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Evgen Pharma plc

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EVGEN PHARMA PLC 
ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2022

LEADING THE 
DEVELOPMENT OF 
SULFORAPHANE-BASED 
MEDICINES

OVERVIEW

WHAT WE DO

WE ARE LEADING THE 
CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT  
OF SULFORAPHANE-BASED 
MEDICINES; OUR FOCUS IS ON 
THE TREATMENT OF CANCER 
AND INFLAMMATORY 
DISEASES.

OVERVIEW 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS                            

01        Highlights of the Year 

32        Independent Auditors’ Report 

02       Evgen Pharma at a Glance 

36       Consolidated Statement  

03       Our Strategy and Business Model 

of Comprehensive Income 

04       Our Progress 

STRATEGIC REPORT 

08       Chairman’s Statement 

37       Consolidated and Company  

             Statements of Financial Position 

38       Consolidated Statement  

of Changes in Equity 

09       Chief Executive’s Review  

39       Company Statement  

             of Performance 

of Changes in Equity 

13         Key Performance Indicators 

40       Consolidated and Company  

14        Financial Review 

Statements of Cash Flows 

14        S172 Companies Act Statement 

41        Notes to the Financial Statements 

15         Principal Risks and Uncertainties 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION                      

GOVERNANCE                                                

IBC    Addresses and Advisers 

18        Board of Directors 

20       Directors’ Report 

22        Corporate Governance Report 

24       Remuneration Committee Report 

28       Audit Committee Report 

29       Statement of Directors’ 

             Responsibilities 

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Evgen Pharma plc  
2022 Annual Report & Financial Statements

 
 
 
OVERVIEW

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR

SFX-01  
IN METASTATIC BREAST 
CANCER 

•     Investigation of where SFX-01 sits in post 

CDK4/6 resistance setting 

•     Promising in-vitro pre-clinical data suggests 

opportunity in this setting 

•     New and extended collaboration with University 
of Manchester to generate comprehensive data 
set for next clinical trial 

SFX-01  
IN GLIOBLASTOMA  

•     Orphan Drug Designation granted by FDA 

giving exclusivity and tax advantages 

•     Publication of pre-clinical data by  

University of L’Aquila 

•     Further supportive pre-clinical data  
generated by University of Auckland  
Phase Ib/IIa trial to commence towards  
end of 2022 

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SFX-01  
HUMAN VOLUNTEER STUDY 

•     Study to assess dose range and biomarker 

responses of new SFX-01 formulation 
•     Design of Phase I/Ib trial well advanced  
and on track to commence in Q4 2022 

SFX-01  
IN OTHER INDICATIONS 

•     Academic collaborators to investigate  

utility in colorectal and rare juvenile cancers  

•     STAR COVID-19 study discontinued;  

additional patient safety data generated 

PRODUCTION  
DEVELOPMENT 

•     Production scale up of SFX-01 active 
pharmaceutical ingredient achieved 
•     Design and manufacture of new tablet 

formulation complete 

•     Improved form of SFX-01 created  

and patent pending 

FINANCIAL  
HIGHLIGHTS 

•      Post tax loss of £2.7m (2021: loss of £2.7m) 
•      Cash outflow from operations of £2.6m  

(2021: outflow of £2.9m) 

•      Cash and short-term investments and cash  

on deposit at 31 March 2022 of £9.0m  
(31 March 2021: £11.6m) 

2022 Annual Report & Financial Statements

Evgen Pharma plc  

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OVERVIEW

EVGEN PHARMA  
AT A GLANCE

WHO WE ARE 

OUR TECHNOLOGY 

Evgen Pharma’s patented Sulforadex® technology synthesises 
sulforaphane into a well-tolerated, stable pharmaceutical 
ingredient, unlocking its medical and commercial potential. 

We are a clinical-stage, UK-based, global leader  
in the development of sulforaphane-based therapeutics.  

Sulforaphane has shown potential in the treatment  
of a number of cancers and other diseases. 

We are the only company with a pharmaceutical grade 
sulforaphane molecule in clinical development. Our lead  
drug, SFX-01, exploits sulforaphane’s activity in three separate 
biochemical pathways; inhibition of STAT3 and SHP2, of 
importance in cancers, and up-regulation of Nrf2, a pathway 
of significance in a number of different diseases. SFX-01 has 
been shown to be unusually well tolerated in patients in the 
field of oncology. 

WHAT WE DO 

OUR MISSION 

We collaborate with academics and biopharma companies 
from around the world to identify the most attractive targets 
for potential treatment with our sulforaphane-based drugs.  

Our business model is to develop our drugs up to Phase II 
proof of concept clinical trials, and then license to larger 
pharmaceutical companies able to commercialise them. 

We focus on the application of SFX-01 in cancers and  
anti-inflammatory diseases where there is strong clinical  
need and attractive commercial opportunity, and execute 
early clinical research. 

In addition to our internal disease focus we will consider 
opportunistic partnerships and out-licensing in other areas 
where we are convinced of the scientific and commercial 
rationale. 

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2022 Annual Report & Financial Statements

 
 
  
 
 
        
 
 
 
        
 
 
 
        
 
        
OVERVIEW

OUR STRATEGY AND  
BUSINESS MODEL

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Exploiting our leading,  

patented technology  

in sulforaphane science 

OUR 
OBJECTIVES 

To improve disease outcomes  
and generate attractive returns  
for our shareholders  
through:

Broadening our pipeline  

through acquisition/licensing  

of sulforaphane analogues  

and other molecules 

complementary to our 

programmes

Developing our lead molecule, 

SFX-01, in selected cancers and 

inflammatory disease to deliver 
phase II proof of concept data,  

and then out-license

Supporting academic and 

commercial partners who have  

a compelling scientific rationale 

for studying sulforaphane in 

cancer indications or in other 

diseases and markets beyond  

our development programmes

Early partnering of non-core 

indications with suitable  

licensees

SFX-01 will continue to be provided to academic groups for  
pre-clinical evaluation in selected disease models. Evgen will have 
the right to access the pre-clinical and clinical data generated by 
academic partners on fair commercial terms to advance its clinical 
and commercial development. Since the principal funding for these 
trials will be obtained by the investigator/ institution they have 
limited impact on our cash reserves. 

We believe this strategy offers the best route to enhance 
shareholder value and the opportunity for all stakeholders  
to benefit from the undoubted potential of SFX-01 and our  
broader technology platform. 

2022 Annual Report & Financial Statements

Evgen Pharma plc  

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OVERVIEW

OUR PROGRESS

CLINICAL PROGRESS 

In September 2021 the FDA granted Orphan Drug status  
to SFX-01 in malignant glioma. This is an important benefit  
as it provides extended intellectual property protection  
and potential tax benefits on in-market profits. 

The design of the Phase Ib trial in human volunteers (HV),  
due to begin in Q4 2022, has been finalised and supporting 
clinical research organisations contracted. We expect to 
announce the results over the first half of 2023. 

The Phase I/IIa trial in brain cancer has been designed and, 
after detailed discussions with potential investigators, clinical 
trial sites selected. It is likely to commence shortly after the HV 
study if successful, it will pave the way for an early registration 
study (i.e. one that would support grant of a marketing license). 

The ARDS/Covid 19 trial did not yield a positive outcome but 
with an additional 65 patients treated, the trial provided further 
evidence that SFX-01 has a significantly more benign side 
effect profile than many other developmental or marketed 
cancer medications 

MANUFACTURE AND 
FORMULATION 

We have modified and simplified the small-scale process for 
making the active molecule in SFX-01 (the “API”) to a scalable 
process suitable for in-market supply. We have created and 
patented a new form of the API and acquired considerable 
production know-how. 

In place of a hand-filled capsule with a variable drug release 
profile we have developed a stable tablet formulation of the 
finished drug ('drug product'), with consistent drug release 
properties. By ensuring release of the drug in the optimal part 
of the digestive system we are likely to see an improvement in 
the already advantageous side-effect characteristics of SFX-01 
and potentially improved efficacy. 

We are currently producing sufficient API, drug product  
and placebo tablets to support multiple clinical trials.  

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2022 Annual Report & Financial Statements

 
 
 
 
 
 
        
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
        
OVERVIEW

OUR PROGRESS 
CONTINUED

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OUT-LICENSING 

JuvLife, the dietary products and functional foods division  
of Juvenescence Ltd, has been making good progress with  
the development of a naturally-sourced sulforaphane 
nutritional health supplement, stabilised using our Sulforadex® 
technology. We have supported this development with our 
expertise in sulforaphane science and chemistry. 
Juvenescence is planning a market launch around the end  
of 2023 which will yield milestones of more than $1.5m at  
that point with further sales-related milestones and royalties  
to follow. 

PRE-CLINICAL 
COLLABORATIONS 

Evgen benefits from the support of a number of academic 
and clinical collaborators that are interested in the potential  
of sulforaphane and SFX-01. 

The University of Auckland has published in-vitro data with 
SFX-01 which corroborates the original data set from University 
L’Aquila and will feed into the planning for the Phase Ib/IIa trial 
scheduled to start in late 2022. In these experiments, SFX-01 
demonstrated inhibition of glioblastoma cell growth.  

We have recently expanded our collaboration with the 
Manchester Breast Centre at the University of Manchester's 
School of Medical Sciences. The latest programme is to identify 
whether we can reverse or act independently in tumours 
resistant to CDK4/6 inhibitors - the current standard of care - 
and therefore establish a clinical rationale and out-licensing 
proposition to support later stage clinical trials which build on 
the efficacy data already seen in our STEM metastatic breast 
cancer trial. 

We have signed a further agreement with the University  
of Seville and other associated organisations to assess 
additional sulforaphane analogues that might complement 
our existing compounds. 

OUR PIPELINE

Discovery

Pre-clinical POC

Phase 1

Phase 2

Phase 3

Breast Cancer

Glioblastoma

Haematological Malignancies

Analogues

2022 Annual Report & Financial Statements

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STRATEGIC REPORT

GLIOMA IS THE MOST 
COMMON FORM OF  
BRAIN TUMOUR  
AFFECTING AROUND  
FIVE PER 100,000 PEOPLE.

Strong preclinical data has been generated in a new solid tumour 
indication, glioblastoma (GBM), with further preclinical work 
underway and designs for a Phase Ib/IIa trial being assessed. 

Glioma is the most common form of brain tumour affecting around 
five per 100,000 people. The more severe, grade IV classification, 
glioblastoma, is a very serious form of brain tumour representing 45% 
of all cases and has a poor prognosis with median survival of around 
14 months. The five-year survival of the severe grades is 5%.

Image:  
Glioblastoma brain cancer  
cells under microscope.

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2022 Annual Report & Financial Statements

 
STRATEGIC REPORT

STRATEGIC  
REPORT 

08       Chairman’s Statement 

09       Chief Executive’s Review of Performance 

13         Key Performance Indicators 

14        Financial Review 

14        S172 Companies Act Statement 

15        Principal Risks and Uncertainties

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STRATEGIC REPORT

CHAIRMAN’S  
STATEMENT

In the last year we have  
had a strong focus on 
achieving the objectives  
we set out following our  
2021 fundraise. 

In the last year we have had a strong focus on achieving the 
objectives we set out following our 2021 fundraise. In particular 
on manufacturing and formulation and clinical trials 
preparation. This groundwork sets the stage for very visible 
progress in our development programmes in the current year.  

We have continued to concentrate our resources on specific 
diseases and developing these to proof of concept for onward 
out-licensing. This has allowed us to focus on the opportunities 
we believe are appropriate to our size, capabilities and 
resources. Equally, and because of the breadth of opportunities 
in sulforaphane science, we have enabled academic and 
biopharma companies to access our technology in other areas 
where there is a compelling rationale, at minimal expenditure 
to Evgen.  

We have been prudent in the management of our finances, 
with a cash balance as at the end of the year of £9.0m (2020: 
£11.6m). The fundraise in March 2021, which generated gross 
proceeds of £11m, has enabled us to strengthen our 
management team and undertake a number of activities that 
would otherwise have constrained our development. We have 
made much progress, and some aims, for example the 
manufacturing technology transfer and glioblastoma pre-
clinical validation, have been completed. 

Our partnership with JuvLife, the dietary products and 
functional foods division of Juvenescence Ltd, is an additional 
application of our Sulforadex® technology in a field we would 
not otherwise be able to exploit. JuvLife has a well-qualified 
and experienced team that has made good progress during 
the last year. With a US market launch planned for around the 
end of 2023, this monetisation of our sulforaphane technology 
and expertise will provide valuable revenues and risk mitigation 
for shareholders, as well as validation of our strategy.  

08 Evgen Pharma plc  

2022 Annual Report & Financial Statements

Our senior team was completed with the appointments of  
Dr Helen Kuhlman as Chief Business Officer and Dr Glen Clack 
as Chief Medical Officer. This has resulted in a significantly 
more active business development activity, giving us a higher 
profile amongst potential partners. It has also brought 
considerable clinical trial expertise, both internally and via key 
opinion leaders, and thus allowed us to design our clinical trials 
to give the best chance of success.  

At the end of the year we had sufficient cash resources to fund 
us through the potential value enhancement points from both 
completion of current pre-clinical projects and, in particular, 
clinical data from both the Phase I/Ib volunteer and phase 
Ib/IIa glioblastoma trials. We are also going to be seeking to 
extend our business partnerships around our technology and 
development pipeline. We look forward to reporting further 
achievements that add value for our shareholders in the 
current year. 

Barry Clare 
Chairman 

07 June 2022 

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STRATEGIC REPORT

CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S  
REVIEW OF  
PERFORMANCE

We have achieved a number 
of key clinical and operational 
achievements that will lead to 
the commencement of two 
clinical trials by the end of  
the calendar year.

In the past year we have concentrated on the projects and 
programmes for which we raised funds in March 2021, as a 
result, it has been a busy year for the Company. In particular, 
we have focused on pre-clinical projects, technology transfer 
and scale-up of manufacturing, and preparations for two 
clinical trials – a phase I volunteer study and a glioblastoma 
efficacy study. The manufacturing programme was initiated 
shortly after the funding was closed and has since been 
completed. The pre-clinical programmes have been 
progressed with some concluded, and we are in the late  
stages of preparation for the two clinical trials. More detail  
of this progress is described below. 

Looking forward, the glioblastoma trial will follow on shortly 
after the human volunteer study commences. The goal is  
to generate sufficiently compelling efficacy data that a large 
partner licenses the programme and progresses it into a 
registration study(ies). Equally, the pre-clinical work in mBC  
is designed to attract a partner to support the next clinical 
development in this indication. At the same time, we will 
continue seeking new partnerships and collaborations.  

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CLINICAL STAGE PROGRAMMES 

Metastatic breast cancer (“mBC”) 
Breast cancer remains the biggest cause of cancer deaths  
in women worldwide, and ER+ve/HER2-ve breast cancer 
accounts for circa two thirds of all such cancers. The drugs 
used increasingly in first line treatment of ER+ve/HER2-ve  
mBC patients, being CDK4/6 inhibitors, which were first 
approved for general use in the US in 2017 now have global 
sales in excess of $5 billion per annum.  

Evgen has generated encouraging data with SFX-01 in mBC  
in a Phase II clinical trial. Since the commencement of this trial, 
the class of drugs known as CDK4/6 inhibitors have 
increasingly been adopted in these patients. Evgen is 
broadening the investigation into how SFX-01, in combination 
with other treatments, can improve outcomes for patients  
with HR+ breast tumours that have become resistant to this 
relatively new class of agents. This includes research into STAT3 
and pSTAT3, a protein that controls transcription of information 
from DNA to messenger RNA; and SHP2, a non-receptor 
protein tyrosine phosphatase that is associated with many 
cancers including breast cancer.  

In particular, we are expanding our work with Professor Rob 
Clarke at the Manchester Breast Centre with in-vitro pre-
clinical work to assess the impact of SFX-01 in CDK4/6 inhibitor 
resistance models. An increasing body of in-vitro data from 
these models shows that SFX-01 may suppress tumour growth 
and metastasis in patients who have become resistant to 
CDK4/6 inhibitors. Encouragingly, SFX-01 reduces the viability 
and mammosphere colony formation of palbociclib-resistant 
tumour cell lines in-vitro. 

In addition, this extended collaboration will include in-vivo 
models to provide the optimum support for clinical trial design 
and/or licensing in patients with ER+ve/HER2-ve breast cancer, 
where CDK4/6 inhibitors such as palbociclib are showing 
weakening effectiveness. Evgen anticipates data from both  
in-vitro and in-vivo work later in the year. 

2022 Annual Report & Financial Statements

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STRATEGIC REPORT

CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S  
REVIEW OF  
PERFORMANCE 
CONTINUED

CLINICAL STAGE PROGRAMMES 
CONTINUED 

Glioma/glioblastoma 
Our brain cancer programme progressed strongly in the last 
year. Glioma is the most common form of brain tumour 
affecting around 5 per 100,000 people. The more severe, grade 
IV classification, glioblastoma, is a very serious form of malignant 
brain tumour representing 45% of all cases and has a poor 
prognosis with median survival of around 14 months. The five-
year survival of the severe grades is 5%. The therapeutic options 
for glioma are limited to surgery, radiotherapy and the one 
drug widely available, temozolomide. There is a clear unmet 
need for more treatments for use in conjunction  
with the current standard of care. 

A collaboration with Dr Claudio Festuccia and colleagues at 
the Universities of L’Aquila, Rome and Rieti, Italy has generated 
highly positive data for SFX-01 in pre-clinical models of glioma 
and glioblastoma. Using standard in-vitro and in-vivo  
pre-clinical models as well as orthotopic models, where glioma 
cells are implanted in brain tissue representing a more disease-
relevant model, both tumour shrinkage and significantly 
extended survival times were demonstrated for SFX-01. 
Furthermore, SFX-01 was also found to potentiate (i.e. 
substantially increase) the therapeutic effect of radiotherapy in 
these models. The first of two papers relating to this has been 
published in a peer-reviewed journal and a second paper is 
being finalised for submission. (Colapietro et al, 
Pharmaceuticals, 2021, 14, 1082). 

Further pre-clinical work conducted by Dr Euphemia Leung 
and Prof Bruce Baguley of the University of Auckland, New 
Zealand in GBM cells has been published in the pre-print 
journal BioRxIV (Leung, Wright and Baguley, 2021). This in-vitro 
data describes the effect of SFX-01 in GBM cells and 3D 
spheroids from several patients in New Zealand, together with 
the more commonly used commercially available cell lines.  
3D spheroids are aggregations of tumour cells that more 
closely reflect the structure of tumours in patients. In these  
in-vitro experiments, SFX-01 demonstrated inhibition of 
glioblastoma cell growth, supporting the results from the  
work of Dr Festuccia. 

In September 2021, we received the grant of Orphan Drug 
Designation from the FDA in the US for Malignant Glioma, 
affording the programme additional data protection and  
other financial incentives. 

We are now at a late stage in designing a Phase Ib/IIa clinical 
study and liaising with potential trial sites in the UK and across 
Europe. The trial is planned to commence in Q4 2022 and will 
follow on shortly after the human volunteer study commences. 
It is designed as a phase Ib/IIa, randomised, double-blind, 
placebo-controlled trial with sequential modules that enable 
the trial to be adapted as clinical data is generated. Initially  
c.20 patients will be recruited; depending on results this may 
increase by up to a further 70 patients to achieve proof of 
concept in both methylated and unmethylated glioblastoma 
patients. The goal is to generate sufficiently compelling 
efficacy data to attract a partner to license the programme 
and progress it into a registration study. Data from this trial  
will be released during 2023.  

Other clinical trials 
An important use of proceeds from the fundraise completed  
in March 2021 was to conduct a Phase I/Ib study in healthy 
volunteers of our new SFX-01 formulation. The trial will be a 
placebo-controlled, dose-escalating, randomised trial that  
will assess the pharmacokinetic (how a drug is absorbed and 
circulates in the body), and pharmacodynamic (how a drug 
engages with our target molecules) properties of the new  
form and formulation. 

The overall design of the trial is now complete, a Clinical 
Research Organisation has been contracted to recruit subjects 
and conduct the trial, and a dialogue with the MHRA has 
commenced. The intention is to start the trial in Q4 this year  
as soon as the new tablet formulation of SFX-01 has been 
finalised and manufactured in sufficient quantities. We expect 
to announce the results during the first half of 2023. 

As part of the UK’s initiative to fight the global COVID-19 
pandemic, Evgen, Dundee University and NHS Tayside worked 
together to assess SFX-01 in patients with respiratory distress 
due to COVID-19 and other infective agents. The trial was 
stopped when an analysis of the interim data did not show 
sufficient efficacy; with hindsight, it is probable that the 
patients enrolled had progressed too far and were too ill to 
respond. However, the costs of the trial were limited because 
they were mostly covered by the grant income, and as a 
positive, the trial added 65 additional patients to our database 
of safety and tolerability of SFX-01. Overall, we are proud that 
we were part of the COVID-19 effort. 

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2022 Annual Report & Financial Statements

 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
STRATEGIC REPORT

CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S  
REVIEW OF  
PERFORMANCE 
CONTINUED

PRE-CLINICAL PROGRAMMES 

We continue to support academic research to broaden the 
potential range of applications for SFX-01 and increase our 
mechanistic understanding in these different disease areas.  

Haematological malignancies 
Pre-clinical data has demonstrated that SFX-01 is effective in 
in-vitro models of certain blood cancers including Juvenile 
Myelomonocytic Leukaemia (JMML) and Acute 
Myelomonocytic Leukaemia (AML). 

JMML is a very rare form of blood cancer that predominantly 
affects young children. It is an aggressive and difficult to treat 
disease and currently the only effective treatment for most 
patients is allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation 
(HSCT). 

In a study at the MRC Weatherall Institute, University of Oxford, 
the effect of SFX-01 on cells from tissue donated by patients 
with JMML through the UK Paediatric MDS/JMML programme 
was investigated. The data demonstrated significant reduction 
of cell proliferation and increased apoptosis (cell death) of 
JMML stem cells in the presence of SFX-01, compared to 
normal controls. The study also showed that SFX-01 
significantly impacted cell proliferation and increased 
cytotoxicity in GDM-1 cells, an AML cell line. 

Whilst this preliminary data is from a small sample size,  
the effect is statistically significant in reducing cell proliferation 
and increasing apoptosis. A preclinical and clinical strategy for 
a development programme of SFX-01 in blood cancers such  
as JMML and AML is being assessed.  

Other cancers  
We have agreed to support two academic groups that  
have requested provision of SFX-01 for use in cancer models  
of interest to them: 
•      A group at the University of Rome, Department of 

Radiology and Radiotherapy wishes to investigate SFX-01 
as a radio sensitising agent for the treatment of 
Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare juvenile cancer. This follows  
the data generated at the University of L’Aquila showing  
an enhanced effect from radiotherapy in GBM models  
with administration of SFX-01. The data generated could 
support the use of SFX-01 in radiotherapy more generally. 

•      A group at the University of Michigan wishes to investigate 
SFX-01 for anti-inflammatory and anti-tumour activity in 
two mouse models of colon cancer, as well as human 
organoid models of familial adenomatous polyposis and 
colorectal cancer. 

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STRATEGIC REPORT

CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S  
REVIEW OF  
PERFORMANCE 
CONTINUED

Outlicensing 
With the expansion of the management team, we have 
substantially increased our business development activities, 
including attendances at a number of relevant conferences 
and an ongoing dialogue with industry over potential in-
licensing and out-licensing transactions. 

Our first commercial out-licensing deal was signed with 
Juvenescence in September 2020. This was for a license to our 
Sulforadex® sulforaphane stabilisation technology in a number 
of non-pharmaceutical applications. JuvLife, the dietary 
products and functional foods division of Juvenescence Ltd, 
has since been making good progress with the development 
of a naturally-sourced sulforaphane nutritional health 
supplement, stabilised using our Sulforadex® technology.  
In particular, it has identified a source of sulforaphane and 
completed small scale batches of the complexed product  
in a commercial facility. The scale-up process is now underway 
to enable safety studies to commence. 

We have supported this development with our expertise in 
sulforaphane science and chemistry. Juvenescence is planning 
a market launch around the end of 2023 which will yield 
milestones of more than $1.5m at that point, with further sales-
related milestones and royalties to follow. 

This agreement monetises one element of Evgen’s sulforaphane 
technology platform within a timescale considerably shorter 
than that typical of pharmaceutical development. It contains 
provisions which ensure a clear differentiation between potential 
nutritional health products and pharmaceutical products, 
including limitations on daily dose. 

We will continue to seek such partnerships and collaborations 
around both core and non-core assets, including our 
Sulforadex® technology. 

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2022 Annual Report & Financial Statements

Manufacturing programme 
A further use of proceeds from the March 2021 funding was  
to transfer our production from a small facility in the US, where 
the Sulforadex® IP was created, to a global pharmaceutical 
manufacturer with the know-how and experience to scale-up 
the production process from prototype to in-market. This has 
been achieved to the point where a recent manufacturing run 
achieved almost a 10x higher yield, in a process which has been 
simplified and is significantly more cost-effective. In addition, 
we have replaced the hand-filled capsules used previously 
with an enteric-coated tablet formulation which can also be 
produced at scale. Unlike the capsules, the tablets have a 
coating which releases sulforaphane to a targeted part of the 
intestine. This is expected to improve the pharmacokinetics  
of SFX-01 and to minimise any gastro-intestinal side effects.  

Furthermore, a new composition of matter filing has been 
made which, if successful, would add a further 20 years of 
patent life to the key patent family. 

We are currently producing sufficient API, drug product  
and placebo tablets to support multiple clinical trials.  

People 
During the year we have strengthened our senior 
management team in two key roles: Dr Glen Clack has joined 
as Chief Medical Officer and Dr Helen Kuhnman as Chief 
Business Officer. Both are highly experienced in their fields 
and we now have the senior level expertise we need to execute 
our plans and programmes.  

Outlook 
Since the 2021 fundraise we have achieved a number of key 
clinical and operational achievements that will lead to the 
commencement of two clinical trials by the end of the 
calendar year, with the generation of data during 2023. 
Potentially we will also have pre-clinical data sets to support 
further our breast cancer programme and that point to trials  
in other indications. Our partner Juvenescence is progressing 
well towards market launch around the end of 2023 and this 
will provide commercial revenues to defray a material part  
of our cost base. In the meantime, we will be advancing 
preclinical studies and our business development strategy. 

I would like to thank our shareholders for their continued 
support and to the team for their efforts in driving the strategy 
forward. We believe the next 12 months will be extremely busy 
and that we will build further value. 

Dr Huw Jones 
Chief Executive Officer 

07 June 2022 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STRATEGIC REPORT

KEY PERFORMANCE  
INDICATORS

Key Performance Indicators include a range of financial and other measures (such as clinical trial progress). Details about  
the progress of our development programmes (non-financial measures) are included elsewhere in this Strategic Report,  
and below are the other indicators (financial measures) considered pertinent to the business.

£9.0M 

Cash position 
short-term investments  
and cash held on deposit:  
(2021: £11.6m)

£2.6M 

Net cash inflow  
from operating activities  
(before monies placed on  
fixed term deposits) 
(2021 : £2.9m) 

£3.2M 

Operating loss 
(2021: £3.2m) 

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2021

£9.0m

2022

(£2.6m)

2022

£11.6m

2021

(£2.9m)

2021

2020 £4.1m

2020

(£2.6m)

2020

£3.2m

£3.2m

£3.2m

Year-end cash, short-term 
investments and cash held on deposit 
The decrease in year-end cash reflects 
working capital, manufacturing,  
pre-clinical and clinical expenditures  
less receipt of the R&D tax credit 
(£0.53m). There was no fundraising 
activity in the year. 

Net cash outflow from operating 
activities (before monies placed on 
fixed term deposits) 
The net cash outflow reflects corporate 
costs and the costs incurred in 
manufacturing scale-up, pre-clinical  
and clinical expenditures.  

Operating loss 
The operating loss reflects pre-clinical 
and clinical activity in the year and 
related product manufacturing costs.

2022 Annual Report & Financial Statements

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STRATEGIC REPORT

FINANCIAL REVIEW

S172 COMPANIES ACT 
STATEMENT

The financial performance for the year ended  
31 March 2022 was in line with expectations. 

Losses 
The total loss for the year was £2.7m (31 March 2021: £2.7m) 
including a charge for share-based compensation of £0.1m 
(2021 credit: £0.1m). Operating expenses excluding share-based 
compensation were lower than in 2021 at £3.0m (2021: £3.5m) 
reflecting completion of toxicology in the prior year and 
reduced manufacturing technology transfer costs, offset in 
part by an increase in payroll costs with the recruitment of 
additional senior staff and preparatory work for the 
forthcoming clinical trials. 

Research and development (R&D) expenditure 
Our external spend on R&D expenditure was £1.4m,  
a reduction of £0.6m (31 March 2021: £2.0m) on the prior year. 
This reflects the completion of the toxicology and technology 
transfer costs noted above, and we expect R&D costs to 
increase in the current year with manufacture of SFX-01 for the 
planned clinical trials and the costs associated with such trials.  

Share-based compensation 
Accounting standards require a charge to be made against  
the grant of share options and recognised in the Consolidated 
Statement of Comprehensive Income. Where such options 
lapse ahead of their vesting date the relevant charges are 
written back. As a consequence of certain option lapses there 
was an overall charge for the year in relation to share-based 
payments of £0.1m (2021 credit: £0.11m), which has no impact 
on cash flows. 

Headcount 
Average headcount of the Group for the year was 9 (2021: 8). 

Taxation 
The Group has elected to claim research and development tax 
credits under the small or medium enterprise research and 
development scheme of £0.44m (2021: £0.54m). 

Share capital 
No issues of shares were made during the year. At 31 March 
2022 and 31 March 2021 there were 274,888,117 shares of 0.25p 
each in issue. 

Cash flows and financial position 
The cash position (including short term deposits) at  
31 March 2022 decreased to £9.0m (31 March 2021: £11.6m) 
reflecting R&D and corporate costs, less £0.53m received  
from R&D tax credits.

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The Directors acknowledge their duty under section 172  
of the Companies Act 2006 and consider that they have,  
both individually and collectively, acted in the way that,  
in good faith, would be most likely to promote the success  
of the Company for the benefit of all shareholders. In doing  
so, the Directors have regard (amongst other matters) to: 
•      The likely consequences of any decision in the long term 
•      The interests of the Company’s employees 
•      The need to foster the Company’s business relations  

with suppliers, customers and others 
•      The impact of the Company’s operations  
on the community and the environment 
•      The Company’s reputation for high standards  

of business conduct 

•      The need to act fairly as between members  

of the Company. 

In particular given the size of Evgen: 

Business reputation 
The Group operates in a highly regulated sector and the Board 
is committed to maintaining the highest standards of conduct 
and corporate governance. Further details are set out in the 
Corporate Governance Report on page 22. 

Consequences of long-term decisions 
The Board is responsible for decisions made for the long-term 
success of the Group and the implementation of strategic, 
operational and risk management decisions. Further 
information on business strategy and developments during 
the year are set out on pages 3 and 9-12. 

Employee engagement 
As a very small company in terms of staff, Board members 
have multiple points of contact with staff; through Board 
meeting feedback, participation in weekly management 
meetings involving all staff, and ad hoc interactions in  
relation to specific matters. 
These forums provide staff with an opportunity to give their 
views which can then be taken into account in making 
decisions likely to affect their interests. 

Specific matters of concern to them as employees are dealt 
with in management meetings and by email. Corporate 
developments and Company performance are discussed 
weekly in management meetings. 

All staff are eligible for the Group’s share option scheme and 
this encourages involvement in the Company’s performance. 

Stakeholder Engagement 
The Group has a small number of major suppliers and 
consultants that support its delivery of strategy and corporate 
goals. The selection of, relationships with, and execution of, 
contracted work by these parties is considered at least weekly 
by the Executive Directors and at each Board meeting by all 
Directors. Where appropriate, the Chairman and/ or non-
executive directors participate in engagement with these 
parties, and where appropriate, Board members are involved  
in meetings with such parties. 

Community and Environment 
The Board does not believe that the Group has a significant 
impact on the communities and environment in which it 
operates. The Board recognises that the Group has a duty  
to minimise harm to the environment and to contribute as  
far as possible to the local community in which it operates.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
STRATEGIC REPORT

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND 
UNCERTAINTIES

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Evgen is a biopharmaceutical company and, in common with other companies operating in the sector, is subject to a number  
of risks. The principal risks and uncertainties identified by the Group for the year ending 31 March 2022 are set out below. 

Risk                                               Description

COVID-19 pandemic                  The Board is monitoring the impact of COVID-19 on the Group and its staff closely. To date,  

the impact on our staff and programmes has been limited to some delays in pre-clinical 
programmes because our scientific partners have had access to their laboratories restricted. 
Continuation of the pandemic for further sustained periods may affect: 

                                                           •      Our ability to conduct and conclude partnering discussions 
                                                           •      Our ability to initiate and execute new clinical trials, whether sponsored by Evgen  

                                                           •      Completion of the current pre-clinical, clinical and production programmes  

or Clinical Investigators 

to agreed timelines.

Development                               The Group is at a relatively early stage of development and may not be successful in its efforts  

to develop approved or marketable products. Technical risk is present at each stage of the 
development process which is a highly regulated environment which presents technical and 
operational risk. There can be no guarantee that the Group will be able to, or that it will be 
commercially advantageous for the Group to, develop its Intellectual Property through  
entering into licensing deals with pharmaceutical companies.

Commercial                                  The biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries are very competitive. The Group’s competitors 
include major multinational pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies and research 
institutions. Many of its competitors have substantially greater financial, technical and other 
resources. The Group’s competitors may succeed in developing, acquiring or licensing drug 
product candidates that are more effective or less costly than those the Group is developing,  
or may develop, and this may have a material adverse impact on the Group.

Regulatory                                    The Group’s operations are subject to laws, regulatory approvals, and certain government 

directives, recommendations and guidelines. There can be no assurance that future legislation 
will not impose further government regulation which may adversely affect the business or 
financial condition of the Group.

Intellectual property (IP)        The Group’s success depends in part on its ability to obtain and maintain patent protection  
for its technology and potential products in the United States, Europe and other countries.  
If the Group is unable to obtain and maintain patent protection for its technology and potential 
products, or if the scope of patent protection is not sufficiently broad, competitors could develop 
and commercialise similar technology and products, which could materially affect the Group’s 
ability to successfully commercialise its technology and potential products. The Group is exposed 
to additional IP risks, including infringement of IP rights, involvement in lawsuits and the 
inability to protect the confidentiality of its trade secrets which could have an adverse effect  
on the success of the Group.

Financial                                         The Group has a limited operating history, has incurred significant losses since its inception  

and does not have any approved or revenue generating products. The Group expects to incur 
losses for the foreseeable future, and there is no certainty that the business will generate a profit. 
The Group may not be able to raise additional funds that will be required to support its product 
development programs or commercialisation efforts, and any additional funds that are raised 
may cause dilution to existing shareholders.

Operational                                   The Group’s future development and prospects depend to a material extent on the experience, 

performance and continued service of its senior management team including the Directors.  
The Directors believe the senior management team is appropriately structured for the Group’s 
size and stage of development and is not overly dependent on any one individual. The Group  
has entered into contractual arrangements with these individuals with the aim of securing  
the services of each of them. Retention of these services or the identification of suitable 
replacements cannot be guaranteed. The loss of the service of any of the Directors or senior 
management and the cost of recruiting replacements may have a material adverse effect  
on the Group and its commercial and financial performance.

This report was approved by the Board of Directors on 07 June 2022 and signed on behalf of the Board of Directors by: 

Dr Huw Jones 
Chief Executive Officer 

07 June 2022 

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GOVERNANCE

PAGE TITLE

BREAST CANCER IS  
THE LARGEST CAUSE  
OF CANCER DEATHS IN  
WOMEN WORLDWIDE.

In around 75% of breast cancers, the hormone oestrogen  
plays a key part in tumour growth. 

Evgen has generated encouraging data with SFX-01  
in mBC in a Phase II clinical trial.

Image:  
The crystalline form of SFX-01 as 
captured by a scanning electron 
microscope.

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GOVERNANCE

PAGE TITLE

GOVERNANCE 

18        Board of Directors 

20       Directors’ Report 

22        Corporate Governance Report 

24       Remuneration Committee Report 

28       Audit Committee Report 

29       Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

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GOVERNANCE

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BARRY CLARE 
Chairman 

DR HUW JONES  
Chief Executive Officer 

RICHARD MOULSON  
Chief Financial Officer 

Barry has over 30 years’ experience in 
the healthcare sector. He was a former 
main board director of the Boots 
Company Plc, and CEO of Boots 
Healthcare International. He is deputy 
chairman of Manchester University NHS 
Foundation Trust, the largest in England. 
He established his own company Clarat 
Healthcare LLP, and has engineered 
several private equity backed healthcare 
transactions and established several 
early stage healthcare companies with 
private and venture capital funding.  

Huw has over 30 years’ experience  
of leadership roles in public and private 
R&D-based companies within the 
biotechnology and pharmaceutical 
sector, with a particular focus on pre-
clinical and clinical drug development, 
dilutive and non-dilutive financing and 
business development. He is Chairman 
of Chronos Therapeutics Ltd, Non-
Executive Director of IxaKa Ltd (formerly 
Rexgenero) and Strategic Advisor to 
Gen2 Neuroscience Ltd. Huw holds a 
PhD in pharmacology from the 
University of Birmingham, UK. 

Richard is a qualified chartered 
accountant with over 25 years’ post-
qualification experience working as  
a chief financial officer for UK quoted  
and private equity and venture capital 
owned companies. Richard trained with 
Coopers & Lybrand and spent 10 years 
with Deutsche Morgan Grenfell  
in corporate finance working on 
fundraisings, IPOs and M&A transactions 
in the UK and internationally. He has 
considerable life science experience in 
companies including Intercytex Group 
Plc, ReNeuron Group plc and Cobra 
Therapeutics. 

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GOVERNANCE

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 
CONTINUED

DR SUSAN FODEN  
Non-Executive Director and Senior 
Independent Director 

Susan has broad experience in executive 
and non-executive roles at both public 
and private companies and at funding 
organisations. She was previously Senior 
Independent Director and Chair of the 
Remuneration Committee at Vectura 
plc, Non-Executive Director of BTG plc 
(through to their acquisition by Boston 
Scientific) and is a former Chair of 
BerGenBio AS. She is currently Chair  
of Neurocentrx, a Non-Executive director 
of QBiotics and is a member of the 
Investment Committee for CD3, the joint 
drug discovery initiative between the 
University of Leuven & the European 
Investment Fund (EIF). She studied 
biochemistry at the University of Oxford, 
obtaining an MA and a DPhil. 

DR ALAN BARGE  
Non-Executive Director 

SUSAN CLEMENT-DAVIES  
Non-Executive Director 

Alan is a Venture Partner at Delin 
Ventures and is the former chief medical 
officer of Singapore-based ASLAN 
Pharmaceuticals PTE. Up until 2011,  
he was vice-president and head of 
oncology & infection at AstraZeneca,  
a role in which he was responsible for 
the overall strategy in oncology and 
infection from drug discovery to proof-
of-concept. He was also chairman of 
AstraZeneca’s Therapy Area Portfolio 
Team and accountable for the design 
and delivery of all projects, including 
budgetary oversight. Prior to his career 
at AstraZeneca, Alan was European and 
global medical director for Amgen Inc. 

Susan is an experienced life sciences 
financier with over 25 years of capital 
markets and investment banking 
experience, including Managing 
Director of Equity Capital Markets at 
Citigroup/Salomon Smith Barney and 
most recently at Torreya Partners.  
Susan is currently Non-Executive 
Director of MiNA Therapeutics,  
Non-Executive Director and Chair of the 
Audit Committee of Scancell Holdings 
PLC, Non-Executive Director of 
Exploristics, Advisor to Oxford Science 
Enterprises and Member of the CW+ 
NHS Hospital Innovation Advisory Board. 
Susan has a BSc in Economics from 
University College London and a MSc  
in Economics.

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Research and Development 
The Group is continuing to research products  
in its chosen area. 

Employee involvement 
Employee involvement in the overall performance of the  
Group is encouraged through both formal and informal 
meetings which deal with a range of matters including the 
Group’s financial performance, development progress and 
health and safety. Copies of the Annual Report and Interim 
Report are made available to all employees. 

Political donations 
The Group made no political donations in the current  
or prior year. 

Authority to issue shares 
At the Annual General Meeting on 21 July 2022 authority  
will be sought from shareholders to allow the Directors  
to allot relevant securities up to an aggregate nominal value  
of £229,073 representing one-third of the issued share capital, 
and to allot for cash equity securities having a nominal value 
not exceeding in aggregate £137,444 (being 20% of the issued 
share capital). 

Substantial shareholdings 
At 07 June 2022, the Company had received notification from 
the following financial institutions of their and their clients’ 
interest in the following disclosable holdings, which represent 
3% or more of the voting rights of the issued share capital of 
the Company: 

                                                                    Number of      % of issued 
Major Shareholders                             shares held   share capital 
JR Kight                                                           33,100,000                   12.0% 
AXA Framlington Investment  
Management Limited                              23,848,884                     8.7% 
Octopus Investments                                 21,875,000                    8.0% 
North West Funds (Biomedical) LP       16,186,446                     5.9% 
Seneca Investment Managers                 14,932,071                     5.4% 
Chelverton Asset Management             12,500,000                     4.5% 
RAB Capital                                                     8,750,000                     3.2% 
Newlands Capital                                             8,314,815                     3.0% 

GOVERNANCE

DIRECTORS’ REPORT 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

Financial Statements 
The Directors of Evgen Pharma plc (registered in England  
and Wales: 09246681) present their report together with the 
audited consolidated financial statements and the Company 
financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2022. 

Directors 
The Directors of the Company who served during the year  
and up to the date of this report, unless otherwise indicated, 
are as follows: 

                                                               Capacity
Huw Jones                                         Chief Executive Officer 
                                                               Appointed 1 October 2021 
Barry Clare                                         Chairman 
                                                               Appointed 2 October 2014 
Richard Moulson                             Chief Financial Officer 
                                                               Appointed 17 January 2017 
Susan Foden                                     Non-Executive and Senior 
                                                               Independent Director 
                                                               Appointed 21 November 2014 
Alan Barge                                         Non-Executive Director 
                                                               Appointed 21 October 2015 
Susan Clement-Davies                  Non-Executive Director 
                                                               Appointed 1 November 2018 

Biographical details of Evgen’s Directors are shown  
on pages 18-19. 

The Group maintained Directors’ and Officers’ liability 
insurance cover throughout the year and the prior year. 

Principal activities of the Group 
Details of current and future trading as well as the principal 
risks and uncertainties are included in the Strategic Report  
on pages 8-5. 

Business Review and Key Performance Indicators 
The review of the business, future trading and key 
performance indicators are covered in the Strategic Report  
on pages 8-15. 

Financial results and dividends 
The Group’s results for the year ended 31 March 2022 are 
presented on page 36. The Group’s net loss after tax for the 
year was £2.7m (2021: £2.7m). No dividends have been paid in 
this or the prior year and there have been no significant post 
balance sheet events. Details of financial instruments are set 
out in Note 18. 

Directors’ interests in share options 
Details of Directors’ interests in shares, share options  
and service contracts are shown in the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report. 

20 Evgen Pharma plc  

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GOVERNANCE

DIRECTORS’ REPORT 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022 
CONTINUED

Going concern 
At 31 March 2022, the Group had cash and cash equivalents, 
including short-term investments and cash on deposit,  
of £9.0 million. 

Independent Auditors 
RSM UK Audit LLP have expressed their willingness  
to continue in office as auditors for the year. A resolution  
to reappoint them will be presented at the forthcoming AGM. 

Annual General Meeting 
The notice convening and giving details of the 2022 AGM  
of the Company at Alderley Park, Congleton Road,  
Nether Alderley, Cheshire, SK10 4TG on 21 July 2022 has been 
sent to shareholders. If the laws and the UK Government’s 
guidance regarding the COVID-19 pandemic which are current 
on 21 July 2022 include the enforcement of social distancing 
and restrict indoor meetings, shareholders will not be 
permitted to attend the AGM and this will be held as a  
closed meeting as in 2021. 

In the event that disruption to the 2022 AGM becomes 
unavoidable, we will announce any changes to the AGM as 
soon as practicably possible through the Company’s website. 

Approved by the Board of Directors and signed on behalf  
of the Board. 

Barry Clare 
Chairman 

07 June 2022

The Directors have prepared detailed financial forecasts and 
cash flows looking beyond 12 months from the date of the 
approval of these financial statements. In developing these 
forecasts, the Directors have made assumptions based upon 
their view of the current and future economic conditions that 
will prevail over the forecast period. 

The Directors estimate that the cash held by the Group 
together with known receivables will be sufficient to support 
the current level of activities to the fourth quarter of 2023.  
They have therefore prepared the financial statements  
on a going concern basis. 

Strategic Report 
The information required by schedule 7 of the Large and Medium-
sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 
2008 has been included in the separate Strategic Report in 
accordance with section 414C (11) of the Companies Act 2006 
(Strategic Report and Directors’ Reports) Regulations 2013. 

Disclosure of information to auditor 
In the case of each of the persons who are Directors  
of the Company at the date when this report is approved: 
•      so far as each of the Directors is aware, there is no relevant 
audit information (as defined in the Companies Act 2006) 
of which the Company’s auditor so far as each of the 
Directors is aware, there is no relevant audit information  
(as defined in the Companies Act 2006) of which the 
Company’s auditor are unaware; and 

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

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

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GOVERNANCE

CORPORATE  
GOVERNANCE REPORT 

The Board applies the Quoted Companies Alliance (“QCA”) 
Corporate Governance Code (to the extent practical given the 
Group’s size and stage of development). The Directors support 
high standards of corporate governance and regard the QCA 
Code as appropriate to its stage of development. Evgen’s 
strategy and business model is set out in the Strategic Report 
on page 3. 

Details of the role and activities of the Audit and Remuneration 
Committees are set out in subsequent sections of this report. 

Full details of our Corporate Governance approach can  
be found on our website: www.evgen.com. 

Board Structure 
The Board is responsible to shareholders for the proper 
management of the Group. A statement of Directors’ 
responsibilities is set out on page 29. 

The Chairman and Non-Executive Directors have a particular 
responsibility to ensure that the strategies proposed by the 
Executive Directors are fully considered. The Board currently 
comprises a Chairman, two Executive Directors and three Non-
Executive Directors. The Board considers all the Non-Executive 
Directors to be independent. The Chairman and Non-Executive 
Directors receive a fee for their services. The Board holds 
regular meetings and is responsible for formulating, reviewing 
and approving the Group’s strategy, budgets and corporate 
actions and overseeing the Group’s progress to its goals. 

The Board collectively has considerable experience in scientific, 
operational and financial development of biopharmaceutical 
companies. The experience, personal qualities and skills of the 
Directors are set out on pages 18-19. The Directors regularly 
review the composition of the Board to ensure that it has the 
necessary breadth and depth of skills to support the ongoing 
development of the Group. 

The Chairman and Non-Executive Directors maintain their 
skillsets through a combination of other executive, non-
executive and advisory roles. In addition, knowledge is kept  
up to date on key issues and developments pertaining to the 
Group, and corporate governance matters, through updates 
from the Executive Directors and various external advisers. 

Board Committees 
The Board has established Audit and Remuneration Committees 
of the Board with formally delegated duties and responsibilities. 
The membership and activity of these Committees is discussed  
in more detail in their respective reports. 

Group culture 
The Board seeks to maintain the highest standards of integrity 
and probity in the conduct of the Group’s operations.  
These values are enshrined in the working practices adopted 
by all employees in the Group and consistent with the Group’s 
strategy; they reflect the high ethical and regulatory 
compliance required of a biopharmaceutical business.  
The small number of staff within the Group allows for an open 
culture to be maintained with weekly communication to staff 
regarding progress, and staff feedback is regularly sought. 
Non-Executive Directors have frequent contact with various 
staff members and are able to monitor culture accordingly. 

The Group is committed to providing a safe environment for  
its staff and all other parties for which the Group has a legal or 
moral responsibility in this area. Health and Safety is a standing 
agenda item at all Board meetings with any incidents reported 
at these meetings. 

Frequency of, and attendance at, meetings 
During the year the Group held formal Board meetings,  
Audit Committee meetings and Remuneration Committee 
meetings with attendance at these meetings as follows: 

                                                                      Board                          Audit          Remuneration 
Committee                                          Meetings               Committee               Committee 
Huw Jones                                      8/8                      N/A                      N/A 
Barry Clare                                      8/8                      N/A                        3/3 
Richard Moulson                          8/8                      N/A                      N/A 
Susan Foden                                  8/8                        3/3                        3/3 
Alan Barge                                       7/8                        3/3                        3/3 
Susan Clement-Davies               8/8                        3/3                        2/2 

Alan Barge, Sue Foden and Susan Clement-Davies are 
considered to be independent Non-Executive Directors.  
These Directors are required to work a minimum of two  
days per month. 

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GOVERNANCE

CORPORATE  
GOVERNANCE REPORT 
CONTINUED

Risk Management and Control 
The Board is responsible for the systems of risk management 
and internal control and for reviewing their effectiveness.  
The internal controls are designed to manage rather than 
eliminate risk and provide reasonable but not absolute 
assurance against material misstatement or loss. Through the 
activities of the Audit Committee, the effectiveness of these 
internal controls is reviewed annually. 

The Group operates in an inherently high risk and heavily 
regulated sector and this is reflected in the principal risks  
and uncertainties set out on pages 15. 

The Group maintains a risk register to monitor the various 
operating, financial, commercial and strategic risks faced  
by the business. This is reviewed and discussed at each 
monthly Board meeting. 

A comprehensive budgeting process is completed once  
a year and is reviewed and approved by the Board. The Group’s 
results, compared with the budget, are reported to the Board 
at each monthly Board meeting. 

The Group maintains appropriate insurance cover in respect  
of actions taken against the Directors because of their roles,  
as well as against material loss or claims against the Group.  
The insured values and type of cover are comprehensively 
reviewed on a periodic basis. 

The senior management team meet weekly to monitor  
clinical progress and to consider new risks and opportunities 
presented to the Group, communicating and advising the 
Board as appropriate. 

Corporate Social Responsibility 
The Board recognises the growing awareness of social, 
environmental and ethical matters and it endeavours to take 
into account the interest of the Group’s stakeholders, including 
its investors, employees, suppliers and business partners, when 
operating the business. 

Employment 
The Board recognises its legal responsibility to ensure the well-
being, safety and welfare of its employees and maintain a safe 
and healthy working environment for them and for its visitors. 

Relations with shareholders 
The Board recognises the importance of communication with 
its shareholders to ensure that its strategy and performance  
is understood and that it remains accountable to shareholders. 
Our website has a section dedicated to investor matters and 
provides useful information for the Company’s owners.  
The Board as a whole is responsible for ensuring that a 
satisfactory dialogue with shareholders takes place, while the 
Chairman and CEO ensure that the views of the shareholders 
are communicated to the Board as a whole. The Board ensures 
that the Group’s strategic plans have been carefully reviewed 
in terms of their ability to deliver long-term shareholders value. 
Fully audited Annual Reports are published, and Interim 
Results statements notified via Regulatory Information Service 
announcements. All financial reports and statements are 
available on the Company’s website. 

Shareholders are welcome to attend the Group’s AGM,  
at which they will have the opportunity to meet the Board.  
All shareholders will have at least 21 days’ notice of the AGM  
at which the Directors will be available to discuss aspects of the 
Group’s performance and to receive questions. If the laws and 
the UK Government’s guidance regarding the COVID-19 
pandemic which are current on Thursday 21 July 2022 include 
the enforcement of social distancing and restrict indoor 
meetings, shareholders will not be permitted to attend the 
AGM and this will be held as a closed meeting as in 2021. 

In the event that disruption to the 2022 AGM becomes 
unavoidable, we will announce any changes to the AGM as 
soon as practicably possible through the Company’s website. 

Board Performance 
The Board has engaged an independent third party 
organisation to manage a process for review of its 
performance, that of its committees and individual Directors, 
including the Chairman. The results of the evaluation process, 
which is ongoing, will be analysed and reported back to the 
Board for subsequent follow-up. 

The Board may utilise the results of the evaluation process 
when considering the adequacy of the composition of the 
Board and for succession planning. 

Appraisals are carried out annually with all Executive Directors. 

Barry Clare 
Chairman 

07 June 2022 

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GOVERNANCE

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The members of the Remuneration Committee are Susan Foden, Barry Clare and Susan Clement-Davies. Susan Foden  
is the Chair of the Remuneration Committee. During the year Susan Clement-Davies joined the Committee and  
Alan Barge stepped down. 

The responsibilities of the Committee include the following: 
•      Determining and agreeing with the Board the remuneration policy for the Company. 
•      Determining remuneration structures through which the policy is implemented. 
•      Conducting an annual salary review and determining the actual annual remuneration for the Executive Directors. 
•      Reviewing the remuneration of the Chairman of the Board and recommending any changes thereto. 

Our aim is to deliver a remuneration programme that rewards both achievement of short-term goals and fulfilment  
of our longer-term objectives in realising the clinical and commercial potential of Sulforadex®. 

The remuneration policy is the responsibility of the Remuneration Committee, a sub-committee of the Board. The Executive 
Directors attend meetings by invitation but no Director is involved in discussions relating to their own remuneration. 

We recognise the need to retain and motivate our Executive Directors and senior management team and the need to avoid 
making remuneration decisions solely based on shorter-term volatility. Accordingly, we include two performance-based elements 
in our remuneration programme; a short term annual bonus programme, with pay-out based on achievement against pre-set 
personal and corporate goals for that year; and a long-term equity-based programme of share options, vesting after three years  
for the most part subject to the achievement of substantial, longer-term strategic objectives. 

Remuneration Policy for Executive Directors 
The Remuneration Committee sets a remuneration policy that through competitive salaries and short-term incentives by way  
of annual bonus aims to align remuneration with the attraction and retention of the best talent for the benefit of the Group,  
and incentivises and retains key employees by way of a longer-term element of reward aligned with shareholder interest  
and share price performance. 

Since IPO Evgen has operated the following share plans: 
•      Evgen Deferred Bonus Plan (DBP) 
•      Evgen Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) 

These plans are intended to maintain remuneration policy in line with market practice for an AIM listed company and ensure 
alignment between the reward strategy and business strategy. The Committee will continue to review the remuneration policy  
on a regular basis to ensure it remains fit for purpose for the Company, drives high levels of executive performance and remains 
competitive in the market. 

The remuneration of the Executive Directors during the year ended 31 March 2022 is set out below: 

Basic salary 
Basic salaries are reviewed annually, with reference to independent salary surveys based on a cohort of comparable AIM-listed  
life science companies. 

The purpose of the base salary is to: 
•      reflect market rates to support the recruitment and retention of key individuals; 
•      reflect the individual’s experience, role and contribution with the Group; 
•      ensure that the Executive Directors are fairly rewarded for carrying out their duties. 

Short term incentives – Annual Bonus 
Executive Directors participate in a contractual bonus scheme under which they are eligible to receive a maximum annual bonus 
of 50% of salary. Other employees are entitled to bonus awards under the plan at lower percentages of salary. Annual bonus 
entitlements are based on the achievement of pre-set Group corporate goals and personal performance targets. 

Performance targets for the financial year ending 31 March 2022 were set by the Remuneration Committee and include Group 
corporate and personal performance targets. 

The Remuneration Committee considers that the targets support the business strategy, and that bonus arrangements represent 
an important element of the performance-related pay for the Executive Directors. 

A proportion of the bonus payable to the Executives may be paid in cash and a proportion may be paid in shares through  
the Deferred Bonus Plan adopted by the Company at the time of IPO. The Committee determines on an annual basis the level  
of deferral of the bonus payment into Company share awards in the form of nil cost options up to a maximum of 50% of the  
bonus earned. DBP awards vest at the end of a three-year period from the relevant date of grant. 

Benefits 
Benefits in the form of pension contributions, private medical insurance and death in service insurance are provided  
to Executive Directors. 

24 Evgen Pharma plc  

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GOVERNANCE

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE REPORT 
CONTINUED

Long term incentives – Share Option Awards 
Share Plans Operated Prior to Admission 
Prior to Admission the Company granted share awards under stand-alone option agreements as well as operating  
the following share plans: 
•      Evgen 2008 Share Option Scheme 
•      Evgen Limited Enterprise Management Incentive Plan 

Further details of outstanding options under these arrangements are as set out on page 27. 

Long Term Incentive Plan 
On IPO in 2015 the Company adopted an LTIP that aligns the interest of Executive Directors with those of shareholders  
and on an ongoing basis forms a significant part of performance-related pay. 

The maximum annual individual limit under the terms of the LTIP is 100% of salary, although awards up to 150% of salary  
may be awarded in exceptional circumstances. Share awards will normally vest over a three-year period subject to the 
achievement of stretching performance targets. 

Up to January 2019 vesting conditions were based solely on measures of absolute shareholder return. All awards made between 
IPO and January 2019 have since lapsed in accordance with the terms of the LTIP, and potentially the July 2019 awards will also,  
as the criteria for the vesting of granted options were not or are unlikely to be met. 

In the opinion of the Remuneration Committee, whilst this outcome is a fair reflection of the share price performance since IPO this 
does not fulfil the aims of the LTIP to retain and incentivise key staff nor allow them to build a meaningful stake in the Company. 

Taking all this into consideration, the Remuneration Committee recommended that the reward structure and performance 
criteria for LTIP awards made subsequent to the 2020 AGM be rebased, such that they offer a realistic chance of vesting. 

Accordingly, and following advice from external experts, the Remuneration Committee adjusted the performance criteria  
to a combination of relative shareholder return and achievement of corporate objectives (October 2020 grants), and in addition  
an element of time-vesting (December 2021 grants). October 2020 grant vesting is subject to a total shareholder return measured 
against an index of comparator companies (70%), and delivery of strategic corporate objectives (30%). For December 2021 grants, 
vesting is subject to a similar total shareholder return metric (30%), delivery of strategic corporate objectives (40%) and time-
vesting 3 years from grant (30%). The aim of these changes is to continue to align management and shareholders whilst  
providing more relevant measures of performance. They will be kept under review. 

Pension 
The Group pays pension contributions for Executive Directors and employees into personal pension schemes. 

Executive Directors’ service contracts and termination provisions 
The service contracts of Executive Directors are approved by the Board. The service contracts may be terminated  
by either party giving 6 months’ notice to the other. The details are summarised below: 

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                                                                                                                                                       Date of Contract                             Notice period 
Huw Jones                                                                                                                                                    1 October 2020                                        6 months 
Richard Moulson                                                                                                                                       17 January 2017                                        6 months 

Non-Executive Directors 
Non-Executive Directors have entered into Letters of Appointment with the Company, with the Board determining the fees with 
regard to market comparatives and similar businesses. The Non-Executive Directors do not participate in the Group’s pension or 
bonus schemes. Awards under stand-alone option agreements may be made in special circumstances. Appointments are 
terminable on one month’s notice by either party. 

As set out below the Chairman and Non-Executive Directors were awarded non-LTIP options in 2020 as compensation  
for additional duties undertaken pending appointment of the new CEO. The contractual terms for Non-Executive Directors  
are reviewed by the Board annually. Current contracts are set out below: 

                                                                                                                                              Date of Appointment                                  Initial term 
Barry Clare                                                                                                                                                   14 October 2015                           1 months’ notice 
Susan Foden                                                                                                                                               14 October 2015                                     Three years 
Alan Barge                                                                                                                                                   14 October 2015                                     Three years 
Susan Clement-Davies                                                                                                                         1 November 2018                                     Three years 

Non-Executive Directors are typically expected to serve two three-year terms but may be invited by the Board to serve  
for an additional period. Alan Barge and Susan Foden were invited by the Board to continue as Directors following completion  
of their three-year terms. 

2022 Annual Report & Financial Statements

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GOVERNANCE

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE REPORT 
CONTINUED

Directors’ remuneration during the year ended 31 March 2022 
The Directors received the following remuneration during the year: 

                                                                                                                                                                                                 Total year                                                                                                                                            Total year 

                                                                                                                                                                                                        ended                                                                                                                                                  ended 

                                                                     Salaries               Taxable                                               Pension             31 March               Salaries               Taxable                                               Pension             31 March 

                                                                   and fees              benefits              Bonuses   contributions                      2022              and fees              benefits              Bonuses   contributions                       2021 
                                                                                  £                             £                             £                             £                             £                             £                             £                             £                             £                             £ 
Executive 
Huw Jones                      188,000           4,260         37,500         10,000      239,760        88,000            2,043          41,360           5,000        136,403 
Richard Moulson*           82,890            6,594           15,732                  —        105,216          76,975            5,286          25,023                  —        107,284 
Non-Executive 
Barry Clare                         45,810                  —                  —                  —         45,810          45,810                  —                  —                  —          45,810 
Susan Foden                     26,977                  —                  —                  —         26,977          26,977                  —                  —                  —          26,977 
Alan Barge                         22,905                  —                  —                  —         22,905         22,905                  —                  —                  —         22,905 
Susan Clement-Davies    26,977                  —                  —                  —         26,977          26,977                  —                  —                  —          26,977 
                                            393,559          10,854          53,232         10,000      467,645       287,644            7,329         66,383           5,000       366,356 

In the year to 31 March 2021 Stephen Franklin received total remuneration of £180,278; he resigned from Evgen in April 2020.  
No Directors waived emoluments in the period ended 31 March 2022. 

*        Includes fees of £15,995 (2021: £19,225) paid to FD Consult Ltd, a related party as detailed in Note 19. 

Directors’ shareholdings 
The Directors, together with their beneficial interest in the shares of the Company are as follows: 

                                                                                                                                                                                                             At 31 March       At 31 March 
Ordinary shares of 0.25p each                                                                                                                                                                 2022                     2021 
Executive 
Huw Jones                                                                                                                                                                                                  62,500                62,500 
Richard Moulson                                                                                                                                                                                      45,454                45,454 
Non-Executive 
Barry Clare*                                                                                                                                                                                             1,023,441             1,023,441 
Susan Foden                                                                                                                                                                                            125,000               125,000 
Alan Barge                                                                                                                                                                                                            —                          — 
Susan Clement-Davies                                                                                                                                                                                    —                          — 

*        Of the ordinary shares set out above Barry Clare is indirectly interested in 592,508 (2021: 592,508) ordinary shares  

in the Company held by Clarat Partners LLP by virtue of being a member of Clarat Partners LLP. 

Bonus 
In recognition of the achievement of stretching corporate and personal objectives set at the beginning of the year, the Committee 
determined to pay cash bonuses to the Executive Directors following pre-agreed maxima. In each case, bearing in mind overall 
share price performance during the year, the Committee determined to use downward discretion in confirming individual bonus 
awards and thus the actual bonus payments made were adjusted downwards. The resultant amounts are set out in the table above. 

Benefits/Pensions 
Details of payments in respect of benefits and pensions arrangements for the Executive Directors are set out in the table above. 

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GOVERNANCE

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE REPORT 
CONTINUED

Directors’ Share Options 
Share options may be granted under the LTIP as follows: 
•      An initial award to Executive Directors on joining the Company to support the recruitment and drive retention. 
•      An annual award to Executive Directors and other staff members to be made around the time of the AGM. 

In relation to existing LTIP awards made in July 2019, vesting is on a straight-line basis by reference to TSR where 25% vest if TSR  
is 10% from the date of grant and 100% vest if it is 20%; if TSR is less than 10% these options will lapse. 

For awards made in October 2020, the quantum of options vesting at 3 years will be based on relative shareholder return against  
a basket of comparable companies and achievement of specified corporate goals. The former will account for up to 70% of the 
total with nil vesting at below median performance, 25% vesting at median and then on a straight-line basis up to 100% vesting  
at upper quartile performance. Achievement of corporate goals will account for up to 30% of the total with the proviso that no 
awards will vest unless at least median shareholder return is achieved. For December 2021 grants, vesting is subject to a similar 
total shareholder return metric (30%), delivery of strategic corporate objectives (40%) and time-vesting 3 years from grant (30%). 

In October 2020, on the recommendation of the Chairman and approval by the Executive Directors, nil cost options were  
granted to the NEDs by way of unapproved option agreements as payment in kind for additional services provided during  
the period when the Company was without a CEO. Following recommendation by the Remuneration Committee a similar  
award was made to the Chairman of the Board. These options are subject to the same performance conditions governing  
the LTIP awards as set out above. 

Details of the awards together with outstanding options granted to the Executive Directors prior to Admission  
are set out in the table below. 

                                                                                                                           At            Granted             Lapsed         Exercised                                             Price       Date from                            

                                                                                      Date of          At 1 April              during              during              during     At 31 March         per share               which               Expiry 

Director                                                 Plan                 grant                   2021       the period       the period       the period                  2022             (pence)      exercisable                  Date 

Huw Jones                                               LTIP*        5 Oct 2020          2,978,004                          —                          —                          —          2,978,004                        Nil         5 Oct 2023        5 Oct 2030 

                                                                   LTIP**        8 Dec 2021                          —            1,670,886                          —                          —            1,670,886                        Nil      13 July 2024        13 July 2031 

                                                                                                             2,978,004          1,670,886                        —                        —        4,648,890 

Barry Clare                                          Pre IPO       25 Nov 2011              272,000                          —           (272,000)                          —                          —                5.0000       31 Aug 2013      24 Nov 2021 

                                                                Pre IPO       14 Aug 2013              224,800                          —                          —                          —              224,800                10.6150       14 Aug 2015      13 Aug 2023 

                                                                       LTIP        21 Oct 2015               145,945                          —                          —                          —               145,945                        Nil        21 Oct 2015      20 Oct 2025 

                                                                       LTIP        21 Oct 2015               145,946                          —                          —                          —               145,946                        Nil        21 Oct 2016      20 Oct 2025 

                                                            Non-LTIP        5 Oct 2020                380,711                          —                          —                          —                380,711                        Nil         5 Oct 2023        5 Oct 2030 

                                                            Non-LTIP      20 July 2021                          —               289,937                          —                          —               289,937                        Nil     20 July 2024      20 July 2031 

                                                                                                               1,169,402             289,937          (272,000)                        —           1,187,339 

Richard Moulson                                     LTIP       28 Jan 2019                155,682                          —                          —                          —                155,682                        Nil      28 Jan 2022      27 Jan 2029 

                                                                       LTIP         18 Jul 2019              202,608                          —                          —                          —              202,608                        Nil        18 Jul 2022        18 Jul 2029 

                                                                       LTIP        5 Oct 2020                337,817                          —                          —                          —                337,817                        Nil         5 Oct 2023        5 Oct 2030 

                                                                   LTIP**        8 Dec 2021                          —                 552,911                          —                                               552,911                        Nil      13 July 2024        13 July 2031 

                                                                                                                 696,107               552,911                        —                        —           1,249,018                                                                                   

Susan Foden                                      Pre IPO       25 Nov 2011               136,000                          —            (136,000)                          —                                              5.0000       31 Aug 2013      24 Nov 2021 

                                                            Non-LTIP        5 Oct 2020                112,098                          —                          —                          —                112,098                        Nil         5 Oct 2023        5 Oct 2030 

                                                                                                                248,098                        —          (136,000)                        —              112,098 

Alan Barge                                          Pre IPO         1 May 2012              272,000                          —                          —                          —              272,000                5.0000         1 May 2014        1 May 2022 

                                                            Non-LTIP        5 Oct 2020                  95,178                          —                          —                          —                  95,178                        Nil         5 Oct 2023        5 Oct 2030 

                                                                                                                  367,178                        —                        —                        —              367,178                                                                                   

Susan Clement-Davies               Non-LTIP        5 Oct 2020                110,690                          —                          —                          —                110,690                        Nil         5 Oct 2023        5 Oct 2030 
                                                                                                              5,569,479           2,513,734         (408,000)                        —           7,675,213 

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*        Options over 1,489,002 awarded to Dr Jones will vest if, over the relevant performance period, the Board determine that his performance as Chief Executive Officer  

has been satisfactory. Performance related to corporate objectives or relative shareholder return will not be considered for these options. 

**       Options were originally awarded on 13 July 2021, but cancelled and re-awarded on 8 December 2021 in order  

to qualify for EMI relief. All terms, including exercise and expiry dates were unchanged. 

Susan Foden 
Remuneration Committee Chair 

07 June 2022 

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GOVERNANCE

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

During the year ended 31 March 2022, the Audit Committee 
met three times. The Committee reviewed and approved  
the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2022,  
the interim results for the six months to 30 September 2021 
and the external auditor’s plan for the 2022 external audit.  
The Audit Committee has satisfied itself that the external 
auditor is independent. The Audit Committee has concluded 
that the external audit process was effective, that the scope  
of the audit was appropriate and that significant judgements 
have been robustly challenged. No significant issues have 
been reported by the auditor. 

The Audit Committee does not believe it necessary  
at this time to propose re-tendering of the audit contract.  
A resolution for the reappointment of RSM as the statutory 
auditor will be proposed at the forthcoming Annual General 
Meeting. No formal recommendations other than the approval 
of the Interim Statement and Annual Report and Accounts 
have been made to the Board by the Audit Committee. 

Susan Clement-Davies 
Audit Committee Chair 

07 June 2022 

The Audit Committee is a subcommittee of the Board and  
is responsible for ensuring effective governance over financial 
reporting and internal controls. The Committee represents  
the interests of the shareholders in relation to the integrity  
of information and the effectiveness of audit processes in 
place. The members of the Audit Committee are Susan 
Clement-Davies (Chair), Susan Foden and Alan Barge. 

The responsibilities of the Committee include the following 
•      Monitoring the integrity of the financial statements  

of the Group 

•      Reviewing the accounting policies, accounting treatments 

and disclosures in the financial statements 

•      Reviewing the Group’s internal financial controls and risk 

management systems 

•      Overseeing the Group’s relationship with external auditors, 
including making recommendations to the Board as to the 
appointment or re-appointment of the external auditors, 
reviewing their terms of engagement, and monitoring  
the external auditors’ independence, objectivity and 
effectiveness. 

The Audit Committee normally meets at least three times a 
year with time allowed for discussion without any members of 
the executive team being present, to allow the external auditor 
to raise any issues of concern. Audit Committee meetings may 
be attended, by invitation, by the Chief Financial Officer and 
other Directors and by the Group’s auditors. 

The Committee has responsibility for, amongst other things, 
planning and reviewing the Annual Report and Accounts and 
Interim Statements involving, where appropriate, the external 
auditors. The Committee also approves external auditors’ fees 
and ensures the auditors’ independence as well as focusing  
on compliance with legal requirements and accounting 
standards. It is also responsible for ensuring that an effective 
system of internal control is maintained. The ultimate 
responsibility for reviewing and approving the annual financial 
statements and interim statements remains with the Board. 

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GOVERNANCE

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’  
RESPONSIBILITIES

The directors are responsible for preparing the Strategic 
Report, the Directors’ Report and the financial statements  
in accordance with applicable law and regulations. 

In preparing each of the group and company financial 
statements, the directors are required to: 
 a.   select suitable accounting policies and then apply  

Company law requires the directors to prepare group and 
company financial statements for each financial year.  
The directors have elected under company law and are 
required by the AIM Rules of the London Stock Exchange  
to prepare the group financial statements in accordance with 
UK-adopted International Accounting Standards and have 
elected under company law to prepare the company financial 
statements in accordance with UK-adopted International 
Accounting Standards and applicable law. 

The group and company financial statements are required  
by law and UK-adopted International Accounting Standards  
to present fairly the financial position of the group and the 
company and the financial performance of the group.  
The Companies Act 2006 provides in relation to such financial 
statements that references in the relevant part of that Act to 
financial statements giving a true and fair view are references 
to their achieving a fair presentation. 

Under company law the directors must not approve  
the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they 
give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the group  
and the company and of the profit or loss of the group for  
that period.  

them consistently; 

b.    make judgements and accounting estimates that  

are reasonable and prudent; 

c.    state whether they have been prepared in accordance  
with UK-adopted International Accounting Standards; 
d.    prepare the financial statements on the going concern 

basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the group 
and the company will continue in business. 

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting 
records that are sufficient to show and explain the Group’s and 
the company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable 
accuracy at any time the financial position of the group and 
the company and enable them to ensure that the financial 
statements comply with the requirements of the Companies 
Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets 
of the group and the company and hence for taking 
reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud  
and other irregularities. 

The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity 
of the corporate and financial information included on the 
Evgen Pharma plc website. 

Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation 
and dissemination of financial statements may differ from 
legislation in other jurisdictions. 

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

EVGEN IS FOCUSED  
ON DEVELOPING  
PRODUCTS TO TACKLE 
DISEASES WHERE THERE  
IS A HIGH UNMET NEED.

Pre-clinical data has demonstrated that SFX-01 is effective in in-vitro 
models of certain blood cancers including Juvenile Myelomonocytic 
Leukaemia (JMML) and Acute Myelomonocytic Leukaemia (AML). 

JMML is a rare form of blood cancer that predominantly affects young 
children. JMML is an aggressive and difficult to treat disease and 
currently the only effective treatment for most patients is allogeneic 
hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

Image:  
Immunofluorescence of multiple 
human tumour metastatic cells 
growing in tissue culture for  
research purposes.

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2022 Annual Report & Financial Statements

 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS 

32        Independent Auditors’ Report 

36       Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income 

37       Consolidated and Company Statements of Financial Position 

38       Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 

39       Company Statement of Changes in Equity 

40       Consolidated and Company Statements of Cash Flows 

41        Notes to the Financial Statements

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT 
TO THE MEMBERS OF EVGEN PHARMA PLC

Opinion 
We have audited the financial statements of Evgen Pharma plc (the ‘parent company’) and its subsidiary (the ‘group’) for the  
year ended 31 March 2022 which comprise the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, consolidated and company 
statements of financial position, consolidated and company statement of changes in equity, consolidated and company 
statements of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting 
framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and UK-adopted International Accounting Standards and, 
as regards the parent company financial statements, as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006. 

In our opinion:  
•      the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the group’s and of the parent company’s affairs  

as at 31 March 2022 and of the group’s loss for the year then ended; 

•      the group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with UK-adopted International  

Accounting Standards; 

•      the parent company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with UK-adopted  
International Accounting Standards and as applied in accordance with the Companies Act 2006; and 

•      the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. 

Basis for opinion 
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law.  
Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial 
statements section of our report. We are independent of the group and parent company in accordance with the ethical 
requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard  
as applied to listed entities and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.  
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. 

Summary of our audit approach 

Key audit matters 

Materiality

Group and Parent Company 
•      None

Group 
•      Overall materiality: £158,000 (2021: £160,000) 
•      Performance materiality: £118,000 (2021: £120,000) 
Parent Company 
•      Overall materiality: £140,000 (2021: £62,500) 
•      Performance materiality: £105,000 (2021: £46,800) 

Scope

Our audit procedures covered 100% of total assets and 100% of loss before tax.

Key audit matters 
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in our audit of the group  
and parent company financial statements of the current period and include the most significant assessed risks of material 
misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) we identified, including those which had the greatest effect on the overall audit 
strategy, the allocation of resources in the audit and directing the efforts of the engagement team. These matters were addressed 
in the context of our audit of the group and parent company financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, 
and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters. 

We have determined that there are no key audit matters to communicate in our report. 

32 Evgen Pharma plc  

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT 
TO THE MEMBERS OF EVGEN PHARMA PLC

Our application of materiality 
When establishing our overall audit strategy, we set certain thresholds which help us to determine the nature, timing and extent 
of our audit procedures. When evaluating whether the effects of misstatements, both individually and on the financial statements 
as a whole, could reasonably influence the economic decisions of the users we take into account the qualitative nature and the 
size of the misstatements. Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality as follows: 

Overall materiality

£158,000 (2021: £160,000)

£140,000 (2021: £62,500)

Group 

Parent company 

Basis for determining overall 
materiality

Rationale for benchmark applied

5% of loss before tax

5% of loss before tax

Loss before tax chosen as net 
expenditure is a key measure of activity 
level

Loss before tax chosen as net 
expenditure is a key measure of activity 
level

Performance materiality

£118,000 (2021: £120,000)

£105,000 (2021: £46,800)

Basis for determining performance 
materiality

Reporting of misstatements  
to the Audit Committee

75% of overall materiality

75% of overall materiality

Misstatements in excess of £8,000 and 
misstatements below that threshold 
that, in our view, warranted reporting on 
qualitative grounds. 

Misstatements in excess of £7,000 and 
misstatements below that threshold 
that, in our view, warranted reporting on 
qualitative grounds. 

An overview of the scope of our audit 
The group consists of 2 components, both of which are based in the UK.  

The coverage achieved by our audit procedures was: 

                                                                                                                                                                   Number of                  Total                   Loss  
                                                                                                                                                               components               assets        before tax 
Full scope audit                                                                                                                                                                      2                   100%                    100% 
Total                                                                                                                                                                            2                 100%                  100% 

There were no audit procedures undertaken by component auditors. 

Conclusions relating to going concern 
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting  
in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. Our evaluation of the directors’ assessment of the group’s  
and parent company’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting included: 
•      evaluating the integrity and accuracy of the cashflow forecasts prepared by management; 
•      assessing the appropriateness of assumptions and explanations provided by management to supporting information,  

where available; and 

•      evaluating the accuracy and consistency of disclosures made in the financial statements in respect of principal risks  

and going concern. 

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, 
individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the group’s or the parent company’s ability to continue as a going 
concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue. 

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections  
of this report. 

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT 
TO THE MEMBERS OF EVGEN PHARMA PLC

Other information 
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our 
auditor’s report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion 
on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our 
report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.  

Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially 
inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be 
materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to 
determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. 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. 

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006 
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit: 
•      the information given in the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report for the financial year for which the financial 

statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and 

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

Matters on which we are required to report by exception 
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and the parent company and their environment obtained  
in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Strategic Report or the Directors’ Report. 

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires  
us to report to you if, in our opinion: 
•      adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent company, or returns adequate for our audit have  

not been received from branches not visited by us; or 

•      the parent company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or 
•      certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or 
•      we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit. 

Responsibilities of directors 
As explained more fully in the directors’ responsibilities statement set out on page 29, the directors are responsible for the 
preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control  
as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. 

In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the group’s and the parent company’s ability  
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 the parent company or to cease operations, or have  
no realistic alternative but to do so. 

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements 
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are 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 ISAs (UK) 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  
these financial statements. 

The extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud 
Irregularities are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. The objectives of our audit are to obtain sufficient 
appropriate audit evidence regarding compliance with laws and regulations that have a direct effect on the determination  
of material amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, to perform audit procedures to help identify instances of  
non-compliance with other laws and regulations that may have a material effect on the financial statements, and to  
respond appropriately to identified or suspected non-compliance with laws and regulations identified during the audit.  

In relation to fraud, the objectives of our audit are to identify and assess the risk of material misstatement of the financial 
statements due to fraud, to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the assessed risks of material misstatement 
due to fraud through designing and implementing appropriate responses and to respond appropriately to fraud or suspected 
fraud identified during the audit.  

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT 
TO THE MEMBERS OF EVGEN PHARMA PLC

The extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud continued 
However, it is the primary responsibility of management, with the oversight of those charged with governance, to ensure that  
the entity's operations are conducted in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations and for the prevention and 
detection of fraud. 

In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud, the group audit 
engagement team:  
•      obtained an understanding of the nature of the industry and sector, including the legal and regulatory framework  

that the group and parent company operate in and how the group and parent company are complying with the legal  
and regulatory framework; 

•      inquired of management, and those charged with governance, about their own identification and assessment of the risks  

of irregularities, including any known actual, suspected or alleged instances of fraud; 

•      discussed matters about non-compliance with laws and regulations and how fraud might occur including assessment  

of how and where the financial statements may be susceptible to fraud  

The most significant laws and regulations were determined as follows: 

Legislation / Regulation                                    Additional audit procedures performed by the Group audit  
                                                                                  engagement team included: 

UK-adopted IAS; 
Companies Act 2006; and  
AIM listing rules 

Review of the financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting 
documentation; and 
Completion of disclosure checklists to identify areas of non-compliance. 

Tax compliance regulations 

Inspection of external tax advisor’s provision and workings.

The areas that we identified as being susceptible to material misstatement due to fraud were: 

Risk                                                                          Audit procedures performed by the audit engagement team: 

Management override of controls 

Testing the appropriateness of journal entries and other adjustments;  
Assessing whether the judgements made in making accounting estimates  
are indicative of a potential bias; and 
Evaluating the business rationale of any significant transactions that are unusual  
or outside the normal course of business. 

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s 
website at: http://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report. 

Use of our report  
This report is made solely to the company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 
2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company’s members those matters we are required to 
state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume 
responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for 
the opinions we have formed. 

Alan Aitchison (Senior Statutory Auditor) 
For and on behalf of RSM UK Audit LLP, Statutory Auditor 
Chartered Accountants 
Third Floor, Centenary house 
69 Wellington Street 
Glasgow 
G2 6HG 

07 June 2022 

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT  
OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

                                                                                                                                                                                                              Year ended       Year ended 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   31 March            31 March 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            2022                     2021 
                                                                                                                                                                                            Notes                  £’000                  £’000 
Revenue                                                                                                                                                                                                               —                       194 
Operating expenses                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
Operating expenses                                                                                                                                                             3                 (3,047)                  (3,519) 
Share-based compensation                                                                                                                                              6                     (146)                       112 
Total operating expenses                                                                                                                                                 3                  (3,193)                (3,407) 
Operating loss                                                                                                                                                                       3                  (3,193)                  (3,213) 
Finance income                                                                                                                                                                     4                         24                          — 
Loss on ordinary activities before taxation                                                                                                                                  (3,169)                  (3,213) 

Taxation                                                                                                                                                                                     7                      439                       539 
Loss and total comprehensive expense attributable  
to equity holders of the parent for the year                                                                                                                                (2,730)                 (2,674) 
Loss per share attributable to equity holders of the parent (pence)                                                           8                                                             

Basic loss per share                                                                                                                                                                                     (0.99)                    (1.82) 
Diluted loss per share                                                                                                                                                                                (0.99)                    (1.82) 

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONSOLIDATED AND COMPANY  
STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION 
AS AT 31 MARCH 2022

                                                                                                                                                                   Group                                       Company 
                                                                                                                                                               As at                    As at                   As at                    As at 
                                                                                                                                                        31 March            31 March           31 March            31 March 
                                                                                                                                                                2022                     2021                    2022                     2021 
                                                                                                                                Notes                  £’000                  £’000                  £’000                  £’000 
ASSETS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
Non-current assets                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
Property, plant and equipment                                                                           9                           5                           5                           3                           2 
Intangible assets                                                                                                      10                         53                         66                          —                          — 
Investments in subsidiary undertaking                                                            11                          —                          —                         73                         73 
Total non-current assets                                                                                                                  58                          71                         76                         75 
Current assets                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
Trade and other receivables                                                                                 12                       125                       235                10,487                   10,513 
Current tax receivable                                                                                                                       425                        519                       361                          21 
Short-term investments and cash on deposit                                               13                  4,520                  6,000                  4,520                  6,000 
Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                   13                   4,510                    5,593                    3,812                     5,122 
Total current assets                                                                                                                     9,580                  12,347                  19,180                  21,656 
Total assets                                                                                                                                       9,638                   12,418                 19,256                   21,731 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
Current liabilities                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
Trade and other payables                                                                                     14                        411                      607                      369                       562 
Total current liabilities                                                                                                                      411                      607                      369                       562 
Equity                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
Ordinary shares                                                                                                         15                      687                      687                      687                      687 
Share premium                                                                                                         15                27,870                 27,870                27,870                 27,870 
Merger reserve                                                                                                          15                   2,067                   2,067                          —                          — 
Share-based compensation                                                                                 15                      490                       359                      490                       359 
Retained deficit                                                                                                        15                (21,887)                (19,172)               (10,160)                 (7,747) 
Total equity attributable to equity holders of the parent                                           9,227                     11,811                 18,887                   21,169 
Total liabilities and equity                                                                                                          9,638                   12,418                 19,256                   21,731 

No Statement of Comprehensive Income is presented in these financial statements for the parent company as provided  
by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006. The loss for the financial year dealt with in the financial statements of the parent 
company was £2,428k (2021: £1,212k). 

The financial statements on pages 36-56 were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 07 June 2022  
and were signed on its behalf by: 

Barry Clare 
Chairman 

07 June 2022 

Evgen Pharma plc, 
Registered number: 09246681 

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT  
OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

                                                                                    Ordinary                Share             Merger   Share-based          Retained                            
                                                                                        shares         premium             reserve compensation               deficit                  Total 
                                                                                          £’000                £’000                £’000                £’000                £’000                £’000 
Balance at 31 March 2020                                                   331                   17,831                   2,067                    1,890                  (17,915)                 4,204 
Total comprehensive expense for the period                  —                          —                          —                          —                  (2,674)                 (2,674) 
Transactions with owners                                                                                                                                                                                                               
Share issue – cash                                                                   344                   9,938                          —                          —                          —                  10,282 
Share issue – options exercised                                             12                        101                          —                          (2)                        —                          111 
Share issue – lapsed options                                                  —                          —                          —                    (1,417)                    1,417                          — 
Share-based compensation – share options                   —                          —                          —                       (112)                        —                       (112) 
Total transactions with owners                                   356                10,039                        —                  (1,531)                  1,417                10,281 
Balance at 31 March 2021                                               687               27,870                 2,067                     359                (19,172)                 11,811 
Total comprehensive expense for the period                  —                          —                          —                          —                  (2,730)                 (2,730) 
Transactions with owners                                                                                                                                                                                                               
Share issue – lapsed options                                                  —                          —                          —                         (15)                         15                          — 
Share-based compensation – share options                   —                          —                          —                       146                          —                       146 
Total transactions with owners                                      —                        —                        —                      131                        15                     146 
Balance at 31 March 2022                                              687               27,870                 2,067                    490              (21,887)                9,227 

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2022 Annual Report & Financial Statements

 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

COMPANY STATEMENT  
OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

                                                                                                               Ordinary                Share   Share-based          Retained                            
                                                                                                                    shares         premium compensation               deficit                  Total 
                                                                                                                      £’000                £’000                £’000                £’000                £’000 
Balance at 31 March 2020                                                                                 331                   17,831                    1,274                   (7,336)                 12,100 
Total comprehensive expense for the period                                                —                          —                          —                    (1,212)                   (1,212) 
Transactions with owners                                                                                                                                                                                                              
Share issue – cash                                                                                                 344                   9,938                          —                          —                  10,282 
Share issue – options exercised                                                                           12                        101                          (2)                        —                          111 
Share issue – lapsed options                                                                                —                          —                      (801)                      801                          — 
Share-based compensation – share options                                                 —                          —                       (112)                        —                       (112) 
Total transactions with owners                                                              356                10,039                    (915)                    801                10,281 
Balance at 31 March 2021                                                                          687               27,870                     359                (7,747)               21,169 
Total comprehensive expense for the period                                                —                          —                          —                  (2,428)                 (2,428) 
Transactions with owners                                                                                                                                                                                                              
Share issue – lapsed options                                                                                —                          —                         (15)                         15                          — 
Share-based compensation – share options                                                 —                          —                       146                          —                       146 
Total transactions with owners                                                                 —                        —                      131                        15                     146 
Balance at 31 March 2022                                                                         687               27,870                    490               (10,160)              18,887 

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONSOLIDATED AND COMPANY  
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

                                                                                                                                                                   Group                                       Company 
                                                                                                                                                               As at                    As at                   As at                    As at 
                                                                                                                                                        31 March            31 March            31 March            31 March 
                                                                                                                                                                2022                     2021                    2022                     2021 
                                                                                                                                                              £’000                  £’000                  £’000                  £’000 
Cash flows from operating activities 
Loss before taxation                                                                                                                       (3,169)                  (3,213)                (2,803)                   (1,251) 
Interest (income) / expense                                                                                                             (24)                        —                       (24)                        — 
Depreciation and amortisation                                                                                                        16                          18                           2                          — 
Share-based compensation                                                                                                            146                       (112)                      146                       (112) 
                                                                                                                                                              (3,031)                 (3,307)                (2,679)                  (1,363) 
Changes in working capital                                                                                                                                                                                                           
Decrease / (increase) in trade and other receivables                                                              110                        (39)                        26                   (2,150) 
(Decrease)/ increase in trade and other payables                                                                  (196)                      (46)                     (193)                      167 
Cash used in operations                                                                                                                 (86)                      (85)                    (167)                  (1,983) 
Taxation received                                                                                                                                533                      466                         35                         76 
Net cash used in operating activities                                                                                 (2,584)                 (2,926)                  (2,811)                 (3,270) 
Cash flows (used in)/generated from investing activities                                                                                                                                               
Monies received from / (placed on) fixed-term deposit                                                   1,480                 (6,000)                  1,480                 (6,000) 
Interest income / (expense)                                                                                                               24                          —                         24                          — 
Acquisition of tangible fixed assets                                                                                                 (3)                         (5)                         (3)                         (2) 
Net cash (used in)/generated from investing activities                                                1,501                  (6,005)                   1,501                  (6,002) 
Cash flows from financing activities                                                                                                                                                                                         
Proceeds from issue of shares                                                                                                          —                     11,110                          —                     11,110 
Issue costs                                                                                                                                                 —                      (717)                        —                      (717) 
Net cash generated from financing activities                                                                       —                  10,393                          —                  10,393 
Movements in cash and cash equivalents in the period                                            (1,083)                   1,462                   (1,310)                     1,121 
Cash and cash equivalents at start of period                                                                        5,593                     4,131                    5,122                   4,001 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                                                     4,510                    5,593                    3,812                     5,122 

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2022 Annual Report & Financial Statements

 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. GENERAL INFORMATION 

Evgen Pharma plc (‘the Company’) is a public limited company incorporated in England & Wales and whose shares are traded on  
the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange under the symbol EVG. The address of its registered office is Alderley Park, Congleton 
Road, Nether Alderley, Cheshire, United Kingdom, SK10 4TG. The principal activity of the Company is clinical stage drug development. 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND BASIS OF PREPARATION 

Basis of preparation 
The financial statements for the year have been prepared in accordance with applicable law and UK adopted international 
accounting standards and, as regards the parent company financial statements, as applied in accordance with the provisions  
of the Companies Act 2006. 

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. 

The consolidated financial statements are presented in Sterling (£) and rounded to the nearest £’000. This is the predominant 
functional currency of the Group, and is the currency of the primary economic environment in which it operates. Foreign 
transactions are accounted for in accordance with the policies set out below. 

Basis of consolidation 
The financial statements incorporate the financial statements of the Company and entities controlled by the Company. Control  
is achieved when the Company has the power over the investee; is exposed, or has rights, to variable return from its involvement 
with the investee; and, has the ability to use its power to affect its returns. The Company reassesses whether it controls an investee 
if facts and circumstances indicate that there are changes to one or more of the three elements of control listed above. 

Consolidation of a subsidiary begins when the Company obtains control over the subsidiary and ceases when the Company  
loses control of the subsidiary. Specifically, the results of subsidiaries acquired or disposed of during the period are included  
in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income from the date the Company gains control until the date when  
the Company ceases to control the subsidiary. 

Where necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring the accounting policies used into line 
with the Group’s accounting policies. 

All intragroup assets and liabilities, equity, income, expenses and cash flows relating to transactions between the members  
of the Group are eliminated on consolidation. 

Going concern 
At 31 March 2022, the Group had cash and cash equivalents, including short-term investments and cash on deposit, of £9.0 million. 

The Directors have prepared detailed financial forecasts and cash flows looking beyond 12 months from the date of the approval 
of these financial statements. In developing these forecasts, the Directors have made assumptions based upon their view of the 
current and future economic conditions that will prevail over the forecast period. 

The Directors estimate that the cash held by the Group together with known receivables will be sufficient to support the current 
level of activities to the fourth quarter of 2023. They have therefore prepared the financial statements on a going concern basis. 

Currencies 

Functional and presentational currency 
Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates  
of the transactions or at an average rate for a period if the rates do not fluctuate significantly. Foreign exchange gains and  
losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the translation at year-end exchange rates of monetary  
assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income. 
Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are not retranslated. The presentational 
currency of the Group is GBP. 

Intangible assets 
Intangible assets with finite useful lives that are acquired externally are carried at cost less accumulated amortisation  
and impairment losses. 

Amortisation is recognised on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives as below. The estimated useful life  
and amortisation method are reviewed at the end of each reporting period, with the effect of any changes in estimate  
being accounted for on a prospective basis. 

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Licences – 10-20 years 
An impairment review is performed annually. 

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41

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
CONTINUED

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND BASIS OF PREPARATION CONTINUED 

Property, plant and equipment 
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any impairment losses. Cost includes the 
original purchase price of the asset and the costs attributable to bringing the asset to its working condition for its intended use. 

Plant, fixtures and fittings – 4 years reducing balance. 

IT Equipment – 3 years straight line. 

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sales proceeds and the carrying 
amount of the asset and is recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income. 

At each reporting date, the Group reviews the carrying amounts of its property, plant and equipment 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). 

Revenue 
Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable. Revenue from right-to-use licences  
is recognised at the point in time that the performance condition is satisfied. 

Finance income 
Finance income comprises interest income on funds invested. Interest income is recognised as interest accrues using  
the effective interest rate method. 

Research and development expenditure 
All research and development costs, whether funded by third parties under licence and development agreements or not,  
are included within operating expenses and classified as such. Research and development costs relating to clinical trials are 
recognised over the period of the clinical trial based on information provided by clinical research organisations. All other 
expenditure on research and development is recognised as the work is completed. 

All ongoing development expenditure is currently expensed in the period in which it is incurred. Due to the regulatory and other 
uncertainties inherent in the development of the Group’s programmes, the criteria for development costs to be recognised as an 
asset, as prescribed by IAS 38, ‘Intangible assets’, are not met until the product has been submitted for regulatory approval, such 
approval has been received and it is probable that future economic benefits will flow to the Group. The Group does not currently 
have any such internal development costs that qualify for capitalisation as intangible assets. 

Income tax 
The tax expense or credit represents the sum of the tax currently payable or recoverable and the movement in deferred tax assets 
and liabilities. 

(a) Current income tax 
Current tax, including R&D tax credits, is based on taxable income for the period and any adjustment to tax from previous periods. 
Taxable income differs from net income in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income because it excludes items of 
income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other periods or that are never taxable or deductible. The calculation uses the 
latest tax rates for the period that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the dates of the Consolidated Statement of 
Financial Position. 

(b) Deferred tax 
Deferred tax is calculated at the latest tax rates that have been substantially enacted by the reporting date that are expected  
to apply when settled. It is charged or credited in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, except when it relates  
to items credited or charged directly to equity, in which case it is also dealt with in equity. 

Deferred tax is the tax expected to be payable or recoverable on differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities 
in the financial statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable income, and is accounted for 
using the liability method. 

Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all taxable temporary differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the 
extent that it is probable that taxable income will be available against which the asset can be utilised. Such assets are reduced to 
the extent that it is no longer probable that the asset can be utilised. 

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

Deferred tax assets are not recognised due to uncertainty concerning crystallisation. 

42 Evgen Pharma plc  

2022 Annual Report & Financial Statements

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
CONTINUED

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND BASIS OF PREPARATION CONTINUED 

Pension costs 
The Group makes contributions to the private pension schemes of Directors and employees. These are expensed as incurred  
in the Statement of Comprehensive Income. 

Share-based compensation 
The Group issues share-based payments to certain employees and Directors. Equity-settled share-based payments are measured 
at fair value at the date of grant and expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, along with a corresponding increase 
in equity. 

At each reporting date, the Group revises its estimate of the number of equity instruments expected to vest as a result  
of the effect of non-market based vesting conditions. The impact of any revision is recognised in the Consolidated Statement  
of Comprehensive Income, with a corresponding adjustment to equity reserves. 

The fair value of share options and warrants are determined using a Black-Scholes model, taking into consideration the best 
estimate of the expected life of the option or warrant and the estimated number of shares that will eventually vest. 

Most awards are made to employees of the Company. Awards granted to the employees of the subsidiary company are expensed 
in the Company’s financial statements at fair value on the grant date, with a corresponding increase in Company’s equity. 

Operating segments 
The Directors consider that there are no identifiable business segments that are subject to risks and returns different to the core 
business. The information reported to the Directors, for the purposes of resource allocation and assessment of performance is 
based wholly on the overall activities of the Group. The Group has therefore determined that it has only one reportable segment 
under IFRS 8. 

The results and assets for this segment can be determined by reference to the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income 
and Consolidated Statement of Financial Position. 

Financial instruments 
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised in the Group’s Consolidated Statement of Financial Position when the 
Group becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Financial assets are de-recognised when the contractual 
rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire or when the contractual rights to those assets are transferred. Financial 
liabilities are de-recognised when the obligation specified in the contract is discharged, cancelled or expired. 

Trade and other receivables 
Trade and other receivables that do not contain a significant financing component are initially recognised at fair value and 
subsequently held at amortised cost less provision for impairment. Impairment is calculated on a 12 month/lifetime expected 
credit loss model. 

Recoverability of intercompany receivables 
Amounts owed by subsidiary undertaking represent loans made to the Company’s main subsidiary on an interest-free basis.  
No repayment terms have been mandated. 

In accordance with IFRS 9 Financial Instruments, as the subsidiary undertaking cannot repay the loan at the reporting date,  
the Company has made an assessment of expected credit losses. Having considered multiple scenarios on the manner, timing, 
quantum and probability of recovery of the receivables a lifetime expected credit loss (ECL) of £1,370,000 (2021: £1,370,000) has 
been provided. 

The calculation of the allowance for lifetime expected credit losses requires a significant degree of estimation and judgement,  
in particular determining the probability weighted likely outcome for each scenario considered. The Directors assessment of ECL 
included repayment through future cash flows over time (which are inherently difficult to forecast for the Company at its current 
stage of development) and also the amount that could be realised through an immediate sale of the subsidiary undertaking.  
The Directors’ assessment of repayment through future cash flows contained several scenarios, including ones where the loan 
was not recovered in full. 

The carrying value of amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings at 31 March 2022 was £10,375,941 (2021: £10,359,000)  
and is disclosed in note 12 to the financial statements. 

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments 
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and demand deposits. Short-term investments and cash on deposit  
comprise deposits with maturities of more than three months, but no greater than 12 months. 

Trade and other payables 
Trade and other payables are not interest-bearing and are stated at nominal value. 

2022 Annual Report & Financial Statements

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
CONTINUED

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND BASIS OF PREPARATION CONTINUED 

Classification as debt or equity 
Debt and equity instruments issued by the Group are classified as either financial liabilities or as equity in accordance  
with the substance of the contractual arrangements and the definitions of a financial liability and an equity instrument. 

Investments in subsidiaries 
Investments in subsidiaries are shown at cost less any provision for impairment.  

Equity instruments 
An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of an entity after deducting all its liabilities. 
Equity instruments issued by the Group are recognised as the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs. 

Fair value estimation 
The carrying value less impairment provision of trade and other receivables and trade and other payables are assumed to 
approximate their fair values because of the short-term nature of such assets and the effect of discounting liabilities is negligible. 

Significant management judgement in applying accounting policies and estimation uncertainty 
When preparing the financial statements, the Directors make estimates and assumptions about the recognition and 
measurement of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. 

Management judgement 
Recognition of research and development expenditure is seen as requiring a higher degree of judgement. The Group recognises this 
expenditure in line with the management’s best estimation of the stage of completion of each research and development project. 

Estimation uncertainty 
The estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets 
and liabilities within the next financial year are: 

Intercompany receivable 
Receivables from the subsidiary represents an interest free amount advanced to group companies with no fixed repayment 
dates, being amounts due from Evgen Limited advanced to support the Group’s research expenditure. In accordance with  
IFRS 9 ‘Financial Instruments’, where the counterparty would not be able to repay the loan if demanded at the reporting date,  
the Company has made an assessment of expected credit losses. 

R&D tax credit 
The R&D tax credit figure of £0.44m included in the accounts is a management estimate which is subject  
to amendment by HMRC. 

Share-based payment charge 
During the years ended 31 March 2022 and 31 March 2021, the Group issued a number of share options to certain employees.  
A Black-Scholes model was used to calculate the appropriate charge for these periods. The use of this model to calculate a charge 
involves using a number of estimates and judgements to establish the appropriate inputs to be entered into the model, covering 
areas such as the use of an appropriate risk-free rate and dividend rate, exercise restrictions and behavioural considerations.  
A significant element of judgement is therefore involved in the calculation of the charge. The total charge recognised in the  
year to 31 March 2022 was £146,125 (year to 31 March 2021: credit of £111,664). 

Accounting developments 
Where applicable, the Group and Company have adopted the following accounting standards, amendments or interpretations 
effective from the 1 January 2021. The Group and Company have not adopted any new or amended standards early. The impact  
of these standards is not considered material for the current financial year. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Effective Date 
Interest Rate Benchmark Reform – Phase 2                                                                                                                                                 1 January 2021 
COVID-19-Related Rent Concessions beyond 30 June 2021                                                                                                                           1 April 2021 

IFRS issued but not yet effective 
At the date of issue of these financial statements, the following accounting standards, amendments or interpretations, which 
have not been applied, were in issue but not yet effective. The Directors do not anticipate adoption of the standards listed below 
will have a material impact on the financial statements or they consider the implementation too uncertain to speculate on the 
impact on the accounts at this point in time. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Effective Date 
First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards—Subsidiary as a First-time Adopter                         1 January 2022 
Financial Instruments—Fees in the ‘10 per cent’ Test for Derecognition of Financial Liabilities                                               1 January 2022 
Onerous Contracts—Cost of Fulfilling a Contract (Amendments to IAS 37)                                                                                    1 January 2022 
Property, Plant and Equipment: Proceeds before Intended Use (Amendments to IAS 16)                                                        1 January 2022 
Reference to the Conceptual Framework (Amendments to IFRS 3)                                                                                                  1 January 2022 

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2022 Annual Report & Financial Statements

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
CONTINUED

3. OPERATING LOSS 

An analysis of the Group’s operating loss has been arrived at after charging 
                                                                                                                                                                                                              Year ended       Year ended 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   31 March            31 March 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            2022                     2021 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          £’000                  £’000 
Research and development expenses:                                                                                                                                                                                    
Amortisation of licences                                                                                                                                                                                  13                          16 
Other research and development                                                                                                                                                        1,446                     2,011 
Staff costs (including share-based compensation) – Note 6                                                                                                         1,153                       716 
Establishment and general:                                                                                                                                                                                                           
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment                                                                                                                                     3                            2 
Operating lease cost – land and buildings                                                                                                                                               12                          18 
Foreign exchange loss                                                                                                                                                                                       2                           9 
Other administrative expenses                                                                                                                                                                 564                       635 
Total operating expenses                                                                                                                                                                       3,193                   3,407 

The Group has one reportable segment, namely the development of pharmaceutical products all within the United Kingdom. 

4. FINANCE INCOME 
                                                                                                                                                                                                              Year ended       Year ended 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   31 March            31 March 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            2022                     2021 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          £’000                  £’000 
Bank interest receivable                                                                                                                                                                                 24                          — 
Total finance income                                                                                                                                                                                    24                          — 

5. AUDITOR’S REMUNERATION 

The analysis of the auditor’s remuneration is as follows: 
                                                                                                                                                                                                              Year ended       Year ended 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   31 March            31 March 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            2022                     2021 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          £’000                  £’000 
Fees payable to the Group’s auditors for the audit of: 
The consolidated and Company annual accounts                                                                                                                               17                          17 
The subsidiary’s annual accounts                                                                                                                                                                17                          16 
Total audit fees                                                                                                                                                                                                 34                         33 
Audit related services                                                                                                                                                                                        4                           4 
Total audit related fees                                                                                                                                                                                   4                           4 
Other services                                                                                                                                                                                                     —                           2 
Total non-audit fees                                                                                                                                                                                        —                           2 

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
CONTINUED

6. EMPLOYEES AND DIRECTORS 

The average monthly number of persons (including Executive Directors) employed by the Group was 

                                                                                                                                                                   Group                                       Company 
                                                                                                                                                  Year ended       Year ended      Year ended       Year ended 
                                                                                                                                                        31 March            31 March           31 March            31 March 
                                                                                                                                                                2022                     2021                    2022                     2021 
                                                                                                                                                        Number            Number            Number             Number 
Management                                                                                                                                            4                           3                           4                           3 
Administration                                                                                                                                          1                            1                          —                          — 
Development                                                                                                                                             1                            1                          —                          — 
Non-Executive                                                                                                                                          3                           3                           3                           3 
Average total persons employed                                                                                                   9                           8                           7                           6 

As at 31 March 2022 the Group had 11 employees (31 March 2021: 8) 

Staff costs in respect of these employees were: 
                                                                                                                                                                   Group                                       Company 
                                                                                                                                                  Year ended       Year ended      Year ended       Year ended 
                                                                                                                                                        31 March            31 March           31 March            31 March 
                                                                                                                                                                2022                     2021                    2022                     2021 
                                                                                                                                                              £’000                  £’000                  £’000                  £’000 
Wages and salaries                                                                                                                            863                        721                      687                       532 
Employers National Insurance                                                                                                       100                         86                         77                         63 
Employers pension costs                                                                                                                   44                          21                          31                           7 
Total payrolled employee costs                                                                                               1,007                      828                      795                      602 
Share-based compensation                                                                                                            146                       (112)                      146                       (112) 
Total employee costs                                                                                                                     1,153                       716                       941                      490 

The Group makes contributions to the private pension schemes of Directors and employees. The CEO received payments  
into a private pension scheme for the period of his employment (2021: two). 

The total remuneration of the highest paid Director excluding grants of share options was £239,760 (31 March 2021: £180,278). 

The Directors have the authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling, directly or indirectly, the activities  
of the Group and they therefore comprise key management personnel as defined by IAS 24. 

Aggregate emoluments of Directors: 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                Group and Company 
                                                                                                                                                                                                              Year ended       Year ended 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   31 March            31 March 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            2022                     2021 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          £’000                  £’000 
Salaries and other short-term employee benefits                                                                                                                            458                       539 
Employers National Insurance                                                                                                                                                                     57                         64 
Pension contributions                                                                                                                                                                                     10                           8 
Options vesting under share option schemes                                                                                                                                       —                          — 
Total remuneration including vesting of share options                                                                                                             524                        611 

Directors’ emoluments include amounts payable to third parties as described in Note 19. 

7. TAXATION 
                                                                                                                                                                                                              Year ended       Year ended 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   31 March            31 March 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            2022                     2021 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          £’000                  £’000 
Current tax 
Current period – UK corporation tax                                                                                                                                                           —                          — 
R&D tax credit                                                                                                                                                                                                  425                        519 
Adjustments in respect of prior periods                                                                                                                                                   14                         20 
Net tax credit                                                                                                                                                                                                  439                       539 

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
CONTINUED

7. TAXATION CONTINUED 

The tax charge for each period can be reconciled to the loss per consolidated statement of comprehensive income as follows: 

                                                                                                                                                                                                              Year ended       Year ended 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   31 March            31 March 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            2022                     2021 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          £’000                  £’000 
Loss on ordinary activities before taxation                                                                                                                                        (3,169)                  (3,213) 
Loss before tax at the effective rate of corporation tax in the United Kingdom of 19% (2021: 19%)                                 (602)                     (610) 
Effects of: 
Losses not recognised                                                                                                                                                                                  602                       610 
R&D tax credit                                                                                                                                                                                                (425)                     (519) 
Adjustments in respect of prior periods                                                                                                                                                   14                         20 
Tax credit for the year                                                                                                                                                                               (439)                    (539) 

The enacted UK corporation tax rate of 25% forms the basis for the deferred tax calculation (2021: 19%). 

At 31 March 2022, the Group had tax losses available for carry forward of approximately £21.9m (31 March 2021: £20.1m).  
The Group has not recognised deferred tax assets relating to these losses of £5.5m (2021: £3.7m). 

At 31 March 2022, the Company had tax losses available for carry forward of approximately £12.4m (31 March 2021: £10.8m).  
The Company has not recognised deferred tax assets relating to these losses of £3.1m (2021: £2.0m). 

These assets are not recognised due to the uncertainty in the timing of crystallisation. 

8. LOSS PER SHARE 

Basic loss per share is calculated by dividing the loss for the period attributable to equity holders by the weighted average  
number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year. 

As at 31 March 2022 the Group had 10,587,665 (2021: 6,402,754) share options outstanding which are potentially dilutive. 
The calculation of the Group’s basic and diluted loss per share is based on the following data: 
                                                                                                                                                                                                              Year ended       Year ended 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   31 March            31 March 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            2022                     2021 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          £’000                  £’000 
Loss for the year attributable to equity holders                                                                                                                              (2,730)                 (2,674) 

                                                                                                                                                                                                              Year ended       Year ended 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   31 March            31 March 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            2022                     2021 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Number            Number 
Weighted average number of ordinary shares for basic loss per share                                                                     274,888,117         147,019,536 
Effects of dilution:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
Share options                                                                                                                                                                                                      —                          — 
Weighted average number of ordinary shares adjusted for the effects of dilution                                               274,888,117         147,019,536 

                                                                                                                                                                                                              Year ended       Year ended 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   31 March            31 March 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            2022                     2021 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Pence                 Pence 
Loss per share – basic and diluted                                                                                                                                                         (0.99)                    (1.82) 

The weighted average numbers of ordinary shares for the years ended 31 March 2021 and 2022 used for calculating the diluted  
loss per share are identical to those for the basic loss per share. This is because the outstanding share options would have the 
effect of reducing the loss per ordinary share and would therefore not be dilutive under the terms of International Accounting 
Standard (‘‘IAS’’) No 33. 

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
CONTINUED

9. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 

Group                                                                                                                                                             Plant, fixtures                        IT 
                                                                                                                                                                     & fittings      equipment                  Total 
                                                                                                                                                                             £’000                £’000                £’000 
Cost 
At 31 March 2020                                                                                                                                                                    2                         23                         25 
Additions                                                                                                                                                                                 —                           5                           5 
At 31 March 2021                                                                                                                                                                     2                         28                         30 
Additions                                                                                                                                                                                 —                           3                           3 
Disposals                                                                                                                                                                                 —                        (22)                       (22) 
At 31 March 2022                                                                                                                                                     2                         9                         11 

Accumulated Depreciation 
At 31 March 2020                                                                                                                                                                    2                          21                         23 
Charge for the period                                                                                                                                                         —                            2                           2 
Disposals                                                                                                                                                                                 —                          —                          — 
At 31 March 2021                                                                                                                                                                     2                         23                         25 
Charge for the period                                                                                                                                                         —                            3                           3 
Disposals                                                                                                                                                                                 —                        (22)                       (22) 
At 31 March 2022                                                                                                                                                     2                         4                         6 

Net Book Value                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
At 31 March 2020                                                                                                                                                                  —                           2                           2 
At 31 March 2021                                                                                                                                                                   —                           5                           5 
At 31 March 2022                                                                                                                                                    —                         5                         5 

Company                                                                                                                                                      Plant, fixtures                        IT 
                                                                                                                                                                     & fittings      Equipment                  Total 
                                                                                                                                                                            £’000                £’000                £’000 
Cost                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
At 31 March 2020                                                                                                                                                                  —                          —                          — 
Additions                                                                                                                                                                                 —                           2                           2 
At 31 March 2021                                                                                                                                                                   —                           2                           2 
Additions                                                                                                                                                                                 —                           3                           3 
Disposals                                                                                                                                                                                 —                          —                          — 
At 31 March 2022                                                                                                                                                    —                         5                         5 

Accumulated Depreciation                                                                                                                                                                                                            
At 31 March 2020                                                                                                                                                                  —                          —                          — 
Charge for the period                                                                                                                                                         —                          —                          — 
Disposals                                                                                                                                                                                 —                          —                          — 
At 31 March 2021                                                                                                                                                                   —                          —                          — 
Charge for the period                                                                                                                                                         —                            2                           2 
Disposals                                                                                                                                                                                 —                          —                          — 
At 31 March 2022                                                                                                                                                    —                         2                         2 

Net Book Value                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
At 31 March 2020                                                                                                                                                                  —                          —                          — 
At 31 March 2021                                                                                                                                                                   —                           2                           2 
At 31 March 2022                                                                                                                                                    —                         3                         3 

Depreciation is charged to operating expenses. 

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
CONTINUED

10. INTANGIBLE ASSETS 

Group                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Licences 
Cost                                                                                                                                                                                                                           £’000 
At 31 March 2020, 31 March 2021 and 31 March 2022                                                                                                                                                    168 

Amortisation 
At 31 March 2020                                                                                                                                                                                                                             86 
Charge for the period                                                                                                                                                                                                                     16 
At 31 March 2021                                                                                                                                                                                                                             102 
Charge for the period                                                                                                                                                                                                                     13 
At 31 March 2022                                                                                                                                                                                                         115 

Net Book Value 
At 31 March 2020                                                                                                                                                                                                                             82 
At 31 March 2021                                                                                                                                                                                                                              66 
At 31 March 2022                                                                                                                                                                                                          53 

Intangible assets constitute licenses to intellectual property. The remaining amortisation periods are between  
7 months and 14 years. 

Amortisation is charged to operating expenses. The Group reviewed the amortisation period and the amortisation  
method for the intangible assets at the end of the reporting period and considered them appropriate. 

The Group continually monitors events and changes in circumstances that could indicate that the intangible assets  
may be impaired. 

As at 31 March 2022, the Company had no intangible assets (31 March 2021: £nil). 

11. INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARY UNDERTAKINGS 

The consolidated financial statements of the Group as at 31 March 2022 include: 

Company                                                                                                                                                                                                                Investments in  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          subsidiary 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      undertaking 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   £’000 
Cost and Net book value 
At 31 March 2020, 31 March 2021 and 31 March 2022                                                                                                                                         73 

The registered office of Alderley Park, Congleton Road, Nether Alderley, Cheshire, United Kingdom, SK10 4TG. 

The cost for the investment in the subsidiary for both financial years was £73,000 with no impairments. 

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
CONTINUED

12. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES 
                                                                                                                                                                   Group                                       Company 
                                                                                                                                                  Year ended       Year ended      Year ended       Year ended 
                                                                                                                                                        31 March            31 March           31 March            31 March 
                                                                                                                                                                2022                     2021                    2022                     2021 
                                                                                                                                                              £’000                  £’000                  £’000                  £’000 
Amounts receivable within one year 
Other receivables                                                                                                                                   13                          16                          —                          — 
Other taxation and social security                                                                                                  45                         117                        44                         115 
Prepayments                                                                                                                                          67                       102                         67                         39 
Amounts due from subsidiary undertakings                                                                              —                          —                 10,376                  10,359 
Trade and other receivables                                                                                                         125                       235                10,487                   10,513 

The Directors believe that the carrying value of trade and other receivables represents their fair value. In determining the 
recoverability of trade and other receivables the Group considers any change in the credit quality of the receivable from the  
date credit was granted up to the reporting date. For details on the Group’s credit risk management policies, refer to Note 18.  
The carrying amounts of the Group’s receivables are all denominated in Pounds Sterling. 

No classes within external trade and other external receivables contain assets which are considered to be impaired. The maximum 
exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the carrying value of each class of receivable mentioned above. The Group does not 
hold any collateral as security. 

The amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings include a loan to Evgen Limited for £10,376k (2021: £10,359k). There is no interest 
payable on this loan and no fixed repayment date. The Parent Company has confirmed that it does not intend to seek repayment 
of the loan balance for at least twelve months from the date of these financial statements. The intercompany loan has been 
impaired by £1,370k (2021: £1,370k) under IFRS 9 as set out in note 2. 

13. CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS 
                                                                                                                                                                   Group                                       Company 
                                                                                                                                                  Year ended       Year ended      Year ended       Year ended 
                                                                                                                                                        31 March            31 March           31 March            31 March 
                                                                                                                                                                2022                     2021                    2022                     2021 
                                                                                                                                                              £’000                  £’000                  £’000                  £’000 

Short-term investments and cash on deposit                                                                     4,520                  6,000                  4,520                  6,000 
Cash at bank and in hand                                                                                                            4,510                    5,593                    3,812                     5,122 
Total                                                                                                                                                     9,030                   11,593                   8,332                    11,122 

Under IAS 7 Statement of Cash Flows, cash held on long-term deposits (being deposits with maturity of greater than three 
months and no more than twelve months) that cannot readily be converted into cash has been classified as a short-term 
investment. The maturity on this investment was less than twelve months at the reporting date. 

At 31 March 2022 no cash or cash equivalents were held on deposit in either the Group or the Company (31 March 2021: nil). 

The Directors consider that the carrying value of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments approximates their  
fair value. For details on the Group’s credit risk management refer to note 18. 

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
CONTINUED

14. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES 
                                                                                                                                                                   Group                                       Company 
                                                                                                                                                  Year ended       Year ended      Year ended       Year ended 
                                                                                                                                                        31 March            31 March           31 March            31 March 
                                                                                                                                                                2022                     2021                    2022                     2021 
                                                                                                                                                              £’000                  £’000                  £’000                  £’000 
Amounts falling due within one year 
Trade payables                                                                                                                                       66                      408                        64                      408 
Other taxation and social security                                                                                                  24                         26                          18                         22 
Other payables                                                                                                                                         4                            1                           3                          — 
Accrued expenses                                                                                                                               317                        172                      284                        132 
Trade and other payables                                                                                                               411                      607                      369                       562 

Trade and other payables principally consist of amounts outstanding for trade purchases and ongoing costs. They are non-interest 
bearing and are normally settled on 30 to 45 day terms. The Directors consider that the carrying value of trade and other payables 
approximates to their fair value. All trade and other payables are denominated in Sterling. The Group has financial risk 
management policies in place to ensure that all payables are paid within the credit timeframe and no interest has been charged 
by any suppliers as a result of late payment of invoices during the period. There are no material contingent liabilities or 
commitments and no guarantees have been entered into. 

15. ISSUED CAPITAL AND RESERVES  

Ordinary shares 
                                                                                                                                                                   Group and Company 
                                                                                                                                                                                            Share                Share 
                                                                                                                                                                                         Capital         Premium                  Total 
Ordinary shares of 0.25p each                                                                                              Number                £’000                £’000                £’000 
As at 31 March 2021 & 31 March 2022                                                                   274,888,117                    687               27,870               28,557 

There were no new shares issued in the year ending 31 March 2022.  

The ordinary shares rank pari passu in all respects in relation to dividends and repayment of capital and have equal voting rights 
with one vote per share. There are no restrictions on the transferability of the shares. 

The Group and Company do not have an authorised share capital as provided by the Companies Act 2006. 

Other reserves 
The share premium reserve represents the difference between the net proceeds of equity issues and the nominal share capital  
of the shares issued. 

The merger reserves at 31 March 2022 and 2021 arose from the acquisition of Evgen’s sole subsidiary, Evgen Ltd, in 2014 which  
is accounted for using the merger method of accounting. 

The share-based compensation reserve reflects the aggregate fair value of equity-settled share-based payment transactions. 

Reserves classified as retained deficit represent accumulated losses. None of the reserves are distributable. 

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
CONTINUED

16. SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS 

Certain Directors and employees of the Group hold options to subscribe for shares in the Group under share option schemes.  
The number of shares subject to options, the periods in which they were granted and the period in which they may be exercised 
are given below. 

The Group operates one active share option scheme (31 March 2021: one), in addition share options have been granted under 
standalone unapproved share option agreements. Options are currently granted for £nil consideration and are exercisable  
at a price determined on the date of the grant. 

At 31 March 2022 the Company had 10,587,665 (2021: 6,402,754) unissued ordinary shares of £0.0025 under the Company’s  
share option schemes, details of which are as follows: 
                                                                                                                                                                          Option                  Date                            
                                                                                                                                                                              price     from which                            
Grant date                                                                                                                        Number              (pence)    exercisable     Expiry date 
01-May-12                                                                                                                                       272,000                0.0500          01-May-14          01-May-22 
14-Aug-13                                                                                                                                       224,800                 0.1062           14-Aug-15          14-Aug-23 
21-Oct-15                                                                                                                                           291,891                          —            21-Oct-15           21-Oct-25 
28-Jan-19                                                                                                                                          351,957                          —          28-Jan-22          28-Jan-29 
18-Jul-19                                                                                                                                            153,262                          —             18-Jul-22            18-Jul-29 
18-Jul-19                                                                                                                                          202,608                          —             18-Jul-22            18-Jul-29 
06-Oct-20                                                                                                                                   4,498,236                          —          06-Oct-22         06-Oct-30 
13-Jul-21                                                                                                                                           289,937                          —             13-Jul-24              13-Jul-31 
08-Dec-21                                                                                                                                   4,302,974                          —             13-Jul-24              13-Jul-31 
Total                                                                                                                                           10,587,665 

Movements on share options during the year were as follows: 
                                                                                                                                                                                                          Date                            
                              Exercise          At 1 April                                                                   Lapsed/     At 31 March     from which                            
                                    price                   2021            Granted         Exercised         cancelled                  2022      exercisable     Expiry date 
                                    0.0500             408,000                          —                          —            (408,000)                        —           31-Aug-13           25-Nov-21 
                                    0.0500              272,000                          —                          —                          —              272,000          01-May-14          01-May-22 
                                      0.1062              224,800                          —                          —                          —              224,800           14-Aug-15          14-Aug-23 
                                             Nil                291,891                          —                          —                          —                291,891            21-Oct-15           21-Oct-25 
                                             Nil                351,957                          —                          —                          —                351,957          28-Jan-22          28-Jan-29 
                                             Nil               355,870                          —                          —                          —               355,870             18-Jul-22            18-Jul-29 
                                             Nil           4,498,236                          —                          —                          —           4,498,236          06-Oct-22         06-Oct-30 
                                             Nil                          —            4,743,291                          —          (4,453,354)             289,937             13-Jul-24              13-Jul-31 
                                             Nil                          —           4,302,974                          —                          —           4,302,974             13-Jul-24              13-Jul-31 
Total                                              6,402,754         9,046,265                        —        (4,861,354)       10,587,665 

As at the year end, the reconciliation of share option scheme movements is as follows: 

                                                                                                                                                        As at 31 March 2022                    As at 31 March 2021 
Outstanding at start of the year                                                                                       6,402,754               0.9037            9,531,368                  1.8249 
Granted                                                                                                                                      9,046,265                        —           4,498,236                          — 
Exercised                                                                                                                                                   —                        —            (4,751,178)               2.3420 
Lapsed/cancelled                                                                                                                   (4,861,354)              0.4196          (2,875,672)                        — 
Outstanding at end of year                                                                                            10,587,665               0.3538           6,402,754                 0.9037 
Exercisable at end of year                                                                                                  1,140,648               3.2843              1,196,691                 4.8352 

Options are only exercisable for cash. Options vest 3 years from grant subject to the achievement of shareholder return,  
and for more recent grants, corporate performance targets. Options which do not vest lapse.  

The Group has accounted for the charge arising from the issue of share options as below: 

The total charge recognised for the year ended 31 March 2022 is £146,125 (2021: credit of £111,664). The fair values of the options 
granted have been estimated using a Black Scholes model. Assumptions used were an option life of 5 years, a risk-free rate of  
0.1 per cent, a volatility of 60 per cent. and no dividend yield. The expected volatility is assessed by reference to historic volatility  
and on the advice of the Company’s brokers. 

The weighted average remaining contractual life of share options outstanding at the end of the year was 8.25 years (2021: 7.96 years). 

The weighted average fair value of options granted as of the grant date was £0.09 (2021: £0.23). 

The weighted average share price used in the Black Scholes model was £0.10 (2021: £0.25). 

52 Evgen Pharma plc  

2022 Annual Report & Financial Statements

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
CONTINUED

17. LEASE ARRANGEMENTS 
                                                                                                                                                                                                              Year ended       Year ended 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   31 March            31 March 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            2022                     2021 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          £’000                  £’000 
Minimum lease payments under leases recognised as an expense in the period                                                                    11                          18 

The total cash outflow for leases in the year ended 31 March 2022 was £10,967 (2021: £16,650). 

Lease payments represent rentals payable by the Group for its serviced office space. As at 31 March 2022 and 31 March 2021  
all leases were one month rolling contracts. On 18 May 2022 the Group renewed the lease agreement for a fixed 12 months  
period with minimum lease payments under non-cancellable lease of £12k. 

18. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT 

The main risks arising from the Group’s financial instruments are cash flow and liquidity, credit risk and foreign currency risk.  
The Group’s financial instruments comprise cash and various items such as trade receivables and trade payables, which arise 
directly from its operations. 

Cash flow and liquidity risk 
Management monitors the level of cash on a regular basis to ensure that the Group has sufficient funds to meet its commitments 
when due. The table below analyses the Group and Company’s financial assets and liabilities by category: 

                                                                                                                                                                   Group                                       Company 
                                                                                                                                                  Year ended       Year ended      Year ended       Year ended 
                                                                                                                                                        31 March            31 March           31 March            31 March 
                                                                                                                                                                2022                     2021                    2022                     2021 
                                                                                                                                                       Financial            Financial           Financial            Financial 
                                                                                                                                                       assets at            assets at           assets at            assets at 
                                                                                                                                                    amortised         amortised        amortised         amortised 
                                                                                                                                                                 cost                     cost                     cost                     cost 
                                                                                                                                                              £’000                  £’000                  £’000                  £’000 
Assets as per statement of financial position 
Other receivables                                                                                                                                   13                          16                          —                          — 
Amounts due from subsidiary undertakings                                                                              —                          —                 10,376                  10,359 
Short-term investments and cash on deposit                                                                     4,520                  6,000                  4,520                  6,000 
Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                          4,510                    5,593                    3,812                     5,122 
Total                                                                                                                                                     9,043                  11,609                 18,708                   21,481 

                                                                                                                                                                   Group                                       Company 
                                                                                                                                                  Year ended       Year ended      Year ended       Year ended 
                                                                                                                                                        31 March            31 March           31 March            31 March 
                                                                                                                                                                2022                     2021                    2022                     2021 
                                                                                                                                                       Financial            Financial           Financial            Financial 
                                                                                                                                                  liabilities at       liabilities at      liabilities at       liabilities at 
                                                                                                                                                    amortised         amortised        amortised         amortised 
                                                                                                                                                                 cost                     cost                     cost                     cost 
                                                                                                                                                              £’000                  £’000                  £’000                  £’000 
Liabilities as per statement of financial position                                                                                                                                                                 
Trade payables                                                                                                                                       66                      408                        64                      408 
Other creditors and accruals                                                                                                           321                        173                      287                        132 
Total                                                                                                                                                        387                       581                       351                      540 

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
CONTINUED

18. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT CONTINUED 

Credit risk 
Credit risk refers to the risk that a counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss to the Group. 
The Group’s financial assets are cash and cash equivalents and trade and other receivables. The carrying value of these assets 
represent the Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk in relation to financial assets. 

The Group’s policy is to minimise the risks associated with cash and cash equivalents by placing these deposits with institutions 
with a recognised high credit rating. 

The Group potentially has credit risk on its trade receivables. The amounts presented in the balance sheet are net of allowances  
for doubtful receivables, estimated by the Group’s management based on prior experience and their assessment of the current 
economic environment. An allowance for impairment is made where there is an identified loss event, which, based on previous 
experience, is evidence of a reduction in the recoverability of the cash flows. Currently the Group has limited sales and therefore 
trade receivables. 

The Group gives careful consideration to which organisations it uses for banking in order to minimise credit risk. The Group holds 
cash and deposits with two large banks in the UK, institutions with an A1 and A / positive credit ratings (long term, as assessed by 
Moody’s). The amounts of cash and deposits held with these banks at the reporting date can be seen in the financial assets table 
above. Split of cash and cash equivalents between UK Sterling and other currencies is provided in to Financial Currency Risk note 
below. 

There was no significant external concentration of credit risk at the reporting date. 

The carrying amount of financial assets recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, net of any allowances  
for losses, represents the Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk without taking account of the value of any collateral obtained. 

Details of the allowance for impairment losses on financial assets are set out in note 12. 

An allowance for impairment is made where there is an identified loss event which, based on previous experience, is evidence  
of a reduction in the recoverability of the cash flows. The Directors consider the above measures to be sufficient to control the 
credit risk exposure. No collateral is held by the Group as security in relation to its financial assets. 

Interest rate risk 
As the Group has no significant borrowings, the risk is limited to the reduction of interest received on cash surpluses held  
at bank. The Group’s deposit accounts all receive a fixed rate of interest and therefore the exposure to interest rate movements  
is immaterial. 

Maturity profile 
As all financial assets and financial liabilities are expected to mature within the next twelve months thus aged analysis  
of these has not been presented. 

54 Evgen Pharma plc  

2022 Annual Report & Financial Statements

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
CONTINUED

18. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT CONTINUED 

Foreign currency risk 
The Group’s exposure to the risk of changes in foreign exchange rates relates primarily to the Group’s use of suppliers operating 
overseas, primarily invoicing in Euro and US dollars. The Group’s exposure to foreign currency changes for all other currencies is 
not material and therefore no sensitivity analysis is disclosed. 

The carrying amounts of the Group’s foreign currency denominated monetary assets and monetary liabilities at the year-end  
are shown below: 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          2022 
                                                                                                                                                                 GBP                   EUR                   USD                  Total 
Group                                                                                                                                                 £’000                £’000                £’000                £’000 
Assets and liabilities as per statement of financial position                                                                                                                                          
Short-term investments and cash on deposit                                                                     4,520                        —                        —                 4,520 
Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                          4,510                        —                        —                  4,510 
Trade receivables                                                                                                                                   —                        —                        —                        — 
Trade payables                                                                                                                                       (61)                       (5)                      —                     (66) 
Total                                                                                                                                                     8,969                        (5)                      —                 8,964 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           2021 
                                                                                                                                                                 GBP                     EUR                    USD                    Total 
Group                                                                                                                                                  £’000                  £’000                  £’000                  £’000 
Assets and liabilities as per statement of financial position                                                                                                                                          
Short-term investments and cash on deposit                                                                     6,000                          —                          —                  6,000 
Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                          5,542                          —                          51                    5,593 
Trade receivables                                                                                                                                   —                          —                          —                          — 
Trade payables                                                                                                                                   (400)                         (8)                        —                     (408) 
Total                                                                                                                                                       11,142                          (8)                         51                    11,185 

Given the immaterial net asset balances in foreign currency and limited procurement from overseas suppliers, the exposure  
to a change in exchange rates is small and therefore no sensitivity analysis is disclosed. 

At present the Group does not make use of financial instruments to minimise any foreign exchange gains or losses  
so any fluctuations in foreign exchange movements may have an adverse impact on the results from operating activities. 

Fair value of financial assets and liabilities 
There is no material difference between the fair value and the carrying values of the financial instruments because of the short 
maturity period of these financial instruments and their intrinsic size and risk. 

Capital risk management 
The Group considers capital to be shareholders’ equity as shown in the consolidated statement of financial position,  
as the Group is primarily funded by equity finance. The Group is not yet in a position to pay a dividend. 

The Group’s objective when managing capital is to maintain adequate financial flexibility to preserve its ability to meet financial 
obligations, both current and long term. The capital structure of the Group is managed and adjusted to reflect changes in 
economic conditions. The Group funds its expenditures on commitments from existing cash and cash equivalent balances, 
primarily received from issuances of shareholders’ equity. There are no externally imposed capital requirements. Financing 
decisions are made based on forecasts of the expected timing and level of capital and operating expenditure required to meet  
the Group’s commitments and development plans. 

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
CONTINUED

19. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 

Group 
Transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries, which are related parties, have been eliminated on consolidation  
and are not disclosed in this note. 

Key management compensation is disclosed in Note 6 of the consolidated financial statements. Directors’ emoluments  
are disclosed in the Remuneration Committee Report. 

During the year ended 31 March 2022, the Group purchased consultancy services totalling £15,995 (year ended 31 March 2021: 
£19,225) from FD Consult Ltd, a company controlled by Richard Moulson. The amount owed to FD Consult Ltd at 31 March 2022 
was £nil (31 March 2021: £nil). 

During the year the Group purchased services from OBN, a company for which Huw Jones acts as a non-executive director, 
totalling £1,282 (2021: £180). The amount owed to OBN at 31 March 2022 was £nil (31 March 2021: £nil). 

Company 
The Company is responsible for financing and setting Group strategy. The Company’s subsidiary carried out the Group’s 
development strategy and managed the Group’s intellectual property. The Company provides interest free and unsecured 
funding to its subsidiary with no fixed date of repayment. Details of intercompany balances can be found in Note 12. 

Ultimate controlling party 
The Directors consider there is no ultimate controlling party. 

56 Evgen Pharma plc  

2022 Annual Report & Financial Statements

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

ADDRESSES AND ADVISERS 

EVGEN PHARMA PLC 
Registered office: 
Evgen Pharma plc 
Alderley Park 
Congleton Road 
Nether Alderley 
SK10 4TG 

Website: www.evgen.com 

Registered number: 09246681 
Domiciled in the United Kingdom 
Registered in England and Wales 

STATUTORY AUDITORS 
RSM UK Audit LLP 
Third Floor, Centenary House 
69 Wellington Street 
Glasgow 
G2 6HG 

NOMINATED ADVISER AND BROKER 
finnCap Ltd 
One Bartholomew Close 
London 
England 
EC1A 7BL 

REGISTRAR 
SLC Registrars (a division of EQ) 
P.O. Box 5222 
Lancing 
BN99 9FG 

LEGAL ADVISERS 
Pinsent Masons LLP 
30 Crown Place 
London 
EC2A 4ES 

FINANCIAL PUBLIC RELATIONS 
Instinctif Partners 
65 Gresham Street 
London 
EC2V 7EQ

Designed and produced by effektiv 
+44 (0)20 7459 4266 / www.effektiv.co.uk

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EVGEN PHARMA PLC 
Registered office: 
Alderley Park, Congleton Road 
Nether Alderley, SK10 4TG 

Website: www.evgen.com 

Registered number: 09246681 
Domiciled in the United Kingdom 
Registered in England and Wales