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Cynata Therapeutics Limited
Annual Report 2021

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FY2021 Annual Report · Cynata Therapeutics Limited
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Appendix 4E 

Preliminary final report 

1.  Details of reporting period 
Name of entity 
ABN 
Reporting Period 
Previous Corresponding Period 
Presentation Currency 

Cynata Therapeutics Limited (the Company) 
98 104 037 372 
Year ended 30 June 2021 
Year ended 30 June 2020 
Australian Dollars ($) 

2.  Results for announcement to the market 

Key information 

Revenues from ordinary activities 
Loss from ordinary activities after 
tax attributable to members 

Net loss for the period 
attributable to members 
Net tangible asset/(deficiency) 
per share 

12 months ended 
30 June 2021 
$ 

12 months ended 
30 June 2020 
$ 

Increase/ 
(decrease) 
% 

1,688,351 

7,153,903 

(76.40%) 

Amount 
change 
$ 
5,465,552 

7,689,683 

3,639,100 

111.31% 

4,050,583 

7,689,683 

3,639,100 

111.31% 

4,050,583 

0.179 

0.118 

3.  Consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income 

Refer to attached consolidated financial statements. 

4.  Consolidated statement of financial position 

Refer to attached consolidated financial statements. 

5.  Consolidated statement of cash flows 

Refer to attached consolidated financial statements. 

6.  Consolidated statement of changes in equity 

Refer to attached consolidated financial statements. 

7.  Dividends/Distributions 

No dividends declared in current or prior year. 

8.  Details of dividend reinvestment plans 

Not applicable. 

Page | 1  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9.  Details of entities over which control has been gained or lost during the period 

Not applicable. 

10.  Details of associate and joint venture entities 

Not applicable. 

11.  Any  other  significant  information  needed  by  an  investor  to  make  an  informed 
assessment of the Company’s financial performance and financial position 

Refer to attached consolidated financial statements. 

12.  Foreign entities 

Refer to attached consolidated financial statements. 

13.  Commentary on results for period and explanatory information 

Cynata  Therapeutics  Limited  (“Cynata”  or  “the  Company”)  and  its  controlled  entities  (the  Group) 
incurred a net loss from operations for the financial year ended 30 June 2021 of $7,689,683 (2020: 
$3,639,100).  At  30  June  2021,  the  Group  had  a  cash  balance  of  $26,716,670  (2020:  $13,649,644) 
and net assets of $28,373,153 (2020: $16,791,104). The net cash outflow from operating activities 
for the financial year was $5,163,109 (2020: $3,387,679). Cynata announced the commencement of 
the Phase 3 clinical trial of CYP-004 for osteoarthritis in November 2020 which is currently recruiting 
440 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee at study centres in Sydney and Tasmania. This landmark 
trial is designed to assess the efficacy of Cymerus™ MSCs compared to placebo on clinical outcomes 
and knee joint structure in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, over a two-year period. This is 
supported  by  preclinical  research  which  suggests  that  MSCs  can  exert  several  important  effects 
relevant  to  osteoarthritis.    Following  commencement  in  August  2020,  Cynata  received  ethics 
committee approval in March 2021 to expand the recruitment criteria of the MEND (MEseNchymal 
coviD-19) clinical trial to include patients admitted to an ICU with respiratory failure of any cause. 
The expansion is expected to accelerate recruitment into the trial by increasing the pool of eligible 
patients with COVID-19 no longer a limiting requirement for eligibility.  Cynata achieved a significant 
milestone by treating the first patient in the trial in May 2021.  In June, Cynata received approval 
from the Central Adelaide Local Health Network Human Research Ethics Committee to commence a 
clinical  trial  in  patients  with  DFU.  The  Phase  1  DFU  study  will  be  a  randomised,  controlled  trial 
investigating  the  safety,  tolerability,  and  efficacy  of  Cymerus  MSC  product  CYP-006TK,  in  adult 
patients with DFU, over a treatment period of 4 weeks, with a 24-week evaluation period.  Cynata 
announced  the  execution  of  a  worldwide  exclusive  licence  agreement  with  TekCyte  Pty  Ltd 
(TekCyte)  in  June  2021,  which  enables  the  use  of  TekCyte’s  polymer-coated  wound  dressing 
technology  in  clinical  trials  and  commercial  development.  TekCyte,  a  leading  manufacturer  of 
advanced  biomedical  coatings,  has  developed  a  unique  and  scalable  wound  dressing  technology 
that  can  facilitate  the  delivery  of  MSCs  directly  to  DFUs.  The  licence  is  for  the  life  of  the  relevant 
TekCyte  patents  and  involves  a  signing  fee  and  capped,  success-based  milestone  payments.  
Planning  for  a  potential  clinical  trial  in  IPF  is  underway,  supported  by  positive  preclinical  results 
which  demonstrate  the  efficacy  of  Cymerus  MSCs  in  rodent  models  of  IPF.    The  Company  is  also 
investigating a potential clinical trial in renal transplantation.   

During  the  year,  Cynata  successfully  raised  ~A$18.3m  (gross)  in  an  institutional  placement, 
entitlement  offer  and  shortfall  placement,  led  by  a  A$10m  investment  by  cornerstone  healthcare 
investor BioScience Managers.  Cynata also received a A$1.391m R&D Tax Incentive Refund for the 
2019/2020  financial  year  from  the  Australian  Government.    For  more  information,  refer  to  the 
attached consolidated financial statements. 

Page | 2  

 
 
 
 
 
14.  Audit 

This report  is based  on  accounts  which  have  been  audited and the audit report is included in the 
attached consolidated financial statements. 

Dr. Ross Macdonald 
Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer 

30 August 2021 

Page | 3  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Annual Report
2020/2021

Corporate Directory

Cynata Therapeutics Limited
ACN 104 037 372

Board of Directors

Auditors

Dr Geoff Brooke 
Non-Executive Chairman

Dr Ross Macdonald 
Managing Director/ 
Chief Executive Officer

Dr Stewart Washer 
Non-Executive Director

Dr Paul Wotton 
Non-Executive Director

Dr Darryl Maher 
Non-Executive Director

Company Secretary

Mr Peter Webse

Registered Office and  
Place of Business

Level 3, 100 Cubitt Street 
Cremorne, Victoria 3121

Postal Address

PO Box 7165 
Hawthorn North, Victoria 3122

Tel:   +61 3 7067 6940
Email:  info@cynata.com

Website

www.cynata.com

Stantons International 
Level 2, 1 Walker Avenue 
West Perth, Western Australia 6005

Share Registry

Automic Registry Services 
Level 2, 267 St Georges Terrace 
Perth, Western Australia 6000

Tel:   1300 288 664 (within Australia) 

+61 2 9698 5414  
(outside Australia)
Fax:  +61 8 9321 2337
Email: hello@automic.com.au
Web:   www.automic.com.au

Stock Exchange

Australian Securities Exchange 
Level 4, North Tower, Rialto 
525 Collins Street 
Melbourne, Victoria 3000

ASX Code

CYP

Annual report for the  
financial year ended

30 June 2021

 
 
 
 
Contents

Key Highlights 2020-2021 

Chairman’s Letter 

CEO Letter 

Directors’ Report 

Operating and Financial Review 

Remuneration Report (audited) 

Auditor’s Independence Declaration 

Independent Auditor’s Report 

Directors’ Declaration 

Financial Statements 

Notes 

Corporate Governance Statement 

ASX Additional Information  

3

4

6

8

16

22

36

37

41

42

48

78

90

1
1

 
2

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/2021Key Highlights 2020-2021

Commenced 
and advanced 
enrolment in the 
Phase 3 trial in 
osteoarthritis

Expanded 
recruitment criteria 
and commenced 
enrolment of 
patients with 
respiratory failure 
in the MEND 
clinical trial

Ethics approval 
received for a 
clinical trial in 
patients with 
diabetic foot 
ulcers (DFU)

Completed Phase 
1 graft-versus-
host disease 
(GvHD) clinical trial 
two-year follow-
up with positive 
efficacy results

Signed a licence 
agreement with 
TekCyte Pty Ltd 
(‘TekCyte’) for their 
wound dressing 
technology

Cynata’s Cymerus™ 
MSC technology 
featured in a 
publication in the 
prestigious Nature 
Medicine journal

Continued successful 
results from 
pre‑clinical efficacy 
studies across 
multiple therapeutic 
indications

Progress toward 
expanding the 
clinical pipeline 
in potential 
therapeutic targets 
including idiopathic 
pulmonary fibrosis 
(IPF) and renal 
transplantation

Strengthened the 
Cynata Board with 
the appointment of 
Dr. Geoff Brooke 
as Independent 
Chairman

Raised ~$18.3m 
(gross) in capital to 
accelerate clinical 
development led by 
a A$10m investment 
from BioScience 
Managers

Strong financial 
position with net 
assets of ~$28m as 
at June 30, 2021

Key Highlights 2020-2021

3

Chairman’s Letter

Dear Shareholders,

I am pleased to present to you Cynata Therapeutics Limited 

(“Cynata”) Annual Report for the period ended 30 June 2021. 

Since my appointment as Chairman 
of Cynata in August last year, it has 
been encouraging to see Cynata 
flourish, with several clinical milestones 
achieved this year. Cynata continues to 
advance its position in the regenerative 
medicine sector, reinforced by the 
addition of new indications to the 
clinical pipeline and the introduction of 
highly successful healthcare investor 
BioScience Managers, to the register 
as our largest institutional shareholder. 
The achievements this year are a 
testament to the exceptional team that 
has managed to prudently navigate 
through several unforeseeable 
circumstances.

Unique platform technology 
addresses current challenges of MSC 
manufacturing 

The market for mesenchymal 
stem cell (MSC) products is highly 
attractive, with a growing body 
of evidence supporting the role of 
MSCs in treating a range of diseases. 

As more MSC-based therapies 
approach commercialisation, 
attention has turned toward the 
production challenges associated with 
manufacturing commercial quantities 
using conventional processes and 
the reported consequent diminution 
of potency of the finished product. 
These challenges have also drawn 
commentary from regulatory bodies 
such as the US FDA, particularly in 
relation to manufacturing consistency. 

Cynata has a leading technology 
in the MSC market, with a unique 
manufacturing platform that can 
produce essentially limitless quantities 
of uniform MSCs from a single blood 
donation. Our proprietary Cymerus™ 
technology leverages the powerful 
characteristics of induced pluripotent 
stem cells (iPSCs) – a Nobel Prize 
winning discovery - which can be 
expanded indefinitely to provide 
a highly consistent and robust 
manufacturing starting material.  The 
expanded iPSCs are then differentiated 

We further 

strengthened our 

Board and bolstered 

our financial position 

to provide the 

financial strength 

needed to advance 

product development 

plans with confidence

4

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/2021into MSCs via the Cymerus process, without ever 
having to secure donors and donor-derived tissue 
again. Notably, Cynata is the most advanced company 
worldwide in the development of iPSC-derived cell 
therapies. The Cymerus MSC manufacturing process 
actively addresses current challenges associated 
with conventional methods of producing MSC-based 
therapies including cell heterogeneity arising from 
a reliance on multiple donors and manufacturing 
quantity limits. 

Advancing clinical trials and clinical development 

Cynata also has two advanced clinical trials with 
recruitment underway: a Phase 3 trial in osteoarthritis 
(OA) of the knee, which is one of the largest OA trials 
ever undertaken with MSCs; and a trial in acute 
respiratory distress syndrome, each of which cements 
the Company’s position as a leader in the regenerative 
medicine space. In addition, Cynata was granted 
ethics committee approval to commence a clinical 
trial in diabetic foot ulcers, which is expected to begin 
later this year. Cynata’s diverse and broad pipeline 
is grounded in solid preclinical foundations that 
demonstrate the efficacy and safety of Cymerus MSCs. 
Cynata is also progressing several other indications 
in the pipeline, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis 
and renal transplantation, both of which have large 
market opportunities and supportive preclinical data. 

Accelerating commercial development

Cynata is dedicated to recruiting exceptional and 
experienced individuals, which is evidenced by the 
recent appointment of Dr. Jolanta Airey as Chief 
Medical Officer, subsequent to the financial year. 
Dr. Airey’s 25 years of experience in the successful 
development and commercialisation of novel biological 
agents will be important as we look to extend product 
development activities internationally and build 
shareholder value. 

We continue to liaise with Fujifilm on the licensed 
GvHD program, while actively exploring other 
licensing and partnership agreements as we look 
towards commercialisation opportunities for our 
other portfolio products. The worldwide exclusive 
licence agreement signed this year with biomedical 

coating manufacturer TekCyte for the proposed 
trial in diabetic foot ulcers enables exclusive use of 
TekCyte’s unique polymer-coated dressings in this 
clinical trial and, if clinical development is successful, 
ultimately to commercialisation. These agreements 
and partnerships will help drive valuable commercial 
outcomes for Cynata.

Strong financial foundations

Cynata is in a robust financial position, with $26.7m 
in cash as at 30 June 2021. In December 2020/
January 2021, the Company raised $18.3m (gross) 
in an institutional placement, entitlement offer and 
shortfall placement, led by a $10m investment by 
cornerstone healthcare investor, BioScience Managers. 
This successful transaction provides strong validation 
of Cynata’s technology and clinical pipeline, allowing 
us to be well positioned to advance new and existing 
therapeutic targets. Further, our lead phase 3 
indication (in osteoarthritis) is funded by an Australian 
Government National Health and Medical Research 
Council project grant, while the Company retains full 
commercial rights, providing further financial flexibility 
and confidence in the future. 

On behalf of the Board, I want to thank our dedicated 
employees, who work tirelessly in their efforts to 
advance shareholder value. 

And in conclusion, I would like to thank all our 
shareholders for your continued support as we 
advance our Cymerus™ technology, developing 
scalable cellular therapeutic products to treat serious 
and debilitating diseases.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Geoff Brooke 
Chairman

Chairman’s Letter

5

CEO Letter

Dear Shareholders,

Reflecting on the last 12 months, the world has shown the resilience 

of humanity and our ability to emerge out of a devastating global 

pandemic through medical science. This human accomplishment 

exemplifies why Cynata exists, and what we as a company attempt 

to do: help overcome diseases by creating new effective and safe 

therapeutic products. 

This is no small task, but we are an 
ambitious company working hard to 
achieve our goals. Pleasingly, this past 
year has put us several steps closer, 
as we are progressing multiple clinical 
trials, targeting further indications and 
are well funded to achieve shareholder 
value generating catalysts. I am 
excited for our future, as the Company 
is in a strong position to execute its 
objectives, drive commercial outcomes 
and build shareholder value.

Commenced multiple clinical trials, 
with recruitment underway

We are pleased to have initiated the 
SCUlpTOR (“Stem Cells as a symptom- 
and strUcture-modifying Treatment for 
medial tibiofemoral OsteoaRthritis”) 
Phase 3 clinical trial of CYP-004 for 
osteoarthritis earlier this financial year, 

representing a significant milestone 
for the Company and for our partner 
and trial sponsor, the University 
of Sydney. The trial, funded by an 
Australian Government grant, is the 
world’s first Phase 3 clinical trial for 
an iPSC-based cell therapy and one of 
the largest MSC trials in osteoarthritis. 
This landmark trial showcases our 
unique MSC manufacturing platform, 
highlighting our patented Cymerus™ 
process to deliver consistent MSCs. 
The osteoarthritis trial aims to recruit 
440 patients, validating our leading 
position in the stem-cell industry.

Earlier this financial year we 
commenced the MEND (“MEseNchymal 
coviD-19”) trial initially in COVID-19 
patients admitted to an ICU with 
respiratory failure, with a total of 24 
adult patients expected to participate 

I am excited for 

our future, as the 

company is in a 

strong position to 

execute its objectives 

to drive commercial 

outcomes and build 

shareholder value.

6

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/2021in the trial. We have now expanded the recruitment 
criteria to include patients with respiratory distress 
from any cause in a bid to capture more applicable 
participants and accelerate trial completion. 
Preclinical research shows MSCs can exert a number 
of important beneficial effects relevant to specific 
conditions associated with respiratory distress: ARDS, 
CRS and sepsis, including reducing the excessive 
inflammatory reactions associated with these 
diseases. The market opportunity is highly attractive, 
valued at over $8b1. We are expediting completion 
of the MEND trial, bearing in mind the unpredictable 
nature of COVID-19 outbreaks and community steps 
to mitigate spread, and the seasonality of other 
respiratory illnesses. We currently expect completion 
by the end of this calendar year.

Progressed a new indication, leveraging a 
worldwide exclusive licence agreement

In June, we were delighted to receive approval from 
the Central Adelaide Local Health Network Human 
Research Ethics Committee to commence a clinical 
trial in Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFU). This achievement 
represents a significant milestone towards initiating 
patient recruitment into the trial. In further validation 
of our technology, we have signed a worldwide 
exclusive agreement with leading biomedical coating 
manufacturer TekCyte, to leverage their unique 
polymer coated dressings to enable the delivery of 
our MSCs to patient wounds. We are very excited by 
this agreement as it gives us even greater confidence 
in a successful trial outcome. The TekCyte technology 
will be incorporated into the Cynata product being 
investigated in the proposed DFU clinical trial.

Well positioned for further development

Following the execution of the worldwide exclusive 
licence agreement with FUJIFILM for our GvHD 
product last financial year, Cynata continues to 
collaborate on the planning and start-up activities in 
preparation for a proposed Phase 2 clinical trial. The 
company remains in active discussions with FUJIFILM, 

noting that responsibility for development and 
commercialisation lie with FUJIFILM.

While we continue to leverage our Cymerus platform 
technology to expand our pipeline and continue 
with our trials, we are also looking to the future in 
a bid to drive greater shareholder value through 
partnering activities. We are actively exploring 
licensing and partnership agreements throughout 
the world under strict criteria for partnership: 
expertise, capability, experience, commitment and 
scale. The pre-clinical and clinical achievements in 
FY21, coupled with the endorsement arising from the 
investment by BioScience Managers and our licensing 
deal with FUJIFLM puts us in a good negotiating 
position. A strong cash balance and the fact that 
our osteoarthritis trial is funded by external sources, 
allows us to judiciously assess business opportunities 
to ensure we have the right partner(s) on the right 
commercial terms. 

Lastly, I would like to thank the Board for its support 
throughout this year and sharing its experience, 
encouragement and governance. A special note to 
Geoff Brooke, who has taken on the role of Chairman 
with aplomb, offering great advice and insights from 
his broad experience. With the support of the Board 
and our dedicated staff, I firmly believe Cynata is well 
placed to thrive in FY22 and beyond.

Yours sincerely, 

Dr Ross Macdonald 
Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director

1  Vasomune Therapeutics company announcement, 2018 (reflects total global market opportunity in 2018); GlobalData 2017 

(reflects total global market opportunity in 2026); GlobeNewswire, 2020.

CEO Letter

7

 
Directors’ Report

The directors of Cynata Therapeutics Limited (“Cynata” 

or “the Company”) and its controlled entities (“the Group”) 

submit herewith the annual report of the Group for the 

financial year ended 30 June 2021.

In order to comply with the provisions of the 

Corporations Act 2001, the directors report as follows:

8

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/2021Information about the directors

The names and particulars of the directors of the Group during or since the end of 
the financial year are:

Dr Geoff Brooke  
MBBS, MBA

Chairman, joined the Board in May 
2019 as Non-Executive Director and 
appointed Chairman on 18 August 
2020. Dr Brooke co-founded GBS 
Venture Partners in 1996 and has 
more than 30 years’ venture capital 
experience. He was formerly President 
of Medvest Inc., a US-based early-
stage venture capital group he 
founded with Johnson & Johnson. Dr 
Brooke’s experience includes company 
formation and acquisitions as well as 
public listings on NYSE, NASDAQ and 

ASX exchanges. He is a non-executive 
director of Acrux Limited (ASX: ACR) 
and Chairman of Actinogen Medical 
Limited (ASX: ACW) and has been 
a founder, executive and director of 
private and public companies. From 
2009 until 2015, Dr Brooke was an 
independent director of the Victoria 
WorkCover Authority. Dr Brooke holds 
a Bachelor of Medicine/Surgery from 
Melbourne University and a Masters of 
Business Administration from IMEDE 
(now IMD) in Switzerland.

Dr Ross Macdonald 
PhD (Biochemistry), Grad Dip in Bus Admin

Chief Executive Officer, joined the 
Board in August 2013. Dr Macdonald 
has over 34 years’ experience 
and a track record of success in 
pharmaceutical and biotechnology 
businesses. His career history 
includes positions as Vice President 
of Business Development for Sinclair 
Pharmaceuticals Ltd (now Sinclair 
Pharma Ltd), a UK-based specialty 
pharmaceuticals company and Vice 
President, Corporate Development 
for Stiefel Laboratories Inc, then the 

Dr Stewart Washer 
BSc (Hons), PhD

Non-Executive Director, joined the 
Board in August 2013 and was 
Executive Chairman until 28 February 
2017. Dr Washer has over 30 years of 
CEO and board experience in medical 
technology and biotech companies. 
He is currently the Chairman of Emyria 
Limited (ASX: EMD), Orthocell Ltd 

largest independent dermatology 
company in the world and acquired by 
GlaxoSmithKline in 2009 for £2.25b. 
Dr Macdonald has also served as 
CEO of Living Cell Technologies 
Ltd, Vice President of Business 
Development of Connetics Corporation 
and Vice President of Research and 
Development of F H Faulding & Co Ltd. 
Dr Macdonald currently serves as a 
member of the Investment Committee 
of UniSeed Management Pty Ltd.

(ASX: OCC) and a Director of Botanix 
Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: BOT). Dr 
Washer was previously a Director 
of AusBiotech and a Senator with 
Murdoch University.

Directors’ Report

9

Directors’ Report (cont’d)

Dr Paul Wotton 
MBA, PhD

Non-Executive Director, joined 
the Board in June 2016 and was 
Non-Executive Chairman from 28 
February 2017 until 18 August 2020. 
Dr Wotton is the Chief Executive 
Officer of Obsidian Therapeutics, a 
leading synthetic biology company 
based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. 
Prior to this, he was the Founding 
President and CEO of Sigilon Inc. He 
was previously President and CEO of 
Ocata Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: 
OCAT) guiding the company through 
a take-over by Astellas Pharma 
Inc., in a US$379 million all cash 
transaction. Prior to Ocata, Dr Wotton 
had served as President and CEO of 
Antares Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ: ATRS) 
since October 2008. Prior to joining 
Antares, Dr Wotton was the CEO of 
Topigen Pharmaceuticals and prior to 
Topigen, he was the Global Head of 
Business Development of SkyePharma 
PLC. Dr Wotton held senior level 

Dr Darryl Maher 
MBBS, PhD

Non-Executive Director, joined 
the Board in June 2020. Dr Maher 
adds global biopharmaceutical 
and commercialisation capability 
to the Cynata board, with over 23 
years’ experience with CSL Limited. 
CSL is one of the world’s most 
successful developers of biologic 
pharmaceutical products and has 
a market capitalisation of ~A$130 
billion. Dr Maher has had a long 
successful career in pharmaceutical 
product development, most recently 
as the former Vice President of R&D 

positions at Eurand International BV, 
Penwest Pharmaceuticals, Abbott 
Laboratories and Merck, Sharp and 
Dohme. Dr Wotton is a member of the 
Board and Governance Committee of 
Vericel Corporation, a US company 
developing autologous cellular 
therapies and a member of the board 
at PaxMedica where he is Chairman 
of the Compensation Committee. He 
was a member of the board of Veloxis 
Pharmaceuticals A/S and Chairman 
of the Compensation Committee, 
until its acquisition by Asahi Kasai in 
February 2020 in a $1.3 billion all cash 
transaction. He is also past Chairman 
of the Emerging Companies Advisory 
Board of BIOTEC Canada. Dr Wotton 
received his PhD in pharmaceutical 
sciences from the University of 
Nottingham. In 2014, he was named 
New Jersey EY Entrepreneur of the Year 
in Life Sciences.

and Medical Affairs at CSL Behring 
Australia where he was responsible for 
the development of multiple successful 
drug products from initiation through 
to clinical development and ultimately 
to commercialisation. Dr Maher 
undertook medical training, qualified 
as a specialist haematologist and 
completed a PhD before commencing 
his career in the pharmaceutical 
industry. 

10

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/2021Directorships of other listed companies

Directorships of other listed companies held by directors in the 3 years immediately before the end of the 
financial year are as follows:

Name

Geoff Brooke

Company

Acrux Limited

Actinogen Medical Limited

Ross Macdonald

Stewart Washer

None

Orthocell Limited

Zelira Therapeutics Limited

Botanix Pharmaceuticals Limited

Emyria Limited

Paul Wotton

Vericel Corporation

Veloxis Pharmaceuticals A/S

Darryl Maher

None

Directors’ shareholdings

Period of directorship

Since Jun 2016

Since Mar 2017

n/a

Since 2014

2016-2019

Since Feb 2019

Since Mar 2018

Since 2015

2016-2020

n/a

The following table sets out each director’s relevant interest in shares, rights or options in shares or debentures of 
the Company or a related body corporate as at the date of this report:

Directors

Fully paid ordinary shares

Share options

Geoff Brooke

Ross Macdonald

Stewart Washer

Paul Wotton

Darryl Maher

No.

77,000

2,070,050

2,224,856

175,775

-

No.

2,300,000

1,500,000

300,000

300,000

300,000

Remuneration of key management personnel

Information about the remuneration of key 
management personnel is set out in the remuneration 
report section of this directors’ report. The term ‘key 
management personnel’ refers to those persons having 

authority and responsibility for planning, directing 
and controlling the activities of the Group, directly or 
indirectly, including any director (whether executive or 

otherwise) of the Group.

Directors’ Report

11

Directors’ Report (cont’d)

Options granted to directors and senior management

During and since the end of the financial year, an aggregate of 4,400,000 options were granted to the following 
key management personnel (2020: nil):

Key management 
personnel

Number of 
options granted

Geoff Brooke

Ross Macdonald

Stewart Washer

Paul Wotton

Darryl Maher

2,000,000

1,500,000

300,000

300,000

300,000

Issuing entity

Cynata Therapeutics Ltd

Cynata Therapeutics Ltd

Cynata Therapeutics Ltd

Cynata Therapeutics Ltd

Cynata Therapeutics Ltd

Company Secretary

Dividends

Number of 
ordinary shares 
under option

2,000,000

1,500,000

300,000

300,000

300,000

Mr Peter Webse held the position of company 
secretary of Cynata Therapeutics Limited at the end 
of the financial year. He joined Cynata in April 2012. 
Mr Webse is the director of Governance Corporate 
Pty Ltd, a company specialising in providing company 
secretarial, corporate governance and corporate 
advisory services. Mr Webse acts as Company 
Secretary for a number of ASX listed biotech and 
technology companies.

No dividends have been paid or declared since the 
start of the financial year and the directors have not 
recommended the payment of a dividend in respect of 
the financial year.

1212

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/2021Shares under option or issued on exercise of options

Details of unissued shares or interests under option as at the date of this report are:

Issuing entity

Grant date

Number of 
shares under 
option

Cynata Therapeutics Limited1

17 May 2019

300,000

Cynata Therapeutics Limited2

17 May 2019

1,425,000

Cynata Therapeutics Limited3

19 Aug 2020

1,250,000

Cynata Therapeutics Limited4

14 Sept 2020

100,000

Cynata Therapeutics Limited5

24 Nov 2020

4,500,000

Class of 
shares

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Exercise 
price of 
option

$2.11

$1.75

$0.97

$1.28

$0.97

Expiry date 
of options

16 May 2024

16 May 2022

18 Aug 2024

13 Sept 2024

29 Nov 2025

1  Unlisted options issued to Dr Brooke on 17 May 2019 

4  Unlisted options issued to Mrs Gupta on 14 September 

pursuant to the terms of his appointment as non-

2020 pursuant to an Employee Option Acquisition Plan. 

executive director.

Mrs Gupta is an employee of Cynata and was appointed 

2  Unlisted options issued to Dr Kelly (750,000), Dr Lipe 

on 7 September 2020.

(375,000) and Dr Atley (300,000) on 17 May 2019 

5  Unlisted options issued to Dr Brooke (2,000,000), Dr 

pursuant to an Employee Option Acquisition Plan.

Macdonald (1,500,000), Dr Washer (300,000), Dr Wotton 

3  Unlisted options issued to Dr Kelly (1,000,000), Dr Lipe 

(100,000), Dr Atley (50,000) and Mr Thraves (100,000) 

on 19 August 2020 pursuant to an Employee Option 

Acquisition Plan. Mr Thraves is an employee of Cynata 

and was appointed on 3 August 2020.

The holders of these options do not have the right, by 
virtue of the option, to participate in any share issue 
or interest issue of the Company or of any other body 
corporate or registered scheme.

There have been no options granted over unissued 
shares or interests of any controlled entity within the 
Group during or since the end of the reporting period.

(300,000), Dr Maher (300,000) and Mr Webse (100,000) 

on 30 November 2020 pursuant to an Employee Option 

Acquisition Plan.

There were no shares or interests issued during 
or since the end of the financial year as a result of 
exercise of an option (2020: 1,450,000).

Directors’ Report

13
13

Directors’ Report (cont’d)

Directors’ meetings

The following table sets out the number of directors’ 
meetings (including meetings of committees of 
directors) held during the financial year and the 
number of meetings attended by each director (while 
they were a director or committee member). During 
the financial year, 12 board meetings were held.

Directors

Geoff Brooke

Ross Macdonald

Stewart Washer

Paul Wotton

Darryl Maher

Board of Directors

Attended

12

12

12

12

12

Held

12

12

12

12

12

Proceedings on behalf of the 
Company

No person has applied for leave of Court to bring 
proceedings on behalf of the Company or intervene in 
any proceedings to which the Company is a party for 
the purpose of taking responsibility on behalf of the 
Company for all or any part of those proceedings.

Non-audit services

The auditor did not perform any non-audit services 
during the financial year.

Auditor’s independence declaration

The auditor’s independence declaration for the 
financial year ended 30 June 2021 has been received 
and is included on page 36 of this annual report.

1414

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/2021Directors’ Report

15
15

Operating and Financial Review

Principal activities

Operational update

The Group’s principal activities throughout the 
financial year continued to be the development and 
commercialisation of a proprietary mesenchymal stem 
cell (MSC) technology for potential human therapeutic 
use, which the Company has branded Cymerus™. 
The Cymerus technology represents an important 
breakthrough in regenerative medicine that facilitates 
large-scale manufacture of highly uniform, potent 
MSCs from a single donor and a single donation, 
enabling the development of therapeutic stem cell 
products. This compares favourably to conventional 
MSC technologies that require multiple donors and 
multiple donations. Cynata’s Cymerus technology has 
the potential to revolutionise the manufacture of MSC 
based therapeutic products for commercial use.

Operating results

The consolidated loss of the Group for the financial 
year, after accounting for an R&D refund of 
$1,391,067 (2020: $2,510,462) and providing 
for income tax, amounted to $7,689,683 (2020: 
$3,639,100). Further discussion on the Group’s 
operations is provided below:

Substantial progress made in the Phase 3 
osteoarthritis trial

Cynata announced the commencement of the Phase 3 
clinical trial of CYP-004 for osteoarthritis in November 
2020 which is currently recruiting 440 patients with 
osteoarthritis of the knee at study centres in Sydney 
and Tasmania. This landmark trial is designed to 
assess the efficacy of Cymerus MSCs compared to 
placebo on clinical outcomes and knee joint structure 
in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, over a 
two-year period. This is supported by preclinical 
research which suggests that MSCs can exert several 
important effects relevant to osteoarthritis.

The trial is sponsored by the University of Sydney 
and is funded by the Australian Government National 
Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) project 
grant. Esteemed Professor David Hunter, the Florance 
and Cope Chair of Rheumatology and the Professor 
of Medicine at the University of Sydney is leading 
the trial.

1616

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/2021Cynata’s CYP-004 MSC product has potential in 
the treatment of this progressively degenerative 
and incurable disorder that has a market estimate 
of ~US$11.6bn1. Trial results are expected in 2024, 
with timing dependent on various factors including 
COVID-19 restrictions. 

Enrolment and patient treatment commenced in 
MEND respiratory failure trial

Following commencement in August 2020, Cynata 
received ethics committee approval in March 2021 
to expand the recruitment criteria of the MEND 
(MEseNchymal coviD-19) clinical trial to include 
patients admitted to an ICU with respiratory failure of 
any cause. The expansion is expected to accelerate 
recruitment into the trial by increasing the pool of 
eligible patients with COVID-19 no longer a limiting 
requirement for eligibility. 

Cynata achieved a significant milestone by treating 
the first patient in the trial in May 2021. The open-
label randomised controlled clinical trial design aims 
to investigate the safety and early efficacy of Cymerus 
MSCs in 24 adult patients with respiratory failure. 
The trial will involve 12 critically infected patients 
randomised to receive Cymerus MSC infusions, in 
addition to standard of care, and 12 patients who will 
be randomised to the control group and will receive 
current standard of care only. Given the seasonal 
nature of the incidence of respiratory distress and the 
highly uncertain situation around COVID-19 outbreaks 
in Australia at present, Cynata is currently unable to 
provide firm guidance on when trial results might be 
expected. However, it is currently estimated that the 
trial will complete late in calendar 2021. The trial is 
fully funded by Cynata’s existing cash reserves.

Cynata has identified acute respiratory distress 
syndrome (ARDS), sepsis, and cytokine release 
syndrome (CRS) as targets relevant to the outcome 
of this trial, as they present significant unmet medical 
needs, and are manifestations of the excessive 
inflammatory responses typically seen in acutely 

1  Persistence Market Research 2018 research report: 

“Osteoarthritis Treatment Market: Global Industry Analysis 

(2012-2016) and Forecast (2017-2025).

Review of operations 
Key Highlights

Commenced and advanced enrolment in the 
Phase 3 osteoarthritis trial

Expanded the recruitment criteria and 
commenced enrolment of patients with 
respiratory failure in the MEND clinical trial

Progressed toward commencing a clinical 
trial in patients with diabetic foot ulcers 
(DFU), with ethics approval received and 
Datapharm engaged as Clinical Research 
Organisation (CRO)

Signed a worldwide exclusive licence 
agreement with TekCyte Pty Ltd (‘TekCyte’) to 
utilise advanced wound dressing technology 
for the planned trial in DFU

Cynata’s proprietary Cymerus MSC 
technology was the subject of an article 
published in, and featured on the front cover 
of, the prestigious Nature Medicine journal, 
providing further recognition of Cynata’s 
technology platform

Expanding the clinical pipeline, with 
high priority targets identified, including 
idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and renal 
transplantation

Strengthened the Cynata Board to support 
Cynata’s advancing clinical development 
and commercialisation pathways with 
the appointment of Dr. Geoff Brooke as 
Independent Chairman

Raised capital to accelerate clinical 
development, with ~$18.3m (gross) 
raised via an institutional placement and 
non-renounceable entitlement offer, led 
by a A$10m investment from BioScience 
Managers

Operating and Financial Review

17
17

Operating and Financial Review (cont’d)

unwell patients. Cynata’s pre-clinical studies have 
shown that these conditions can potentially be 
improved with Cymerus MSCs which modulate the 
inflammatory reaction associated with these diseases. 
The combined market opportunity of ARDS, sepsis, 
and CRS is estimated to be over US$8bn2.

Advancing a clinical trial in patients with 
diabetic foot ulcers (DFU)

In June, Cynata received approval from the Central 
Adelaide Local Health Network Human Research 
Ethics Committee to commence a clinical trial in 
patients with DFU. The Phase 1 DFU study will be a 
randomised, controlled trial investigating the safety, 
tolerability, and efficacy of Cymerus MSC product CYP-
006TK, in adult patients with DFU, over a treatment 
period of 4 weeks, with a 24-week evaluation period.

DFU represents a significant unmet medical need, 
with an estimated market value approaching 
US$10b3. Cynata’s MSCs have demonstrated efficacy 
in a preclinical model of DFU that was conducted 
independently by the Cooperative Research Centre 
for Cell Therapy Manufacturing, establishing a solid 
preclinical foundation for the proposed DFU trial. 

Cynata also engaged leading Australian full-service 
CRO Datapharm Australia, to assist in the conduct 
and management of the DFU trial. Patient enrolment 
for the DFU trial is expected to commence late 
in calendar year 2021, subject to regulatory and 
administrative approvals, and completion of trial start 
up activities, which are presently underway. The trial 
will be funded from Cynata’s available cash reserves. 

The trial will take place under the leadership of 
Professor Robert Fitridge, who is Professor of Vascular 
Surgery at the University of Adelaide, and Consultant 
Vascular Surgeon with the Central Adelaide Local 
Health Network.

Signed a worldwide exclusive licence agreement 
with TekCyte 

Cynata announced the execution of a worldwide 
exclusive licence agreement with TekCyte in June 
2021, which enables the use of TekCyte’s polymer-
coated wound dressing technology in clinical trials and 
commercial development. 

TekCyte, a leading manufacturer in advanced 
biomedical coatings, has developed a unique and 
scalable wound dressing technology that can facilitate 
the delivery of MSCs directly to DFUs. The licence is for 
the life of the relevant TekCyte patents and involves 
a signing fee and capped, success-based milestone 
payments. 

Studies utilising TekCyte’s dressing to apply Cymerus 
MSCs in a pre-clinical model of diabetic wounds 
have demonstrated promising efficacy, especially in 
comparison to other methods, and support further 
clinical development. The wound dressing technology 
will be utilised in Cynata’s planned clinical trial in DFU. 

Cynata’s proprietary Cymerus MSC technology 
published in Nature Medicine

Cynata’s proprietary Cymerus MSC technology 
was the subject of a publication in, and featured on 
the front cover of, the prestigious medical journal, 
Nature Medicine, in November 2020. The cover’s 
illustration (by Patton’d Studios, Melbourne) was 
of an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derived 
mesenchymoangioblast colony, which represents 
a crucial step in the Cymerus MSC manufacturing 
process. The issue also includes a paper describing 
the successful Phase 1 GvHD trial results, in which 
all safety and efficacy endpoints were met, providing 
further recognition of Cynata’s ground-breaking 
research in the wider field of regenerative medicine. 

2  Vasomune Therapeutics company announcement, 2018 (reflects total global market opportunity in 2018); GlobalData 2017 

(reflects total global market opportunity in 2026); GlobeNewswire, 2020.

3  Transparency Market Research, 2020 (Reflects global DFU treatment market by 2027).

1818

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/2021Expanding the clinical pipeline, with 
further potential targets including IPF and 
renal transplantation 

Cynata is investigating further clinical trials in 
additional indications underpinned by promising 
results from studies in relevant preclinical disease 
models and significant commercial opportunities. 

Clinical trial planning for IPF is underway, supported 
by positive preclinical results which demonstrate the 
efficacy of Cymerus MSCs in rodent models of IPF. The 
disease is incurable and causes extensive scarring of 
the lungs, often progressing to respiratory failure. 

The Company is also investigating a potential 
clinical trial in renal transplantation. Donor kidney 
transplantation is a high-risk procedure that is 
associated with significant morbidity. Cymerus 
MSC treatment in a preclinical transplant model 
demonstrated immunoregulatory effects expected 
to prevent or reduce kidney transplant rejection, 
providing a promising outlook for future clinical trials. 
Existing treatment options for both indications have 
limited effects on disease progression and survival 
rates, representing significant unmet medical needs.

A schematic of the Company’s product development 
pipeline is shown below.

Operating and Financial Review

19
19

Operating and Financial Review (cont’d)

Strengthened Cynata Board

Outlook

Dr. Geoff Brooke was appointed as independent 
Chairman of Cynata’s Board of Directors on 18 August 
2020, following the commencement of the Phase 3 
clinical trial in osteoarthritis. Preceding Chairman, 
Dr. Paul Wotton, remained on the Board as a Non-
Executive Director. 

Dr Brooke’s substantial experience in healthcare 
and venture capital continues to be invaluable to 
the Cynata Board. He was the founder and former 
Managing Director of two leading life sciences venture 
capital firms, GBS Ventures and Medvest Inc, and 
has been the lead investor of numerous healthcare 
companies. 

Raised capital to accelerate clinical development

Cynata raised A$15m in a successful institutional 
placement in December 2020. This was led by a 
A$10m investment from major healthcare investor 
BioScience Managers, via the BioScience Managers 
Translation Fund I. The endorsement by BioScience 
Managers provides outstanding validation of Cynata’s 
technology platform and commercial potential. 
Following the placement, Cynata raised an additional 
~A$3.3m via a 1 for 15 non-renounceable pro rata 
entitlement offer and partial placement of shortfall 
shares. 

Proceeds will be used to fund the expanded clinical 
pipeline, including the proposed DFU trial, and trial 
planning activities in IPF and renal transplantation. 
Cynata is well placed to fund all planned trials. 

Cynata also received a ~A$1.39m R&D Tax Incentive 
Refund for the 2019/2020 financial year from the 
Australian Government as part of the program 
that refunds up to 43.5% of eligible expenditure on 
research and development.

Cynata has two active clinical trials underway; a 
Phase 3 trial in osteoarthritis and the MEND trial in 
patients with respiratory failure. The planned clinical 
trial in DFU is expected to commence in 4Q CY21, 
upon completion of trial start up activities and relevant 
approvals. 

Cynata is in active discussions with its license partner 
FUJIFILM on the planning and start-up activities 
toward a proposed Phase 2 clinical trial in GvHD, 
with details to be announced at the appropriate 
time. The Company intends to continue its business 
development activities and has active engagement 
with entities that have expressed a commercial 
interest in accessing Cynata’s technologies.

Cynata will look to assess opportunities to partner 
or initiate the approved Phase 2 trial in Critical Limb 
Ischemia (CLI), which is currently on hold, when the 
COVID-19 pandemic stabilises in Australia and the 
UK. The pandemic has significantly impeded potential 
recruitment for the CLI trial, due to the age and 
underlying health issues of the typical CLI patient. 

Cynata is also focused on optimising and expanding 
manufacturing capabilities, while continuing to 
progress its US regulatory strategy. The diverse 
clinical pipeline, and potential commercial pathways 
place the Company in a strong position for growth and 
execution of its strategies to build shareholder value. 

Financial position

The net assets of the Group have increased by 
$11,582,049 to $28,373,153 in 2021 (2020: 
$16,791,104).

Changes in state of affairs

There was no significant change in the state of affairs 
of the Group during the financial year.

2020

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/2021Subsequent events

On 26 July 2021, Cynata announced the appointment 
of Dr Jolanta Airey as Chief Medical Officer (CMO). Dr 
Airey is an accomplished biopharmaceutical executive 
and physician with broad international experience in 
the successful development and commercialisation of 
pharmaceutical products, including novel biological 
agents. 

Dr Airey is expected to join Cynata from CSL Limited in 
October 2021, where she currently holds the position 
of Director, Translational Development. Her previous 
experience includes Clinical Development Physician 
at Seqirus (a subsidiary of CSL), and a range of 
medical positions in various biopharma and research 
companies. Her appointment adds in-house medical 
knowledge and experience to Cynata’s clinical trial 
activities and strategic management of its late-stage 
clinical product portfolio. 

Other than the above, there has not been any matter 
or circumstance occurring subsequent to the end of 
the financial year that has significantly affected, or 
may significantly affect, the operations of the Group, 
the results of those operations, or state of affairs of 
the Group in future financial years.

Future developments, prospects and 
business strategies

Cynata is well positioned in the regenerative 
medicine space, with its proprietary therapeutic 
stem cell platform technology Cymerus providing 
the unique ability to consistently manufacture high 
quality MSC’s at scale from a single donor and 
from a single donation. This process overcomes 
many of the manufacturing challenges associated 
with conventional methods, placing the company 
in a highly favourable position to capitalise on the 
growing commercial potential of therapeutic MSCs. 
The Company continues to focus on investigating the 
safety and efficacy of its MSC product and optimising 
and expanding manufacturing capabilities to prepare 
for commercialisation.

The clinically relevant and favourable outcomes from 
our Phase 1 trial in GvHD provides the Company with 
the confidence to pursue further clinical trials across a 
number of indications, and potentially bypass Phase 1 
in number of key target disease areas.

The licence transaction with FUJIFILM supports the 
potential for value to be generated through further 
commercial agreements around cell therapeutic 
products in other indications which are available to 
be licensed, such as CLI and osteoarthritis. Cynata 
continues to advance its partner outreach program 
and progress discussions with potential partners. 

Environmental regulations

The Group’s operations are not subject to significant 
environmental regulation under the Australian 
Commonwealth or State law.

Operating and Financial Review

21
21

Remuneration Report (audited)

This remuneration report, which forms part 

of the directors’ report, sets out information 

Contents

about the remuneration of Cynata 

Therapeutics Limited’s key management 

personnel for the financial year ended 

The prescribed details for each person 
covered by this report are detailed below 
under the following headings:

30 June 2021. 

1.  Key management personnel

The term ‘key management personnel’ refers to 
those persons having authority and responsibility for 
planning, directing and controlling the activities of 
the Group, directly or indirectly, including any director 
(whether executive or otherwise) of the Group.

2.  Remuneration policy

(a)  Non-executive director remuneration
(b)  Executive director remuneration
(c)  Equity settled compensation

3.  Relationship between the remuneration 

policy and Company performance

4.  Remuneration of key management 

personnel
(a)  Bonus and share-based payments 
granted as compensation for the 
current financial year
(i)  Bonuses
(ii)  Incentive share-based payment    

arrangements

5.  Key terms of employment contracts

6.  Key management personnel with loans 
above $100,000 in the reporting period

7.  Key management personnel equity 

holdings

2222

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/2021 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.  Key management personnel

The directors and other key management personnel of 
the Group during or since the end of the financial year 
were:

Non-executive directors

Dr Geoff Brooke

Dr Stewart Washer

Dr Paul Wotton

Dr Darryl Maher

Executive director

Dr Ross Macdonald

Position

Non-executive Chairman

Non-executive director

Non-executive director

Non-executive director

Position

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer

Other key management personnel

Position

Dr Kilian Kelly

Dr Suzanne Lipe

Chief Operating Officer

Vice President, Partner Engagement

Except as noted, the named persons held their current 
position for the whole of the financial year and since 
the end of the financial year.

Remuneration Report (audited)

23
23

Remuneration Report (cont’d)

2.  Remuneration policy

Cynata’s remuneration policy was developed by 
the Board and has been designed to facilitate the 
alignment of shareholder, director and executive 
interests by:

 z Providing levels of fixed remuneration and ‘at 

risk’ remuneration sufficient to attract and retain 
individuals with the skills and experience required 
to build on and execute the Company’s business 
strategy.

 z Ensuring ‘at risk’ remuneration is contingent on 

outcomes that grow shareholder value.

 z Ensuring a suitable proportion of remuneration 
is received as a share-based payment so that 
rewards are realised through the performance of 
the Company over the longer term.

Remuneration consists of:

 z Fixed remuneration
 z Short-term incentives (‘STI’)
 z Long-term incentives (‘LTI’)
 z Benefits (e.g. car parking, telephone, etc.)

The fixed remuneration component is determined 
regarding market conditions, so that the Company can 
recruit and retain the best available talent.

The Board’s policy regarding short- and long-term 
incentives includes cash bonuses (STI) and the 
granting of options under the Company’s Employee 
Option Acquisition Plan (EOAP) (LTI). Options are 
granted with an exercise price at a premium to the 
underlying market value of shares at the time of 
grant and vest over time subject to continuity of 
employment. The term of options is set to ensure that 
there is a reasonable expectation that the strategies 
and actions of the recipients will, if successful, 
produce above-market Company performance. This 
policy aligns the interests of executives with those 
of shareholders and creates a direct relationship 
between individual remuneration outcomes and 
Company performance.

2424

As at the date of this report, the Company has two 
executives – the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief 
Operating Officer, four non-executive directors and 
one Vice President, Partner Engagement. As set out 
below, total remuneration costs for the 2021 financial 
year were $2,932,641 up from $1,640,514 for the 
previous financial year.

(a) Non-executive Director Remuneration

Non-executive directors are remunerated by way of 
fees, in the form of cash, superannuation contributions 
or salary sacrifice into equity (the latter subject 
to shareholder approval). Fees for non-executive 
directors are not linked to the performance of the 
Company. To align directors’ interests with shareholder 
interests, the directors are encouraged to hold shares 
in the Company and do not normally participate in 
schemes designed for the remuneration of executives.

Non-executive directors receive a superannuation 
guarantee contribution required by the government, 
which was 9.5% in the 2020/2021 financial year 
and do not receive any other retirement benefits. 
Individuals may choose to sacrifice part of their fees to 
increase payments towards superannuation.

The Board’s policy is to remunerate non-executive 
directors at market rates for comparable companies 
for time, commitment and responsibilities. The 
Board determines, subject to shareholder approval, 
payments to non-executive directors and reviews their 
remuneration annually, based on market practice, 
duties and accountability.

(b) Executive Director Remuneration

Executive directors receive fixed remuneration, based 
upon performance, professional qualifications and 
experience and superannuation benefits and under 
certain circumstances, options and performance 
incentives.

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/2021Executive Remuneration Objectives

An appropriate balance 
of ‘fixed’ and ‘at-risk’ 
components.

Attract, motivate, and 
retain executive talent.

The creation of reward 
differentiation to drive 
performance and 
behaviours.

Shareholder value 
creation through EOAP.

Total Remuneration

Fixed Remuneration

Short-Term Incentives

Long-Term Incentives

Set based on relevant market 
relativities, performance, 
qualifications, experience, and 
location.

Set by reference to Company and 
individual stretch performance 
targets relevant to the specific 
position.

Realisation dependent upon total 
shareholder return.

Delivery

Base salary including 
superannuation.

Payable in cash following review 
of performance against Key Result 
Areas (KRAs) and subject to Board 
discretion.

Eligible executives may participate 
in the Company’s equity-based 
incentive scheme subject to Board 
discretion. Equity options are issued 
under the Company’s EOAP at a 
premium to the underlying market 
value of shares and typically vest 
over a 3-year period.

Strategic Intent

Generally guided by the median 
compared to relevant market-based 
data taking into consideration 
expertise and performance in roles.

Directed at achieving short-term 
KRAs. Fixed Remuneration plus 
STI to be positioned competitively 
when compared to groups of 
similar companies.

LTI is intended to align executive 
performance with the Company’s 
long-term strategy and 
shareholders’ interests.

Overall remuneration policies are subject to the 
discretion of the Board and can be changed to reflect 
competitive and business conditions where it is in the 
interests of the Company and shareholders to do so.

Executive remuneration and other terms of 
employment are reviewed annually by the Board with 
reference to the Company’s performance, executive 
performance, comparable information from industry 
sectors and other listed companies in similar industries 
and expert advice.

The Board has not formally engaged the services of a 
remuneration consultant to provide recommendations 
when setting the specific remuneration received by 
directors or other key management personnel during 
the financial year ended 30 June 2021.

Remuneration Report (audited)

25
25

Remuneration Report (cont’d)

Performance Measurement

The performance of executives is measured against 
criteria agreed annually with each executive and 
is based upon the achievement of the strategic 
objectives to secure shareholder value.

this assessment, KRAs are reviewed by the Board 
considering their desired and actual outcomes. The 
efficacy of the KRAs is assessed in relation to the 
Company’s goals and shareholder wealth, before the 
KRAs are set for the following year.

All incentive bonuses must be linked to predetermined 
performance criteria. Key results areas are set 
annually by the Board on the following basis:

 z are specifically tailored to the responsibility areas 

in which the executive is directly involved.

 z target areas that the Board believe hold greater 

potential for business expansion and shareholder 
value.

 z cover financial and non-financial as well as short 

and long-term goals.

 z represent stretch targets to encourage exemplary 

performance.

KRAs for the Chief Executive Officer and Chief 
Operating Officer are focused on the areas of 
operational excellence, investor/stakeholder relations 
and corporate partnering and alliances.

Performance in relation to KRAs is assessed annually 
with incentives awarded depending on the number 
and difficulty of the KRAs achieved. Following 

The Board may, however, exercise its discretion in 
relation to approving incentives, bonuses, and options, 
and can decide on changes. Any change must be 
justified by reference to measurable performance 
criteria.

(c) Equity Settled Compensation

The fair value of the equity which executives and 
employees are granted is measured at grant date and 
recognised as an expense over the vesting period, 
with a corresponding increase to an equity account. 
The fair value of shares is ascertained as the market 
bid price. The fair value of options is ascertained using 
a Black–Scholes pricing model which incorporates all 
market vesting conditions. The number of shares and 
options expected to vest is reviewed and adjusted at 
each reporting date such that the amount recognised 
for services received as consideration for the equity 
instruments granted shall be based on the number of 
equity instruments that eventually vest.

3.  Relationship between the Remuneration Policy and Company 

Performance

The Board considers at this time, evaluation of 
the Group’s financial performance using generally 
accepted measures such as profitability, total 
shareholder return or per company comparison are 
either not relevant or difficult to objectively quantify as 
the Group is pre-revenue and at an early stage in the 
implementation of a commercialisation strategy that 
includes the development of a novel life sciences (i.e. 

therapeutic stem cell) technology and the identification 
and execution of business opportunities as outlined in 
the directors’ report.

The following table sets out summary information 
about the Group’s earnings and movements in 
shareholder wealth for the five (5) years to 30 June 
2021:

2626

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/2021Other income

Net loss before tax

Net loss after tax

30 June 2021 30 June 2020 30 June 2019 30 June 2018 30 June 2017

$

$

$

$

$

1,688,351

7,153,903

1,569,103

1,518,060

1,843,105

7,689,683

3,639,100

8,472,146

4,566,134

4,553,536

7,689,683

3,639,100

8,472,146

4,566,134

4,553,536

Share price at start of year

Share price at end of year

Basic/diluted loss per share (cents)

0.610

0.505

5.90

1.245

0.610

3.48

1.365

1.245

8.48

0.61

1.365

5.04

0.31

0.61

5.69

4.  Remuneration of key management personnel

Short‑term employee benefits

Salary & 
fees

Cash 
bonus

Others

$

102,903

$

-

$

-

2021

Directors

G. Brooke

R. Macdonald1

361,250

70,104

79,511

S. Washer

P. Wotton

D. Maher

Other KMP

K. Kelly1

S. Lipe1, 2

Total

50,228

62,233

50,228

-

-

-

-

-

-

300,000

56,550

63,485

180,822

34,452

2,213

1,107,664

161,106

145,209

Post-
employment 
benefits

Super-
annuation

$

-

25,000

4,772

-

4,772

25,000

19,310

78,854

Share-based 
payment

Options

Total

Value of 
options as 
proportion of 
remuneration

$

$

%

511,446

614,349

370,981

906,846

74,195

129,195

74,195

136,428

74,195

129,195

292,268

737,303

42,528

279,325

1,439,808

2,932,641

83.25%

40.91%

57.43%

54.38%

57.43%

39.64%

15.23%

49.10%

1  Amounts in ‘Other’ represent annual leave and long service leave 

2  For the period 1 July 2020 to 31 December 

(Dr Macdonald and Dr Kelly only) accrued in accordance with AASB 

2020, Dr Lipe’s employment was temporarily 

119 Employee Benefits. The amounts of $70,104 for Dr Macdonald, 

varied to full time basis. As from 1 January 

$56,550 for Dr Kelly and $34,452 for Dr Lipe under ‘Cash bonus’ 

2021, Dr Lipe’s employment reverted to part 

represent bonus determined and accrued for the financial year 2021.

time basis.

During the 2021 financial year, the Company paid a premium in respect of a contract insuring the directors of the 
Company, the company secretary and all executive officers of the Company. The contract of insurance prohibits 
disclosure of the nature of the liability and the amount of the premium.

Remuneration Report (audited)

27
27

Remuneration Report (cont’d)

Short‑term employee benefits

Salary & 
fees

Cash 
bonus

2020

$

P. Wotton

110,000

$

-

Other 

$

-

R. Macdonald1

361,250

69,525

(1,609)

S. Washer

P. Webse2,3

G. Brooke

D.Maher4

Other KMP

K. Kelly1

S. Lipe1,5

Total

50,228

55,000

55,000

2,093

-

-

-

-

-

85,000

-

199

300,000

39,000

170,776

22,440

3,195

8,247

1,104,347

130,965

95,032

Post-
employment 
benefits

Super-
annuation

$

-

25,000

4,772

-

-

-

25,000

16,224

70,996

Share-based 
payment

Options

Total

$

-

-

-

-

$

110,000

454,166

55,000

140,000

Value of 
options as 
proportion of 
remuneration

-

-

-

-

52,884

107,884

49.02%

-

2,292

-

104,653

471,848

81,637

299,324

239,174

1,640,514

22.18%

27.27%

14.58%

1  Amounts in ‘Other’ represent annual leave accrued in 

3  Resigned 30 June 2020.

accordance with AASB 119 Employee Benefits. The 

amount of $69,525 for Dr Macdonald, $39,000 for Dr Kelly 

and $22,440 in ‘Cash bonus’ represents bonus determined 

and accrued for the financial year 2020.

4  Appointed 16 June 2020.

5  Effective 1 April 2020 and for a period of 9 months, Dr 

Lipe’s employment was temporarily varied to full time 

2  Amount in ‘Other’ represents company secretarial fees 

basis.

of $6,000 per month (exc. GST) and additional services 

charged at a rate of $250 per hour paid to Mr Webse 

pursuant to a consultancy agreement with Platinum 

Corporate Secretariat Pty Ltd (Platinum). Mr Webse is the 

sole director of Platinum.

During the 2020 financial year, the Company paid a premium in respect of a contract insuring the directors of the 
Company, the company secretary and all executive officers of the Company. The contract of insurance prohibits 
disclosure of the nature of the liability and the amount of the premium.

2828

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/2021(a) Bonuses and share-based payments granted as 
compensation for the current financial year

(i) Bonuses

Cash bonuses of $69,525 to Dr Macdonald, $39,000 
to Dr Kelly and $22,440 to Dr Lipe were paid during 
the financial year. These amounts were accrued in the 
2020 accounts.

A performance bonus entitlement of $70,104 for Dr 
Macdonald, $56,550 for Dr Kelly and $34,452 for Dr 
Lipe were accrued in the 2021 accounts. Allocation 
of cash bonuses is determined by attainment of short 
and medium term KPIs which are considered to be 
important drivers of value and typical within the 
biotechnology industry for a company at Cynata’s 
stage of development. For example, achievement 
of specified development, clinical, regulatory and 
commercial milestones. These amounts are payable 
subsequent to 30 June 2021.

No other cash bonuses were granted to key 
management personnel during 2021.

(ii) Employee share option plan

Cynata Therapeutics Limited operates an ownership-
based scheme for executives and senior employees 
of the Group. In accordance with the provisions of 
the plan, as approved by shareholders at a previous 
annual general meeting, executives and senior 
employees may be granted options to purchase 
parcels of ordinary shares.

Each employee share option converts to one ordinary 
share of Cynata Therapeutics Limited on exercise. 
No amounts are paid or payable by the recipient 
on receipt of the option. The options carry neither 
rights to dividends nor voting rights. Options may be 
exercised at any time from the date of vesting to the 
date of their expiry.

Terms and conditions of share-based payment 
arrangements affecting remuneration of key 
management personnel in the current financial year or 
future financial years:

Grant date

Expiry date

Exercise price

Grant date 
fair value

Vesting date

Option 
series 

1*

2**

3***

4****

Number

300,000

17 May 2019

16 May 2024

1,425,000

17 May 2019

16 May 2022

1,250,000

19 Aug 2020

18 Aug 2024

4,500,000

24 Nov 2020

29 Nov 2025

$2.110

$1.750

$0.970

$0.970

$0.3838

$0.3038

$0.4152

$0.4927

Vested

Vested

Various

Various

*  Unlisted options issued to Dr Brooke pursuant to the terms 

of his appointment as non-executive director.

**  Unlisted options issued to employees of the Company 
pursuant to an Employee Option Acquisition Plan.

***   Unlisted options issued to employees of the Company 
pursuant to an Employee Option Acquisition Plan.

**** Unlisted options issued to Directors and Company 

Secretary pursuant to an Employee Option Acquisition 
Plan.

There are no further services or performance 
criteria that need to be met in relation to options 
granted under series (1) and (2) above, and as a 
consequence the beneficial interest has vested to the 
recipients. There has been no alteration of the terms 
and conditions of the above share-based payment 
arrangements since the grant date.

Remuneration Report (audited)

29
29

Remuneration Report (cont’d)

Details of share-based payments granted as 
compensation to key management personnel during 
the current financial year:

Name

Option series

No. granted

No. vested

G. Brooke

R. Macdonald

S. Washer

P. Wotton

D. Maher

K. Kelly

S. Lipe

4

4

4

4

4

3

3

2,000,000

1,500,000

300,000

300,000

300,000

1,000,000

100,000

388,885

291,662

58,331

58,331

58,331

305,556

30,556

No share options were exercised by key management 
personnel during the year (2020: 500,000).

During the financial year

% of grant 
vested

% of grant 
forfeited

$

19.4%

19.4%

19.4%

19.4%

19.4%

30.6%

30.6%

$

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

3030

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/20215.  Key terms of employment contracts

Director/Employee

Remuneration / Fees

Performance-based 
remuneration criteria 

Notice period

Dr Geoff Brooke

Effective 18 August 2020, 

n/a

Dr Brooke was appointed 

as non-executive Chairman 

with a fee of $110,000 per 

annum inclusive of statutory 

superannuation and 

excluding GST.

The appointment may be 

terminated if Dr Brooke gives 

notice of resignation and 

the appointment may be 

terminated immediately if Dr 

Brooke becomes disqualified 

or prohibited by law from 

being or acting as a director 

or from being involved in the 

management of a company.

Dr Ross Macdonald

A salary of $386,250 

Eligible to receive an annual 

Term of renewed agreement 

per annum including 

STI assessed against 

– ongoing until terminated by 

superannuation.

Company and Individual 

agreement with both parties 

KRAs and at the discretion of 

(by giving 6 months’ written 

the Board.

notice) or terminated by the 

Company with reasons.

Eligible to participate in the 

Company’s equity- based 

incentive scheme. Any issue 

of securities is subject to 

Board and shareholder 

approval.

Dr Stewart Washer

A fee of $55,000 per annum 

n/a

inclusive of statutory 

superannuation.

Dr Paul Wotton 

Effective 18 August 2020, Dr 

n/a

Wotton reverted to a non-

executive director with a fee 

of $55,000 per annum.

The appointment may be 

terminated if Dr Washer 

gives notice of resignation 

and the appointment may be 

terminated immediately if Dr 

Washer becomes disqualified 

or prohibited by law from 

being or acting as a director 

or from being involved in the 

management of a company.

The appointment may be 

terminated immediately by 

the Company if Dr Wotton 

becomes disqualified or 

is prohibited by law from 

being or acting as director 

or from being involved in the 

management of a company.

Remuneration Report (audited)

31
31

Remuneration Report (cont’d)

Director/Employee

Remuneration / Fees

Performance-based 
remuneration criteria 

Notice period

Dr Darryl Maher

A fee of $55,000 per annum 

n/a

inclusive of statutory 

superannuation.

The appointment may be 

terminated if Dr Maher gives 

notice of resignation and 

the appointment may be 

terminated immediately if Dr 

Maher becomes disqualified 

or prohibited by law from 

being or acting as a director 

or from being involved in the 

management of a company.

Dr Kilian Kelly

Effective 1 July 2021, a salary 

Eligible to participate in the 

The contract may be 

of $340,000 per annum 

Company’s equity-based 

terminated by either party 

including superannuation. 

incentive scheme and an 

providing 3 months’ notice.

During the financial year 

incentive payment of up to 

2021, Dr Kelly was paid 

20% of the annual salary 

a salary of $325,000 

and based on attainment 

per annum including 

of agreed performance 

superannuation.

indicators.

The Company may (but is 

not bound to) pay additional 

performance-based 

remuneration.

Dr Suzanne Lipe

Effective 1 July 2021, a 

Eligible to participate in the 

The contract may be 

salary of $184,000 per 

Company’s equity-based 

terminated by either party 3 

annum inclusive of statutory 

incentive scheme and an 

months’ notice.

superannuation. Dr Lipe is 

incentive payment of up to 

employed on a part-time (0.8 

20% of the annual salary 

FTE) basis. As from 1 April 

and based on attainment 

2020 and for a period of 9 

of agreed performance 

months ended 31 December 

indicators.

2020, Dr Suzanne’s 

employment was temporarily 

varied to full time basis 

with a salary of $220,000 

per annum inclusive of 

superannuation. As from 

1 January 2021, Dr Lipe’s 

employment reverted back to 

part time (0.8 FTE) basis.

3232

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/20216.  Key management personnel with loans above $100,000 in the  

reporting period

The Company has provided 2 of its key management 
personnel with loans at rates comparable to the 
average commercial rate of interest. The loans to 
key management personnel are full recourse loans 
and unsecured. The loans carry a simple interest rate 

of 5.20% per annum, interest is paid annually and 
accrued daily.

The following table outlines amounts in relation to 
loans above $100,000 made to key management 
personnel of the Group:

Balance at 
1/7/2020

$

323,336

334,320

Interest  
charged

$

11,055

1,539

Allowance 
for doubtful 
receivables

Balance at 
30/6/2021

Highest loan 
balance during  
the period (ii)

$

-

-

$

207,978

-

$

324,660

335,645

Name

R. Macdonald (i)

S. Washer (i)

(i)  At a General Meeting of shareholders held on 

12 September 2018, shareholders of Cynata approved 
the financial assistance and financial benefit provided 
to Dr Macdonald and Dr Washer or their nominees as 
constituted by the making of a director loan of $900,000 
each to Dr Macdonald and Dr Washer solely for the 
purpose of funding the exercise of 2,500,000 unlisted 
options each at $0.40 having an expiry date of 27 
September 2018. During the financial year ended 30 June 
2021, Dr Macdonald repaid $126,413 (2020: $437,962) 

of his loan which included $26,413 accrued interest and 
Dr Washer made final repayment of $335,859 (2020: 
$646,800) of his loan which in included $35,859 accrued 
interest. The accrued interest paid by Dr Macdonald 
and Dr Washer is the interest due and payable on each 
anniversary of the loans. At 30 June 2021, the loan 
outstanding from Dr Macdonald is not impaired and has 
been classified under current assets as it is expected to be 
settled within 12 months.

(ii) Includes interest.

7. Key management personnel equity holdings

Fully paid ordinary shares of Cynata Therapeutics Limited

Balance at  
1 July 2020

Received on 
exercise of 
options

Shares 
acquired

Shares 
disposed

Balance at 
resignation

Balance at 
30 June 2021

2021

G. Brooke

R. Macdonald

S. Washer

P. Wotton

D. Maher

K. Kelly

S. Lipe

No.

77,000

2,070,050

2,224,856

175,775

-

494,013

-

No.

No.

No.

No.

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

No.

77,000

2,070,050

2,224,856

175,775

-

494,013

-

Remuneration Report (audited)

33
33

Remuneration Report (cont’d)

Fully paid ordinary shares of Cynata Therapeutics Limited

Received on 
exercise of 
options

No.

20,775

41,550

-

-

-

120,775

-

-

Balance at  
1 July 2019

No.

155,000

2020

P. Wotton

R. Macdonald

2,528,500

S. Washer

G. Brooke

D. Maher (i)

P. Webse (ii)

K. Kelly

S. Lipe

2,724,856

-

-

220,000

494,013

-

(i)  Appointed 16 June 2020

(ii) Resigned 30 June 2020

Shares 
acquired

Shares 
disposed

Balance at 
resignation

Balance at  
30 June 2020

No.

-

-

-

77,000

-

-

-

-

No.

-

(500,000)

(500,000)

-

-

-

-

-

No.

-

-

-

-

-

340,775

-

-

175,775

2,070,050

2,224,856

77,000

-

-

494,013

-

Share options of Cynata Therapeutics Limited

Balance 
at 1 July 
2020

Granted 
as comp-
ensation Exercised

Balance at 
resignation

Balance 
at 30 
June 2021

Balance 
vested at 
30 June 
2021

Vested and 
exercisable

Options 
vested 
during 
year

2021

No.

No.

No.

No.

No.

No.

No.

No.

G. Brooke

300,000

2,000,000

R. Macdonald

S. Washer

P. Wotton

D. Maher

K. Kelly

S. Lipe

-

-

-

-

1,500,000

300,000

300,000

300,000

750,000

1,000,000

375,000

100,000

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2,300,000

688,885

688,885

388,885

1,500,000

291,662

291,662

291,662

300,000

58,331

58,331

58,331

300,000

58,331

58,331

58,331

300,000

58,331

58,331

58,331

1,750,000

1,055,556

1,055,556

305,556

475,000

405,556

405,556

30,556

3434

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/2021Share options of Cynata Therapeutics Limited

Balance 
at 1 July 
2019

Granted 
as comp-
ensation Exercised

Balance at 
resignation

Balance 
at 30 
June 2020

Balance 
vested at 
30 June 
2020

Vested and 
exercisable

Options 
vested 
during 
year

2020

No.

No.

No.

No.

No.

No.

No.

No.

P. Wotton

2,100,000 (2,000,000)

(100,000)

R. Macdonald

200,000

S. Washer

-

G. Brooke

300,000

D. Maher (i)

-

P. Webse (ii)

200,000

K. Kelly

S. Lipe

750,000

375,000

(i)  Appointed 16 June 2020

(ii) Resigned 30 June 2020

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(200,000)

-

-

-

(200,000)

-

-

(iii) No options were granted to key management personnel 

during the 2020 year.

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

300,000

200,000

200,000

100,000

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

750,000

500,000

500,000

250,000

375,000

250,000

250,000

125,000

All share options issued to key management personnel 
were made in accordance with the provisions of the 
Employee Option Acquisition Plan.

Further details of the Employee Option Acquisition 
Plan and share options are contained in note 18 to the 
financial statements.

This is the end of the audited remuneration report

This directors’ report is signed in accordance with a 
resolution of directors made pursuant to s.298(2) of 
the Corporations Act 2001.

On behalf of the directors,

Dr Ross Macdonald

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer

Melbourne,

30 August 2021

Remuneration Report (audited)

35
35

Auditor’s Independence 
Declaration

PO Box 1908 
West Perth WA 6872 
Australia 

Level 2, 1 Walker Avenue 
West Perth WA 6005 
Australia 

Tel: +61 8 9481 3188 
Fax: +61 8 9321 1204 

ABN: 84 144 581 519 
www.stantons.com.au 

30 August 2021 

Board of Directors 
Cynata Therapeutics Limited 
Level 3, 100 Cubitt Street  
Cremorne, Victoria 3121 

Dear Directors  

RE: 

CYNATA THERAPEUTICS LIMITED 

In  accordance  with  section  307C  of  the  Corporations  Act  2001,  I  am  pleased  to  provide  the  following 
declaration of independence to the directors of Cynata Therapeutics Limited. 

As  Audit  Director  for  the  audit  of  the  financial  statements  of  Cynata  Therapeutics  Limited  for  the  year 
ended  30  June  2021,  I  declare  that  to  the  best  of  my  knowledge  and  belief,  there  have  been  no 
contraventions of: 

(i) 

the auditor independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 in relation to the audit; and 

(ii) 

any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit. 

Yours sincerely 

STANTONS INTERNATIONAL AUDIT AND CONSULTING PTY LTD 
(An Authorised Audit Company) 

Samir R Tirodkar 
Director 

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation   

Stantons Is a member of the Russell 
Bedford International network of firms 

3636

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/2021 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent Auditor’s Report

Independent Auditor’s Report

37
37

        Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation         PO Box 1908 West Perth WA 6872 Australia Level 2, 1 Walker Avenue West Perth WA 6005 Australia Tel: +61 8 9481 3188 Fax: +61 8 9321 1204 ABN: 84 144 581 519 www.stantons.com.au   Stantons Is a member of the Russell Bedford International network of firms              INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF  CYNATA THERAPEUTICS LIMITED   Report on the Audit of the Financial Report   Our Opinion  We have audited the financial report of Cynata Therapeutics Limited (the Company) and its subsidiaries (the Group), which comprises the consolidated statement of financial position as at 30 June 2021, the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, the consolidated statement of changes in equity and the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year then ended, and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies, and the directors' declaration.  In our opinion: the accompanying financial report of the Group is in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, including:  (i) giving a true and fair view of the Group's financial position as at 30 June 2021 and of its financial performance for the year then ended; and  (ii) complying with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Regulations 2001.   Basis for Opinion  We conducted our audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Report section of our report. We are independent of the Group in accordance with the auditor independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 and the ethical requirements of the Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board's APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (the Code) that are relevant to our audit of the financial report in Australia. We have also fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with the Code.  We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.  Key Audit Matters  Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the financial report of the current year. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial report as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters. Independent Auditor’s Report (cont’d)

3838

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/2021      Key Audit Matters How the matter was addressed in the audit  Carrying value of intangible assets, amortisation and impairment  At 30 June 2021, the Group had intangibles with a carrying value of $2,692,530. The intangible assets are considered a Key Audit Matter as they represent around 9% of the net assets of the Group and also due to the level of judgement required from the management in assessing their recoverable amounts.  Cynata Therapeutics acquired intangible assets (patents) through the acquisition of a subsidiary. Under AASB 138 Intangible Assets and AASB 136 Impairment of Assets, the Group is required to assess whether there are any indicators of impairment, and if so, perform an impairment review of the intangible assets at least annually.        Our audit procedures included, inter alia, the following:  i. A review of the ASX announcements and Minutes of the Board of Directors minutes to obtain an understanding of the significant activities undertaken by the Group during the year;  ii. An audit of the Group’s patent register to obtain reasonable assurance any patents that have expired are written off;   iii. Review of management’s assessment of the carrying value of the patents and assessing the appropriateness and relevance of information provided to justify the carrying value of the patents;   iv. Discussing the operational strategies and potential investments in the Company by other parties with management to obtain further understanding as to the basis of the assumptions used to justify carrying forward the patents.  v. Checking the amortisation charge to ensure that the patents are being amortised over the 20-year patents’ life; and  vi. Evaluating the adequacy of the disclosures (Note 11) to the financial statements.   Other Information  The directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Group's annual report for the year ended 30 June 2021 but does not include the financial report and our auditor's report thereon.  Our opinion on the financial report does not cover the other information and accordingly we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.  In connection with our audit of the financial report, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial report or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.  Responsibilities of the Directors for the Financial Report  The directors of the Company are responsible for the preparation of the financial report that gives a true and fair view in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Act 2001 and for such Independent Auditor’s Report

39
39

    internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of the financial report that gives a true and fair view and is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.  In preparing the financial report, the directors are responsible for assessing the ability of the Group to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the Group or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.  Auditor's Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Report  Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial report as a whole is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with the Australian Auditing Standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of this financial report.  As part of an audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards, we exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial report.  The procedures selected depend on the auditor's judgement, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial report, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity's preparation of the financial report that gives a true and fair view in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity's internal control.  The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.  An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by the Directors, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial report.  We conclude on the appropriateness of the Directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor's report to the related disclosures in the financial report or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Group to cease to continue as a going concern.  We evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial report, including the disclosures, and whether the financial report represents the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.  We obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or business activities within the Group to express an opinion on the financial report. We are responsible for the direction, supervision and performance of the Group audit. We remain solely responsible for our audit opinion.  We communicate with the Directors regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in Internal control that we identify during our audit.  Independent Auditor’s Report (cont’d)

4040

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/2021    The Auditing Standards require that we comply with relevant ethical requirements relating to audit engagements. We also provide the Directors with a statement that we have complied with relevant ethical requirements regarding independence, and to communicate with them all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, related safeguards.  Report on the Remuneration Report   We have audited the Remuneration Report included in the directors’ report for the year ended 30 June 2021. The directors of the Company are responsible for the preparation and presentation of the Remuneration Report in accordance with section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Remuneration Report, based on our audit conducted in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards.  Opinion on the Remuneration Report   In our opinion, the Remuneration Report of Cynata Therapeutics Limited for the year ended 30 June 2021 complies with section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001.  STANTONS INTERNATIONAL AUDIT AND CONSULTING PTY LTD (An Authorised Audit Company)     Samir R Tirodkar  Director West Perth, Western Australia 30 August 2021  Directors’ Declaration

The directors declare that:

(a)  in the directors’ opinion, there are reasonable grounds to believe that the 
Group will be able to pay its debts as and when they become due and 
payable;

(b)  in the directors’ opinion, the attached financial statements are in compliance 

with International Financial Reporting Standards, as stated in note 1 to the 
financial statements;

(c) 

in the directors’ opinion, the attached financial statements and notes thereto 
are in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, including compliance with 
accounting standards and giving a true and fair view of the financial position 
and performance of the Group; and

(d)  the directors have been given the declarations required by s.295A of the 

Corporations Act 2001.

Signed in accordance with a resolution of the directors made pursuant to s.295(5) 
of the Corporations Act 2001.

On behalf of the directors,

Dr Ross Macdonald

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer

Melbourne, 

30 August 2021

Directors’ Declaration

41
41

Financial Statements

42

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/2021Consolidated statement of profit or loss 
and other comprehensive income 
for the year ended 30 June 2021

Interest income

Other income

Total revenue and other income

Product development costs

Employee benefits expenses

Amortisation expenses

Share based payment expenses

Other expenses

Loss before income tax

Income tax expense

Loss for the year

Other comprehensive income, net of income tax

Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss

Exchange differences on translating foreign operations

Other comprehensive income for the year, net of income tax

Total comprehensive loss for the year

Loss for the year attributable to:

Owners of Cynata Therapeutics Limited

Note

6

6

7

11

7,18

7

8

7

Year ended

30 June 2021

30 June 2020

$

92,299

1,596,052

1,688,351

$

142,350

7,011,553

7,153,903

(3,778,030)

(5,919,531)

(1,758,388)

(1,194,809)

(279,965)

(1,536,871)

(280,732)

(388,236)

(2,024,780)

(3,009,695)

(7,689,683)

(3,639,100)

-

-

(7,689,683)

(3,639,100)

-

-

-

-

-

(7,689,683)

(3,639,100)

(7,689,683)

(3,639,100)

Total comprehensive loss for the year attributable:

Owners of Cynata Therapeutics Limited

(7,689,683)

(3,639,100)

Loss per share:

Basic and diluted (cents per share)

9

(5.90)

(3.48)

The above consolidated statement of profit or loss 
and other comprehensive income should be read in 
conjunction with the accompanying notes.

Financial Statements

43
43

 
 
Consolidated statement of financial position 
as at 30 June 2021

30 June 2021

30 June 2020

Note

$

$

21

10

14

11

14

12

13

15

16

16

26,716,670

13,649,644

70,464

207,978

287,261

16,965

-

184,080

27,282,373

13,850,689

2,692,530

2,972,495

-

657,656

2,692,530

3,630,151

29,974,903

17,480,840

1,375,685

226,065

1,601,750

1,601,750

634,754

54,982

689,736

689,736

28,373,153

16,791,104

74,900,251

57,165,390

6,319,317

4,782,446

4,724

4,724

(52,851,139)

(45,161,456)

28,373,153

16,791,104

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables

Loans receivable

Prepayments

Total current assets

Non-current assets

Intangibles

Loans receivable

Total non-current assets

Total assets

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Provisions

Total current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity

Issued capital

Option reserves

Foreign currency translation reserve

Accumulated losses

Total equity

The above consolidated statement of financial 
position should be read in conjunction with the 
accompanying notes.

4444

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/2021Consolidated statement of changes in equity  
for the year ended 30 June 2021

Issued 
Capital

Option 
Reserve

Foreign 
currency 
translation 
reserve

Accum-
ulated 
losses

$

$

$

$

Total

$

Balance at 1 July 2019

47,987,688

4,501,410

4,724 (41,522,356)

10,971,466

Loss for the year

Other comprehensive income for the year, net 

of tax

Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year

Issue of ordinary shares (refer to note 15)

Share issue costs

Share based payments

-

-

-

9,695,626

(517,924)

-

-

-

-

-

-

281,036

-

-

-

-

-

-

(3,639,100)

(3,639,100)

-

-

(3,639,100)

(3,639,100)

-

-

-

9,695,626

(517,924)

281,036

Balance at 30 June 2020

57,165,390

4,782,446

4,724 (45,161,456)

16,791,104

$

$

$

$

$

Balance at 1 July 2020

57,165,390

4,782,446

4,724 (45,161,456)

16,791,104

Loss for the year

Other comprehensive income for the year, net 

of tax

Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year

-

-

-

Issue of ordinary shares (refer to note 15)

18,306,813

Share issue costs

(571,952)

-

-

-

-

-

Share based payments (refer to note 16.1)

-

1,536,871

-

-

-

-

-

-

(7,689,683)

(7,689,683)

-

-

(7,689,683)

(7,689,683)

-

-

-

18,306,813

(571,952)

1,536,871

Balance at 30 June 2021

74,900,251

6,319,317

4,724 (52,851,139)

28,373,153

The above consolidated statement of changes 
in equity should be read in conjunction with the 
accompanying notes.

Financial Statements

45
45

 
Consolidated statement of cash flows 
for the year ended 30 June 2021

Cash flows from operating activities

Grants and other income received

Payments to suppliers and employees

Interest received

Research and development tax refund received

Fujifilm Option License Fee received

Development costs paid

Year ended

30 June 2021

30 June 2020

Note

$

$

6

204,985

51,459

(3,770,355)

(3,894,444)

82,033

1,391,067

-

83,590

2,510,462

4,227,151

(3,070,839)

(6,365,897)

Net cash (used in) operating activities

21

(5,163,109)

(3,387,679)

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from issue of equity instruments of the Company

Payment for share issue costs

Repayment by related parties

15

14

18,306,813

(571,952)

462,272

9,382,110

(406,924)

1,084,762

Net cash provided by financing activities

18,197,133

10,059,948

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

13,034,024

6,672,269

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year

13,649,644

6,977,390

Effects of exchange rate changes on the balance of cash held in 

foreign currencies

33,002

(15)

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

21

26,716,670

13,649,644

The above consolidated statement of cash flows 
should be read in conjunction with the accompanying 
notes. 

4646

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/2021Financial Statements

47

Notes

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

for the year ended 30 June 2021

1.  General information

Statement of compliance

Cynata Therapeutics Limited (“the Company”) is a 
listed public company incorporated in Australia. The 
addresses of its registered office and principal place of 
business are disclosed in the corporate directory to the 
annual report.

The principal activities of the Company and its 
controlled subsidiaries (“the Group”) are described in 
the directors’ report.

These financial statements are general purpose 
financial statements which have been prepared 
in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, 
Accounting Standards and Interpretations and comply 
with other requirements of the law.

The financial statements comprise the consolidated 
financial statements of the Group. For the purposes of 
preparing the consolidated financial statements, the 
Company is a for-profit entity.

Accounting Standards include Australian Accounting 
Standards. Compliance with Australian Accounting 
Standards ensures that the financial statements and 
notes of the Company and the Group comply with 
International Financial Reporting Standards (‘IFRS’).

The financial statements were authorised for issue by 
the directors on 30 August 2021.

 z

4848

2.  Application of new and revised 

Accounting Standards

2.1   Amendments to Accounting Standards and 

new Interpretations that are mandatorily 
effective for the current year

The Group has adopted all of the new and revised 
Standards and Interpretations issued by the 
Australian Accounting Standards Board (the AASB) 
that are relevant to its operations and effective for an 
accounting period that begins on or after 1 July 2020.

New and revised Standards and amendments thereof 
and Interpretations effective for the current financial 
year that are relevant to the Group include:

 z

AASB 2018-6 Amendments to Australian 
Accounting Standards – Definition of a 
Business 
This Standard amends AASB 3 Business 
Combinations. The amendments clarify that 
while businesses usually have outputs, outputs 
are not required for an integrated set of 
activities and assets to qualify as a business. 
To be considered a business an acquired set of 
activities and assets must include, at a minimum, 
an input and a substantive process that together 
significantly contribute to the ability to create 
outputs.

AASB 2018-7 Amendments to Australian 
Accounting Standards – Definition of Material 
This Standard amends AASB 101 Presentation of 

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/20212.2  New and revised Australian Accounting 

Standards and Interpretations on issue but not 
yet effective

At the date of authorisation of the financial 
statements, the Standards and Interpretations that 
were issued but not effective are listed below:

Effective for annual 
reporting periods 
beginning on or after

1 January 2022

Standard/amendment

AASB 2020-1 Amendments 

to Australian Accounting 

Standards – Classification of 

Liabilities as Current or Non-

current and AASB 2020-6 

Amendments to Australian 

Accounting Standards – 

Classification of Liabilities 

as Current or Non-current – 

Deferral of Effective Date

AASB 2020-3 Amendments 

to Australian Accounting 

Standards – Annual 

1 January 2022

Improvements 2018-2020 and 

Other Amendments

AASB 2020-8 Amendments 

to Australian Accounting 

Standards – Interest Rate 

Benchmark Reform – Phase 2

AASB 2021-2 Amendments 

to Australian Accounting 

Standards – Disclosure of 

Accounting Policies and 

Definition of Accounting 

Estimates

1 June 2021

1 January 2023

 z

 z

 z

Financial Statements and AASB 108 Accounting 
Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and 
Errors, and makes consequential amendments to 
several other pronouncements and publications.

AASB 2019-1 Amendments to Australian 
Accounting Standards – References to the 
Conceptual Framework 
The amendments include consequential 
amendments to the affected Australian 
Accounting Standards, Interpretations and other 
pronouncements to reflect the issuance of the 
Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting 
(Conceptual Framework) by the AASB.

AASB 2019-3 Amendments to Australian 
Accounting Standards – Interest Rate 
Benchmark Reform 
The amendments in AASB 2019-3 modify 
specific hedge accounting requirements to allow 
hedge accounting to continue for affected hedges 
during the period of uncertainty before the 
hedged items or hedging instruments affected 
by the current interest rate benchmarks are 
amended as a result of the ongoing interest rate 
benchmark reforms.

AASB 2019-5 Amendments to Australian 
Accounting Standards – Disclosure of the 
Effect of New IFRS Standards Not Yet Issued in 
Australia 
This Standard makes amendments to AASB 
1054 Additional Australian Disclosures by adding 
a disclosure requirement for an entity intending 
to comply with IFRS Standards to disclose 
information specified in paragraphs 30 and 31 
of AASB 108 Accounting Policies, Changes in 
Accounting Estimates and Errors on the potential 
effect of an IFRS Standard that has not yet been 
issued by the AASB.

The adoption of these Amendments/Interpretation 
has had no significant impact on the disclosures or 
the amounts recognised in the Group’s consolidated 
financial statements.

Notes

49
49

3.  Significant accounting policies

3.1  Basis of preparation

The consolidated financial statements have been 
prepared on the basis of historical cost, except for 
certain financial instruments that are measured at 
revalued amounts or fair values at the end of each 
reporting period, as explained in the accounting 
policies below. Historical cost is generally based on 
the fair values of the consideration given in exchange 
for goods and services. All amounts are presented in 
Australian dollars (“$”), unless otherwise noted.

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell 
an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly 
transaction between market participants at the 
measurement date, regardless of whether that price 
is directly observable or estimated using another 
valuation technique. In estimating the fair value of 
an asset or liability, the Group takes into account 
the characteristics of the asset or liability at the 
measurement date. Fair value for measurement and/
or disclosure purposes in these consolidated financial 
statements is determined on such a basis, except for 
share-based payment transactions that are within 
the scope of AASB 2 Share-based Payment, leasing 
transactions that are within the scope of AASB 16 
Leases, and measurements that have some similarities 
to fair value but are not fair value, such as net 
realisable value in AASB 102 Inventories or value in 
use in AASB 136 Impairment of Assets.

In addition, for financial reporting purposes, fair value 
measurements are categorised into Level 1, 2 or 3 
based on the degree to which inputs to the fair value 
measurements are observable and the significance of 
the inputs to the fair value measurement in its entirety, 
which are described as follows:

Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in 
active markets for identical assets or liabilities that 
the entity can access at the measurement date;

Level 2 inputs are inputs, other than quoted 
prices included in Level 1, that are observable for 
the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; 
and

 z

 z

5050

 z

Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the 
asset or liability.

3.2  Basis of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements incorporate 
the financial statements of the Company and entities 
controlled by the Company and its subsidiaries. 
Control is achieved when the Company:

 z

 z

 z

has power over the investee;

 is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from 
its involvement with the investee; and

 has the ability to use its power to affect its 
returns.

The Company reassesses whether or not it controls an 
investee if facts and circumstances indicate that there 
are changes to one or more of the three elements of 
control listed above.

Consolidation of a subsidiary begins when the 
Company obtains control over the subsidiary and 
ceases when the Company loses control of the 
subsidiary. Specifically, income and expenses of a 
subsidiary acquired or disposed of during the year 
are included in the consolidated statement of profit or 
loss and other comprehensive income from the date 
the Company gains control until the date when the 
Company ceases to control the subsidiary.

Profit or loss and each component of other 
comprehensive income are attributed to the owners 
of the Company and to the non-controlling interests. 
Total comprehensive income of subsidiaries is 
attributed to the owners of the Company and to the 
non-controlling interests even if this results in the non-
controlling interests having a deficit balance.

When necessary, adjustments are made to the 
financial statements of subsidiaries to bring their 
accounting policies into line with the Group’s 
accounting policies. All intragroup assets and 
liabilities, equity, income, expenses and cash flows 
relating to transactions between members of the 
Group are eliminated in full on consolidation.

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/20213.3  Business combinations

Acquisitions of businesses are accounted for using 
the acquisition method. The consideration transferred 
in a business combination is measured at fair value 
which is calculated as the sum of the acquisition-
date fair values of assets transferred by the Group, 
liabilities incurred by the Group to the former owners 
of the acquiree and the equity instruments issued by 
the Group in exchange for control of the acquiree. 
Acquisition-related costs are recognised in profit or 
loss as incurred.

At the acquisition date, the identifiable assets 
acquired and the liabilities assumed are recognised at 
their fair value, except that:

 z

 z

 z

 deferred tax assets or liabilities and assets 
or liabilities related to employee benefit 
arrangements are recognised and measured in 
accordance with AASB 112 Income Taxes and 
AASB 119 Employee Benefits respectively;

 liabilities or equity instruments related to share-
based payment arrangements of the acquiree 
or share-based payment arrangements of the 
Group entered into to replace share-based 
payment arrangements of the acquiree are 
measured in accordance with AASB 2 Share-
based Payment at the acquisition date; and

 assets (or disposal groups) that are classified as 
held for sale in accordance with AASB 5 Non-
current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued 
Operations are measured in accordance with that 
Standard.

Goodwill is measured as the excess of the sum of the 
consideration transferred, the amount of any non-
controlling interests in the acquiree, and the fair value 
of the acquirer’s previously held equity interest in the 
acquiree (if any) over the net of the acquisition-date 
amounts of the identifiable assets acquired and the 
liabilities assumed. If, after reassessment, the net of 
the acquisition-date amounts of the identifiable assets 
acquired and liabilities assumed exceeds the sum 
of the consideration transferred, the amount of any 
non-controlling interests in the acquiree and the fair 
value of the acquirer’s previously held interest in the 

acquiree (if any), the excess is recognised immediately 
in profit or loss as a bargain purchase gain.

Non-controlling interests that are present ownership 
interests and entitle their holders to a proportionate 
share of the entity’s net assets in the event of 
liquidation may be initially measured either at fair 
value or at the non-controlling interests’ proportionate 
share of the recognised amounts of the acquiree’s 
identifiable net assets. The choice of measurement 
basis is made on a transaction-by-transaction basis. 
Other types of non-controlling interests are measured 
at fair value or, when applicable, on the basis specified 
in another Standard.

Where the consideration transferred by the Group 
in a business combination includes assets or 
liabilities resulting from a contingent consideration 
arrangement, the contingent consideration is 
measured at its acquisition-date fair value. Changes 
in the fair value of the contingent consideration 
that qualify as measurement period adjustments 
are adjusted retrospectively, with corresponding 
adjustments against goodwill. Measurement 
period adjustments are adjustments that arise 
from additional information obtained during the 
‘measurement period’ (which cannot exceed one 
year from the acquisition date) about facts and 
circumstances that existed at the acquisition date.

The subsequent accounting for changes in the fair 
value of contingent consideration that do not qualify 
as measurement period adjustments depends on 
how the contingent consideration is classified. 
Contingent consideration that is classified as equity 
is not remeasured at subsequent reporting dates and 
its subsequent settlement is accounted for within 
equity. Contingent consideration that is classified 
as an asset or liability is remeasured at subsequent 
reporting dates in accordance with AASB 9 Financial 
Instruments, or AASB 137 Provisions, Contingent 
Liabilities and Contingent Assets as appropriate, with 
the corresponding gain or loss being recognised in 
profit or loss.

Where a business combination is achieved in 
stages, the Group’s previously held equity interest 
in the acquiree is remeasured to its acquisition date 
fair value and the resulting gain or loss, if any, is 

Notes

51
51

Significant accounting policies (cont’d)

recognised in profit or loss. Amounts arising from 
interests in the acquiree prior to the acquisition 
date that have previously been recognised in other 
comprehensive income are reclassified to profit or loss 
where such treatment would be appropriate if that 
interest were disposed of.

If the initial accounting for a business combination is 
incomplete by the end of the reporting period in which 
the combination occurs, the Group reports provisional 
amounts for the items for which the accounting is 
incomplete. Those provisional amounts are adjusted 
during the measurement period (see above), or 
additional assets or liabilities are recognised, to 
reflect new information obtained about facts and 
circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date 
that, if known, would have affected the amounts 
recognised as of that date.

3.4  Goodwill

Goodwill arising on an acquisition of a business 
is carried at cost as established at the date of the 
acquisition of the business (see 3.3 above) less 
accumulated impairment losses, if any.

For the purposes of impairment testing, goodwill is 
allocated to each of the Groups’ cash-generating units 
(or groups of cash-generating units) that is expected 
to benefit from the synergies of the combination.

A cash-generating unit to which goodwill has been 
allocated is tested for impairment annually, or more 
frequently when there is an indication that the unit 
may be impaired. If the recoverable amount of the 
cash-generating unit is less than its carrying amount, 
the impairment loss is allocated first to reduce the 
carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the 
unit and then to the other assets of the unit pro rata 
based on the carrying amount of each asset in the 
unit. Any impairment loss for goodwill is recognised 
directly in profit or loss. An impairment loss recognised 
for goodwill is not reversed in subsequent periods. 
On disposal of the relevant cash-generating unit, the 
attributable amount of goodwill is included in the 
determination of the profit or loss on disposal.

3.5  Revenue recognition

The Group has applied AASB 15 Revenue from 
Contracts with Customers using the cumulative 
effective method. The Group does not have any 
revenue from contracts with customers.

3.5.1 

Interest income

Interest income from a financial asset is recognised 
when it is probable that the economic benefits will 
flow to the Group and the amount of revenue can be 
measured reliably. Interest income is accrued on a time 
basis, by reference to the principal outstanding and at 
the effective interest rate applicable, which is the rate 
that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts 
though the expected life of the financial asset to that 
asset’s net carrying amount on initial recognition.

3.6  Foreign currencies

The individual financial statements of each group 
entity are presented in the currency of the primary 
economic environment in which the entity operates 
(its functional currency). For the purpose of the 
consolidated financial statements, the results and 
financial position of each group entity are expressed 
in Australian dollars (“$”), which is the functional 
currency of the Company and the presentation 
currency for the consolidated financial statements.

In preparing the financial statements of each 
individual group entity, transactions in currencies 
other than the entity’s functional currency (foreign 
currencies) are recognised at the rates of exchange 
prevailing at the dates of the transactions. At the end 
of each reporting period, monetary items denominated 
in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates 
prevailing at that date. Non-monetary items carried at 
fair value that are denominated in foreign currencies 
are translated at the rates prevailing at the date when 
the fair value was determined. Non-monetary items 
that are measured in terms of historical cost in a 
foreign currency are not retranslated.

For the purpose of presenting these consolidated 
financial statements, the assets and liabilities 
of the Group’s foreign operations are translated 
into Australian dollars using the exchange rates 

5252

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/2021prevailing at the end of the reporting period. Income 
and expense items are translated at the average 
exchange rates for the period, unless exchange 
rates fluctuated significantly during that period, in 
which case the exchange rates at the dates of the 
transactions are used. Exchange differences arising, 
if any, are recognised in other comprehensive income 
and accumulated in equity (and attributed to non-
controlling interests as appropriate).

Goodwill and fair value adjustments to identifiable 
assets acquired and liabilities assumed through 
acquisition of a foreign operation are treated as assets 
and liabilities of the foreign operation and translated 
at the rate of exchange prevailing at the end of each 
reporting period. Exchange differences arising are 
recognised in other comprehensive income.

3.7  Government grants

Government grants are not recognised until there is 
reasonable assurance that the Group will comply with 
the conditions attaching to them and that the grants 
will be received.

Government grants are recognised in profit or loss on 
a systematic basis over the periods in which the Group 
recognises as expenses the related costs for which 
the grants are intended to compensate. Specifically, 
government grants whose primary condition is that 
the Group should purchase, construct or otherwise 
acquire non-current assets are recognised as 
deferred revenue in the consolidated statement of 
financial position and transferred to profit or loss on a 
systematic and rational basis over the useful lives of 
the related assets.

Government grants that are receivable as 
compensation for expenses or losses already incurred 
or for the purpose of giving immediate financial 
support to the Group with no future related costs are 
recognised in profit or loss in the period in which they 
become receivable.

Grants related to the COVID-19 incentives are 
accounted for when received.

3.8  Employee benefits

Short‑term and long‑term employee benefits

A liability is recognised for benefits accrued to 
employees in respect of wages and salaries and 
annual leave when it is probable that settlement will 
be required and they are capable of being measured 
reliably.

Liabilities recognised in respect of short-term 
employee benefits are measured at their nominal 
values using the remuneration rate expected to apply 
at the time of settlement.

Liabilities recognised in respect of long-term employee 
benefits are measured as the present value of the 
estimated future cash outflows to be made by the 
Group in respect of services provided by employees up 
to reporting date.

3.9  Share-based payment arrangements

Equity-settled share-based payments to employees 
and others providing similar services are measured at 
the fair value of the equity instruments at the grant 
date. Details regarding the determination of the fair 
value of equity-settled share-based transactions are 
set out in note 18.

The fair value determined at the grant date of the 
equity-settled share-based payments is expensed on 
a straight-line basis over the vesting period, based 
on the Group’s estimate of equity instruments that 
will eventually vest, with a corresponding increase 
in equity. At the end of each reporting period, the 
Group revises its estimate of the number of equity 
instruments expected to vest. The impact of the 
revision of the original estimates, if any, is recognised 
in profit or loss such that the cumulative expense 
reflects the revised estimate, with a corresponding 
adjustment to the equity-settled employee benefits 
reserve.

Equity-settled share-based payment transactions with 
parties other than employees are measured at the fair 
value of the goods or services received, except where 
that fair value cannot be estimated reliably, in which 
case they are measured at the fair value of the equity 

Notes

53
53

Significant accounting policies (cont’d)

instruments granted, measured at the date the entity 
obtains the goods or the counterparty renders the 
service.

accounting profit. In addition, deferred tax liabilities 
are not recognised if the temporary difference arises 
from the initial recognition of goodwill.

For cash-settled share-based payments, liability 
is recognised for the goods or services acquired, 
measured initially at the fair value of the liability. At 
the end of each reporting period until the liability is 
settled, and at the date of settlement, the fair value 
of the liability is remeasured, with any changes in fair 
value recognised in profit or loss for the year.

3.10 Taxation

Income tax expense represents the sum of the tax 
currently payable and deferred tax.

3.10.1 Current tax

The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for 
the year. Taxable profit differs from profit before tax as 
reported in the consolidated statement of profit or loss 
and other comprehensive income because of items 
of income or expense that are taxable or deductible 
in other years and items that are never taxable or 
deductible. The Group’s current tax is calculated using 
the tax rates that have been enacted or substantively 
enacted by the end of the reporting period.

R&D rebates are accounted for on a cash basis and 
included under other income.

3.10.2 Deferred tax

Deferred tax is recognised on temporary differences 
between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities 
in the consolidated financial statements and the 
corresponding tax bases used in the computation of 
taxable profit. Deferred tax liabilities are generally 
recognised for all taxable temporary differences. 
Deferred tax assets are generally recognised for all 
deductible temporary differences to the extent that 
it is probable that taxable profits will be available 
against which those deductible temporary differences 
can be utilised. Such deferred tax assets and liabilities 
are not recognised if the temporary difference arises 
from the initial recognition (other than in a business 
combination) of assets and liabilities in a transaction 
that affects neither the taxable profit nor the 

Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for taxable 
temporary differences associated with investments 
in subsidiaries and associates, and interests in joint 
ventures, except where the Group is able to control the 
reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable 
that the temporary difference will not reverse in the 
foreseeable future. Deferred tax assets arising from 
deductible temporary differences associated with such 
investments and interests are only recognised to the 
extent that it is probable that there will be sufficient 
taxable profits against which to utilise the benefits of 
the temporary differences and they are expected to 
reverse in the foreseeable future.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is 
reviewed at the end of each reporting period and 
reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that 
sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all 
or part of the asset to be recovered.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at 
the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period 
in which the liability is settled or the asset realised, 
based on tax rates (and tax laws) that have been 
enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the 
reporting period. The measurement of deferred tax 
liabilities and assets reflects the tax consequences 
that would follow from the manner in which the 
Group expects, at the end of the reporting period, to 
recover or settle the carrying amount of its assets and 
liabilities.

Deferred tax liabilities and assets are offset when 
there is a legally enforceable right to set off current 
tax assets against current tax liabilities and when they 
relate to income taxes levied by the same authority 
and the Group intends to settle its current tax assets 
and liabilities on a net basis.

3.10.3 Current and deferred tax for the year

Current and deferred tax are recognised in profit 
or loss, except when they relate to items that are 
recognised in other comprehensive income or directly 
in equity, in which case the current and deferred tax 

5454

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/2021are also recognised in other comprehensive income 
or directly in equity, respectively. Where current tax 
or deferred tax arises from the initial accounting for a 
business combination, the tax effect is included in the 
accounting for the business combination.

3.11 Intangible assets

3.11.1 Intangible assets acquired in a business 
combination

Intangible assets acquired in a business combination 
and recognised separately from goodwill are initially 
recognised at their fair value at the acquisition date 
(which is regarded as their cost).

Intangibles have been identified as all granted patents 
and patent applications. They have a finite useful life 
and are carried at cost less accumulated amortisation. 
Amortisation is calculated using the straight-line 
method over the expected life of the assets, as follows:

 z

 Patents — 20 years

3.11.2 Derecognition of intangible assets

An intangible asset is derecognised on disposal, 
or when no future economic benefits are expected 
from use or disposal. Gains or losses arising from 
derecognition of an intangible asset, measured as the 
difference between the net disposal proceeds and the 
carrying amount of the asset are recognised in profit 
or loss when the asset is derecognised.

3.12 Impairment of tangible and intangible assets 

other than goodwill

At the end of each reporting period, the Group reviews 
the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible 
assets to determine whether there is any indication 
that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If 
any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of 
the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent 
of the impairment loss (if any). When it is not possible 
to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual 
asset, the Group estimates the recoverable amount of 
the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. 
When a reasonable and consistent basis of allocation 
can be identified, corporate assets are also allocated 
to individual cash-generating units, or otherwise they 

are allocated to the smallest group of cash-generating 
units for which a reasonable and consistent allocation 
basis can be identified.

Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives and 
intangible assets not yet available for use are tested 
for impairment at least annually, and whenever there 
is an indication that the asset may be impaired.

Recoverable amount is the higher of fair values less 
costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in 
use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to 
their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that 
reflects current market assessments of the time value 
of money and the risks specific to the asset for which 
the estimates of future cash flows have not been 
adjusted.

If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-
generating unit) is estimated to be less than its 
carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset 
(or cash-generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable 
amount. An impairment loss is recognised immediately 
in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at 
a revalued amount, in which case the impairment loss 
is treated as a revaluation decrease.

When an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the 
carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) 
is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable 
amount, but so that the increased carrying amount 
does not exceed the carrying amount that would 
have been determined had no impairment loss been 
recognised for the asset (or cash-generating unit) 
in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is 
recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless the 
relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in 
which case the reversal of the impairment loss is 
treated as a revaluation increase.

3.13 Provisions

Provisions are recognised when the Group has a 
present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result 
of a past event, it is probable that the Group will 
be required to settle the obligation, and a reliable 
estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.

Notes

55
55

Significant accounting policies (cont’d)

The amount recognised as a provision is the best 
estimate of the consideration required to settle the 
present obligation at the end of the reporting period, 
taking into account the risks and uncertainties 
surrounding the obligation. When a provision is 
measured using the cash flows estimated to settle the 
present obligation, its carrying amount is the present 
value of those cash flows (where the effect of the time 
value of money is material).

When some or all of the economic benefits required to 
settle a provision are expected to be recovered from a 
third party, a receivable is recognised as an asset if it 
is virtually certain that reimbursement will be received 
and the amount of the receivable can be measured 
reliably.

3.14 Financial instruments

Recognition, initial measurement and derecognition

Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised 
when the Group becomes a party to the contractual 
provisions of the financial instrument. Financial 
instruments (except for trade receivables) are 
measured initially at fair value adjusted by transaction 
costs, except for those carried at ‘fair value through 
profit or loss’, in which case transaction costs are 
expensed to profit or loss. Where available, quoted 
prices in an active market are used to determine the 
fair value. In other circumstances, valuation techniques 
are adopted. Subsequent measurement of financial 
assets and financial liabilities are described below.

Trade receivables are initially measured at the 
transaction price if the receivables do not contain a 
significant financing component in accordance with 
AASB 15.

Financial assets are derecognised when the 
contractual rights to the cash flows from the 
financial asset expire, or when the financial asset 
and all substantial risks and rewards are transferred. 
A financial liability is derecognised when it is 
extinguished, discharged, cancelled or expired.

Classification and measurement

FINANCIAL ASSETS

Except for those trade receivables that do not contain 
a significant financing component and are measured 
at the transaction price in accordance with AASB 15, 
all financial assets are initially measured at fair value 
adjusted for transaction costs (where applicable).

For the purpose of subsequent measurement, financial 
assets other than those designated and effective as 
hedging instruments are classified into the following 
categories upon initial recognition:

 z

 z

 z

amortised cost;

 fair value through other comprehensive income 
(FVOCI); and

 fair value through profit or loss (FVPL).

Classifications are determined by both:

 z

 z

the contractual cash flow characteristics of the 
financial assets; and

the Group’s business model for managing the 
financial asset.

Financial assets at amortised cost

Financial assets are measured at amortised cost if the 
assets meet with the following conditions (and are not 
designated as FVPL);

 z

 z

they are held within a business model whose 
objective is to hold the financial assets and 
collect its contractual cash flows; and

the contractual terms of the financial assets give 
rise to cash flows that are solely payments of 
principal and interest on the principal amount 
outstanding.

After initial recognition, these are measured at 
amortised cost using the effective interest method. 
Discounting is omitted where the effect of discounting 
is immaterial. The Group’s cash and cash equivalents, 
trade and most other receivables fall into this category 
of financial instruments.

5656

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/2021Financial assets at fair value through other 
comprehensive income (Equity instruments)

The Group measures debt instruments at fair value 
through OCI if both of the following conditions are met:

 z

 z

the contractual terms of the financial asset give 
rise on specified dates to cash flows that are 
solely payments of principal and interest on the 
principal amount outstanding; and

the financial asset is held within a business 
model with the objective of both holding to collect 
contractual cash flows and selling the financial 
asset.

For debt instruments at fair value through OCI, interest 
income, foreign exchange revaluation and impairment 
losses or reversals are recognised in the statement of 
profit or loss and computed in the same manner as 
for financial assets measured at amortised cost. The 
remaining fair value changes are recognised in OCI.

Upon initial recognition, the Group can elect to 
classify irrevocably its equity investments as equity 
instruments designated at fair value through OCI 
when they meet the definition of equity under AASB 
132 Financial Instruments: Presentation and are not 
held for trading.

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss 
(FVPL)

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss 
include financial assets held for trading, financial 
assets designated upon initial recognition at fair value 
through profit or loss or financial assets mandatorily 
required to be measured at fair value. Financial assets 
are classified as held for trading if they are acquired 
for the purpose of selling or repurchasing in the near 
term.

FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

Financial liabilities are classified, at initial recognition, 
as financial liabilities at fair value through profit or 
loss, loans and borrowings, payables or as derivatives 
designated as hedging instruments in an effective 
hedge, as appropriate.

Financial liabilities are initially measured at fair value, 
and, where applicable, adjusted for transaction costs 
unless the Group designated a financial liability at fair 
value through profit or loss.

Subsequently, financial liabilities are measured at 
amortised cost using the effective interest method 
except for derivatives and financial liabilities 
designated at FVPL, which are carried subsequently 
at fair value with gains or losses recognised in profit 
or loss.

All interest-related charges and, if applicable, gains 
and losses arising on changes in fair value are 
recognised in profit or loss.

IMPAIRMENT

The Group assesses on a forward-looking basis 
the expected credit loss associated with its debt 
instruments carried at amortised cost and FVOCI. The 
impairment methodology applied depends on whether 
there has been a significant increase in credit risk. For 
trade receivables, the Group applies the simplified 
approach permitted by AASB 9, which requires 
expected lifetime losses to be recognised from initial 
recognition of the receivables.

3.15 Goods and services tax

Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of 
the amount of goods and services tax (GST), except:

i.  where the amount of GST incurred is not 

recoverable from the taxation authority, it is 
recognised as part of the cost of acquisition of an 
asset or as part of an item of expense; or

ii. 

for receivables and payables which are 
recognised inclusive of GST.

The net amount of GST recoverable from, or payable 
to, the taxation authority is included as part of 
receivables or payables.

Cash flows are included in the cash flow statement 
on a gross basis. The GST component of cash flows 
arising from investing and financing activities which is 
recoverable from, or payable to, the taxation authority 
is classified within operating cash flows.

Notes

57
57

The right-of-use assets comprise the initial 
measurement of the corresponding lease liability, any 
lease payments made at or before the commencement 
date and initial direct costs. The subsequent 
measurement of the right-of-use asset is at cost less 
accumulated depreciation and impairment losses.

Right-of-use assets are depreciated over the lease 
term or useful life of the underlying asset, whichever is 
the shortest.

Where a lease transfers ownership of the underlying 
asset or the costs of the right-of-use asset reflects 
that the Group anticipates exercising a purchase 
option, the specific asset is depreciated over the useful 
life of the underlying asset.

The Group does not currently have any leases that 
would require recognition of a right-of-use asset in the 
current reporting period.

3.17 Comparative amounts

When current period balances have been classified 
differently within current period disclosures when 
compared to prior periods, comparative disclosures 
have been restated to ensure consistency of 
presentation between periods.

Significant accounting policies (cont’d)

3.16 Leases

The Group as a lessee

At inception of a contract, the Group assesses if the 
contract contains characteristics of or is a lease. If 
there is a lease present, a right-of-use asset and a 
corresponding liability are recognised by the Group 
where the Group is a lessee. However, all contracts 
that are classified as short-term leases (i.e. leases 
with a remaining lease term of 12 months or less) 
and leases of low-value assets are recognised as an 
operating expense on a straight-line basis over the 
term of the lease.

Initially, the lease liability is measured at the present 
value of the lease payments still to be paid at the 
commencement date. The lease payments are 
discounted at the interest rate implicit in the lease. If 
this rate cannot be readily determined, the Group uses 
incremental borrowing rate.

Lease payments included in the measurement of the 
lease liability are as follows:

 z

 z

 z

 z

 z

 z

 fixed lease payments less any lease incentives;

 variable lease payments that depend on the 
index of the rate, initially measured using the 
index or rate at the commencement date;

 the amount expected to be payable by the lessee 
under residual value guarantees;

 the exercise price of purchase options if the 
lessee if reasonably certain to exercise the 
options;

 lease payments under extension profits, if the 
lessee is reasonably certain to exercise the 
options; and

 payments of penalties for terminating the lease, 
if the lease term reflects the exercise of options to 
terminate the lease.

5858

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/20214.  Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation 

uncertainty

4.1.2 Share-based payment transactions

The Group accounts for all equity-settled share-
based payments based on the fair value of the 
award on grant date. Under the fair value-based 
method, compensation cost attributable to options 
granted is measured at fair value at the grant date 
and amortised over the vesting period. The amount 
recognised as an expense is adjusted to reflect any 
changes in the Group’s estimate of the options that 
will eventually vest and the effect of any non-market 
vesting conditions.

Share-based payment arrangements in which the 
Group receives good or services as consideration 
are measured at the fair value of the good or service 
received, unless that fair value cannot be reliably 
estimated.

In the application of the Group’s accounting policies, 
which are described in note 3, the directors of the 
Company are required to make judgements, estimates 
and assumptions about the carrying amounts of 
assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent 
from other sources. The estimates and associated 
assumptions are based on historical experience and 
other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual 
results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are 
reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting 
estimates are recognised in the period on which the 
estimate is revised if the revision affects only that 
period, or in the period of the revision and future 
periods if the revision affects both current and future 
periods.

4.1  Key sources of estimation uncertainty

4.1.1  Recoverability of intangible assets acquired in 
a business combination

During the year, the directors reconsidered the 
recoverability of the Group’s intangible assets arising 
from the acquisition of Cynata Incorporated, which 
is included in the consolidated statement of financial 
position at 30 June 2021 with a carrying value of 
$2,692,530 (2020: $2,972,495) after accounting for 
amortisation.

The directors have allocated the carrying value of 
the patents (before amortisation) to the different 
categories of the research based on their estimates. 
The resulting allocation has given rise to an 
amortisation expense of $279,965 for the year ended 
30 June 2021 (2020: $280,732).

The directors performed an impairment testing and 
concluded that no further impairment of the intangible 
assets is required for the year (2020: nil).

Notes

59
59

5.  Segment information

The Group operates in one business segment, namely 
the development and commercialisation of therapeutic 
products. AASB 8 Operating Segments states that 
similar operating segments can be aggregated to 
form one reportable segment. However, none of 
the operating segments currently meet any of the 
prescribed quantitative thresholds, and as such 
do not have to be reported separately. The Group 
has therefore decided to aggregate all its reporting 
segments into one reportable operating segment.

6.  Interest income and other income

Interest income

Interest income

Accrued interest on directors’ loans (refer to note 14)

Other income

R&D rebate

Grants received (i)

Other income (ii)

The revenue and results of this segment are those 
of the Group as a whole and are set out in the 
consolidated statement of profit or loss and other 
comprehensive income. The segment assets and 
liabilities are those of the Group and set out in the 
consolidated statement of financial position.

2021

$

79,705

12,594

92,299

2021

$

2020

$

65,951

76,399

142,350

2020

$

1,391,067

2,510,462

204,985

-

-

4,501,091

1,596,052

7,011,553

(i) 

This includes an Innovation Connections grant 

(ii) 

This includes an amount of $4,449,632 (US$3million) 

of $54,985, the Australian Federal Government’s 

received from FUJIFILM Corporation in 2020 under the 

COVID-19 Cash Flow Boost package of $50,000 

graft-versus-host-disease (GvHD) license agreement.

and the 2020 Export Market Development Grant of 

$100,000.

6060

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/20217.  Loss for the year

Loss for the year has been arrived at after charging the following items of expenses:

Employee benefits expenses

  Wages and salaries

  Superannuation expenses

  Leave entitlements

Total employee benefits expenses (i)

Share-based payment expenses

Other expenses

  Share register fees

  Director fees

  Legal costs

  Investor/public relations

  Corporate advisors

  Other administrative expenses

  Foreign tax withheld (ii)

  Effect of foreign exchange

Total other expenses

2021

$

2020

$

1,467,272

1,102,057

120,033

171,083

79,065

13,687

1,758,388

1,194,809

1,536,871

388,236

30,185

275,136

289,701

269,649

208,625

653,833

-

297,651

62,633

277,289

888,547

472,740

198,897

606,556

222,482

280,551

2,024,780

3,009,695

(i) 

Excludes amounts charged to product development 

(ii) 

This represents US$150,000 being the Japanese 

costs.

5% withholding tax from the option fee received 

from FUJIFILM Corporation. The Group expensed the 

withholding tax as recoverability of this tax is not 

certain.

Notes

61
61

8.  Income taxes relating to continuing operations

8.1 

Income tax recognised in profit or loss

2021

2020

Current tax

Deferred tax

The income tax expense for the year can be reconciled 
to the accounting loss as follows: 

Loss before tax from continuing operations

Income tax expense calculated at 26% (2020: 27.5%)

Tax effect of R&D rebate received

$

-

-

-

$

-

-

-

2021

2020

$

$

(7,689,683)

(3,639,100)

(1,999,317)

(1,000,753)

(361,677)

(690,377)

Effect of expenses that are not deductible in determining taxable income

1,450,270

1,906,239

Effect of unused tax losses not recognised as deferred tax assets

910,724

(215,109)

-

-

The tax rate used for the 2021 reconciliations above is 
the corporate tax rate of 26% (2020: 27.5%) payable 
by Australian corporate entities on taxable profits 
under Australian tax law.

8.2 

Income tax recognised directly in equity

2021

2020

Current tax

Share issue costs

Deferred tax

Arising on transactions with owners:

  Share issue costs deductible over 5 years

8.3  Unrecognised deferred tax assets in relation to:

Unused tax losses (revenue) for which no deferred tax assets 

have been recognised (i)

Other

6262

$

-

-

-

$

-

-

-

2021

$

2020

$

7,236,506

5,978,841

240,668

107,904

7,477,174

6,086,745

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/20218.4  Unrecognised deferred tax (liabilities) in relation to:

Intangibles

Other

2021

$

2020

$

(700,058)

(817,436)

(75,663)

(52,294)

(775,721)

(869,730)

Net deferred tax assets

6,701,453

5,217,015

(i) 

All unused tax losses were incurred by Australian 

entities. The figure also includes unused carried 

forward tax losses of Cynata Australia Pty Ltd (“Cynata 

Australia”). Cynata Australia is the wholly owned 

subsidiary of Cynata Inc and Cynata Inc is the wholly 

owned subsidiary of Cynata Therapeutics Limited.

This benefit for tax losses will only be obtained if 
the specific entity carrying forward the tax losses 
derives future assessable income of a nature and 
of an amount sufficient to enable the benefit from 
the deductions for the losses to be realised, and the 
Company complies with the conditions for deductibility 
imposed by tax legislation.

9.  Loss per share

Basic and diluted loss per share (cents per share)

9.1  Basic and diluted loss per share

The loss and weighted average number of ordinary 
shares used in the calculation of basic earnings per 
share are as follows:

2021

2020

¢ / share

¢ / share

(5.90)

(3.48)

2021

$

2020

$

Loss for the year attributable to owners of the Company

(7,689,683)

(3,639,100)

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purposes of basic and diluted 

loss per share

2021

$

2020

$

130,427,077

104,510,253

Notes

63
63

10. Trade and other receivables

Deposits made

Other receivables

At the reporting date, none of the receivables were 
past due/impaired.

11. Intangibles

Carrying value at beginning of year (i)

Amortisation (ii)

Net book value of research and development at end of year

2021

$

25,528

44,936

70,464

2020

$

3,568

13,397

16,965

2021

$

2020

$

2,972,495

3,253,227

(279,965)

(280,732)

2,692,530

2,972,495

(i) 

The carrying value at beginning of year represents 

(ii)  An amortisation expense of $279,965 has been 

the fair value attributable to interests in research and 

recognised in profit or loss (2020: $280,732). Refer 

development of stem cells is due to, and in recognition 

to note 3.12 for more information on the Group’s 

of, the successful development activities and data 

accounting policy on intangibles and amortisation. 

generated by Cynata Incorporated as at the acquisition 

date (1 December 2013), representing progress 

toward the eventual commercialisation of the relevant 

technology less accumulated amortisation. 

Cost

Balance at 1 July

Additions

Disposals

Balance at 30 June

Accumulated amortisation

Balance at 1 July

Amortisation expense

Balance at 30 June

6464

2021

$

2020

$

4,821,799

4,821,799

-

-

-

-

4,821,799

4,821,799

2021

$

2020

$

1,849,304

1,568,572

279,965

280,732

2,129,269

1,849,304

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/202112. Trade and other payables

Trade payables

Accrued expenses

13. Provisions

Provisions for employee entitlements

14. Loans receivable

Balance at beginning of year (i)

Interest accrued (ii)

Repayments by related parties (iii)

Balance at end of year

2021

$

676,104

699,581

1,375,685

2021

$

226,065

2021

$

657,656

12,594

2020

$

297,359

337,395

634,754

2020

$

54,982

2020

$

1,666,019

76,399

(462,272)

(1,084,762)

207,978

657,656

(i) 

At the General Meeting of shareholders held on 12 

(iii)  During the financial year ended 30 June 2021, Dr 

September 2018, shareholders of Cynata approved the 

Macdonald repaid $126,413 (2020: $437,962) of his 

financial assistance and financial benefit provided to 

loan which included $26,413 accrued interest and Dr 

Dr Ross Macdonald and Dr Stewart Washer or their 

Washer made final repayment of $335,859 (2020: 

nominees as constituted by the making of a director 

$646,800) of his loan which included $35,859 accrued 

loan of $900,000 each to Dr Ross Macdonald and Dr 

interest. The accrued interest paid by Dr Macdonald 

Stewart Washer solely for the purpose of funding the 

and Dr Washer is the interest due and payable on each 

exercise of 2,500,000 unlisted options each at $0.40 

anniversary of the loans. At 30 June 2021, the director 

having an expiry date of 27 September 2018. Each 

loan outstanding from Dr Macdonald is not impaired 

director paid $100,000 in cash on exercise of the 

and has been classified under current assets as it is 

options. The loans provided are full recourse loans and 

expected to be settled within 12 months.

unsecured.

(ii) 

The director loans carry a simple interest rate of 5.20% 

per annum and have a 3-year term. Interest is paid 

annually and accrued daily.

Notes

65
65

15. Issued capital

143,276,594 fully paid ordinary shares (2020: 117,124,004)

74,900,251

57,165,390

Fully paid ordinary shares

No.

$

No.

$

Balance at beginning of year

117,124,004

57,165,390

101,885,053

47,987,688

30 June 2021

30 June 2020

2021

$

2020

$

Share placement (i)

Share placement (ii)

Share placement (iii)

Rights Issue (iv)

Rights Issue Shortfall (v)

Exercise of share options (vi)

Exercise of share options (vii)

Exercise of share options (viii)

Exercise of share options (ix)

Exercise of share options (x)

Share placement (xi)

Share placement (xii)

Issue of shares (xiii)

Issue of shares (xiv)

Share issue costs

6,930,460

4,851,322

14,285,715

10,000,000

224,120

156,885

3,558,725

2,491,108

1,153,570

807,499

-

-

-

-

-

50,000

200,000

700,000

100,000

83,100

-

-

-

-

-

51,100

200,000

700,000

102,200

107,199

5,312,085

3,187,251

569,251

341,551

8,000,014

4,800,009

224,501

206,316

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(571,953)

-

(517,924)

Balance at end of the year

143,276,594

74,900,251

117,124,004

57,165,390

(i) 

Issue of shares pursuant to a Placement at $0.70 per 

(ix)  Exercise of unlisted 17 November 2019 options at 

share on 21 December 2020.

$1.022 each on 11 November 2019.

(ii) 

Issue of shares pursuant to a Placement at $0.70 per 
share on 24 December 2020.

(x)  Cashless exercise of unlisted 17 November 2019 

options by Dr Paul Wotton, Dr Ross Macdonald and Mr 

(iii) 

Issue of shares pursuant to a Placement at $0.70 per 

Peter Webse on 11 November 2019.

share on 31 December 2020.

(xi) 

Issue of shares to US investors pursuant to a Placement 

(iv) 

Issue of shares pursuant to an Entitlement Offer at 

$0.70 per share on 20 January 2021.

(v) 

Issue of shares pursuant to a Shortfall Placement under 

the Entitlement Offer at $0.70 per share on 20 January 

to raise US$2,000,000 (converted to A$ at a rate of 

0.6275) at A$0.60 per share on 24 April 2020.

(xii) 

Issue of shares pursuant to a Placement at $0.60 per 

share on 1 May 2020.

2021.

(xiii)  Issue of shares pursuant to a Share Purchase Plan at 

(vi)  Exercise of unlisted 17 November 2019 options at 

$0.60 per share on 2 June 2020.

$1.022 each on 2 August 2019.

(xiv)  Issue of shares at $0.919 per share on 10 June 2020 to 

(vii)  Exercise of unlisted 17 July 2020 options at $1.00 each 

a third party for the completion of corporate services.

during the month of August 2019.

(viii)  Exercise of unlisted 17 July 2020 options at $1.00 each 

during the month of September 2019.

6666

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/202116. Reserves

16.1 Share-based payments

Balance at beginning of year

Recognition of share-based payments (i)

Balance at end of year

2021

$

2020

$

4,782,446

4,501,410

1,536,871

281,036

6,319,317

4,782,446

(i) 

Total expenses arising from share-based payment 

transactions as a result of vesting on unlisted options to 

executives and employees recognised during the year 

ended 30 June 2021 was $1,536,871 (2020: $281,036).

Further information about share-based payments is 
set out in note 18.

16.2 Foreign currency translation reserve

Balance at beginning of year

Exchange differences arising on translating the foreign operations

Balance at end of year

Exchange differences relating to the translation 
of results and net assets of the Group’s foreign 
operations from their functional currencies to the 
Group’s presentation currency (i.e., Australian dollars) 
are recognised directly in other comprehensive income 
and accumulated in the foreign currency translation 
reserve.

2021

$

4,724

-

4,724

2020

$

4,724

-

4,724

Notes

67
67

17. Financial instruments

17.1 Capital management

The Group’s objective when managing capital is to 
safeguard its ability to continue as a going concern so 
that it can continue to provide returns for shareholders 
and benefits to other stakeholders and to maintain an 
optimal capital structure to reduce the cost of capital. 
In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the 
Group may adjust the amount of dividends paid, return 
capital to shareholders, issue new shares or sell assets 
to reduce debt.

17.2 Categories of financial instruments

Financial assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables

Loans receivable

Financial liabilities

Trade and other payables

Given the nature of the business, the Group monitors 
capital on the basis of current business operations and 
cash flow requirements. There were no changes in the 
Group’s approach to capital management during the 
year.

2021

$

2020

$

26,716,670

13,649,644

70,464

207,978

16,965

657,656

26,995,112

14,324,265

1,375,685

1,375,685

634,754

634,754

Net financial assets

25,619,427

13,689,511

The fair value of the above financial instruments 
approximates their carrying values.

17.3 Financial risk management objectives

In common with all other businesses, the Group is 
exposed to risks that arise from its use of financial 
instruments. This note describes the Group’s 
objectives, policies and processes for managing those 
risks and the methods used to measure them. Further 
quantitative information in respect of those risks is 
presented throughout these financial statements.

There have been no substantive changes in the 
Group’s exposure to financial instrument risks, its 
objectives, policies and processes for managing those 

risks or the methods used to measure them from 
previous periods unless otherwise stated in this note.

The board has overall responsibility for the 
determination of the Group’s risk management 
objectives and policies and, whilst retaining ultimate 
responsibility for them, it has delegated the authority 
for designing and operating processes that ensure 
the effective implementation of the objectives and 
policies to the Group’s finance function. The Group’s 
risk management policies and objectives are therefore 

6868

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/2021designed to minimise the potential impacts of these 
risks on the Group where such impacts may be 
material. The board receives monthly financial reports 
through which it reviews the effectiveness of the 
processes put in place and the appropriateness of the 
objectives and policies it sets. The overall objective of 
the board is to set policies that seek to reduce risk as 
far as possible without unduly affecting the Group’s 
competitiveness and flexibility.

17.4 Market risk

Market risk for the Group arises from the use of 
interest-bearing financial instruments. It is the risk 
that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial 
instrument will fluctuate because of changes in 
interest rate (see 17.5 below).

17.5 Interest rate risk management

Interest rate risk arises on cash and cash equivalents 
and receivables from related parties. The Group does 
not enter into any derivative instruments to mitigate 
this risk. As this is not considered a significant risk for 
the Group, no policies are in place to formally mitigate 
this risk.

Interest rate sensitivity analysis

The sensitivity analyses below have been determined 
based on the exposure to interest rates for both 
derivatives and non-derivative instruments at the end 
on the reporting period.

If interest rates had been 100 basis points higher/
lower and all other variables were held constant, the 
Group’s loss for the year ended 30 June 2021 would 
decrease/increase by $267,167 (2020: $136,496)

17.6 Foreign currency risk management

The Group undertakes transactions denominated 
in foreign currencies; consequently, exposures to 
exchange rate fluctuations arise. At 30 June 2021, 
the Company has cash denominated in US dollars 
(US$4,837,747 (2020: US$2,818,908)). The A$ 
equivalent at 30 June 2021 is $6,445,817 (2020: 
$4,094,858). A 5% movement in foreign exchange 
rates would increase or decrease the Group’s loss 

before tax by approximately $322,291 (2020: 
$204,743). Exchange rate exposures are managed 
within approved policy parameters utilising forward 
foreign exchange contracts. As at 30 June 2021, 
the Group has not entered in any forward foreign 
exchange contracts.

17.7 Credit risk management

Credit risk refers to the risk that a counterparty will 
default on its contractual obligations resulting in 
financial loss to the Group. The Group has adopted 
a policy of dealing with creditworthy counterparties 
and obtaining sufficient collateral, where appropriate, 
as a means of mitigating the risk of financial loss 
from defaults. The Group only transacts with 
entities that are rated the equivalent of investment 
grade and above. This information is supplied by 
independent rating agencies where available and, if 
not available, the Group uses other publicly available 
financial information and its own trading records 
to rate its major customers. The Group’s exposure 
and the credit ratings of its counterparties are 
continuously monitored and the aggregate value of 
transactions concluded is spread amongst approved 
counterparties.

The credit risk on liquid funds is limited because the 
counterparties are banks with high credit-ratings 
assigned by international credit-rating agencies.

Notes

69
69

Financial instruments (cont’d)

17.8 Liquidity risk management

Ultimate responsibility for liquidity risk management 
rests with the board of directors, which has 
established an appropriate liquidity risk management 
framework for the management of the Group’s 

short-, medium- and long-term funding and liquidity 
management requirements. The Group manages 
liquidity by maintaining adequate banking facilities, 
by continuously monitoring forecast and actual 
cash flows, and by matching the maturity profiles of 
financial assets and liabilities.

Contractual cash flows

Carrying 
Amount

Less than 1 

month 1-3 months

3-12 
months

1 year to 5 
years

$

$

2021

Trade and other payables

1,375,685

1,375,685

2020

Trade and other payables

634,754

634,754

$

-

-

$

-

-

$

-

-

Total 
contractual 
cash flows

$

1,375,685

634,754

7070

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/202118. Share-based payments

18.1 Employee Option Acquisition Plan

Options may be issued to external consultants or non-
related parties without shareholders’ approval, where 
the annual 15% capacity pursuant to ASX Listing Rule 
7.1 has not been exceeded. Options cannot be offered 
to a director or an associate of a director except where 
approval is given by shareholders at a general meeting.

Each option converts into one ordinary share of Cynata 
Therapeutics Limited on exercise. The options carry 
neither right to dividends nor voting rights. Options may 
be exercised at any time from the date of vesting to the 
date of their expiry.

The following share-based payment arrangements 
were in existence at balance date:   

Grant date 

Option series

Number

Grant date

fair value Exercise price

Expiry date

Vesting date

CYPOPT12

CYPOPT13

CYPOPT14

CYPOPT15

CYPOPT16

300,000i

17 May 2019

1,425,000ii

17 May 2019

1,250,000iii

19 Aug 2020

100,000iv

14 Sept 2020

4,500,000v

24 Nov 2020

$0.384

$0.304

$0.415

$0.388

$0.493

$2.110

16 May 2024

$1.750

16 May 2022

$0.970

18 Aug 2024

$1.280

13 Sept 2024

$0.970

29 Nov 2025

Vested

Vested

Various

Various

Various

i 

ii 

This represents unlisted options issued to Dr Brooke 

iv 

This represents unlisted options issued to Mrs Gupta 

pursuant to the terms of his appointment as non-

pursuant to an Employee Option Acquisition Plan. Mrs 

executive director.

Gupta is an employee of Cynata Therapeutics Ltd.

This represents unlisted options issued to Dr Kelly 

v 

This represents unlisted options issued to Dr Brooke 

(750,000), Dr Suzanne (375,000) and Dr Atley (300,000) 

(2,000,000), Dr Macdonald (1,500,000), Dr Washer 

pursuant to an Employee Option Acquisition Plan. Dr 

(300,000), Dr Wotton (300,000), Dr Maher (300,000) 

Atley is an employee of Cynata Therapeutics Ltd.

and Mr Webse (100,000) pursuant to an Employee 

iii 

This represents unlisted options issued to Dr Kelly 

Option Acquisition Plan.

(1,000,000), Dr Lipe (100,000), Dr Atley (50,000) and 

Mr Thraves (100,000) pursuant to an Employee Option 

Acquisition Plan. Mr Thraves is an employee of Cynata 

Therapeutics Ltd.

There has been no alteration to the terms and 
conditions of the above options arrangements since 
the grant date.

18.2 Fair value of share options

Options were priced using the Black-Scholes pricing 
model. Expected volatility is based on the historical 
share price volatility over the past 12 months from 
grant date.

Where relevant, the fair value of the options has been 
adjusted based on management’s best estimate for 
the effects of non-transferability of the options.

The weighted average exercise price of options 
granted during the year is $0.975 (2020: no options 
granted).

Notes

71
71

 
 
Share-based payments (cont’d)

The inputs to the Black-Scholes pricing model were as 
follows:

Inputs

Number of options

Grant date

Grant date fair value

Exercise price

Expected volatility

Implied option life (years)

Expected dividend yield

Risk-free rate

CYPOPT14

CYPOPT15

CYPOPT16

1,250,000

100,000

4,500,000

19 Aug 2020

14 Sept 2020

24 Nov 2020

$0.415

$0.97

74%

4.0

n/a

$0.388

$1.28

75%

4.0

n/a

$0.493

$0.97

74%

5

n/a

0.27%

0.23%

0.29%

18.3 Movements in share options during the year

The following reconciles the share options outstanding 
at the beginning and end of the year:

2021

Weighted 
average 
exercise price

$

1.439

0.975

-

-

0.992

1.167

1.466

Number of 
options

No.

3,165,557

5,850,000

-

-

(1,440,557)

7,575,000

2,931,929

2020

Weighted 
average 
exercise price

$

1.363

-

-

1.008

1.500

1.439

1.356

Number of 
options

No.

6,615,557

-

-

(1,450,000)

(2,000,000)

3,165,557

2,590,557

Balance at beginning of the year

Granted during the year

Forfeited during the year

Exercised during the year

Expired during the year

Balance at end of year

Exercisable at end of year

18.4 Share options exercised during the year

18.5 Share options outstanding at the end of the year

No share options were exercised during the year 
(2020: 1,450,000).

Share options outstanding at the end of the year 
had a weighted average exercise price of $1.166 
(2020: $1.439) and a weighted average remaining 
contractual life of 1,264 days (2020: 451 days).

7272

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/202119. Key management personnel

The aggregate compensation made to directors and 
other members of key management personnel of the 
Group is set out below:

Short-term employee benefits

Post-employment benefits

Share-based payments

2021

$

2020

$

1,413,979

1,330,344

78,854

1,439,808

70,996

239,174

2,932,641

1,640,514

Short‑term employee benefits

Share-based payments

These amounts include fees paid to non-executive 
directors, accrued bonuses, salary and paid leave 
benefits awarded to executive directors and key 
management personnel and fees paid to entities 
controlled by the directors.

Post‑employment benefits

These amounts are superannuation contributions 
made during the year.

These amounts represent the expense related to the 
participation of key management personnel in equity 
-settled benefit schemes as measured by the fair value 
of the options granted on grant date.

Further information in relation to key management 
personnel remuneration can be found in the 
remuneration report contained in the directors’ report.

20. Related party transactions

20.1 Entities under the control of the Group

20.2 Key management personnel

The Group consists of the parent entity, Cynata 
Therapeutics Limited and its wholly-owned Ireland-
based subsidiary Cynata Therapeutics Ireland Limited 
and US-based subsidiary Cynata Incorporated, which 
in turns controls 100% of Cynata Australia Pty Ltd, the 
non-operating entity of Cynata Incorporated.

Balances and transactions between the parent entity 
and its subsidiaries, which are related parties of the 
entity, have been eliminated on consolidation and are 
not disclosed in this note.

Any person(s) having authority and responsibility for 
planning, directing and controlling the activities of 
the entity, directly or indirectly, including any director 
(whether executive or otherwise) of that entity, are 
considered key management personnel.

For details of disclosures relating to key management 
personnel, refer to the remuneration report contained 
in the directors’ report, note 18 and note 19.

Transactions with related parties are on normal 
commercial terms and conditions no more favourable 
than those available to other parties unless otherwise 
stated.

Notes

73
73

21. Cash and cash equivalents

For the purposes of the consolidated statement of 
cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash 
on hand and in banks. Cash and cash equivalents 
at the end of the reporting period as shown in 

the consolidated statement of cash flows can be 
reconciled to the related items in the consolidated 
statement of financial position as follows:

Cash and bank balances

21.1 Reconciliation of loss for the year to net cash flows from 

operating activities

Cash flow from operating activities

Loss for the year

Adjustments for:

Share-based payments

Amortisation expenses

Accrued income

Effects of exchange rate changes

Movements in working capital

2021

$

2020

$

26,716,670

13,649,644

2021

$

2020

$

(7,689,683)

(3,639,100)

1,536,871

279,965

(12,594)

(33,002)

388,236

280,732

(76,399)

274,013

 (Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables and prepayments

 Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables

 Increase in annual leave provisions

(156,680)

740,931

171,083

152,063

(780,911)

13,687

Net cash outflows from operating activities

(5,163,109)

(3,387,679)

22. Contingent liabilities and contingent assets

The directors are not aware of any significant 
contingencies at balance date other than a 
requirement for the payment of royalties pursuant to 
certain license agreements should future revenues 
exceed predetermined thresholds.

7474

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/202123. Commitments for expenditure

The Group has entered into a number of agreements 
related to research and development activities. As at 
30 June 2021, under these agreements, the Company 
is committed to making payments over future periods, 
as follows:

During the period 1 July 2021 – 30 June 2022

During the period 1 July 2022 – 30 June 2023

During the period 1 July 2023 – 30 June 2024

Where commitments are denominated in foreign 
currencies, the amounts have been converted to 
Australian dollars based on exchange rates prevailing 
as at 30 June 2021.

24. Remuneration of auditors

Auditor of the Group

Audit and review of the financial statements

The auditor of the Group is Stantons International 
Audit and Consulting Pty Ltd.

$

2,490,366

679,051

300,195

2021

$

46,967

2020

$

48,522

Notes

75
75

25. Parent entity information

The accounting policies of the parent entity, which 
have been applied in determining the financial 
information shown below, are the same as those 
applied in the consolidated financial statements. 

Refer to note 3 for a summary of significant 
accounting policies relating to the Group.

2021

$

2020

$

27,282,373

13,850,690

4,890,653

5,548,308

32,173,026

19,398,998

1,375,685

226,065

1,601,750

634,754

54,982

689,736

30,571,276

18,709,262

74,900,251

57,165,390

6,319,317

4,782,446

(50,648,292)

(43,238,574)

30,571,276

18,709,262

(7,409,718)

(3,358,368)

Financial position

Assets

Current assets

Non-current assets

Total assets

Liabilities

Current liabilities

Provisions

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity

Issued capital

Reserves

Accumulated losses

Total equity

Financial performance

Loss for the year

Commitments and contingencies

There were no material commitments or contingencies 
at the reporting date for the parent company except 
for those mentioned in note 22 and note 23 above.

7676

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/202126. Subsidiaries

Details of the Company’s subsidiaries at the end of the 
reporting period are as follows:

Name of subsidiary

Principal activity

Place of 
incorporation

Cynata Incorporated 

Holds licenses with WARF for core IPs

USA

Proportion of 
ownership interest and 
voting power held by 
the Group

2021

100%

2020

100%

Cynata Therapeutics Ireland 

Legal representative of Cynata in the 

Limited

European Economic Area

Cynata Australia Pty Ltd (i)

Non-operating subsidiary from date of 

reconstruction

Ireland

100%

100%

Australia

100%

100%

(i) 

Cynata Australia Pty Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary 

of Cynata Incorporated.

27. Events after the reporting period

There has not been any matter or circumstance 
occurring subsequent to the end of the financial year 
that has significantly affected, or may significantly 

affect, the operations of the Group, the results of those 
operations, or state of affairs of the Group in future 
financial years.

28. Approval of financial statements

The financial statements were approved by the board 
of directors and authorised for issue on 30 August 
2021.

Notes

77
77

Corporate Governance Statement

This Corporate Governance Statement (“Statement”) 

outlines the key aspects of the governance framework and 

main governance practices of Cynata Therapeutics Limited 

(‘Cynata’ or ‘the Company’), a Company which is not included 

within the S&P/ASX 300 index.

The Company’s charters, policies, and procedures are 
regularly reviewed and updated to comply with law and 
best practice. These charters and policies can be viewed 
on Cynata’s website located at www.cynata.com.

Dr Stewart Washer

Dr Paul Wotton

Non-Independent 
Non-Executive Director

Independent 
Non-Executive Director

This Statement is structured with reference to the 
Australian Securities Exchange Corporate Governance 
Council’s (“the Council’s”) “Corporate Governance 
Principles and Recommendations 4th Edition” (“the 
Recommendations”).

The Board of Directors has adopted the 
Recommendations to the extent that is deemed 
appropriate considering current the size and operations 
of the Company. Therefore, considering the size 
and financial position of the Company, where the 
Board considers that the cost of implementing a 
recommendation outweighs any potential benefits, 
those recommendations have not been adopted.

As at the date of this Statement, the Board of Cynata 
Therapeutics Limited consists of five Directors. 
Three Directors are considered by the Board to be 
independent, and two Directors are considered by the 
Board as non-independent;

Dr Geoffrey Brooke

Independent 
Non-Executive Chairman

Dr Ross Macdonald

Managing Director

Dr Darryl Maher

Independent 
Non-Executive Director

This Statement was approved by the Board of Directors 
and is current as at 27 August 2021.

Principle 1: Lay solid foundations for 
management and oversight

A listed entity should clearly delineate the respective 
roles and responsibilities of its Board and management 
and regularly review their performance.

1.1 A listed entity should have and disclose a Board 
Charter setting out the respective roles of the Board 
and management and those matters expressly 
reserved to the Board and those delegated to 
management.

Cynata’s constitution (“Constitution”) provides that 
the business of Cynata will be managed by or under 
the direction of the Board. The Board operates under 
a Board Charter, a copy of which is located on the 
Company’s website at https://www.cynata.com/
corporategovernance.

The key roles and responsibilities of the Board along 
with the key roles and responsibilities of senior 
management, including those specifically delegated to 
the Managing Director are set out in the Board Charter. 

7878

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/2021The Board is responsible for evaluating and setting the 
strategic direction for the Company, establishing goals 
for management and monitoring the achievement of 
these goals. The Managing Director is responsible to the 
Board for the day-to-day management of the Company.

The principal functions and responsibilities of the Board 
include, but are not limited to, the following: 

 z

Providing leadership, defining the Company’s 
purpose and setting the strategic objectives of the 
Company;

 z Monitoring management’s implementation and 
execution of the Company’s strategy, instilling 
of the Company’s values and its performance 
generally, and (when required) challenging 
management and holding it to account;

 z

 z

Developing and reviewing the Company’s core 
values and corporate governance policies in 
order to underpin the desired culture within the 
Company, and monitoring corporate culture;

In accordance with the Remuneration and 
Nomination Policy:

− 

− 

− 

− 

− 

− 

appointing the Chairperson; 

reviewing the skills experience, expertise and 
diversity represented by the Directors on the 
Board;

selecting, appointing, removing and 
evaluating from time to time the performance 
of, determining the remuneration of, and 
planning succession of, the Managing 
Director;

approving the appointment and removal of 
the Company Secretary and Chief Financial 
Officer (if applicable);

approving the appointment of, determining 
the remuneration of, monitoring the 
performance of and planning succession 
of, members of key management personnel 
(including Non-Executive Directors);

ensuring that there are appropriate resources 
available to fulfill the responsibility of key 
management personnel (including Non-
Executive Directors); 

− 

− 

approving the delegation of authority 
framework;

approving the Company’s remuneration 
policies and practices in order to ensure 
that they are aligned with the Company’s 
purpose, values, strategic objectives and risk 
appetite; and

−  where applicable, approving measurable 

objectives for achieving diversity on an 
annual basis;

 z

In accordance with the Audit, Risk and Compliance 
Policy:

− 

− 

− 

− 

setting performance objectives and 
approving operating budgets; 

reviewing, ratifying and monitoring systems 
of risk management, accountability, internal 
control and ethical and legal compliance, on a 
regular basis;

setting the risk appetite within which the 
Board expects management to operate;

approving major capital expenditure, 
acquisitions and divestitures, monitoring 
capital management;

−  monitoring and reviewing management 

processes aimed at ensuring the integrity of 
financial and other reporting;

− 

− 

− 

− 

reviewing performance, operations and 
compliance reports from the Chairperson 
and Managing Director, including reports 
and updates on strategic issues and risk 
management matters;

approving the selection and termination 
of the external auditor, subject to any 
shareholder approvals;

approving financial reports and other reports 
required at law or under the ASX Listing 
Rules to be adopted by the Board; and

reviewing and monitoring any related party 
transaction and recommending its approval;

 z

Ensuring that shareholders are kept informed 
of the Company’s performance and major 
developments affecting its state of affairs;

Corporate Governance Statement

79
79

Corporate Governance Statement (cont’d)

Performing such other functions as are prescribed 
by law or are assigned to the Board; and

a decision on whether or not to elect or re-elect a 
Director.

 z

 z

Satisfying itself that an appropriate framework 
exists for relevant information to be reported by 
management to the Board.

Subject to the specific authorities reserved to the Board 
under the Board Charter, the Board has delegated 
to the Managing Director responsibility for the 
management and operation of Cynata. The Managing 
Director is responsible for the day-to-day operations, 
financial performance and administration of Cynata 
within the powers authorised to him from time-to-time 
by the Board. The Managing Director may make further 
delegation within the delegations specified by the Board 
and is accountable to the Board for the exercise of those 
delegated powers. 

The Board considers that the Company is not currently 
of a size, nor are its affairs of such complexity to 
justify the formation of separate committees at this 
time including audit, risk, remuneration or nomination 
committees, preferring at this stage to manage the 
Company through the full Board of Directors. The Board 
assumes the responsibilities normally delegated to the 
audit, risk, remuneration and nomination Committees.

If the Company’s activities increase, in size, scope and 
nature, the appointment of separate committees will be 
reviewed by the Board and implemented if appropriate.

Directors have a right of access to all Company 
information and executives. Directors are entitled, 
in fulfilling their duties and responsibilities, to obtain 
independent professional advice on any matter 
connected with the discharge of their responsibilities, 
with prior notice to the Chairman, at Cynata’s expense.

Further details of Board responsibilities, objectives and 
structure are set out in the Board Charter on the Cynata 
Website.

1.2 A listed entity should undertake appropriate 
checks before appointing a Director or senior 
executive or putting someone forward for election 
as a Director and provide security holders with all 
material information in its possession relevant to 

8080

The Constitution of the Company sets out the process of 
appointment, retirement and rotation of directors.

The Company undertakes comprehensive reference 
checks prior to appointing a Director, or putting that 
person forward as a candidate to ensure that person is 
competent, experienced, and would not be impaired in 
any way from undertaking the duties of a Director. The 
Company provides all material information that is in its 
possession to shareholders for their consideration about 
the attributes of candidates together with whether the 
Board supports the appointment or re-election.

1.3 A listed entity should have a written agreement 
with each Director and senior executive setting out 
the terms of their appointment.

Pursuant to the Company’s Remuneration and 
Nomination Policy the appointment of any new Director 
(executive or non-executive) of Cynata and each senior 
executive is made by, and in accordance with, a formal 
letter of appointment or written agreement setting out 
the key terms and conditions relative at the time of 
appointment. All current agreements are made with the 
Director or senior executive personally. 

1.4 The Company Secretary of a listed entity should 
be directly accountable to the Board, through the 
Chair, on all matters to do with the proper functioning 
of the Board.

In accordance with the Board Charter, the decision 
to appoint or remove the Company Secretary must 
be made or approved by the Board. The Company 
Secretary is accountable directly to the Board, through 
the Chairperson, on all matters to do with the proper 
functioning of the Board, including agendas, Board 
papers and minutes, advising the Board and its 
Committees (as applicable) on governance matters, 
monitoring that the Board and Committee policies and 
procedures are followed, communication with regulatory 
bodies and the ASX and statutory and other filings.

1.5 A listed entity should have and disclose a Diversity 
Policy; set measurable objectives for achieving gender 

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/2021diversity and disclose the measurable objectives set to 
achieve gender diversity.

The Board has adopted a Diversity Policy which is 
available on its website and provides a framework for 
the Company to establish and achieve measurable 
diversity objectives, including in respect to gender, age, 
ethnicity and cultural diversity. The Diversity Policy 
allows the Board to set measurable gender diversity 
objectives (if considered appropriate) and to assess 
annually both the objectives (if any have been set) and 
the Company’s progress towards achieving them.

The Board has not yet set measurable objectives for 
achieving gender diversity due to the Company’s current 
size and level of operations. The Board is acutely 
aware of the importance for gender diversity within the 
workforce and looks to achieve a culture of inclusion 
when assessing a suitable candidate for an open 
position and through its day-to-day practices.

The participation of women in the Company at the date 
of this report is as follows:

 z Women employees in the Company — 50%

 z Women in senior management positions — 33%

 z Women on the Board — 0%

The Company is not a “relevant employer” under the 
Workplace Gender Equality Act.

The Company’s Diversity Policy is available on its website.

1.6 A listed entity should have and disclose a process 
for periodically evaluating the performance of the 
Board, its committees and individual Directors 
and disclose for each reporting period whether a 
performance evaluation has been undertaken in 
accordance with that process during or in respect of 
that period.

On an annual basis, the Board conducts a review of its 
structure, composition and performance.

The annual review includes consideration of the 
following measures:

 z

comparing the performance of the Board against 
the requirements of its Charter;

 z

 z

 z

 z

 z

assessing the performance of the Board over the 
previous 12 months having regard to the corporate 
strategies, operating plans and the annual budget;

reviewing the Board’s interaction with 
management;

reviewing the type and timing of information 
provided to the Board by management;

reviewing management’s performance in assisting 
the Board to meet its objectives; and

identifying any necessary or desirable 
improvements to the Board Charter.

The method and scope of the performance evaluation 
will be set by the Board and may include a Board self-
assessment checklist to be completed by each Director. 
The Board may also use an independent adviser to 
assist in the review. 

The Chairman has primary responsibility for conducting 
performance appraisals of Non-Executive Directors, in 
conjunction with them, having particular regard to:

 z

 z

 z

contribution to Board discussion and function;

degree of independence including relevance of any 
conflicts of interest;

availability for and attendance at Board meetings 
and other relevant events;

 z

contribution to Company strategy;

 z membership of and contribution to any Board 

committees; and

 z

suitability to Board structure and composition.

A Board performance review was conducted during the 
year in accordance with the above process.

1.7 A listed entity should have and disclose a process 
for evaluating the performance of its senior executives 
at least once every reporting period and disclose 
for each reporting period whether a performance 
evaluation has been undertaken in accordance with 
that process during or in respect of that period.

The Company has an annual performance review 
process in place for its Managing Director and other 
senior executives. On an annual basis, corporate 

Corporate Governance Statement

81
81

Corporate Governance Statement (cont’d)

objectives and individual key performance indicators 
(KPIs) are set. The Managing Director reviews the 
performance of senior executives and their delivery of 
corporate and individual objectives.

order to effectively govern Cynata. The Board believes 
that orderly succession and renewal contributes to 
strong corporate governance and is achieved by careful 
planning and continual review. 

Performance reviews of senior executives were 
conducted during the year in accordance with the above 
process.

Principle 2: Structure the board to 
be effective and add value

The Board of a listed entity should be of an appropriate 
size and collectively have the skills, commitment and 
knowledge of the entity and the industry in which it 
operates, to enable it to discharge its duties effectively 
and to add value.

2.1 The Board of listed entity should have a 
nomination committee or, if it does not have a 
nomination committee, disclose the fact and the 
processes it employs to address Board succession 
issues and to ensure that the Board has the 
appropriate balance of skill, knowledge, experience, 
independence and diversity to enable it to discharge 
its duties and responsibilities effectively.

The Board considers that the Company does not 
currently benefit from the establishment of a separate 
Nomination Committee. In accordance with the 
Company’s Board Charter and operating within the 
boundaries of the Remuneration and Nomination 
Policy, the Board is responsible for the nomination and 
selection of directors.

The Board reviews the size and composition of the 
Board regularly and at least once a year as part of 
the Board evaluation process. When the need for a 
new director is identified, the required experience and 
competencies of the new director are defined in the 
context of the skills matrix and any gaps that may exist.

Generally, a list of potential candidates is identified 
based on these skills required and other issues such as 
geographic location and diversity criteria. Candidates 
are assessed against the required skills and on their 
qualifications, backgrounds and personal qualities. In 
addition, candidates are sought who have a proven 
track record in creating security holder value and the 
required time to commit to the position.

2.2 A listed entity should have and disclose a Board 
skills matrix setting out the mix of skills that the 
Board currently has or is looking to achieve in its 
membership.

The Board has a skills matrix covering the competencies 
and experience of each Director. The results of the skills 
matrix assessment in relation to the Board as a whole 
is displayed on the Company’s website at https://www.
cynata.com/corporategovernance.

2.3 A listed entity should disclose the names of the 
Directors considered by the Board to be independent 
Directors and the length of service of each Director.

The Board considers that a diverse range of skills, 
backgrounds, knowledge and experience is required in 

During the financial year and to the date of this report 
the Board was comprised of the following members:

Director

Length of Service

Dr Geoffrey Brooke

Independent Non-Executive Chairman (appointed as a Non-Executive director on 
17 May 2019);

Dr Ross Macdonald

Managing Director (appointed 1 August 2013);

Dr Darryl Maher

Independent Non-Executive Director (appointed 16 June 2020);

Dr Stewart Washer

Non-Independent Non-Executive Director (appointed 1 August 2013);

Dr Paul Wotton

Independent Non-Executive Director (appointed as a Non-Executive Director on 
8 June 2016).

8282

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/20212.4 A majority of the Board should be independent 
Directors.

Principle 3: Instil a culture of acting 
lawfully, ethically and responsibly

The Board, at the date of this statement is comprised 
of a majority of independent Directors. Dr Geoffrey 
Brooke, Dr Darryl Maher and Dr Paul Wotton are the 
current directors considered to be independent. Dr Ross 
Macdonald is not considered to be an independent 
Director by virtue of him being an executive of the 
Company. Dr Stewart Washer is not considered to be 
an independent director by virtue of the fact that he 
was a former executive of the Company. 

Cynata has adopted a definition of ‘independence’ for 
Directors that is consistent with the Recommendations.

2.5 The chair of the board of a listed entity should be 
an independent Director and, in particular, should not 
be the same person as the CEO of the entity.

Dr Geoffrey Brooke is the Chairman of the Company 
and is considered by the Board to be independent and is 
not the same person as the CEO of the Company.

2.6 A listed entity should have a program for inducting 
new Directors and for periodically reviewing whether 
there is a need for existing Directors to undertake 
professional development to maintain the skills and 
knowledge needed to perform their role as Directors 
effectively.

In accordance with the Company’s Board Charter and 
the Remuneration and Nomination Policy the Board is 
responsible for the approval and review of induction 
and continuing professional development programs 
and procedures for Directors to ensure that they can 
effectively discharge their responsibilities. 

New Directors are issued with a formal Letter of 
Appointment that sets out the key terms and conditions 
of their appointment, including Director’s duties, rights 
and responsibilities, the time commitment envisaged, 
and the Board’s expectations regarding involvement 
with any Committee work. 

The Company Secretary is responsible for facilitating 
inductions and professional development that is tailored 
to the individual’s needs. 

A listed entity should instil and continually reinforce 
a culture across the organisation of acting lawfully, 
ethically and responsibly.

3.1 A listed entity should articulate and disclose its 
values

Cynata has adopted a Statement of Values that 
underpins the commitment that each individual and the 
Company as a whole lives by each and every day and 
includes the following values:

1.  Honesty;

2. 

Integrity;

3.  Creativity;

4.  Compassion;

5.  Diligence and perseverance; and

6. 

Ethical, responsible and law-abiding conduct.

3.2 A listed entity should have and disclose a Code 
of Conduct for its Directors, senior executives and 
employees and ensure that the Board or a committee 
of the Board is informed of any material breaches of 
that Code.

The Company has implemented a Code of Conduct, 
which provides guidelines aimed at maintaining 
high ethical standards, corporate behaviour and 
accountability within the Company.

All employees and Directors are expected to:

 z

respect the law and act in accordance with it;

 z maintain high levels of professional conduct;

 z

 z

 z

respect confidentiality and not misuse Company 
information, assets or facilities;

avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest;

act in the best interests of shareholders;

Corporate Governance Statement

83
83

Corporate Governance Statement (cont’d)

 z

 z

 z

 z

by their actions contribute to the Company’s 
reputation as a good corporate citizen which seeks 
the respect of the community and environment in 
which it operates;

perform their duties in ways that minimise 
environmental impacts and maximise workplace 
safety;

exercise fairness, courtesy, respect, consideration 
and sensitivity in all dealings within their 
workplace and with customers, suppliers and the 
public generally; and

act with honesty, integrity, decency and 
responsibility at all times.

An employee that breaches the Code of Conduct 
may face disciplinary action including, in the cases of 
serious breaches, dismissal. If an employee suspects 
that a breach of the Code of Conduct has occurred or 
will occur, he or she must report that breach to their 
manager or alternatively the Company Secretary, a 
Director or the Managing Director. No employee will be 
disadvantaged or prejudiced if he or she reports in good 
faith a suspected breach. All reports will be acted upon 
and kept confidential.

3.3 A listed entity should have and disclose a 
Whistleblower Policy and ensure that the Board or a 
committee of the Board is informed of any material 
incidents reported under that Policy.

The Company has adopted a Whistleblower Protection 
Policy which is available on the Company’s website.

The Policy includes that the Board will be informed of 
any material incidents reported under that Policy.

3.4 A listed entity should have and disclose an Anti-
Bribery and Corruption Policy and ensure that the 
Board or a committee of the Board is informed of any 
material incidents breaches of that Policy.

The Company has adopted an Anti-Bribery and 
Corruption Policy which is available on the Company’s 
website.

The Policy includes that the Board will be informed of 
any material breaches under that Policy.

Principle 4: Safeguard the integrity 
of corporate reports

A listed entity should have appropriate processes to 
verify the integrity of its corporate reports.

4.1 A Board of listed entity should have an audit 
committee or if it does not have an audit committee, 
disclose the fact and the processes it employs that 
independently verify and safeguard the integrity of its 
corporate reporting, including the processes for the 
appointment and removal of the external auditor and 
the rotation of the audit engagement partner.

The Board considers that the Company does not 
currently benefit from the establishment of a separate 
Audit Committee. The Board as a whole fulfills the 
functions normally delegated to the Audit Committee as 
detailed in the Audit Risk and Compliance Policy. 

The Board is responsible for the initial appointment 
of the external auditor and the appointment of a new 
external auditor when any vacancy arises. Candidates 
for the position of external auditor must demonstrate 
complete independence from the Company through 
the engagement period. The Board may otherwise 
select an external auditor based on criteria relevant 
to the Company’s business and circumstances. The 
performance of the external auditor is reviewed on an 
annual basis by the Board. 

The Board receives regular reports from management 
and from external auditors. It also meets with the 
external auditors as and when required. 

The external auditors attend Cynata’s AGM and are 
available to answer questions from security holders 
relevant to the audit.

Prior approval of the Board must be gained for non-
audit work to be performed by the external auditor. 
There are qualitative limits on this non-audit work 
to ensure that the independence of the auditor is 
maintained. 

There is also a requirement that the audit partner 
responsible for the audit not perform in that role for 
more than five years.

8484

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/20214.2 A Board of listed entity should, before it approves 
the entity’s financial statements for a financial 
period, receive from its CEO and CFO a declaration 
that, in their opinion, the financial records of the 
entity have been properly maintained and that the 
financial statements comply with the appropriate 
accounting standards and give a true and fair view of 
the financial position and performance of the entity 
and that the opinion has been formed on the basis 
of a sound system of risk management and internal 
control which is operating effectively.

The Board has received certifications from the CEO 
and CFO (Equivalent) in connection with the financial 
statements for Cynata for the Reporting Period. The 
certifications state that the declaration provided in 
accordance with Section 295A of the Corporations Act 
2001 as to the integrity of the financial statements is 
founded on a sound system of risk management and 
internal control which is operating effectively.

4.3 A listed entity should disclose its process to verify 
the integrity of any period corporate report it releases 
to the market that is not audited or reviewed by an 
external auditor.

In reviewing the quarterly cashflow reports and prior to 
the lodgement with the ASX, the following process has 
been adopted:

 z

 z

 z

cash transactions for the quarter are provided by 
the accountant for each subsidiary and the parent 
entity to the Chief Financial Officer (equivalent);

cash transactions are matched against the bank 
statements; and

consolidated quarterly figures are compiled and 
verified by the CFO (equivalent) and CEO.

A declaration is then provided by the CFO (equivalent) 
and CEO to the Board noting compliance section 286 of 
the Corporations Act 2001, the appropriate accounting 
standards and with Listing Rule 19.11A.

Principle 5: Make timely and 
balanced disclosure

A listed entity should make timely and balanced 
disclosure of all matters concerning it that a reasonable 
person would expect to have a material effect on the 
price or value of its securities.

5.1 A listed entity should have and disclose a written 
policy for complying with its continuous disclosure 
obligations under listing rule 3.1.

The Company has adopted a Continuous Disclosure 
Policy for complying with its disclosure obligations of 
the Company as required under the ASX Listing Rules 
(including Listing Rule 3.1) and the Corporations Act 
2001. The policy is designed to ensure that procedures 
are in place so that the market is properly informed of 
matters which may have a material impact on the price 
at which Company securities are traded. 

The Board considers whether there are any matters 
requiring disclosure in respect of each and every item 
of business that it considers in its meetings. Individual 
Directors are required to make such a consideration 
when they become aware of any information in the 
course of their duties as a Director of the Company.

The Company is committed to ensuring all investors 
have equal and timely access to material information 
concerning the Company.

The Board has designated the Company Secretary as 
the person responsible for communicating with the ASX. 
The Chairman, Managing Director and the Company 
Secretary are responsible for ensuring that:

a)  All material market announcements are to be 

circulated to and reviewed by all members of the 
Board;

b)  All announcements are clearly noted as to the 
authorising officer and in general, all material 
announcements are authorised for release by the 
Board;

c)  All announcements are made in a timely manner, 

are factual and do not omit any material 
information required to be disclosed under the ASX 
Listing Rules and Corporations Act 2001; 

Corporate Governance Statement

85
85

Corporate Governance Statement (cont’d)

d)  All announcements are expressed in a clear and 
objective manner that allows investors to assess 
the impact of the information when making 
investment decisions; and

e)  Any new and substantive investor or analyst 
presentation will be released on the ASX 
market announcements platform ahead of the 
presentation.

5.2 A listed entity should ensure that its Board 
receives copies of all material market announcements 
after they have been made.

The Board receives copies of all material market 
announcements after they have been made.

5.3 A listed entity that gives a new and substantive 
investor or analyst presentation should release a 
copy of the presentation materials on the ASX Market 
Announcements Platform ahead of the presentation.

Any new and substantive investor or analyst 
presentation will be released on the ASX Market 
Announcements Platform ahead of the presentation.

Principle 6: Respect the rights of 
security holders

A listed entity should provide its security holders with 
appropriate information and facilities to allow them to 
exercise their rights as security holders effectively.

6.1 A listed entity should provide information about 
itself and its governance framework to investors via 
its website.

The Company has adopted a Communications Strategy 
(Strategy) which is available on the Company’s website. 
Under this Strategy, Cynata’s website will contain 
information about the Company and its governance, 
copies of media releases, ASX announcements, annual 
reports, financial statements, notices of meeting of 
shareholders, copies of documents tabled at meetings 
of shareholders and any materials distributed at 
investor or analyst presentations.

6.2 A listed entity should have an investor relations 
program that facilitates effective two-way 
communication with investors.

The Company respects the rights of its shareholders 
and to facilitate the effective exercise of those rights the 
Company is committed to:

 z

 z

communicating effectively with shareholders 
through releases to the market via the ASX, the 
Company’s website, information emailed or mailed 
to shareholders and the general meetings of the 
Company;

giving shareholders ready access to clear and 
understandable information about the Company; 
and

 z making it easy for shareholders to participate in 

general meetings of the Company.

Cynata’s register is maintained by a professional 
security registry, Automic Group. Shareholders are 
able to communicate with Cynata and Automic via 
email and can register to receive communications and 
shareholder materials from Cynata via its security 
registry electronically. 

The Company also makes available a telephone number 
and email address for shareholders to make enquiries of 
the Company. These contact details are available on the 
“contact us” page of the Company’s website.

The Company maintains information in relation to its 
Constitution, governance documents, Directors and 
senior executives, Board and committee charters, 
annual reports and ASX announcements on the 
Company’s website.

6.3 A listed entity should disclose how it facilitates 
and encourages participation at meetings of security 
holders.

The Communication Strategy provides that security 
holders are encouraged to attend and participate 
at general meetings. To facilitate this, meetings will 
be held during normal business hours, at a place, 
or in a manner, convenient for the greatest possible 
number of security holders to attend either in person or 
electronically. Moreover, Cynata’s Constitution allows, 

8686

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/2021if permitted by law, shareholder meetings to be held 
electronically and provides each security holder with the 
right to appoint a proxy, attorney or representative to 
vote on their behalf.

6.4 A listed entity should ensure that all substantive 
resolutions at a meeting of security holders are 
decided by a poll rather than by a show of hands.

The Company has a policy that all resolutions at a 
meeting of security holders are to be decided by a poll.

6.5 A listed entity should give security holders the 
option to receive communications from, and send 
communications to, the entity and its security registry 
electronically.

risk and maintaining the entity’s risk management 
framework and associated internal compliance and 
control procedures.

The Board is committed to the identification, 
assessment and management of risk throughout 
Cynata’s business activities. The Board is responsible 
for the oversight of the Company’s risk management 
and internal compliance and control framework. 
Responsibility for control and risk management is 
delegated to the appropriate level of management 
within the Company with the Managing Director 
having ultimate responsibility to the Board for the risk 
management and internal compliance and control 
framework. Cynata has established policies for the 
oversight and management of material business risks. 

The Company provides security holders the option to 
electronically receive communications from, and send 
communications to, the Company and its share registry, 
Automic Registry Services. The Company encourages 
security holders to utilise electronic communications 
with the Company to facilitate speed, convenience and 
environmental friendliness of communications.

Cynata’s Risk Management and Internal Compliance 
and Control Policy recognises that risk management is 
an essential element of good corporate governance and 
fundamental in achieving its strategic and operational 
objectives. Risk management improves decision making, 
defines opportunities and mitigates material events that 
may impact security holder value.

Principle 7: Recognise and manage 
risk

A listed entity should establish a sound risk 
management framework and periodically review the 
effectiveness of that framework.

7.1 The Board of a listed entity should have a 
committee or committees that oversee risk and if 
it does not have a risk committee or committees, 
disclose that fact and the processes it employs for 
overseeing the entity’s risk management framework

The Board considers that the Company does not 
currently benefit from the establishment of a separate 
Risk Committee. In accordance with the Company’s 
Board Charter and operating within the boundaries of 
the Audit Risk and Compliance Policy, the Board carries 
out the duties that would ordinarily be carried out by the 
Risk Committee under the Risk and Compliance Policy.

The Board devotes time at Board meetings to fulfilling 
the roles and responsibilities associated with overseeing 

Cynata believes that explicit and effective risk 
management is a source of insight and competitive 
advantage. To this end, Cynata is committed to the 
ongoing development of a strategic and consistent 
enterprise-wide risk management program, 
underpinned by a risk conscious culture.

Cynata accepts that risk is a part of doing business. 
Therefore, the Company’s Risk Management and 
Internal Compliance and Control Policy is not designed 
to promote risk avoidance. Rather Cynata’s approach 
is to create a risk conscious culture that encourages the 
systematic identification, management and control of 
risks whilst ensuring we do not enter into unnecessary 
risks or enter into risks unknowingly.

Cynata assesses its risks on a residual basis; that is it 
evaluates the level of risk remaining and considering all 
the mitigation practices and controls. Depending on the 
materiality of the risks, Cynata applies varying levels of 
management plans.

Corporate Governance Statement

87
87

Corporate Governance Statement (cont’d)

7.2 The Board or a committee of the Board should 
review the entity’s risk management framework at 
least annually to satisfy itself that it continues to be 
sound and that the entity is operating with due regard 
to the risk appetite set by the Board and disclose, 
in relation to each reporting period, whether such a 
review has taken place.

The Board reviews the Company’s risk management 
framework at each scheduled Board meeting to ensure 
that it continues to effectively manage risk.

7.3 A listed entity should disclose if it has an internal 
audit function or if it does not have an internal audit 
function, that fact and the processes it employs for 
evaluating and continually improving the effectiveness 
of its governance, risk management and internal 
control processes.

The Company does not have an internal audit function.

The Board has required management to design and 
implement a risk management and internal compliance 
and control system to manage Cynata’s material 
business risks. It receives regular reports on specific 
business areas where there may exist significant 
business risk or exposure. The Company faces risks 
inherent to its business, including economic risks, 
which may materially impact the Company’s ability to 
create or preserve value for security holders over the 
short, medium or long term. The Company has in place 
policies and procedures, including a risk management 
framework (as described in the Company’s Risk 
Management and Internal Compliance and Control 
Policy), which is developed and updated to help 
manage these risks.

The Company’s process of risk management and 
internal compliance and control includes:

identifying and measuring risks that might impact 
upon the achievement of the Company’s goals and 
objectives, and monitoring the environment for 
emerging factors and trends that affect those risks;

formulating risk management strategies to 
manage identified risks, and designing and 
implementing appropriate risk management 
policies and internal controls; and

 z

 z

8888

 z monitoring the performance of, and improving 
the effectiveness of, risk management systems 
and internal compliance and controls, including 
regular assessment of the effectiveness of risk 
management and internal compliance and control.

7.4 A listed entity should disclose whether it has any 
material exposure to environmental or social risks 
and, if it does, how it manages or intends to manage 
those risks.

The Board does not consider that the Company 
currently has any material exposure to environmental or 
social risks.

Principle 8: Remunerate fairly and 
responsibly

A listed entity should pay Director remuneration 
sufficient to attract and retain high quality directors 
and design its executive remuneration to attract, retain 
and motivate high quality senior executives and to align 
their interests with the creation of value for security 
holders and with the entity’s values and risk appetite.

8.1 The Board of a listed entity should have a 
remuneration committee or if it does not have a 
remuneration committee, disclose that fact and 
the processes it employs for setting the level and 
composition of remuneration for Directors and senior 
executives and ensuring that such remuneration is 
appropriate and not excessive.

The Company does not have a Remuneration 
Committee. The Board considers that the Company 
will not currently benefit from the establishment of a 
Remuneration Committee and as a whole fulfills the 
functions normally delegated to the Remuneration 
Committee as detailed in the Remuneration and 
Nomination Policy.

In accordance with the Company’s Board Charter, the 
Board carries out the duties that would ordinarily be 
carried out by the Remuneration Committee under 
the Remuneration and Nomination Policy, including 
devoting time at the annual Board meeting to assess 
the level and composition of remuneration for Directors 
and senior executives.

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/20218.2 A listed entity should separately disclose its 
policies and practices regarding the remuneration 
of non-executive Directors and the remuneration of 
executive Directors and other senior executives.

Cynata has implemented a Remuneration and 
Nomination Policy which was designed to recognise the 
competitive environment within which Cynata operates 
and also emphasise the requirement to attract and 
retain high calibre talent in order to achieve sustained 
improvement in Cynata’s performance. The overriding 
objective of the Remuneration and Nomination Policy 
is to ensure that an individual’s remuneration package 
accurately reflects their experience, level of responsibility, 
individual performance and the performance of Cynata. 

Non-Executive Directors receive fees (including 
statutory superannuation where applicable) for their 
services, the reimbursement of reasonable expenses 
and, in certain circumstances options. They do not 
receive any termination or retirement benefits, other 
than statutory superannuation.

The maximum aggregate remuneration approved by 
shareholders for Non-Executive Directors is $300,000 
per annum. The Directors set the individual Non-
Executive Directors fees within the limit approved by 
shareholders.

The total fees paid to Non-Executive Directors during 
the reporting period were $275,136.

The key principles are to:

 z

 z

link executive reward with strategic goals and 
sustainable performance of Cynata;

apply challenging corporate and individual key 
performance indicators that focus on both short-
term and long-term outcomes;

 z motivate and recognise superior performers with 

fair, consistent and competitive rewards;

 z

 z

 z

remunerate fairly and competitively in order to 
attract and retain top talent;

recognise capabilities and promote opportunities 
for career and professional development; and

through employee ownership of Cynata shares, 
foster a partnership between employees and other 
security holders.

The Board determines the Company’s remuneration 
policies and practices and assesses the necessary 
and desirable competencies of Board members. The 
Board is responsible for evaluating Board performance, 
reviewing Board and management succession plans 
and determines remuneration packages for the CEO, 
Non-Executive Directors and senior management based 
on an annual review.

Cynata’s executive remuneration policies and structures 
and details of remuneration paid to directors and senior 
managers are set out in the Remuneration Report.

Executive Directors and other senior executives 
are remunerated using combinations of fixed and 
performance-based remuneration. Fees and salaries are 
set at levels reflecting market rates and performance-
based remuneration is linked directly to specific 
performance targets that are aligned to both short- and 
long-term objectives. 

Further details in relation to the Company’s 
remuneration policies are contained in the 
Remuneration Report, within the Directors’ report.

8.3 A listed entity which has an equity-based 
remuneration scheme should have a policy on whether 
participants are permitted to enter into transactions 
(whether through the use of derivatives or otherwise) 
which limit the economic risk of participating in the 
scheme and disclose that policy or a summary of it.

In accordance with the Company’s Securities Trading 
Policy, participants in an equity-based incentive scheme 
are prohibited from entering into any transaction 
that would have the effect of hedging or otherwise 
transferring the risk of any fluctuation in the value of 
any unvested entitlement in the Company’s securities to 
any other person. 

Corporate Governance Statement

89
89

ASX Additional Information 

As at 24 August 2021

Substantial Shareholders

The names of the substantial holders in the Company 
and the number of shares to which each substantial 
holder has an interest in, as disclosed in substantial 

holding notices given to the Company under the 
Corporations Act 2001 are:

Name

Shares Held

Issued Capital

No.

14,285,715

9,506,625

8,088,403

Ordinary 
Shares

No.

483,922

3,484,659

4,526,245

34,329,689

Holders

No.

801

1,237

575

1,064

166

100,452,079

3,879

143,276,594

%

10.33

10.00

8.98

Issued Capital

%

0.34

2.43

3.16

23.96

70.11

100.00

Phillip Asset Management Ltd atf BioScience Managers Translation Fund

FIL Investment Management (Hong Kong) Limited

Fujifilm Corporation

Distribution of Ordinary Shares

Category

1 – 1,000

1,001 – 5,000

5,001 – 10,000

10,001 – 100,000

100,001 and over

9090

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/2021Voting Rights

Restricted Securities

(a)  at meetings of members each member entitled to 

There are no ASX restricted securities on issue.

vote may vote in person or by proxy or attorney; 

(b)  on a show of hands each person present who is a 

On-Market Buy-Back

member has one vote, and on a poll each person 
present in person or by proxy or by attorney has 
one vote for each ordinary share held; and

There is no current on-market buy back.

(c)  no voting rights attach to unlisted options.

Unmarketable Parcels

The number of shareholders holding less than a 
marketable parcel is 651.

Number of Holders of Unlisted 
Options

1,425,000 unlisted employee share option acquisition 
plan Options exercisable at $1.75 and expiring on 
16/05/2022 held by 3 holders; 

300,000 unlisted $2.11 Options expiring 16/05/2024 
held by 1 holder, Dr Geoffrey Brooke;

1,250,000 unlisted employee share option acquisition 
plan Options exercisable at $0.97 and expiring on 
18/08/2024 held by 4 holders;

100,000 unlisted employee share option acquisition 
plan Options exercisable at $1.28 and expiring on 
13/09/2024 held by 1 holder; and

4,500,000 unlisted $0.97 Options expiring 29/11/2025 
held by 6 holders. Holders holding more than 20% 
being 2,000,000 held in the name of Dr Geoffrey 
Brooke (44.4%) and 1,500,000 held in the name of Dr 
Ross Macdonald (33.33%).

ASX Additional Information 

91
91

ASX Additional Information (cont’d)

20 Largest Shareholders

Name

Shares Held

Issued Capital

HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited

Phillip Asset Management Limited 

Fujifilm Corporation

BNP Paribas Nominees Pty Ltd 

Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited

BNP Paribas Nominees Pty Ltd Six SIS Ltd

John W King Nominees Pty Ltd

Mal Washer Nominees Pty Ltd 

Dr Ross Alexander Macdonald

BNP Paribas Nominees Pty Ltd ACF Clearstream

National Nominees Pty Ltd

Helium Management Pty Ltd 

Dr Maksym Vodyanyk

Mr Jon Nicolai Bjarnason & Mrs Rina Eghoje Bjarnason 

Riversdale Capital Funding Pty Ltd 

Ms Kyoko Yukawa

Mr Patrick Anthony Walsh

CM Cook Superannuation Pty Ltd 

Crosswind Trustee Company Limited <>Crosswind A/C>

BNP Paribas Noms Pty Ltd 

No.

15,855,298

14,285,715

8,088,403

4,978,644

3,487,586

3,460,179

2,323,596

2,020,000

2,000,000

1,823,294

1,578,854

1,220,366

1,191,658

1,050,000

811,621

800,000

712,624

700,000

700,000

683,019

%

11.07

9.97

5.65

3.47

2.43

2.42

1.62

1.41

1.40

1.27

1.10

0.85

0.83

0.73

0.57

0.56

0.50

0.49

0.49

0.48

67,770,857

47.31

9292

Cynata Therapeutics Annual Report 2020/2021Registered and  
Principal Office

Level 3, 100 Cubitt Street 
Cremorne, Victoria 3121 
AUSTRALIA

Website

www.cynata.com

Postal Address

PO Box 7165 
Hawthorn North, Victoria 3122

Tel:   +61 3 7067 6940
Email:  info@cynata.com