 5GL 
United Kingdom
TEL: +44 207 311 1000

MEDIA RELATIONS

Citigate Dewe Rogerson
3 London Wall Buildings
London EC2M 5SY
United Kingdom TEL: +44 207 638 9571

163

Financial StatementsANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016