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Arix Bioscience

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FY2016 Annual Report · Arix Bioscience
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Generating Value  
from Innovation in  
Healthcare & Life Sciences

Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 2016

Stock code: ARIX.L

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Arix Bioscience plc   Annual Report 2016

WELCOME TO THE  
ARIX BIOSCIENCE PLC 
ANNUAL REPORT 2016

Who we are

Arix Bioscience is a global healthcare and life science company focused on 
generating value from the development and commercialisation of innovative 
technologies and discoveries. The Company was formed in response to 
opportunities in the healthcare and life science sector brought by the growing 
number of new therapies and technologies, driven by scientific innovation.

Such innovation is increasingly led by small innovative businesses, and Arix aims to 
provide a solution to the volatility of the funding market available to such businesses, 
as well as providing operational and strategic support.

RECENTLY ACQUIRED GROUP BUSINESSES*

Autolus Limited

A Biotech focused  
on developing novel 
cancer therapies

OptiKira LLC

Pre-clinical BioMotiv  
spin-out focusing on 
Retinitis Pigmentosa

Verona Pharma plc

A novel class of inhaled 
PDE3/4 inhibitor for COPD

Artios Pharma Ltd

A novel class of 
DNA Damage Repair 
pathway inhibitors

Depixus SAS

A completely novel 
approach to genome and 
epigenome sequencing

Read More in our Operational and 
Financial Review on pages 16 to 20

*Group Businesses are innovative healthcare and life businesses with which Arix partners.

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Highlights

Contents

01

£52M PRIVATE RAISE TO LAUNCH  
BUSINESS IN FEBRUARY 2016

ACQUIRED DIRECT INTERESTS IN FIVE 
EXCEPTIONAL LIFE SCIENCE COMPANIES SINCE 
FIRST RAISING CAPITAL IN FEBRUARY 2016

FEBRUARY 2017 IPO, BRINGING TOTAL 
FUNDS RAISED TO £164M

INDIRECT INTERESTS IN A FURTHER 17 
INNOVATIVE LIFE SCIENCE COMPANIES 
THROUGH OWNERSHIP OF ALS AND EQUITY 
INTEREST IN BIOMOTIV

Strategic Report
Our Unique Investment Proposition 
Chairman’s Statement 
Chief Executive Officer’s Statement 
Q&A with the Chief Executive Officer 
Our Marketplace 
Business Model 
Operational and Financial Review 
Risk Management 
Governance
Board of Directors 
Business Development Team 
Directors’ Report 
Corporate Governance Report 
Report of the Nomination Committee 
Report of the Audit and  
Risk Committee 
Directors’ Remuneration Report 

04
06
08
10
12
14
16
22

26
29
30
34
38

40
44

64

72

71

Financial Statements
Independent Auditors’ Report 
Consolidated Statement of  
Comprehensive Income 
Consolidated Statement of  
Financial Position 
Consolidated Statement of  
Changes in Equity 
73
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows  74
Notes to the Financial Statements 
75
Company Statement of  
Financial Position 
Company Statement of  
Changes in Equity 
Notes to the Company  
Financial Statements 
Shareholder Information 
Advisers 

95
96
97

94

93

Navigating this report

Read more on page...

Visit us online...

Visit us online at:  
www.arixbioscience.com

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STRATEGIC REPORTwww.arixbioscience.comSTRATEGIC 
REPORT

Contents

Strategic Report
04
Our Unique Investment Proposition 
06
Chairman’s Statement 
08
Chief Executive Officer’s Statement 
Q&A with the Chief Executive Officer  10
12
Our Marketplace 
14
Business Model 
16
Operational and Financial Review 
22
Risk Management   

02

Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 2016

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03

“We are committed to 
building Arix as a leader in 
our industry both in terms 
of the value we deliver for 
shareholders and patients and 
in the quality of governance 
exercised by our Board.”

www.arixbioscience.com

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STRATEGIC REPORTOur Unique Investment Proposition

Arix Bioscience can provide strategic, operational, 
clinical and financial resources to support potential 
new drugs and other medical innovations, creating 
substantial value for investors.

A substantial  
market opportunity
•  The healthcare and life science markets are 

worth over $1 trillion.

•  Scientific innovation is driven by leading 

academic institutions and smaller companies. 
These often do not have experience of company 
development, nor access to permanent capital.

•  Arix Bioscience can provide a balanced 

exposure to a diverse range of global biopharma 
companies, as well as a flexible approach to 
funding, by separating the development cycle 
from the capital cycle. 

Read More about  
Our Marketplace on page 12

Arix Bioscience is differentiated within the 
healthcare and life science sector due to:

EXTENSIVE GLOBAL NETWORKS

Arix has established, and continues to develop, 
contractual access to a broad range of opportunities from 
multiple sources:

•  Strategic agreements have been signed with two 
major pharmaceutical companies, Takeda and 
UCB Pharma, developing further the deep industry 
experience of Arix.

•  Partnerships have been agreed with research 

accelerators, BioMotiv in the US and the Max Planck 
Lead Discovery Centre in Europe, which provide 
Arix with a constant, renewable source of access to 
opportunities.

•  Privileged academic relationships have been 

developed with universities around the world, enabling 
Arix to access outstanding research at the earliest 
opportunity.

•  Ownership of Arthurian Life Sciences, the investment 

manager of The Wales Life Sciences Investment Fund, 
and the operational capability to seek appointment 
as a manager of other funds, including in other 
jurisdictions.

•  Directed sourcing via the extensive professional 

networks of Arix’s senior leadership team.

Read More in our Chief Executive 
Officer’s Statement on page 08

04

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Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 201605

A HIGHLY DIVERSIFIED MODEL

Great ideas, technology and opportunities for value 
originate from varied institutions in many countries, and 
at all stages of company development, from start-up and 
discovery to those about to commercialise products. 
Arix Bioscience is structured to access opportunities 
and provide real support and capital all across this broad 
spectrum.

Read More about our Portfolio on page 18

DISCIPLINED AND EXPERIENCED 
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Our business model is to create long-term value by 
directing the strategic, operational and clinical plans of 
our businesses and providing support in the execution 
of those plans. We strengthen their boards and 
management teams, provide technical, operational and 
clinical experience and expertise where needed, and 
support the funding of the businesses.

Read More about our  
Business Model on page 14

A DEEP PIPELINE OF  
ATTRACTIVE OPPORTUNITIES

We have reviewed over 500 opportunities across the full 
breadth of therapeutic areas, including oncology, rare 
diseases, immunology, inflammation and metabolism. 
These originate from the UK, Europe and the US, as 
well as a range of other countries, including Israel and 
Australia.

A HIGHLY SCALABLE PLATFORM

We are building a global infrastructure to support our 
long-term strategy. Once fully developed, we will be 
able to originate opportunities and apply strategic, 
operational and clinical direction to a significant number 
of businesses, with scalability of operating costs.

A UNIQUE COMBINATION  
OF LEADERSHIP SKILLS

OUR ABILITY TO PROVIDE FLEXIBLE, 
LONG-TERM CAPITAL

We provide funding from our own working capital, and 
can offer finance throughout the life cycle of a business, 
whether early-stage research funding, growth capital or 
later-stage development capital. We focus on creating 
value, with a flexible approach to the length of time we 
retain an ownership interest in our businesses. This 
cushions our businesses against the normal volatility in 
funding for healthcare and life science companies, while 
allowing us to pursue the optimal course of action for 
creating shareholder value.

•  Joe Anderson has over 25 years’ experience in the 

life science industry, including senior roles in venture 
capital, fund management and scientific development. 
He has a successful record of generating investment 
returns and extensive board-level experience of building 
life science companies.

•  Jonathan Peacock was previously Group CFO of 
Amgen and Novartis Pharmaceuticals, where he 
developed extensive global operational and strategic 
experience. He has broad experience in the acquisition 
and divestment of life science companies both large 
and small, and has raised more than $20bn in capital 
during his career.

•  Professor Sir Christopher Evans has built more than 

50 medical companies from start-up over the past 30 
years, and floated 20 new medical businesses on stock 
markets in six different countries. He has created 11 
successful academic spin-outs, and companies worth 
over $2.4bn. He has raised $2.6bn from disposals.

Read More about our  
Board of Directors on page 26

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STRATEGIC REPORTwww.arixbioscience.comChairman’s Statement

Jonathan Peacock, Chairman

We are committed to building Arix 
Bioscience as a leader in our industry both 
in terms of the value we deliver for shareholders 
and patients and in the quality of governance 
exercised by our Board.”

From the formation of Arix we have been 
supported by a highly experienced Board, 
bringing both deep industry experience 
and a track record in Board leadership and 
governance. During 2016, we were honoured 
to have Franz Humer, ex-Chairman and 
CEO of Roche, join the Board as our lead 
independent Director. 

We are committed to building Arix as a leader 
in our industry both in terms of the value we 
deliver for shareholders and patients and in 
the quality of governance exercised by our 
Board.

Joe, Sir Chris and I are excited to build Arix 
together in the years ahead and look forward 
to maintaining a close dialogue with our 
shareholders as we continue to build the 
company.

Jonathan Peacock,  
Chairman

In February of 2016 we formed Arix 
Bioscience, with an ambition to provide 
operating, strategic and financial support 
to young companies in the development 
of breakthrough therapies for patients in 
areas of high unmet need. Our leadership 
team has extensive experience in building 
substantial businesses from breakthrough 
science, investing in promising young biotech 
companies and in managing companies 
to guide research and development 
programmes towards commercialisation. Our 
leadership team also brings to the Company 
strong contractual relationships with several 
universities and research accelerators, as 
well as broad industry relationships with 
the leading biotech and pharmaceutical 
companies. And as a permanent capital 
vehicle, we will be flexible in our holding 
period of Group Businesses to maximise 
value for our shareholders.

In a short period of time we have come a 
long way. We have added two major industry 
partners, acquired a fund manager, initially to 
manage The Wales Life Sciences Investment 
Fund, and built an outstanding Business 
Development team based in London and 
New York. Most importantly, we have already 
become active owners of five exciting young 
companies, with several more in our pipeline.

06

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Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 201607

www.arixbioscience.com

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STRATEGIC REPORTChief Executive Officer’s Statement

Joe Anderson, PhD, Chief Executive Officer

The Arix team comprises some of the most-
respected business builders in the life science 

industry, both in the UK and the US, with proven 
records of creating value.”

A vote of confidence  
in the biotech sector
In February 2016, we secured funding in 
a private round of £52m, from investors 
including Woodford Investment Management, 
to launch Arix Bioscience. We are a new 
global health and life sciences company 
focusing on the sourcing, financing, 
development and commercialisation of 
innovative technologies and discoveries. 
Within a year, in February 2017, Arix 
Bioscience had made its debut on the 
London Stock Exchange, raising £112m from 
a range of blue-chip institutional investors, 
plus strategic agreements with two leading 
pharmaceutical companies. This has been 
a transformative year, and a real vote of 
confidence in the potential of the biotech 
sector to create value for investors.

A proven team
The Arix team comprises some of the 
most-respected business builders in the 
life science industry, both in the UK and the 
US, with proven records of creating value. 
Each member contributes to identifying and 
developing some of the world’s most exciting 
science companies. We are supported by an 
outstanding Board and are well connected in 

the pharmaceutical industry and academia. 
Our contractual and privileged relationships in 
the UK, EU and US have already generated 
significant value for our business, with the 
promise of much more to come.

Identifying opportunities, 
building relationships
Drawing on the extensive experience of this 
leadership team, Arix has developed an 
extensive network that includes research 
accelerators, universities and pharma 
companies. Through this network, we identify 
new technologies and discoveries which form 
some of the most exciting opportunities in 
biotech, to shape a rich pipeline of potential 
Group businesses.

During 2016, the Arix team reviewed over 
500 investment opportunities, five of which 
are now Group Businesses: we have direct 
interests in Artios Pharma, Autolus, Depixus, 
OptiKira and Verona Pharma. We have also 
gained indirect interests in other companies, 
by acquiring Arthurian Life Sciences (ALS), 
the manager of The Wales Life Sciences 
Investment Fund, an acquisition approved 
by the FCA in June. ALS is another source 
of opportunities, and as a fund manager, 
supports our strategy and capability.

08

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Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 201609

We also acquired indirect holdings through 
a strategic partnership agreement with 
BioMotiv, a research accelerator associated 
with The Harrington Project for Discovery 
and Development, a $300m initiative for 
advancing medicine based at university 
hospitals in Cleveland, USA. Arix Bioscience 
finances opportunities, both alongside and 
independently of BioMotiv, gaining privileged 
access to innovations from leading US 
institutions and universities. In Europe, we 
struck a similar agreement with the Lead 
Discovery Centre (LDC), established to 
capitalise on research excellence at Max 
Planck Society institutes.

We have also entered into strategic 
agreements with two major pharmaceutical 
companies, UCB Pharma and Takeda. Arix 
will provide access to our Group Businesses, 
aiming to foster new technologies and drug 
development managed through joint advisory 
committees.

Universities provide an important source of 
ideas for our pipeline of Group Businesses. 
We have privileged agreements as a preferred 
partner with seven leading universities, 
providing access to new technologies ahead 
of other parties. This is an opportunity to 
acquire interest in businesses, and to shape 
their development at the earliest opportunity.

Developing  
Group Businesses
Our strength is in identifying and funding 
breakthrough medical products and 
therapeutics. The Arix team then continues 
to work with these Group Businesses, to 
help them pursue their strategy and ensure 
a successful business outcome. To provide 
that hands-on support in 2016, we placed a 
member of our senior team onto the Boards 
of Directors of Autolus, Artios, OptiKira and 
Depixus, and onto the Advisory Board of 
BioMotiv.

IPO on the London  
Stock Exchange
With the launch of Arix Bioscience on the 
London Stock Exchange, the company 
raised the capital required to invest in a 
broad range of innovative biotechnology 
companies. In addition to support from 
institutional and blue-chip investors, and large 
pharma companies, we received tremendous 
support from retail investors, a testament to 
the level of interest in the potential of biotech 
innovation to transform healthcare treatments 
and improve lives.

Building Arix Bioscience with a solid investor 
base has been an extraordinary achievement, 
made possible by the commitment of an 
outstanding professional team. The funds 
raised in February 2017 validate our ambition, 
and will enable us to acquire interests in a 
greater number of innovative companies, 
as well as continue to support our existing 
Group Businesses.

Outlook
We now look ahead to a formative 2017, 
our first as a public company following 
the successful IPO. We continue to be 
pleased with the vigour of our deal pipeline 
and the associated negotiations which are 
underway. We look forward to translating 
these opportunities into the announcement of 
significant new deals in the year ahead. Our 
goal is to support businesses that create new 
therapies for patients, while achieving growth 
for shareholders.

Dr Joe Anderson, PhD,  
Chief Executive Officer

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STRATEGIC REPORTwww.arixbioscience.comQ&A with the CEO

What prompted you  
to form Arix?
The healthcare and life science sector 
provides a growing number of new therapies 
and technologies, based on exceptional 
scientific innovation. These inventions 
are often created by small businesses, 
who are faced with a challenging funding 
environment. We believe we can fill this 
gap in the market, both with availability of 
permanent capital and, more importantly, 
with the unique experience and skill-set our 
team can contribute to running and building 
these businesses.

What progress has  
Arix made in its first year?
A huge amount. We started 2016 as little 
more than a fledgling concept based on a 
team with exceptional experience. We’ve 
since grown Arix into a market-ready 
operating company with an expansive 
network, identifying and supporting some 
of the most exciting developments in life 
sciences, to help deliver life-improving 
medicines.

What’s your proudest moment 
during Arix’s first year?
The success of our oversubscribed IPO has 
to be the proudest moment. We received a 
huge amount of interest from leading fund 
managers, strategic investors from the global 
pharmaceutical sector, such as UCB Pharma 
and Takeda, and retail investors. It was a 
validation of our team and business model.

What differentiates  
Arix from the competition?
We focus purely on life sciences, with a team 
that has a world-class record of achieving 
returns in this sector. Importantly, we can 
finance and support our Group Businesses 
throughout their life cycles - we can exit when 
we judge each business to have reached 
the optimum value, not when a fixed fund 
liquidation dictates. With our structure we 
can provide operational direction to support 
innovation at all stages of development. 
What’s more, we are not constrained by 
attachment to any single institution, region, 
stage of development, or to either private or 
public companies. So we can look for the 
very best opportunities anywhere - you can 
find great ideas in seed-level start-ups in 
universities, all the way through to late-stage 
and small public companies. This breadth 
of focus enhances the flow of deals, and 
enriches the quality of the set we select from.

What is your vision for Arix?
Arix can become a major source of support 
for the life science industry. After decades 
of investment in medical science, there has 
never been a more productive time for the 
emergence of new ideas. We look forward 
to helping accelerate the translation of 
scientific ideas into important new therapies 
for patients. Our business is structured 
to be scalable - we have the potential 
to grow significantly. We look forward to 
taking advantage of our strong pipeline of 
opportunities, and steadily increasing the 
number and size of our Group Businesses. 
Above all, our vision is to build companies 
that deliver improved treatment options for 
patients and, through this, returns for our 
investors.

Dr Joe Anderson, PhD,  
Chief Executive Officer

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Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 201611

Case Study

Autolus is developing the next generation of CAR-T therapies 
for a range of cancer types where the current prognosis for 
patients’ survival is poor. Autolus’ therapy collects immune cells 
from the patient’s blood, which are genetically altered before 
being administered back to the patient. These blood cells, 
when reinfused into the patient, can better recognise and more 
effectively target tumours. We believe Autolus has a range of 
exciting and innovative technologies that address some of the 
limitations of early CAR-T therapy. Autolus was spun out from 
University College, London in 2014.

Before contributing to the most recent funding round, our team carried 
out a thorough review of CAR-T cell therapy and immuno-oncology 
developments worldwide, as well as the intellectual property landscape 
for CAR-T cell therapy, seeking the views of a wide range of experts in 
the field. They combined this with a detailed analysis of Autolus’ suite of 
technologies, development and manufacturing plans, and management 
capabilities.

An exciting aspect of this deal is accessing a company at the stage 
of life of Autolus, where an early investment can be at a fraction of the 
cost that similar assets trade at on public markets.

We were encouraged by the quality of the Chairman and now-CEO, 
Christian Itin, who has an exceptionally strong team and Board. With 
this world-class team and outstanding technology, we are very excited 
by Autolus’ prospects, as the product pipeline progresses through 
clinical trials. We have committed £10m to date, and Arix CEO, Dr Joe 
Anderson, has joined the Board of Autolus to contribute to its further 
development.

Read More about  
Autolus on page 18

www.arixbioscience.com

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STRATEGIC REPORTOur Marketplace

In a global pharmaceutical market worth over $1 trillion in 2016, we 
believe organisations with new potentially high-impact drugs, in need 
of strategic, operational and financial resources, will provide a rich 
pipeline of opportunities for Arix Bioscience. This is due to our having 
a unique proposition in a market which is limited in its approach to 
identifying these organisations and supporting them.

New molecular entity  
approvals by the FDA

18

30

45

2007

2011

2015

Source: FDA (www.fda.gov)

The healthcare and life science sector
The sector has brought significant innovation in recent years. Notable 
breakthroughs since 2010 include, among others, the first treatment for 
cystic fibrosis that targets the defective CFTR gene, a cure for hepatitis C, 
and the world’s first new antibiotic in 30 years.

The worldwide peak sales potential of drugs newly approved by the US 
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rose strongly, to approximately  
$57bn in 2015, from $22.5bn in 2011. This suggests such innovation also 
brings economic opportunity. In 2014, an all-time high of 59,000 global life 
science patents were granted.

Regulatory environment
A number of regulatory changes have also had a positive impact upon 
the healthcare and life science landscape, encouraging innovative 
development. These include:

• 

• 

In the US, the March 2010 Affordable Care Act, with comprehensive 
health insurance reforms; the April 2012 JOBS Act; and the July 2012 
GAIN Act. Plus the creation of a breakthrough drug designation in July 
2012.

In the UK, the establishment of the National Institute for Health and 
Care Excellence in April 2013, and the House of Commons’ approval of 
mitochondrial DNA replacement therapy in February 2015.

• 

In Europe, the launch of the Adaptive Pathways pilot by the European 
Medicines Agency in March 2014.

We believe the number of new product approvals is likely to remain high 
for the foreseeable future.

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Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 201613

Smaller companies
Approximately two-thirds of all new drugs 
approved since 2010 have been originated 
by small companies.

The development of new pharmaceuticals is 
a lengthy and capital-intensive process. Small 
companies are highly dependent on external 
capital to fund their research and bring their 
new drugs to market.

Arix is well placed in this regard, as we can 
provide permanent capital combined with 
sophisticated strategic advice on its use.

Volatile funding 
environment
Despite improvements in some areas, the 
availability of capital to fund research activities 
is volatile. It depends on many factors outside 
of the control of the drug developer.

This volatility in funding in the healthcare 
and life science markets is likely to provide 
opportunities for Arix’s permanent capital 
model.

Number of drug approvals  
by originator company size

28  

34

23

38

45

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Top Ten

Companies 11-30

Smaller Companies

Source: FDA (www.fda.gov), HBM analysis

Total capital raised in biopharma  
IPOs and private rounds (US$bn)

16

12

8

4

0

0
0
0
2

1
0
0
2

2
0
0
2

3
0
0
2

4
0
0
2

5
0
0
2

6
0
0
2

7
0
0
2

8
0
0
2

9
0
0
2

0
1
0
2

1
1
0
2

2
1
0
2

3
1
0
2

4
1
0
2

5
1
0
2

6
1
0
2

Source: BioCentury. Excludes Venture Debt financings

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STRATEGIC REPORTwww.arixbioscience.com15

Our Unique Approach

Arix acts as a patient 
trusted partner, providing 
operational and strategic 
input and continual capital 
throughout an investment’s 
growth and development

The Outcome
Arix develops a highly 
attractive group of maturing 
and commercially viable life 
sciences companies

Business Model

Arix Bioscience’s primary 
business objective is to be a 
global healthcare and life science 
company focusing on the sourcing, 
financing, development and 
commercialisation of innovative 
technologies and discoveries.

Permanent C a pital

CULMINATING IN

THE SUCCESSFUL 
COMMERCIALISATION AND 
REALISATION OF INNOVATIVE 
LIFE SCIENCES COMPANIES 
ADDRESSING PREVIOUSLY 
UNMET MEDICAL NEED

Our Unique Approach

Core team with outstanding 
track record and unrivalled 
contractual, privileged and 
professional relationships

The Outcome
Arix is able to source a unique 
range of opportunities in 
emerging, private and public 
global life sciences companies

14

WE SOURCE
WE SOURCE

Our Unique Approach

Detailed sector knowledge from 
rigorous research, followed 
by comprehensive scientific 
and clinical evaluation at the 
company level

The Outcome
Arix will invest only in the very 
best innovative technologies 
targeting unmet medical need

WE DEVELOP

e

C reating Valu

WE EVALUATE

WE ACQUIRE

Our Unique Approach

Arix’s public structure and 
global presence allows it to 
flexibly invest permanent 
capital to companies at a 
range of development stages 
all around the globe

The Outcome
Arix offers investors exposure 
to a balanced group of high 
quality life science businesses, 
unconstrained by timeframes

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STRATEGIC REPORTAnnual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 2016www.arixbioscience.comOperational and Financial Review

James Rawlingson, Chief Financial Officer

In February 2017, the Company 
successfully completed its Initial Public 

Offering and was admitted to the London 
Stock Exchange having raised £112m.”

Group Businesses
Arix Bioscience is an operating company, and 
its interests in Group Businesses are held 
on its own balance sheet. We have valued 
these assets in accordance with International 
Private Equity and Venture Capital Guidelines, 
which are consistent with International 
Financial Reporting Standards.

We have fair-valued these assets at cost, 
except for BioMotiv, which we revalued to 
the latest market event (an increase of 25%) 
and Verona Pharma, which is a quoted stock 
and has been marked to market (an increase 
of 12%).

Through ALS, Arix Bioscience owns the 
carried interest vehicle of The Wales Life 
Sciences Investment Fund. The revaluation of 
this carried interest at the balance sheet date 
is supported by external expert review by 
Duff & Phelps.

2016 has been a period of outstanding 
operational success for the Company. In 
a matter of months, from the launch of 
Arix Bioscience and initial private funding 
of £52m in February 2016, we have 
established offices in London and New 
York, including implementing a consistent 
IT framework across two continents, 
recruited a strong team of experienced life 
sciences professionals and, in June 2016, 
acquired Arthurian Life Sciences Limited 
(ALS), a wholly owned investment manager 
specialising in the life sciences sector. 
However, our trading loss of £8.4m reflects 
the inevitable costs associated with a start-
up year.

Throughout this period, the management 
team of Arix Bioscience has also been 
working towards an Initial Public Offering on 
the London Stock Exchange main market, 
which we completed successfully in February 
2017.

The Financial Statements reflect our 
achievements in progressing Arix so far in 
its maiden financial period, showing the 
initial costs incurred, while highlighting the 
establishment of a strong balance sheet.

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Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 201617

Case Study

Artios is a new biotechnology company we provided funding 
to in September 2016. Artios is developing novel ways to treat 
cancer through exploiting the inability of many cancer cells to 
repair DNA properly in response to damage. Because normal 
cells can repair DNA proficiently but cancer cells cannot, 
Artios is developing methods, exploiting the tumour cell DNA 
repair changes, to be able to identify and kill cancer cells but 
spare healthy tissue. Artios was set up in early 2016, having 
licensed two exciting drug discovery programmes from Cancer 
Research Technology, the commercialisation arm of Cancer 
Research UK, the world’s largest cancer charity.

We conducted extensive due diligence on the science, 
management, medical need and clinical opportunity, as well 
as the market for the drugs Artios is developing. We believe 
the way Artios intends to target the DNA damage repair 
pathway could revolutionise cancer treatment, so generating 
enormous value, both clinically and economically. We decided 
to commit £5.1m, in three tranches. Artios had installed an 
experienced team to manage the business. Now Arix team 
member, Jonathan Tobin, has taken a directorship on its 
board, and is working closely with the management team 
and board to shape company strategy and direction.

Read More about  
Artios on page 19

www.arixbioscience.com

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STRATEGIC REPORTOperational and Financial Review
continued

Portfolio summary
The audited valuations as at 31 December 2016 are as below.

Group Business

Autolus Limited

BioMotiv, LLC

Depixus SAS

Verona Pharma plc

OptiKira, LLC

Artios Pharma Limited

ALS Carried Interest Partner LP

Total

The Group Businesses within the portfolio highlight our strong 
progress at building a balanced group of high quality life science 
businesses targeting significant previous unmet need.

Autolus is Arix’s first direct investment, 
and is developing the next generation of 
CAR-T therapies for a range of cancer 
types where the current prognosis for 
patients’ survival is poor. Joe Anderson 
represents Arix on the company’s board. 
The business is currently valued at cost, 
which approximates to fair value.

Read our case study on 
Autolus on page 11

Depixus is an early stage Paris-based 
company developing technology that 
can sequence both the genome and 
epigenome, with proof of concept for 
detecting six epigenetic modifications. Arix 
employee Ed Rayner is a board member. 
The business is valued at cost, which 
approximates fair value.

18

Valuation
£’000

Funding committed,  
not yet invested
£’000

3,333

3,800

794

2,019

973

1,896

4,300

6,667

–

266

1,854

–

3,229

–

17,115

12,016

BioMotiv is the mission-driven development company 
associated with The Harrington Project for Discovery 
and Development. Its focus is accelerating breakthrough 
discoveries from research institutions into therapeutics for 
patients. Arix’s investment is accompanied by the opportunity 
to review all businesses under consideration by BioMotiv, 
including all Harrington Scholars projects. Arix’s Chairman, 
Jonathan Peacock, sits on BioMotiv’s Advisory Board. At year-
end, Arix’s investment is valued at £3.8m.

Verona Pharma plc is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical 
company, focusing on the development and commercialisation 
of innovative prescription medicines to treat respiratory 
diseases with significant unmet medical needs, such as chronic 
obstructive pulmonary disorder and cystic fibrosis. Verona 
is AIM-listed, emphasising Arix’s desire and ability to provide 
capital to companies at all stages of development. Arix’s direct 
investment was valued at £2.0m at year-end. Furthermore, 
through Arix’s ownership of the carried interest partner of The 
Wales Life Sciences Investment Fund, it has a further indirect 
interest in Verona; the fund’s stake in the company was valued 
at £3.3m at year-end.

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Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 201619

OptiKira LLC

OptiKira is a pre-clinical company, developing 
research carried out by its academic founders. 
This work has helped define the biological 
pathway leading to progressive cell death 
which characterises diseases such as retinitis 
pigmentosa, diabetes, and amyotrophic lateral 
sclerosis. OptiKira’s formation was backed by 
BioMotiv, the for-profit arm of The Harrington 
Project for Discovery and Development, in which 
Arix is also an investor. Arix employee Mark Chin 
represents Arix on OptiKira’s board. The business 
is valued at cost, which approximates fair value.

Artios Pharma is developing new ways to treat 
cancer by developing a DNA damage response 
mechanism that can identify and kill cancer 
cells while sparing healthy tissue. Board level 
representation is provided by Arix employee 
Jonathan Tobin. At year-end, the business is 
valued at cost, which approximates fair value.

Read our case study on 
Artios on page 17

ALS - Carried Interest Partner

As part of its acquisition of ALS, Arix has acquired 
the carried interest partner of The Wales Life 
Sciences Investment Fund. The fund aims to 
develop life sciences businesses in Wales, helping 
make the country an attractive destination for 
UK and international companies operating in the 
sector. At year-end, the carried interest vehicle was 
valued at £4.3m.

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STRATEGIC REPORTwww.arixbioscience.comOperational and Financial Review
continued

Income statement
Revenues included an increase in the fair value of investments in Group 
Businesses of £1.4m, investment management fees of £0.6m, and fees 
for providing director services to Group Businesses of £0.1m.

Financial position
Cash held at the end of December 2016 amounted to £28.9m, 
providing substantial liquidity for operational activities, including 
identifying and funding life sciences opportunities.

Administrative expenses of £10.3m came partly from one-off 
operational activities, such as outfitting offices in London and New 
York, as well as the significant recruitment fees incurred in creating a 
strong team of life sciences professionals. In addition, the negotiation 
of commercial agreements and the acquisition of ALS, including the 
associated application to the FCA for change of control permission, 
means that legal and professional adviser fees were unusually high.

Foreign exchange gains and other exchange differences are partly due 
to Arix Bioscience holding assets in currencies other than sterling, and 
are also caused by the consolidation of Arix Bioscience Inc, which is a 
US company with a functional currency in US dollars. These together 
amount to £0.5m.

Exceptional items
The acquisition of ALS caused an exceptional gain £4.0m, following a 
fair-value valuation review completed by external advisers, adhering to 
the requirements of IFRS 3.

We have calculated a share based payment charge of £4.7m formed 
mainly of founder and management options granted at the set-up of the 
Company. The calculation uses a Black-Scholes model, in accordance 
with IFRS 2, which makes certain assumptions on the future volatility 
of a basket of equities across the life sciences sector. This amount is 
posted as a cost to the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive 
Income, and as a credit within Retained Earnings. Following the end of 
the financial period, when the total comprehensive profit or loss result 
is taken to Retained Earnings, these items net to nil, which means 
that this charge has no impact on the net assets or on the value of the 
Company.

After the Balance Sheet date, in February 2017, the Company 
successfully completed its Initial Public Offering and was admitted to 
the London Stock Exchange, having raised £112m.

Corporate and social responsibility
Recycling
The London and New York offices of Arix benefit from coherent IT 
systems that enable paperless filing. Where paper waste is created, 
Arix makes use of recycling facilities to dispose of this securely in a 
sustainable manner.

Low-energy lighting
Where possible or practicable, Arix looks to use low energy lighting 
in tandem with timer switches and motion-activated sensors in both 
London and New York as one way of reducing its carbon footprint.

Cycle to work
The employees of Arix broadly share an interest in cycling and Arix is a 
member of the UK Government’s Cycle to Work Scheme.

Corporate culture
The driving passion of everyone who works at Arix is to successfully 
deliver new medical treatments to market to improve the living 
conditions of patients, and to save human lives.

James Rawlingson,  
Chief Financial Officer

20

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Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 201621

www.arixbioscience.com

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STRATEGIC REPORTRisk Management

The Group monitors a number of principal risks and 
uncertainties that may affect the business. These include 
financial, non-financial, internal and external concerns. 

Risk management framework
The Directors are able to manage the business, and 
achieve its strategic objectives, due to an effective risk 
management framework which features multiple layers.

Board
Managing risk is a key responsibility of the Board, who 
set a strong tone, in line with best practice corporate 
governance.

Key committees
The Audit and Risk Committee oversees the 
effectiveness of the risk management processes with 
expert input from the independent auditors.

The Remuneration Committee ensures incentives and 
reward are balanced and appropriate for achieving the 
strategy.

The Nomination Committee addresses the need for 
continuing strength at the senior levels of the Company 
and is responsible for succession planning.

Executive management
The management team is responsible for identifying, 
assessing and mitigating the day-to-day operational 
risks.

Group Business boards and  
independent assurance
The boards of our Group Businesses are responsible 
for ensuring they meet key commercial objectives, and 
in this they are typically supported by senior members 
of the Arix Bioscience team, who also sit on their 
boards.

Independent assurance is provided by industry experts 
when required. For example, following the acquisition 
of ALS, which is a regulated by the FCA, we engaged 
Duff & Phelps to review the status of regulatory 
compliance and provide assurance to the Board.

The Board

Sets the tone for  
corporate governance

Key Committees

Three committees oversee the 
effectiveness; ensure balance 
and responsible for succession

Executive Management

Day-to-day operational risks

Group Business boards and 
Independent Assurance

Ensure key commercial 
objectives are met

Read more about our 
Corporate Governance 
on pages 24 to 61

e
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n
a
r
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s
s
A
g
n
d
i
v
o
r
P

i

22

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Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 2016 
23

Principal risks and uncertainties
We have assessed the key risks to Arix in light of the current environment. These, along with the steps we take to manage those risks, are detailed below.

Risk

Impact

Mitigation Action/Control

Arix’s Group 
Businesses may 
not generate the 
financial returns 
anticipated

Arix’s net assets will increasingly comprise a 
range of Group Businesses; below-forecast 
performance from a Group Business may 
adversely affect Arix’s profitability and ability 
to generate positive cash flows from future 
realisations

Loss of key 
personnel - to 
competitors, or from 
an external event

The financial performance of Arix depends 
on its ability to identify and develop 
outstanding Group Businesses and, as 
such, is reliant on its key personnel. Loss of 
key individuals could affect Arix’s financial 
performance and future prospects.

Arix has a world-class team responsible for identifying and developing 
Group Businesses, resulting in a high standard of due diligence before the 
commitment of any money. Post-investment, Arix typically has represented 
on the company’s board of directors, ensuring it is fully aware of business 
developments, and allowing for mitigation of possible issues as they arise.

Arix funds a range of Group Businesses and intends to continue growing 
and developing its portfolio across a range of interests. As such, it will 
achieve a diverse portfolio, with financial performance not overly reliant on 
any one business.

Arix deploys capital to Group Businesses at all stages of a company’s 
life cycle. Therefore, it is exposed not only to very early-stage businesses 
but also holds interests in more mature companies, where risk of failure is 
reduced.

Arix has a market-appropriate remuneration scheme for its senior 
employees. This includes share incentive schemes which reward personnel 
for long-term service and performance.

Arix has three very senior industry figures performing active day-to-day 
roles. Therefore, the loss of a single member of the executive team 
would be mitigated by the stature and experience of others within the 
organisation.

Arix’s Nominations Committee is responsible for appropriate succession 
planning.

Adverse market 
conditions may 
affect Arix’s 
operational model

An economic downturn may reduce 
opportunities for Arix to realise capital from 
Group Businesses, affecting cash flow and 
financial performance if business valuations 
are reduced. The availability of capital for 
any external fundraising by Arix or its Group 
Businesses may also be affected.

Arix’s strategy is to deploy permanent capital into innovative businesses 
which have unique, high impact outcomes; Arix believes that such 
businesses are less susceptible to macroeconomic cycles.
Arix monitors its availability of capital closely, ensuring sufficient balances 
are available for the continuing operation of the business throughout the 
period assessed in the viability statement.

Changes to 
government policy 
or regulation in the 
research, healthcare 
or life sciences 
industries

A change in government regulation may 
adversely affect the profitability of the 
healthcare and life sciences industry, 
reducing both the availability of external 
funding and potential exit opportunities for 
Arix’s Group Businesses

Arix is a global healthcare company, with Group Businesses in the UK, the 
USA and Europe. As such, the portfolio is diversified against the adverse 
actions of any one government.

Viability statement
The Board has assessed the prospects of Arix over a period greater than 12 months. We have considered a period of three years from the balance 
sheet date, as the Board expects the majority of Arix’s current commitments and new proceeds raised to be invested over the next three years.

The Board has carried out a rigorous assessment of the principal risks and their mitigants, noted above. In particular, the Board assessed Arix’s ability 
to manage the risk of over-commitment to Group Businesses by reviewing cash flow projections, which included scenarios with differing impacts to 
the cash flow forecast inputs.

Based on its review, the Board has a reasonable expectation that Arix will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over a 
three-year period.

The Strategic report has been approved by the Board and signed on its behalf by:

Jonathan Peacock,  
Chairman 
26 April 2017

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STRATEGIC REPORTwww.arixbioscience.comGOVERNANCE

Contents

Governance
26
Board of Directors 
29
Business Development Team 
30
Directors’ Report 
Corporate Governance Report 
34
Report of the Nomination Committee  38
Report of the Audit and  
Risk Committee 
Directors’ Remuneration Report 

40
44

24

Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 2016

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Proof 1

25

“From the formation of Arix we 
have been supported by a highly 
experienced Board, bringing 
both deep industry experience 
and a track record in Board 
leadership and governance.”

www.arixbioscience.com

25453.04 24 April 2017 4:57 PM 

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GOVERNANCEBoard of Directors

Our Strong Board represents a commercial advantage 
as we seek to leverage our professional networks to 
generate shareholder value.

Jonathan Peacock
Chairman

Joe Anderson, PhD 
Chief Executive Officer

Professor Sir Chris Evans, PhD, OBE 
Deputy Chairman

Joe has over 25 years’ experience in the life 
sciences industry, with a successful track 
record of generating investment returns. Until 
recently he was a Partner at Abingworth LLP, 
for 12 years, where he led venture-capital 
style investments in public companies. He 
has founded and managed public equities 
funds and been a director of Algeta (acquired 
by Bayer Ag for $2.9bn), Amarin plc, Cytos 
(merged with Kuros), Epigenomics Ag, and is 
currently a director of Autolus Ltd. He began his 
career at the Ciba (now Novartis) Foundation, 
before joining the The Wellcome Trust in 1990 
where he became head of the strategy team. 
He then moved to the City of London as a 
pharmaceuticals analyst at Dresdner Kleinwort 
Benson, before being appointed as Head of 
Global Healthcare and Portfolio Manager at 
the First State Investments, Commonwealth 
Bank of Australia, in London. Joe has a PhD 
in Biochemistry and extensive board level 
experience of building successful life sciences 
companies.

Chris is the founder and Chairman of Excalibur 
Group and a renowned scientist and highly 
successful entrepreneur with numerous 
prestigious awards and medals for his work 
over the last 30 years. He has created 11 
successful academic spin-outs. Chris directed 
the raising of approximately $450m for Merlin 
Biosciences Funds and $2.6bn from disposals 
including the sale of BioVex Group, Inc. to 
Amgen Inc. and Piramed Limited to Roche 
Group. Through Merlin Ventures Limited, he 
co-founded and advised Biotech Growth Trust 
plc. Arakis Limited, one of the companies 
developed by Chris was sold to Sosei Co. Ltd 
for $187m. As of the end of April 2016, he 
has founded multiple listed companies with a 
collective market cap of around $2.4bn. He has 
positively impacted many millions of lives with 
his work. Chris has founded notable companies 
such as Chiroscience, Celsis, ReNeuron, 
Vectura, Biovex and Merlin Biosciences Ltd. 
Appointed an OBE in 1995 for services to 
medical bioscience he was knighted in 2001 for 
services to bioscience and enterprise. 

Jonathan has 35 years’ global experience in 
operations, strategy and business development. 
He is the former CFO of Amgen Inc. based in 
California, USA and prior to that was the CFO 
of the Pharmaceuticals Division of Novartis AG, 
based in Switzerland with global responsibilities 
including business development and strategy. 
During Jonathan’s tenure as CFO of Amgen, 
Amgen Inc.’s share price increased by 
approximately 125%. Novartis Pharma AG’s 
operating profit increased over 40% during 
his tenure as CFO of that company. Before 
joining the pharmaceutical industry, Jonathan 
was a partner at McKinsey & Company where 
he was co-head of the European Corporate 
Finance practice. He was also a partner at 
PricewaterhouseCoopers in London and New 
York from 1993 to 1998. He has a Masters 
degree in Economics from the University of St 
Andrews in Scotland

Jonathan has extensive expertise in strategy, 
finance and operations within the Biopharma 
industry. He has raised over $20bn in new capital 
and has been engaged throughout his career 
in business development and mergers and 
acquisitions on both the buy-side and sell-side 
globally. Jonathan was the CEO of NASDAQ-
listed Bellerophon Therapeutics until 11 
November 2016 and is currently the Chairman; 
he is also a non-executive director of Kite 
Pharma, also NASDAQ-listed, and of Avantor. 
He brings to the Company hands-on experience 
in managing large and small Biopharma 
companies, and a unique perspective on 
the factors driving successful partnerships or 
investments by bigger Biopharma companies.

26

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Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 201627

Committee Key

N Nomination Committee

AR Audit and Risk Committee

R

Remuneration Committee

James Rawlingson
Chief Financial Officer

Franz Humer 
Senior Independent Director

Sir John Banham 
Non-Executive Director

James has substantial experience at board and 
senior management level gained through over 
20 years of involvement in financial services 
and UK public companies. His former role was 
Group CFO of Charles Stanley plc, a leading 
wealth manager with over £20bn of funds 
under management and administration. Before 
that, he was Group CFO for Coutts Bank, 
responsible for the global finance function, and 
held a key role in setting strategy. He has also 
been CFO of UBS Wealth UK, and worked for 
UBS Wealth Management, based in Zurich. 

Sir John is a former Director-General of the 
Confederation of British Industry (CBI). On 
leaving the CBI in 1992, he successively 
chaired four FTSE 100 companies: Tarmac, 
Kingfisher, Whitbread and Johnson Matthey. 
These companies all had major operations 
outside the UK and all delivered exceptional 
value for shareholders during his tenure. He 
also has experience in the private equity sector, 
serving as the Chairman of ECI Partners, 
a leading provider of funds to medium 
sized companies, for 13 years. He was 
also the founding chairman of Westcountry 
Television. Both produced exceptional 
returns for investors. He served on the 
Board of Invesco for 15 years, retiring in May 
2015. He is currently Chairman of Innoveas 
International and an independent director of 
Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals Inc, a US-quoted 
biopharmaceutical company.

Committee Memberships

AR (Chairman)

Franz has over 25 years of experience as 
an executive director of global blue chip 
companies. He has been managing director of 
Glaxo Pharmaceuticals UK Limited, and was 
elected to the board of Glaxo Holdings plc, 
where he became chief operating director for 
its worldwide operations, in 1992. In 1995, he 
joined the board of Hoffman-La Roche and 
was head of its pharmaceuticals division. He 
became Chairman and CEO in 2001. He joined 
the board of Diageo in 2005 and was chairman 
between 2008 and 2016. Between 2008 
and 2014 he was also chairman of the board 
of directors of Roche Holding Limited. He is 
currently a non-executive director of Citigroup, 
Inc., Chugai Pharmaceuticals Limited of Japan, 
Bial Pharmaceuticals of Portugal, Kite Pharma 
and WISeKey of Switzerland, and a member of 
the international advisory board of Allianz SE.

Franz has a PhD in law from the University 
of Innsbruck and an MBA from INSEAD in 
Fontainbleau. He is the Chairman of the Board 
of the International Centre for Missing and 
Exploited Children, and has been awarded the 
Singapore Public Service Star and Austria’s 
‘Grosses goldenes Ehrenzeichen mit dem Stern 
für Verdienste’.

Committee Memberships

N

R

(Chairman)

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www.arixbioscience.comGOVERNANCEBoard of Directors continued

Committee Key

N Nomination Committee

AR Audit and Risk Committee

R

Remuneration Committee

David U’Prichard 
Non-Executive Director

The Right Hon. Lord Hutton  
of Furness, PC 
Non-Executive Director

Professor Trevor Jones CBE 
Non-Executive Director

Lord Hutton was the elected Member of 
Parliament for Barrow and Furness from 
1992 until 2010, and served in the Labour 
cabinet as Secretary of State for Work and 
Pensions, Secretary of State for Business, 
and Secretary of State for Defence.

John achieved his BCL at Magdalen College, 
Oxford, and before becoming an MP, had a 
career in law.

He is now an adviser to Bechtel and 
Lockheed Martin. He also chairs the Nuclear 
Industry Association and is a non-executive 
director at Circle Holdings plc and Sirius 
Minerals plc. In 2010 he was created a Life 
Peer as Baron Hutton of Furness.

Committee Memberships

AR

David has been a leader in drug receptor 
research, pharmaceutical R&D, biotechnology 
and venture investing during a 45-year career 
in the USA. He trained as a pharmacologist 
in Scotland, and was an academic at Johns 
Hopkins University and Northwestern 
University medical schools, before leading 
Zeneca’s global research activities, and 
subsequently, SmithKline Beecham’s R&D, 
in the 1990s. He then led 3-Dimensional 
Pharmaceuticals Inc to an IPO in 2000, and 
sale to Johnson & Johnson in 2003. He is 
a highly experienced early-stage venture 
capitalist and corporate director in both the 
USA and the UK. 

Since 2012 he has worked to establish 
The Harrington Project for Discovery & 
Development; a USA-wide non-profit 
scholarship scheme, turning the best 
American academic research into new drug 
development. He is a member of the Board 
of Managers of BioMotiv, and the chairman of 
its Advisory Board.

Committee Memberships

AR

N (Chairman)

Trevor has had a distinguished career 
in both the pharmaceutical and biotech 
industries, and in academia. He was Group 
R&D director at The Wellcome Foundation 
Limited, responsible for the development 
of AZT, Zovirax, Lamictal, Malarone and 
other medicines. He was a director of 
Allergan Inc (USA) for ten years, until 2015, 
and was formerly Director General of the 
Association of the British Pharmaceutical 
Industry (ABPI). He served as a member 
of the UK Government Regulatory Agency 
Medicines Commission and chairman of the 
UK Government Advisory Group on Genetics 
Research for 12 years. 

In 2004, he was appointed to the World 
Health Organisation Commission on 
Intellectual Property Rights, Innovation and 
Public Health. He is a visiting professor 
at King’s College, London and holds 
honorary degrees and Gold Medals from 
six universities. In 2003 he was awarded 
the CBE for services to the pharmaceutical 
industry.

Committee Memberships

R

28

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Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 2016Business Development Team

29

Edward Rayner
Before joining Arix Bioscience at its inception, Ed spent 18 years as an equity analyst and Portfolio 
Manager in Europe and Australia. From 2004 to 2014, he was Head of Research at Alliance 
Bernstein and then a senior portfolio manager at AMP Capital, a leading Australian investment 
house with over A$130bn in funds under management, both in Sydney, Australia. At AMP Capital, 
he managed the growth equity portfolios and launched a small companies fund. As part of his 
responsibilities he focused on the Healthcare sector.

Prior to his move to Australia, Ed analysed European equities at UBS Asset Management and JP 
Morgan Investment Management. He gained an MA in Chemistry and MSc in Management at the 
University of Oxford and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.

Mark Chin
Mark has over ten years of experience in the life sciences industry. He was previously a principal 
at Longitude Capital, where he focused on investments in both private and public biotechnology 
and medical technology companies. Prior to Longitude, he was a consultant at the Boston 
Consulting Group, where he was responsible for strategy and corporate development projects 
for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Before BCG, Mark worked in corporate 
development at Gilead Sciences and market planning at Genentech. 

Mark has an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, an MS in 
Biotechnology from the University of Pennsylvania, and a BS in Management Science from the 
University of California at San Diego.

Jonathan Tobin
Jonathan specialises in biotechnology investments. He currently sits on the board of Artios 
Pharma. Prior to joining Arix Bioscience, Jonathan spent five years at Imperial Innovations, where 
he was a Principal in the Healthcare Ventures team. He was involved with the formation and 
investment in a number of early stage companies, including Inivata, Auspherix, Abingdon Health, 
Cell Medica, and Psioxus. Jonathan also worked at MRC Technology, sourcing and evaluating new 
small molecule and antibody drug discovery projects.

Jonathan has a first class degree in biology from the University of Oxford, a PhD in Molecular 
Medicine from UCL, carried out postdoctoral research at the Cancer Research UK London 
Research Institute (now Crick Institute), and published research in journals including PNAS, New 
England Journal of Medicine, and Nature Genetics. Jonathan also has an MBA with distinction 
from Imperial College, and is a Trustee of the Autism Research Trust.

Daniel O’Connell
Daniel has over ten years of experience in healthcare. Daniel joined Arix Bioscience from 
OrbiMed Advisors, where he played key roles across investments in both biotherapeutics 
and medical devices. Investments he has supported include CardiAQ (acquired by Edwards), 
Civitas Therapeutics (acquired by Acorda), Relypsa (acquired by Galenica), Cynapsus (acquired 
by Sunovion), as well as other public and private companies. Prior to OrbiMed, Daniel was 
the Associate Director of Cardiovascular Research at Arisaph Pharmaceuticals where he was 
responsible for pre-IND discovery and development for programmes in lipid modulation. He 
received his MD and PhD in Biochemistry from Tufts University School of Medicine, and has 
undergraduate degrees in Mathematics and Chemistry from MIT.

Owen Smith
Owen is focused on biotechnology. He is currently an Observer on the board of Depixus. Prior to 
joining Arix Bioscience, Owen spent a year at Arthurian Life Sciences, where he was an Investment 
Manager. He was involved with the investment in a number of companies, including Cequr, Apitope 
and ReNeuron. Owen also worked extensively sourcing and evaluating new opportunities.

He read biology at the University of Bristol, qualified as an accountant at Grant Thornton and spent 
six years working in public and private assurance and forensic investigations.

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www.arixbioscience.comGOVERNANCEDirectors’ Report
For the period ended 31 December 2016

The Directors present their report for the period ended 31 December 2016. Additional information which is incorporated by reference into this 
Directors’ Report, including information required in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 and Listing Rule 9.8.4R of the Financial Conduct 
Authority’s Listing Rules, can be located as follows:

Disclosure

Location

Important events affecting the Company since the year-end, future 
business developments and research and development activities

Strategic Report  
pages 02 to 23

Financial risk management objectives and policies (including 
hedging policy and use of financial instruments)

Note 2 to the financial statements, 
page 82

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

page 33

Details of long-term incentive schemes

Note 19 to the financial statements, page 90

Waiver of emoluments by a Director

Directors’ Remuneration Report, page 59

Directors

The Directors of the Company who held office during the period are:

Current Directors*
 Jonathan Peacock

  Professor Sir Chris Evans 
Appointed 15 September 2015

 Joe Anderson

  James Rawlingson

  Dr Franz Humer 
Appointed 7 June 2016

  Sir John Banham

  David U’Prichard

  The Right Hon. Lord Hutton of Furness

  Professor Trevor Jones

Past Directors

  Martin Charles Walton 
Resigned 8 February 2016

  Shafia Zahoor 
Resigned 7 June 2016

Non-independent

Independent

Past Directors

*  Unless otherwise stated, the current Directors were appointed on 8 February 2016.

Results and Dividend
The results for the period ended 31 December 2016 are set out in the 
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income on page 71. As 
noted in our IPO Prospectus, the Board’s intention during the current 
phase of the Group’s development is to retain any Group earnings for 
the foreseeable future to finance growth and expansion and to invest 
in the infrastructure of Group Businesses. Accordingly, the Board is 
not recommending a dividend for the period ended 31 December 
2016.

Articles of Association
The rules governing the appointment and replacement of Directors 
are set out in the Company’s Articles of Association. The Articles 
of Association may be amended by a special resolution of the 
Company’s shareholders.

Share capital
Details of the Company’s share capital, including changes during the 
period, are set out in note 18 to the financial statements. As at 31 
December 2016, the Company’s share capital consisted of:
•  100,966,920 Ordinary Shares of £0.00001 each (77.71% of total 

share capital by number, 1.98% by nominal value)

•  28,916,666 Series B Shares of £0.00001 each (22.25% of total 

share capital by number, 0.57% by nominal value)

•  49,671 C Shares of £1.00 each (0.04% of total share capital by 

number, 97.45% by nominal value)

The Series B shares in issue at the date of the IPO converted 
automatically into Ordinary Shares in accordance with the Company’s 
Articles of Association. In addition, and in connection with the IPO, a 
number of Ordinary Shares held as Restricted Shares in accordance 
with the provisions of the Restrictive Share Agreement (as described 
in Part XV of the IPO Prospectus), converted into Deferred Shares.

30

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Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 201631

Directors’ interests
The number of Ordinary Shares of the 
Company in which the Directors were 
beneficially interested at 31 December 2016, 
is set out in the Directors’ Remuneration 
Report on page 61.

Directors’ indemnities
The Company’s Articles of Association (the 
‘Articles’) provide, subject to the provisions 
of UK legislation, an indemnity for Directors 
and officers of the Company and the Group 
in respect of liabilities they may incur in the 
discharge of their duties or in the exercise 
of their powers. The Company has made 
qualifying third party indemnity provisions for 
the benefit of its Directors during the period 
and these remain in force at the date of this 
report.

The Company maintains Directors’ and 
officers’ liability insurance cover and this is in 
place for all the Company’s Directors at the 
date of this report. The Company will review 
its level of cover annually.

Ordinary shareholders are entitled to 
receive notice of, and to attend and speak 
at, any general meeting of the Company. 
On a show of hands every shareholder 
present in person or by proxy (or being a 
corporation represented by a duly authorised 
representative) shall have one vote, and on 
a poll every shareholder who is present in 
person or by proxy shall have one vote for 
every share they hold. The Notice of Annual 
General Meeting specifies deadlines for 
exercising voting rights and appointing a 
proxy or proxies. Ordinary Shares held as 
Restricted Shares pursuant to the Restrictive 
Share Agreement are disenfranchised and, 
accordingly, holders of such Restricted 
Shares are not entitled to vote, attend 
the meetings of the Company or receive 
dividends or other distributions made or 
paid on the Ordinary Share capital of the 
Company.

No voting rights attach to the Deferred 
Shares and the C Shares, and their holders 
are not entitled to receive notice of, or to 
attend and speak at, any general meeting of 
the Company. Holders of Deferred Shares 
and C Shares are not entitled to receive any 
dividend or distributions made or paid on the 
ordinary share capital of the Company.

Other than the general provisions of the 
Articles of Association (and prevailing 
legislation), there are no specific restrictions 
of the size of a holding or on the transfer of 
any class of shares in the Company except 
as follows:

•  Prior consent of the Directors is required 
for the transfer of Deferred Shares or C 
Shares;

•  Holders of Restricted Shares may not 
dispose of Restricted Shares until and 
unless the relevant Restricted Shares 
are released from their respective 
undertakings pursuant to the Restrictive 
Share Agreement;

•  Pursuant to lock-up arrangements under 
the Placing Agreement dated 2 February 
2017 each of the Directors has agreed 
not to offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge or 
otherwise dispose of any Ordinary Shares 
which they hold directly or indirectly for a 
period of 365 days from the date of the 
Placing Agreement (subject to certain 
usual and customary exemptions and 
exceptions on the transfer of shares);

•  Pursuant to a Lock-Up Deed, certain 
shareholders have agreed not to offer, 
sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of any 
of their interests for specified periods up 
to a maximum of 365 days from the date 
of Admission (subject to certain usual and 
customary exceptions, for example when 
the Company has given its consent to any 
such transfer).

Other than as set out above, the Directors 
are not aware of any other agreements 
between holders of the Company’s shares 
that may result in the restriction of the 
transfer of securities or on voting rights. No 
shareholder holds securities carrying any 
special rights or control over the Company’s 
share capital. 

Authority for the Company 
to purchase its own shares
Subject to authorisation by shareholder 
resolution, the Company may purchase its 
own shares in accordance with the Act. 
Any shares which have been bought back 
may be held as treasury shares or cancelled 
immediately upon completion of the 
purchase.

Prior to listing, the Company was generally 
and unconditionally authorised by its 
shareholders to make market purchases 
(within the meaning of section 693 of the 
Companies Act 2006) of up to a maximum 
of 23,214,332 of its Ordinary shares. The 
Company has not repurchased any of its 
Ordinary shares under this authority, which is 
due to expire at the AGM to be held on  
5 June 2017, and accordingly has an 
unexpired authority to purchase up to 
23,214,332 Ordinary shares with a nominal 
value of £232.14.

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www.arixbioscience.comGOVERNANCEDirectors’ Report continued

Compensation for loss of office
The Company does not have any agreements with any Executive Director or employee that would provide compensation for loss of office or 
employment resulting from a takeover except that provisions of the Company’s share schemes may cause options and awards outstanding 
under such schemes to vest on a takeover. Further information is provided in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on page 54.

Overseas offices
Arix Bioscience, Inc has an office in New York, USA.

Significant interests
The table below shows the interests in shares notified to the Company in accordance with the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules as 
at 31 December 2016 and 18 April 2017 (being the latest practicable date before publication of the Annual Report):

Name of Shareholder
CF Woodford Equity Income Fund
Woodford Patient Capital Trust PLC
Woodford Investment Management Limited
C Chipperton
Richard Caring
The Elcot Fund Limited
UCB Ventures SA
Takeda Ventures, Inc

At 31 December 2016

Number 
of Ordinary 
Shares of 
0.001 pence 
each held+
13,333,333
3,333,333
–
7,139,235
2,777,778
1,388,889
–
–

Percentage 
of total 
voting 
rights 
held+
40.4%
10.1%
–
21.6%
8.4%
4.2%
–
–

At 18 April 2017
Number 
of Ordinary 
Shares of 
0.001 pence 
each held+
–
–
29,538,005
10,497,522
2,777,778
–
3,869,902
4,830,917

Percentage 
of total 
voting 
rights 
held+
–
–
30.8%
10.9%
2.9%
–
4.0%
5.4%

+ The figures set out in this column in the table above are exclusive of any Restricted Shares held.

Political donations
The Company did not make any political 
donations during the period.

Audit information
At the date of the approval of this report, 
each Director confirms that:

Change of control –  
Significant Agreements
There are a number of agreements that 
may take effect, alter or terminate on a 
change of control of the Company, such as 
commercial contracts and property lease 
agreements. None of these are considered 
to be significant in their likely impact on the 
business as a whole.

•  so far as they know, the Company’s 

auditors are aware of all relevant audit 
information;

•  each Director has taken all the reasonable 
steps to make themselves aware of any 
relevant audit information and to establish 
that the Company’s auditors are aware of 
the information.

The confirmation is given and should be 
interpreted in accordance with the provisions 
of section 418 of the Companies Act 2006.

Auditors
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, who were 
appointed during the period, have indicated 
their willingness to continue in office and a 
resolution seeking to reappoint them will be 
proposed at the forthcoming Annual General 
Meeting.

32

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Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 201633

Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting will be held 
at the offices of Brown Rudnick, 8 Clifford 
Street, London W1S 2LQ on 5 June 2017 at 
2pm. The Notice of Annual General Meeting 
is contained in a separate letter from the 
Chairman accompanying this report.

The Strategic Report on pages 02 to 23 
and this Directors’ Report have been drawn 
up and presented in accordance with, 
and in reliance upon, applicable English 
company law and any liability of the Directors 
in connection with these reports shall be 
subject to the limitations and restrictions 
provided by such law.

Statements of  
Directors’ Responsibilities
The Directors are responsible for preparing 
the Annual Report, the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report and the financial 
statements in accordance with applicable law 
and regulations.

Company law requires the Directors to 
prepare financial statements for each financial 
year. Under that law the Directors have 
prepared the Group financial statements 
in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by 
the European Union (EU), and the Company 
financial statements in accordance with 
United Kingdom Generally Accepted 
Accounting Practice (United Kingdom 
Accounting Standards and applicable law). 
Under company law the Directors must not 
approve the financial statements unless 
they are satisfied they give a true and fair 
view of the state of affairs of the Group 
and the Company and of the profit or loss 
of the Group for that period. In preparing 
these financial statements, the Directors are 
required to:

The Directors are responsible for keeping 
adequate accounting records sufficient 
to show and explain the Group’s and 
Company’s transactions. Also to disclose 
with reasonable accuracy at any time the 
financial position of the Company and the 
Group and enable them to ensure that the 
financial statements and the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report comply with the 
Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the 
Group financial statements, Article 4 of the 
IAS Regulation. They are also responsible for 
safeguarding the assets of the Company and 
the Group and hence for taking reasonable 
steps to prevent and detect fraud and other 
irregularities.

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

The Directors consider that 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 
performance, business model and strategy.

Each of the Directors, whose names and 
functions are listed on pages 26 to 28, 
confirm that, to the best of their knowledge:

• 

• 

the Group financial statements, which 
have been prepared in accordance with 
IFRS as adopted by the EU, give a true 
and fair view of the assets, liabilities, 
financial position and profit of the Group;

the Strategic Report includes a fair review 
of the development and performance 
of the business and the position of the 
Group, together with a description of the 
principal risks and uncertainties that it 
faces.

•  select suitable accounting policies and 

By order of the Board

then apply them consistently

•  make reasonable and prudent judgements 

and accounting estimates

•  state whether IFRS as adopted by 

the EU and applicable UK Accounting 
Standards have been followed, subject 
to any material departures disclosed and 
explained in the Group and Company 
financial statements respectively

•  prepare the financial statements on 
the going concern basis, unless it is 
inappropriate to presume the Company 
will continue in business.

James Rawlingson
Chief Financial Officer
26 April 2017

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www.arixbioscience.comGOVERNANCECorporate Governance Report
Chairman’s introduction to governance

Jonathan Peacock, Chairman

The Board aims for the highest 
standards of corporate governance.”

Dear Shareholders,
Arix Bioscience plc listed its ordinary shares on the main market of the London 
Stock Exchange on 22 February 2017. As stated in the IPO prospectus, the Board 
aims for the highest standards of corporate governance. The Company intends 
to voluntarily observe the requirements of the UK Corporate Governance Code 
(the ‘Code’), so far as it is able, as if it were admitted to trading on the premium 
segment of the Official List, even though it is not obliged to do so by virtue of 
having a standard listing.

During 2016, and in the weeks leading up to the listing in 2017, the Board 
implemented a number of measures and procedures in preparation for becoming 
a listed company. These included appointing a number of highly experienced 
independent Non-Executive Directors. These Directors have already made a great 
contribution, and I’m sure they will continue to do so as we develop as a listed 
Company. 

The Board also established three Board Committees: Audit and Risk, 
Remuneration and a Nomination Committee. The independent Non-Executive 
Directors form the membership of these committees, as envisaged by the Code. 
The committees have all started work on progressing the Company’s governance 
structure and procedures. We therefore look forward to reporting further progress 
next year. 

This report includes a description of how the Company has set up its governance 
structure, and how it intends to apply the principles and provisions of the Code 
throughout 2017.

Jonathan Peacock,  
Chairman

34

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Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 201635

UK Corporate Governance Code
As a company admitted to the Standard segment of the Official List, the 
Company is not required to adopt the UK Corporate Governance Code 
but is voluntarily choosing to observe the requirements of the Code as far 
as it is able in 2017. The Company was not listed at the period end of 31 
December 2016, so will not be reporting on its compliance with the Code 
for that period.

The Board structure
The role of the Board is to provide entrepreneurial leadership to the 
Group, set strategy and monitor performance, and to ensure that the 
necessary financial and human resources are in place to enable the 
Company to meet its objectives. In addition, the Board ensures the 
appropriate financial and business systems and controls are in place 
to safeguard shareholders’ interests and maintain effective corporate 
governance.

The Board operates in accordance with the Company’s articles of 
association and its own written terms of reference. The Board has 
established a number of Committees. Each has its own terms of 
reference, which we will reviewed at least annually. A summary of the 
matters reserved for decision by the Board is set out below:

Key Board roles  
and responsibilities
The Board currently consists of nine Directors (including the Chairman), 
five of whom are considered to be independent.

Senior  
Independent Director
Franz Humer is the Senior Independent Director (SID). The SID’s role is to 
act as a sounding board for the Chairman and serve as an intermediary 
for the other Directors when necessary. The SID will meet other Non-
Executive Directors without the Chairman present at least once a year, 
to appraise the Chairman’s performance, taking into account the views 
of executive Directors, plus on such other occasions as are deemed 
appropriate.

The SID is also available to shareholders should they wish to discuss 
concerns they have failed to resolve through the normal channels of 
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer or executive Directors or for which 
such contact is inappropriate.

Responsibilities of the Board

Leadership, strategy and management

Board membership

•  Providing leadership and setting values and standards

•  Changes to the structure, size and composition of the Board

•  Approving the Company’s strategic aims and objectives

•  Ensuring adequate succession planning

•  Overseeing operations

Structure and capital

•  Changes to the Group’s capital or corporate structure

•  Changes to the Group’s management and control structure

Financial reporting

•  Approval of financial statements

•  Approval of the dividend policy

•  Approval of material changes in accounting policies

•  Approval of major capital expenditure

Risk management and internal controls

•  Ensuring maintenance of a sound system of internal control  

and risk management

•  Determining the principal risks of the Company and how they are 

managed and mitigated

•  Reviewing the effectiveness of the risk and controls processes

•  Appointment or removal of the Chairman, CEO, SID and  

Company Secretary

Corporate governance

•  Review of Group’s overall governance framework

•  Determining the independence of Directors

•  Considering the balance of interests between shareholders and 

other stakeholders

•  Authorising any conflicts of interest

Remuneration

•  Determining the policy for remuneration of Chairman, the executive 

Directors, Company Secretary and other senior executives

•  Determining the remuneration of the Non-Executive Directors

• 

Introducing new share incentive plans or major changes to existing 
plans

Other

•  Approval and monitoring of the share dealing code

•  Approval and monitoring of CSR

•  Approving policies and political and charitable donations

•  Approval of the overall levels of insurance for the group

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www.arixbioscience.comGOVERNANCECorporate Governance Report
continued

Board independence

Non-independent 

Independent 

Jonathan Peacock

Franz Humer

Christopher Evans

John Banham

Joe Anderson

David U’Prichard

James Rawlingson

John Hutton

Trevor Jones

Read more about the Board of Directors  
on pages 26 to 28

Commitment
The Board expects Non-Executive Directors to commit sufficient 
time to allow them to meet their obligations to the Company. The 
Non-Executive Directors are required to confirm, on acceptance 
of the role, that they have sufficient time to meet the expectations 
of their role. Non-Executive Directors will need to attend 
scheduled and emergency Board meetings, and Committees as 
well as the AGM, as well as allowing appropriate preparation time 
ahead of each meeting.

Conflicts of interest
The Company’s Articles of Association set out the policy for 
dealing with Directors’ conflicts of interest, in line with the 
Companies Act 2006. The Articles permit the Board to authorise 
conflicts and potential conflicts, as long as the potentially 
conflicted Director is not counted in the quorum and does not 
vote on the resolution to authorise.

Prior to listing, potential conflicts of interest were considered by 
the Board and these were discussed in the prospectus. Directors 
are reminded at the beginning of each Board meeting to notify 
the Board of any further conflicts of interest, in accordance 
with Sections 175, 177 and 182 of the Companies Act 2006. 
Over the forthcoming year the Board will agree a procedure for 
dealing with conflicts of interest in relation to matters which are 
scheduled for Board consideration.

Board process
The Board met a number of times in the lead-up to the listing, 
and has met twice since listing. It intends to meet formally at 
least four times a year, with ad hoc meetings called as and when 
circumstances require at short notice. 

All Directors are expected to attend all meetings of the Board, 
and any Committees they are members of, and to devote 
sufficient time to the Company’s affairs to fulfil their duties as 
Directors. Where Directors are unable to attend a meeting, they 
will be encouraged to submit to the Chairman any comments on 
papers to be considered at the meeting in advance, to ensure 
their views are recorded and taken into account.

The Chairman and Non-Executive Directors will meet without 
the Executive Directors present on a number of occasions 
throughout the year.

36

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Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 201637

Training and development
In preparation for listing, all Directors received 
an induction briefing from the Company’s 
legal adviser, Brown Rudnick, on their duties 
and responsibilities as directors of a publicly 
quoted company.

During 2017, the Chairman will review and 
agree with each Director their individual 
training and development needs. In addition, 
under the guidance of the Chairman, the 
Company Secretary will establish a formal 
induction training process for new Directors.

Information and support
An agenda and accompanying detailed 
papers are circulated to the Board well in 
advance of each Board meeting. These 
include reports from Executive Directors and 
other members of senior management, and 
all Directors have direct access to senior 
management should they require additional 
information on any of the items to be 
discussed. 

The information supplied to the Board and 
its Committees will be kept under review and 
formally assessed annually as part of the 
Board evaluation exercise to ensure it is fit 
and proper for purpose, and that it enables 
sound decision making.

The Company has adopted a formal 
procedure through which Directors may 
obtain independent professional advice at 
the Company’s expense. The Directors also 
have access to the services of the Company 
Secretary.

Performance evaluation
Given that the majority of the Directors were 
appointed only in the year immediately 
preceding the listing in February 2017, the 
Board believes that a meaningful evaluation of 
the Board can only take place after it has been 
working together for a reasonable time as a 
listed company. The Board will consider an 
annual evaluation policy during 2017.

Relations with shareholders
Dialogue with shareholders
As part of the IPO ‘roadshow’, the Board met 
a large number of investors in the UK and 
US. The meetings involved the Chairman, 
Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer 
and senior management.

As part of its future investor relations 
programme, the Group will aim to maintain a 
dialogue with its key stakeholders, including 
institutional investors, to discuss issues 
relating to the performance of the Group 
including strategy and new developments. 
The Non-executive Directors are available to 
discuss any matter stakeholders might wish 
to raise, and the Chairman and Independent 
Non-Executive Directors attend meetings 
with investors and analysts as required.

Annual General Meeting
The Company’s first Annual General Meeting 
since listing will take place on 5 June 2017 
at 2pm at the offices of Brown Rudnick, 8 
Clifford Street, London W1S 2LQ, and the 
chairman of each of the Board’s committees 
will be present to answer questions put to 
them by shareholders. We will send the 
Annual Report and Accounts and Notice of 
the Annual General Meeting to shareholders 
at least 20 working days before the date of 
the meeting.

To encourage shareholders to participate 
in the AGM process, we propose to offer 
electronic proxy voting through the CREST 
service and all resolutions will be proposed 
and voted on at the meeting individually 
by shareholders or their proxies. Results 
will be announced through the Regulatory 
News Service and made available on the 
Company’s website.

Visit us online at:  
www.arixbioscience.com

Jonathan Peacock,  
Chairman

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www.arixbioscience.comGOVERNANCEReport of the  
Nomination Committee

Composition

David U’Prichard (Chairman)

Franz Humer (Other member)

Visit us online at:  
www.arixbioscience.com

David U’Prichard, Chairman of the Nomination Committee

Dear Shareholders,
On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to present the Nomination Committee report for the 
period ended 31 December 2016.

Role and responsibilities
The role of the Nomination Committee is set out in its terms of reference, available on the 
Company’s website. 

The Nomination Committee assists the Board in discharging its responsibilities relating to the 
composition and make-up of the Board and its committees.

Specific duties of the Nomination Committee include:

Nomination Committee – key responsibilities

Board and  
Committee Composition

•  Review structure, size and 
composition of the Board 
regularly

•  Evaluate the balance of skills, 
knowledge, experience and 
diversity on the Board

•  Recommend changes to 

membership of the Board’s 
Committees

•  Recommend suitable 

candidates for the role of the 
Senior Independent Director

•  Consider and review the 
Board’s policy on diversity

Appointments

Effectiveness & 
Succession Planning

•  Prepare role description for 

•  Review the results of the 

Board appointments

• 

Identify and nominate to the 
Board candidates to fill Board 
vacancies

•  Make recommendations 

to the Board regarding the 
reappointment of NEDs at the 
end of their term of office

•  Make recommendations 

to the Board regarding the 
re-election of Directors by 
shareholders

Board performance evaluation 
process that relate to the 
composition of the Board

•  Ensure the all members of the 
Board are devoting sufficient 
time to fulfil their duties

•  To assist with succession 

planning, keep informed about 
strategic and commercial 
changes affecting the 
Company

•  Satisfy itself that processes 
and plans are in place for 
succession planning

38

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Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 201639

Meetings
We intend for the Nomination Committee to meet at least 
once a year, and otherwise as required to discharge its 
duties. Only members of the Nomination Committee have 
the right to attend meetings, but we may invite other 
Directors, executives or advisers to attend all or part of any 
meeting as appropriate. In practice, we are likely to invite 
the Chairman to most meetings.

The Nomination Committee met before the IPO to discuss 
the future composition of the Board. The Committee also 
met after the IPO in March 2017. The meeting focused on 
the post IPO composition of the Board and its Committees, 
and a review of the Committee’s terms of reference.

Diversity
The Company’s policy is that recruitment, promotion and 
any other selection exercises will be conducted on the basis 
of merit against objective criteria that avoid discrimination. 
No individual should be discriminated against on the 
ground of race, colour, ethnicity, religious belief, political 
affiliation, gender, age or disability, and this extends to 
Board appointments. The Board recognises the benefits of 
diversity, including gender diversity, on the Board, although 
it believes that all appointments should be made on merit, 
while ensuring there is an appropriate balance of skills and 
experience within the Board.

Annual evaluation
As the Nomination Committee and the Board itself has only 
been established for a short time, we have not conducted a 
formal performance evaluation. We will consider the annual 
evaluation process and policy during 2017.

David U’Prichard 
Chairman of the Nomination Committee 
26 April 2017

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www.arixbioscience.comGOVERNANCEComposition

Sir John Banham (Chairman)

Lord Hutton (Other member)

David U’Prichard (Other member)

Report of the Audit  
and Risk Committee

Sir John Banham, Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee

Dear Shareholders,
On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to 
present the Audit and Risk Committee report 
for the period ended 31 December 2016.

The Arix Bioscience plc Audit and Risk 
Committee was formally established by 
the Board in the lead-up to IPO and I was 
appointed its Chairman when I became a 
Director of the Group. Lord Hutton joined 
me as a member of the Committee on its 
formation. The Committee membership has 
recently been strengthened by adding a further 
Non-Executive Director David U’Prichard. All 
members of the Committee are Independent 
Non-Executive Directors. The Board considers 
that I have recent and relevant financial 
experience as recommended under provision 
C.3.1 of The UK Corporate Governance Code 
(the Code) as it applies to the Company. I and 
the other members of the Committee also 
have competence relevant to the sector the 
Company operates in, as also recommended 
by provision C.3.1 of the Code.

The Committee’s role is to assist the Board 
with the discharge of its responsibilities in 
relation to internal and external audits and 
controls, including reviewing the Group’s 
annual financial statements, considering the 
scope of the annual audit and the extent of 
the non-audit work undertaken by external 
auditors, advising on the appointment 
of external auditors and reviewing the 
effectiveness of the internal control systems 
in place within the Group.

We intend to meet at least three times a 
year. We met formally during the period and 
once since the period end. A summary of 
the matters we discussed is set out in the 
following report.

We have made good progress since the 
IPO and will continue to work with the 
management team and the Board to ensure 
we keep our governance and control 
processes under review, and operate 
effectively to support the achievement of the 
Group’s strategy.

Sir John Banham 
Chairman of the  
Audit and Risk Committee 
26 April 2017

40

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Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 201641

Duties and Responsibilities
The Audit and Risk Committee’s duties and responsibilities are set out in 
its terms of reference which are available on the Company’s website.

Visit us online at:  
www.arixbioscience.com

Specific duties of the Audit and Risk Committee include:

Duties and Responsibilities

External Audit

Internal Audit

Financial and  
narrative reporting

•  Recommend the appointment, 

•  To review the need for an internal 

•  Monitor the integrity of the 

reappointment or removal of the 
Auditors

•  Oversee the relationship, make 
recommendations on their 
remuneration, approve terms 
of engagement and review 
independence and objectivity

•  Meet regularly without 
management present

•  Develop policy on the supply of 

non-audit services

•  Ensure the audit contract is 

tendered at least every ten years

•  Review and approve the audit plan

•  Review the findings of the audit

audit function

financial statements

•  Review and report to the 

Board on significant financial 
issues and judgements

•  Review and challenge 

accounting policies, methods 
used to account for significant 
or unusual transactions, 
clarity and completeness of 
disclosure

• 

If an internal audit function is 
appointed:

 — Approve the appointment or 
termination of the head of 
internal audit

 — Consider and approve the Terms 
of Reference for the internal audit

 — Monitor and review the operation 

and the effectiveness

 — Review and assess the internal 

audit plan and reports

 — Ensure access to the Board and 

Committee Chairmen

Whistleblowing, fraud, bribery 
and other compliance

Internal controls and  
risk management

•  Review the Company’s 

•  Monitor and review the adequacy 

arrangements for its employees 
and contractors to raise concerns 
in confidence

•  Review procedures for detecting 
fraud and preventing bribery

•  Review the Company’s code of 

corporate conduct/business ethics

and effectiveness of the Company’s 
internal financial controls and risk 
management systems

•  Review and recommend to the Board 
the disclosures in the annual report 
concerning internal controls and risk 
management

•  Promote sound risk management and 

internal control systems

•  Monitor and keep under review 

the policies and overall process for 
identifying and assessing business risk

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and Risk Committee continued

Meetings and attendees
The Audit and Risk Committee met once during the period and has met once so far since the period end. The Audit and Risk Committee will 
normally meet no fewer than three times a year. Further meetings may be called as required.

The external auditors are invited to attend some meetings. Outside of the formal meeting programme, the Audit and Risk Committee chairman 
will maintain a dialogue with key individuals involved in the Company’s governance, including the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the 
Chief Financial Officer and the external audit lead partner.

Activity before and since IPO
The Audit and Risk Committee met once before the IPO and once since the period end. Matters discussed included:

•  Reviewing the Committee’s terms of reference and recommending changes to the Board

•  Considering the Group’s policy on the provision of non-audit services by the external auditors

•  Reviewing the Audit Plan, process and scope

•  Reviewing the independence of the External Auditor

•  Reviewing the significant issues in the External Audit report

•  Reviewing the Annual Report and Financial statements and recommending their approval by the Board

Significant issues considered in  
relation to the financial statements
Significant issues and accounting judgements are identified by the finance team and the external audit process and are reviewed by the Audit 
and Risk Committee. The significant issues considered by the Committee in respect of the period ended 31 December 2016 are set out in the 
table below:

Significant issues and judgements

How the issues were addressed

Valuation of Unquoted Investments

Valuation of investment in carried interest

Calculation of Share-Based Payment expense

Presentation of the Annual Report

The Audit and Risk Committee reviewed management’s determination of the 
valuations of the unquoted investments including the work performed by the External 
auditors to evaluate the valuation methodology applied. The Committee concluded 
that the valuations of the five unquoted investments were properly prepared in 
accordance with the stated accounting policy and the evidence available.

The Audit and Risk Committee reviewed and considered the key assumptions noting 
also that the valuation of investment in carried interest is determined at the reporting 
date by management’s appointed experts. The Audit and Risk Committee was 
satisfied that procedures and assumptions used were appropriate and the carried 
interest valuation was in the appropriate range.

The Audit and Risk Committee considered management’s calculation of the share-
based payment expense relating to founder shares, founder options and management 
options including the assumptions made regarding volatility and the risk-free interest 
rate. The Committee was satisfied that the expense had been calculated appropriately.

The Audit and Risk Committee reviewed management’s presentation of the Annual 
Report, noting that this was the first period that a report has been prepared. The 
Committee concluded that management has presented the report in a suitable 
manner.

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Non-audit services
The engagement of the external audit firm to 
provide non-audit services to the Group can 
affect the independence assessment, and 
the Company has therefore adopted a policy 
which conforms to the new Ethical Standard 
published by the Financial Reporting 
Council. Under the policy the engagement 
of the external auditors to provide statutory 
audit services, certain assurance, taxation 
and certain advisory services with fees 
of less than £5,000 is pre-approved. Any 
engagement of the external auditors to 
provide permitted services above £5,000 is 
subject to the specific approval of the Audit 
and Risk Committee. The policy recognises 
that certain non-audit services may not 
be carried out by the external auditors (in 
accordance with the EU Statutory Audit 
regime).

During the period ended 31 December 2016, 
PwC was engaged to provide certain non-
audit services for the IPO. These included 
preparing reports on the Company’s financial 
position and prospects, working capital 
and a report to the Company’s sponsors 
regarding the Company’s business and 
operations. In approving the use of PwC to 
provide these services, the Board took the 
view that PwC’s knowledge of the Company 
and its operations meant it was best placed 
to provide the services, and was comfortable 
that PwC’s independence would not be 
compromised. The fees paid to PwC for 
non-audit services during the period totalled 
£756,650, representing 548% of the total 
audit fee.

Whistleblowing
The Company has adopted procedures 
where employees may, in confidence, raise 
concerns relating to possible improprieties in 
matters of financial reporting, financial control 
or any other matter. The whistleblowing 
policy applies to all Group employees. The 
Audit and Risk Committee is responsible 
for monitoring the Group’s whistleblowing 
arrangements and the Board will review the 
policy periodically.

Sir John Banham 
Chairman of the Audit and Risk 
Committee 
26 April 2017

In reviewing the effectiveness of the system 
of internal controls, the Audit and Risk 
Committee will:

• 

• 

• 

review the risk register compiled and 
maintained by senior managers within the 
Group and question and challenge where 
necessary

review the system of financial and 
accounting controls regularly

report to the Board on the risk and control 
culture within the Group.

Internal audit
The Group does not have an internal audit 
function. The Audit and Risk Committee will 
keep under review the need for an internal 
audit function.

External auditors
The Audit and Risk Committee is 
responsible for overseeing the Group’s 
relationship with its external auditors, 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC). 
This includes the ongoing assessment 
of the auditors’ independence and the 
effectiveness of the external audit process, 
the results of which inform the Committee’s 
recommendation to the Board as to the 
auditors’ appointment (subject to shareholder 
approval) or otherwise.

Appointment and tenure
PwC was first appointed as the external 
auditors of the Group in September 2016. 
The current lead audit partner, Richard 
McGuire, has been in place for one year.

PwC generally require the rotation of the 
lead audit partner every five years for a listed 
client. Therefore, we expect a new lead audit 
partner to be selected for the 2021 audit. In 
accordance with the Code and EU legislation, 
the Committee intends to put the external 
audit out to tender at least every ten years.

Risk management  
and internal control
The Board has overall responsibility for 
setting the Group’s risk appetite and ensuring 
there is an effective risk management 
framework to maintain levels of risk within 
this risk appetite. The Board has, however, 
delegated responsibility for reviewing the risk 
management methodology and effectiveness 
of internal control to the Audit and Risk 
Committee. The Audit and Risk Committee 
will provide oversight and advice to the 
Board on current risk exposures and future 
risk strategy. Further details of the Group’s 
risk management approach, structure and 
principal risks are set out in the Strategic 
report on pages 22 to 23.

The Group’s system of internal control 
comprises entity-wide high level controls, 
controls over business processes and centre 
level controls. Policies and procedures and 
clearly defined levels of delegated authority 
have been communicated across the Group 
and management has identified the key 
operational and financial processes which 
exist within the business and implemented 
internal controls over these processes 
in addition to the higher level review and 
authorisation based controls. These policies 
are designed to ensure the accuracy and 
reliability of financial reporting and govern 
the preparation of financial statements. 
The Board is ultimately responsible for the 
Group’s system of internal controls and risk 
management and will discharge its duties in 
this area by:

•  holding regular Board meetings to 

consider the matters reserved for its 
consideration

• 

receiving regular management reports 
which provide an assessment of key risks 
and controls

•  scheduling annual Board reviews of 

strategy including reviews of the material 
risks and uncertainties facing the business

•  ensuring there is a clear organisational 

structure with defined responsibilities and 
levels of authority

•  ensuring there are documented policies 

and procedures in place

• 

reviewing regular reports containing 
detailed information regarding financial 
performance, rolling forecasts, actual 
and forecast covenant compliance and 
financial and non-financial KPIs.

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Composition

Franz Humer (Chairman)

Trevor Jones (Other member)

Franz Humer, Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

Annual Statement by the Chairman  
of the Remuneration Committee

Dear Shareholders,
As Chairman of the Remuneration Committee 
I am pleased to introduce our first Directors’ 
Remuneration Report. 

One of the Remuneration Committee’s aims is to 
provide clear, transparent remuneration reporting 
for our shareholders which adheres to the best 
practice corporate governance principles that 
are required for listed organisations. During the 
financial period ended 31 December 2016, Arix 
was not a quoted company so is not subject to 
the Large and Medium-sized Companies and 
Groups (Accounts and Reports) (Amendment) 
Regulations 2013 nor the UKLA Listing Rules or 
the UK Corporate Governance Code. However, 
we have provided disclosure that exceeds our 
obligations to meet our desire for clear and 
transparent remuneration reporting. The 2017 
Directors’ Remuneration Report will adhere to 
the full requirements of a listed company.

The Directors’ Remuneration Policy, which is 
set out on pages 46 to 58 of this report, will be 
submitted to shareholders for approval at our 
Annual General Meeting on 5 June 2017.

Our Approach to the 
Directors’ Remuneration Policy
This is the first Directors’ Remuneration Report 
for Arix Bioscience as a listed company. We 
started our work as a Remuneration Committee 
in the run-up to the IPO and since the IPO, 
we have built on this work to develop our first 
Directors’ Remuneration Policy.

The Remuneration Committee’s aim is to have a 
Directors’ Remuneration Policy which supports 
the Company strategy of providing strategic, 
operational and clinical direction to its Group 
Businesses by acquisitions, financing potential 
investments into life sciences funds globally, 
building the Group’s infrastructure including 
expanding its high quality operating team and 
supporting the growth of existing university 
relationships and to establish new relationships 
with academia.

In order to do this, the Directors’ Remuneration 
Policy had been designed to attract, retain and 
motivate top talent and a very experienced 
senior leadership team who provide us with 
highly complementary skills to help ensure 
continued growth and success as the Company 
enters its next stage of development operating 
in a Listed environment. This has guided our 
thinking and actions in developing our Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy.

A key focus of the Directors’ Remuneration 
Policy is to align the interests of the Directors to 
the long-term interests of the shareholders and 
aims to support a high performance culture with 
appropriate reward for superior performance, 
without creating incentives that will encourage 
excessive risk taking or unsustainable company 
performance. This is underpinned through 
the implementation and operation of our two 
incentive plans – the Annual and Deferred Bonus 
Plan and the Executive Incentive Plan.

This report lays out the core principles of 
our Directors’ Remuneration Policy and our 
practice over the past year. I trust we have 

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•  Awards will be made in the 2017 financial 
year under the EIP to Executive Directors 
and other senior management. The 
awards will feature stretching share price 
growth targets with a threshold of 8% 
p.a. compound over three years to 150% 
vesting of the award for achievement of 
30% p.a. compound growth.

•  The Company wants to ensure that 

Non-Executive Directors are aligned to 
the future development of the Company. 
In 2017, Non-Executive Directors were 
provided Ordinary Shares on float to 
provide this alignment, and annual fees 
for the 2017 financial year will be paid in 
cash. However from the 2018 financial 
year, our intention is to provide 50% of the 
annual fees in cash and 50% in shares, 
to provide ongoing alignment with the 
development of the Company.

The remainder of the Remuneration Report is 
split into two parts:

•  Directors’ Remuneration Policy Report. 

This sets out our Remuneration Policy for 
the Directors; and 

•  The Annual Report on Remuneration 

which sets out payments made to the 
Executive Directors during the year.

Franz Humer  
Chairman of the Remuneration 
Committee  
26 April 2017

done this with the transparency and clarity 
that aids your understanding of both our 
intent and our activity.

Our Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy
In preparation for Listing we introduced the 
following incentive plans for senior executives 
including the Executive Directors. These 
incentive plans are part of our new Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy. The overview of these 
plans is below (with further detail outlined in 
our Directors’ Remuneration Policy):

Annual and Deferred  
Bonus plan (ABP)
The annual bonus for Executive Directors will 
comprise the following elements:

•  Maximum payment of 100% of base 

salary;

•  Up to one-half of any bonus may be 

deferred into shares for three years (with 
the Remuneration Committee having 
discretion to apply a further two year 
holding period after awards have been 
exercised).

Executive Incentive Plan (EIP)
•  Executive Directors are intended to 

receive annual awards of shares under 
the EIP 

•  The maximum base award is 150% of 

salary

•  Vesting of these shares is subject to 

achievement of challenging performance 
conditions with significant outperformance 
of the target will result in a vesting of 
150% of base award (which equates to a 
maximum opportunity of 225% of salary)

The Remuneration Committee has various 
discretions under these plans that affect the 
vesting outcomes and actual level of reward 
payable to individuals. Such discretion would 
only be used in exceptional circumstances 
and, if exercised, disclosed at the latest in 
the Annual Report on Remuneration for the 
year in question. There are also provisions 
included in the rules to operate malus and 
clawback.

Shareholding guidelines
A requirement for Executive Directors to 
build up and retain a significant holding of 
100 - 200% of salary in shares has been 
introduced.

Further details on these key elements of 
Directors’ Remuneration Policy may be found 
in the Policy Report on pages 46 to 58.

Key activities of the 
Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee’s key activities 
during 2016 and in the period since the IPO 
were focused on:

•  Agreement of the Remuneration 
Committee’s terms of reference; 

•  Formulation and finalisation of the 

Company’s Directors’ Remuneration 
Policy; and

•  Determining the level of bonus payments 
in respect of the 2016 financial year.

Implementation of the 
Directors’ Remuneration 
Policy in 2017
The Remuneration for our Executive Directors 
in the 2017 financial year will be governed by 
the Directors’ Remuneration Policy as set out 
on pages 46 to 58.

Key elements for the 2017 financial year are:

• 

In the 2017 financial year, the annual 
bonus will operate in accordance with 
the terms set out in the Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy with a maximum 
bonus opportunity of 100% of salary 
for the Executive Directors. The bonus 
plan will feature corporate financial and 
non-financial measures that will support 
shareholder value creation (details of the 
measures and targets are in the process 
of being finalised at the date of this 
report). The details of the measures and 
the targets will be fully disclosed in the 
2017 Annual Report on Remuneration.

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Remuneration Policy
Introduction
This report sets out the details of the Directors’ Remuneration Policy (the ‘Policy’) for Executive and Non-Executive Directors of the Company 
and will be proposed for approval by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on 5 June 2017.

Policy summary
The Remuneration Committee (the ‘Committee’) is responsible for determining the Remuneration Policy for the Executive Directors, Chairman 
and other senior executives for current and future years. In setting the Policy, the Committee has sought to ensure that it is sufficiently flexible 
to take account of future changes in the Company’s business environment and in remuneration practice. The Policy is designed around the 
following key principles:

•  Alignment with the long-term interests of shareholders;

•  Competitive remuneration which is set at an appropriate level to attract, retain and motivate executive management of the quality required to 

help ensure growth and success as the Company enters its next stage of development operating in a listed company environment;

•  Strategic alignment – having regard to the risk appetite of the Company and alignment to the Company’s long-term strategic goals;

•  Encourage and support a high performance culture with appropriate award for superior performance; and

•  Avoid creating incentives that will encourage excessive risk taking or unsustainable Company performance.

The Remuneration Committee will review annually the remuneration arrangements for the Executive Directors and key senior management 
drawing on trends and adjustments made to all employees across the Group and taking into consideration:

•  business strategy over the period;

•  overall corporate performance;

•  market conditions affecting the Company;

• 

the recruitment market;

•  changing practice in the markets where the Company competes for talent; and

•  changing views of institutional shareholders and their representative bodies.

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The following table sets out each element of remuneration for Executive Directors and how it supports the  
Company’s short and long-term strategic objectives:

Remuneration Policy Table

Element of 
Remuneration

How it supports the Company’s short 
and long-term strategic objectives

Operation

Opportunity and 
Performance metrics

Salary and 
fees

Provide salaries and fees that 
support the Company to acquire and 
retain the highly qualified Executive 
Directors who are needed to develop 
and implement the Company’s 
strategy.

An Executive Director’s basic salary 
and fees are set on appointment and 
reviewed annually or when there is a 
change in position or responsibility.

When determining an appropriate 
level of salary, the Committee 
considers:

• 

individual degree of responsibility;

The Committee ensures that 
maximum salary and fee levels are 
positioned with consideration for:

• 

the need to acquire and retain 
Executives with the skills and 
experience to develop and 
implement the Company’s 
strategy;

•  companies that are comparable 
in terms of business activities, 
complexity and size to Arix, which 
we would compete for talent 
against.

In general, increases for Executive 
Directors will be in line with the 
increase for employees.

The Company will set out in the 
section headed Implementation of 
Remuneration Policy, in the following 
financial year, the salaries for that year 
for each of the Executive Directors.

See description of benefits in  
previous column.

• 

• 

• 

the general operational 
performance of the Group 
and individual performance (if 
applicable);

the economic environment and 
the sustainable development of 
the Company;

remuneration structures in 
companies that are comparable 
in terms of business activities, 
complexity and size;

•  any change in scope, role and 

responsibilities; and 

• 

remuneration practices within  
the Company.

The Executive Directors are eligible 
to receive private health cover, life 
assurance, income protection and a 
company car or car allowance. 

The Committee recognizes the 
need to maintain suitable flexibility 
in the benefits provided to ensure 
it is able to support the objective of 
attracting and retaining personnel in 
order to deliver the Group strategy. 
Additional benefits may therefore be 
offered such as relocation allowances 
on recruitment and reasonable tax 
advice and filing support. 

The maximum will be set at the cost 
of providing the benefits described.

Benefits

Provides a benefits package in 
line with practice relative to its 
comparator group to enable the 
Company to recruit and retain 
Executive Directors with the 
experience and expertise to deliver 
the Group’s strategy.

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Element of 
Remuneration

How it supports the Company’s short 
and long-term strategic objectives

Operation

Opportunity and 
Performance metrics

Pensions

Provides a pension provision in 
line with practice relative to its 
comparator group to enable the 
Company to recruit and retain 
Executive Directors with the 
experience and expertise to deliver 
the Group’s strategy.

Pension arrangements are provided 
in line with practice relative to its 
comparator group to enable the 
Company to recruit and retain 
Executive Directors with the 
experience and expertise to deliver 
the Group’s strategy.

The Company operates a defined 
contribution (DC) scheme for UK 
employees and US employees 
contribute into the Arix 401(k) 
pension scheme (which is open to all 
employees) with a contribution made 
by Arix alongside an employee’s 
contribution.

The maximum contribution for UK 
employees into a defined contribution 
plan or a salary supplement in lieu of 
pension will be 10% of gross basic 
salary (or salary plus fees).

US employees contribute into the 
Arix 401(k) pension scheme with a 
matching contribution made by Arix 
on their contributions up to the US 
government limits imposed on the 
401(k) Plan.

The Company will set out in the 
section headed Implementation 
of Remuneration Policy, in the 
following financial year the pension 
contributions for that year for each of 
the Executive Directors.

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Element of 
Remuneration

How it supports the Company’s short 
and long-term strategic objectives

Operation

Opportunity and 
Performance metrics

Annual and 
Deferred 
Bonus Plan 
(“ABP”)

The ABP provides a significant 
incentive to the Executive Directors 
linked to achievement in delivering 
goals that are closely aligned with the 
Company’s strategy and the creation 
of value for shareholders. 

The maximum bonus (including 
any part of the bonus deferred into 
an ABP Award) deliverable under 
the ABP will not exceed 100% of a 
participant’s annual base salary (or 
salary plus fees). 

Percentage of bonus maximum 
earned for levels of performance: 

Threshold: 0% 

On target: 50% 

Maximum: 100% 

In particular, the Annual Bonus Plan 
supports the Company’s objectives 
allowing the setting of annual targets 
based on the businesses’ strategy at 
the time, meaning that a wider range 
of performance metrics can be used 
that are relevant and achievable. 

The Committee has discretion to 
defer part of the annual bonus 
earned in shares under the ABP. The 
advantage of deferral is:

• 

increased alignment between 
Executives and shareholders 
created through deferral and 
the increased equity stake of 
management in the Company; 
and

•  amounts deferred in shares are 

subject to a Director’s continuing 
employment, which provides an 
effective lock-in.

The Board will determine the bonus 
to be delivered following the end of 
the relevant financial year. 

The Company will set out in the 
Remuneration Report in the following 
financial year, the nature of the targets 
and their weighting for each year. 

Details of the performance conditions, 
targets and their level of satisfaction 
for the year being reported on will 
be set out in the Annual Report on 
Remuneration.

The Committee can determine that 
part of the bonus earned under the 
ABP is provided as an award of 
shares.

The maximum value of deferred 
shares is 50% of the bonus earned.

The main terms of these awards are:

•  minimum deferral period of 

three years, during which no 
performance conditions will apply; 
and

• 

the participant’s continued 
employment at the end of the 
deferral period unless he / she is a 
good leaver.

The Company will set out in the 
Remuneration Report in the following 
financial year, the nature of the 
deferral mechanism being operated 
for the annual bonus for the awards 
to be made in that financial year.

The Committee may award dividend 
equivalents on those shares to plan 
participants to the extent that they 
vest.

The Committee has the discretion to 
apply a holding period of two years 
post vesting for deferred bonus 
shares.

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Element of 
Remuneration

How it supports the Company’s short 
and long-term strategic objectives

Operation

Opportunity and 
Performance metrics

Long-Term 
Incentive Plan 
(“EIP”)

The purpose of the EIP is to 
incentivise and reward Executive 
Directors in relation to long-term 
performance and achievement of 
Group Strategy.

This will better align Executive 
Directors’ interests with the long-term 
interests of the Group and also will 
act as a retention mechanism.

The Award is designed to incentivise 
Executive Directors to grow the 
investment portfolio and value 
creation by successfully delivering the 
Company’s strategy and increase in 
total shareholder value, assessed via 
share price growth.

Awards are granted annually to 
Executive Directors in the form of 
a conditional share award, nil cost 
option or restricted share award.

Details of the performance conditions 
for grants made in the year will be 
set out in the Annual Report on 
Remuneration.

These awards will vest over three 
years subject to:

• 

the Executive Director’s continued 
employment at the date of 
vesting; and

•  satisfaction of the performance 

conditions.

The Committee may award dividend 
equivalents on awards in either 
shares or cash to the extent that 
these vest.

The Committee has the discretion to 
apply a holding period of two years 
post vesting for the EIP.

Normal maximum value of 225% of 
salary (or salary plus fees) p.a. based 
on the market value at the date of 
grant set in accordance with the rules 
of the Plan.

In exceptional circumstances the 
Committee may grant an award with 
a maximum of 300% of salary (or 
salary plus fees).

100% of the base award will vest 
based on the achievement of the 
performance target with up to 150% 
vesting based on the achievement 
of the outperformance target which 
is set at a level that rewards for 
significant outperformance of the 
performance target.

For the 2017 award:

•  None of the award will vest if the 

share price growth is less than 8% 
p.a. compound;

•  8% p.a. compound growth provides 
vesting of 100% of the base award;

•  20% p.a. compound provides 

vesting of 125% of the base award;

•  30% p.a. compound growth 

provides vesting of 150% of the 
base award (which results in the 
maximum value of 225% of salary).

The Remuneration Committee 
retains discretion in exceptional 
circumstances to change 
performance measures and targets 
and the weightings attached to 
performance measures part way 
through a performance period if there 
is a significant and material event 
which causes the Remuneration 
Committee to believe the original 
measures, weightings and targets 
are no longer appropriate. Any 
changes made and the exceptional 
circumstances will be clearly 
disclosed to shareholders in the 
Annual Report on Remuneration.

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Element of 
Remuneration

How it supports the Company’s short 
and long-term strategic objectives

Operation

Opportunity and 
Performance metrics

Minimum 
Shareholding 
Requirement

The Committee has adopted formal shareholding guidelines that will encourage the Executive Directors to build up over 
a five year period and then subsequently hold a shareholding equivalent to a percentage of base salary. Adherence to 
these guidelines is a condition of continued participation in the equity incentive arrangements. This policy ensures that 
the interests of Executive Directors and those of shareholders are closely aligned.

The following table sets out the minimum shareholding requirements:

Role 
Main Board Executive Directors 

Shareholding Requirement (percentage of salary, or salary plus fees)
100%-200% (dependent on historical level of EIP awards)

The Committee retains the discretion to increase the shareholding requirements.

Non-Executive 
Director Fees

Provides a level of fees to support 
recruitment and retention of high 
calibre Non-Executive Directors 
with the necessary experience to 
advise and assist with establishing 
and monitoring the Group’s strategic 
objectives.

The fees for Non-Executive Directors 
are set at broadly the median of the 
comparator group. 

In general the level of fee increase 
for the Non-Executive Directors will 
be set taking account of any change 
in responsibility and will take into 
account the general rise in salaries 
across the UK workforce. 

The Company will pay reasonable 
expenses incurred by the Non-
Executive Directors and may settle 
any tax incurred in relation to these.

The Chairman and Executive 
Directors are responsible for setting 
the remuneration of the Non-
Executive Directors. Non-Executive 
Directors are paid an annual fee and 
additional fees for chairmanship of 
committees. 

Up to 50% of their total annual fee 
shall be satisfied by the issue and 
allotment of Ordinary Shares at the 
prevailing market price following 
the annual general meeting of the 
Company each year. The remaining 
balance of their fee is payable in 
quarterly equal instalments in arrears. 

Fees are reviewed annually based 
in line with the review policy for the 
Executive Directors. Non-Executive 
Directors do not participate in any 
variable remuneration or benefits 
arrangements.

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Historic awards
Any historic awards that were granted under any previous share schemes operated by the Company but remain outstanding, remain eligible to 
vest based on their original award terms. See Annual Report in Remuneration for details of outstanding share awards.

Malus and Clawback
The ABP and the EIP include best practice malus and clawback provisions.

Malus is the adjustment of unpaid bonus and deferred share awards under the ABP and outstanding EIP awards as a result of the occurrence 
of one or more of the circumstances listed below. The adjustment may result in the value being reduced to nil.

Clawback is the recovery of payments or vested awards under the ABP and vested EIP awards as a result of the occurrence of one or more 
of the circumstances listed below. Clawback may apply to all or part of a participant’s award and may be effected, among other means, by 
requiring the transfer of shares, payment of cash or reduction of awards or bonuses.

The circumstances in which malus and clawback could apply are as follows:

•  discovery of a material misstatement resulting in an adjustment in the audited accounts of the Group or any Group company;

• 

• 

the assessment of any performance condition or condition in respect of an ABP and EIP Award was based on error, or inaccurate or 
misleading information;

the discovery that any information used to determine the cash payment under the ABP or the number of shares subject to an ABP or EIP 
Award was based on error, or inaccurate or misleading information;

•  action or conduct of a participant which amounts to fraud or gross misconduct; or

•  events or the behaviour of a participant have led to the censure of a Group company by a regulatory authority or have had a significant 

detrimental impact on the reputation of any Group company provided that the Board is satisfied that the relevant participant was responsible 
for the censure or reputational damage and that the censure or reputational damage is attributable to the participant.

Annual Bonus

Deferred Bonus

EIP

Malus

Up to the date of payment of  
a cash bonus

To the end of the three year  
deferral period

To the end of the three year  
vesting period

Clawback

–

–

Two years post vesting

The Committee believes that the rules of the Plans provide sufficient powers to enforce malus and clawback where required.

Discretion
The Remuneration Committee has discretion in several areas of Policy as set out in this report. The Remuneration Committee may also 
exercise operational and administrative discretions under relevant plan rules approved by shareholders as set out in those rules. In addition, the 
Remuneration Committee has discretion to amend the Policy with regard to minor or administrative matters where it would be, in the opinion of 
the Remuneration Committee, disproportionate to seek or await shareholder approval.

52

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Recruitment Policy
The Company’s principle is that the remuneration of any new recruit will be assessed in line with the same principles as for the Executive 
Directors, as set out in the Remuneration policy table above. The Committee is mindful that it wishes to avoid paying more than it considers 
necessary to secure a preferred candidate with the appropriate calibre and experience needed for the role.

In setting the remuneration for new recruits, the Committee will have regard to guidelines and shareholder sentiment regarding one-off or 
enhanced short-term or long-term incentive payments as well as giving consideration for the appropriateness of any performance measures 
associated with an award.

The Company’s detailed policy when setting remuneration for the appointment of new Directors is summarised in the table below:

Remuneration element

Recruitment policy

Salary, Benefits and Pension

These will be set in line with the policy for existing Executive Directors.

Annual Bonus

EIP

Maximum annual participation will be set in line with the Company’s policy for existing Executive 
Directors and will not exceed 100% of salary.

Maximum annual participation will be set in line with the Company’s policy for existing Executive 
Directors and will not exceed 225% of salary in normal circumstances and 300% of salary in exceptional 
circumstances.

“Buy Out” of incentives 
forfeited on cessation of 
employment

Where the Committee determines that the individual circumstances of recruitment justifies the provision 
of a buyout, the equivalent value of any incentives that will be forfeited on cessation of an Executive 
Director’s previous employment will be calculated taking into account the following:

• 

• 

the proportion of the performance period completed on the date of the Executive Director’s 
cessation of employment;

the performance conditions attached to the vesting of these incentives and the likelihood of them 
being satisfied; and

•  any other terms and condition having a material effect on their value (“lapsed value”);

The Committee may then grant up to the same value as the lapsed value, where possible, under the 
Company’s incentive plans. To the extent that it was not possible or practical to provide the buyout 
within the terms of the Company’s existing incentive plans, a bespoke arrangement would be used.

Where an existing employee is promoted to the Board, the policy set out above would apply from the date of promotion but there would be no 
retrospective application of the policy in relation to subsisting incentive awards or remuneration arrangements. Accordingly, prevailing elements 
of the remuneration package for an existing employee would be honoured and form part of the ongoing remuneration of the person concerned. 
These would be disclosed to shareholders in the remuneration report for the relevant financial year.

The Company’s policy when setting fees for the appointment of new non-executive Directors is to apply the policy which applies to current non-
executive Directors.

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Payment for Loss of Office
The Committee will honour Executive Directors’ contractual entitlements. Service contracts do not contain liquidated damages clauses. If 
a contract is to be terminated, the Committee will determine such mitigation as it considers fair and reasonable in each case. There is no 
agreement between the Company and its Executive Directors or employees, providing for compensation for loss of office or employment that 
occurs because of a takeover bid.

The Committee reserves the right to make additional payments where such payments are made in good faith in discharge of an existing legal 
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 an Executive Director’s office or employment.

Remuneration element

Treatment on Cessation of Employment

Salary, Benefits  
and Pension

These will be paid over the notice period. The Company has discretion to make a lump sum payment in lieu.

Annual Bonus

Good Leaver Reason

•  Performance conditions will be measured at the bonus measurement date. Bonus will normally be prorated 

for the period worked during the financial year.

Other Reason:

•  No bonus payable for year of cessation

Discretion:

The Committee has the following elements of discretion:

•  To determine that an executive is a good leaver. It is the Committee’s intention to only use this discretion in 

circumstances where there is an appropriate business case which will be explained in full to shareholders; and

•  To determine whether to prorate the bonus to time. The Remuneration Committee’s policy is that it will 
prorate bonus for time. It is the Remuneration Committee’s intention to use discretion to not prorate in 
circumstances where there is an appropriate business case which will be explained in full to shareholders.

Deferred  
Bonus Shares

Good Leaver Reason

•  All subsisting deferred share awards will vest in full on cessation of employment.

Other Reason:

•  Lapse of any unvested deferred share awards.

Discretion:

The Committee has the following elements of discretion:

•  To determine that an executive is a good leaver. It is the Committee’s intention to only use this discretion in 
circumstances where there is an appropriate business case which will be explained in full to shareholders;

•  To vest deferred shares at the end of the original deferral period or at the date of cessation. The 

Remuneration Committee will make this determination depending on the type of good leaver reason resulting 
in the cessation; and

•  To determine whether to prorate the maximum number of shares to the time from the date of grant to the 
date of cessation. The Remuneration Committee’s policy is that it will not prorate awards for time. The 
Remuneration Committee will determine whether or not to prorate based on the circumstances of the 
Executive Director’s departure.

54

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Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 201655

Remuneration element

Treatment on Cessation of Employment

EIP

Good Leaver:

•  Prorated to time and performance in respect of each subsisting EIP award.

Other Reason:

•  Lapse of any unvested EIP awards.

Discretion:

The Committee has the following elements of discretion:

•  To determine that an executive is a good leaver. It is the Committee’s intention to only use this discretion in 
circumstances where there is an appropriate business case which will be explained in full to shareholders;

•  To measure performance over the original performance period or at the date of cessation. The Committee 
will make this determination depending on the type of good leaver reason resulting in the cessation; and

•  To determine whether to prorate the maximum number of shares to the time from the date of grant to the 
date of cessation. The Remuneration Committee’s policy is that it will prorate awards for time. It is the 
Remuneration Committee’s intention to use discretion to not prorate in circumstances where there is an 
appropriate business case which will be explained in full to shareholders.

Other contractual 
obligations

There are no other contractual provisions other than those set out above agreed prior to 27 June 2012.

A good leaver reason is defined as cessation in the following circumstances:

•  death;

• 

• 

• 

ill health;

injury or disability;

retirement;

•  employing company ceasing to be a Group company;

• 

transfer of employment to a company which is not a Group company; and

•  at the discretion of the Committee (as described above).

Cessation of employment in circumstances other than those set out above is cessation for other reasons.

Change of Control

Name of Incentive Plan

Change of Control

Discretion

ABP Cash Awards

Prorated to time and performance to the date of 
the change of control.

The Committee has discretion regarding whether to prorate 
the bonus to time.

The Committee’s policy is that it will prorate the bonus for 
time. It is the Committee’s intention to use its discretion 
to not prorate in circumstances only where there is an 
appropriate business case which will be explained in full to 
shareholders.

ABP Deferred  
Share Awards

Subsisting deferred share awards will vest on a 
change of control.

The Committee has discretion regarding whether to prorate 
the award to time.

EIP

The number of shares subject to subsisting EIP 
awards will vest on a change of control, prorated 
to time and performance.

The Committee’s policy is that it will not prorate awards 
for time. The Committee will make this determination 
depending on the circumstances of the change of control.

The Committee will determine the proportion of the EIP 
Award which vests taking into account, among other 
factors, the period of time the EIP Award has been held 
by the participant and the extent to which any applicable 
performance conditions have been satisfied at that time.

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Service agreements and letters of appointment
The Executive Directors’ service agreements are for a rolling term and, with the exception of James Rawlingson’s, may be terminated by the 
Company or the Executive Director by giving 12 months’ notice.

Name
Jonathan Peacock1
Professor Sir Christopher Evans²
Joe Anderson
James Rawlingson

Date of service agreement
2 February 2017
1 November 2015
8 February 2016
9 February 2016

Notice periods 
by Company 
(months)
12
12
12
6

Notice periods by 
Director (months)
12
12
12
6

1  J Peacock became Chairman in February 2016. He also entered into a service agreement with Arix Bioscience, Inc dated 2 February 2017 effective from 1 

October 2016 (in replacement of his service agreement with the Company which was effective 1 January 2016 to 1 February 2017). Either party may terminate the 
employment at any time and depending upon the reason for such termination, severance including 12 months of salary may be payable.

2  The Company has also entered into a consultancy agreement on 1 February 2016 with Merlin Scientific LLP, a limited liability partnership wholly owned and 
controlled by C Evans. Under the Consultancy agreement Merlin Scientific LLP agreed to make C Evans available for the performance of services. The Consultancy 
agreement can be terminated by either party upon 12 months’ notice in writing.

The Non-Executive Directors of the Company do not have service contracts, but are appointed by letters of appointment. Each Non-Executive 
Director’s term of office runs for an initial period of three years unless terminated earlier upon written notice or upon their resignations.

The terms of the Non-Executive Directors’ appointments are subject to their re-election by the Company’s shareholders at the AGM scheduled 
to be held on 5 June 2017 and to re-election at any subsequent AGM at which the Non-Executive Directors stand for re-election.

The details of each Non-Executive Director’s current term are set out below:

Name
Franz Humer
Sir John Banham
Lord John Hutton
Professor Trevor Jones
David U’Prichard

Date of appointment
7 June 2016
8 February 2016
8 February 2016
8 February 2016
8 February 2016

Current term 
(full years)
3
3
3
3
3

Notice 
periods by 
Company 
(months)
3
3
3
3
3

Notice 
periods by 
Director 
(months)
3
3
3
3
3

56

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Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 201657

Illustrations of the application of the remuneration policy
The chart below illustrates the remuneration that would be paid to each of the Executive Directors, based on current salaries under three 
different performance scenarios: (i) Minimum; (ii) On-target; and (iii) Maximum. The elements of remuneration have been categorised into three 
components: (i) Fixed; (ii) Annual Bonus; and (iii) EIP, with the assumptions set out below:

Element
Fixed1

Annual Bonus

Executive Incentive Plan2

Description
Salary, benefits  
and pension
Annual bonus (awards  
under ABP)
Award under the EIP

Minimum
Included

On-Target
Included

Maximum
Included

No variable payable

50% of maximum bonus

100% of maximum bonus

No annual minimum
Multiple year and variable

67% of the  
maximum award

100% of the 
 maximum award

In accordance with the regulations, share price growth has not been included.

Notes:

1  Benefits provided are permanent health insurance, life assurance, private medical insurance, company car (company car allowance of £10,000 for the CEO) and 

pension (current contribution of 7.5% of salary). The value of the benefits (except for the company car allowance and pension) will not be known until the end of the 
financial year – therefore in the 2017 report, the charts below will be updated to incorporate the benefits values as per the single figure table for the 2017 financial 
year. 

2  Long-Term Incentive Plan illustration is for the maximum award level of 225% of salary (salary and fees) under the EIP for all roles. Please note, the final award 

levels for the roles is determined by the Remuneration Committee and may not be at the maximum level for all roles. The charts below will be updated in the 2017 
report to reflect the actual award levels that have been made for each role in 2017.

Information regarding the illustrations
The Remuneration Committee wishes to provide shareholders with a full understanding of our proposed Remuneration Policy, in line with the Directors’ 
Remuneration reporting requirements. 

The charts below provide an illustration of the Remuneration Policy but the Remuneration Committee wishes to note that the implementation of the 
Policy for the 2017 financial year, which is being finalised by the Remuneration Committee at the time of this report (in particular the award levels for the 
EIP in 2017), will differ from the illustrations.

The implementation of the Remuneration Policy for the 2017 financial year will be disclosed in our 2017 Annual Report and the illustration charts will be 
updated to reflect the actual implementation of our Policy.

Jonathan Peacock

Joe Anderson

Minimum

100%

£430,000

Minimum

100%

£547,500

On Target

35%

16%

49%

£1,230,000

On Target

35%

16%

49%

£1,547,500

Maximum

25%

23%

52%

£1,730,000

Maximum

25%

23%

52%

£2,172,500

£0

£500,000

£1,000,000 £1,500,000 £2,000,000

£0

£500,000 £1,000,000 £1,500,000 £2,000,000

Chris Evans

James Rawlingson

Minimum

100%

£268,750

Minimum

100%

£290,250

On Target

100%

£268,750

On Target

35%

16%

49%

£830,250

Maximum

100%

£268,750

Maximum

25%

23%

52%

£1,167,750

£0

£500,000 £1,000,000 £1,500,000 £2,000,000

£0

£500,000 £1,000,000 £1,500,000 £2,000,000

Salary, Benefits & Pension

Bonus (ABP)

EIP

Professor Sir Christopher Evans will not participate in the Company’s Annual Bonus or Executive Incentive Plan. In addition to the remuneration components 
outlined in the illustration above, a consultancy fee will be paid to Merlin Scientific LLP, a limited liability partnership wholly owned and controlled by Professor 
Sir Christopher Evans. The minimum payment will be £240,000 per year and the maximum payment, in combination with the amounts paid to Professor Sir 
Christopher Evans, will not exceed the maximum which could be made under the proposed Remuneration Policy. The payment will be determined based on 
the nature of the services provided in the year. The Company will provide a full disclosure of the payments made in the following year’s Annual Report.

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Exceptions to Remuneration Policy for Executive and Non-Executive Directors
Notwithstanding the restrictions set out in the Policy, where the Group has made a commitment to a Director which:

•  was in accordance with the then prevailing Remuneration policy at the time the commitment was made; and/or

•  was made before the Director became a Director;

the Company will continue to give effect to it, even if it is inconsistent with the policy which is in effect at that time. For example, earlier 
remuneration policies of the Group may continue to apply in relation to awards under bonus or share incentive plans in operation pre-IPO which 
were made pre-IPO but which may vest or be exercised, or may have vested and been exercised, post-IPO.

Statement of conditions elsewhere in the Company
The Remuneration Committee considers pay and employment conditions across the Company when reviewing the remuneration of the 
Executive Directors and other senior employees. In particular, the Remuneration Committee considers the range of base pay increases across 
the Group. While the Company does not directly consult with employees as part of the process of reviewing executive pay and formulating the 
Remuneration Policy set out in this report, the Company does receive updates from the Executive Directors on their discussions and reviews 
with senior management and employees.

Consideration of shareholder views
The Company welcomes dialogue with its shareholders; shareholder views are considered when evaluating and setting the remuneration 
strategy and the Remuneration Committee will consult with key shareholders prior to any significant changes to its Remuneration Policy. 

Annual Report on Remuneration
This section sets out details of the remuneration of the Executive and Non-Executive Directors received during the financial period ended 31 
December 2016 and also describes the operation of the Remuneration Committee. During the financial period ended 31 December 2016 the 
Company was not a Quoted company so was not subject to the Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports)
(Amendment) Regulations 2013 nor the UKLA Listing Rules or the UK Corporate Governance Code. For clarity, all remuneration set out in the 
following report refers to payments made prior to Listing and was not subject to the Remuneration Policy. The Annual Report on Remuneration 
will therefore not be proposed for an advisory vote by shareholders at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting because it relates to the period 
ended 31 December 2016 when the Company was not Quoted and there was no Remuneration Policy in place.

Remuneration Committee
Membership
The Remuneration Committee was established on 7 June 2016 in preparation for the listing. Franz Humer is Chairman of the Committee. The 
other member of the Committee is Professor Trevor Jones. There were no meetings of the Committee during the period and the Committee has 
met once so far since IPO.

The Board considers each of the members of the Committee to be independent in accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code (the 
Code). The Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive will also attend meetings of the Committee by invitation, but will not be present when 
matters relating to their own remuneration are discussed.

Role of the Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee’s responsibilities are set out in its Terms of Reference which are available on request to shareholders and on the 
Company’s website. 

Visit us online at:  
www.arixbioscience.com

Its role includes:

•  Setting the remuneration policy for all executive Directors of the Company, the Chairman of the Board and management (being all personnel 

receiving an annual basic salary of £250,000 or more).

•  Within the terms of the remuneration policy and in consultation with the Chairman of the Board and/or Chief Executive, as appropriate, 

determining the total individual remuneration package of each Executive Director and the Chairman and other designated senior executives 
including bonuses, incentive payments and share option or other share awards.

•  Approving the design of, and determining targets for, any performance related pay schemes operated by the Company and approving total 

annual payments made under such schemes.

•  Ensuring that contractual terms on termination, and any payments made, are fair to the individual, and the Company, that failure is not 

rewarded and that the duty to mitigate loss is fully recognised.

In carrying out its duties the Remuneration Committee takes into account any legal and regulatory requirements, including the Code, the UK 
Listing Rules and FCA Remuneration Codes. Determining the fees of the Non-Executive Directors is a matter for the Executive Directors and the 
Chairman as a whole.

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Key matters considered by the Remuneration Committee since IPO
Key issues reviewed and discussed by the Remuneration Committee since the IPO have included:

•  Review and consideration of remuneration policy;

•  Review of Executive Directors and senior manager bonuses for 2016.

Advisers to the Committee
The Committee has not appointed advisers at this stage and will review its position now that the Company is Listed. The Committee receives 
advice and guidance on senior executive remuneration from the Chief Executive Officer, and the Company Secretary in respect of the UK 
Corporate Governance Code and share schemes. The Company Secretary acts as Secretary to the Committee, ensures that the Remuneration 
Committee fulfils its duties under its terms of reference and provides regular updates to the Remuneration Committee on relevant regulatory 
developments in the UK.

Executive Directors’ remuneration
The table below sets out the remuneration received by each Executive Director for the period ended 31 December 2016. Joe Anderson was the 
highest paid Director:

Executive Directors 

Jonathan Peacock*

Professor Sir Christopher Evans

Joe Anderson*

James Rawlingson*

Past Directors

Martin Walton**

Shafia Zahoor***

* Appointed 8 February 2016
** Resigned 8 February 2016
*** Resigned 7 June 2016

The figures have been calculated as follows:

Basic 
Salary
£’000
2016

Taxable 
Benefits
£’000
2016

Pension
£’000
2016

Annual 
Bonus
£’000
2016

229

229

427

247

nil

nil

13

8

19

13

nil

nil

-

-

32

19

nil

nil

375

735

750

405

nil

nil

Total
£’000
2016

617

972

1,228

684

nil

nil

•  Base salary: amount earned for the year. During the period, J Peacock waived £150k of his annual £400k base salary.
•  Benefits: the taxable value of annual benefits received in the year. The main benefits are life assurance, long-term sickness insurance, private healthcare and 

company car or company car cash allowance. The value of the company car cash allowance is £10,000.

•  Pension: the value of the Company’s contribution during the year 7.5% or in the case of Jonathan Peacock Company contributions to 401(k) plan.
•  Do not include an invoice from C Evans settled through his consultancy of £208k relating principally to founding activities during 2015 before Arix Bioscience plc 

had been incorporated.

Non-Executive Directors’ remuneration
The table below sets out the remuneration received by each Non-Executive Director during the period ended 31 December 2016.

Franz Humer

Sir John Banham

Lord John Hutton

Professor Trevor Jones

David U’Prichard

Total

2016 
£’000

67

54

52

52

54

279

Non-Executive Directors cannot participate in any of the Company’s share schemes and are not eligible to join a company pension scheme.

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Directors’ Remuneration Report
continued

Executive Directors’ Pension 
The Executive Directors are entitled to a pension contribution to a personal pension scheme equal to 7.5% salary with the exception of 
Jonathan Peacock who is entitled to participate in a 401(k) retirement plan with matching contributions to be made by Arix Bioscience, Inc. 
Contributions paid for each Executive Director in the period to 31 December 2016 are set out in the remuneration table above.

Executive Directors
Annual Bonus for 2016 performance
Cash bonuses were awarded to the Executive Directors in respect of the period ended 31 December 2016. The awards were made in 
accordance with arrangements in place prior to the IPO. The cash bonuses equated to 150% of salary (being a 100% annual bonus and 50% 
one-off exceptional bonus). Details of these bonuses are set out in the following table:

Jonathan Peacock

Professor Sir Christopher Evans

Joe Anderson

James Rawlingson

Annual Bonus
£

250,000

490,000

500,000

270,000

Exceptional 
Bonus
£

125,000

245,000

250,000

135,000

Founder Awards
Founder options
Awards were made under the Executive Share Option Plan adopted by the Board on 4 February 2016 as follows:

Director

Jonathan Peacock

Joe Anderson

Type of 
Award

Option

Option

Option

Option

Exercise 
price (per 
share)

£1.80

£1.80

£1.80

£1.80

No. of 
Shares 
subject to 
option

Date of 
Award

Vesting Dates

2,286,261

08.02.16

08.02.17

08.02.18

08.02.19

08.02.20

197,989

07.06.16

08.02.17

08.02.18

08.02.19

08.02.20

2,794,320

08.02.16

08.02.17

08.02.18

08.02.19

08.02.20

241,989

07.06.16

08.02.17

08.02.18

08.02.19

08.02.20

The awards set out above are not subject to performance conditions and will vest in four equal tranches on the vesting dates shown subject to 
the option holder remaining an eligible employee under the terms of the Executive Share Option Plan.

Following the admission of the Company’s Ordinary Shares to trading on the London Stock Exchange, no further awards may be made under 
the Executive Share Option Plan. Note 19 to the financial statements details the share-based payment charge for the period relating to these 
options.

Founder Incentive Shares
The release of these Founder Incentive Shares (Incentive Shares) is conditional that Sir Chris Evans (as a Founder) remains an employee or 
Director of the Company at the date the incentive shares are eligible for release. In consideration for the release of his undertakings in respect of 
these shares Sir Chris Evans must pay £1.80 per Incentive Share. These Incentive shares will be released in four equal tranches on 8 February 
2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. Note 19 to the financial statements details the share-based payment charge for the period relating to these 
shares.

Sir Chris Evans*

Founder 
Incentive 
Shares

3,088,729

*  C Evans holds 2,573,941 Founder Incentive Shares through Ectoplasm Limited, which is wholly owned by Abacus Trust Company Limited as Trustee of the 

Ectoplasm Settlement, of which the discretionary beneficiaries include C Evans and members of his close family.

Payments to departing Directors
During the period, the Company has not made any payments to past Directors; neither has it made any payments to Directors for loss of office.

60

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Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 201661

Directors’ shareholdings and share interests
Executive Directors’ interests in Ordinary shares of the Company
Interests of the Executive Directors in the share capital of the Company as at 31 December 2016 are shown in the table below:

Jonathan Peacock

Professor Sir Christopher Evans*

Joe Anderson**

James Rawlingson

Class of Shares

Ordinary

Nil

60,000,000

Nil

Nil

Series B

555,556

Nil

277,778

Nil

C Shares

49,671

Nil

Nil

Nil

*   C Evans holds part of his interest through Ectoplasm Limited as to 50,000,000 Ordinary Shares. Ectoplasm Limited is wholly owned by Abacus Trust Company 

Limited as Trustee of the Ectoplasm Settlement, of which the discretionary beneficiaries include C Evans and members of his close family.

** Joe Anderson holds 138,889 Series B Shares representing 50%. of his shares through PAL Trustees Limited, the trustee of his SIPP.

As a result of the restructuring of the Company’s share capital as described in the IPO Prospectus the Executive Directors’ interests in the share 
capital of the Company as at 18 April 2017, being the latest practicable date prior to publication of this Annual Report, are as follows:

Jonathan Peacock

Professor Sir Christopher Evans*

Joe Anderson**

James Rawlingson

Ordinary

555,556

7,316,039

277,778

Nil

Class of Share

Deferred

C Shares

Nil

96,912

Nil

Nil

49,671

Nil

Nil

Nil

*   C Evans holds part of his interest through Ectoplasm Limited as to 6,096,699 Ordinary Shares and 80,760 Deferred Shares. Ectoplasm Limited is wholly owned 
by Abacus Trust Company Limited as Trustee of the Ectoplasm Settlement of which the discretionary beneficiaries include C Evans and members of his close 
family.

** Joe Anderson holds 138,889 Ordinary Shares representing 50%. of his shares through PAL Trustees Limited, the trustee of his SIPP.

In addition to the interests shown in the table above, pursuant to an option agreement, Professor Sir Christopher Evans has the right to 
purchase 70% of the Ordinary Shares held by Arig Risk Management JLT (5,555,556 shares).

Non-executive Directors’ interests in Ordinary shares of the Company
Non-Executive Directors are not subject to a shareholding requirement. Details of their interests in Ordinary Shares in the Company are set out below:

Non-Executive Director

Franz Humer

Sir John Banham

Lord John Matthew Patrick Hutton

Professor Trevor Jones

David U’Prichard

Shareholding 
as at 
31 December 
2016

Shareholding 
as at 
18 April 
2017*

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

56,763

28,985

27,777

27,777

28,985

*   Each of the Non-Executive Directors received Ordinary Shares with a value (calculated by reference to the IPO Offer Price) equivalent to their respective annual 
fees immediately prior to admission. Subject to certain customary exceptions, such Shares are locked-up for a period of one year from the date of Admission.

IPO Awards
There were no awards during 2016 under the Executive Incentive Plan.

Awards under the EIP were made to certain Executive Directors and employees on Admission in February 2017 (IPO Awards) in recognition 
of their contribution to the Offer and Admission. The IPO Awards were made in the form of nil-cost options for UK employees and conditional 
awards for US based employees in accordance with the rules of the EIP as follows:

Director

Jonathan Peacock*

Professor Sir Christopher Evans

Joe Anderson

James Rawlingson

Date of Award

22.02.2017

22.02.2017

22.02.2017

22.02.2017

Number of 
Awards

Exercise 
Price

Face Value 
(£)

Vesting 
Date

Last Exercise 
Date

241,545

295,893

362,318

163,043

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

499,998

612,498

749,998

337,499

22.02.2019

N/A

22.02.2019

21.02.2027

22.02.2019

21.02.2027

22.02.2019

21.02.2027

*  Conditional share awards which vest on the second anniversary of admission. Ordinary Shares are delivered following the vesting.

Face value has been calculated using price per Ordinary Share in the Offer (207p). The awards are exercisable at the on the second anniversary of Admission.

25453.04 24 April 2017 4:57 PM 

Proof 7

www.arixbioscience.comGOVERNANCE 
 
FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS

Contents

Financials
Independent Auditors’ Report 
Consolidated Statement of 
Comprehensive Income 
Consolidated Statement of 
Financial Position 
Consolidated Statement 
of Changes in Equity 
Consolidated Statement 
of Cash Flows 
Notes to the Financial Statements 
Company Statement of 
Financial Position 
Company Statement of 
Changes in Equity 
Notes to the Company 
Financial Statements 
Shareholder Information 
Advisers 

64

71

72

73

74
75

93

94

95
96
97

Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 2016

25453.04 24 April 2017 4:55 PM 

Proof 1

63

“We look forward to taking 
advantage of our strong pipeline 
of opportunities, and steadily 
increasing the number and size 
of our Group Businesses.”

www.arixbioscience.com

25453.04 24 April 2017 4:55 PM 

Proof 7

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSIndependent Auditor’s Report
to the members of Arix Bioscience plc

Certain required disclosures have been presented elsewhere in the 
Annual Report, rather than in the notes to the financial statements. 
These are cross-referenced from the financial statements and are 
identified as audited.

The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the 
preparation of the Group financial statements is IFRSs as adopted 
by the European Union, and applicable law. The financial reporting 
framework that has been applied in the preparation of the Company 
financial statements is United Kingdom Accounting Standards, 
comprising FRS 101 “Reduced Disclosure Framework” (United 
Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), and applicable 
law.

Our audit approach

Context

The principal activity of Arix Bioscience plc is to source, finance and 
develop healthcare and life sciences businesses globally. The Group 
works with its Group Businesses to support them in delivering their 
strategy. The Parent Company is incorporated and domiciled in the 
United Kingdom and was formed in September 2015. 

The Arthurian Life Sciences Limited (‘ALS’) Group, comprising Arthurian 
Life Sciences Limited, Arthurian Life Sciences SPV GP Limited and 
Arthurian Life Sciences Carried Interest Partner LP was acquired 
during the period. The ALS Group manages the Wales Life Sciences 
Investment Fund (the ‘WLSIF’) and receives a management fee and 
carried interest from the WLSIF.

Report to the financial statements

Our opinion
In our opinion:

•  Arix Bioscience plc’s Group financial statements and Company 

financial statements (the “financial statements”) give a true and fair 
view of the state of the Group’s and of the Company’s affairs as at 
31 December 2016 and of the Group’s loss and cash flows for the 
16 month period (the “period”) then ended;

•  The Group financial statements have been properly prepared 

in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 
(“IFRSs”) as adopted by the European Union;

• 

• 

the Company financial statements have been properly prepared in 
accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting 
Practice; 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.

What we have audited
The financial statements, included within the Annual Report and Accounts 
(the “Annual Report”), comprise:

•  The Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as at 31 December 

2016;

•  The Company Statement of Financial Position as at 31 December 

2016;

•  The Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the period 

then ended;

•  The Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the period then ended;

•  The Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity for the period 

then ended;

•  The Company Statement of Changes in Equity for the period then 

ended; and

•  The notes to the financial statements, which include a summary of 
significant accounting policies and other explanatory information.

64

25453.04 24 April 2017 4:55 PM 

Proof 7

Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 201665

Overview

•  Overall Group materiality: £463,000 which represents 1% of net assets.

Materiality

Audit scope

•  We tailored the scope of our audit to ensure that we performed enough work to be 

able to give an opinion on the financial statements as a whole, taking into account the 
geographic structure of the Group, the accounting processes and controls, and the 
industry in which the Group operates.

•  We audited the Parent Company and three significant subsidiaries of the Group, 

which together account for 94% of its loss before tax, and 99% of its net assets. The 
three significant subsidiaries subject to audit were Arix Bioscience Holdings Limited, 
Arthurian Life Sciences Limited and Arthurian Life Sciences SPV GP Limited and these 
were subject to audit as they represent a significant portion of the Group’s income, 
loss before tax or net assets.

•  Valuation of unquoted investments.

•  Valuation of investment in carried interest.

•  Share based payment expense

Areas
of focus

The scope of our audit and our areas of focus

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) (“ISAs (UK & Ireland)”).

We designed our audit by determining materiality and assessing the risks of material misstatement in the financial statements. In particular, we looked 
at where the directors made subjective judgements, for example in respect of significant accounting estimates that involved making assumptions and 
considering future events that are inherently uncertain. As in all of our audits we also addressed the risk of management override of internal controls, 
including evaluating whether there was evidence of bias by the directors that represented a risk of material misstatement due to fraud.

The risks of material misstatement that had the greatest effect on our audit, including the allocation of our resources and effort, are identified as “areas 
of focus” in the table below. We have also set out how we tailored our audit to address these specific areas in order to provide an opinion on the 
financial statements as a whole, and any comments we make on the results of our procedures should be read in this context. This is not a complete 
list of all risks identified by our audit.

Area of focus

How our audit addressed the area of focus

Valuation of unquoted investments

Refer to pages 78 to 80 (Accounting Policies), page 87 (notes) and 
page 42 (Audit and Risk Committee Report).

The fair value of the unquoted investments is £12.8m as at 31 
December 2016. This is an area of focus due to the fact that 
unquoted investments (“investee companies”) do not have readily 
determinable prices. The valuation methodology primarily used 
by the Group is based on the ‘price of recent investment’ or a 
‘milestone approach’. The price of recent investment approach 
refers to any investment in the investee company that would give an 
indication of fair value. The milestone approach refers to monitoring 
the fair value of the investments for potential adjustments based on 
meeting certain milestones or performance targets. As such, the 
valuation of unquoted investments is judgemental, increasing the 
risk of material misstatement based on the size of the investments 
held in relation to the overall financial statements.

We understood and evaluated the valuation methodology applied, 
by reference to industry practice and applicable accounting 
standards, and tested the techniques used by management in 
determining the fair value of the investee companies.

We performed the following:

•  Agreed the price of recent investment to supporting 

documentation such as purchase agreements or bank 
statements.

•  Held meetings with management to understand the performance 
of each investee company in relation to its plan and the rationale 
for the valuation methodology applied and then obtained 
supporting financial information and board papers from the 
investee companies that corroborated those discussions held 
with management.

We found that management’s valuations of investments, and in 
particular that the assumptions used were supported by the audit 
evidence we obtained.

25453.04 24 April 2017 4:55 PM 

Proof 7

www.arixbioscience.comFINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
   
Independent Auditor’s Report continued
to the members of Arix Bioscience plc

Valuation of investment in carried interest

Refer to pages 78 to 80 (Accounting Policies), pages 86 and 87 
(notes) and page 42 (Audit and Risk Committee Report).

We understood and evaluated the valuation methodology applied, 
by reference to industry practice and applicable accounting 
standards, and tested the techniques used by management in 
determining the fair value of the investment.

The investment in carried interest arises through Arthurian Life 
Sciences Limited’s 100% interest in the ‘carried interest’ vehicle 
(Arthurian Life Sciences Carried Interest Partner LP) of The Wales 
Life Sciences Investment Fund (the ‘WLSIF’). Carried interest 
represents a share of the profits arising in the WLSIF. The fair value 
of this carried interest investment is determined to be £4.3m and is 
included in investments held at fair value in the financial statements.

•  We obtained the management expert’s report, the discounted 
cash flow model and tested the mathematical accuracy of the 
model and agreed the calculation of the carried interest cash 
flows to WLSIF governing documents.

•  We assessed the competence, capability and objectivity of 

management’s expert.

The valuation of investment in the carried interest is determined at 
the reporting date through the assistance of a management’s expert 
using a discounted cash flow model which takes into account the 
future carried interest cash flows arising from the WLSIF. The key 
assumptions used in the model include the expected ‘exit values’ 
and ‘exit dates’ for the underlying investments in the WLSIF and the 
discount rate to be applied.

This is an area of focus due to the fact that the underlying 
investments held by the WLSIF are unquoted in nature and therefore 
do not have a readily determinable market price. In addition, 
judgement is also involved in the assessment of an appropriate 
discount rate to be applied.

•  We engaged our internal valuation experts to perform a review of 
the methodology applied to determine the fair value and derive 
an appropriate discount rate.

•  We held meetings with management to understand the 

assumptions made in determining the exit value and exit dates 
of the investments in the WLSIF. We obtained supporting 
information, including board papers and financial projections of 
the investee companies and market comparable information to 
support the exit dates and exit values used in the model.

•  We applied various sensitivities to the assumptions used by 

management in the valuation model to assess the impact that 
this would have on the overall carried interest valuation.

We found that management’s valuation of the investment in carried 
interest, including assumptions used in the valuation was supported 
by the evidence we obtained and was within a reasonable range.

66

25453.04 24 April 2017 4:55 PM 

Proof 7

Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 2016Share based payment expense

Refer to page 81 (Accounting Policies), page 90 (notes) and page 42 
(Audit and Risk Committee Report).

The share based payment expense is determined to be an area of 
focus given the assumptions used by management, judgements 
made, and the complexity of the Black-Scholes valuation model.

These factors increase the risk of material misstatement based 
on the size of the share based payment charges in relation to the 
financial statements. There is also a risk that due to the complexity of 
some of the incentive and share arrangements that the charge is not 
completely recognised.

The share based payment expense amounted to £4.7m for the 
period.

67

In testing the share based payment expense, we performed the 
following testing to address the risks identified for the types of share 
based payment transaction:

•  Obtained and read the contracts for new and amended awards 
in the period and shareholder agreements to examine whether 
all share based payments have been accounted for. We did not 
identify any material omissions.

•  Tested each of the new awards in the period by checking that 
they were appropriately authorised, consistent with scheme 
plans, classified correctly as equity or cash settled and used an 
appropriate share price.

•  Obtained the valuation models for new schemes and grants 
made in the period and tested those models by agreeing key 
inputs (service commencement date, exercise price, share 
amount, vesting period) used to the share agreements in place, 
and examining that this model was appropriate in the context of 
an industry accepted pricing model.

•  Assessed the reasonableness of the estimates in relation to 

performance conditions and/or service conditions for existing 
awards. The key assumptions in calculating the share based 
payment expense are the share volatility of the Group, the 
exercise date for the shares, the assumed dividend yields of 
the Group’s shares, the forfeiture rates of the share options, the 
leaver rate and performance conditions.

•  Assessed whether all disclosures required by IFRSs as adopted 

by the EU had been made and appropriately reflected the 
scheme agreements and the calculations and estimates made. 

Based on our work, we found that the pricing model used to value 
the awards was in line with accepted market practice and that 
the assumptions made by management were supported by audit 
evidence we obtained.

25453.04 24 April 2017 4:55 PM 

Proof 7

www.arixbioscience.comFINANCIAL STATEMENTSIndependent Auditor’s Report continued
to the members of Arix Bioscience plc

How we tailored the audit scope

We tailored the scope of our audit to ensure that we performed enough work to be able to give an opinion on the financial statements as a 
whole, taking into account the geographic structure of the Group, the accounting processes and controls, and the industry in which the Group 
operates.

This is a first audit for the Group and therefore we have held a number of early planning discussions with those charged with governance and 
with management from the formation of the Group and our appointment as auditors in order to appropriately scope and plan the audit. This has 
allowed us to adequately capture the areas of focus for the audit.

We audited the Parent Company and three significant subsidiaries of the Group, which together account for 94% of its loss before tax, and 
99% of its net assets. This, together with procedures performed over the consolidation, has provided the evidence we need for our opinion 
on the Group financial statements. We also performed audit procedures on the Group consolidation adjustments and the financial statement 
disclosures.

The three significant subsidiaries subject to audit were Arix Bioscience Holdings Limited, Arthurian Life Sciences Limited and Arthurian Life 
Sciences SPV GP Limited and these were subject to audit as they represent a significant portion of the Group’s income, loss before tax or net 
assets.

In addition to the Group audit and audit of the three subsidiaries we have performed specified audit procedures over Arix Bioscience, Inc., 
holding two of the Group’s significant investments, which is a specific risk and an area of focus for the audit.

Materiality

The scope of our audit was influenced by our application of materiality. We set certain quantitative thresholds for materiality. These, together 
with qualitative considerations, helped us to determine the scope of our audit and the nature, timing and extent of our audit procedures on 
the individual financial statement line items and disclosures and in evaluating the effect of misstatements, both individually and on the financial 
statements as a whole.

Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality for the financial statements as a whole as follows:

Overall group materiality

How we determined it

Rationale for benchmark applied

£463,000

1% of net assets.

Net assets is the primary measure used by the 
shareholders in assessing the performance of 
the Group, and is a generally accepted auditing 
benchmark for business such as the Group, 
which invests in other businesses for capital 
appreciation

We agreed with the Audit and Risk Committee that we would report to them misstatements identified during our audit above £23,000 as well as 
misstatements below that amount that, in our view, warranted reporting for qualitative reasons.

Going concern

The directors have concluded that it is appropriate to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. The going concern 
basis presumes that the Group and Company have adequate resources to remain in operation, and that the directors intend them to do so, for 
at least one year from the date the financial statements were signed. As part of our audit we have concluded that the directors’ use of the going 
concern basis is appropriate. However, because not all future events or conditions can be predicted, these statements are not a guarantee as 
to the Group’s and Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

68

25453.04 24 April 2017 4:55 PM 

Proof 7

Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 201669

Other required reporting

Consistency of other information and compliance with applicable requirements

Companies Act 2006 reporting

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

•  The information given in the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report for the financial period for which the financial statements are 

prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

•  The Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

In addition, in light of the knowledge and understanding of the Group, the Company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit, 
we are required to report if we have identified any material misstatements in the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report. We have nothing 
to report in this respect.

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

•  The information given in the Corporate Governance Report set out on pages 34 to 37 with respect to internal control and risk management 

systems and about share capital structures is consistent with the financial statements and has been prepared in accordance with 
applicable legal requirements; and

•  The information given in the Corporate Governance Report set out on pages 34 to 37 with respect to the Company’s corporate 

governance code and practices and about its administrative, management and supervisory bodies complies with rules 7.2.2, 7.2.3 and 
7.2.7 of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules sourcebook of the Financial Conduct Authority.

In addition, in light of the knowledge and understanding of the Group, the Company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit, 
we are required to report if we have identified any material misstatements in the information referred to above in the Corporate Governance 
Report. We have nothing to report in this respect.

Adequacy of accounting records and information and explanations received
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion:

•  We have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or

•  Adequate accounting records have not been kept by the Company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches 

not visited by us; or

We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility.

Directors’ remuneration

Other Companies Act 2006 reporting

Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion, certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law 
are not made. We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility.

Corporate governance statement
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion, a corporate governance statement has not been prepared by 
the Company. We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility.

25453.04 24 April 2017 4:55 PM 

Proof 7

www.arixbioscience.comFINANCIAL STATEMENTSIndependent Auditor’s Report continued
to the members of Arix Bioscience plc

Responsibilities for the financial statements and the audit

Our responsibilities and those of the directors
As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities set out on page 33, the directors are responsible for the preparation of 
the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view.

Our responsibility is to audit and express an opinion on the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and ISAs (UK & Ireland). 
Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s Ethical Standards for Auditors.

This report, including the opinions, has been prepared for and only for the Company’s members as a body in accordance with Chapter 3 of 
Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and for no other purpose. We do not, in giving these opinions, accept or assume responsibility for any 
other purpose or to any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by our prior 
consent in writing.

What an audit of financial statements involves
An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to give reasonable assurance that 
the financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error. This includes an assessment of:

•  Whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the Group’s and the Company’s circumstances and have been consistently applied and 

adequately disclosed;

•  The reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by the directors; and

•  The overall presentation of the financial statements.

We primarily focus our work in these areas by assessing the directors’ judgements against available evidence, forming our own judgements, 
and evaluating the disclosures in the financial statements.

We test and examine information, using sampling and other auditing techniques, to the extent we consider necessary to provide a reasonable 
basis for us to draw conclusions. We obtain audit evidence through testing the effectiveness of controls, substantive procedures or a 
combination of both.

In addition, we read all the financial and non-financial information in the Annual Report to identify material inconsistencies with the audited 
financial statements and to identify any information that is apparently materially incorrect based on, or materially inconsistent with, the 
knowledge acquired by us in the course of performing the audit. If we become aware of any apparent material misstatements or inconsistencies 
we consider the implications for our report. With respect to the Strategic Report, Directors’ Report and Corporate Governance Statement, we 
consider whether those reports include the disclosures required by applicable legal requirements.

Richard McGuire (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors 
London 
26 April 2017

70

25453.04 24 April 2017 4:55 PM 

Proof 7

Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 2016Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the period from 15 September 2015 to 31 December 2016

Change in fair value of investments

Revenue

Administrative Expenses

Loss before exceptional items and share based payment charge
Net finance income

Exceptional gain

Exceptional costs

Foreign exchange gains

Share-based payment charge

Loss before taxation
Taxation

Loss for the period

Other Comprehensive Income
Exchange differences on translating foreign operations

Total comprehensive loss for the period

Attributable to
Owners of Arix Bioscience plc

Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share (p)

Diluted earnings per share (p)

Note

12

3

6

7

11

15

19

9

10

10

The above consolidated statement of comprehensive income should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

71

2016
£’000

1,354

635

(10,293)

(8,304)
26

3,962

(596)

97

(4,712)

(9,527)
692

(8,835)

434

(8,401)

(8,401)

(0.36)

(0.36)

25453.04 24 April 2017 4:55 PM 

Proof 7

www.arixbioscience.comFINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
As at 31 December 2016

ASSETS

Non-Current Assets
Investments held at fair value

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables

TOTAL ASSETS

LIABILITIES

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables

Deferred tax liability

TOTAL LIABILITIES

NET ASSETS

EQUITY
Share capital and share premium

Retained earnings

Other reserves

TOTAL EQUITY

Note

12

13

14

16

15

17

9

18

2016
£’000

17,115

2,344

750

20,209

28,929

3,262

32,191

52,400

(5,791)

(280)

(6,071)

(6,071)

46,329

51

45,844

434

46,329

46,329

The accompanying notes form an integral part of the financial statements. The financial statements on pages 71 to 92 were approved by the 
Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 26 April 2017, and were signed on its behalf by

James Rawlingson,  
Chief Financial Officer

72

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Proof 7

Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 2016 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
73

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
For the period from 15 September 2015 to 31 December 2016

At Incorporation
Loss for the period

Other comprehensive income

Contributions of equity, net of transaction costs and tax

Share capital reorganisation

Share-based payment charge

As at 31 December 2016

Share 
Capital
£’000

Share 
Premium
£’000

Translation 
Reserve
£’000

–

–

–

51

–

–

51

–

–

–

49,967

(49,967)

–

–

–

–

434

–

–

–

434

Retained 
Earnings
£’000

–

(8,835)

–

–

49,967

4,712

45,844

Total
£’000

–

(8,835)

434

50,018

–

4,712

46,329

25453.04 24 April 2017 4:55 PM 

Proof 7

www.arixbioscience.comFINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
For the period from 15 September 2015 to 31 December 2016

Net cash from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of equity investments

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired

Net cash from operating activities

Cash flows from financing activities
Net proceeds from issue of shares

Net cash from financing activities

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at start of period

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

Note

20

2016
£’000

(7,457)

(12,385)

(888)

(359)

(13,632)

50,018

50,018

28,929

–

28,929

74

25453.04 24 April 2017 4:55 PM 

Proof 7

Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 2016 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements

75

1. General information
The principal activity of Arix Bioscience plc (the ‘Company’) and together with its subsidiaries (the ‘Arix Group’ or ‘the Group’) is to source, 
finance and develop healthcare and life science businesses globally.

The Company is incorporated and domiciled in the United Kingdom. Arix Bioscience plc was incorporated on 15 September 2015 as 
Perceptive Bioscience Investments Limited and changed its name to Arix Bioscience Limited. It subsequently re-registered as a public limited 
company and changed its name to Arix Bioscience plc. The address of its registered office is 20 Berkeley Square, London, W1J 6EQ.  
The registered number is 09777975.

2. Accounting policies
a.  Basis of preparation
The consolidated financial statements of the Arix Group have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 
(IFRS) and interpretations issued by the IFRS Interpretations Committee (IFRS IC) applicable to companies reporting under IFRS. The financial 
statements comply with IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) as adopted by the European Union.

The financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, except for certain financial assets which have been measured at fair 
value. The financial statements are presented in British pounds sterling, which is the functional and presentational currency of the Company, 
and the presentational currency of the Group; balances are presented in thousands of British pounds sterling unless otherwise stated.

The Arix Group has applied all standards and interpretations issued by the IASB that were effective at the period end date. The accounting 
policies set out below have, unless otherwise stated, been applied consistently to all periods presented.

Use of judgements and estimates
In preparing these financial statements, management has made judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of the Arix 
Group’s accounting policies and reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to estimates are recognised prospectively.

Significant estimates are made by the Arix Group when determining the appropriate methodology for valuing investments (see Note 2(i)) and 
share-based payments (see Note 2(o) and Note 19).

In preparing these financial statements, the directors have considered the relationship that the Group has with The Wales Life Sciences 
Investment Fund (the “WLSIF”) and specifically as to whether the Group controls WLSIF. The directors note that while Arthurian Life Sciences 
Limited (a 100% subsidiary of Arix Bioscience plc), in its role as fund manager to WLSIF, and Arthurian Life Sciences SPV GP Limited (a 100% 
subsidiary of Arix Bioscience plc) in its role as general partner of the WLSIF, both exercise power over the activities of WLSIF, they do not have 
sufficient exposure to variability of returns from WLSIF to meet the definition of control and therefore acts as agents, rather than principals of 
WLSIF. Accordingly, WLSIF has not been consolidated into these financial statements.

25453.04 24 April 2017 4:55 PM 

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www.arixbioscience.comFINANCIAL STATEMENTS2. Accounting policies continued
b.  Basis of consolidation

Subsidiaries
Subsidiaries are entities over which the Arix Group has control. The Arix Group controls an entity when it is exposed to, or has the right to, 
variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity. Subsidiaries are 
fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred. They are deconsolidated from the date that control ceases. The acquisition 
method of accounting is used to account for business combinations by the Group.

The consolidated financial statements comprise a consolidation of the subsidiary entities listed below. This table contains the disclosures 
required by Section 409 of the Companies Act 2006 for subsidiaries.

Entity 

Country of 
Incorporation

Registered 
Address

Arix Bioscience Holdings Limited

England and Wales

20 Berkeley Square, London, W1J 6EQ

Arix Bioscience, Inc

United States

250 West 55th Street, 33rd Floor, New York NY 10019

Arthurian Life Sciences Limited

England and Wales

3 Assembly Square, Britannia Quay, Cardiff, CF10 4PL

Arthurian Life Sciences GP Limited

Scotland

16 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh, EH2 4DF

Arthurian Life Sciences SPV GP Limited

England and Wales

3 Assembly Square, Britannia Quay, Cardiff, CF10 4PL

Arthurian Life Sciences Carried Interest Partner LP Scotland

16 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh, EH2 4DF

Arix Bioscience Pty Limited

Australia

Level 27, AMP Centre, 50 Bridge Street, Sydney NSW 2000

Ownership

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

All companies are involved in the sourcing, financing and development of healthcare and life science businesses, other than the Arthurian Life 
Sciences companies, which are engaged in fund management activity, and Arthurian Life Sciences Carried Interest Partner LP, which holds a 
financial interest in a limited partnership.

Intercompany transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between Group companies are eliminated. Unrealised losses are also 
eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the transferred asset.

Associates
Associates are entities over which the Group has significant influence, but does not control, generally accompanied by a shareholding of 
between 20% and 50% of the voting rights.

No associates are presented on the Statement of Financial Position as the Group elects to hold such investments at fair value through profit 
and loss. This treatment is permitted by IAS 28 Investment in Associates and Joint Ventures, which permits investments held by entities that are 
akin to venture capital organisations to be excluded from its measurement methodology requirements where those investments are designated, 
upon initial recognition, as at fair value through profit or loss and accounted for in accordance with IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition 
and Measurement. Changes in fair value of associates are recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income in the period in which the 
change occurs. The Group has no interests in associates through which it carries on its business.

The disclosures required by Section 409 of the Companies Act 2006 for associated undertakings are included in Note 12 to the financial 
statements. Similarly, those investments which may not have qualified as Associate but fall within the wider scope of significant holdings and so 
are subject to Section 409 disclosure acts are also included in Note 12 to the financial statements.

WLSIF is considered neither a subsidiary nor an associate, as detailed in Note 2(a).

76

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Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 2016Notes to the Financial Statements77

c.  Adoption of new and revised standards
A number of new standards and amendments to standards and interpretations are not yet effective and have not been applied early in 
preparing this financial information. These are summarised below.

• 

IFRS 15 – ‘Revenue from contracts with customers’ This standard deals with revenue recognition and establishes principles for 
reporting useful information to users of financial statements about the nature, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from 
an entity’s contracts with customers. Revenue is recognised when a customer obtains control of a good or service and thus has the ability 
to direct the use and obtain the benefits from the good or service.

•  The standard replaces IAS 18 ‘Revenue’ and IAS 11 ‘Construction contracts’ and related interpretations. The standard is effective for annual 
periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018 and earlier application is permitted subject to EU endorsement. The Arix Group is assessing 
the impact of IFRS 15.

• 

• 

IFRS 16 – ‘Leases’ This standard replaces the current guidance in IAS 17 – ‘Leases’ and is a far-reaching change in accounting by lessees 
in particular. Under IAS 17, lessees were required to make a distinction between a finance lease (on balance sheet) and an operating lease 
(off balance sheet). IFRS 16 requires lessees to recognise a lease liability reflecting future lease payments and a ‘right-of-use asset’ for 
virtually all lease contracts.

IFRS 16 includes an optional exemption for certain short-term leases and leases of low-value assets; however, this exemption can only be 
applied by lessees. For lessors, the accounting remains substantially unchanged. IFRS 16 provides updated guidance on the definition of 
a lease (as well as the guidance on the combination and separation of contracts); under IFRS 16, a contract is, or contains, a lease if the 
contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration.

•  The standard is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019 and earlier application is permitted subject to EU 

endorsement. The Arix Group is currently assessing the impact of IFRS 16.

•  Amendments to IAS 7 – ‘Cash Flow Statements’ These amendments to IAS 7 introduce an additional disclosure that will enable users 
of financial statements to evaluate changes in liabilities arising from financing activities. These amendments are effective for annual periods 
beginning on or after 1 January 2017 and are not expected to have a significant impact on the Arix Group consolidated financial statements.

•  Amendments to IAS 12 – ‘Income taxes’ on Recognition of deferred tax assets for unrealised losses These amendments on the 
recognition of deferred tax assets for unrealised losses clarify how to account for deferred tax assets related to debt instruments measured 
at fair value. These amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2017 and are not expected to have a 
significant impact on the Arix Group consolidated financial statements.

• 

IFRS 9 – ‘Financial Instruments’ This standard replaces the guidance in IAS 39. It includes requirements on the classification and 
measurement of financial assets and liabilities; it also includes an expected credit losses model that replaces the current incurred loss 
impairment model. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018 and earlier application is permitted 
subject to EU endorsement. The Arix Group is currently assessing the impact of IFRS 9.

The impact of the new standards is currently being considered by the Group. There are no other IFRS or IFRS IC interpretations that are not yet 
effective that would be expected to have a material impact on the Arix Group.

d.  Revenue recognition
Revenue is generated from fund management fees, transaction fees and from Non-Executive Directors’ fees receivable. Fund management fees 
are earned as a percentage of fund commitments managed and are recognised in the period in which they arise. Transaction fees are typically 
earned as a fixed percentage of funds provided and are recognised at the point of completion of the transaction. Non-Executive Directors’ fees 
are recognised on an accruals basis.

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www.arixbioscience.comFINANCIAL STATEMENTS2. Accounting policies continued
e.  Foreign currency translation
The assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated to the Arix Group’s presentational currency (British pounds sterling) at foreign 
exchange rates ruling at the period-end date. The revenues and expenses of foreign operations are translated at an average rate for the period 
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.

f.  Leases
Rents payable under operating leases are charged against income on a straight-line basis over the lease term, even if payments are not made 
on such a basis.

g.  Exceptional items
Items that are material in size and unusual in nature are disclosed separately to provide a more accurate indication of underlying performance.

h.  Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant 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.

Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets:

Office Equipment 
Fixtures and Fittings 
Office Furniture 
Leasehold Property 

Three years
Five years
Five years
Five years

i.  Financial Assets
The Arix Group classifies its financial assets as either at fair value through profit or loss or as loans and receivables. The classification depends 
on the purpose for which the financial assets have been acquired and is determined on initial recognition.

Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. They 
are included in current assets, except for maturities greater than 12 months after the end of the reporting period. These are classified as non-
current assets. The Arix Group’s loans and receivables comprise trade and other receivables and cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated 
Statement of Financial Position.

Regular purchases and sales of financial assets are recognised on the trade date – the date on which the Arix Group commits to purchase 
or sell the asset. Financial assets are derecognised when the rights to receive cash flows from the investments have expired or have been 
transferred and the Arix Group has transferred substantially all risks and rewards of ownership.

Equity Investments
Those Group Businesses in the Arix Group that are held with a view to the ultimate realisation of capital gains are recognised as equity 
investments within the scope of IAS 39 and are classified as financial assets at fair value through profit or loss. This includes investments in 
associated undertakings, as per Note 2b. When financial assets are recognised initially they are measured at fair value, plus, in the case of 
investments not at fair value through profit or loss, directly attributable transaction costs. They are subsequently remeasured at their fair value 
if a valuation event occurs. A valuation event may include technical measures, such as product development phases, financial events, such as 
further injection of capital, and sales events, such as product launches.

78

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Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 2016Notes to the Financial Statements79

Fair value hierarchy
The Arix Group classifies financial assets using a fair value hierarchy that reflects the significance of the inputs used in making the related fair 
value measurements. The level in the fair value hierarchy, within which a financial asset is classified, is determined on the basis of the lowest 
level input that is significant to that asset’s fair value measurement.

The fair value hierarchy has the following levels:

Level 1 

Level 2 

Level 3 

 The fair value of financial instruments traded in active markets is based on quoted market prices at the end of the 
reporting period. The quoted market price used for financial assets held by the Group is the current bid price.

 The fair value of financial instruments that are not traded in an active market (for example, over-the-counter derivatives) 
is determined using valuation techniques which maximise the use of observable market data 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.

 If one or more of the significant inputs is not based on observable market data, the instrument is included in level 3. 
This is the case for unlisted equity securities.

Valuation of investments
The fair value of quoted investments is based on bid prices at the period end date.

The fair value of unlisted securities is established initially at cost. Subsequently, the fair value is determined using the International Private Equity 
and Venture Capital Valuation Guidelines December 2015 (‘IPEV Guidelines’). The valuation methodology primarily used by the Arix Group is the 
‘price of recent investment’ or a ‘milestone analysis’ approach.

Investments made in seed, start-up and early stage companies often have no current and no short-term future earnings or positive cash flows; 
in such circumstances, it can be difficult to gauge the probability and financial impact of the success or failure of development or research 
activities and to make reliable cash flow forecasts. Consequently, the most appropriate approach to determine fair value is a methodology 
primarily based in the price of a recent investment.

Where the Arix Group considers that the unadjusted price of investment is no longer relevant, the Group carries out an enhanced assessment 
based on milestone analysis. In applying the milestone analysis approach to investments in companies in early or development stages, the 
Group seeks to determine whether there is an indication of change in fair value.

The following factors are considered when calculating the fair value:

•  Where the investment being valued was itself made recently, its cost will generally provide a good indication of fair value, unless there is 

objective observable evidence that the investment has since been impaired;

•  Where there has been a recent investment by a third party, the price of that investment will provide a basis of the valuation;

• 

If there is no readily ascertainable value or recent transaction, the Arix Group considers alternative IPEV Guidelines methodologies, principally 
being discounted cash flows and price-earnings multiples. In these instances, a price to earnings multiple is derived from an equivalent 
business that is considered a suitable proxy. An appropriate discount is applied to the price-earnings multiple for risks inherent to early stage 
businesses;

•  Where a fair value cannot be estimated reliably, perhaps because of a lack of either revenue or earnings, the investment is reported at 

carrying value, unless there is evidence that the investment has been impaired or there has been a ‘milestone’ event. A milestone event may 
include technical measures such as product development phases and patent approvals, financial measures such as cash burn rate and 
profitability expectations, and market and sales measures such as testing phases, product launches and market introductions; and

•  Where the equity structure in an investment involves different class rights in a sale or liquidity event, the Arix Group takes these different 

rights into account when forming a view of the fair value of its investment.

Although the Directors use their best judgement, and cross-reference results of primary valuation models against secondary models in 
estimating the fair value of investments, there are inherent limitations in any estimation techniques. Whilst fair value estimates presented herein 
attempt to present the amount the Arix Group could realise in a current transaction, the final realisation may be different, as future events will 
also affect the current estimates of fair value. The effects of such events on the estimates of fair value, including the ultimate liquidation of 
investments, could be material to the financial statements.

This is particularly significant for the Arix Group’s interest in the carried interest vehicle of The Wales Life Sciences Investment Fund. Underlying 
companies within the fund are at an early stage of their lives and are generally held at a value equal to cost until a milestone is reached. This 
makes the valuation of the carried interest sensitive to the assumptions used regarding the size and timing of realisations. This information is 
then used to determine the carried interest valuation, using a discounted cash flow model; further assumptions are made in this calculation, 
with the final balance being particularly sensitive to the choice of discount rate; a liquidity discount is also applied. Any ultimate gain for the Arix 
Group from this holding may be materially different from the current fair value.

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www.arixbioscience.comFINANCIAL STATEMENTS2. Accounting policies continued

Treatment of gains and losses arising on fair value
Realised and unrealised gains and losses on financial assets at fair value through profit and loss are included in the Statement of 
Comprehensive Income in the period in which they arise.

Recognition of financial assets
Purchases and sales of financial assets are recognised on trade-date, the date on which the Group commits to purchase or sell the asset. 
Financial assets are derecognised when the rights to receive cash flows from the financial assets have expired or have been transferred and the 
Group has transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership.

Loans and receivables are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Impairment of financial assets
At the end of each reporting period the Arix Group assesses whether there is objective evidence that its loans and other receivables are 
impaired. The amount of the loss is measured as the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future 
cash flows discounted at the financial asset’s original effective interest rate. The asset’s carrying amount is reduced through the use of an 
allowance account and the amount of the loss is recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income within administrative expenses. If, in 
a subsequent period, the amount of the impairment loss decreases and the decrease can be related objectively to an event occurring after the 
impairment was recognised, the reversal of the previously recognised impairment loss is recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income 
within administrative expenses.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to offset the recognised amounts and there is an intention to 
settle on a net basis, or realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously. The legally enforceable right must not be contingent on future 
events and must be enforceable in the normal course of business and in the event of default, insolvency or bankruptcy of the Arix Group or the 
counterparty. Where these conditions are met, the net amount is reported in the Statement of Financial Position.

j.  Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at bank and in hand, call deposits and bank overdrafts.

k.  Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Intangibles were acquired by the Arix Group as part of the acquisition of Arthurian Life Sciences Limited and Arthurian Life Sciences SPV 
GP Limited (see Note 11). It is the policy of the Arix Group to amortise these fair values over the period in which the Arix Group is expected 
to obtain economic benefit from the related intangible assets. The excess of consideration transferred over the fair value of net identifiable 
assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. If those amounts are less than the fair value of the net identifiable assets of the business acquired, the 
difference is recognised directly in the Statement of Comprehensive Income as a bargain purchase.

l.  Share capital
Ordinary Shares and Series B Shares are classified as equity. Equity instruments issued by the Arix Group are recorded at the proceeds 
received, net of direct issue costs.

80

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Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 2016Notes to the Financial Statements81

m.  Trade payables
Trade payables are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Accounts 
payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less (or in the normal operating cycle of the business if longer).  
If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities.

Trade payables are initially recognised at fair value, generally being the invoiced amount and are subsequently measured at amortised cost, 
using the effective interest method.

n.  Current and deferred taxation
The tax expense for the period comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income, except to the 
extent that it relates to items recognised directly in equity.

The current income tax charge is calculated on the basis of the tax laws enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date in the 
countries where the Arix Group operates and generates taxable income. Management periodically evaluates positions taken in tax returns with 
respect to situations in which applicable tax regulation is subject to interpretation. It establishes provisions where appropriate on the basis of 
amounts expected to be paid to the tax authorities.

Deferred income tax is recognised, using the liability method, on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and 
their carrying amounts in the balance sheets. However, the deferred income tax is not accounted for if it arises from initial recognition of an asset 
or liability in a transaction other than a business combination that at the time of the transaction affects neither accounting nor taxable profit or 
loss. Deferred income tax is determined using tax rates (and laws) that have been enacted or substantially enacted by the Statement of Financial 
Position date and are expected to apply when the related deferred income tax asset is realised or the deferred income tax liability is settled.

Deferred income tax assets are recognised only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which the 
temporary differences can be utilised.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets against current tax 
liabilities and when the deferred income taxes assets and liabilities relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority on either the 
taxable entity or different taxable entities where there is an intention to settle the balances on a net basis.

o.  Share-based payments
The Arix Group operates an executive share option plan in which the Group’s founders also participate. Share options must be measured at 
fair value and recognised as an expense in the Statement of Comprehensive Income with a corresponding increase in equity. The fair value of 
the option is estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes Model and is charged as an expense in the Statement of Comprehensive 
Income over the vesting period. The charge is adjusted each year to reflect the expected and actual level of vesting. Estimation uncertainty 
arises with this balance as the calculation incorporates assumptions for share price, exercise price, expected volatility (based on similar quoted 
companies), risk free interest rate and share option term. 

In addition to management share options, the Group has also provided Founders Shares, which are classed as a share-based payment. As no 
service conditions are attached to these shares, the incremental accounting charges have been recognised immediately.

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www.arixbioscience.comFINANCIAL STATEMENTS2. Accounting policies continued
p.  Financial risk management
The Arix Group is exposed to market risk, interest rate risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. The senior management oversees the management of 
these risks and ensures that the financial risk taking is governed by appropriate policies and procedures and that financial risks are identified, 
measured and managed in accordance with the Arix Group’s policies and risk appetite.

The Board of Directors review and agree the policies for managing each of these risks, which are summarised below:

Market risk
Foreign exchange risk – the Arix Group operates internationally and is exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from various currency exposures, 
primarily with respect to the US dollar and euros. Foreign exchange risk arises from future commercial transactions, recognised assets and liabilities 
and net investments in foreign operations. The Arix Group has certain investments in foreign operations, whose net assets are exposed to foreign 
currency translation risk; at period-end the Arix Group held euro-denominated assets valued at €930k and US dollar-denominated assets valued at 
$5,888k. The impact of foreign exchange on these holdings is closely monitored.

Price risk – the Arix Group is exposed to equity securities price risk because investments are held at fair value through profit or loss.

Arix’s strategy is to deploy permanent capital into innovative businesses which have unique, high impact outcomes; Arix believes that such 
businesses are less susceptible to macroeconomic cycles. Arix monitors its availability of capital closely, ensuring sufficient balances are available 
for the continuing operation of the business throughout the period assessed in the viability statement.

Interest rate risk
Cash flow interest rate risk is the risk that the future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates. 
Fair value interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value of a financial instrument will fluctuate due to changes in market interest rates. 

The Arix Group’s income is substantially independent of changes in market interest rates. Interest bearing assets include only cash and cash 
equivalents, which earn interest at variable rates. The Arix Group has a treasury policy to manage cash and cash equivalents.

Credit risk
Credit risk refers to the risk that a counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss to the Arix Group. The major classes 
of financial assets of the Arix Group are cash and cash equivalents (31 December 2016: £28,929k) and trade and other receivables (£3,262k).

Risk of counterparty default arising on cash and cash equivalents is controlled within a framework of dealing with high quality institutions.

As at 31 December 2016, 100% of cash and cash equivalents was deposited with institutions that have a credit rating of at least category A+A, 
according to Fitch ratings.

No counterparty has failed to meet its obligations over the period. The maximum exposure to credit risk is represented by the carrying amount of 
each asset. Management does not expect any significant counterparty to fail to meet its obligations.

Liquidity risk
The Arix Group manages liquidity risk by maintaining sufficient cash to enable it to meet its operational requirements.

The following table details the Arix Holdings Group’s remaining contractual maturity for its financial liabilities based on undiscounted contractual 
payments:

Trade, other payables and accruals

Within 1
year
£’000

5,791

1 to 2 
years
£’000

–

2 to 5 
years
£’000

–

Over 5 
years
£’000

–

Total
£’000

5,791

Capital risk management
The Arix Group manages its capital to ensure that it will be able to continue as a going concern, whilst also maximising the operating potential 
of the business. The capital structure of the Arix Group consists of equity attributable to equity holders of the Arix Group, comprising issued 
capital and retained earnings as disclosed in the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity. The Arix Group is not subject to externally 
imposed capital requirements.

82

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Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 2016Notes to the Financial Statements3. Revenue

Fund management fee income

Other income

83

2016
£’000

589

46

635

The total revenue for the Arix Group has been derived from its principal activity of sourcing, financing and developing healthcare and life science 
businesses globally. All of this revenue relates to trading undertaken in the United Kingdom.

4. Segmental Information
Information for the purposes of resource allocation and assessment of performance is reported to the Arix Group’s Chief Executive Officer, who 
is considered to be the chief operating decision maker, based wholly on the overall activities of the Arix Group. It has therefore been determined 
that the Arix Group has only one reportable segment under IFRS 8 (‘Operating Segments’), which is that of sourcing, financing and developing 
healthcare and life science businesses globally. The Arix Group’s revenue, results and assets for this one reportable segment can be determined 
by reference to the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.

5. Loss Before Taxation
The loss before taxation has been arrived at after crediting:

Negative goodwill on acquisition of Arthurian Life Sciences

Auditors’ remuneration
Statutory audit services

Fees payable for the audit of the Arix Group accounts

Fees payable for the audit of the accounts of subsidiaries of the Arix Group

Non-audit services

Taxation advisory services

Taxation compliance services

Other assurance and advisory services

Total auditors’ remuneration

2016
£’000

3,962

95

43

35

–

722

895

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www.arixbioscience.comFINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
 
 
 
6. Administrative Expenses
The administrative expenses charge broken down by nature is as follows:

Employment costs

Recruitment costs

Consultancy fees

Other Expenses

7. Net Finance Income

Bank Interest

Bank Charges

8. Employee Costs
Employee costs (including Directors) comprise:

Salary and bonus

Social security costs

Pension costs

2016
£’000

6,324

837

1,152

1,980

10,293

2016
£’000

36

(10)

26

2016
£’000

5,560

712

52

6,324

A charge of £1,379,000 has been recognised relating to Executive Share Options, which is not included in this table. This cost forms part of the 
share-based payment charge in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.

The average monthly number of persons (including Executive Directors) employed by the Group during the period was 12, all of whom were 
involved in management and administration activities. Details of the Directors’ remuneration can be found in the Directors’ Remuneration  
Report on pages 59 to 61.

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Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 2016Notes to the Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
9. Income Tax

Current period tax charge 
Current tax
Deferred tax
Total tax credit
Reconciliation of tax charge
Loss before tax
Expected tax based on 20% tax rate
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes
Income not taxable
Impact of rate between deferred tax and current tax
Deferred tax not recognised
Total tax credit
Tax creditor
Brought forward
Relating to Acquisition
Relating to Profit and Loss
Carried forward
Recognised deferred tax provisions
Brought forward
Relating to Acquisition
Relating to Profit and Loss
Carried forward
Represented by:
Unutilised tax losses
Capital allowances
Acquisition of intangible asset
Share-based payment charge
Change in fair value of investment

Unrecognised deferred tax provisions
Unutilised tax losses

85

2016
£’000
–
(692)
(692) 

(9,527)
(1,906)
890
(792)
187
929
(692) 

–
(31)
–
(31)

–
(972)
692
(280)

575
5
(398)
118
(580)
(280)

839
839

Changes to the UK corporation tax rates were substantively enacted as part of Finance Bill 2015 (on 26 October 2015) and Finance Bill 2016 
(on 7 September 2016). These include reductions to the main rate to 19% from 1 April 2017 and to 17% from 1 April 2020. Deferred taxes at the 
balance sheet date have been measured using these enacted tax rates and reflected in these financial statements.

Deferred tax assets are recognised for tax loss carry-forwards to the extent that the realisation of the related tax benefit through future taxable 
profits is probable. The Group did not recognise deferred income tax assets of £839k in respect of losses amounting to £4,979k, which can be 
carried forward against future taxable income.

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www.arixbioscience.comFINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10. Earnings per Share
On 8 February 2016, 97,046,908 Ordinary Shares were disenfranchised pursuant to a restrictive share agreement. The restrictive share agreement 
makes provision for the release of the restrictions in certain circumstances, which includes upon the subscription for future share issues.

Disenfranchised shares are not entitled to vote, attend meetings or to receive dividends or other distributions. Consequently, disenfranchised 
shares have been excluded from the calculation of the weighted average number of shares in issue.

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the loss attributable to equity holders of Arix Bioscience plc by the weighted average number of 
enfranchised shares (as adjusted for capital subscription in accordance with the terms of the restrictive share agreement) in issue during the period.

The Arix Group has potentially dilutive ordinary shares, being those share options granted to employees. As the Arix Group has incurred a loss in 
the period, the diluted loss per share is the same as the basic earnings per share as the loss has an anti-dilutive effect.

Loss attributable to equity holders of Arix Bioscience plc

Weighted average number of shares in issue

Basic and diluted loss per share

Period Ended 
31 Dec 2016
£’000

(8,401)

23,030,546

(0.36)p

11.  Acquisition of Arthurian Life Sciences Limited and Arthurian Life Sciences SPV GP Limited
On 20 June 2016, the Arix Group acquired the whole of the issued share capital of both Arthurian Life Sciences Limited and Arthurian Life 
Sciences SPV GP Limited, for a total cash consideration of £891,431. Actual completion occurred on 8 July 2016 but as all pre-conditions for 
the transaction had been fulfilled on 20 June 2016, the acquisition was deemed to have occurred on 20 June 2016.

The following table summarises the book values of the identifiable assets and liabilities and their fair values at the date of acquisition.

Cash paid

2016
£’000

891

The fair value of the shares acquired of Arthurian Life Sciences Limited was calculated on the basis of:

(i)  income multiples relating to the management fees due to Arthurian Life Sciences Limited as a result of managing the Wales Life Sciences 

Investment Fund; and

(ii)  Current day valuation of the Wales Life Sciences Investment Fund and the excess value due to Arthurian Life Sciences Limited as a result of 

its carried interest arrangement. This was discounted to reflect liquidity risk.

The assets and liabilities recognised as a result of the acquisition are as follows:

Debtors

Cash

ALS interest in carried interest arrangement

Fair value of interest in management fees charged to WLSIF

Allocation of net assets to management fees as part of fair value process

Short-term creditors

Fair value of assets acquired
Less: purchase price of assets acquired

Negative goodwill arising on purchase of assets
Deferred tax liability in respect of business combination

Negative goodwill credited to profit and loss

2016
£’000

216

221

3,800

2,400

86

(868)

5,855
(891)

4,964
(1,002)

3,962

The sale of ALS to Arix Bioscience was agreed in December 2015. Following FCA approval for the sale in June 2016, a fair value exercise 
of ALS was undertaken. The fair value of the interest in management fees charged to The Wales Life Sciences Investment Fund (‘WLSIF’) is 
amortised over the expected life of the fund. The fair value of Arthurian Life Sciences’ interest in the WLSIF carried interest arrangement was 
reviewed by external valuations experts Duff & Phelps at 31 December 2016 and its value was assessed to have increased to £4.3m.

86

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Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 2016Notes to the Financial Statements 
 
 
87

Level 1- 
Quoted 
Investments
£’000

Level 3 - 
Unquoted 
Investments
£’000

–

1,854

166

–

2,020

–

13,408

1,188

499

15,095

Total
£’000

–

15,262

1,354

499

17,115

12. Investments
Equity Investments

At incorporation

Additions

Unrealised gain on investments

Foreign exchange gains

At 31 December 2016

Level 3 investments are valued with reference to either price of recent investment (£10,795k); or by discounted cash flow (£4,300k); the latter 
used a discount rate of 14.5%, a discount for marketability (20%) and other assumptions relating to exit values and exit dates (see Note 2(i) for 
further details).

As permitted by IAS 28 ‘Investment in Associates’ and in accordance with the Arix Group accounting policy, investments are held at fair value 
even though the Arix Group may have significant influence over the companies. As at 31 December 2016 the Arix Group is deemed to have 
significant influence over the following entities, either due to holding more than 20% of the issued share capital, and/or having a director on the 
board of the company:

Company
Artios Pharma Limited

Autolus Limited

Depixus SAS

OptiKira, LLC

Country of 
Incorporation Registered Address
England and 
Wales
England and 
Wales
France

Babraham Hall, Babraham Research 
Campus, Cambridge, CB22 3A
Forest House 58 Wood Lane London, 
England, W12 7RZ
3-5 Impasse Reille, 75014 Paris

USA

20600 Chagrin Boulevard, Suite 210, 
Cleveland, OH 44122

% of Issued 
Share Capital 
Held
15.1%

Net Assets/ 
(Liabilities) of 
Company
£’000
–

Profit/(Loss) 
of Company
£’000
–

Date of 
Financial 
Information
–

4.8%

6,309 

19.1%

31.9%

–

–

(3,674)  30 September 
2015 
–

–

–

–

In addition, at 31 December 2016, the Group held the following investments in Group Businesses where it is not considered to have significant influence:

Company
BioMotiv, LLC

Verona Pharma plc

Country of 
Incorporation Registered Address
USA

20600 Chagrin Boulevard, Suite 210, Cleveland, OH 44122

England and 
Wales

3 More London Riverside, London, SE1 2RE

% of Issued 
Share Capital 
Held
17.8%

2.5%

The Arix Group has an interest in one structured entity, The Wales Life Sciences Investment Fund (registered address: Life Sciences Hub Wales, 3 Assembly 
Square, Britannia Quay, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 4PL). A structured entity is an entity that is structured in such a way that voting or similar rights are not the 
dominant factor in deciding who controls the entity. The Arix Group is not deemed to have control over this fund for the reasons disclosed in Note 2(a).

25453.04 24 April 2017 4:55 PM 

Proof 7

www.arixbioscience.comFINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
13. Intangible Assets

At incorporation

Additions

Amortisation

At 31 December 2016

Period Ended 
31 Dec 2016
£’000

– 

2,486

(142)

2,344

An intangible asset arose on Arix Bioscience plc’s acquisition of ALS, relating to management fees due to Arthurian Life Sciences Limited as a 
result of managing The Wales Life Sciences Investment Fund. These fees are amortised over a nine year period, being the expected remaining 
life of the fund at the time of acquisition.

14. Property, Plant and Equipment

Company

Cost
Additions

At 31 December 2016

Depreciation
Depreciation Charge

At 31 December 2016

Net Book Value

At 31 December 2016

15. Trade and Other Receivables

Trade receivables

Other receivables

Prepayments

VAT receivable

Fixtures and 
Fittings 
£’000

Leasehold 
Improvements 
£’000

Office 
Equipment 
£’000

682

682

(105)

(105)

577

50

50

(6)

(6)

44

156

156

(27)

(27)

129

Total 
£’000

888

888

(138)

(138)

750

As at 
31 Dec 2016
£’000

610

2,099

113

440

3,262

Other receivables includes £1,940k of expenditure which is directly attributable to the Company’s IPO. On completion of the IPO in February 2017, 
such amounts have been capitalised against the Company’s share reserve, in line with the Group’s accounting policy. Expenditure which is not 
directly attributable to the IPO has been expensed in the period. The carrying values of trade and other receivables approximates their fair value.

The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the carrying value of each asset class listed above. The Arix Group does not hold 
any collateral as security.

88

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Proof 7

Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 2016Notes to the Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
16. Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash at bank and in hand

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents approximates to its fair value.

17. Trade and Other Payables

Trade payables

Accruals and other payables

Deferred Income

Current Tax Liabilities

The carrying values of trade and other payables approximates their fair value.

18. Share Capital

Allotted and called up

100,966,920 ordinary shares of £0.00001 each

28,916,666 Series B shares of £0.00001 each

Series C shares of £1 each

89

As at 
31 Dec 2016
£’000

28,929

As at 
31 Dec 2016
£’000

1,280

4,383

3

125

5,791

As at 
31 Dec 2016
£’000

1

–

50

On incorporation, the Company issued one ordinary share of £1. On 29 September 2015, the Company issued an additional 999 ordinary 
shares of £1 each at par.

On 10 November 2015, each ordinary share of £1.00 each was subdivided into 100,000 Ordinary Shares of £0.00001.

On 30 November 2015, the Company issued and allotted 966,920 Ordinary Shares at par.

On 8 February 2016, the Company created a new class of Series B Shares of £0.00001 each (‘Series B Shares’) and deferred shares of 
£0.00001 each (the ‘Deferred Shares’). At 31 December 2016, no Deferred Shares have been issued.

On 8 February 2016, the Company issued and allotted 27,805,556 Series B Shares at an issue price of £1.80 per share. On the same date, 
97,046,908 ordinary shares were disenfranchised pursuant to a restrictive share agreement. Disenfranchised shares are not entitled to vote, 
attend meetings of the Company, or to receive dividends or other distributions made or paid on the ordinary shares. The restrictive share 
agreement makes provision of the release of the restrictions in certain circumstances, which includes upon the subscription for future share 
issues.

On 15 April 2016, the Company issued and allotted 1,111,110 Series B shares at an issue price of £1.80 per share.

On 7 June 2016, 156,642 ordinary shares were released from the obligations under the restrictive share agreement.

On 14 September 2016, the Company issued and allotted 49,671 Series C shares at a nominal value of £1.00 per share. Series C shares carry 
no voting nor distribution rights. On the same date, as part of the share capital reorganisation required to become a plc, all share premium 
previously recognised was transferred to retained earnings.

All other ordinary and Series B shares carry equal voting and distribution rights.

25453.04 24 April 2017 4:55 PM 

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www.arixbioscience.comFINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
 
 
19. Share Options
Arix Group operates an Executive Share Option Plan.

On 8 February 2016, options were granted pursuant to the Executive Share Option Plan to two Directors at an exercise price of £1.80 per 
ordinary share. The number of ordinary shares subject to the options are the requisite number of ordinary shares as represents 5.43%. Of the 
fully diluted ordinary share capital of the Company immediately following an initial financing round by private placements (up to and including 
financing of £100 million), increased by such number of ordinary shares as are necessary to constitute 5.43%. of either:

(a) 

(b) 

The Company’s fully diluted share capital on a qualifying private placing; or

The Company’s listed class of ordinary shares on a qualifying initial public offering.

The options will vest in four equal proportions on 8 February of 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. The options may not be exercised after the tenth 
anniversary of the grant date and it will lapse on that date if it has not lapsed or been exercised in full before then.

All options vest at the end of the vesting period relating to that option or on the occurrence of a contingent event.

Options with identical terms were offered to the founders of the Company constituting 5 percent of the issued share capital of the Company 
after admission.

With regards to the Executive Share Option Plan, contingent events include a change of control or cessation of employment in accordance with 
“good leaver” provisions.

Share-based payments
For the period to 31 December 2016, a share-based payment charge of £4,712,000 has been recognised for a variety of share-based payment 
schemes offered by the Group. A charge of £1,379,000 was booked in the period in respect of equity-settled share options, granted on  
8 February 2016, with an exercise price of £1.80 per share. The options are exercisable over ten years from the date of grant and vest in four 
equal instalments on 8 February 2017, 8 February 2018, 8 February 2019 and 8 February 2020. As at 31 December 2016, two Directors had 
options over the requisite number of shares as represents 5.43% of the fully diluted ordinary share capital of the Company following admission. 
Further details of the share awards can be found in the Directors’ Remuneration Report.

As at 31 December 2016, Founders had options over 5% of the fully diluted ordinary share capital of the Company following admission. A 
charge of £1,896,000 was booked in the period relating to these options.

The fair value of the two forms of options granted was calculated using the Black-Scholes model, incorporating relevant assumptions for share 
price, exercise price, expected volatility (based on similar quoted companies), risk free interest rate and share option term. The resultant fair 
value was then spread over the relevant vesting period for each tranche of share options. The fair value of options granted in the period is 
measured by use of the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions:

Share price

Exercise price at grant date

Fair value at grant date

Risk free interest rate

Expected volatility
Expected period to exercise (years)

Period Ended 
31 Dec 2016

£2.07

£1.80

£0.45–£0.71

0.5%/0.6%

37%
 1 to 4

A further charge of £1,437,000 was also booked as a one-off charge in the period relating to the 7% of the Group that will be controlled by the 
Founders post admission. This was produced as an incremental theoretical fair value to the Founders based on the assumption of a successful 
admission to the London Stock Exchange and produced a higher theoretical value to the Founders than the amount previously calculated when 
a successful admission was deemed less likely. For the Founders’ shares, there is no vesting period and therefore the full charge has been 
recognised in the period.

90

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Proof 7

Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 2016Notes to the Financial Statements 
20. Notes to the Statement of Cash Flows

Loss before income tax

Adjustments for:

Change in fair value of investments

Exceptional gain

Foreign exchange gain

Share-based payment charge

Depreciation and Amortisation

Finance income

Changes in Working Capital

(Increase) in trade and other receivables

Increase in trade and other payables

Cash used in Operations

21. Financial Commitments
Operating Leases
At 31 December 2016, operating leases represent short-term leases for office space.

Future aggregate minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating lease agreements are as follows:

No later than one year

Later than one year and no later than five years

Later than five years

91

Period Ended 
31 Dec 2016
£’000

(9,527)

(1,354)

(3,962)

(97)

4,712

278

(36)

(3,262)

5,791

(7,457)

As at 
31 Dec 2016
£’000

673

2,208

–

2,881

22. Financial Instruments
The Arix Group has other receivables and cash that derive directly from its operations. Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are 
measured as either Level 1 or Level 3 under the fair value hierarchy, as described in Note 2i and disclosed in Note 12.

Financial Assets

Financial Assets at Fair Value Through Profit or Loss

Equity investments

Loans and Receivables

Other receivables (excluding prepayments)

Cash and cash equivalents

As at 
31 Dec 2016
£’000

17,115

2,709

28,929

The credit quality of financial assets that are neither past due nor impaired can be assessed by reference to external credit ratings (if available) or 
to historical information about counterparty default rates. The Arix Group’s cash and cash equivalents are deposited with A+ rated institutions. 
Investments and other receivables do not have a credit rating. However, the Group does not believe these to be past due nor impaired.

Financial Liabilities
The Arix Group’s principal financial liabilities comprise trade and other payables. The primary purpose of these financial liabilities is to finance the 
operations.

Trade, Other Payables and Accruals (excluding non-financial liabilities)

As at 31
Dec 2016
£’000

 5,791

25453.04 24 April 2017 4:55 PM 

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www.arixbioscience.comFINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
23. Guarantees
The Company has provided a rent deposit guarantee in respect of its US office for an amount of $261,657 (£212,103).

24. Related Party Transactions
On 21 December 2015, the Company agreed to acquire the whole of the issued share capital of Arthurian Life Sciences GP Limited, and 
entered into a conditional agreement to acquire the whole of the issued share capital of Arthurian Life Sciences Limited and Arthurian Life 
Sciences SPV GP Limited. These entities were to be acquired from C Evans (a Director and shareholder of the Company) and C Chipperton 
(a shareholder of the Company) for an aggregate price of £891,531. The agreement was conditional on consent from the Financial Conduct 
Authority, which was granted on 20 June 2016.

The Company paid transaction fees of £900,000 to Arthurian Life Sciences Limited during the period, in connection with the issue of shares in 
February 2016.

The Company paid £805,625 (inclusive of VAT of £45,746) to Arthurian Life Sciences Limited during the period in respect of certain costs met 
on its behalf.

Consultancy fees amounting to £1,146,0001 (inclusive of VAT) were payable to Merlin Scientific LLP during the period, a partnership controlled 
by C Evans, a Director and substantial shareholder of the Company. At 31 December 2016, £882,000 (inclusive of VAT) was owed to Merlin 
Scientific LLP by the Company.

David U’Prichard, a Non-Executive Director of the Company, provides consulting services and administrative support to BioMotiv LLC. The 
consulting services and administrative support are provided through Druid Consulting LLC, a firm controlled by David U’Prichard. The Company 
is a stakeholder of BioMotiv LLC. During the period ended 31 December 2016, Druid Consulting LLC received a total of $247,195 from 
BioMotiv LLC.

Consultancy fees amounting to £292,000 (inclusive of VAT) were payable to Bradshaw Consulting Limited during the period, a company owned 
by Martin Walton, who is a director of Arthurian Life Sciences Limited. At 31 December 2016, no amounts were owed to Bradshaw Consulting 
Limited by the Group.

Key management comprises solely the Directors of the Arix Group, the emoluments of which are disclosed in the Directors’ Remuneration 
Report on pages 44 to 61.

25. Events After the Reporting Period
On 22 February 2017, the Group was admitted to the standard listing segment of the Official List of the UKLA and to London Stock Exchange 
plc’s Main Market for listed securities. Conditional dealings in the ordinary shares commenced on 17 February 2017; admission became 
effective at 8am on 22 February 2017, at which point unconditional dealings in the ordinary shares commenced. 48,309,179 shares were 
issued, with gross capital of £100.0m raised.

On 20 March 2017, the Group partially exercised the Over-Allotment Option available to it following its listing. A further 6,139,815 shares were 
issued, with gross capital of £12.7m raised.

At the publication date of these accounts, shares in issue totalled 96,091,083, of which 9,952,573 were restricted.

1  Balance does not include an invoice settled through the consultancy of £208,000 relating principally  

to founding activities during 2015, before Arix Bioscience plc had been incorporated.

92

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Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 2016Notes to the Financial StatementsCompany Statement of Financial Position
As at 31 December 2016

ASSETS

Non-Current Assets
Investments in subsidiary undertakings

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Amounts due from subsidiary undertakings

Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables

TOTAL ASSETS

LIABILITIES

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables

TOTAL LIABILITIES

NET ASSETS

EQUITY
Share capital and share premium

Loss for the period

Other movements in retained earnings

TOTAL EQUITY

Note

2

4

3

93

2016
£’000

891

–

–

16,357

17,248

28,771

1,940

30,711
47,959

(57)

(57)

(57)

47,902

51

(6,828)

54,679

47,902

47,902

The accompanying notes form an integral part of the financial statements. The financial statements on page 93 to 95 were approved by the 
Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 26 April 2017, and were signed on its behalf by

James Rawlingson,  
Chief Financial Officer

25453.04 24 April 2017 4:55 PM 

Proof 7

www.arixbioscience.comFINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company Statement of Changes in Equity
For the period from 15 September 2015 to 31 December 2016

At Incorporation

Loss for the period

Other comprehensive income

Contributions of equity, net of transaction costs and tax

Share capital reorganisation

Share-based payment charge

As at 31 December 2016

Share 
Capital
£’000

Share 
Premium
£’000

Translation 
Reserve
£’000

–

–

–

51

–

–

51

–

–

–

49,967

(49,967)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Retained 
Earnings
£’000

–

(6,828)

–

–

49,967

4,712

47,851

Total
£’000

–

(6,828)

–

50,018

–

4,712

47,902

94

25453.04 24 April 2017 4:55 PM 

Proof 7

Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 2016 
Notes to the Company Financial Statements

95

1. Accounting Policies
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework  
(‘FRS 101’). The amendments to FRS 101 (2014/15 Cycle) issued in July 2015 have been applied.

In preparing these financial statements, the Company applies the recognition, measurement and disclosure requirements of International 
Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU (‘Adopted IFRSs’), but makes amendments where necessary in order to comply with the 
Companies Act 2006 and has set out below where advantage of the FRS 101 disclosure exemptions has been taken.

Under section s408 of the Companies Act 2006 the Company is exempt from the requirement to present its own profit and loss account.

In these financial statements, the Company has applied the exemptions available under FRS 101 in respect of the following disclosures: a 
Statement of Cash Flows and related notes; disclosures in respect of transactions with wholly owned subsidiaries; disclosures in respect of 
capital management; the effects of new but not yet effective IFRSs; and disclosures of transactions with a management entity that provides key 
management personnel services to the Company.

As the consolidated financial statements include the equivalent disclosures, the Company has also taken the exemptions under FRS 101 
available in respect of the following disclosures: IFRS 2 Share Based Payments; certain disclosures required by IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement; 
and the disclosures required by IFRS 7 Financial Instrument Disclosures.

The Company proposes to continue to adopt the reduced disclosure framework of FRS 101 in its next financial statements. The accounting 
policies set out below have been applied consistently. Where relevant, the accounting policies of the Arix Group have been applied to the 
Company.

Investments in Subsidiary Undertakings
Unlisted investments are held at cost less any provision for impairment.

Amounts Due from Subsidiary Undertakings
All amounts due from subsidiary undertakings are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost. Amounts 
provided to subsidiaries are intended for use on a continuing basis in the Company’s activities, with no intention of their settlement in the 
foreseeable future; as such, they are presented as fixed assets.

2. Investments in Subsidiary Undertakings

At incorporation

Additions

Impairments

Disposals

At 31 December 2016

The Company’s subsidiary undertakings are detailed in Note 2(b) to the Group financial statements.

3. Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash at bank and in hand

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents approximates to its fair value.

4. Amounts Due from Subsidiary Undertakings

Opening balance

Additions during the period

Repayments during the period

At 31 December 2016

The amounts due from subsidiary undertakings are interest free, repayable on demand and unsecured.

25453.04 24 April 2017 4:55 PM 

Proof 7

2016
£’000

–

891

–

–

891

As at 31
Dec 2016
£’000

28,771

As at 31
Dec 2016
£’000

–

16,357

–

16,357

www.arixbioscience.comFINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
 
Shareholder Information

Warning about unsolicited 
approaches to shareholders 
and ‘Boiler Room’ scams
In recent years, many companies have 
become aware that their shareholders 
have received unsolicited phone calls or 
correspondence concerning investment 
matters. These are typically from overseas 
based ‘brokers’ who target UK shareholders, 
offering to sell them what often turn out 
to be worthless or high risk shares in UK 
investments. These operations are commonly 
known as ‘boiler rooms’. 

These ‘brokers’ can be very persistent and 
persuasive. Arix Bioscience plc shareholders 
are advised to be extremely wary of such 
approaches and are advised to only deal with 
firms authorised by the FCA. You can check 
whether an enquirer is properly authorised 
and report scam approaches by contacting 
the FCA on www.fca.org.uk/scams (where 
you can also review the latest scams) or 
by calling the FCA Consumer Helpline: 
0800 111 6768.

If you have already paid money to share 
fraudsters then contact Action Fraud on  
0300 123 2040

Registrar
The Company’s register of shareholders 
is maintained by our Registrar, Equiniti 
Limited. All enquiries regarding shareholder 
administration including lost share 
certificates or changes of address should 
be communicated in writing or by calling 
0371 384 2030 for callers from the UK (lines 
are open 8.30am to 5.30pm Mondays to 
Fridays, excluding Bank Holidays in England 
and Wales) or +44 (0)121 415 7047 for 
callers from outside the UK. 

Shareholders can also view and manage 
their shareholdings online by registering at 
www.shareview.co.uk/myportfolio.

Forward-Looking Statements
This Annual Report has been prepared for, 
and only for, the members of Arix Bioscience 
plc (‘the Company’) as a body, and for no 
other persons. The Company, its Directors, 
employees, agents or advisers do not 
accept or assume responsibility to any other 
person to whom this document is shown 
or into whose hands it may come and any 
such responsibility or liability is expressly 
disclaimed. By their nature, the statements 
concerning the risks and uncertainties 
facing the Group in this Annual Report 
involve uncertainty since future events 
and circumstances can cause results and 
developments to differ materially from those 
anticipated. The forward-looking statements 
reflect knowledge and information available at 
the date of preparation of this Annual Report 
and the Company undertakes no obligation 
to update these forward-looking statements. 
Nothing in this Annual Report should be 
construed as a profit forecast.

96

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Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 2016Advisers

Directors, Secretary, 
Registered Office

Company Number:
09777975

Directors
Jonathan Peacock
Joe Anderson, PhD 
Professor Sir Chris Evans, PhD, OBE 
James Rawlingson
Franz Humer 
Sir John Banham 
David U’Prichard 
The Right Hon. Lord Hutton of Furness, PC 
Professor Trevor Jones CBE 

Legal advisers:
Brown Rudnick LLP 
8 Clifford Street 
London  
W1S 2LQ 
United Kingdom

One Financial Center 
Boston 
MA 02111 
United States

Company Secretary
Prism Cosec Limited 
42-50 Hersham Road 
Walton-on-Thames 
Surrey 
KT12 1RZ

Registered Office
20 Berkeley Square  
London 
W1J 6EQ 
United Kingdom

Auditors:
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

7 More London Riverside 
London 
SE1 2RT 
United Kingdom

Registrar:
Equiniti Limited 
Aspect House 
Spencer Road 
Lancing 
West Sussex 
BN99 6DA 
United Kingdom

25453.04 24 April 2017 4:57 PM 

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25453.04 24 April 2017 4:57 PM 

Proof 7

www.arixbioscience.com20 Berkeley Square 
London W1J 6EQ 
United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0)20 7290 1050

Email: info@arixbioscience.com

25453.04 24 April 2017 4:57 PM 

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Proof 7