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Genedrive Plc

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FY2015 Annual Report · Genedrive Plc
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Epistem Holdings Plc  
Annual Report 2015

Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
 
 
 
 
2015 Highlights

The 2014/15 financial year saw excellent progress with Genedrive®, our novel Point of Care PCR 
instrument. In May, we announced the landmark Indian regulatory approval. We have made very 
good progress with the development of Genedrive® tests for Hepatitis C diagnosis and 
pharmacogenomic applications and we have initiated new projects in the fields of human 
pathogen detection and animal disease testing. The 2014/15 financial year saw the Company 
experience a difficult year in its established services operations. During the year, Dr Ian Gilham 
took over the role of Chairman from David Evans and was then appointed Interim CEO in August 
2015 when it was announced that Matthew Walls would be leaving that position. Matthew 
resigned as a Director on 23 October 2015.

Operating

Financial

•  The award by The Drug Controller General of India 

•  Total income broadly in line with expectations of £4.5m 

(DCGI) to our Indian distribution partner, Xcelris Labs, 
of an import licence in respect of our TB and 
associated antibiotic resistance test for use on the 
Genedrive® instrument.

•  Invoicing of the first Genedrive® product sales in 

advance of the programme of placing units and TB 
tests with Indian KOL’s in preparation for the phased 
launch of the TB test.

•  Excellent progress with the development of the 
Genedrive® ‘Hepatitis C’ (HCV) blood test. The 
programme continues to meet internal milestones with 
clinical trials anticipated to commence in 2015/16.

•  The commencement of clinical trials in collaboration 
with INSERM (Institute National de la Santé et de la 
Recherche Médicale) and The Pasteur Institute of the 
IL28b pharmacogenomic test using the Genedrive® 
platform. The IL28b project represents a significant 
proof of principle for Genedrive® in “patient 
stratification”/“therapy selection” applications.

•  Confirmation of £0.4m funding for the development of 
the Genedrive® platform in an aquaculture application, 
in collaboration with the Centre for Environment, 
Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS).

(2014: £5.8m) following a challenging year for the 
services operations.

•  Preclinical Research Services sales of £2.3m (2014: 

£2.9m). The US NIH/NIAID collaborative contract with 
the University of Baltimore (UMB) due for completion in 
September 2015.

•  The successful conclusion of the US Department of 
Defence assessment of Genedrive® for use in the 
detection of harmful human pathogens, followed by the 
announcement in August 2015 of funding of up to 
$7.8m (c.£5.0m) over five years, the first $2.4m (£1.5m) 
stage of which is due for completion during calendar 
year 2016.

•  Following the high levels of investment made in our 
Genedrive® technology, the Company reports an 
Operating loss of £4.0m (2014: £2.3m Operating loss).

•  $8m (c.£4.7m) collaborative funding agreement with 
The Global Health Investment Fund 1, LLC (GHIF) to 
support the development and use of Genedrive® 
applications as part of the Global Access Programme. 

•  Cash reserves at 30 June 2015 of £4.9m (2014: £4.2m).

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

Page Title at start:Content Section at start:Strategic Report
Strategic Report

Governance
Governance

Financial Statements
Financial Statements

Founded on ground-breaking research in epithelial 
stem cell biology, Epistem has evolved into a 
dynamic and successful enterprise enabling 
advances in medicine through the provision of 
innovative services and pioneering products. 

With our Genedrive® molecular diagnostic device, 
we are changing the way molecular medicine and 
diagnostics are delivered.

Strategic Report
2  Genedrive®
4  Personalised Medicine: Diagnostics
10  Personalised Medicine: Pharmacogenomics Service
12  Preclinical Research Services
13  Novel Therapies: Knowledge and Intellectual Property
14  Chairman & CEO’s Statement
16  Our Business Model
17  Strategy
18  Financial Review
20  Key Performance Indicators
21  Principal Risks and Uncertainties

Governance
22  Board of Directors
24  Directors’ Report
26  Directors’ Remuneration Report
29  Corporate Governance Report

Financial Statements
31  Independent Auditors’ Report
33  Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
34  Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
35  Consolidated Balance Sheet
36  Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
37  Notes to the Financial Statements
60  Company Balance Sheet
61  Company Statement of Changes in Equity
62  Company Statement of Cash Flows
63  Notes to the Company Financial Statements
66  Directors, Secretary and Advisers

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

1

1

Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
Strategic Report

Genedrive®

Genedrive®

Changing the way molecular diagnostics  
and Personalised Medicine are delivered

Genedrive® is rapidly reconfigurable for specific assays and is suitable for use  
in a ‘Point of Care’ setting. Genedrive® analyses nucleic acids from fresh or stored 
samples in clinical and remote settings to provide near-patient diagnostics. 

At the heart of the Genedrive® technology is the plug-in assay cartridge, which 
allows the device to work across the following areas:

Diagnostics: 

Rapid and accurate diagnosis of infectious  
disease facilitating immediate therapeutic treatment

Pharmacogenomics: 

Allowing medicine to be personalised around an individual 
patient’s genotype

Future applications: 

Genedrive® is being validated for use in the areas of 
pathogen detection & forensics, biosurveillance, veterinary 
science and agriculture/aquaculture

2

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

Mobile:
designed as a simple  
to use, handheld device

Rapid:
results in approximately  
45-60 minutes

Accurate:
Molecular diagnostic 
for viral, bacterial and 
mutational analysis

Genedrive® Assay Development 
Single use assay cartridges
At the heart of the Genedrive® technology is the plug-in assay cartridge. 
Genedrive® tests use a simple assay cartridge with RFID capacity to 
programme the assay metrics into the Genedrive® unit. This significantly 
simplifies user operation enabling a single button operation.

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

3

Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
Personalised Medicine: 

Diagnostics

Personalised Medicine: Diagnostics

Low cost, disruptive, Point of  
Care molecular testing platform

Genedrive® brings versatility, low cost and simplicity to 
Point of Care molecular diagnostics. With regulatory 
approval for TB in India announced in 2015, Epistem 
has a range of follow-on tests in development targeting 
infectious diseases using sputum, blood and swabs. 
The Genedrive® platform is being developed to harness 
PCR molecular technology to open up Point of Care 
patient stratification, pathogen detection and animal/
aquaculture capability.

1

2

3

4

The announcement on 23 April 2015 of Indian regulatory approval for the import 
into India of the Genedrive® TB test brought a key milestone for the Company 
foreshadowing the launch of the Genedrive® platform and the commencement 
of product sales and new income streams.

We are acutely aware that the success of the India launch will impact decisively 
on the future value of Genedrive® and its adoption for other applications and in 
other markets. A careful strategy has been adopted to ensure that the TB test 
will be brought to market on the basis of substantive endorsement by Key 
Opinion Leaders, a process which has extended further than anticipated a year 
ago but which we anticipate will underpin a build-up of sales in 2016.

The first phase of that strategy has been to build on the experience gained from 
trials undertaken using the Genedrive® TB test. The feedback from our Brazil 
and Africa trials of earlier protocols for Genedrive® highlighted levels of sensitivity 
lower than we had experienced in other trials. The variations can partially be 
accounted for by different levels of co-infection experienced in the different 
patient population groups. Data further pointed to variations in operator practice 
in different market conditions. We have paused our Africa trials, part of a 
programme towards WHO approval, whilst this programme of analysis has been 
undertaken.

The increasing feedback from our product testing has allowed the steady 
compilation of data to support our test’s claims for the diagnosis of bacterial 
resistance to the first line antibiotic Rifampicin. We anticipate that a full body of 
field data to support this important product claim will be available during 2016.

4

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
EME (US, EU, Japan, Australia/NZ) = US$707m

339m

TB Detection and monitoring

Drug susceptibility

366m

Detection of latent 

tuberculosis

2m

Rest of World = US$327m

14m

2m
Strategic Report

Governance
TB Detection and monitoring

Financial Statements

Drug susceptibility

311m

Detection of latent 
tuberculosis

Genedrive® India Regulatory Submission
(n=300)

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

93% - 97%

94% - 99%

Culture

AFB

Sensitivity (%)

Sensitivity (%)

Eradicate 
TB by 2020

The World Health Organisation through its 
Stop TB initiative, has provided the world 
with this vision 

$2.62 billion

TB (Mycobacterium tuberculosis)

The global TB testing market is expected to 
reach USD $2.62 billion by 2020 

Ahmedabad, India  
(n=300 raw clinical sputa samples)

Data represents 300 clinical samples processed independently as 
part of Indian clinical evaluation/regulatory study.

Genedrive® POC ‘instructions for use’, training provided locally. 
Testing undertaken in a laboratory setting.

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

5

Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
Personalised Medicine: Diagnostics (continued)

TB (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) test 
accessory pack

We have developed fresh sputum sample collection protocols to allow for 
different testing environments. The final stage of the development process 
undertaken during this financial year has allowed us to position Genedrive® 
towards the decentralised testing environment which capitalises on the 
platform’s low cost, ease of use and speed to result. Our development also 
allows Genedrive® to be positioned in laboratory settings offering users access 
to high quality but low cost molecular TB testing.

Genedrive® units and assays will be deployed in India as part of a rollout 
programme with KOL’s which we expect to facilitate KOL endorsement and 
deliver growing demand for Genedrive® units and TB tests and underscore the 
value of the Genedrive® platform.

In all of this planning, we have worked closely with our India distribution partner, 
Xcelris Labs. Xcelris Labs placed their first order for Genedrive® units during the 
period, enabling us to book our first product sales before the year end. Whilst 
this does not at present signify a level of customer demand, it has initiated the 
start of our product sales and is encouraging.

We continue to test the robustness of the Genedrive® supply chain and prepare 
for the scale up of manufacture as demand permits.

6

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

EME 
(US, EU, Japan, 
Australia/NZ) = US$707m

339m

2m

Rest of World = US$327m

14m

2m

366m

311m

TB Detection and monitoring
Drug susceptibility
Detection of latent 
tuberculosis

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

7

Genedrive® India Regulatory Submission
(n=300)

100

93% - 97%

V Culture/AFB

94% - 99%

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

Sensitivity (%)

Sensitivity (%)

Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
Personalised Medicine: Diagnostics (continued)

High Income North America

Western
Europe

Eastern 
Europe

Central Asia

HCV genotype 
proportion 

1
2
3
4
5
6

Caribbean

Central Latin 
America

North Africa
and the
Middle East

Western
Sub-Saharan
Africa

Central
Sub-Saharan
Africa

Tropical 
Latin America

Andean Latin
America

55.5 million

14 million

3.9 million
1.7 million
486 thousand

Southern 
Latin America

Eastern
Sub-Saharan
Africa

South Asia

Southern
Sub-Saharan
Africa

Northern
Asia

High Income
Asia Pacific

East Asia

South 
East Asia

Australia

~150-200m

(known) cases globally

The collaboration with INSERM, the French National Institute of Health and 
Medical Research, to develop a Hepatitis C diagnostic for use on Genedrive® is 
progressing well. The collaboration involved the development of our genotyping 
IL28b oral (buccal) swab test to confirm patients’ responsiveness to the drugs 
targeting Hepatitis C. The collaboration further involves the development of a 
blood based test for Hepatitis C infection.

4m

infected each year

350,000

deaths / year

Urgent requirement for 
PoC based HCV NAT  
Dx for resource  
limited settings

We will report more fully on the background to our Hepatitis C test during the year 
but progress with the development of the test has been positive with internal testing 
indicating conformity with health agency target profiles. We expect to commence 
independent validation of the Hepatitis C test in collaboration with the Pasteur 
Institute in 2015/16.

Crucially, the Hepatitis C test, which is qualitative to viral load, has been 
developed on a blood based platform. This platform may reasonably be 
expected to be adapted to the development of a test for the Hepatitis B and 
dengue viruses and HIV.

We report that the IL28b test has entered clinical trials with The Pasteur 
Institute. Whilst the results will be unblinded in 2016, the test appears robust to 
date. Importantly, the IL28b test represents proof of principle of our ability to 
rapidly develop genotyping tests for operation on Genedrive® using buccal 
swab samples. We believe that this platform offers excellent scope for 
collaboration with drug development partners seeking to identify certain 
characteristics within patient populations (patient stratification) in planned clinical 
trials with potential for full clinical use in some instances.

8

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

Important validation of Genedrive® has been secured 
during our work with the US Department of Defense which 
has assessed the use of Genedrive® in the detection of 
human pathogens in a variety of non-clinical sample types. 
During the financial year, the first phase bioplex detection 
assay (3 pathogens) successfully passed through its initial 
performance assessment. In our Pre-Close Trading update, 
we announced agreement with the US Department of 
Defense for the programme to be extended with work to a 
value of $2.4m (c.£1.5m) scheduled for completion in 
calendar 2016. The progress is difficult to position in terms 
of future product sales but we are pleased with the 
independent validation of Genedrive® versus other potential 
suppliers for this programme, as well as the profile given to 
Genedrive® within the US Government procurement 
infrastructure.

During the year, approval was granted for £0.4m funding 
for a collaboration with the Centre for Environment, 
Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) to develop  
a Point of Need aquaculture test for the diagnosis of 
pathogens (White Spot Syndrome Virus, in particular) 
found to be harmful to shrimps and causing great 
damage to fish farms. As with the US Department of 
Defense collaboration, whilst it is difficult to assess the 
potential for future product sales, we do welcome the 
exposure which this programme gives to Genedrive®.

In our view, both the US Department of Defense 
programme and the CEFAS project demonstrate the 
versatility of Genedrive® as a broadly applicable rapid 
Point of Care molecular testing system. We are 
encouraged that in both cases Genedrive® was selected 
from a range of possible competitive suppliers for these 
programmes and we remain confident of the very broad 
applicability of Genedrive® in a wide range of testing 
environments going forward.

Diagnostics revenues for the year were £0.4m  
(2014: £0.5m) including £0.1m of maiden Genedrive® 
sales.

1

Blood Borne Viruses

A.  Venous phlebotomy

B.  Finger stick

Blood sampling

Plasma Isolation

Blood sampling Plasma Isolation

2

Sample preparation

Plasma pre-processing 
Genedrive® Cartridge

Lyophilised HCV  
RT-PCR tube

+

RT-PCR

3

RT-PCR

Genedrive®

4

Genedrive® Result

Detected

HCV

Positive Control

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

9

Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
Personalised Medicine: 

Pharmacogenomics Service

Personalised Medicine: Pharmacogenomics Service

Our pharmacogenomics services offering 
provides highly sensitive molecular measures 
of biological processes which improve the 
understanding of patient response to drug 
therapies and assists validating new drug 
targets

The Pharmacogenomics team engage the application of molecular expertise 
towards collaborative projects for pharmaceutical and biotechnology 
organisations engaged in drug development and the discovery of new 
biomarker targets. Our business model seeks to engage the client in a level of 
FTE based service commitment, supplemented with the potential for milestone 
income or the opportunity to deliver tests to patient populations in clinical trials 
and, if ultimately successful, as a companion diagnostic for a drug once 
approved.

The team has built a significant expertise in laser capture microscopy (LCM) and 
is working to establish future collaborations with client partners for this 
expertise. Projects are largely dependent on the success of the drug 
development projects with which they are involved.

During the year we continued to work closely with a key international pharma 
company on the clinical expansion of our oncogene test from blood 
myeloproliferative disorders. The testing programme continues to be well 
received and we anticipate the extension of our work as clinical trials for the 
drug are further rolled out.

Revenues during the year amounted to £1.8m (2014: £2.4m). The outturn 
resulted from an unexpected project cancellation caused by factors unrelated to 
the data generated within the project.

10

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

The pharmacogenomics platform builds on Epistem’s 
proprietary RNA and DNA amplification technology and 
high sensitivity amplification kits to offer multi system 
transcriptional profiling working with major pharmaceutical 
and biotech business groups in developing preclinical and 
clinical biomarkers to measure the effect of a drug on 
targeted tissue. The focused understanding of differing 
patient groups’ response to a drug treatment enable drug 
regimens to be personalised to a patient’s needs and 
enhances the successful outcome of a drug in trials. 

During the year we have continued to invest in our niche 
small tissue expertise and our LCM capability. This has 
allowed us to collaborate in target discovery programmes. 
At the same time, we continue to build up our service offering 
in oncogene detection from whole blood, with the prospect 
of developing a diagnostic for an oncogene therapy. 

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

11

Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
Preclinical Research 

Services

Preclinical Research Services

The Preclinical Research Services division 
comprises an internationally recognised team 
of scientists skilled in preclinical efficacy 
testing in the areas of oncology, oncology 
supportive care, inflammatory bowel disease, 
rheumatoid arthritis and dermatology

Preclinical Research Services generated revenues of £2.3m (2014: £2.9m).

Whilst this was not a positive outcome, a full review and reorganisation of our 
business development focus has been undertaken. New processes have been 
established with improved quote levels now being evidenced.

During the year, we learned that the NIH/NIAID will not be extending their 
funding to the University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB) beyond September 2015. 
With the contract having generated c.£1m annual revenues in recent years for 
the Company, this news represents a significant disappointment. However, our 
international reputation in the field of radiation sickness is anticipated to offer 
additional sub-contracting opportunities and, overall, we expect the net negative 
impact to be modest.

The division delivers bespoke preclinical (and early clinical) services testing 
efficacy and specificity of client drugs.

The team offers internally developed models and assays in the disease areas of 
oncology, oncology supportive care (mucositis), inflammatory bowel disease, 
rheumatoid arthritis and dermatology. Each disease area is served by specialist 
core technologies (imaging, FACS analysis, histopathology, immunohistochemistry 
and multiplexing) to support drug, target and protein biomarker validation.

12

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

Novel Therapies: Knowledge 

and Intellectual Property

Internationally recognised 
expertise in evaluating 
treatments for 
gastrointestinal damage

Preclinical Research Services delivers successful but 
niche services to international drug development and 
Biotech companies. Whilst there have been setbacks 
during the year, the reputation of the team within the drug 
development industry remains strong, with key repeat 
business from large pharma, and there continues to be 
present good opportunities for useful synergies and 
business development going forward.

The Division maintains a commitment to the development 
of its models with particular focus on its orthotopic 
oncology and rheumatoid arthritis models.

Novel Therapies: Knowledge and Intellectual Property
Expertise and intellectual 
property from research into 
the body’s own key 
regulators of epithelial stem 
cells and tissues

We continue to retain the expertise and intellectual 
property of the Novel Therapies division. Although we have 
not incurred any fresh investment in the Novel Therapies 
division, we will continue to review our position in the light 
of growth in our core business.

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

13

Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
Chairman & CEO’s Statement

Chairman & CEO’s 

Statement

The year represented 
a decisive period of 
transition for Epistem 
with key steps in the 
development and 
launch of Genedrive®

The year represented a decisive period of transition for 
Epistem with key steps in the development and launch of 
Genedrive®, our novel, versatile and rapid Point of Care 
molecular testing platform for use in diagnosing infectious 
diseases, patient stratification and other molecular 
diagnostic applications. The excellent progress with 
Genedrive® has, however, been partly tempered by 
reduced turnover in the established services business 
divisions of the Company, which to date has represented 
the majority of our revenues.

The transition of the Company towards an increasing focus on 
the Genedrive® diagnostics system was the driving factor 
behind my becoming a director of Epistem and in May it 
became my privilege to have accepted the role as Chairman 
of the Company. The diagnostics industry has long sought 
simple, Point of Care, molecular testing capability to enable 
both qualitative and quantitative testing for infectious diseases 
which represent key unmet healthcare challenges and which 
allows more rapid and more accurate targeting of therapies 
for patients. In meeting this need, Genedrive® represents a 
significant breakthrough in low cost molecular testing 
technology, and design, and offers the prospect of a 
substantial and disruptive entry to the market for diagnostic 
devices. As shareholders are aware, the Company has taken 
time to develop this technology platform and has invested 
heavily but judiciously in developing its technical expertise, 
allowing us to address the challenges of delivering molecular 
testing results from small tissue samples where there is limited 
access to laboratory equipment. The first Genedrive® 

regulatory approval in India for the TB test, together with an 
expanding range of tests, particularly in Hepatitis C (and in 
due course Hepatitis B and HIV) will, in my view, secure for 
Genedrive® a key position in low cost Point of Care testing 
and the creation of substantial returns to shareholders given 
the opportunities we see in infectious diseases, patient 
stratification and other molecular diagnostic applications. It is 
our aim to build a significant global base of installed 
instruments offering a pipeline of high-value tests. In order to 
drive our commercial plans, we have recruited Gordon Powell, 
as our Global Commercial Director for Genedrive®. Gordon 
was formerly Global Commercial Director at Axis-Shield 
where he implemented the commercial strategy for the highly 
successful Afinion Point of Care testing instrument.

During the year, the Company entered into a collaboration 
and $8m (£4.7m) funding agreement with the Global Health 
Investment Fund (GHIF) which is supported by the Bill and 
Melinda Gates Foundation. The issue of $8m (£4.7m) 
Convertible Bonds not only represents a significant 
financial step for the Company but also offers potential for 
collaboration with the GHIF’s significant support network.

Operating Review
The Personalised Medicine division is harnessing advances 
in molecular technology to identify and develop new 
diagnostic tests and biomarkers for use either on Epistem’s 
proprietary Genedrive® diagnostic platform or in 
collaboration with drug development partners.

14

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

Molecular testing is crucial for diagnosing specific disease 
mutations including antibiotic resistance as well as 
identifying patient-specific variations. This in turn allows for 
selection of treatment regimens targeting the specific 
disease characteristics or which take into account a 
patient’s expected response to a drug. This drug orientated 
companion diagnostic testing and patient stratification is 
seen as key to the evolution of successful and efficient 
patient treatment now and in the future.

Genedrive® represents a substantive breakthrough in 
molecular diagnostics technology. It allows rapid, low cost 
testing in near patient locations not presently available in 
the market. Within the division, the Diagnostics team is 
bringing Genedrive® to market initially for use with its test 
for the detection of TB and, in the future, across a broad 
spectrum of viral, bacterial, fungal, genomic genotypes and 
somatic mutations either independently, in partnerships or 
within grant funded collaborations, with a view to delivering 
a flow of instrument and test cartridge sales.

I will continue to act as CEO in an interim capacity. The 
search for a new CEO is progressing well and I am 
committed to staying with the business as Non-executive 
Chairman once a new CEO is appointed.

Outlook
In Genedrive®, I believe that Epistem has created a 
significant new diagnostic platform targeting the exciting 
area of Point of Care diagnostics. This development has 
been achieved with very modest resources in comparison 
to peer developments and, whilst we have experienced 
delays, we have in the coming months the opportunity to 
redress the balance with the important launch of the TB 
test in India. In conjunction with developing our India 
distribution partners, we have to establish a strong and 
successful diagnostics commercial capability to match our 
existing development profile. We will not seek to raise 
external expectations until a track record of sales is 
established but anticipate updating shareholders at the 
announcement of the next Interim Results.

The Pharmacogenomics team deploys its molecular 
expertise in a serviced based model aiming to collaborate 
with major pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies 
to develop biomarker and target discovery projects to 
deliver collaborative income and milestone payments.

Successful validation of our TB test will allow us to 
reactivate programmes with various support agencies 
which have expressed strong interest in Genedrive®. In 
particular, we look forward to working with the GHIF and its 
support network in addressing global health challenges.

Management Changes
As noted earlier, I was appointed Chairman May 2015, 
taking over from David Evans. David is a highly experienced 
and successful business leader, playing a key role in the 
development of the Company since his appointment in 
2005.

In August 2015 we announced that Matthew Walls would 
be leaving his position as CEO and his resignation was 
confirmed on 23 October 2015. Matthew had been CEO 
since 2007 when the Company was listed on AIM. His 
period of office has been characterised by an outstanding 
work ethic together with an ability to initiate key 
developments for the Company. On behalf of the 
Company, I would like to thank both David and Matthew for 
their huge contribution in developing Epistem as a public 
company.

Beyond launching our TB test, we have substantial 
development opportunities to progress, notably with 
Hepatitis C in collaboration with the Pasteur Institute and 
pathogen detection with the US Department of Defense.

Our services operations require careful nurturing. With 
sensible management, we are optimistic that the net loss of 
revenues resulting from the loss of our UMB contract in the 
current period will be limited and that our ability to generate 
substantial returns from our niche services will in future 
periods be re-established.

I would like to thank our investors, Board, management 
and employees for their help and solid support over the 
past year and I look forward to updating our investors on 
our progress over the coming weeks and months.

Dr Ian Gilham

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

15

Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
Our Business Model

Our Business Model

Our Business and Strategy 

Our strengthening business model is based on 
sustaining future growth. Alongside our heritage 
‘fee for service’ business we are preparing for the 
launch of our first diagnostic product. Our unrivalled 
knowledge of the behaviour of epithelial cells 
together with our proprietary amplification 
technologies will further strengthen our position in 
personalised medicine and disease diagnostics.

Division

Field

Area of Income

Discovery

Pre-clinical

Phase 1

Phase 2

Phase 3

Market

Product Launch

Personalised 
Medicine 

Market and 
pre-clinical 
& clinical 
programmes 

Product sales, 
fee for service, 
partnering and
licensing

Fee for service

Preclinical 
Research 
Services

Inflammatory 
bowel disease, 
dermatology, 
oncology, 
mucositis

Novel 
Therapies 

Expertise and 
intertectual 
property

Partnering 
and licensing

Genedrive®

Global Diagnostics 
Tuberculosis
Hepatitis C

Pharmacogenomics
Patient stratification for 
personalised medicine

Other Applications
Pathogen detection
Aquaculture

16

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
 
Strategy

Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

Strategy

Operational

Strategic Goals

Integrated business model
Epistem’s complementary portfolio of divisions derives 
from a focus on scientific & technical know-how and strong 
intellectual property. Our strategy aims to ensure strong 
financial growth in each of our independent divisions to 
deliver new product sales as well as secure service and 
collaborative income.

Partnering Programme
Our key business processes will be developed with 
collaborative partners and major industry groups to ensure 
rapid access to global markets, security and flexibility of 
supply of products to our customers. We remain 
committed to developing and enhancing our scientific 
relationships to unlock the potential for our technologies.

Internationally respected technology and expertise
Our investments in technology and expertise are targeted 
at meeting the demands and aspirations of the market as 
well as addressing key global healthcare challenges. Our 
investment in technology remains a mainstay underpinning 
growth in all our divisions.

Product focus
Successful product launch of Genedrive® is central to our 
near-term strategy with resources to be deployed 
accordingly. Genedrive® has brought a new dimension to 
our profile and business model with applications across 
multiple aspects of the healthcare environment impacting 
on our management team, operational infrastructure and 
business partners.

Delivery
We aim to secure a strong market profile for Genedrive® 
based on reliability, quality and affordability. We will invest to 
support Key Opinion Leaders in India to establish for 
Genedrive® a key niche in the market for Point of Care testing 
of tuberculosis and support our distribution partner in a roll out 
programme. We aim, thereafter, to move rapidly to secure 
distribution in follow on markets and launch new tests.

Technical reputation
We aim to establish Genedrive® as the global leader in 
Point of Care molecular diagnostic testing.

Epistem’s leading industry presence in epithelial stem cells, 
personalised medicine and disease diagnostics will be 
developed by on-going investment in our core technologies 
of cell and molecular biology.

Financial
The Company will pursue its goal of establishing sustainable 
and growing income streams whilst increasing the potential 
for substantial returns from its invested technologies.

Investor
The delivery of our Company objectives will establish 
Epistem as an attractive investment opportunity for both our 
existing and new investors. Demonstration of progress in 
delivering substantial and growing income streams will signal 
Epistem as a company with significant upside potential.

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

17

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Financial Review

Financial Review

As a personalised medicine and biotechnology Company, 
Epistem retains a mix of services operations supporting 
drug development organisations. As previously reported, 
the activities of the Company are detailed within three 
divisions, Personalised Medicine, Preclinical Research 
Services and Novel Therapies.

The financial results for the Group presented in this 
statement reflect the Group’s trading for the year to 
30 June 2015 and the comparative period to 30 June 2014.

has reorganised its sales activities to address weaknesses 
experienced in the year in Europe and also, in the US to 
replace the fall off in income which will follow the ending of 
our collaboration with University of Maryland Baltimore 
(UMB) in Radiation Biodefence, on the completion of the 
existing five year contract in September 2015. During the 
year, the contract with UMB accounted for £0.9m (2014 
£1.1m). Novel Therapies, for which we retain the portfolio  
of drug discovery IP, reported no sales for the period  
(2014: £nil).

The Company reports turnover of £4.5m (2014: £5.8m). 
Within the divisions, Personalised Medicine delivered 
income of £2.2m (2014: £2.9m) and Preclinical Research 
Services income of £2.3m (2014: £2.9m) with Novel 
Therapies reporting no sales over the period (2014: £nil).

The Income results for the Group reflect a weakness in 
demand for our Personalised Medicine and Preclinical 
Research Services, especially, for the latter, in UK/Europe. 
Validation of the Genedrive® platform is anticipated to be 
the engine generating growth income for Personalised 
Medicine, in the form of both Genedrive® product sales 
and collaborative income. Preclinical Research Services 

Consolidated geographical revenues were split US 45% 
(2014: 44%), EU 24% (2014: 20%), UK 20% (2014: 32%) and 
ROW 11% (2014: 4%). Preclinical Research Services 
reported a contribution of £0.1m (2014: £0.5m) reflecting 
the reduced turnover of the division. Personalised Medicine 
increased its investment in the development of the 
Genedrive® platform and reported a loss of £2.4m (2014: 
£0.7m loss). No development expenditure was incurred by 
the Novel Therapies division in the period. The headcount 
of Group at the year end was 71 (2014: 70). Central 
administration costs increased to £1.7m (2014: £1.5m) 
giving rise to an overall Operating loss for the year of £4.0m 
(2014: £2.3m).

18

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Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

On 21 July 2014, Epistem entered a Collaboration and 
Convertible Bond Purchase Agreement with Global Health 
Investment Fund 1 LLC (GHIF).

Under the terms of the agreement, Epistem issued to GHIF 
a five year convertible bond raising $8m (c.£4.7m) for the 
Company before costs of £0.1m and with a coupon of 5% 
per annum. The GHIF agreement contains provisions 
which allow the bond to be converted into ordinary Epistem 
shares using a fixed exchange rate and a fixed conversion 
price of 489p per share. As part of the collaborative 
funding agreement, the GHIF and Epistem have made 
global access commitments to mutually support and 
facilitate the introduction, distribution and sale of the 
Genedrive® platform and our expanding menu of infectious 
disease assays under development for low-and middle-
income countries.

The purpose of the agreement has been to provide funding 
to support the rollout of Genedrive® as the Company 
prepares for the launch of the TB assay whilst also 
supporting the development of new diagnostic tests aimed 
at tackling diseases which represent global health 
challenges such as TB and Hepatitis C.

Financing income for the year which is detailed in the note 
amounted to £0.6m (2014: £0.1m loss). The surplus arises 
largely because under International Financial Reporting 
Standards the Convertible Bond is required to be treated 
as a derivative to be revalued at each accounts date. After 
tax credits for the year amounting to £0.4m (2014: £0.7m), 
the Group reported a loss after tax for the year of £3.0m 
(2014: £1.7m loss).

The reported loss per share was 30.2p (2014: 17.4p loss 
per share).

Cash balances at 30 June 2015 were £4.9m (2014: £4.2m).

Following receipt of regulatory approval in India in respect 
of the Genedrive® TB test, the Group issued 491,228 
ordinary shares of £0.015 each to the vendors of Visible 
Genomics Limited, in settlement of deferred consideration. 
The terms relating to the acquisition of Visible Genomics 
Limited were detailed in the 2014 Annual Report.

The Company’s annual audit was undertaken in October 
2015 by Haines Watts Chartered Accountants and their 
audit report is included with the 2015 Annual Report.

John Rylands

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

19

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Key Performance Indicators

Key Performance Indicators

Epistem reports continued increased investment in its diagnostic 
platform, Genedrive®. Revenue generation in preclinical services and 
personalised medicine weakened in the period. Underlying financial 
resources were strengthened with the issue of £4.7m ($8.0m) 
convertible bond

Group Revenue

45%

United States

24%

Europe

20%

United Kingdom

11%

Rest of World

Group Revenues

Preclinical Research 
Services Revenues

Personalised Medicine & 
Novel Therapies Revenue

Weak outturn from our 
services divisions 

Preclinical Research 
Services delivered £2.3m 
revenue

£5.8m
2014

£4.5m
2015

Personalised Medicine 
delivered £2.2m revenue

Novel Therapies 
produced £nil revenue 
in 2015 

£2.9m
2014

£2.3m
2015

£2.2m
2015

£2.9m
2014

Results After Tax

Cash Reserves 

After tax, Development and 
Admin Costs exceeded 
contribution from sales to 
report a loss of £3.0m 

Following the issue of 
the convertible bond, 
cash reserves at year 
end were £4.9m 

Discovery, Development 
and Admin Costs

Discovery and 
Development costs 
charged to the P&L grew 
strongly in 2015 to £2.9m. 
Admin costs were £1.7m

£4.9m
2015

£4.2m
2014

£4.6m
2015

£3.5m
2014

(£3.0m)
2015

(£1.7m)
2014

20

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

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Principal Risks and 

Uncertainties

Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

Principal Risks and Uncertainties
For the year ended 30 June 2015

The Board meets regularly to review operations and to 
discuss risk areas. Details of the financial risks are 
disclosed in Note 21 to the financial statements. The 
Directors regularly assess and monitor the business risks 
faced by the Group. Risk is an inherent feature of business 
and set out below are some key risks, together with 
associated mitigating factors. This list does not purport to 
be exhaustive.

Development risk
The Group undertakes significant activity with the aim of 
launching new products, therapies and services. There can 
be no guarantee that the development activity will enable 
the programmes to meet the technical and intellectual 
property hurdles required for a commercial launch to be 
undertaken. The Group seeks to mitigate this risk by 
ensuring that development programmes are planned and 
undertaken by staff with the requisite skills. The Group 
monitors industry trends and customer needs to ensure 
that its development targets remain relevant. The Group’s 
services to clients relate to projects which are also subject 
to development risk. The Board regularly monitors the 
client profile and seeks to broaden the client base where 
possible. Further information on significant clients is 
detailed in Note 2 the Financial Statements.

Financing risk
In the forthcoming period, the Board anticipates that the 
Group’s investment in its development activities described 
above is likely to require additional equity investment into 
the Group. The Board maintains close dialogue with the 
Group’s advisers to monitor shareholder support for its 
investment programme and the Board is satisfied that it 
may reasonably expect to raise appropriate equity finance. 
However, there remains a risk that further equity 
fundraising will not be possible and, in this event, the Board 
will review the funding options available to the Group and 
the scope of its investment activities.

Quality Assurance and Regulatory risk
The Group operates in a regulated industry and maintains 
significant investment in its Quality Assurance systems. In 
respect of its services the Group is accredited with GCLP 
Certification. In respect of its products, the Group is 
registered to ISO 13485 Certification and has secured 
regulatory approval in India. There can be no guarantee 
that the Group’s products or services will be able to obtain 
or maintain the necessary approval for the orderly conduct 
of its business. Approvals can require evaluation of data 
relating to safety, quality and efficacy standards. The Group 
seeks to mitigate regulatory risk by conducting its 
operations within recognised quality assurance standards 
and by undergoing external assessment.

Manufacturing risk
On commencement of the supply of products, (Genedrive® 
units and assays) the Group will be dependent on two key 
suppliers for the timely delivery of product at consistent quality 
and prices. One key supplier is based in the Far East and one 
key supplier is based in the UK. It is unlikely that dual sourcing 
of supply will be achievable in the short term.

Management & Employees
The Group’s future success is dependent on its management 
team and staff. There is an on-going risk that staff will leave to 
join competitor companies. The Group seeks to mitigate this 
risk by establishing effective management organisation and 
leading staff incentive schemes.

Economic risk
The Group’s programmes are targeted to meet the 
commercial requirements of its clients. In the current 
economic climate, clients’ plans may be subject to 
changes which may adversely affect the financial 
performance of the Group. The Group seeks to mitigate 
this risk by operating a diversified business model across 
various technologies and territories.

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

21

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Governance

Board of Directors

Board of Directors

22

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Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

1.  Ian Gilham, Ph.D. 
Non-executive Chairman
Ian was appointed on 24 November 2014, 
Non-executive Chairman on 11 May 2015 
and as Interim CEO on 4 August 2015. He 
is currently non-executive chairman of 
three life sciences companies including 
AIM quoted Horizon Discovery Group plc, 
which provides gene-editing tools to 
support translational genomics and the 
development of personalised medicine, 
Multiplicom NV focused on the 
development and commercialisation of 
next generation DNA sequencing products 
and Biosurfit SA, focused on development 
and commercialisation of point-of-care 
diagnostic products. Dr Gilham was 
formerly Chief Executive Officer of 
Axis-Shield plc.

2.  John Rylands 
Finance Director
John originally joined Epistem as an 
investor and Non-executive Director,  
and in 2005, he took over his current  
role. John provided corporate finance 
advice to private companies before joining 
Epistem. Prior to 1999 he was an investor 
in and consultant to the SDS group  
of companies. John holds a degree  
in Economics and Accountancy from 
Manchester University and is a Fellow  
of ICAEW.

3.  Allan Brown, Ph.D. 
Chief Operating Officer, Diagnostics
Allan has spent his career in the Life 
Sciences/diagnostics industry. During a 
seventeen year period with Tepnel Life 
Sciences plc, latterly as Divisional 
Managing Director, Allan’s technical 
management roles covered product 
development through to commercial 
product launch; his commercial 
management roles covered sales and 
business development and M&A. Allan left 
Tepnel in 2010 following its recommended 
US$132m cash offer by Gen-Probe Inc. in 
2009. At the time of the offer by Gen-
Probe Inc. Tepnel employed over 200 
employees and had operations in the UK, 
US, Belgium and France. After leaving 
Tepnel/Gen-Probe, Allan joined the leading 
Sample & Assay Technologies company, 
QIAGEN N.V., in Manchester and managed 
the final development and launch of the 
company’s first US FDA approved 
products, helping secure the site as 
QIAGEN’s Global Centre of Excellence for 
molecular diagnostic product 
development. Allan was appointed to the 
Board on 1st February, 2014.

4.  Catherine Booth, Ph.D. 
Managing Director, Contract Research 
Services Officer
Catherine is a co-founder of Epistem  
and prior to starting Epistem she worked 
for ten years with Prof. Chris Potten at  
the Paterson Institute. Whilst at the 
Paterson Institute, she developed many 
pre-clinical assays. This knowledge is at 
the core the Epistem contract Research 
Service. Catherine received her Ph.D.  
from Emmanuel College, University  
of Cambridge.

5.  Robert Nolan, Ph.D. 
Non-executive Director
Robert has been a Non-executive Director 
of the Company since 2004. Having 
gained US post doctoral experience at 
Dartmouth Medical School and MIT, he 
joined SANDOZ Forschungsinstitut in 
Vienna in 1972 to work on mechanism of 
antibiotic action and was also coopted on 
to Sandoz global strategic planning group. 
He joined ICI pharmaceuticals (which 
became AstraZeneca) in 1979 to head up 
a natural products discovery programme 
and subsequently joined their product 
licensing group. He brings with him a 
wealth of expertise in partnering and 
licensing negotiations with both small 
biotechnology and large pharmaceutical 
companies. Prior to his retirement he was 
Director, Global Licensing, at AstraZeneca. 
He is also a Non-executive Director of 
Phico Therapeutics Ltd.

6.  Roger Lloyd, Ph.D. 
Non-executive Director
Roger joined the Board as a Non-executive 
Director on 1 July 2007. Trained as a 
biochemist, Roger has 37 years’ 
experience in the healthcare and 
biotechnology sector, particularly in the 
areas of strategic planning and business 
development. International business 
management with ICI Plc and AstraZeneca 
Plc included living and working in the 
United States and Germany, and having 
territorial responsibilities for Europe, Japan, 
Korea, Mexico and the Middle East. As 
Executive Director of Global Licensing at 
AstraZeneca he personally completed 24 
transactions. He operates as a Board 
Adviser in the Biotech sector.

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

23

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Directors’ Report

Directors’ Report
For the year ended 30 June 2015

The Directors present their report for Epistem Holdings Plc (‘the Company’) and its subsidiaries (together ‘Epistem’ or ‘the 
Group’) for the year ended 30 June 2015. 

Results and dividends
The trading results for the year and the Group’s financial position at the end of the financial year are shown in the financial 
statements on pages 33 to 36 of this report.

Going concern
After due consideration of the Financing Risk detailed on page 21, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the 
Group will have access to adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, 
the Directors continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the accounts.

Directors and their interests in shares
The Directors of the Company who held office throughout the year, unless otherwise stated, and their interests in the 
share capital of the Company, including family and pension scheme trust interests, were as follows:

Ian Gilham (appointed 24 November 2014)
David Evans (resigned 11 May 2015)
Catherine Booth
Allan Brown
Roger Lloyd
Robert Nolan
John Rylands
Matthew Walls (resigned 23 October 2015)

30 June 
2015

1 July  
2014

–
–
987,568
2,154
–
5,065
197,466
13,213

n/a
98,845
985,984
–
–
5,065
195,882
11,629

Significant shareholdings
In addition to the Directors’ holdings, the Company has been advised of the following interests of over 3% of the issued 
ordinary shares:

ODEY Asset Management
Blackrock funds
River and Mercantile Asset Management
Prudential Plc group of companies
ADM Investor Services
Aerion Fund Management
Henderson Global Investors

Percentage 
holding

15%
9%
5%
5%
4%
3%
3%

Directors’ and Officers’ liability insurance
Qualifying indemnity insurance cover has been arranged in respect of the personal liabilities which may be incurred by 
directors and officers of the Group during the course of their service with the Group. This insurance has been in place 
during the year and on the date of this report.

Research and development
During the year ended 30 June 2015 the Group has incurred research Discovery and development costs of £2,942k  
(2014: £2,037k).

24

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Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

Expenditure on Intangible assets (relating to research and development activities) was £550k (2014: £3,730k) as detailed  
in Note 10 to the Financial Statements. Additions to Intangible assets last year included research and development 
expenditure of £2,750k in respect of the recognition of the Visible Genomics Limited earnout consideration which is 
detailed on Page 63 of the Annual Report.

A review of our Research and Development investment is included within the Strategic Report on pages 2 to 21.

Statement of Directors’ responsibilities
The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report, the Directors’ Remuneration Report and the Financial 
Statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the Directors 
have prepared the Group Financial Statements in accordance with International Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted 
by the European Union.

In preparing those Financial Statements, the Directors are required to:
•  select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
•  make suitable judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
•  state that the Financial Statements comply with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union, subject to any material 

departures being adequately disclosed and explained;

•  prepare the Financial Statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Group will 

continue in business.

The Directors confirm that they have complied with the above requirements in preparing the financial statements.

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the 
Company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Group and enable 
them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006 and Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. 
They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Group 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 
Company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial 
statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Provision of information to auditors
The Directors who were members of the Board at the time of approving the Directors’ Report are listed on page 23. 
Having made enquiries of fellow Directors and of the Group’s auditors, each of these Directors confirms that:
•  to the best of each Director’s knowledge and belief, there is no information (that is, information needed by the Group’s 

auditors in connection with preparing their report) of which the Group’s auditors are unaware; and

•  each Director has taken all the steps that a Director might reasonably be expected to be taken to be aware of relevant 

audit information and to establish that the Group’s auditors are aware of that information.

Approved by the Board

H J J Rylands
Company Secretary
18 November 2015

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

25

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Directors’ Remuneration 

Report

Directors’ Remuneration Report
For the year ended 30 June 2015

Introduction
This report has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of Schedule 2 Part 1 to the Companies Act 2006 
(‘the Schedule’) and also meets the relevant requirements of the Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority and 
describes how the Board has applied the Principles of Good Governance relating to Directors’ Remuneration. In 
accordance with Section 439 of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the Act’), a resolution to approve the report will be proposed 
at the Annual General Meeting of the Company at which the financial statements are to be approved.

Section 497 of the Act requires the auditors to report to the Company’s members on the ‘auditable part’ of the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report and to state whether, in their opinion, that part of the report has been properly prepared in 
accordance with Part 3 of the Schedule. This report has therefore been divided into separate sections for audited and 
unaudited information.

Unaudited information
Remuneration policy
The Executive Directors have written terms of engagement with no fixed expiry date.

Executive remuneration packages are prudently designed to attract, motivate and retain Directors of the necessary calibre 
and to reward them for enhancing value to shareholders. The performance measurement of the Executive Directors and 
key members of senior management and the determination of their annual remuneration package is undertaken by the 
Remuneration Committee. 

Executive Directors’ service contracts are subject to 6 months’ notice of termination other than Matthew Walls’s service 
contract which was subject to 12 months’ notice of termination. 

Executive Directors are entitled to accept appointments outside the Company providing the Board’s permission is sought.

The remuneration of the Non-executive Directors is determined by the Board within limits set out in the Articles of 
Association.

Non-executive Directors’ terms of engagement
The Non-executive Directors have specific terms of engagement with no fixed expiry date. Their remuneration is 
determined by the Board. In the event that a Non-executive undertakes additional assignments for the Company,  
the Non-executive’s fee will be agreed by the Company in respect of each assignment.

Audited information
Aggregate Directors’ remuneration

Executive
Catherine Booth
Allan Brown
John Rylands
Matthew Walls (resigned 23 October 2015)

Non-executive
Ian Gilham (appointed 24 November 2014)
David Evans (resigned 11 May 2015)
Roger Lloyd
Robert Nolan

Salary
& fees
£

106,107
150,000
131,969
321,030

40,249
26,250
24,000
24,000

Bonus
£

5,000
5,000
5,000
16,200

–
–
–
–

Benefits
in kind
£

394
542
1,249
999

–
–
–
–

Pension
£

2015
Total
£

2014
Total
£

32,060 143,561
3,000 158,542
2,629
140,847
5,962
344,191

134,747
63,429
134,406
305,180

–
–
–
–

40,249
26,250
24,000
24,000

–
35,000
24,000
24,000

823,605

31,200

3,184

43,651 901,640

774,838

26

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Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

Directors’ share options
Details of the options for Directors who served during the year are as follows:

As at
1 July 
2014

Exercised/ 
Lapsed

Options 
granted

As at
30 June 
2015

Exercise
price

Earliest
exercise  

date

Expiry 
 date

Executive
Catherine Booth (2)
John Rylands (3)
John Rylands (1)
Matthew Walls (4)  

15,528
83,333
127,847

(resigned 23 October 2015)

177,653

Matthew Walls (5)  

(resigned 23 October 2015)

80,644

Matthew Walls (6)  

(resigned 23 October 2015)

254,631

Matthew Walls (6)  

(resigned 23 October 2015)

5,369

Matthew Walls (6)  

(resigned 23 October 2015)

Allan Brown (2)

Non-executive
David Evans (1)  

23,758
200,000

–
–
–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–
–
–

–

–

15,528
83,333
127,847

1.20
1.20
1.20

Exit
04/04/2007
04/04/2007

09/01/2016
09/01/2016
09/01/2016

177,653

1.24

31/10/2010

04/02/2017

80,644

1.24

31/10/2010

04/02/2017

– 254,631

3.73

30/09/2013

04/02/2017

–

5,369

3.60

30/09/2013

04/02/2017

–
23,758
– 200,000

5.50
3.25

23/10/2015
25/03/2017

04/02/2017
25/03/2024

(resigned 11 May 2015)

62,112

62,112

–

–

1.20

04/04/2007

09/01/2016

Ian Gilham (6)  

(appointed 24 November 2014)

Roger Lloyd (6)
Robert Nolan (1a)
Robert Nolan (1)

–
–
78,000
15,528

–
–
–
–

100,000 100,000
30,000
78,000
15,528

30,000
–
–

2.78
2.78
1.29
1.20

17/12/2018
17/12/2018
31/05/2005
10/01/2006

16/12/2025
16/12/2025
30/03/2017
09/01/2016

1.  Unapproved stand-alone agreement, no performance criteria.
1a.  Unapproved stand-alone agreement, no performance criteria (on 30 March 2015 the expiry date was extended by 2 years).
2.  EMI Company scheme, no performance criteria. 
3.  EMI stand-alone scheme, no performance criteria.
4.  EMI and Unapproved stand-alone scheme exercisable prior to 4 February 2017.
5.  EMI stand-alone scheme exercisable prior to 4 February 2017.
6.  2007 Epistem Share Option Scheme exercisable prior to 4 February 2017.
7.   Gain on exercise of Directors’ share options. On 11 May 2015, David Evans exercised options of 62,112 shares. The gain of market price over exercise price  

was £122,677. 

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

27

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Directors’ Remuneration Report continued
For the year ended 30 June 2015

Share Investment Plan 
The details of the Epistem Share Investment Plan are outlined in Note 20 (B) to the accounts. The Directors’ interests in 
the shares of the Company include shares acquired under the Share Investment Plan as follows:

Partnership
Shares
No

2,523
718
2,523
2,523

Cost of
Matching 
Shares
£

19,000
4,250
19,000
19,000

Matching
Shares
No.

5,045
1,436
5,045
5,045

Total
SIP Shares 
30 June 
 2015
No.

7,568
2,154
7,568
7,568

SIP Shares
30 June
 2014
No.

5,984
570
5,984
5,984

Catherine Booth
Allan Brown
John Rylands
Matthew Walls (resigned 23 October 2015)

Approved by the Board

I Gilham
Chairman
18 November 2015

28

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Corporate Governance 

Report

Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

Corporate Governance Report
For the year ended 30 June 2015

The Group is subject to the continuing requirements of the AIM Rules and is committed to adhering to corporate 
governance standards appropriate for a company of its size. The Group follows the Quoted Companies Alliance 
guidelines and has Remuneration, Audit and Nomination committees with written terms of reference and a schedule of 
matters reserved for the Board, which generally meets each month.

The Board has established an Audit Committee, a Remuneration Committee and a Nomination Committee and 
membership of these committees and attendance at meetings is as follows:

Non-executive Directors

Ian Gilham (appointed 24 November 2014)
David Evans (resigned 11 May 2015)
Robert Nolan
Roger Lloyd (Remuneration/Nominations Committees)

Audit Remuneration
Committee

Committee

Nominations
Committee

–
2
2
N/A

3
4
4
4

1
1
1
1

Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee reviews the scale and structure of the Executive Directors’ and senior management’s 
remuneration and the terms of their service contracts. The remuneration and terms of appointment of the Non-executive 
Directors are set by the Board. The Remuneration Committee also approves the issue of share options under schemes 
approved by the Board.

None of the Committee members have any personal financial interest (other than as shareholders), conflicts of interest 
arising from cross-directorships, or day-to-day involvement in the running of the business. No Director plays a part in any 
discussion about his or her own remuneration.

Audit Committee
The Audit Committee has responsibility for receiving accounts and reviewing reports from the management and the 
Company’s auditors, relating to Annual and Interim Accounts and the accounting and internal controls in place throughout 
the Group. At this stage of the Group’s size and development the Committee has decided that an internal audit function is 
not required as the Group’s internal controls system in place is appropriate for its size. The Audit Committee has met 
twice during the year.

Nomination Committee
The Nomination Committee has responsibility for reviewing the size, structure and composition of the Board, as well as 
retirements and appointments of replacement and additional Directors, and for making appropriate recommendations to 
the Board.

Relations with shareholders
The Group recognises the importance of communicating with its shareholders to ensure that its strategy and 
performance is understood and that it remains accountable to shareholders. The Board as a whole is responsible for 
ensuring that a satisfactory dialogue with shareholders takes place, while the Chairman and Chief Executive 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 shareholder value. 

Internal controls
The Board acknowledges its responsibility for establishing and maintaining the Group’s system of internal controls and will 
continue to ensure that management keeps these processes under regular review and improves them where appropriate. 
The system of internal controls is designed to manage, rather than eliminate, the risk of failure to achieve business 
objectives and can provide only reasonable and not absolute assurance against material misstatement or loss. 

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

29

Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
Corporate Governance Report continued
For the year ended 30 June 2015

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

Employment
At a subsidiary level the individual company has established policies which address key corporate objectives in the 
management of employee relations, communications and employee involvement, training and personal development and 
equal opportunities.

Health, safety and environmental issues
The Board recognises its legal responsibilities to ensure the well-being, safety and welfare of its employees and to 
maintain a safe and healthy working environment for them and for its visitors and sub-contractors. Health and Safety is on the 
agenda for regularly scheduled Board meetings.

By their nature, the Group’s regular operations are judged to have a low environmental impact and are not expected to 
give rise to any significant, inherent environmental risks over the next 12 months.

The Group is committed to maintaining high standards in implementing appropriate health, safety and environmental 
protection policies. Waste materials are recycled where possible, and hazardous waste is catalogued and handled by 
licensed specialist disposal companies.

30

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
Financial 

Statements

Independent Auditors’ 

Report

Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

Independent Auditors’ Report to the Members of  
Epistem Holdings Plc
Year ended 30 June 2015
We have audited the group and parent company financial statements (the ‘Financial Statements) of Epistem Holdings Plc 
for the year ended 30 June 2015 which comprise the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the consolidated 
and parent company balance sheets, the consolidated and parent company statement of cash flows, the consolidated 
and parent company statements of changes in equity and the related notes. The financial reporting framework that has 
been applied in their preparation is applicable law and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by 
the European Union. 

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.

Respective responsibilities of Directors and auditors
As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors’ responsibilities set out in the Directors Report the directors are 
responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. Our 
responsibility is to audit and express an opinion on the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and 
International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing Practices 
Board’s (APB’s) Ethical Standards for Auditors.

Scope of the audit of the financial statements
An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to give 
reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error. 
This includes an assessment of: whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the group’s and the parent company’s 
circumstances and have been consistently applied and adequately disclosed; the reasonableness of significant 
accounting estimates made by the directors; and the overall presentation of the financial statements. In addition, we read 
all the financial and non-financial information in the Annual Report to identify material inconsistencies with the audited 
financial statements and to identify any information that is apparently materially incorrect based on, or materially 
inconsistent with, the knowledge acquired by us in the course of performing the audit. If we become aware of any 
apparent material misstatements or inconsistencies we consider the implications for our report.

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

30 June 2015, and of the group’s loss for the year then ended;

•  the group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European 

Union; and

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

Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion:
•  the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the 

Companies Act 2006; and

•  the information given in the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report for the financial year for which the financial 

statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements.

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

31

Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
Independent Auditors’ Report to the Members of  
Epistem Holdings Plc continued
Year ended 30 June 2015
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where 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 and the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited are not in 

agreement with the accounting records and returns; or 

•  certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
•  we have not received all the information and explanations we required for our audit.

Carol Graham FCA 
(Senior Statutory Auditor)

For and on behalf of

Haines Watts,
Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditor
Bridge House 
157 Ashley Road 
Hale
Altrincham
Cheshire
WA14 2UT

18 November 2015

32

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
Consolidated Statement of 

Comprehensive Income

Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the year ended 30 June 2015

Revenue
Other income – development grant funding

Revenue and other Income
Contract costs
Discovery and development costs
General administrative costs

Operating (loss)
Finance income and costs

(Loss) on ordinary activities before taxation
Taxation on ordinary activities

Total Comprehensive Income for the financial year

(Loss) per share (pence)
– Basic
– Diluted

Notes 

2

3
6

7

9
9

2015
£’000

3,703
814

4,517
(3,933)
(2,942)
(1,682)

(4,040)
616

(3,424)
399

(3,025)

2014
£’000

4,497
1,264

5,761
(4,489)
(2,037)
 (1,530)

(2,295)
(54)

(2,349)
656

(1,693)

(30.2)p
(30.2)p 

(17.4)p
(17.4)p 

All of the activities of the Group are classed as continuing.

The Company has taken advantage of section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 not to publish its own Income statement.

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

33

Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
Consolidated Statement of 

Changes in Equity

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
For the year ended 30 June 2015

Balance at 1 July 2013

Exercise of share options
Forfeit of share options
Purchase of own shares (SIP)
Recognition of equity-settled share-based 

payments

Total Comprehensive Income for the year

Share
capital
£’000

146

Share
premium
account
£’000

18,230

4
–
–

–
–

386
–
–

–
–

Employee 
share
incentive
plan reserve
£’000

(182)

–
–
(46)

–
–

Share
options
reserve
£’000

1,013

(139)
(58)
–

216
–

Other
reserves
£’000

Retained
earnings
£’000

Total
£’000

(2,484)

(4,668)

12,055

–
–
–

–
–

139
–
–

390
 (58)
(46)

–
(1,693)

216
 (1,693)

At 30 June 2014

150

18,616

(228)

1,032

(2,484)

(6,222)

10,864

Balance at 1 July 2014

150

18,616

(228)

1,032

(2,484)

(6,222)

10,864

Allotment of ordinary shares
Purchase of own shares (SIP)
Exercise of share options
Forfeit of share options
Recognition of equity-settled share-based 

payments

Total Comprehensive Income for the year

7
–
1
–

–
–

1,393
–
79
–

–
–

–
32
–
–

–
–

–
–
(29)
(11)

205
–

–
–
–
–

–
–

–
–
29
–

1,400
32
80
(11)

–
(3,025)

205
(3,025)

At 30 June 2015

158

20,088

(196)

1,197

(2,484)

(9,218)

9,545

34

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
Consolidated Balance Sheet

Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

Consolidated Balance Sheet
As at 30 June 2015

Non-current assets
Intangible assets 
Plant and equipment
Deferred taxation

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Tax receivables
Cash and cash equivalents 

Liabilities
Current liabilities
Deferred income
Trade and other payables
Deferred consideration payable in shares

Net current assets

Total assets less current liabilities

Liabilities payable in 1 – 5 years
Convertible Bond

Net assets

Capital and reserves
Called-up equity share capital 
Share premium account
Employee share incentive plan reserve
Share options reserve
Reverse acquisition reserve
Retained earnings

Total shareholders’ equity

Notes 

2015
£’000

2014
£’000

10
11
12

13
14

15

16
17
18

7,191
805
30

8,026

163
2,191
685
4,928

7,967

50
1,123
1,250

2,423

5,544

6,785
840
154

7,779

–
1,125
1,474
4,238

6,837

86
1,016
2,650

3,752

3,085

13,570

10,864

19

4,025

–

9,545

10,864

24
25
25
25
25
25

158
20,088
(196)
1,197
(2,484)
(9,218)

150
18,616
(228)
1,032
(2,484)
(6,222)

9,545

10,864

These financial statements were approved by the Directors and authorised for issue on 18 November 2015 and are 
signed on their behalf by:

I Gilham   
Chairman  

H J J Rylands
Finance Director

Epistem Holdings Plc
Company number: 06108621

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

35

Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
For the year ended 30 June 2015

Cash flows from operating activities
Operating loss for the year
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment
Research credits
Share based payment expense

Operating loss before changes in working capital and provisions
(Increase) in inventories
(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables
Increase in deferred income
Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables

Net cash (outflow) from operations

Tax received

Net cash (outflow) from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities 
Finance income – interest received
Acquisition of non-current assets

Net cash outflow from investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issue of share options
Proceeds from issue of convertible bond
Costs of issue of convertible bond
Finance costs – interest paid
Purchase of own shares

Net cash inflow from financing activities

Net increase/(decrease) in cash equivalents
Foreign exchange adjustments
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

Analysis of net funds
Cash at bank and in hand

Net funds

Consolidated Statement of 

Cash Flows

2015
£’000

2014
£’000

(4,040)
387
(202)
194

(3,661)
(163)
(1,066)
(36)
107

(4,819)

1,513

(2,295)
712
(211)
158

(1,636)
–
881
(124)
(791)

(1,670)

578

(3,306)

(1,092)

16
(758)

(742)

15
(1,482)

(1,467)

80
4,700
(100)
(212)
(22)

4,446

398
292
4,238

4,928

390
–
–
–
(46)

344

(2,215)
(69)
6,522

4,238

4,928

4,928

4,238

4,238

36

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
Notes to the Financial 

Statements

Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 30 June 2015

1. Significant accounting policies
Basis of accounting
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting 
Standards (‘IFRS’) as adopted by the European Union and therefore comply with Article 4 of the EU IAS Regulation, 
International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (‘IFRIC’) interpretations and with those parts of the  
Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS.

Epistem Holdings Plc is a company incorporated in the UK.

The consolidated financial statements consolidate those of the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the 
‘Group’). They are presented in pounds sterling and all values are rounded to the nearest one thousand (£k) except where 
otherwise indicated.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared and approved by the Directors in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU. 

The accounting policies set out below have, unless otherwise stated, been applied consistently to all periods represented 
in these consolidated financial statements.

The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that 
affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, duration of contracts, income 
& expenses and taxation: 

•  Determining the value of Deferred income requires an assessment of the duration of the contract to which the deferred 
income and expenditure relates, which informed decisions as to when to recognise revenue and whether to carry 
forward costs.

•  Determining the value of Intangible assets requires a judgement about the extent to which the relevant asset will be 
brought into economic use by the Company. The filing of a Patent will generally lead to a judgement that the cost of 
filing the Patent will have future economic use. Research and Development expenditure will generally be expensed 
unless associated income can be identified.

•  Determining the value of the deferred tax asset requires an estimation of future taxable profits against which the 

accumulated tax losses may be utilised. 

•  Determining the market value of the debt component of the Convertible Bond requires the Board to make a judgement 

about the market rate of interest to apply to an instrument of this nature.

•  Determining the value of an equity derivative requires a judgement as to the most appropriate evaluation model to be 

used. The Board seeks the opinion of experts in making this judgement.

Actual results may differ from these estimates. Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. 
Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised and in any future periods 
affected.

Basis of consolidation
Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Group. Control exists when the Group has the power, directly or indirectly, to 
govern the financial and operating policies of an entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities. In assessing control, 
potential voting rights that are currently exercisable or convertible are taken into account. The financial statements of 
subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that 
control ceases. Transactions between Group companies are eliminated on consolidation.

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

37

Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
1. Significant accounting policies continued
On 16 March 2007, Epistem Holdings Plc merged with Epistem Limited, and on that date the shareholders of Epistem 
Limited exchanged their shares for equivalent shares in Epistem Holdings Plc. As Epistem Holdings Plc was newly 
incorporated at the time of the transaction under the terms of IFRS 3 ‘Business Combinations’, this transaction has been 
accounted for as a reverse acquisition, on the basis that the shareholders of Epistem Limited gained a controlling interest 
in the Group. The financial statements therefore represent a continuation of the financial statements of Epistem Limited.

Revenue
Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable and net of discounts and sales-related taxes.

Revenue recognition
a. Contract revenue
Contract revenue is recognised by reference to the stage of completion of the related transaction at the end of the 
reporting period.

b. Collaboration and licensing revenue
Contractually agreed upfront payments and similar non-refundable payments in respect of collaboration or licence 
agreements which are not directly related to on-going research activity are recorded as deferred income and recognised 
as revenue over the anticipated duration of the agreement. Where the anticipated duration of the agreement is modified, 
the period over which revenue is recognised is also modified.

Non-refundable milestone and other payments that are linked to the achievement of significant and substantive 
technological or regulatory hurdles in the research and development process are recognised as revenue upon the 
achievement of the specified milestone. 

Income which is related to on-going research activity is recognised as the research activity is undertaken, in accordance 
with the contract.

c. Other income – development grant funding
Income receivable in the form of government grants to fund product development is recognised as development grant 
funding over the periods in which the Group recognises, as expenses, the related eligible costs which the grants are 
intended to compensate and when there is reasonable assurance that the Group will comply with the conditions 
attaching to them and that the income will be received. Government grants whose primary condition is that the Group 
should purchase or otherwise acquire non-current assets are recognised as deferred revenue in the Consolidated 
Balance Sheet and transferred to the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income on a systematic and rational 
basis over the useful lives of the related assets. 

Segment reporting
A segment is a group of assets, liabilities and operations engaged in providing products or services that are subject to 
risks and returns that are different from those of other parts of the business.

Research and development
Research expenditure is written off as it is incurred. Development expenditure is written off as it incurred up to the point of 
technical and commercial validation. Thereafter, costs are carried forward as intangible assets, subject to having met the 
following criteria – technical feasibility, intention and ability to sell the product or model and the availability of resources to 
complete the development. All intangible assets are subject to impairment review and amortisation in each financial reporting 
period. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their net present values using a pre-tax 
discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to that asset.

38

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 30 June 2015Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

1. Significant accounting policies continued
Intangible assets
Intangible assets are stated at cost less accumulated amortisation and any accumulated impairment losses. Amortisation 
is calculated so as to write off the cost of an intangible asset, less its estimated residual value, over the useful economic 
life of that asset, as follows:
•  Acquired intellectual property – the shorter of 5% straight line basis or their estimated useful life
•  Developed intellectual property – the shorter of 10% straight line basis or their estimated useful life
•  Patents – over the shorter of 17 years or their estimated useful lives on a straight-line basis

No amortisation is charged on those assets which are not yet available for use.

Plant and equipment
Plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. 
Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost of an asset, less its estimated residual value, over the useful 
economic life of that asset as follows:

Plant & machinery – 25% reducing balance basis
Fixtures & fittings – 25% reducing balance basis
Equipment – 25% reducing balance basis

Operating lease agreements
Rentals applicable to operating leases where substantially all of the benefits and risks of ownership remain with the lessor 
are charged against profits over the period of the lease. 

Foreign currencies
Transactions in foreign currencies are translated at the exchange rate ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary 
assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rate of exchange ruling at the balance sheet 
date. Non-monetary items carried at fair value and denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates 
prevailing on the date when fair value is determined. The foreign currency risks relating to assets and liabilities are detailed 
in Note 19.

Exchange differences arising on the settlement of monetary items and on the retranslation of monetary items are taken to 
the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income. Exchange differences arising on non-monetary items, carried at 
fair value, are included in the income statement, except for such non-monetary items in respect of which gains and losses 
are recorded in equity.

Share-based payments
The Group issues equity-settled share-based payments to certain employees (including Directors). Equity-settled 
share-based payments are measured at fair value at the date of grant. The fair value determined at the grant date of the 
equity-settled share-based payments is expensed on a straight line basis over the vesting period, together with a 
corresponding increase in equity, based upon the Group’s estimate of the shares that will eventually vest.

Fair value is measured using the Black-Scholes pricing model. The expected life used in the model has been adjusted, 
based on management’s best estimate, for the effects of non-transferability, exercise restrictions and behavioural 
considerations.

Where the terms of an equity settled transaction are modified, as a minimum an expense is recognised as if the terms had 
not been modified. In addition, an expense is recognised for any increase in the value of the transaction as a result of the 
modification, as measured at the date of modification.

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

39

Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
1. Significant accounting policies continued
Where an equity settled transaction is cancelled, it is treated as if it had vested on the date of the cancellation, and any 
expense not yet recognised for the transaction is recognised immediately. However, if a new transaction is substituted for 
the cancelled transaction, and designated as a replacement transaction on the date that it is granted, the cancelled and 
new transactions are treated as if they were a modification of the original transaction, as described in the previous 
paragraph.

The issuance by the Company of share options to employees of its subsidiary represents additional capital contributions 
and the fair value of such options and awards is therefore recognised as an increase in the Company’s investment in 
Group undertakings with a corresponding increase in total equity shareholders’ funds.

Share Incentive Plan
Matching Shares issued within the Share Incentive Plan have vesting conditions which require participants to remain 
employed with the Company and retain their investment in Epistem shares for at least three years. The cost of the 
Matching shares is expensed as and when the vesting conditions have been satisfied.

Pension contributions
Contributions to personal pension plans of employees on a defined contributions basis are charged to the Consolidated 
Statement of Comprehensive Income in the year in which they are payable.

Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is calculated on a first in and first out basis and 
includes bought in cost and, where appropriate, other direct costs and attributable overheads. Net realisable value 
represents the estimated selling price less applicable selling costs. Where applicable, provision is made for slow-moving 
and obsolete inventory. 

Trade and other receivables
Trade and other debtors are recognised and carried forward at invoiced amounts less provisions for any doubtful debts. 
Bad debts are written off when identified.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents are included in the balance sheet at cost. Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at bank 
and in hand and short-term deposits with an original maturity of three months or less.

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings
All loans and borrowings are recognised initially at cost, which is the fair value of the consideration received, net of issue 
costs associated with the borrowing.

After initial recognition, interest-bearing loans and borrowings are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest 
method. Gains or losses are recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income account when liabilities 
are derecognised or impaired, as well as through the amortisation process.

Investments
Investments in subsidiaries are stated at cost less any provisions for impairment. An impairment is recognised when the 
recoverable amount of the investment is less than the carrying amount.

40

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 30 June 2015Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

1. Significant accounting policies continued
Taxation
Current tax is provided at amounts expected to be paid (or recovered) using the tax rates and laws that have been 
enacted, or substantially enacted, by the balance sheet date.

Taxation credits which fall under the category of Above the Line Research & Development credits (‘ATL Research credit’) 
as detailed in the Finance Act 2013 are offset against the expenditure to which they relate and, in the Consolidated 
Statement of Comprehensive Income, are disclosed within Contract costs and Discovery and development costs.

Deferred tax is recognised in respect of all temporary differences identified at the balance sheet date, except to the extent 
that the deferred tax arises from the initial recognition of goodwill (if amortisation of goodwill is not deductible for tax 
purposes) or the initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction which is not a business combination and at the 
time of the transaction affects neither accounting profit nor taxable profit and loss. Temporary differences are differences 
between the carrying amount of the Group’s assets and liabilities and their tax base.

Deferred tax liabilities may be offset against deferred tax assets within the same taxable entity. Any remaining deferred tax 
asset is recognised only when, on the basis of all available evidence, it can be regarded as probable that there will be 
suitable taxation profits, within the same jurisdiction, in the foreseeable future against which the deductible temporary 
difference can be utilised.

Deferred tax is provided on temporary differences arising in subsidiaries, jointly controlled entities and associates,  
except where the timing of reversal of the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future. Deferred tax  
is measured at the average tax rates that are expected to apply in the periods in which the asset is realised or liability 
settled, based on tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantially enacted by the balance sheet date. 
Measurement of deferred tax liabilities and assets reflects the tax consequence expected to fall from the manner in  
which the asset or liability is recovered or settled.

Financial instruments (including Convertible Bond)
Financial instruments are classified and accounted for, according to the substance of the contractual arrangement,  
as either financial assets, financial liabilities or equity instruments. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences  
a residual interest in the assets of the Company after deducting all of its liabilities. 

As disclosed in Note 19, the Company has in issue a Convertible Bond which is a financial instrument comprising a liability 
component, or debt host, and an equity derivative component, which are detailed as liabilities payable in 1–5 years.

On initial recognition, convertible bonds are recorded at fair value net of issue costs. The initial fair value of the debt  
host is determined using the market interest rate applied by a market participant for an equivalent non-convertible  
debt instrument. Subsequent to initial recognition, the debt host is recorded using the effective interest method until 
extinguished on conversion or maturity of the bonds. The amortisation of the debt host and the interest payable in each 
accounting period is expensed as a finance cost.

Equity derivatives embedded in the convertible instruments which are required to be recorded as financial liabilities are 
initially recognised at fair value. At each reporting date, the fair values of the derivative are reassessed by management. 
Where there is no market for such derivatives, the Company uses option pricing models to measure the fair value.

The amortisation of the Debt host, interest payable in the period and gains or losses on the fair value of the Derivative are 
disclosed within Finance Income and costs detailed in Note 6.

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

41

Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
1. Significant accounting policies continued
Parent Company assets
The assets of the parent Company are subject to impairment review in each financial period.

New standards and interpretations not applied
The International Accounting Standards Board (‘IASB’) and IFIRC have issued the following standards and interpretations that 
are not effective for the financial year beginning 1 July 2014 and have not been adopted early:
•  IAS 1  
Disclosure Initiative – Amendments to IAS 1
•  IAS 16 and IAS 38   Clarification of Accountable Methods of Depreciation and Amortisation 
•  IAS 19 (AIP)  
•  IFRS 9  
•  IFRS 1  

Employee Benefits – Discount rate: regional market issue 
Financial instruments 
Revenue from Contracts with Customers 

The Directors do not anticipate that the adoption of these standards and interpretations will have a material effect on the 
Company’s financial statements in the period of initial application.

42

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 30 June 2015Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

2. Segment information
For internal reporting, the Group is organised into operating divisions – Preclinical Research Services, Personalised 
Medicine and Novel Therapies. Preclinical Research Services provides pre-clinical testing services. Personalised 
Medicine specialises in molecular measures of biological effect and point of care molecular diagnostic testing. Novel 
Therapies holds intellectual property arising from investment aimed at discovering key regulators of epithelial stem cells.

The results of the operating divisions of the Company are detailed below.

Business segments

Twelve months ended 30 June 2015
Revenue

Segment trading result 
Add research credits
less depreciation and amortisation
less equity-settled share-based payments)

Operating profit/(loss)

Twelve months ended 30 June 2014
Revenue

Segment trading result 
Add Research credits
less depreciation and amortisation
Less fixed asset impairment
Less equity-settled share-based payments)

Operating profit/(loss)

Personalised
Medicine
£’000

Novel
Therapies
£’000

Unallocated 
£’000

Total
£’000

Preclinical
Research
Services
£’000

2,322

135
111
(163)
(15)

68

2,195

(2,204)
91
(173)
(140)

(2,426)

2,899

2,862

568
115
(133)
–
(8)

542

(640)
96
(109)
–
(29)

(682)

–

–
–
–
–

–

–

(216)
–
(24)
(385)
–

(625)

–

(1,593)
–
(50)
(39)

(1,682)

–

(1,349)
–
(60)
–
(121)

(1,530)

4,517

(3,662)
202
(386)
(194)

(4,040)

5,761

(1,637)
211
(326)
(385)
(158)

(2,295)

Geographical segments
The Group’s operations are located in the United Kingdom. The following table provides an analysis of the Group’s 
revenue by geographical market:

United Kingdom
Europe
United States of America
Asia

2015
£’000

912
1,061
2,034
510

4,517

2014
£’000

1,879
1,157
2,555
170

5,761

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

43

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2. Segment information continued
Geographical segments continued
Revenues from customers accounting for more than 10% of total revenue are detailed below:
(a) £948k revenue was derived from the University of Maryland on behalf of the US Government with revenue included 

within Preclinical Research Services (2014: £1,134k);

(b) £454k revenue was derived from international pharmaceutical company, Glaxo SmithKline, with revenue included 

within Preclinical Research Services (2014: £939k);

(c) £513k revenue was received within Personalised Medicine for FP7 grants (2014: £709k).

3. Operating (loss)
The Group operating loss is stated after charging:

Discovery and development expenditure
ATL Research Credits (Note 7)
Amortisation of intangible assets
Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets
Impairment of tangible and intangible assets
Cost of inventories
Auditors’ remuneration
– as auditors
– for other services
Operating lease costs – property rent

4. Particulars of employees
The average number of staff employed by the Group during the financial year amounted to:

Contract services
Research and development
Administrative 

The aggregate employee costs (including Directors) were:

Wages and salaries 
Social security costs
Equity settled share based payments
Pension payments
Cost of SIP matching shares

2015
£’000

2,942
(202)
144
241
–
61

35
–
320

2015
No

39
18
14

71

2015
£’000

3,647
374
194
143
58

4,416

2014
£’000

2,037
(210)
101
227
384
–

25
–
235

2014
No

45
13
12

70

2014
£’000

3,492
396
158
102
46

4,194

44

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 30 June 2015Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

5. Directors’ remuneration (key management)

Group

Remuneration
Pension contribution
Equity-settled share-based payments
Cost of SIP Matching Shares

2015
£’000

858
44
103
12

1,017

2014
£’000

722
31
136
12

901

Full details of the Directors’ remuneration and Directors’ options are contained in the Directors’ Remuneration Report. 

6. Finance income and costs 

Group

Finance income and costs
– gain on issue of Convertible Bond (Note 19)
– movement in fair value of derivative embedded in Convertible Bond (Note 19)
– finance cost of Convertible Bond including interest payable (Note 19)
– foreign exchange movement in Convertible Bond (Note 19)
– interest receivable
– foreign exchange surplus/(losses)

7. Taxation on ordinary activities
(a) Recognised in the income statement

Group

Current tax:
Research and development tax credits
Less recognised as ATL Research Credit

Adjustments in respect of prior periods

Total current tax

Deferred tax:
Impact of tax rate change on brought forward deferred tax balances
Prior year tax losses now recognised
Current year tax losses
Current year capital allowances in excess of depreciation
Movement in provisions
In respect of current year share options charges
Tax withheld from ATL Research Credit

Total deferred tax

Total tax (credit) for the year

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

2015
£’000

2014
£’000

1,004
73
(417)
(298)
16
238

616

–
–
–
–
15
(69)

(54)

2015
£’000

2014
£’000

(688)
202

(486)
 (37)

 (742)
210

(532)
 (946)

 (523)

 (1,478)

–
–
133
(108)
(4)
32
71

124

(399)

2
857
(201)
125
–
100
 (61)

822

(656)

45

Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
7. Taxation on ordinary activities continued
(b) Reconciliation of the total tax charge

Group

(Loss) before taxation

Tax using the UK corporation tax rate of 20.75% (2014: 22.5%)
Recognised as ATL Research Credit
Tax withheld from ATL Research Credit
Effect of difference in tax rate
Movement in share options
Movement in provisions
Capital allowances in excess of depreciation
Item not deductible/chargeable for tax purposes
Adjustments in respect of research and development tax credits
Tax loss for the year
Adjustment relating to a previous year

Total tax (credit) in income statement

2015
£’000

2014
£’000

(3,424)

(2,349)

(712)
202
71
–
43
(4)
(102)
6
(462)
595
(36)

399

(528)
210
–
2
(2)
–
(114)
19
(259)
105
(89)

(656)

The Group had trading losses, as computed for tax purposes, of approximately £3,917k (2014: £4,297k) available to carry 
forward to future periods.

In accordance with the provisions of the Finance Act 2000 in respect of research and development allowances, the 
Group is entitled to claim tax credits for certain research and development expenditure. Where eligible, these credits are 
disclosed partly as ATL Research Credits within Research and Development Costs. The total Research and development 
tax credit of the year ended 30 June 2015 is £688k (2014: £742k) which £202k (2014: £210k) was disclosed as ATL 
Research Credit deducted from Research and Development Costs with the balance of £486k (2014: £532k) disclosed 
within Taxation on ordinary activities as detailed above.

8. Profit attributable to members of the parent company
The profit dealt with in the accounts of the parent company was £379k (2014: £14k).

46

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 30 June 2015Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

9. Earnings per share
The basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders for the year by 
the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year.

The diluted earnings per share is calculated by adjusting the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding to 
assume conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares in relation to share options and share warrants and also the 
weighted average Matching Shares held by the Epistem SIP which are not yet vested. The number of share options has 
been adjusted to take into account the issue price and the fair value, consistent with IAS 33, “Earnings per share”.

Group

(Loss) for the year after taxation

Group

Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue
Weighted average number of SIP matching shares not vested
Dilutive ordinary shares from options and warrants in issue

Dilutive weighted average number of ordinary shares

(Loss) per share
– basic 
– diluted

2015
£’000

(3,025)

2015
No.

10,047,756
(36,415)
303,103

10,314,444

2014
£’000

(1,693)

2014
No.

9,757,923
(33,399)
805,034

10,529,558

(30.2)p
(30.2)p

(17.4)p
(17.4)p

As detailed in Note 19, the exercise of the Convertible Bond Agreement if exercised in full at the Fixed Rate of Exchange 
and at the Conversion Price, would lead to the issue of 967,298 ordinary shares of £0.015p. The shares potentially to be 
issued will not affect the diluted eps.

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

47

Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
10. Intangible assets

Group

Cost
At 1st July 2014
Additions

At 30 June 2015

Amortisation
At 1 July 2014
Charge for the year 

At 30 June 2015

Net book value
At 30 June 2014

At 30 June 2015

Cost
At 1st July 2013
Additions

At 30 June 2014

Amortisation
At 1 July 2013
Charge for the year 
Impairment charge

At 30 June 2014

Net book value
At 30 June 2013

At 30 June 2014

Acquired
intellectual
property
£’000

Developed
intellectual
property
£’000

Patents
£’000

 Total
£’000

7,345
550

7,895

560
144

704

3,177
–

3,177

3,616
385

4,001

46
39

85

153
104

257

3,131

3,092

3,463

3,744

6,785

7,191

287
2,890

3,177

2,946
670

3,616

3,615
3,730

7,345

42
4
–

46

59
75
19

153

120
101
339

560

245

3,131

2,887

3,463

3,495

6,785

552
165

717

361
1

362

191

355

382
170

552

19
22
320

361

363

191

The net book value of Intangible assets principally relates to the Genedrive® unit and assays which have a carrying value 
of £6,384k (2014 – £6,314k).

During the year to 30 June 2015, the cost of the Company’s Patents assessed as not being available for economic use 
amounted to £nil (2014: £320k).

48

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Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 30 June 2015Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

11. Plant and equipment

Group

Cost
At 1 July 2014
Additions 
Disposals

At 30 June 2015

Depreciation
At 1 July 2014
Charge for the year 
Depreciation on disposed assets

At 30 June 2015

Net book value
At 30 June 2014

At 30 June 2015

Group

Cost
At 1 July 2013
Additions 
Disposals 

At 30 June 2014

Depreciation
At 1 July 2013
Charge for the year 
Impairment of assets 

At 30 June 2014

Net book value
At 30 June 2013

At 30 June 2014

Lab
equipment
£’000

Fixtures
& fittings
£’000

Other
equipment
£’000

1,908
24
(10)

1,922

1,142
191
(8)

1,325

766

597

58
73
–

131

39
11
–

50

19

81

253
111
–

364

198
39
–

237

55

127

Lab
equipment
£’000

Fixtures
& fittings
£’000

Other
equipment
£’000

1,536
372
–

1,908

930
167
45

1,142

606

766

50
8
–

58

30
9
–

39

20

19

231
22
–

253

147
51
–

198

84

55

Total
£’000

2,219
208
(10)

2,417

1,379
241
(8)

1,612

840

805

Total
£’000

1,817
402
–

2,219

1,107
227
45

1,379

710

840

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

49

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12. Deferred Taxation
Recognised

Group

Tax losses carried forward
Excess of tax allowances over depreciation & amortisation
Share-based payment transactions
Amount retained in respect of ATL Research Credit
Other timing differences

2015
£’000

727
(681)
(20)
–
4

30

2014
£’000

859
(788)
12
71
–

154

Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that the Directors, having reviewed expectations of future profitability, 
consider it is probable that there will be sufficient profit available against which the deferred tax asset may be utilised. 

Deferred tax assets include £nil required to be held in respect of the ATL Research Credit (2014 – £71k). This sum is 
eligible for offset against future taxation payable.

The Group did not recognise deferred tax assets in respect of share-based payment transactions of £1,272k  
(2014: £1,485k). 

13. Inventories

Group

Finished goods

14. Trade and other receivables

Group

Trade receivables
Other receivables
Prepayments

Analysis of trade receivables

Neither impaired nor past due
Past due but not impaired

Trade receivable

2015
£’000

163

163

2015
£’000

1,725
100
366

2,191

2015
£’000

1,384
341

1,725

2014
£’000

–

–

2014
£’000

884
29
212

1,125

2014
£’000

714
170

884

50

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 30 June 2015Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

Ageing of past due but not impaired trade receivables
There is no other class of financial assets that is past due but not impaired except for trade receivables. The Group’s 
credit period generally ranges up to 60 days. The age analysis of the trade receivables have been considered from the 
date of the invoice and, net of allowances that are past due, is given below:

2015
£’000

2014
£’000

Not later than one month
Later than one month but not later than three months
Later than three but not later than six months 

15. Cash and cash equivalents

Group

Cash at bank and in hand
Short term bank deposits

219
122
–

2015
£’000

1,382
3,546

4,928

152
11
7

2014
£’000

612
3,626

4,238

Cash and cash equivalents comprise current accounts held by the Group with immediate access and short term bank 
deposits with a maturity of three months or less. Market rates of interest are earned on such deposits. The credit risk on 
such funds is limited because the counter parties are banks with high credit ratings assigned by international credit rating 
agencies.

16. Deferred Income
The items recorded as Deferred Income are to be recognised over future periods as follows:

Group

Amounts to be recognised within 1 year

17. Trade and other payables

Group

Trade payables
Accruals
Other payables
Deferred consideration

2015
£’000

50

2015
£’000

696
346
81
–

2014
£’000

86

2014
£’000

522
325
119
50

1,123

1,016

Deferred consideration of £50k became payable when Epistem made a regulatory submission to the Drugs Controller 
General (India). 

18. Deferred consideration payable in shares

Group

Payable in shares

2015
£’000

2014
£’000

1,250

2,650

Deferred consideration relates to the provision of £1,250k in respect of the issue of shares in the Company
which is anticipated to be due following the revaluation of the earn-out payable in respect of the acquisition of Visible 
Genomics Limited in 2010 which is detailed on page 63.

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

51

Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
18. Deferred consideration payable in shares continued
During the year, deferred consideration of £1,400k (2014: £nil) became payable on confirmation of receipt from the Drugs 
Controller General (India) of regulatory approval for the Genedrive® TB test. This liability was settled by the issue on 8 June 
2015 of 491,228 ordinary shares of £0.015.

19. Convertible Bond

Group

Derivative
Debt host

2015
£’000

37
3,988

4,025

2014
£’000

–
–

–

On 21 July 2014 the Company issued a Convertible Bond. The Convertible Bond has a principal of $8m and interest is 
payable half yearly at a coupon rate of 5% on the principal amount until the earlier of maturity (21 July 2019) or conversion. 

The Convertible Bond may be converted into ordinary shares as outlined below. If the Convertible Bond is converted  
at the initial conversion price of £4.89 at the fixed rate of Exchange of $1.6913:£1, this would result in the issue of  
967,298 shares. The rate of exchange at 30 June 2015 was $1.57:£1.

Whilst the bond holder has the option to convert into a fixed number of ordinary shares, due to the Convertible Bond 
being denominated in a different currency to the Company’s functional currency, IFRS requires the Convertible Bond  
to be accounted for at a compound instrument, comprising a Debt Host (liability component) and a Derivative  
(equity component). 

The Debt host is required to be recorded initially at fair value. Whilst the coupon is 5%, IFRS requires that the fair value is 
calculated based on the rate of interest which a market participant would lend to the Company. Given the nature of the 
Company’s activities, the Company has used a rate of 12% in calculating this liability. The fair value of the Debt host at the 
date of issue was £3,494k ($5,939k) which after taking into account value on issue of the Derivative detailed below of 
£102k ($173k) and transaction costs on £100k ($160k) gave rise to an initial gain of £1,004k ($1,727k) which IFRS requires 
is disclosed in the profit and loss account as detailed in Note 6. 

The Derivative has been valued using a Quanto Option Valuation model which takes account of the multicurrency aspects 
of the Convertible Bond. The variable used in running model are as follows:

Volatility of the Company’s Share at 21 July 2014
Volatility of the Company’s Share Price at 30 June 2015
Expected life of the Derivative
Expected life of the Derivative at 30th June 2015
Risk free interest rate at 21st July 2015
Risk free interest rate at 30 June 2015
Dividend yield 

19%
21%
4.82 years
3.88 years
2.11%
1.53%
0%

52

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 30 June 2015Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
 
Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

Fair value on issue
Increase/(decrease) in fair value 
Increase in liability caused by Foreign exchange movements

Debt

Host
£’000

3,494
204
290

3,988

Derivative
£’000

102
(73)
8

37

Convertible

Bond
£’000

3,596
131
298

4,025

Outline of Convertible Bond Agreement
On 21 July 2014, the Company entered into a Collaboration and Convertible Bond Purchase Agreement (‘Agreement’) 
with the Global Health Investment Fund 1 LLC (‘GHIF’ or the ‘bond holder’). Under the terms of the Agreement, the 
Company has issued to GHIF a five-year Convertible Bond totalling $8.0m (£4.7m). Further, as part of the Agreement, 
GHIF and the Company entered into a Global Access Commitment. The purpose of the Agreement is to fund the 
Company’s development, production and commercialisation of Genedrive® to address Global Health Challenges and 
achieve Global Health Objectives. An outline (only) of the terms of the Agreement is detailed below:

Unless previously converted or redeemed, the Convertible Bond will mature on 21 July 2019 and interest will be
payable half yearly at the rate of 5% per annum.

During a Purchaser Optional Conversion Period which runs from 15 January 2015 to 15 May 2019 (or earlier in the event 
of a change of control of the Company) the bond holder has the option to convert all (but not part only) of the Convertible 
Bond at the Conversion Price, initially £4.89 per Epistem Ordinary Share at the Fixed Rate of Exchange of $1.6913: £1. 
(The Conversion Price may be adjusted to take account of changes by the Company of its capital structure or payment  
of dividends etc.)

The Company has an option conversion period running from 22 January 2015 to 08 July 2019, during which the
Company may convert all (but not part only) of the Convertible Bond into Epistem Ordinary Shares at the Conversion 
Price, initially £4.89 per Epistem Ordinary Share at the Fixed Rate of Exchange of $1.6913:£1 if the current market prices 
equals or exceeds 1.2 times the Conversion Price. (The Conversion Price may be adjusted to take account of changes by 
the Company of its capital structure or payment of dividends etc.)

The Company may redeem the whole of the Convertible Bond on any interest payment date from 22 July 2016. In this 
event, the bond holder may elect to receive full payment in Epistem Ordinary Shares based on a conversion ratio 
calculated as a function of the market price at the time of notice of Redemption. Without such an election, the bond will 
be redeemed at par in US dollars.

Global Access Commitment
Under the Global Access Agreement, the Company will undertake appropriate regulatory strategic steps and
registrations to secure access for Genedrive® in developing countries in tuberculosis, malaria or other infectious
diseases as agreed between the parties.

The Company will establish a tiered pricing framework that is commercially reasonable and reflects the needs of poor 
patients in developing countries. The Company will, taking into account its profitability and other commercial interests, 
allocate sufficient capacity and product distribution to make Genedrive® and its assays accessible to people most in need 
in developing countries.

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

53

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19. Convertible Bond continued
GHIF will use commercially reasonable efforts through its global access network to ensure support for the Company in 
placing Genedrive® and its assays in global territories to reflect the needs and price sensitivity of poor patients in the 
developing world.

Notwithstanding any early Conversion, Redemption or Termination of the agreement, the Global Access Commitment 
shall endure for 5 years from 22 July 2014.

General Undertakings
During the period of the Agreement, the Company has entered into undertakings commensurate with a Convertible Bond 
Agreement. These include:
•  Undertakings relating to incurring financial indebtedness & financial default;
•  Undertakings relating to maintenance of appropriate records;
•  Undertakings relating to standards of social responsibility and ethical behaviour.

20. Share-based payments
(A) Share options outstanding at 30 June 2015
Prior to 28 November 2007, the Company operated a number of HMR&C approved and unapproved share option 
schemes for employees (including Directors). The original options were granted by Epistem Limited but, following the 
acquisition by Epistem Holdings Plc, these were released in exchange for equivalent options over the ordinary shares of 
Epistem Holdings Plc. On 28 November 2007, the Company established the 2007 Epistem Share Option Scheme.

Share options

Award

Share Warrants (Note 24)
EMI – Unapproved
EMI – Approved
EMI – Unapproved
EMI – Approved
EMI – Approved
EMI – Approved
EMI – Unapproved
EMI – Approved
EMI – Unapproved
2007 Epistem Share Option Scheme
2007 Epistem Share Option Scheme
2007 Epistem Share Option Scheme 
2007 Epistem Share Option Scheme
2007 Epistem Share Option Scheme
2007 Epistem Share Option Scheme
2007 Epistem Share Option Scheme
2007 Epistem Share Option Scheme
2007 Epistem Share Option Scheme
2007 Epistem Share Option Scheme
2007 Epistem Share Option Scheme
2007 Epistem Share Option Scheme
2007 Epistem Share Option Scheme
2007 Epistem Share Option Scheme

 Number of
awards

198,554
78,000
29,824
143,375
98,861
8,200
80,644
177,653
23,103
57,727
16,050
38,750
30,000
254,631
5,369
10,750
24,153
23,758
83,350
50,000
200,000
38,500
20,000
130,000

Exercise 
price
£

1.61
1.292
1.203
1.20
1.20
1.20
1.24
1.24
1.67
1.60
1.77
4.03
3.60
3.73
3.60
3.60
5.50
5.50
3.22
3.20
3.25
3.25
3.25
2.78

 Period within which
 options are exercisable

Fair value
per option

Fair value
£

16 Mar 2005 to 21 Sep 2015
31 Mar 2005 to 30 Mar 2017
25 Nov 2005 to 24 Nov 2015
10 Jan 2006 to 09 Jan 2016
10 Jan 2006 to 09 Jan 2016
29 Sep 2006 to 28 Sep 2016
28 Mar 2007 to 27 Mar 2017
28 Mar 2007 to 27 Mar 2017
27 Jul 2007 to 26 Jul 2017
15 Oct 2007 to 14 Oct 2017
31 Jul 2011 to 30 Jul 2018
10 Dec 2013 to 09 Dec 2020
10 May 2014 to 09 May 2021
29 Mar 2014 to 28 Mar 2021
10 May 2013 to 09 May 2021
10 Feb 2015 to 09 Feb 2022
28 Mar 2016 to 27 Mar 2023
26 Mar 2016 to 25 Mar 2023
29 Jan 2017 to 28 Jan 2024
27 Jan 2017 to 26 Jan 2024
25 Mar 2017 to 24 Mar 2024
12 Aug 2018 to 11 Mar 2025
20 Sep 2018 to 19 Sep 2025
17 Dec 2018 to 16 Dec 2025

£0.56p 111,389
35,022
£0.45p
13,168
£0.43p
88,359
£0.43p
42,510
£0.43p
3,526
£0.43p
33.870
£0.42p
74,615
£0.42p
9,010
£0.39p
20,782
£0.36p
6,308
 £0.37p
64,534
£1.64p
£1.46p
43,800
£1.51p 384,492
8,107
£1.51p
16,717
£1.46p
58,350
£2.23p
£2.23p
52,980
£1.21p 104,483
£1.21p
60,600
£1.21p 242,000
23,100
£0.60p
12,000
£0.60p
£1.21p 157,300

54

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 30 June 2015Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

Option valuations
The options were valued using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Where appropriate, performance conditions were 
included in the fair value calculations. The fair value per option granted and the assumptions used in the calculations are 
in the table below. The Group’s effective date for IFRS 2, (‘Share Based Payments’) implementation is 1 July 2006 and the 
IFRS has been applied to all options granted after 7 November 2002 which have not been vested by this effective date.

Award

Share Warrants
EMI – Unapproved
EMI – Approved
EMI – Unapproved
EMI – Approved
EMI – Approved
EMI – Approved
EMI – Unapproved
EMI – Approved
EMI – Unapproved
2007 Epistem Share Option Scheme
2007 Epistem Share Option Scheme
2007 Epistem Share Option Scheme
2007 Epistem Share Option Scheme
2007 Epistem Share Option Scheme
2007 Epistem Share Option Scheme
2007 Epistem Share Option Scheme 
2007 Epistem Share Option Scheme
2007 Epistem Share Option Scheme
2007 Epistem Share Option Scheme
2007 Epistem Share Option Scheme
2007 Epistem Share Option Scheme
2007 Epistem Share Option Scheme
2007 Epistem Share Option Scheme

Grant date

16 Mar 2005
31 Mar 2005
25 Nov 2005
10 Jan 2006
10 Jan 2006
29 Sept 2006
28 Mar 2007
28 Mar 2007
27 Jul 2007
15 Oct 2007
31 Jul 2008
10 Dec 2010
10 May 2011
29 Mar 2011
10 May 2011
10 Feb 2012
28 Mar 2013
26 Mar 2013
29 Jan 2014
27 Jan 2014
25 Mar 2014
12 Aug 2014
20 Sep 2014
17 Dec 2014

Expected
term
(Note a)

5 years
5 years
5 years
5 years
5 years
5 years
5 years
5 years
5 years
5 years
5 years
5 years
5 years
5 years
5 years
5 years
5 years
5 years
5 years
5 years
5 years
5 years
5 years
5 years

Expected
dividend
yield
%
(Note b)

Expected 
volatility
%
(Note c)

Risk

% rate Performance
condition

(Note d)

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
45
45
40
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
43
43
43
43
43
43

4.75
4.75
4.50
4.50
4.50
4.50
5.25
5.25
5.50
5.75
5.00
0.50
0.50
0.50
0.50
0.50
0.50
0.50
0.50
0.50
0.50
0.50
0.50
0.50

None
None
None
Note (e)
None
None
Note (f)
Note (f)
None
Note (g)
Note (h)
Note (h)
Note (h)
Note (i)
Note (h)
Note (h)
Note (h)
Note (j)
Note (h)
Note (g)
Note (h)
Note (h)
Note (g)
Note (h)

(a)   The expected term used in the model is five years and is based upon the Directors’ best estimates for the effects of exercise restrictions and behavioural considerations.
(b)   The dividend yield of 0% reflects the absence of a history of paying dividends and a clear dividend policy at the relevant grant dates.
(c)   Prior to 2011, the expected volatility was estimated by the Directors after inspection of the financial statements of comparable businesses in the same business sector as 

the Group. Thereafter, the expected volatility has been calculated by reference to the historic share price of the Company.

(d)   The risk free rate used is based upon the prevailing UK bank base rate at the date of the grant.
(e)   These options vest on dates dependant on anniversaries of commencing employment with the Group which commenced 1 September 2005 with the final tranche 

vesting on 1 September 2008.

(f)   The performance conditions for these options to vest were satisfied in 2010.
(g)  These options are subject to performance criteria which are appropriate to the option holders’ role within the Company and which are assessed by the Remuneration 

Committee.

(h)  These options may be exercised following the third anniversary of grant and are subject to performance criteria which are appropriate to the option holders’ role within the 

Company and which are assessed by the Remuneration Committee.

(i)   These options became exercisable when the Remuneration Committee determined that the Company had achieved regulatory approval in India for the Genedrive® TB 

test.

(j)   These options may be exercised on achievement of performance criteria determined by the Remuneration committee which correlate to shareholder value.

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

55

Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
 
20. Share-based payments continued
The number of options and their weighted average exercise prices are as follows:

Group 

Outstanding as at 1 July
Granted during the year
Exercised during the year
Lapsed during the year

Outstanding as at 30 June

Number

2015

2014

1,707,377 1,820,570
336,350
(324,099)
(125,444)

190,500
 (68,312)
(8,313)

1,821,252 1,707,377

 Weighted average 
exercise price

Weighted average 
remaining contracted 
life – Years

2015

2.04
2.91
1.18
3.86

2.27

2014

2015

2014

 £1.82
3.23
1.20
1.82

2.04

4.41

4.26

Options exercisable at 30 June 

1,251,491 1,270,303

1.18

1.87

2.00

2.87

The weighted average share price of options exercised at the exercise dates was £3.18 (2014: £3.28).

(B) Share Investment Plan
The Company operates a share investment plan, SIP, (The Epistem Share Investment Plan) which is open to Directors and 
employees in accordance with Inland Revenue approved rules. Under the terms of the SIP, Directors and employees may 
invest up to £125 per month to be invested in ordinary shares (‘Partnership Shares’) in the Company at the prevailing 
market price. At the same time as each monthly subscription, a maximum of two Matching Shares for each Partnership 
Share will be acquired on behalf of the SIP’s participants. Both the Partnership and the Matching Shares are purchased 
on behalf of the scheme’s participants by Epistem SIP Trustee Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. 
Participants, who must be employed by the Company may withdraw their Matching Shares once their associated 
Partnership Shares have been held for three years. The cost of the Matching Shares is expensed as and when this 
vesting condition is met. 

Partnership shares held at 30 June
Matching Shares held at 30 June

Group

Unamortised cost of Matching shares 
(Comprising Employee SIP reserve)

2015

2014

33,858
67,713

27,528
55,054

2015
£’000

196

2014
£’000

227

56

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 30 June 2015Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

21. Financial risk management objectives and policies
The Group holds or issues financial instruments in order to achieve two main objectives, being:
(a)  to finance its operations;
(b) to manage its exposure to interest and currency risks arising from its operations and from its sources of finance.

In addition, various financial instruments (e.g. trade receivables, trade payables, accruals and prepayments) arise directly 
from the Group’s and the Company’s operations.

Transactions in financial instruments result in the Group assuming or transferring to another party one or more of the 
financial risks described below.

Interest rate risk
The Group currently finances its operations through reserves of cash and liquid resources and does not have a borrowing 
requirement. Surplus cash at bank is placed on deposits at variable rates. The Board monitors the financial markets and 
the Group’s own requirements to ensure that the policies are exercised in the Group’s best interests.

The following table demonstrates the sensitivity to a possible change in interest rates on the Group’s profit before tax 
through the impact of floating rate cash balances.

2015
Cash and cash equivalents

2014
Cash and cash equivalents

Decrease in
the basis
points

25

25

Effect on  
loss before  
tax and
equity
£’000

5

5

An increase in 25 basis points would have a similar opposite effect.

Credit risk
The Group monitors credit risk closely and considers that its current policies of credit checks meet its objectives of 
managing exposure to credit risk.

The Group has no significant concentrations of credit risk. Amounts shown in the balance sheet best represent the 
maximum credit risk exposure in the event that other parties fail to perform their obligations under financial instruments.

Liquidity risk
The Board’s policy aims to ensure that sufficient funds are held on a short-term basis in order to meet operational needs.

Currency risk
The Group’s functional currency is sterling. The exposure to currency risk relates to licence income and those short-term 
trade receivables which are not invoiced in sterling. There are no significant costs incurred that involve payments in foreign 
currency.

The Group has no forward contracts at the year end (2014: £nil) to manage foreign currency risk.

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

57

Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
21. Financial risk management objectives and policies continued
Currency risk continued
Balances which are denominated in US Dollars are detailed below:

Group

Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Less Convertible Bond

2015
£’000

383
462
(4,065)

(3,220)

2014
£’000

119
 2,233
–

2,352

The following table demonstrates the sensitivity to a possible change in currency rates on the Group’s loss before tax 
through the impact of sterling weakening against the US dollar.

2015
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Convertible Bond

2014
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents

Increase in
the currency
rate

Effect on loss
before tax 
and equity
£’000

5%
5%
5%

5%
5%

19
23 
(203)

6
112

An increase in currency rate of 5% would have a similar opposite effect.

Fair values of financial assets and liabilities
The Convertible Bond is stated at fair value as detailed in Note 19. There is no material difference between the book value 
and the fair value of the Group’s financial assets or liabilities.

22. Commitments under operating leases
At 30 June 2015 the Group had annual commitments under non-cancellable operating leases as set out below.

Group

Operating leases which expire:
Within 1 year
1 year – 2 years

 Land and buildings

2015
£’000

–
232

2014
£’000

199
–

The operating leases are in respect of the Company’s office and laboratories are held under short term leases.

23. Related party transactions
At the balance sheet date, Other receivables included an amount of £24k (2014: £nil) due from former Director, M Walls. 
This is anticipated to be offset against amounts payable to M Walls in November 2015.

58

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

Notes to the Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 30 June 2015Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
 
Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

24. Share capital
Allotted and called up:

Brought forward at 1 July 
Deferred Consideration shares 
Exercise of options 

Ordinary shares of £0.015 each

2015

No

10,004,906
491,228
68,312

10,564,446

2014

No

9,680,807
-
324,099 

£’000

150
7
1

158 10,004,906

£’000

146
-
4

150

A schedule of options and warrants potentially leading to the issue of 1,821,252 shares (2014: 1,707,377) is detailed in 
Note 20. 198,554 warrants potentially exercisable on 21 September 2015 were not exercised.

Note 19 details the terms of the Convertible Bond Agreement entered into on 21 July 2014. Under the terms of this 
agreement, if conversion occurs at the initial conversion price of £4.89 per ordinary share at the fixed rate of exchange of 
$1.6913:£1, this would result in the issue of 967,298 shares (2014: nil).

25. Reserves

Balance as at 1 July 2013
Comprehensive income for the year
Unamortised cost of Matching Shares
Exercise of options
Forfeit of options
Recognition of equity settled share-
 based payments in the year

Balance at 30 June 2014

Balance as at 1 July 2014
Comprehensive income for the year
Allotment of ordinary shares
Amortised cost of Matching Shares 
Exercise of options
Forfeit of options
Recognition of equity settled share-
 based payments in the year

Balance at 30 June 2015

Employee
share 
incentive
plan reserve
£’000

(182)
–
(46)
–
–

–

(228)

(228)
–
–
32
–
–

Share 
premium 
account
£’000

18,230
–
–
386
–

–

18,616

18,616
–
1,393
–
79
–

Share
options
reserve
£’000

1,013
–
–
(139)
(58)

216

1,032

1,032
–
–
–
(29)
(11)

Reverse
acquisition
reserve 
£’000

(2,484)
–
–
–
–

–

(2,484)

(2,484)
–
–
–
–
–

Retained
Earnings
£’000

(4,668)
(1,693)
–
139
–

–

(6222) 

(6,222)
(3,025)
–
–
29
–

–

–

205

–

–

(196)

20,088

1,197

(2,484)

(9,218)

The reverse acquisition reserve arises as a difference on consolidation under merger accounting principles and is solely in 
respect of the merger of the Company and Epistem Limited.

The employee share incentive plan reserve represents 67,713 shares in Epistem Holdings Plc (2014: 55,054 shares) all of 
which are held by Epistem SIP Trustee Limited. These shares are listed on the Alternative Investment Market and their 
market value at 30 June 2015 was £186k (2014: £186k). The nominal value held at 30 June 2015 was £1,015 (2014: £825).

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

59

Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
Company Balance Sheet
As at 30 June 2015

Non-current assets
Investments

Current assets
Amounts receivable from Group 
undertakings and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents

Current liabilities
Other payables 
Deferred consideration payable in cash
Deferred consideration payable in shares

Net current assets

Total assets less current liabilities

Non-current liabilities
Convertible Bond

Net assets

Capital and reserves
Called-up equity share capital 
Share premium account
Share options reserve
Retained Earnings

Total shareholders’ funds equity

Company Balance Sheet

Notes

2015
£’000

2014
£’000

a

b
c

a
a

6,398

6,228

17,516
3,707

14,627
2,042

21,223

16,669

99
–
1,250

1,349

3
50
2,650

2,703

19,874

13,966

26,272

20,194

19

4,025

–

22,247

20,194

24
25
25

158
20,088
1,365
636

22,247

150
18,616
1,171
257

20,194

These financial statements were approved by the Directors and authorised for issue on 18 November 2015 and are 
signed on their behalf by:

I Gilham   
Chairman  

H J J Rylands
Finance Director

Epistem Holdings Plc
Company number: 06108621

60

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
 
 
Company Statement of 

Changes in Equity

Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

Company Statement of Changes in Equity
For the year ended 30 June 2015

At 1 July 2013
Allotment of ordinary shares
Recognition of equity settled share based payments
Forfeit of options
Profit for the year

At 30 June 2014

Issue of ordinary shares
Recognition of equity settled share based payments
Exercise of share options
Forfeit of share options
Profit for the year

Share
capital
£’000

146
4
–
–
–

150

7
–
1
–
–

Share
premium
account
£’000

18,230
386
–
–
–

18,616

1,393
–
79
–
–

Share
options
reserve
£’000

1,013
–
216
(58)
–

1,171

–
205
–
(11)
–

Retained
earnings
£’000

243
–
–
–
14

257

–
–
–
–
379

Total
£’000

19,632
390
216
(58)
14

20,194

1,400
205
80
(11)
379

At 30 June 2015

158

20,088

1,365

636

22,247

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

61

Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
Company Statement of Cash Flows
For the year ended 30 June 2015

Cash flows from operating activities
Profit for the year

Operating profit before changes in working capital and provisions

(Increase) in amount receivable from Group companies
(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables

Cash (outflow) from operations

Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issue of share capital
Proceeds from issue of Convertible Bond
Costs of convertible Bond
Interest received
Interest paid

Net cash inflow from financing activities

Net (decrease)/increase in cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

Analysis of net funds
Cash at bank and in hand

Net funds

Company Statement of 

Cash Flows

2015
£’000

2014
£’000

–

–

–

–

(2,889)
46

(5,129)
2,703

(2,843)

(2,426)

80
4,700
(76)
16
(212)

4,508

1,665

2,042

3,707

390
–
–
14
–

404

(2,022)

4,064

2,042

3,707

3,707

2,042

2,042

62

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
Notes to the Company 

Financial Statements

Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

Notes to the Company Financial Statements
For the year ended 30 June 2015

a. Investments
Company
The Company is the holding company of the Group. 

The Company owns 100% of the issued share capital of Epistem Limited, Epistem SIP Trustees Limited and Visible 
Genomics Limited (companies registered in England and Wales) and Epistem Inc. incorporated in the United States of 
America. The principal activities of the subsidiary companies are:
•  Epistem Limited and Epistem Inc. - the provision of services to the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries;
•  Epistem SIP Trustees Limited - to act as trustee to the Epistem Share Incentive Plan.

On 28 July 2010, Epistem Holdings Plc acquired 100% of the share capital of Visible Genomics Limited, whose
principal activity had been the development of diagnostic assays and equipment, The assets of Visible Genomics
Limited on 27 July 2010 are summarised below:

Acquired intangible assets 
Short term liabilities 
Long term liabilities 

£’000

100
(25)
(75)

 –

On 28 July 2010, the above assets and liabilities were hived into Epistem Limited and Visible Genomics Limited ceased
to trade. Following a variation of Purchase and Sales agreement agreed with the vendor of Visible Genomics Limited on 
5 March, 2014, the following earnout deferred consideration payable to the vendors of Visible Genomics Limited remained 
outstanding:

Group

(a) Deferred consideration payable in cash
 • Following events relating to submission of Epistem products for regulatory approval

(b) Deferred consideration payable in shares
 • Following receipt of regulatory approval for Genedrive®
 • Achievement of commercial milestones relating to Genedrive® sales

2015
£’000

–

2014
£’000

50

–
1,250

 1,250

1,400
1,250

2,700

The commercial milestones amounting to £1,250k detailed above and outstanding at 30 June 2015 (2014: £1,250k) 
require the recognition of £5m of Genedrive® related income or contractual income commitments of a minimum 
combined value of £5m from any of a list of 16 IVD companies.

The value at which Consideration shares are to be issued is to be calculated by reference to LSE daily share price over a 
5 day period commencing 30 days after the date that the achievement of the milestone is announced. The Consideration 
shares are subject to a “lock-in” provision, under which the Vendor covenants not to sell Consideration shares for a period 
of up to 24 months without the consent of the Company, except in the event that an offer for the whole of the issued 
share capital of the Company is received and which is either recommended by the Board or becomes unconditional as to 
acceptances.

Deferred consideration of £50k was paid in cash on submission of Epistem products for regulatory approval. Deferred 
consideration of £1,400k was paid by the issue of 491,228 ordinary shares at £0.015 following granting by Drug Controller 
General (India) of regulatory approval of Epistem products.

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

63

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Notes to the Company Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 30 June 2015

a. Investments continued
Company continued
In the event that an offer for the whole of the issued share capital of the Company or for the Genedrive® business is
received and which is either recommended by the Board or is declared unconditional as to acceptances, then, the
Vendor will become entitled to be allotted shares in the Company up to a maximum value of £2.65m, save to the extent
that Consideration shares, as detailed above, have already been issued. The value at which these shares are issued will
be the relevant offer price.

The Board is of the opinion that, as at 30 June 2015, the value of further consideration of £1.25m (2014: £2.65m) was 
capable of assessment and provision for this liability has been made in these accounts. Based on the share price of 275p 
at 30 June 2015, this would result in the issue of 454,545 shares.

Year ended 30 June 2015

Cost
At 1 July 2014
Additions

At 30 June 2015

Net book value

At 30 June 2015

At 30 June 2014

Year ended 30 June 2014

Cost
At 1 July 2013
Additions

At 30 June 2014

Net book value

At 30 June 2014

At 30 June 2013

Investment in 
subsidiaries 
£’000

6,228
170

6,398

6,398

6,228

Investment in 
subsidiaries 
£’000

6,070
158

6,228

6,228

6,070

Additions in the year ended 30 June 2015 comprised the fair value of the share options issued to employees of the 
subsidiary undertaking during the year of £170k (2014: £158k). Full details of the share options issued are set out in Note 
20 to the consolidated financial statements.

64

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

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Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

b. Amounts receivable from Group undertaking and other receivables

Company

Amounts receivable from Group undertakings

c. Cash and cash equivalents

Company

Cash at bank and in hand
Short term bank deposits

2015
£’000

17,516

17,516

2014
£’000

14,627

14,627

2015
£’000

161
3,546

3,707

2014
£’000

242
1,800

2,042

Cash and cash equivalents comprise current accounts held by the Group with immediate access and short term bank 
deposits with a maturity of three months or less. Market rates of interest are earned on such deposits. The credit risk on 
such funds is limited because the counter parties are banks with high credit ratings assigned by international credit rating 
agencies.

d. Related party transactions
During the course of the year, Epistem SIP Trustee acquired 6,178 (2014: 17,851) shares in Epistem Holdings Plc on behalf 
of the Epistem Share Investment Plan at a cost of £21k (2014: £67k).

e. Impairment review
The carrying value of Investments and Amounts Receivable are subject to an annual impairment review. In the view of the 
Directors, no impairment provision has been required during the year (2014 – £nil).

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

65

Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
Directors, Secretary and 

Advisers

Directors, Secretary and Advisers

Directors
Ian Gilham (appointed 24 November 2014)
Catherine Booth
Allan Brown
Roger Lloyd
Robert Nolan
John Rylands
David Evans (Resigned 11 May 2015)
Matthew Walls (Resigned 23 October 2015)

Company Secretary
John Rylands

Registered Office
48 Grafton Street
Manchester M13 9XX
United Kingdom

Registrars
Neville Registrars Limited
18 Laurel Lane
Halesowen B63 3DA

Principal Banker
Natwest Commercial Banking
1 Spinningfields Square
Deansgate
Manchester M3 3AP

Nominated Adviser & Broker
Peel Hunt Limited LLP
111 Old Broad Street
London EC2N 1PH

Auditors
Haines Watts Chartered Accountants
Bridge House
Ashley Road
Hale
Cheshire WA14 2UT

Legal Advisers
Pinsent Masons LLP
Princes Exchange
1 Earl Grey Street
Edinburgh EH3 9AQ

Controlling life-long tissue renewal
Epistem Plc
48 Grafton Street
Manchester M13 9XX
United Kingdom
T +44 (0)161 606 7258
F +44 (0)161 606 7348
www.epistem.co.uk

66

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

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Strategic Report

Governance

Financial Statements

Notes

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

67

Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
Notes

68

Epistem Holdings Plc  Annual Report 2015

Page Title at start:Content Section at start: 
Page Title at start:Content Section at start:E

p

i

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H

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n

n

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a

l

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p

o

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2

0

1

5

Epistem Holdings Plc  
48 Grafton Street
Manchester M13 9XX
United Kingdom

T +44 (0)161 606 7258
F +44 (0)161 606 7348

www.epistem.co.uk

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