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GW Pharmaceuticals plc

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FY2011 Annual Report · GW Pharmaceuticals plc
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Multiple Sclerosis

continuing our journey

Annual Report and Accounts
2011

DiabetesEpilepsyCancer 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GW Pharmaceuticals plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2011

2011 has marked the start of a new 
era for GW as we benefit from Sativex® 
launches and sales growth, whilst 
maintaining investment in research 
and development to drive further 
growth and value creation.

This is the story of our year.

Contents

01 
02 
04 
06 
08 
10 
16 
20 
22 
25 
28 
33 
34 
36 
37 
38 
39 
40 

Highlights 2011 
Chairman’s Statement
The Commercialisation of Sativex®
A Valuable Pipeline 
Expert Recognition
Managing Director’s Review
Finance Director’s Review
Board of Directors
Directors’ Report 
Chairman’s Corporate Governance Report 
Directors’ Remuneration Report
Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities 
Independent Auditors’ Report
Consolidated Income Statement
Statement of Changes in Equity
Balance Sheets
Cash Flow Statements
Notes to the Financial Statements

Launches of a unique medicine, 
partnerships with world leading 
pharmaceutical companies, highly 
promising data in new therapeutic 
areas, GW’s journey continues…

Sativex
Sativex, GW’s 
novel first-in-class 
treatment for the 
treatment of Multiple 
Sclerosis spasticity, is 
administered as an 
oro-mucosal spray.

+59%

Sativex® sales have increased 
by 59% in the last year.

Cannabinoid Platform
GW is a recognised world leader 
in cannabinoid science and is 
progressing a pipeline of new 
cannabinoid medicines across 
a range of therapeutic areas.

Global Opportunity
GW has signed commercialisation 
agreements with four major 
pharmaceutical companies to sell 
Sativex in markets around the world.

10

Sativex is now approved 
and/or recommended for 
approval in 10 countries.

Cancer
Global Phase III trials are under way 
to extend the use of Sativex to treat 
cancer pain. In addition, other 
cannabinoids demonstrate highly 
promising anti-cancer effects in 
pre-clinical studies. 

Diabetes
A series of Phase IIa trials are 
under way to evaluate GW 
cannabinoids as treatments 
for type 2 diabetes and 
metabolic syndrome.

Epilepsy
Highly promising pre-clinical data 
for GW cannabinoids in the field of 
epilepsy are being generated under a 
research collaboration with Otsuka.

Cautionary statement:

This annual report contains forward-looking statements 
that reflect GW’s current expectations regarding future 
events, including development and regulatory clearance of 
GW’s products. Forward-looking statements involve risks 
and uncertainties. Actual results and events could differ 
materially from those projected herein and depend on a 
number of factors, including (inter alia), the success of 
GW’s research strategies, the applicability of the discoveries 
made therein, the successful and timely completion of 
uncertainties related to the regulatory process, and the 
acceptance of Sativex® and other products by consumer 
and medical professionals. The forward-looking statements 
reflect knowledge and information available at the date 
of preparation of this annual report and the Company 
undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking 
statements. Nothing in this annual report should be 
construed as a profit forecast.

DiabetesCancerMultiple SclerosisEpilepsy01

Highlights 2011

Commercial 

10

Sativex® is now approved and/or 
recommended for approval in  
10 countries.

R&D

5

GW is currently running 5 Phase II 
and Phase III clinical trials to advance 
the pipeline.

Financial

+59%

Sativex sales up by 59% to £4.4m.

•	 Sativex	successfully	launched	in	Germany,	Spain	and	

Denmark	–	strong	initial	uptake	in	key	German	market	
recently	reported	by	marketing	partner,	Almirall

•	 Licence	agreement	signed	with	Novartis	to	commercialise	
Sativex	in	Australasia,	Asia	(excluding	Japan/China),	
Middle	East	(excluding	Israel)	and	Africa.	$5m	upfront	
payment	received.	Regulatory	submission	filed	in	Australia

•	 Sativex	approved	in	Czech	Republic	and	further	approvals	

in	Italy,	Sweden	and	Austria	expected	in	the	coming	
months.	Launches	in	these	countries	expected	in	2012

•	 Second	European	Mutual	Recognition	Procedure	

submission	procedure	now	under	way	with	aim	to	expand	
approvals	to	several	additional	European	countries	in	2012

•	 Expansion	of	facilities	and	staff	to	support	sales	growth	and	

R&D	activity	

•	 Two	Sativex	Phase	III	cancer	pain	trials	recruiting	on	

track.	Third	Phase	III	cancer	pain	trial	in	advanced	stage	
of	planning	and	due	to	commence	H1	2012.	All	trials	fully	
funded	by	US	partner,	Otsuka

•	 Two	new	patents	granted	to	protect	Sativex’s	formulation	

and	its	use	in	cancer	pain

•	 Three	Phase	IIa	clinical	trials	of	novel	cannabinoid	

medicines	(GWP42003	and	GWP42004)	in	diabetes/
metabolic	disease	now	under	way.	First	trial	fully	recruited

•	 Phase	IIa	clinical	trial	of	novel	cannabinoid	medicine	

(GWP42003)	in	ulcerative	colitis	expected	to	commence	
Q1	2012

•	 Positive	pre-clinical	data	in	epilepsy	and	cancer	continue		
to	be	generated	as	part	of	Otsuka	research	collaboration	

•	 Sativex	sales	up	by	59%	to	£4.4m	(2010:	£2.8m)	and	

milestone	income	of	£5.3m	(2010:	£11.2m).	Total	revenue	
of	£29.6m	(2010:	£30.7m).	95%	of	revenue	generated	from	
overseas	customers	

•	 Net	profit	before	tax	of	£2.5m	(2010:	£4.6m)

•	 Cash	and	short-term	deposits	at	30	September	2011	

increased	to	£28.3m	(2010:	£25.2m)	

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201102

Chairman’s Statement
This year has seen GW continue to deliver. With the 
international commercial roll-out of Sativex® gathering pace, 
we can look forward to continued sales growth as well as 
further approvals and launches. We also continue to invest in 
the pipeline in order to create new income streams to drive 
future growth and value creation.

Dr Geoffrey W Guy
Executive	Chairman

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 2011“ This year’s agreement 
with Novartis provides 
further validation of the 
quality of GW’s science.”

03

I	am	pleased	to	report	another	successful	
year	for	GW	across	all	aspects	of	the	
business	–	financial,	commercial	and	
pipeline	development.	In	addition	to	
reporting	a	healthy	set	of	financial	results	
together	with	a	strong	and	improved	cash	
position,	GW	is	making	excellent	progress	in	
the	commercial	roll-out	of	Sativex	as	well	as	
in	advancing	its	research	programmes.

Having	seen	the	UK	launch	of	Sativex	last	
year,	launches	in	2011	have	taken	place	in	
Spain,	Germany	and	Denmark.	All	are	
proceeding	well	with	particularly	strong	
initial	uptake	in	the	key	German	market.	
Beyond	these	markets,	we	expect	launches	
in	Italy,	Sweden,	Austria	and	the	Czech	
Republic	in	the	forthcoming	year.	In	
addition,	having	now	commenced	the	
second	round	of	Mutual	Recognition	
Procedure	in	Europe,	we	expect	further	
approvals	in	Europe	from	calendar	mid-
2012.	Such	approvals	should	lead	to	further	
commercial	launches	in	Europe	from	early	
fiscal	2013	onwards,	driving	continued	sales	
growth	in	future	years.

The	increasing	global	prospects	for	Sativex	
were	highlighted	by	this	year’s	licence	
agreement	with	Novartis	Pharma	AG	to	
commercialise	Sativex	in	Australia	and	New	
Zealand,	Asia	(excluding	Japan	and	China),	
Middle	East	(excluding	Israel)	and	Africa.	
As	one	of	the	world’s	leading	pharmaceutical	
companies	with	a	strategic	focus	in	both	
Multiple	Sclerosis	(MS)	and	oncology,	we	
believe	that	Novartis	represents	an	excellent	
commercial	partner	for	Sativex	in	these	
important	and	growing	international	markets.

In	addition	to	Novartis,	Sativex	is	licensed	
to	Otsuka	Pharmaceutical	Co.	Ltd	in	the	US,	
to	Almirall	S.A.	in	Europe	(excluding	the	
UK),	to	Bayer	HealthCare	AG	in	the	UK	and	
Canada,	and	to	Neopharm	Group	in	Israel.	
Taken	together,	these	agreements	have	to	date	
yielded	£31m	in	signature	fees	and	a	further	
£28m	in	milestone	payments.	GW	is	entitled	
to	receive	up	to	£211m	in	additional	milestone	
payments	and	also	generates	income	from	
supply	of	finished	product	to	its	partners.

The	currently	approved	Multiple	Sclerosis	
indication	for	Sativex	represents	only	the	
start	of	Sativex’s	commercial	life.	GW	is	
seeking	to	maximise	the	potential	of	Sativex	
through	a	comprehensive	Phase	III	trials	
programme	in	cancer	pain,	funded	by	
Otsuka.	This	programme	is	targeted	at	the	
important	US	market	but	also	provides	an	
opportunity	to	address	a	major	unmet	need	
in	other	regions	across	the	world.	This	Phase	
III	programme	follows	completion	of	two	
Phase	II	studies	with	positive	results	
including	over	500	patients	in	total.

We	believe	that	the	success	of	Sativex	
provides	validation	of	GW’s	cannabinoid	
technology	platform.	With	its	world	leading	
position	in	cannabinoid	science,	GW	has	
the	opportunity	to	leverage	this	strategic	
position	to	develop	a	number	of	new	
medicines	with	a	view	to	seeking	new	
licensing	partners	in	due	course.	We	have	
therefore	taken	the	decision	to	increase	
investment	in	the	clinical	development	of	
the	pipeline	with	three	Phase	II	trials	now	
under	way	in	metabolic	disease	and	a	Phase	
II	trial	is	due	to	commence	in	ulcerative	
colitis.	In	addition,	highly	promising	
pre-clinical	data	is	also	being	generated	
in	epilepsy	and	cancer	under	our	global	
research	collaboration	with	Otsuka.	

We	are	proud	of	GW’s	achievements	to	
date	but	we	have	even	greater	ambitions	
for	the	future.	We	believe	that	GW	has	the	
expertise,	track	record	and	competitive	
position	not	only	to	further	enhance	the	
value	of	Sativex	but	also	to	develop	multiple	
new	first	in	class	cannabinoid	medicines	
across	a	range	of	disease	areas.	As	such,	
we	continue	to	invest	in	research,	to	employ	
new	staff	and	to	expand	collaborations	
with	leading	scientists	around	the	world.	

Finally,	I	should	like	to	take	this	opportunity	
to	thank	all	of	our	staff,	senior	management	
and	the	Board	for	their	hard	work	over	the	
last	year	and	for	their	commitment	and	
dedication	to	the	Company,	its	goals	and	
its	values.

Dr Geoffrey W Guy
Executive	Chairman
21	November	2011	

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201104

The Commercialisation of Sativex®
Regulatory approvals and launches for Sativex provide GW 
with a commercial business which generates operating profits and 
provides a source of growing sales revenue. With further launches 
in prospect in Europe, coupled with the agreement signed this year 
with Novartis to commercialise Sativex in Australia, Asia, Middle 
East and Africa, GW has entered a new phase in which growing 
commercial sales will increasingly feature. 

Partnerships
GW’s	strategy	is	to	enter	into	agreements	
with	major	pharmaceutical	companies	for	
the	commercialisation	of	Sativex.	With	
four	such	agreements	now	signed,	GW	
has	to	date	received	£31m	in	signature	fees	
and	a	further	£28m	in	milestone	payments.	
GW	is	entitled	to	receive	up	to	£211m	in	
additional	milestone	payments.	GW	also	
generates	income	from	supply	of	finished	
product	to	its	partners.

GW	is	proud	to	be	working	with	high	profile	
companies	in	our	industry.	In	addition	to	
the	Novartis	agreement	signed	this	year,	GW	
has	licensed	Sativex	to	Otsuka	in	the	US,	to	
Almirall	in	Europe	(excl.	UK),	to	Bayer	in	
UK	and	Canada,	and	to	Neopharm	in	Israel.

MS Spasticity Opportunity
MS	affects	more	than	1.2	million	people	
worldwide,	including	600,000	people	in	
Europe.	Spasticity	is	one	of	the	most	common	
and	most	disabling	symptoms	of	MS,	
affecting	up	to	84%	of	patients.	It	is	widely	
recognised	that	currently	available	treatments	
are	inadequate.	Sativex	has	been	developed	
as	a	treatment	for	the	relief	of	symptoms	in	
patients	with	moderate	to	severe	spasticity	
that	have	not	been	adequately	treated	with	
currently	used	therapies.	It	is	able	to	relieve	
spasticity,	reduce	spasms,	improve	sleep	and	
improve	function.

Launches
Sativex	is	now	marketed	as	a	treatment	for	
MS	spasticity	in	the	UK,	Germany,	Spain	
and	Denmark.	Sativex	has	also	been	
approved	in	the	Czech	Republic	and	
recommended	for	approval	in	Italy,	
Sweden,	and	Austria.	Launches	in	these	
four	countries	are	expected	in	2012.	

Global Expansion
GW	has	started	the	regulatory	process	
to	expand	the	approval	of	Sativex	across	
other	European	countries.	This	“mutual	
recognition	procedure”	is	expected	to	
complete	around	mid-2012,	following	
which	national	launches	in	these	additional	
markets	can	start	to	take	place.

Beyond	Europe,	a	regulatory	submission	
is	under	way	in	Australia,	the	outcome	of	
which	will	be	known	in	2012.	Approval	has	
already	been	granted	in	Canada	and	New	
Zealand.	A	regulatory	filing	is	also	under	way	
in	Israel	and	preparations	are	being	made	for	

applications	in	selected	Gulf	states	in	2012.	
Preparation	is	also	being	made	for	regulatory	
filings	in	certain	countries	in	Asia.

Cancer Pain
Sativex	has	the	potential	for	a	long	
commercial	lifecycle	to	drive	growth	
for	many	years	to	come.	A	key	part	of	the	
strategy	to	enhance	the	value	of	Sativex	is	
its	development	as	a	treatment	for	cancer	
pain.	A	comprehensive	Phase	III	programme	
is	now	under	way	in	this	indication.

GW’s	cancer	pain	clinical	programme	is	
being	wholly	funded	by	Otsuka,	which	
has	licensed	the	US	commercialisation	rights	
to	this	product.	The	cancer	pain	trials	are	
designed	to	obtain	approval	in	this	indication	
in	the	US,	but	these	data	will	also	be	used	by	
GW	for	future	regulatory	applications	in	this	
indication	in	Europe	and	around	the	world.	

Novartis
In	April	2011,	GW	announced	an	exclusive	
licence	agreement	with	Novartis	Pharma	
AG	to	commercialise	Sativex	in	Australia	and	
New	Zealand,	Asia	(excl.	Japan	and	China),	
Middle	East	(excl.	Israel)	and	Africa.	GW	
received	an	upfront	payment	of	$5m	and	
will	be	eligible	for	additional	payments	
totaling	$28.75m	upon	the	achievement	of	
certain	milestones,	as	well	as	royalties	on	net	
sales	of	Sativex.	As	one	of	the	world’s	leading	
pharmaceutical	companies	with	a	strategic	
focus	in	both	MS	and	oncology,	GW	
believes	that	Novartis	represents	an	
excellent	commercial	partner	for	Sativex	
in	these	important	and	growing	
international	markets.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201105

Sativex has proven to 
reduce the severity of 
symptoms and improve 
patients quality of life.

Prof H. P. Hartung
Chair of Neurology Heinrich-Heine University 
of Düsseldorf, Germany

Sativex is supplied 
in a pack containing 
three 10ml vials, 
representing around 
one months’ supply.

This image from 
Almirall’s marketing 
materials conveys 
the effect of Sativex 
in reducing spasticity 
and its positive impact 
on quality of life.

Sativex is featured 
in physician and 
patient information 
materials, and also 
at both national 
and international 
scientific meetings.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201106

A Valuable Pipeline
GW’s extensive research into the pharmacology 
of cannabinoids continues to yield highly promising 
data and new intellectual property across a range of 
therapeutic areas. GW continues to invest in further 
research to accelerate further growth and value 
creation through the development and licensing 
of several new cannabinoid drug candidates.

Cannabinoids
There	are	approx	100	cannabinoid	molecules	
which	are	found	only	in	the	cannabis	plant.	
GW	has	unique	access	to	an	extensive	library	
of	phytocannabinoids	(plant-derived	
cannabinoids)	and	is	researching	a	number	of	
these	molecules	across	different	disease	areas.

Cannabinoids	exert	many	of	their	
pharmacological	effects	by	interacting	
with,	and	modulating,	the	human	
endocannabinoid	system.	This	comprises	
a	family	of	cannabinoid	receptors,	their	
endogenous	activators	(ligands),	enzymes	
and	transporters.	There	are	at	least	two	types	
of	cannabinoid	receptors,	CB1	and	CB2.	In	
addition,	the	cannabinoid	system	interacts	
with	other	important	neurotransmitter/
neuromodulatory	systems.	The	far-reaching	
pharmacology	of	cannabinoids	explains	why	
they	hold	such	promise	in	such	diverse	
therapeutic	areas.

CNS and Oncology – Otsuka 
Research Collaboration
GW’s	research	activities	in	the	earlier	stage	
pipeline	are	supported	by	income	from	the	
global	cannabinoid	research	collaboration	
with	Otsuka.	Under	this	agreement,	
Otsuka	funds	GW’s	research	into	a	range	
of	cannabinoids	as	potential	new	drug	

candidates	in	the	field	of	Central	Nervous	
System	(CNS)	disorders	and	oncology.	
This	collaboration	was	originally	signed	in	
July	2007	with	a	three	year	term,	and	was	
extended	for	a	further	three	years	to	June	
2013.	To	date,	Otsuka’s	total	investment	in	
research	activities	under	this	collaboration	
exceeds	£15m.	

Products	selected	for	full	development	
will	be	the	subject	of	a	license	from	GW	to	
Otsuka,	the	financial	terms	of	each	license	
to	be	agreed	at	the	time	of	selection	of	each	
product	for	global	development.

Diabetes/Metabolic Disease and 
Inflammation
Outside	the	therapeutic	areas	of	CNS	and	
oncology,	GW	selectively	invests	its	own	
resources	to	advance	its	cannabinoid	pipeline	
with	a	view	to	signing	new	out-licensing	
agreements	in	due	course.	The	principal	areas	
of	GW’s	investment	are	in	diabetes/metabolic	
disease	and	inflammatory	conditions.

Intellectual Property
GW	has	developed	a	matrix	of	intellectual	
property	rights	comprising	patents,	plant	
variety	rights	and	proprietary	know-how,	
devised	to	provide	extended	protection	of	
Sativex®	and	the	cannabinoid	pipeline.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201107

Diabetes/
Metabolic 
Syndrome

Inflammation

Cancer

Epilepsy

GW has embarked on a 
programme of three Phase IIa 
clinical trials to evaluate a range of 
GW cannabinoids as treatments 
for features of Type 2 diabetes and 
metabolic syndrome

GW’s clinical study programme seeks to build upon 
pre-clinical data demonstrating the desirable effects of GW 
cannabinoids on plasma insulin, leptin and adiponectin levels. 
In addition, these results have shown a reduction in total 
cholesterol with an increase in the proportion of HDL (good) 
cholesterol. GW cannabinoids have also shown the ability to 
reduce liver fat levels in animal models of hepatic steatosis. 
Recent findings include the observation in a rodent model 
of diabetes that cannabinoids are able to protect the 
insulin-producing cells of pancreatic islets cells.

GW will commence a Phase IIa 
study in the inflammatory diseases 
area in early 2012. This study will 
investigate CBD extract in the 
treatment of ulcerative colitis

Several GW cannabinoids have shown anti-inflammatory 
properties in a number of models of inflammation, notably 
of the gut and the joints, and have the capacity to inhibit the 
production in tissues of chemical mediators of inflammation 
such as TNFα. In addition to the first clinical study in 
ulcerative colitis, GW is conducting pre-clinical research 
exploring the effect of cannabinoids on various models of 
airways inflammation, including chronic cough, and 
inflammatory skin diseases. 

GW is generating highly promising 
pre-clinical data on the anti-cancer 
effects of certain cannabinoids. 
Key cancer targets include glioma, 
breast cancer, colon cancer and 
prostate cancer

GW cannabinoids have been shown to be orally active in the 
treatment of cancer and not only has a dose response been 
shown in the pre-clinical work, but also tumour response has 
been shown to be positively associated with tissue levels of 
cannabinoid. Results of key research in glioblastoma multiforme 
and in breast cancer have been published in high status journals. 
Work now focuses on defining the optimum cannabinoid 
candidate and tumour type for initial clinical studies.

GW’s epilepsy research takes place 
at the centre of excellence at the 
University of Reading, to which 
scientists from Otsuka have also 
been seconded

Selected GW cannabinoids have shown anti-convulsant effects 
across a range of in vitro and in vivo models of epilepsy. A lead 
candidate has been identified, supported by strong intellectual 
property, and additional confirmatory pre-clinical tests 
are under way prior to progression into clinical trials. 
In particular, GW cannabinoids have shown the ability 
to treat seizures in models of epilepsy with significantly 
fewer side effects than existing anti-epileptic drugs.

Psychiatric 
Illness

Pre-clinical research findings 
suggest that a range of psychiatric 
conditions, including schizophrenia, 
anxiety and depression are 
promising targets for cannabinoid 
medicines

GW is currently investigating the potential of cannabinoids 
as treatments for psychiatric disorders in collaboration with 
Otsuka. Of particular interest is emerging evidence which 
suggests that the cannabinoid, cannabidiol (CBD), possibly 
in combination with other cannabinoids, may have potential 
utility in schizophrenia not only as an anti-psychotic, but 
also in the alleviation of the metabolic and inflammatory 
abnormalities associated with the disease. GW has started 
a Phase IIa trial to investigate this further.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201108

Expert Recognition
GW is recognised as a world leader in cannabinoid 
science and works closely with scientific collaborators 
at academic institutions across the world. These 
relationships yield new research pathways and valuable 
intellectual property. GW’s research is increasingly 
featured in high status peer-reviewed scientific journals.

The	potential	of	cannabinoid	science	is	
increasingly	recognised	by	scientists	across	
the	world.	GW	has	developed	close	links	
with	academic	institutions	in	Europe,	North	
America	and	beyond	to	advance	its	research	
effort.	These	relationships	extend	not	only	
to	the	world’s	leading	cannabinoid	
pharmacologists	but	also	to	specialist	
research	teams	in	target	disease	areas.	In	
addition	to	this	expanding	research	network,	
GW	also	supports	clinicians	who	approach	
the	company	to	explore	the	potential	of	
cannabinoids	in	the	clinic	through	
investigator	initiated	studies.

Rigorous Drug Development Process
GW’s	approach	to	early	product	development	
of	novel	cannabinoids	follows	a	rigorous	
path.	Having	selected	a	phytocannabinoid	
for	evaluation,	GW’s	plant	geneticists	breed	
a	novel	plant	type	which	is	characterised	
and	then	prepared	for	in	vitro	and	in	vivo	
pharmacologic	evaluation	studies	evaluating	
the	safety	and	routes	of	drug	metabolism	of	
the	compound.	For	promising	cannabinoids,	
additional	pharmacology,	toxicology	and	
pre-clinical	development	are	then	performed	
in	parallel	with	the	development	of	clinical	
study	formulations	and	analytical	
methodologies.	Selected	cannabinoid	drug	
candidates	then	progress	into	Phase	I	and	
Phase	IIa	clinical	evaluation	studies.	

Scientific Collaborations
At	each	step	in	the	process,	GW	benefits	from	
the	wealth	of	expertise	that	resides	with	its	
scientific	collaborators.	GW	is	proud	to	work	
closely	with	the	most	eminent	cannabinoid	
pharmacologists	in	the	world:	Prof	Raphael	
Mechoulam	of	Hebrew	University,	Prof	Roger	
Pertwee	of	Aberdeen	University	and	Prof	
Vincenzo	di	Marzo	at	the	Institute	of	
Biomolecular	Chemistry	of	the	National	
Research	Council	(ICB-CNR)	in	Naples.	

In	target	disease	areas,	GW	identifies	lead	
scientists	and	institutions	with	relevant	
expertise	and	enters	into	collaborations	to	
advance	its	research	effort.	In	cancer,	GW’s	
collaborators	include	the	research	team	at	
Complutense	University,	Madrid	led	by	Prof	
Manuel	Guzman	and	we	also	benefit	from	
the	advice	of	Prof	Karol	Sikora,	Dean	of	the	
medical	school	at	Buckingham	University	
and	former	Global	Clinical	Expert	in	
Oncology	at	Astra	Zeneca.	Metabolic	
and	inflammatory	research	is	being	carried	
out	in	collaboration	with	the	University	
of	Buckingham	(Prof	Mike	Cawthorne),	
Imperial	College,	London	(Prof	Jimmy	Bell),	
King’s	College,	London	(Prof	Clive	Page),	
and	at	the	University	of	Naples	(Prof	Angelo	
Izzo).	Epilepsy	research	is	led	out	of	the	
University	of	Reading	(Dr	Ben	Whalley).	
Beyond	these	few	examples,	there	are	
many	other	scientists	and	institutions	with	
whom	GW	is	proud	to	be	associated.

Profile in Scientific Literature
The	last	decade	has	seen	a	dramatic	increase	
in	the	number	of	scientific	publications	
featuring	cannabinoids,	from	approx	250	
papers	per	year	in	2000	to	over	900	papers	
in	2010.	Recent	publications	from	GW’s	
research	cover	a	diverse	spectrum	of	
therapeutic	areas	including	glioma,	breast	
cancer,	epilepsy,	neuroprotection,	bone	
disease	and	many	more.	Some	examples	
are	provided	below:

L-L

Cannabinoids reduce ErB2-driven 
breast cancer progression through 
Akt inhibition.

Symptom-relieving and neuroprotective 
effects of the phytocannabinoid THCV 
in animal models of Parkinson’s disease.

The plant cannabinoid can decrease 
signs of inflammation and 
inflammatory pain in mice.

Cannabidiol displays antiepileptiform 
and antiseizure properties in vitro and 
in vivo.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 2011There is a wealth of 
pharmacologic data to 
suggest the potential of GW 
cannabinoids across a range 
of therapeutic areas.

Prof Vincenzo di Marzo
Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, National 
Research Council, Naples

09

I am particularly encouraged 
by results of pre-clinical studies 
on GW cannabinoids and 
see exciting potential for the 
development of new treatments 
in the field of Type 2 diabetes and 
related metabolic disorders. 

Prof Mike Cawthorne
Director of Metabolic Research, Clore Laboratory, 
University of Buckingham

Spasticity is a major contributor 
to disability in MS. Sativex® 
addresses a significant unmet 
need for patients whose treatment 
options are currently limited.

Prof Richard Langford
Consultant in Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine, 
Barts and The London NHS Trust

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201110

Managing Director’s Review
As the international commercialisation of Sativex® 
begins to gather pace and investment into the pipeline 
progresses, GW has this year matured into a company 
with three key components to its business: Sativex 
Commercial; Sativex R&D; and Cannabinoid 
Platform/Pipeline R&D. 

Justin Gover
Managing	Director

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201111

Sativex Commercial
The	commercial	Sativex	business	already	
generates	operating	profits	and	provides	
a	source	of	growing	sales	revenue.	Future	
sales	growth	will	be	driven	by	GW’s	recent	
regulatory	successes	and	launches,	additional	
approvals	and	launches	for	Sativex	in	Europe,	
and	progress	with	the	agreement	signed	this	
year	with	Novartis	to	commercialise	Sativex	
in	Australia,	Asia,	Middle	East	and	Africa.	

Sativex R&D
We	believe	that	the	currently	approved	
Multiple	Sclerosis	(MS)	indication	for	
Sativex	represents	only	the	start	of	
Sativex’s	commercial	life.	GW	is	seeking	
to	maximise	the	potential	of	Sativex	
through	a	comprehensive	Phase	III	trials	
programme	in	cancer	pain,	funded	by	
Otsuka.	This	programme	is	targeted	at	the	
important	US	market	but	also	provides	an	
opportunity	to	address	a	major	unmet	need	
in	other	regions	across	the	world.	

Cannabinoid Platform/ 
Pipeline R&D
GW	now	occupies	a	world	leading	position	
in	cannabinoid	science.	We	believe	that	
there	is	significant	opportunity	to	leverage	
this	strategic	position	to	develop	a	number	
of	new	medicines	with	a	view	to	seeking	
new	licensing	partners	in	due	course.	A	
programme	of	Phase	II	trials	is	under	way	
in	metabolic	disease	and	a	Phase	II	trial	is	
also	due	to	commence	in	ulcerative	colitis.	
Highly	promising	pre-clinical	data	is	also	
being	generated	in	epilepsy	and	cancer.	

“ GW has to date 
received £31m in 
signature fees and 
a further £28m in 
milestone payments.”

Sativex Commercial
In	prior	years,	GW	has	entered	into	licensing	
agreements	for	the	commercialisation	of	
Sativex	with	Otsuka	in	the	US,	Almirall	S.A.	
in	Europe	(excluding	the	United	Kingdom),	
Bayer	HealthCare	AG	in	the	UK	and	
Canada,	and	Neopharm	Group	in	Israel.	
Together	with	the	Novartis	agreement	
outlined	below,	GW	has	to	date	received	
£31m	in	signature	fees	and	a	further	£28m	
in	milestone	payments.	GW	is	entitled	to	
receive	up	to	a	further	£211m	in	additional	
milestone	payments	and	also	generates	
royalty/product	supply	income	derived	
from	sales	by	its	commercial	partners.

Novartis
In	April	2011,	GW	announced	that	it	had	
entered	into	an	exclusive	licence	agreement	
for	Novartis	Pharma	AG	to	commercialise	
Sativex	in	Australia	and	New	Zealand,	Asia	
(excluding	Japan,	China	and	Hong	Kong),	
Middle	East	(excluding	Israel	and	Palestine)	
and	Africa.	

Under	the	agreement,	GW	has	received	an	
upfront	payment	of	$5m	and	will	be	eligible	
for	additional	payments	totaling	$28.75m	

upon	the	achievement	of	certain	approval	and	
commercial	milestones.	In	addition,	GW	will	
receive	royalties	on	net	sales	of	Sativex.

Regulatory Progress
In	Europe,	Sativex	received	regulatory	
approval	in	2010	in	the	UK	and	Spain	for	
the	indication	of	MS	spasticity.	This	year,	
GW	successfully	completed	a	Mutual	
Recognition	Procedure	(MRP)	to	expand	
these	approvals	into	six	other	European	
countries	–	Germany,	Italy,	Denmark,	
Sweden,	Austria	and	the	Czech	Republic.

Following	successful	completion	of	the	
MRP,	national	licences	have	been	granted	in	
Germany,	Denmark	and	the	Czech	Republic.	
Licences	in	each	of	the	other	countries	are	
expected	to	be	granted	in	the	coming	months	
in	parallel	with	completion	of	national	pricing	
and	reimbursement	processes.

A	further	MRP	submission	has	now	been	
initiated	with	a	view	to	expanding	the	
approval	of	Sativex	to	approximately	ten	
additional	European	countries.	This	process	
should	complete	around	mid-2012.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201112

Managing Director’s Review continued

Beyond	Europe,	Sativex®	has	received	full	
regulatory	approval	for	MS	spasticity	in	
Canada	and	New	Zealand.	Promotion	in	
these	two	countries	has	yet	to	commence.	
GW	has	regulatory	submissions	ongoing	
in	Australia	and	in	Israel.	Other	filings	are	
expected	to	be	made	during	2012,	notably	
in	the	Middle	East	where	the	Company	has	
been	approved	as	a	Good	Manufacturing	
Practice	(GMP)	manufacturer	following	an	
inspection	of	GW’s	manufacturing	facility	
by	the	Gulf	Cooperation	Council	
(GCC)	authority.	

Commercialisation in Europe
As	the	marketing	partner	for	Sativex	
across	Europe	(ex-UK),	Almirall	has	a	
dedicated	central	European	brand	and	
marketing	team	for	Sativex,	as	well	as	
local	teams	for	each	individual	country.	
In	addition	to	significant	sales	force	activity,	
Almirall	sponsors	booths	and	symposia	at	
key	national	and	international	meetings.	
Most	recently,	at	the	European	Congress	
of	Multiple	Sclerosis	(ECTRIMS)	in	
Amsterdam,	data	from	three	Phase	III	
trials	involving	over	1,500	MS	patients	were	
presented.	At	this	event,	Almirall	hosted	a	
satellite	symposium	highlighting	the	key	
benefits	of	Sativex,	attended	by	over	600	
MS	specialist	physicians.	

Almirall	estimate	that	there	are	700,000	
patients	with	MS	in	Europe,	of	which	80%	
will	present	with	spasticity.	Of	these	patients,	
only	around	one	third	currently	receive	
adequate	treatment.	Sativex	is	the	first	new	
therapeutic	solution	to	treat	MS	symptoms	in	
over	ten	years	and	is	designed	to	treat	those	
patients	who	do	not	gain	adequate	benefit	
from	existing	medication.	

Since	launch,	Almirall	report	that	the	rollout	
is	proceeding	well	and	positive	feedback	has	
been	received	from	physicians	and	patients	
in	all	territories.	In	view	of	the	positive	
launch	experience,	Almirall	now	estimate	
Sativex	will	already	have	reached	their	top	
15	product	list	during	2012.

Germany
Sativex	was	launched	in	Germany	by	
Almirall	in	early	July	2011.	With	over	
120,000	people	with	MS,	Germany	
represents	the	largest	European	market	
opportunity	for	Sativex.	Almirall	report	

that	there	has	been	strong	initial	uptake	in	
the	German	market.

Almirall	ex-factory	sales	in	the	first	four	
months	have	reached	€1.6m	with	solid	
monthly	sales	growth.	Almirall	have	a	full	
programme	of	activities	and	initiatives	
planned	in	2012	to	continue	to	drive	this	
sales	performance.	

Spain
In	March	2011,	Sativex	was	launched	in	Spain	
following	a	determination	by	the	Spanish	
Ministry	of	Health	that	Sativex	should	be	
made	available	as	a	fully	reimbursed	medicine	
under	Spain’s	National	Health	System.	The	
launch	in	Spain	yielded	a	£2.5m	milestone	
payment	from	Almirall.	As	Spain’s	largest	
domestic	pharmaceutical	company,	Almirall	
is	ideally	placed	to	maximise	the	value	of	
Sativex	in	the	Spanish	market.	

Although	the	economic	climate	in	Spain	
presents	significant	challenges,	GW	and	
Almirall	are	pleased	with	initial	sales	
performance	since	launch.	Ex-factory	
sales	since	March	now	exceed	€1m.	Sales	
growth	in	the	coming	year	will	largely	be	
determined	by	progress	in	listing	Sativex	
on	the	formulary	of	key	hospitals	around	
the	country,	a	process	which	takes	place	
on	a	hospital	by	hospital	basis.

Denmark
Almirall	recently	established	a	wholly	owned	
subsidiary	in	Scandinavia	in	anticipation	of	
the	launch	of	Sativex	in	Denmark.	A	“soft	
launch”	took	place	during	the	summer	and	
sales	activities	intended	to	drive	sales	during	
2012	have	recently	begun.	

UK 
Sativex	was	launched	in	the	UK	in	summer	
2010	by	GW’s	UK	marketing	partner,	Bayer	
HealthCare.	In-market	sales	since	launch	have	
now	reached	approximately	£3.3	million.	

As	previously	discussed,	sales	evolution	in	
the	UK	is	affected	by	the	challenging	market	
access	environment	which	faces	all	newly	
introduced	medicines	in	the	UK.	In	addition,	
MS	is	a	disease	area	in	which	the	UK	has	
fallen	well	behind	other	European	countries	
in	providing	access	to	treatment.	With	
significant	support	from	patient	interest	
groups	and	clinicians,	GW	and	Bayer	are	

working	to	secure	NHS	funding	for	Sativex	
from	local	Primary	Care	Trusts	(PCTs)	and	
this	will	remain	the	focus	for	activities	
during	2012.	As	previously	guided,	due	to	
the	structural	reasons	outlined,	GW	expects	
the	UK	market	to	be	characterised	by	steady	
growth	rather	than	rapid	market	uptake.	

The	medium	and	long	term	prospects	for	
Sativex	in	the	UK	have	been	enhanced	by	the	
decision	of	the	National	Institute	for	Clinical	
Excellence	(NICE)	to	consider	Sativex	as	
part	of	NICE	MS	Treatment	Guidelines.	
Since	announcing	this	decision,	NICE	has	
not	yet	appointed	the	committee	to	update	
these	guidelines	and	the	timing	of	their	
publication	is	uncertain.	The	prospect	of	
updated	NICE	guidelines	featuring	Sativex	
can	be	expected	to	assist	in	gaining	PCT	
formulary	access	for	the	medicine.	

Italy/Sweden/Austria/Czech Republic
These	four	countries	all	participated	in	the	
successful	MRP	earlier	this	year	and	
recommended	approval	of	Sativex.	A	
national	licence	has	since	been	granted	in	
the	Czech	Republic	and	similar	licences	are	
awaited	in	the	other	countries.	In	all	cases,	
Sativex	requires	pricing	and	reimbursement	
to	be	agreed	with	the	national	authorities	
prior	to	launch.	This	process	is	formally	
under	way	in	Italy	and	the	Czech	Republic	
and	should	commence	in	Sweden	and	
Austria	in	the	very	near	future.	Launches	in	
all	four	countries	are	expected	in	calendar	
Q2/Q3	2012.

Other European Countries
Several	additional	European	countries	will	
be	participating	in	the	second	MRP	which	
has	recently	been	initiated.	The	final	list	of	
countries	in	this	process	will	be	agreed	
during	the	process.	This	next	MRP	is	
expected	to	complete	around	mid-2012.	
Following	this,	we	expect	several	further	
national	approvals	from	the	latter	part	of	
2012	onwards	and	launches	from	early	2013.

Sativex R&D
Phase III Cancer Pain Trials Programme
Expanding	Sativex	to	additional	indications	
in	order	to	maximise	the	product’s	potential	
and	drive	future	sales	growth	is	a	key	focus	
for	GW.	The	near	term	priority	for	GW	is	the	
development	of	Sativex	as	a	treatment	for	
cancer	pain	and	a	comprehensive	Phase	III	

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 2011Cancer Pain

Spasticity 
in MS

Neuropathic 
pain

Diabetes/
Metabolic 
Syndrome

Cancer 
treatment

Epilepsy

Inflammation

Psychiatric
illness

13

Pre-clinical

Phase I

Phase II

Phase III

Submit

Approval

Launch

programme	is	now	under	way	in	this	
indication.	The	market	potential	for	this	
indication	is	substantial	with	studies	
suggesting	that	more	than	one	third	of	
patients	with	cancer,	and	more	than	
three	quarters	of	those	with	advanced	
disease,	suffer	from	chronic	pain.	Large	
surveys	indicate	that	optimal	opioid	therapy	
does	not	yield	sufficient	relief	in	a	substantial	
proportion	of	these	patients.	

GW’s	cancer	pain	clinical	programme	is	
being	wholly	funded	by	Otsuka,	which	
has	licensed	the	US	commercialisation	rights	
to	this	product.	The	cancer	pain	trials	are	
designed	to	obtain	approval	in	this	indication	
from	the	Food	&	Drug	Administration	(FDA)	
in	the	US,	and	these	data	will	also	be	used	by	
GW	for	future	regulatory	applications	in	this	
indication	in	Europe	and	around	the	world.	

Prior	to	commencing	the	Phase	III	
programme,	GW	has	completed	two	Phase	
II	studies	with	positive	results	including	over	
500	patients	in	total.	The	most	recent	Phase	
IIb	study	reported	results	in	March	2010.

evaluate	the	efficacy	and	safety	of	Sativex	
versus	placebo	over	a	5	week	treatment	
period.	The	primary	efficacy	analysis	is	
the	continuous	response	analysis,	the	
same	analysis	that	has	yielded	statistically	
significant	results	in	both	Phase	II	trials.

Following	the	commencement	of	the	first	
Phase	III	trial	in	December	2010,	GW	
received	a	$4m	milestone	payment	from	
Otsuka.	The	second	Phase	III	study	started	
as	planned	in	mid-2011.	Patient	recruitment	
for	both	studies	is	on	track.

The	Phase	III	programme	is	expected	to	
include	patients	in	Europe,	North	America,	
Latin	America	and	Asia.	Recruitment	for	the	
two	Phase	III	studies	is	initially	taking	place	
at	sites	in	Europe.	Professor	Marie	Fallon,	
Professor	of	Palliative	Care,	University	of	
Edinburgh,	is	principal	investigator	of	the	
first	study.	The	principal	investigator	of	the	
second	study	is	Dr.	Russell	K.	Portenoy,	
Chairman	of	the	Department	of	Pain	
Medicine	and	Palliative	Care	at	Beth	Israel	
Medical	Center	in	New	York	City.	

Two Core Phase III Trials
The	core	Phase	III	programme	comprises	
two	Phase	III	randomised	placebo-controlled	
multi-centre	multinational	trials	as	well	as	a	
long	term	extension	study.	Each	Phase	III	trial	
is	intended	to	recruit	380	patients	and	will	

Third Phase III Trial 
Otsuka	has	requested	that	GW	initiate	a	
third	Phase	III	trial	(funded	by	Otsuka)	
and	plans	for	this	additional	trial	are	well	
advanced.	Current	expectations	are	for	
the	study	to	commence	in	H1	2012.	The	

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201114

Managing Director’s Review continued

purpose	of	this	trial	is	to	provide	as	needed	
supplementary	data	to	that	generated	in	
the	first	two	studies.	In	the	event	that	data	
from	the	first	two	studies	are	sufficient	for	
regulatory	filing	purposes,	there	is	no	
intention	to	await	the	outcome	of	the	third	
study	prior	to	such	filing.	

The	third	Phase	III	trial	differs	in	design	
from	the	first	two	studies,	employing	an	
“enriched	study	design”	akin	to	that	which	
was	successfully	employed	in	the	MS	
spasticity	trials	programme.	The	study	
involves	exposing	patients	to	Sativex®	in	a	
single	blind	phase	of	two	weeks	duration	
(“Phase	A”),	following	which	responders	
will	be	randomised	either	to	stay	on	Sativex	or	
switch	to	placebo	in	a	double	blind	phase	for	a	
five	week	treatment	period	(“Phase	B”).	The	
primary	efficacy	analysis	will	be	the	mean	
change	from	baseline	in	Phase	B.	The	study	
will	aim	to	recruit	540	patients	into	Phase	A	
and	target	216	patients	to	enter	Phase	B.	

New Sativex Indication
Beyond	MS	and	cancer	pain,	Sativex	has	
in	recent	years	also	yielded	positive	results	
from	clinical	trials	in	a	range	of	indications,	
including	various	types	of	pain,	as	well	as	
other	symptoms	of	MS.	GW	is	currently	
evaluating	these	opportunities	in	conjunction	
with	its	marketing	partners	to	determine	
whether	a	new	target	indication	should	be	
formally	developed	at	this	time.	Discussions	
on	this	matter	are	ongoing.	

As	with	any	new	medicine,	the	availability	
of	Sativex	has	provoked	interest	in	its	
potential	for	other	neurological	conditions,	
particularly	motor	disorders.	GW	is	working	
with	a	number	of	leading	academic	centres	
around	Europe	studying	Sativex	in	conditions	
such	as	amyotrophic	lateral	sclerosis	(motor	
neurone	disease),	cervical	dystonia	and	
Tourette’s	syndrome.

Strengthened Patent Position
GW	continues	to	build	the	intellectual	
property	base	for	Sativex	with	two	new	
patents	secured	this	year.	In	November	2011,	
the	European	Patent	Office	granted	a	patent	
which	protects	the	composition	of	the	Sativex	
formulation.	This	patent	has	already	been	
granted	in	the	United	States.	The	patent,	
entitled	“Cannabinoid	Liquid	Formulations	
for	Mucosal	Administration”,	provides	an	
exclusivity	period	until	August	2023.	

In	addition,	the	development	of	Sativex	in	
cancer	pain	was	the	subject	of	a	new	US	patent	
granted	in	April	2011.	The	patent,	entitled	
“Pharmaceutical	Compositions	for	the	
Treatment	of	Pain”,	provides	an	exclusivity	
period	until	April	2025,	and	specifically	
covers	a	method	of	treating	cancer	related	
pain	by	administering	a	combination	of	the	
cannabinoids	cannabidiol	(CBD)	and	delta-9	
tetrahydrocannabinol	(THC),	the	two	
principal	cannabinoids	in	Sativex.	

Cannabinoid Platform/Pipeline R&D
GW	now	occupies	a	world	leading	position	
in	cannabinoid	science.	The	Company	has	
developed	a	proprietary	and	validated	
cannabinoid	technology	platform	and	formed	
constructive	collaborations	with	leading	
international	scientists,	universities	and	
institutions	in	the	field.	In	addition	to	this	
expanding	research	network,	GW	also	
supports	clinicians	who	approach	the	
Company	in	seeking	to	explore	the	potential	
of	cannabinoids	in	the	clinic	through	
investigator	initiated	studies.	GW’s	extensive	
research	continues	to	yield	highly	promising	
data	and	new	intellectual	property	across	a	
range	of	therapeutic	areas	and	provides	GW	
with	the	potential	to	develop	and	license	
several	new	cannabinoid	drug	candidates	in	
the	coming	years.	

GW’s	understanding	of	the	pure	and	applied	
pharmacology	of	new	cannabinoids	continues	
to	be	illuminated	under	the	direction	of	two	
of	the	world’s	most	eminent	cannabinoid	
scientists,	Professor	Roger	Pertwee	at	the	
University	of	Aberdeen	and	Professor	
Vincenzo	di	Marzo	at	Institute	of	
Biomolecular	Chemistry	of	the	National	
Research	Council,	Naples.

GW’s	early	stage	research	in	diabetes/
metabolic	disease	and	inflammatory	
conditions	is	funded	in-house	and	research	
in	the	field	of	CNS	and	oncology	is	funded	
by	Otsuka	under	a	global	research	
collaboration	agreement.	

In-House Funded Research
The	principal	areas	of	GW’s	investment	
are	in	diabetes/metabolic	disease	and	
inflammatory	conditions.	GW	is	selectively	
investing	its	resources	to	advance	this	part	
of	the	cannabinoid	pipeline	with	a	view	to	
signing	new	out-licensing	agreements	in	
due	course.

Diabetes/Metabolic Disease
GW	has	embarked	on	a	programme	of	three	
Phase	IIa	clinical	studies	evaluating	GW’s	
cannabinoids	as	potential	treatments	in	the	
field	of	type	diabetes	and	metabolic	syndrome	
and	anticipates	initial	results	during	next	year.	
Simultaneously,	GW	continues	pre-clinical	
work	aimed	at	better	defining	the	mechanism	
of	action	of	the	cannabinoids	in	metabolic	
syndrome.	Very	recent	findings	include	the	
observation	in	a	rodent	model	of	diabetes,	that	
cannabinoids	are	able	to	protect	the	insulin-
producing	cells	of	the	pancreatic	islets	
Cawthorne	et	al.	submitted	World	Diabetes	
Congress,	Dubai,	Dec	2011.	This	finding	is	
consistent	with	the	earlier	observation	that	
cannabinoid	treatment	in	animal	models	of	
diabetes	is	associated	with	a	reduction	in	
fasting	plasma	insulin	and	an	increase	in	
pancreatic	insulin.	Islet	cell	preservation	is	
seen	as	a	highly	desirable	feature	of	a	new	
anti-diabetic	medicine.

This	pre-clinical	work	is	carried	out	in	formal	
collaboration	with	Professor	Mike	Cawthorne	
at	the	University	of	Buckingham,	and	with	
Professor	Jimmy	Bell,	at	Imperial	College	
London.	Work	at	both	centres	is	exploring	
different	aspects	of	the	molecular	mechanisms	
of	this	cytoprotective	effect	Nunn	et	al.	2010.	

The	clinical	study	programme	comprises	
three	Phase	IIa	studies	and	seeks	to	build	
upon	pre-clinical	data	which	demonstrate	
the	desirable	effects	of	a	number	of	GW	
cannabinoids	on	various	features	of	the	
metabolic	disease,	notably	plasma	insulin,	
cholesterol	and	liver	fat.	These	three	studies	
are	as	follows:
•	 The	first	study	is	a	multi-centre,	

randomised,	double	blind,	placebo	
controlled,	parallel	group	pilot	study	
examining	the	effects	on	plasma	lipid	status	
of	GWP42003	and	GWP42004	at	varying	
doses	and	at	different	ratios	in	patients	with	
insulin	resistance.	This	study	is	now	fully	
recruited	with	a	total	of	62	patients.
•	 In	the	second	randomised	controlled	

study,	which	commenced	in	the	summer	
of	this	year,	we	are	exploring	the	effect	
of	GWP42003	on	liver	fat	in	24	patients	
with	non-alcoholic	fatty	liver	disease.	

•	 The	third	Phase	IIa	study	is	now	

under	way	and	is	investigating	whether	
GWP42003	and	GWP42004	can	prevent	
weight	gain	in	60	patients	taking	
anti-psychotic	therapy.	

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201115

endocannabinoid	system	Fernandez-Ruiz	
2009;	Blázquez	et	al.	2011;	Bisogno	&	Di	
Marzo	2011.	Studies	in	Huntington’s	Disease	
have	shown	that	both	the	CB1	and	CB2	
receptors	have	a	role	in	disease	progression,	
and	cannabinoids	are	neuroprotective	in	
animal	models	of	Huntington’s	Disease.	A	
small	preliminary	clinical	study	programme	
looking	at	the	impact	of	treatment	with	
cannabinoids	in	Huntington’s	Disease	has	
now	started	in	collaboration	with	the	Spanish	
network	for	the	study	of	neurodegenerative	
diseases.	In	addition,	cannabinoids	have	
symptom-relieving	and	neuroprotective	
activity	in	models	of	Parkinson’s	Disease	
Garcia	et	al.	2011.

Outlook 
As	the	commercialisation	of	Sativex	continues	
to	extend	to	more	countries,	Sativex	sales	
growth	can	be	expected	to	be	a	key	driver	of	
GW’s	revenue	stream.	In	parallel	we	believe	
that	further	investment	in	Sativex	as	a	
treatment	for	cancer	pain,	as	well	as	investment	
in	the	pipeline	will	be	a	major	driver	of	future	
growth	and	new	income	streams.	With	a	world	
leading	position	in	cannabinoid	science,	a	
promising	pipeline,	partnership	track	record,	
and	a	prudent	financial	model	focused	on	
revenue	growth	and	partner-funded	R&D,	
we	are	confident	that	GW	is	well	placed	to	
continue	to	build	a	dynamic	and	successful	
biopharmaceutical	business.	

Justin Gover
Managing	Director
21	November	2011	

In	each	of	these	studies,	a	range	of	secondary	
measures	are	also	being	investigated.	The	
objective	of	this	early	clinical	development	
programme	is	to	define	the	optimal	
therapeutic	role	for	cannabinoids	in	
metabolic	syndrome.	As	part	of	GW’s	
research	effort	in	this	therapeutic	area,	GW	
is	working	to	set	up	clinical	trials	in	the	Gulf,	
a	region	with	a	high	prevalence	of	diabetes.	

Inflammation
Several	GW	cannabinoids	have	shown	
anti-inflammatory	properties	in	a	number	
of	models	of	inflammation	Bolognini	et	
al.	2010;	Maione	et	al.	2011,	Costa	et	al.	
2007,	and	have	the	capacity	to	inhibit	the	
production	in	tissues	of	chemical	mediators	
of	inflammation.	

GW	is	on	track	to	commence	a	Phase	IIa	
study	in	the	inflammatory	diseases	area	in	
early	2012.	This	study	will	investigate	the	
efficacy	and	safety	of	GWP42003	in	the	
treatment	of	ulcerative	colitis	and	will	
include	62	patients.	The	chief	investigator	
will	be	Dr.	Peter	Irving	at	Guy’s	and	St	
Thomas’s	Hospital,	London.	Cannabinoids	
have	shown	potential	in	the	treatment	of	
IBD	in	standard	in	vivo	models	Borrelli	
et	al.	2009,	Jamontt	et	al.	2010.

Separately,	GW	has	entered	a	formal	
research	collaboration	with	Professor	Clive	
Page	at	King’s	College	London	focused	on	
the	effect	of	cannabinoids	on	various	models	
of	airways	inflammation.

Otsuka Funded Research
GW’s	research	activities	in	the	earlier	stage	
pipeline	are	supported	by	income	from	the	
global	cannabinoid	research	collaboration	
with	Otsuka.	This	collaboration	was	
originally	signed	in	July	2007	with	a	three	
year	term,	and	was	extended	for	a	further	
three	years	to	June	2013.	Under	this	
agreement,	Otsuka	funds	GW’s	research	into	
a	range	of	cannabinoids	as	potential	new	drug	
candidates	in	the	field	of	CNS	disorders	and	
oncology.	To	date,	Otsuka’s	total	investment	
in	GW’s	research	activities	under	this	
collaboration	exceeds	£15m.	

Cancer
A	major	focus	of	the	GW-Otsuka	research	
collaboration	lies	in	the	area	of	cancer	
treatment.	Pre-clinical	studies	are	most	
advanced	in	the	specific	areas	of	glioma	and	

breast	cancer,	where	research	into	the	
proposed	mechanism	of	action	has	been	a	
main	focus.	In	glioma,	the	mechanism	of	
action	for	GWs	cannabinoids	has	been	
identified.	This	inhibition	in	turn	stimulates	
the	process	of	autophagy,	with	the	
consequence	that	the	malignant	cell	dies	
Torres	et	al.	2011.	This	mechanism	also	
appears	to	be	operating	in	models	of	other	
cancers,	offering	potential	additional	targets	
Vara	et	al.	2011,	Mirzoeva	et	al.	2011.	
Additional	research	is	now	being	actively	
pursued	to	identify	the	optimum	anti-
proliferative	cannabinoids	to	take	into	
the	clinic.	

In	the	area	of	breast	cancer,	the	development	
by	GW	research	collaborators	of	sophisticated	
new	transgenic	animal	models	means	that	
we	have	been	able	to	study	the	effect	of	
cannabinoids	both	on	local	spread	and	
distant	spread	of	various	types	of	therapy-
resistant	breast	cancer.	In	Her2	positive	breast	
cancer,	cannabinoids	have	shown	the	ability	
to	inhibit	not	only	local	spread,	but	also	the	
occurrence	of	distant	metastases	Caffarel	
et	al.	2010,	Ligresti	et	al.,	2006,	Marcu	et	al.	
2010,	McAllister	et	al.	2007,	2011.	Efforts	
are	now	focussed	on	identifying	the	
precise	molecular	mechanism	of	action	of	
cannabinoids	in	breast	cancer,	and	to	define	
the	optimum	cannabinoid	treatment	regimen.

Neuroscience
The	second	major	area	of	focus	in	the	
GW-Otsuka	research	collaboration	lies	in	
nervous	system	disorders,	primarily	epilepsy	
and	psychiatric	illness.	GW	compounds	
have	shown	promise	in	the	area	of	epilepsy	
in	standard	models	of	seizure	Jones	et	al.	
2010,	Hill	et	al.	2010.	As	in	the	field	
of	cancer,	confirmation	of	the	lead	
cannabinoid	candidate,	and	of	the	type	
of	epilepsy	to	target,	are	subject	to	
intensive	pre-clinical	development.

In	the	field	of	schizophrenia,	GW	
cannabinoids	have	shown	notable	anti-
psychotic	effects	in	accepted	pre-clinical	
models	of	schizophrenia	Gururajan	et	al.	
2011	and	importantly	have	also	
demonstrated	the	ability	to	reduce	the	
characteristic	movement	disorders	induced	
by	currently	available	anti-psychotic	agents.	

Neurodegenerative	diseases	are	known	to	
be	associated	with	abnormalities	of	the	

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201116

Finance Director’s Review
GW is pleased to report a healthy set of 
financial results for the year and a strong 
and improved cash position.

David Kirk
Finance	Director	

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201117

Revenue Analysis £m
excluding Milestones

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

§ Licensing Fees

§ R&D Fees § Sativex Sales

06

07

08

09

10

11

Total Revenue Analysis £m
including Milestones

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

§ Licensing Fees
§ Sativex Sales

§ R&D Fees
§ Milestones

07

08

09

10

11

Revenues
Total	revenues,	at	£29.6m,	were	marginally	
lower	than	the	£30.7m	recorded	in	2010	due	
to	the	lower	value	of	milestones	received	in	
2011.	95%	(2010:	94%)	of	GW’s	revenues	
are	generated	from	overseas	customers.

Sativex®	sales	increased	59%	to	£4.4m	
(2010:	£2.8m).	Sales	to	Almirall	for	the	
Spanish	and	German	markets,	launched	
in	March	2011	and	July	2011	respectively,	
totalled	£1.9m	(2010:	£nil).	Sales	to	Bayer	
for	the	UK	and	Canada	increased	to	£2.2m	
(2010:	£1.6m	including	a	£1.2m	UK	launch	
order).	GW’s	sales	represent	the	value	of	
stock	sold	by	GW	to	Almirall	and	Bayer.	

Milestone	income	in	2011,	totalling	£5.3m	
(2011:	£11.2m)	includes	milestones	of	£2.75m	
from	Almirall	on	the	achievement	of	launches	
in	Spain	and	Germany	and	£2.6m	received	
from	Otsuka	upon	commencement	of	the	
cancer	pain	Phase	III	trial	programme.	
The	prior	year	comprised	£11.2m	of	Sativex	
approval	milestones	from	Bayer	for	the	UK	
and	Canada.	

Signature	and	technical	access	fee	revenues	of	
£3.8m	includes	£1.9m	of	revenue	recognised	
from	the	signature	fees	received	from	Almirall	
and	Otsuka	in	previous	years,	and	£1.9m	of	
revenue	resulting	from	the	£3.1m	upfront	
payment	received	from	the	Novartis	licence	
agreement	signed	in	April.	The	remaining	
£1.2m	of	this	upfront	payment	will	be	
recognised	in	future	periods.

Research	and	development	fee	revenues	have	
increased	to	£16.0m	(2010:	£14.8m).	These	
fees	consist	of	research	and	development	
costs	incurred	by	GW	and	charged	to	Otsuka	
under	the	Sativex	US	development	agreement,	
totalling	£10.8m	(2010:	£10.2m)	and	the	
global	cannabinoid	research	collaboration	
agreement	of	£5.2m	(2010:	£4.6m).	

Research & Development Expenditure
In	order	to	maximise	the	commercial	
opportunity	for	Sativex,	GW	and	its	partners	
continue	to	invest	in	Sativex	R&D.	The	
majority	of	this	expenditure	is	funded	by	
Otsuka	and	relates	to	the	Phase	III	cancer	
pain	programme.	At	the	same	time,	both	
GW	and	Otsuka	are	investing	in	GW’s	
pipeline	of	potential	products	in	order	to	
advance	them	to	the	point	of	outlicensing.	

Total	research	and	development	
expenditure,	which	is	expensed	as	incurred,	
was	£22.3m	(2010:	£21.8m),	of	which	
£16.0m	(2010:	£14.8m)	was	funded	by	
Otsuka.	GW-funded	research	totalled	
£6.3m	(2010:	£7.0m)	representing	28%	
(2010:	32%)	of	overall	research	and	
development	spend.	

Segmental results
This	year,	for	the	first	time,	we	have	provided	
a	segmental	analysis	of	our	business	(see	Note	
2)	showing	the	profit	and	loss	account	split	
into	three	activities:	Sativex	Commercial,	
Sativex	R&D	and	Pipeline	R&D.	

The	Sativex	commercial	business	generated	
a	contribution	of	£12.5m	(2010:	£15.2m)	
from	product	sales,	milestones	and	license	fee	
revenues	received	from	commercial	partners.

Investment	in	Sativex	R&D	was	£14.8m	
(2010:	£14.5m),	of	which	£10.8m	(£10.4m)	
was	Otsuka	funded	Phase	III	cancer	pain	
expenditure.	The	remaining	£3.9m	(2010:	
£4.1m)	was	funded	by	GW.	

Investment	in	Pipeline	R&D	was	£7.8m	
(2010:	£7.4m),	of	which	Otsuka	funded	
£5.2m	(2010:	£4.4m).	The	remaining	
£2.6m	(2010:£3.0m)	was	funded	by	GW.	

Profitability
Pre-tax	profit	for	the	year	was	£2.5m	(2010:	
£4.6m).	This	is	ahead	of	previous	guidance,	
principally	due	to	higher	than	anticipated	
Sativex	sales	and	fees	earned	from	the	new	
Novartis	agreement.

Expenditure
Management	and	administration	
expenditure	decreased	modestly	to	
£2.9m	(2010:	£3.0m)	whilst	the	share-based	
payment	charge	increased	slightly	to	£0.8m	
(2010:	£0.6m).	Interest	income	of	£0.3m	in	
2011	(2010:	£0.1m)	reflects	the	combined	
effects	of	an	increasing	cash	balance	and	
improving	rates	of	interest.	GW	continues	
to	take	a	very	conservative	approach	to	
managing	counterparty	credit	risk	on	its	
cash	deposits.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201118

Finance Director’s Review continued

Financial Profile £m

§ Revenue

§ Profit/loss before tax

07

08

09

10

11

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

-5

-10

-15

Taxation
The	Group	has	not	claimed	a	research	and	
development	tax	credit	for	the	year	ended	
30	September	2011	(2010:	nil).	The	£0.2m	
tax	credit	in	2011	represents	the	successful	
outcome	of	a	2010	R&D	tax	credit	claim	
which	resulted	in	receipt	of	a	repayment	that	
had	not	been	accrued	in	the	2010	accounts.	

GW	welcomes	the	recently	announced	
improvements	to	the	UK	R&D	tax	credit	
scheme	and	we	also	expect	to	benefit	
significantly	from	the	Government’s	patent	
box	scheme	proposals	when	implemented.	
The	combination	of	these	two	measures	
should	result	in	GW	claiming	increased	
R&D	tax	credits	in	the	near	term	as	well	
as	a	long	term	low	rate	of	corporation	tax.	

Cash Flow
Net	cash	inflow	for	the	year	was	£3.1m	
(2010:	£4.6m).

Receipts	include	£5.3m	of	milestone	income	
(2010:	£11.2m),	£3.1m	(2010:	£nil)	of	fees	
arising	from	the	Novartis	licence	agreement	
and	the	exercise	of	share	options	by	GW	
staff	which	generated	proceeds	of	£1.4m	
(2010:	£0.7m).

Capital	expenditure	of	£0.9m	(2010:	£0.4m)	
consisted	mainly	of	laboratory	equipment.	

Balance Sheet
The	Group’s	net	funds	comprise	cash	
balances	together	with	amounts	held	on	
short	term	deposit	of	£28.3m	(2010:	
£25.2m).

Inventory	of	£1.4m	(2010:	£0.8m)	consists	of	
finished	goods,	consumable	items	and	work	
in	progress	and	is	stated	net	of	a	realisable	
value	provision	of	£3.4m	(2010:£3.9m).	

This	provision	is	calculated	in	accordance	
with	the	inventory	accounting	policy	set	out	
in	note	1.

Trade	and	other	receivables	at	30	September	
2011	were	£2.3m	(2010:	£1.2m),	consisting	
of	£1.5m	(2010:	£0.6m)	of	trade	debtors	(from	
sales	of	Sativex®)	and	£0.8m	(2010:	£0.6m)	
of	other	receivables	and	prepayments.

At	30	September	2011	the	Group	had	received	
£2.1m	(2010:	£3.2m)	of	advance	payments	for	
research	activities	to	be	carried	out	on	behalf	
of	Otsuka	in	the	next	six	months.	This	has	
been	disclosed	as	an	advance	payment	
received,	within	deferred	revenue	due	
within	one	year.	

Deferred	signature	and	technical	access	fee	
revenue	amounts	to	£12.7m	(2010:	£13.5m),	
of	which	£1.3m	(2010:	£1.9m)	is	shown	as	
due	within	one	year.	£11.4m	(2010:	£11.6m)	
is	shown	as	due	after	more	than	one	year	and	
represents	the	balance	of	non-refundable	
Sativex	licence	agreement	fees.	These	will	be	
recognised	as	revenue	in	future	periods.

In	2011	we	capitalised	a	£65m	intercompany	
loan	from	the	Company	to	GW	Pharma	
Limited	(the	Group’s	main	operating	
subsidiary)	into	an	equity	investment.	This	
has	eliminated	the	deficit	on	GW	Pharma	
Limited’s	profit	and	loss	reserve	and	will	
enable	the	Group	to	pay	dividends	in	the	
future	if	the	Board	determine	such	payments	
are	appropriate.

Average	headcount	of	the	Group	for	the	year	
was	152	(2010:	120).	The	increase	in	staff	
numbers	reflects	the	expansion	of	operations	
necessary	to	support	the	commercial	growth	
of	Sativex	as	well	as	the	Phase	III	and	Phase	II	
trials	programmes	now	under	way.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201119

Sources of Cash 
(since incorporation)

£230M

Equity	Raised	£82m

R&D	Fees	&	Advances	£59m

Milestones/Licensing		
Fees	£58m

R&D	Tax	Credit	£13m

Product	Sales	£11m

Bank	Interest	£7m

2012 Guidance: 
Sales 
As	Sativex	increases	its	market	penetration	
and	undergoes	further	launches,	GW	can	
look	forward	to	growing	in-market	sales.	
GW’s	sales	revenues	are	generated	as	sales	
of	bulk	product	to	licensing	partners.	As	a	
result,	and	as	previously	indicated,	the	rate	
of	GW’s	product	sales	growth	in	the	next	
few	years	is	likely	to	be	influenced	by	
a	variety	of	factors,	including	the	timing	
of	new	commercial	launches,	the	timing	
of	delivery	of	batches	to	partners,	partner	
stock-holding	policies	and	the	rate	of	market	
uptake.	Until	the	pattern	of	batch	deliveries	
becomes	more	regular,	we	are	likely	to	see	
variability	in	the	level	of	GW’s	Sativex	sales	
from	one	period	to	the	next.	

We	expect	product	launches	in	2012	in	Italy,	
Sweden,	Austria	and	the	Czech	Republic.	
Having	now	commenced	the	second	round	
of	Mutual	Recognition	Procedure	in	Europe,	
we	expect	further	approvals	in	Europe	from	
calendar	mid-2012.	Such	approvals	should	
lead	to	further	commercial	launches	by	
Almirall	in	Europe	from	early	fiscal	2013	
onwards,	driving	continued	sales	growth	
in	future	years.

R&D Spend 
As	a	result	of	GW’s	strategic	decision	to	
advance	its	cannabinoid	pipeline	into	a	
programme	of	Phase	II	trials	in	metabolic	
and	inflammatory	diseases,	we	expect	

GW-funded	R&D	spend	for	the	coming	year	
to	increase	by	40-50%	over	the	2011	figure	
of	£6.3m.	This	investment	is	intended	to	
generate	important	clinical	data	on	novel	
cannabinoid	drug	candidates	in	both	
metabolic	and	inflammatory	diseases	
and	help	drive	future	growth.

Milestones 
In	2012,	Sativex	pricing	approval	in	Italy	is	
expected	to	result	in	a	£250,000	milestone	
payment	from	Almirall.	There	are	no	other	
milestones	currently	expected	during	the	
2012	financial	year.	

Profitability
In	contrast	to	the	last	few	years,	in	which	
significant	milestone	income	from	Sativex	
licence	agreements	has	been	a	key	feature,	
this	forthcoming	year	is	expected	to	see	a	
change	in	the	balance	of	revenue	streams	
away	from	milestone	income	and	towards	
a	greater	emphasis	on	product	sales	revenue.	
As	discussed	above,	R&D	spend	will	also	
increase	in	2012	as	we	invest	in	progressing	
the	pipeline.	As	a	consequence,	and	
consistent	with	current	market	expectations,	
we	expect	to	report	a	loss	for	the	2012	
financial	year.	It	should	be	noted	however	
that	a	loss	in	2012	should	enable	the	Group	
to	claim	an	R&D	tax	credit	for	the	year.

David Kirk
Finance	Director
21	November	2011	

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201120

Board of Directors

1. James Noble MA, FCA
Non-executive Deputy Chairman Aged 52.
Mr	Noble	has	extensive	experience	in	the	
biotech	industry	and	is	currently	CEO	of	
Immunocore	Limited	and	Adaptimmune	
Limited,	two	companies	involved	in	
T	cell	receptor	technology.	Mr	Noble	
was	previously	CEO	of	Avidex	Limited,	a	
private	biotech	company,	which	was	sold	to	
MediGene	AG	in	2006,	and	also	a	Director	
of	CuraGen	Corporation,	a	NASDAQ-listed	
biopharmaceutical	company.	Mr	Noble	is	
also	Chairman	of	3D	Diagnostic	Imaging	
plc,	an	AIM-listed	UK	Biotech	company.

3. Dr Geoffrey W Guy BSc, MB BS, MRCS 
Eng, LRCP, LMSSA, Dip Pharm Med
Executive Chairman Aged 57.
Dr	Guy	founded	Ethical	Holdings	plc,	in	
1985	and	led	that	company	as	Chairman	and	
Chief	Executive	to	its	NASDAQ	flotation	in	
1993	before	leaving	in	1997.	He	received	3i’s	
“Venturer	of	the	Year”	award	in	the	science	
and	technology	category.	In	1990,	Dr	Guy	
co-founded	the	plant-medicines	company	
that	became	Phytopharm	plc,	of	which	he	
was	Chairman	until	1997.	Dr	Guy	served	
as	Director	of	Clinical	Development	at	
Napp	Laboratories	from	1983	to	1985	and	as	
International	Clinical	Research	Co-ordinator	
at	Laboratories	Pierre	Fabre	from	1981	to	1983.	

2. Thomas Lynch BSc (Econ), FCA
Non-executive Director Aged 54.
Mr	Lynch	most	recently	served	as	
Chairman	and	Chief	Executive	Officer	
of	Amarin	Corporation	plc,	a	NASDAQ	
listed	company	specialising	in	cardiovascular	
disease,	until	December	2009.	From	1993	
to	2004,	Mr	Lynch	worked	in	a	variety	
of	capacities	in	Elan	Corporation	plc,	
including	Chief	Financial	Officer	and	
Executive	Vice-President,	as	well	as	Vice-
Chairman.	In	1994,	Mr	Lynch	founded	a	
company	which	became	Warner	Chilcott	plc,	
of	which	he	was	a	Director	until	1999,	and	
from	then	until	2002	served	as	a	Director	of	
Galen	plc,	which	acquired	Warner	Chilcott	
in	1999.	Mr	Lynch	currently	serves	as	
a	Director	of	the	IDA	Ireland	(an	Irish	
government	investment	agency);	senior	
independent	Director	of	ICON	plc	
(clinical	research);	Profectus	BioSciences	Inc.,	
(immunological	diseases);	and	is	Chairman	
of		Chronetech	AB	(infectious	diseases).

1

2

3

4

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 20114. Justin Gover BSc, MBA
Managing Director Aged 40.
Mr	Gover	has	been	Managing	Director	of	
GW	since	January	1999.	In	this	time,	he	has	
been	responsible	for	managing	the	Group’s	
operations,	equity	financing	and	business	
development	activities.	Mr	Gover	has	16	
years’	experience	in	the	biotech	industry	and	
was	previously	Head	of	Corporate	Affairs	at	
Ethical	Holdings	plc,	the	NASDAQ-quoted	
drug	delivery	company.	In	this	role,	he	
was	responsible	for	the	company’s	strategic	
corporate	activities,	including	mergers	and	
acquisitions,	strategic	investments,	equity	
financing	and	investor	relations.	He	holds	
a	MBA	from	the	INSEAD	business	school.

5. Dr Stephen Wright MA, MD, 
FRCPE, FFPM
Research & Development Director Aged 59.
Dr	Wright	joined	GW’s	senior	management	
team	in	January	2004	as	Research	&	
Development	Director	and	was	promoted	
to	the	Board	in	March	2005.	Dr	Wright	
has	more	than	20	years	of	experience	in	
medicines	development.	He	joined	GW	
from	Ipsen,	where	he	was	Senior	Vice	President	
of	Clinical	Research	&	Development	and	a	
member	of	the	UK	Board	of	Directors.	In	this	
role	he	led	teams	responsible	for	regulatory	
success	in	both	the	US	and	EU.	Prior	to	this,	
he	was	Venture	Head	of	Neuroscience	at	
Abbott	Laboratories,	based	in	the	US,	and	
was	also	formerly	Associate	Medical	Director	
at	Glaxo	in	the	UK.	

21

6. David Kirk BSc, FCA 
Finance Director Aged 58.
Mr	Kirk	joined	GW	as	Finance	Director	in	
September	2001.	He	joined	Arthur	Andersen	
in	1975,	qualifying	as	a	Chartered	Accountant	
in	1978	and	becoming	a	partner	in	1988.	
At	Arthur	Andersen	he	specialised	in	
entrepreneurial	growth	companies	and	worked	
across	a	range	of	sectors.	He	was	responsible	
for	launching	the	UK	Arthur	Andersen	Biotech	
Programme	in	1994	whilst	Head	of	its	UK	
Technology	Team.	In	1997	he	became	the	
first	Finance	Director	of	CeNeS	Limited,	the	
company	developing	drugs	for	CNS	disorders	
and	pain	control.	He	was	a	founding	Director	
of	Amura	Limited,	an	antibacterial	research	
company,	and	was	until	June	2001	a	non-
executive	Director	of	Avlar	Bioventures,	a	
biotechnology	venture	capital	fund	based	
in	Cambridge.	

7. Richard Forrest BSc
Non-executive Director Aged 63.
Mr	Forrest	has	30	years’	commercial	
experience	in	the	international	
pharmaceutical	industry.	This	included	
19	years	with	the	Rhone-Poulenc	Rorer	
Group	(now	Sanofi-Aventis),	where	his	most	
senior	position	was	Senior	Vice-President,	
Europe.	His	roles	included	responsibility	for	
General	Management,	Marketing	and	Sales	
and	Business	Development	in	Europe	and	
Rest	of	the	World	(South	America,	Africa,	
Middle	East	and	South-East	Asia).	Mr	Forrest	
was	also	a	member	of	the	global	committees	
responsible	for	worldwide	operational	
performance,	as	well	as	R&D	portfolio	
decisions	and	licensing.	More	recently	he	
was	Chief	Operating	Officer	of	Novuspharma,	
an	Italian	biotech	company,	prior	to	its	merger	
with	Cell	Therapeutics	Inc.	(USA).

5

6

7

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201122

Directors’ Report

The Directors present their report and the audited financial statements for the Company and for the Group for the financial year ended 
30 September 2011. 

Principal Activity and Business Review 
The principal activity of the Group is the research, development and commercialisation of a range of cannabinoid prescription medicines 
to meet patient needs in a wide range of medical conditions.

A review of the results for the year and of future developments in the business is given in the Chairman’s Statement, Managing Director’s 
Review and in the Financial Review, which form part of this Annual Report. 

The subsidiary undertakings principally affecting the results and net assets of the Group are listed in note 11 to the financial statements.

Results and Dividends
The consolidated income statement for the year is set out on page 36. The Group’s profit for the financial year after taxation was £2.7m 
(2010: £4.6m).

The Directors do not recommend the payment of a dividend (2010: nil).

Group Research and Development Activities
The research and development undertaken by the Group amounted to £22.3m (2010: £21.8m), all of which was written off during the year. 
This included £16.0m (2010: £14.8m) of research and development expenditure which was carried out under contract for, and was fully 
funded by our development partners.

Substantial Shareholdings
On 21 November 2011 the Company had been notified, in accordance with the Companies Act 2006, of the following interests in the 
ordinary share capital of the Company:

Prudential plc group of companies
Dr Geoffrey W Guy
Dr Brian Whittle
Great Point Partners
Mr Preston L Parish
Mr Justin Gover

Number of shares held

18,303,889
17,552,654
10,044,641
5,852,000
6,682,245
3,983,668

%

13.8
13.2
 7.7
 4.4
 5.0
 3.0

Share Capital
Information relating to changes to the issued share capital during the year is given in note 19 to the financial statements.

The Group is funded wholly by its ordinary share capital and has no debt (2010: nil) other than a single finance lease incepted during 2009. 
Further details of this liability are given in note 16.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201123

Directors and their Interests
The Directors who served during the year and to the date of signing, together with their beneficial interests in the shares of the Company, 
are as follows:

Ordinary shares of 0.1p
30 September 2011

Ordinary shares of 0.1p
30 September 2010

Executive
Dr Geoffrey W Guy1 – Chairman
Justin Gover2 – Managing Director
David Kirk3 – Finance Director
Dr Stephen Wright4 – Research and Development Director

Non-executive
James Noble5 – Deputy Chairman and senior independent non-executive
Thomas Lynch 
Richard Forrest

17,552,654
3,983,668
59,500
5,000

72,500
236,344
90,000

18,364,448
3,983,668
59,500
5,000

72,500
–
60,000

There have been no changes in the beneficial interests in the shares of the Company held by the Directors since 30 September 2011.

Justin Gover’s holding includes 33,147 ordinary shares held by his wife.

1  Dr Geoffrey Guy’s holding includes 25,000 ordinary shares held by his immediate family and 1,144,758 shares held by his personal pension plan. 
2 
3  David Kirk’s holding includes 6,750 ordinary shares held by his wife and 40,000 shares held by his personal pension plan.
4  Dr Stephen Wright’s holding of 5,000 ordinary shares is held by his wife.
James Noble’s holding of 72,500 ordinary shares is held by his wife.
5 

Details of the Directors’ share options and service contracts are shown in the Directors’ Remuneration Report. Biographical details of the 
Directors are given on pages 20 and 21. 

In accordance with the Articles of Association of the Company, Justin Gover and Stephen Wright will retire at the forthcoming Annual 
General Meeting and, being eligible, offer themselves for re-election. 

Risks and Uncertainties
In common with other pharmaceutical development companies GW faces a number of risks and uncertainties. Internal controls are in place 
to help identify, manage and mitigate these risks. Further details of these controls are outlined on page 25 in the Chairman’s Corporate 
Governance Report. The main risks have been identified as follows:

Clinical
Clinical trials may encounter delays or fail to achieve their endpoints.

Regulatory
Regulatory bodies around the world have different requirements for the approval of therapeutic products. This may result in the restriction 
of indication, denial of approval or demands for additional data.

Legislative
GW’s lead product is a controlled drug and as such is subject to both national and international legislation, which can change at any time.

Manufacturing
GW may encounter problems in its manufacturing process which may delay product development programmes or restrict the commercial 
quantities of product that can be made.

Marketing and Commercialisation
Following regulatory approval, GW’s products may not achieve commercial success or may be subject to competition.
Reimbursement agencies may not agree to cover the cost of an approved product.

Safety
During post-marketing surveillance, quality, safety or efficacy issues may emerge which may result in the withdrawal or restriction of the 
product licence.

Intellectual Property
The Group may not be able to secure and maintain the intellectual property protection for its products.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201124

Directors’ Report continued

Funding
The Group may require access to additional 
funding in the future. If it fails to obtain 
such funding the Group may need to delay 
or scale back some of its research and 
development programmes or the 
commercialisation of some of its products.

Risk in Relation to the use of Financial 
Instruments
The Group is exposed to a number of 
financial risks, including credit risk, liquidity 
risk, market price risk and exchange rate risk. 
It is the Group’s policy that no speculative 
trading in financial instruments shall 
be undertaken.

US Dollars (US$) and Canadian Dollars 
(CAD). The Group’s policy is to maintain 
natural hedges, where possible, by matching 
revenue and receipts with expenditure.

Going Concern
The financial position of the Group, its 
cash flows and liquidity position are fully 
described in the Finance Director’s Review 
on pages 16 to 19. The Group’s business 
activities and the key factors affecting the 
likely development of the business in 2011 
are described in the Managing Director’s 
Review on pages 10 to 15. In addition, the 
key policies for managing financial risks 
are set out above.

Credit Risk
The Group’s principal financial assets 
are cash and short-term money market 
investments. Risk is minimised through an 
investment policy restricting the investment 
of surplus cash to interest bearing deposits 
with banks and building societies with high 
credit ratings.

Trade receivables are concentrated to a small 
number of large customers, where the risk of 
default is low.

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

Charitable and Political Contributions
No charitable donations were made during 
the year (2010: £nil).

No political donation was made in either year.

Liquidity Risk
This risk is minimised by placing surplus 
funds in a range of low risk cash deposits 
and short-term liquid investments for 
periods up to 365 days and at call. This 
portfolio of deposits is managed to ensure 
that a rolling programme of maturity dates 
is managed in accordance with Group 
expenditure plans in order to ensure 
available liquid cash funds when required.

Market Price Risk
Market price risk primarily comprises 
interest rate exposure risk, which is managed 
by maintaining a rolling programme of 
varying deposit maturity dates, up to a 
maximum of 365 days, on a breakable 
deposit basis. The majority of funds are 
deposited for terms of a maximum of 
110 days. This allows the Group to react to 
rate changes within a reasonable timeframe 
and to mitigate pricing risk accordingly. 

Exchange Rate Risk
The Group’s principal functional currency is 
Pounds Sterling (GBP). However, during the 
year the Group had exposure to Euros (€), 

Supplier Payment Policy
It is the Group’s policy to settle debts with 
its creditors on a timely basis, taking into 
consideration the terms and conditions 
offered by each supplier. The number of 
supplier days outstanding at the year end, 
based on the average monthly outstanding 
Group creditor balances, was 43 days 
(2010: 43 days). 

Employee Consultation
The Group places considerable value on the 
involvement of its employees and they are 
regularly briefed on the Group’s activities. 
Their contribution is a key element to the 
future success of the Group and accordingly, 
from time to time, employees are given the 
opportunity to participate in the Company’s 
share capital by joining one or more of the 
share option schemes operated by the 
Company. Details of the share options 
issued under these plans are set out in note 
20 to the financial statements. Equal 
opportunity is given to all employees 
regardless of their age, sex, colour, race, 
religion or ethnic origin.

Disabled Employees
Applications for employment by disabled 
persons are always fully considered, bearing 
in mind the aptitudes of the applicant 
concerned. In the event of members of staff 
becoming disabled, every effort is made to 
ensure that their employment with the 
Group continues and that appropriate 
training is arranged. It is the policy of the 
Group that the training, career development 
and promotion of disabled persons should, 
as far as possible, be identical with that of 
other employees.

Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting will be held at 
11am on 25 January 2012 at Porton Down 
Science Park, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JQ.

Auditors and Audit Information
Each of the persons who is a Director at 
the date of approval of this Annual Report 
confirms that: 
(a)  so far as the Director is aware, there is no 
relevant audit information of which the 
Company’s auditors is unaware; and 
(b)  the Director has taken all the steps that 
he ought to have taken as a Director in 
order to make himself aware of any 
relevant audit information and to 
establish that the Company’s auditors 
are aware of that information. 

This confirmation is given and should be 
interpreted in accordance with the provisions 
of s418 of the Companies Act 2006.

Deloitte LLP have expressed their 
willingness to continue in office as auditors 
and a resolution to reappoint them will be 
proposed at the forthcoming Annual 
General Meeting.

By order of the Board

Adam George
Company Secretary
21 November 2011 

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201125

Chairman’s Corporate Governance Report
“ I am pleased to report that throughout 2011 
the Board has continued to demonstrate its 
commitment to maintaining high standards 
of corporate governance.”

As a company that has securities which are 
traded on the Alternative Investment Market 
(AIM), we are not required to comply 
with the principles of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code. However, the Board has 
sought to robustly apply the principles of the 
Code as far as practicable given the size of the 
Company and the nature of its operations. 

In this report I will explain how we 
have managed our corporate governance 
during 2011 and how we intend to maintain 
practices consistent with the requirements of 
the Code in future. I will also identify those 
provisions of the Code with which we are 
not fully compliant. 

Our Strategy, Business Model and 
Approach to Risk
The nature of our business is to take 
product developmental risk in order to create 
valuable medicines targeted to address areas of 
significant unmet medical need. We invest our 
efforts and financial resources into the process 
of identifying suitable pharmaceutical product 
candidates which we then take through an 
extensive development process. This is an 
inherently risky process. Not all of our 
product candidates will progress successfully 
to become marketable products. However, our 
in-house development expertise and unique 
knowledge of the cannabinoids with which we 
work will allow us to develop valuable 
products in an efficient manner that will 
significantly reduce, but which cannot 
eliminate this risk in future.

We manage the extent of retained risk by:
•	

licensing our products to pharmaceutical 
partners with the expertise, resources 
and contacts to market our approved 
products, reducing the need for 
investment in sales infrastructure, 
allowing us to focus upon our own areas 
of expertise;

•	 managing the development process of 
our products, in conjunction with our 
partners, to ensure optimal management 
of each stage of development, utilising 
our in-house resource wherever possible 
to ensure compliance with good clinical 
practice, maintenance of our knowledge 
base and close control;

•	 seeking funding from partners for 

early stage research by entering into 
collaboration agreements, sharing the 
financial risks associated with our 
pipeline development;

•	 negotiating licensing terms with partners 
that require our partners to fund most of 
the latter stages of product development, 
Phase III trials, indication expansion and 
product lifecycle management; and
•	 controlling the manufacturing of our 

products, in house, to ensure that quality 
is maintained, processes optimised and 
manufacturing expertise is maintained 
within GW.

All of the above result in a business model 
that allows us to create value by developing 
a broad pipeline of potential future products 
whilst sharing the financial risk with our 
partners. By maintaining close internal 
control over most aspects of research and 
development, product manufacture and 

regulatory compliance we mitigate the 
other risks associated with our business 
by continuing to maintain a robust 
internal controls process and risk 
management framework. 

Having carried out a review of the level of risks 
that we are taking in pursuit of the Group’s 
strategy, the Board is satisfied that the level of 
retained risk is appropriate and commensurate 
with the financial rewards that should result 
from achievement of our strategy.

The Board of Directors
The Company is controlled by the Board 
of Directors which currently comprises 
four Executive and three independent 
non-executive Directors. The Board of 
Directors has overall responsibility for the 
Group. Its aim is to represent the interests 
of the Group’s shareholders and to provide 
leadership and control in order to ensure the 
growth and long-term success of the business. 

Provision A2.1 of the Code recommends 
separation of the roles of Chairman and 
Chief Executive. Due to the current size 
of the Group, it is the Board’s view that the 
existing arrangement, whereby I continue to 
provide leadership to the Board in my role as 
Executive Chairman, continues to be in the 
best interests of the Group. The Board is 
satisfied that the presence of Mr James Noble, 
Mr Thomas Lynch and Mr Richard Forrest, 
who are all considered by the Board to be 
independent Directors provides sufficient 
independent influence to ensure that the 
Board is balanced and that good corporate 
governance practice is maintained.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201126

Chairman’s Corporate Governance Report continued

Mr James Noble acts as the Company 
Deputy Chairman and senior independent 
non-executive.

All Directors are able to take independent 
advice in furtherance of their duties 
if necessary.

The Board is responsible to shareholders for 
the proper management of the Group. Board 
meetings are held at least six times a year to 
set the overall direction and strategy of the 
Group and to review financial and operating 
performance. Financial policy and budgets, 
including capital expenditure, are approved 
and monitored by the Board. All key strategic 
decisions are subject to Board approval. 
The Company Secretary is responsible for 
ensuring that Board procedures are followed 
and that applicable rules and regulations are 
complied with.

Directors are subject to election by 
shareholders at the first opportunity after 
their appointment. In addition, one third 
of the Directors are subject to retirement by 
rotation at each Annual General Meeting. The 
Board have considered the recommendation 
within Provision B7.1 of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code, aimed at FTSE350 
companies and above, that all Directors 
should be reappointed annually. However the 
Board has concluded that it is not appropriate 
for a company of GW’s size to adopt annual 
reappointment. For the foreseeable future we 
will continue with the existing practice of 
retirement by rotation every three years.

During the year, there were six full meetings 
of the Board of Directors. All members of 
the Board of Directors attended each of 
the six meetings.

Committees of the Board
The detailed terms of reference of each of 
the Board committees can be found on the 
Group website at www.gwpharm.com.

Remuneration Committee 
The Remuneration Committee comprises 
all the non-executive Directors under the 
chairmanship of Mr Thomas Lynch. It 
reviews, inter alia, the performance of the 
Executive Directors and sets the scale and 
structure of their remuneration and the basis 
of their service agreements with due regard 
to the interests of the shareholders. 

The Remuneration Committee also 
determines the allocation of awards under 
the Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) to 
Executive Directors. No Director has a 
service agreement with a notice period 
exceeding one year.

During the year, there were three full meetings 
of the Remuneration Committee. All members 
of the Committee attended these meetings.

It is a policy of the Remuneration Committee 
that no individual participates in discussions or 
decisions concerning his own remuneration.

The Directors’ Remuneration Report is set 
out on pages 28 to 32.

Audit Committee 
The Audit Committee comprises all 
the non-executive Directors under the 
chairmanship of James Noble. It meets at 
least three times per year and overviews the 
monitoring of the Group’s internal controls, 
accounting policies and financial reporting 
and provides a forum through which the 
external auditors report. It meets at least 
once a year with the external auditors 
without executive Board members present.

The Audit Committee is also responsible 
for overseeing the activities of the external 
auditors including their appointment, 
reappointment, or removal as well as 
monitoring of their objectivity and 
independence. The Committee also 
considers the fees paid to the external 
auditors and whether the fee levels for 
non-audit services, individually and in 
aggregate, relative to the audit fee are 
appropriate so as not to undermine 
their independence.

During the year, there were three full 
meetings of the Audit Committee which 
were fully attended.

Nominations Committee 
The Nominations Committee comprises 
Mr James Noble and Mr Richard Forrest, 
under my chairmanship. It meets at least 
twice a year and reviews the structure, size 
and composition of the Board, supervising the 
selection and appointment process in relation 
to Directors, making recommendations to the 
Board with regard to any changes, using an 
external search consultancy if considered 

appropriate. For new appointments, the 
Nominations Committee will make a final 
recommendation to the Board, which will 
have the opportunity to meet the candidate 
prior to approving the appointment. Once 
appointed, the Nominations Committee 
oversees the induction of new Directors as 
well as ensuring that the Board as a whole 
receive the appropriate training during the 
course of the year in order to ensure that they 
have the knowledge and skills necessary to 
operate effectively.

The Nominations Committee also retains 
responsibility for the Board appraisal process 
whereby the performance of all Directors is 
appraised annually both on an individual 
basis and for the Board as a whole, taking into 
account such factors as attendance record, 
contribution during Board meetings and the 
amount of time that has been dedicated to 
Board matters during the course of the year. 
I oversee the appraisal process, while my 
performance as Chairman is reviewed by 
James Noble, in his capacity as senior 
independent Director, taking into account 
feedback from other members of the Board. 

Provision B6.2 of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code recommends that 
the Board should consider utilising an 
independent third party to facilitate the 
Board appraisal process, noting that this 
may not be appropriate for companies 
smaller than FTSE350. Having considered 
this recommendation, the Board has decided 
that the current appraisal process is operating 
satisfactorily and that, in recognition of GW’s 
size, it is not considered necessary to utilise 
the services of an independent facilitator at 
this time. The Nominations Committee will 
reconsider this in future and may appoint an 
independent facilitator if it determines that 
this is appropriate.

During 2011 there have been two Nominations 
Committee meetings. These meetings were 
fully attended.

Executive Management Committees 
Operational decision making is delegated 
to a number of Executive Management 
Committees which are committees consisting 
of certain Directors and members of senior 
management. The Executive Management 
Committees meet as required and on average 
every six weeks.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 2011 
27

Communication with Shareholders
The Board attaches great importance to 
effective communication with shareholders 
and encourages dialogue with both its 
institutional and private investors and 
responds promptly to all questions 
received verbally or in writing. Regular 
communication is maintained with 
all shareholders through Company 
announcements, the Annual Report and 
Accounts, Preliminary Results and the 
Interim Report. In addition the Company 
operates a website which can be found 
at www.gwpharm.com. The website 
contains further details of the Group, 
its products and its activities, details of 
regulatory announcements and Company 
announcements, Annual and Interim 
Reports, and details of the Company’s share 
price, share trading activity and graphs.

The Executive Directors regularly attend 
meetings with analysts and institutional 
shareholders throughout the year. With 
private shareholders this is not always 
practical. The Board has therefore sought to 
use the Company’s Annual General Meeting 
as the opportunity for both the Executive 
and the non-executive Directors to meet 
shareholders, after which the Board gives a 
presentation on the activities of the Group 
and there is also an opportunity to ask 
questions of all Directors on a formal and 
informal basis. At other times during the 
year, the non-executive members of the 
Board and I are available to meet with our 
institutional shareholders upon request. 
We welcome the opportunity to develop a 
mutual understanding of objectives with 
our shareholders.

All shareholders have at least 21 days’ notice 
of the Annual General Meeting.

Maintenance of a Sound System of 
Internal Control
The Directors have overall responsibility 
for ensuring that the Group maintains a 
system of internal control to provide them 

with reasonable assurance that the assets 
of the Group are safeguarded and that the 
shareholders’ investments are protected. The 
system includes internal controls covering 
financial, operational and compliance areas, 
and risk management. There are limitations 
in any system of internal control, which 
can provide reasonable but not absolute 
assurance with respect to the preparation 
of financial information, the safeguarding 
of assets and the possibility of material 
misstatement or loss.

During 2011 the Board has considered 
and reviewed the system of internal controls 
in place. An assessment of the major risk 
areas for the business and methods used to 
monitor and control them was also undertaken 
with a particular focus upon the changing 
profile of the risks facing the business as we 
continue the transition from being an R&D 
business to being commercially focused, 
manufacturing and selling an approved 
pharmaceutical product. 

In addition to financial risk, the 
review covered operational, commercial, 
environmental, regulatory and research 
and development risks. The risk review is an 
on-going process with regular review by the 
Board at least annually with appropriate input 
from the Audit Committee. The prime 
purpose of this review is to ensure that, 
having considered the controls that are in 
place to mitigate risks, the Board is satisfied 
with the residual level of risk being taken in 
pursuit of the Group strategy.

The key procedures designed to provide an 
effective system of internal control that have 
operated throughout the year and up to the 
date of the sign-off of this report are 
described below.

Control Environment 
There is an organisational structure with 
clearly defined lines of responsibility and 
delegation of accountability and authority.

Risk Management 
The Group employs Directors and senior 
executives with the appropriate knowledge 
and experience for a pharmaceutical group 
such as GW Pharmaceuticals plc. A formal 
risk management review is performed 
annually as part of the process of 
determining the adequacy of the Group’s 
system of internal controls and risk 
mitigation procedures. 

Financial Information 
The Group prepares detailed budgets 
and working capital projections, which 
are approved annually by the Board and 
are updated regularly throughout the year. 
Detailed management accounts and working 
capital cash flows are prepared on a monthly 
basis and compared to budgets and 
projections to identify and manage any 
significant variances.

Management of Liquid Resources
The Board is risk averse when investing the 
Group’s surplus cash funds. The Group’s 
treasury management policy sets out strict 
procedures and limits on how surplus funds 
are invested.

The Board has considered it inappropriate 
to establish an internal audit function, given 
the size of the Group. However, we will 
review this decision as the operations of the 
Group develop.

Dr Geoffrey Guy
Executive Chairman
21 November 2011

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201128

Directors’ Remuneration Report

Introduction
Companies that have securities that trade on AIM are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of Directors’ Remuneration 
Report Regulations 2002 or to comply with the UKLA Listing Rules and the disclosure provisions under Schedule 8 of the Companies Act 
2006. However, the Remuneration Committee is committed to maintaining high standards of corporate governance and has taken steps to 
comply with best practice in so far as it can be applied practically given the size of the Company and the nature of its operations.

Unaudited Information
Remuneration Report
The Board has applied the Principles of Good Governance relating to Directors’ remuneration as described below:

The Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee comprises all the non-executive Directors under the chairmanship of Mr Thomas Lynch. The constitution and 
operation of the Committee is in compliance with the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code. When setting its remuneration policy 
for Executive Directors the Committee gives full consideration to the provisions and principles of the UK Corporate Governance Code.

Remuneration Policy for Executive Directors
The remuneration policy has been designed to ensure that Executive Directors should receive appropriate incentive and reward given their 
performance, responsibility and experience. In determining this, the Remuneration Committee has regard to ensure that the policy aligns the 
interests of Executive Directors with those of the shareholders.

The Group remuneration policy for Executive Directors is to:
•	 have regard to the individuals’ experience and the nature and complexity of their work in order to pay a competitive salary that attracts 

•	

and retains management of the highest quality, while avoiding remunerating those Directors more than is necessary;
link individual remuneration packages to the Group’s long term performance through the award of share options, bonus schemes and via 
participation in the Group’s Long Term Incentive Plan;

•	 provide post-retirement benefits through defined contribution pension schemes; and
•	 provide employment-related benefits including the provision of life assurance and medical insurance.

Directors’ Service Contracts
It is Group policy that Executive Directors should have contracts with an indefinite term providing for a maximum of one year’s notice. 

Details of Directors’ service contracts are as follows:

Director

Executive
Geoffrey W Guy
Justin Gover
David Kirk
Stephen Wright

Non-executive
James Noble
Richard Forrest
Thomas Lynch

Date of contract

Notice period

November 2000
November 2000
September 2001
March 2005

January 2007
March 2007
July 2010

12 months
12 months
12 months
12 months

3 months
3 months
3 months

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201129

Remuneration Package for Executive Directors
Executive Directors’ remuneration packages are considered annually and comprise a number of elements, as follows: 

i)  Basic Salary
Basic salaries are reviewed annually at the end of each calendar year. The review process is undertaken having regard to the development of the 
Group and the contribution that individuals will continue to make. Consideration is also given to the need to retain and motivate individuals 
and information on the salary levels in comparable organisations. In this respect the Remuneration Committee draws on the findings of external 
salary surveys and undertakes its own research.

ii)  Annual Performance Incentive
Executive Directors are eligible for an annual bonus at the discretion of the Remuneration Committee. Bonus awards are reviewed at the end 
of each calendar year and any such awards are determined by the performance of the individual and the Group as a whole based upon the 
achievement of strategic objectives set at the beginning of the year. The awards are normally limited to a maximum of 50% of basic salary, 
however in exceptional circumstances the annual maximum may increase up to 100% of basic salary.

iii)  Pensions and Other Benefits
The Group does not operate a Group pension scheme. Instead the Group makes contributions to individual private pension arrangements. 
Other benefits provided are life assurance, permanent health insurance, private medical insurance and car allowance.

iv)  Share Options/Long Term Incentive Plan
Executive Directors are awarded share options at the discretion of the Remuneration Committee. Share options are granted at the closing 
mid-market value of the Company’s ordinary shares on the day prior to grant and vest after a period of three years.

Under the terms of the Long Term Incentive Plan Executive Directors are awarded options to subscribe for the Company’s ordinary shares at an 
exercise price equal to the nominal value. These options are subject to performance conditions which must be achieved before the options vest 
and become exercisable. In the event that the performance conditions are not achieved within the required three year vesting period these 
options will lapse. Once vested, an Award may be exercised at any time prior to the tenth anniversary of the date of grant.

The first award, granted in 2008 following approval of this new scheme by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on 18 March 2008, was 
subject to a performance condition whereby the Group must achieve approval for its main product, Sativex®, in one of the four major European 
territories within three years from date of grant. Having achieved UK approval for Sativex in 2010 this award vested in March 2011.

The 2009 award, is subdivided into three tranches, each of which will vest upon first Sativex approval in each of the first, second and third major 
European territories. These approvals must be obtained within three years from the date of grant, otherwise the options shall lapse. The 
achievement of UK, Spanish and German approvals achieved in 2010 and 2011 will result in this award vesting in March 2012. 

The 2010 award is subdivided into four equal tranches, each of which will ordinarily vest on 19 July 2013 upon achievement of the following 
performance conditions:
•	 one quarter will vest upon achievement of regulatory approvals of the Company’s lead product in a further six European countries 

(excluding UK and Spain) and three non-EU countries;

•	 one quarter will vest upon the conclusion of one new significant non-Sativex license agreement;
•	 one quarter will vest upon the successful completion of a Phase II proof of concept clinical trial in one non-Sativex product; and
•	 one quarter will vest if, on the vesting date, the GW Pharmaceuticals plc share price has both increased and outperformed the FTSE AIM All 

Share Index over the period from the date of grant until vesting of the option.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201130

Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

The 2011 award is subject to a performance condition whereby the number of options vesting on the third anniversary of the date of grant will be 
determined according to the performance of the GW share price relative to a comparator group consisting of the constituents of the FTSE small cap 
index. Awards will only vest if GW is ranked at median or above. 25% of the award will vest if GW achieves median ranking, with 100% vesting 
if an upper quartile ranking is achieved. A straight line approach will be used to calculate the percentage vesting between these two extremes. 

The Remuneration Committee considered that, at the date of grant of these awards, the performance measures used represented the key value 
drivers for the business and that achievement of these performance measures should deliver significant value to the Group and to shareholders, 
such that the interests of the Executive Directors, the Group and our shareholders are appropriately aligned.

Remuneration Policy for non-executive Directors
The remuneration of the non-executive Directors is determined by the Board as a whole, based on a review of current practices in other 
equivalent companies. The non-executive Directors do not receive any pension from the Company, nor do they participate in any of the bonus 
or share option schemes.

The non-executive Directors have service agreements which are reviewed by the Board annually. They are included in the one third of Directors 
subject to retirement by rotation at each Annual General Meeting.

Audited Information
Directors’ Remuneration

The Directors received the following remuneration during the year:

Name of Director

Executive
Dr Geoffrey W Guy
Justin Gover
David Kirk
Dr Stephen Wright

Non-executive
James Noble
Thomas Lynch1
Richard Forrest
Hans Schram 

Salary and 
fees 
£

332,487
268,483
219,360
226,235

50,050
–
36,050
–

Bonus 
£

90,228
74,196
59,112
61,800

–
–
–
–

Taxable 
benefits 
£

Pension
contributions 
£

2011 
Total 
£

2010 
Total 
£

2,142
1,362
2,604
2,142

–
–
–
–

53,817
44,255
35,658
36,861

478,674
388,296
316,734
327,038

585,478
478,355
383,835
402,787

–
–
–
–

50,050
–
36,050
–

45,407
–
35,788
29,780

Aggregate emoluments

1,132,665

285,336

8,250

170,591 1,596,842

1,961,430

1 

Since his appointment as a non-executive Director in July 2010, Thomas Lynch has waived his right to receive remuneration for this role.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201131

Directors’ Share Options
Aggregate emoluments disclosed above do not include any amounts for the value of options to acquire ordinary shares in the Company granted 
to or held by the Directors. Details of the options are as follows:

Name of Director

Executive
Dr Geoffrey W Guy

Justin Gover

David Kirk

Dr Stephen Wright

At 1 Oct 
2010

Granted

Exercised

Lapsed

At 30 Sept 
2011

Exercise 
price

Earliest
date of 
exercise

Date of 
expiry

150,000
216,080
302,344
171,315
364,675
170,000
170,000
259,836
–

11,931
205,569
217,500
175,000
170,854
239,063
135,458
299,844
153,000
153,000
213,666
–

900,000
500,000
155,778
217,969
123,506
238,883
137,000
137,000
170,228
–

100,000
400,000
200,000
107,570
229,610
140,000
140,000
177,970
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
259,493

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
213,384

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
172,558

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
177,735

(150,000)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

(11,931)
(205,569)
(217,500)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

(900,000)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
216,080
302,344
171,315
364,675
170,000
170,000
259,836
259,493

–
–
–
175,000
170,854
239,063
135,458
299,844
153,000
153,000
213,666
213,384

–
500,000
155,778
217,969
123,506
238,883
137,000
137,000
170,228
172,558

100,000
400,000
200,000
107,570
229,610
140,000
140,000
177,970
177,735

 36.21p
199.00p
128.00p
125.50p
95.50p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p

182.00p
182.00p
237.00p
171.00p
199.00p
128.00p
125.50p
 95.50p
 0.1p
 0.1p
0.1p
0.1p

104.50p
171.00p
199.00p
128.00p
125.50p
 95.50p
 0.1p
 0.1p
0.1p
0.1p

199.00p
 99.00p
119.50p
125.50p
 95.50p
 0.1p
 0.1p
 0.1p
0.1p

15/01/04
22/01/07
02/03/08
10/02/09
26/03/10
19/03/11
27/03/12
19/07/13
08/06/14

14/05/04
01/06/04
01/06/04
16/01/06
22/01/07
02/03/08
10/02/09
26/03/10
19/03/11
27/03/12
19/07/13
08/06/14

10/09/04
16/01/06
22/01/07
02/03/08
10/02/09
26/03/10
19/03/11
27/03/12
19/07/13
08/06/14

22/01/07
02/09/07
21/01/08
10/02/09
26/03/10
19/03/11
27/03/12
19/07/13
08/06/14

15/01/11
22/01/14
02/03/15
10/02/16
26/03/17
19/03/18
27/03/19
19/07/20
08/06/21

14/05/11
01/06/11
01/06/11
16/01/13
22/01/14
02/03/15
10/02/16
26/03/17
19/03/18
27/03/19
19/07/20
08/06/21

10/09/11
16/01/13
22/01/14
02/03/15
10/02/16
26/03/17
19/03/18
27/03/19
19/07/20
08/06/21

22/01/14
02/09/14
21/01/15
10/02/16
26/03/17
19/03/18
27/03/19
19/07/20
08/06/21

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201132

Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

Options Granted
The options granted during 2011 represent an award under the Group LTIP. The options are subject to a performance condition which must 
be achieved within three years from date of grant in order for the options to vest. The options will lapse in the event that the performance 
conditions are not achieved. Full details of the performance conditions are given on page 30.

Options Exercised
During the year 1,050,000 options (2010: 886,750) were exercised. These had an average exercise price of 95p (2010: 28p) and an 
average market price at date of exercise of 116p (2010: 104p), resulting in a notional gain at exercise of £225,000 (2010: £674,000).

In addition the following ordinary shares have been conditionally gifted under the rules of the GW Pharmaceuticals All Employee Share Scheme 
as follows:

Name of Director

Executive
Mr Justin Gover

Dr Stephen Wright

Mr David Kirk

Directors’ Shareholdings
The interests of the Directors in the shares of the Company as at 30 September 2011 were:

Name of Director

Executive
Dr Geoffrey W Guy1
Justin Gover2
David Kirk3
Dr Stephen Wright4

Non-executive
James Noble5
Tom Lynch
Richard Forrest

At 1 Oct 2010 
and 
30 Sept 2011

14,384
2,450
1,507
1,500
2,450

Vested

02/10/03
23/01/05
22/01/07
21/01/08
23/01/05

Ordinary shares 
of 0.1p 
30 Sept 2011

Ordinary shares 
of 0.1p 
30 Sept 2010

17,552,654
3,983,668
59,500
5,000

18,364,448
3,983,668
59,500
5,000

72,500
236,344
90,000

72,500
–
60,000

Justin Gover’s holding includes 33,147 ordinary shares held by his wife.

1  Dr Geoffrey Guy’s holding includes 25,000 ordinary shares held by his immediate family and 1,244,758 shares held by his personal pension plan.
2 
3  David Kirk’s holding includes 6,750 ordinary shares held by his wife and 40,000 shares held by his personal pension plan.
4  Dr Stephen Wright’s holding of 5,000 ordinary shares is held by his wife.
James Noble’s holding of 72,500 ordinary shares is held by his wife.
5 

The market price of the Company’s shares as at 30 September 2011 was 98p (2010: 100p) and the range during the year was 88p to 130p 
(2010: 80p to 156p)

By order of the Board

Thomas Lynch
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee
21 November 2011 

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201133

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual 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 are required to prepare the 
Group financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union and have 
also chosen to prepare the parent company financial statements under IFRSs as adopted by the European Union. Under company law the Directors 
must not approve the accounts unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company and of the profit or 
loss of the Company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, International Accounting Standard 1 requires that Directors:
•	 properly select and apply accounting policies;
•	 present information, including accounting policies, in a manner that provides relevant, reliable, comparable and understandable 

information; 

•	 provide additional disclosures when compliance with the specific requirements in IFRSs are insufficient to enable users to understand 
the impact of particular transactions, other events and conditions on the entity’s financial position and financial performance; and

•	 make an assessment of the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

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 Company and enable them to ensure that the financial 
statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and hence for taking 
reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

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

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201134

Independent Auditors’ Report
For the year ended 30 September 2011

Independent Auditors’ Report to the Members of GW Pharmaceuticals plc
We have audited the financial statements of GW Pharmaceuticals plc for the year ended 30 September 2011 which comprise the Group 
Income Statement, the Group and parent company Balance Sheets, the Group and parent company Cash Flow Statements, the Group and 
parent company Statements of Changes in Equity and the related notes 1 to 25. 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 and as 
applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006.

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 
auditors’ 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 Directors’ Responsibilities Statement, 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. 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 September 2011 and 

of the Group’s profit for the year then ended;

•	 the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union;
•	 the parent company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union and 

as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006; and

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

Opinion on Other Matters Prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion:
•	 the information given in the Directors’ Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the 

financial statements.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201135

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

Other Matters
In our opinion:
•	 the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the provisions of the 

Companies Act 2006 that would have applied were the Company a quoted company.

Although not required to do so, the Directors have voluntarily chosen to make a corporate governance statement detailing the extent of their 
compliance with the UK Corporate Governance Code. We reviewed:
•	 the Directors’ statement contained within the Directors’ report in relation to going concern; and
•	 the part of the Corporate Governance Statement relating to the Company’s compliance with the nine provisions of the UK Corporate 

Governance Code specified for our review.

Anna Marks (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of Deloitte LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors 
Reading, United Kingdom
21 November 2011

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201136

Consolidated Income Statement
For the year ended 30 September 2011

Revenue
Cost of sales

Gross profit
Research and development expenditure
Management and administrative expenses
Share-based payment

Operating profit
Interest payable
Interest receivable

Profit on ordinary activities before taxation
Tax credit on ordinary activities

Profit on ordinary activities after taxation being retained profit for the financial year

Earnings per share – basic

Earnings per share – diluted

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this consolidated income statement.

All activities relate to continuing operations.

Notes

2

3

22

7
7

4
8

9

9

2011 
£000’s

29,627
(1,347)

28,280
(22,325)
(2,892)
(795)

2,268
(3)
263

2,528
221

2,749

2.1p

2.0p

2010 
£000’s

30,676
(752)

29,924
(21,823)
(2,959)
(630)

4,512
(8)
100

4,604
37

4,641

3.6p

3.4p

The Group has no recognised gains or losses other than the gains and losses shown above and therefore no separate consolidated statement 
of comprehensive income has been presented.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201137

Called-up 
share 
capital 
£000’s

Share 
premium 
account 
£000’s

129
2
–
–

131
2
–
–

133

64,677
678
–
–

65,355
1,433
–
–

66,788

Other 
reserves 
£000’s

19,262
–
–
–

19,262
–
–
–

19,262

Retained 
earnings 
£000’s

(77,346)
–
630
4,641

(72,075)
–
795
2,749

(68,531)

Called-up 
share 
capital 
£000’s

Share 
premium 
account 
£000’s

Other 
reserves 
£000’s

Retained 
earnings 
£000’s

129
2
–
–

131
2
–
–

133

64,677
678
–
–

65,355
1,433
–
–

66,788

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–

2,949
–
630
(214)

3,365
–
795
(300)

3,860

Total 
£000’s

6,722
680
630
4,641

12,673
1,435
795
2,749

17,652

Total 
£000’s

67,755
680
630
(214)

68,851
1,435
795
(300)

70,781

Statements of Changes in Equity
For the year ended 30 September 2011

Group

At 1 October 2009
Exercise of share options
Share-based payment
Retained profit for the year

Balance at 30 September 2010
Exercise of share options
Share-based payment
Retained profit for the year

Balance at 30 September 2011

Company

At 1 October 2009
Exercise of share options
Share-based payment
Retained loss for the year

Balance at 30 September 2010
Exercise of share options
Share-based payment
Retained loss for the year

Balance at 30 September 2011

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201138

Balance Sheets
As at 30 September 2011

Non-current assets
Intangible assets – goodwill
Investments
Property, plant and equipment

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Obligations under finance leases
Deferred revenue

Non-current liabilities
Obligations under finance leases
Deferred revenue

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity
Share capital
Share premium account
Other reserves
Retained earnings

Shareholders’ funds

Group

Company

Notes

2011 
£000’s

2010 
£000’s

2011 
£000’s

2010 
£000’s

10
11
12

13
14

15
16
17

16
17

19

21

5,210
–
1,868

7,078

1,424
2,281
28,319

32,024

39,102

(6,562)
(7)
(3,459)

(10,028)

5,210
–
1,566

6,776

780
1,217
25,219

27,216

33,992

(4,554)
(40)
(5,120)

(9,714)

–
77,495
–

77,495

–
31
1,000

1,031

–
68,854
–

68,854

–
19
–

19

78,526

68,873

(7,745)
–
–

(7,745)

(22)
–
–

(22)

–
–

(22)

–
(11,422)

(6)
(11,599)

–
–

(21,450)

(21,319)

(7,745)

17,652

12,673

70,781

68,851

133
66,788
19,262
(68,531)

131
65,355
19,262
(72,075)

17,652

12,673

133
66,788
–
3,860

70,781

131
65,355
–
3,365

68,851

The financial statements of GW Pharmaceuticals plc, registered number 04160917, on pages 36 to 60 were approved by the Board on 
21 November 2011, and were signed on its behalf by:

Dr Geoffrey W Guy
Executive Chairman
21 November 2011

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these balance sheets.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 2011Cash Flow Statements
For the year ended 30 September 2011

Operating profit/(loss)
Adjustments for:
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Share-based payment charge

Operating cash flow before movements in working capital
Increase in inventories
Increase in receivables
Increase/(decrease) in payables

Cash generated/(used) by operations
Research and development tax credits received

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities

Investment activities
Interest received
Interest paid
Purchases of property, plant and equipment

Net cash outflow from investing activities

Financing activities
Proceeds on exercise of share options
Expenses of share issue
Capital element of finance leases

Net cash inflow from financing activities

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year

39

Group

Company

2011 
£000’s

2,268

589
795

3,652
(644)
(1,043)
168

2,133
221

2,354

244
(3)
(891)

(650)

1,435
–
(39)

1,396

2010 
£000’s

4,512

726
630

5,868
(229)
(406)
(1,298)

3,935
397

4,332

100
(8)
(434)

(342)

680
(18)
(34)

628

3,100

4,618

25,219

28,319

20,601

25,219

2011 
£000’s

2010 
£000’s

(300)

(214)

–
–

(300)
–
(11)
(124)

(435)
–

(435)

–
–
–

–

1,435
–
–

1,435

1,000

–

1,000

–
–

(214)
–
(426)
(40)

(680)
–

(680)

–
–
–

–

680
–
–

680

–

–

–

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201140

Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 30 September 2011

1.  Significant Accounting Policies
The principal Group accounting policies are summarised below. 

Basis of Accounting
These financial statements have been prepared using accounting policies under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs). The 
financial statements have also been prepared in accordance with IFRSs adopted by the European Union and therefore the Group financial 
statements comply with Article 4 of the EU IAS regulation.

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

Adoption of New and Revised Standards
In the current year, the following new and revised Standards and Interpretations have been adopted in these financial statements.

IFRS 3(2008) Business Combinations 
IAS 27(2008) Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements 
IAS 28(2008) Investments in Associates
Amendment to IFRS 2 Share-based Payment 
Amendment to IAS 17 Leases
Amendment to IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement
IFRIC 17 Distributions of Non-Cash Assets to Owners
IFRS 2 (amended) Group Cash-settled Share-based Payment Transactions

None of the above had any impact upon the presentation and disclosure, reported results or financial position.

At the date of authorisation of these financial statements, the following Standards and Interpretations which have not been applied in these 
financial statements were in issue but not yet effective (and in some cases had not yet been adopted by the EU):

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments
IAS 24 (amended) Related Party Disclosures
IAS 32 (amended) Classification of Rights Issues
IFRIC 19 Extinguishing Financial Liabilities with Equity Instruments
IFRIC 14 (amended) Prepayments of a Minimum Funding Requirement
Improvements to IFRSs (May 2010)
IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements
IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements
IFRS 12 Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities
IFRS 13 Fair value measurement
IAS 27 Separate Financial Statements
Amendments to IFRS 7 Financial Instruments
Deferred tax: Recovery of underlying assets
Severe Hyperinflation and Removal of Fixed Dates for first time adopters
Presentation of Items of Other Comprehensive Income
Amendments to IAS 19 Employee Benefits

The Directors do not expect that the adoption of these Standards and Interpretations in future periods will have a material impact on the 
financial statements of the Group. 

Going Concern
The Directors have considered the financial position of the Group, its cash position and future cash flows when considering going concern. 
They have also considered the Group’s business activities, the key policies for managing financial risks and the key factors affecting the 
likely development of the business in 2012. In the light of this review, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company and 
the Group have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the 
going concern basis in preparing these financial statements.

Basis of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial statements of the Company and entities controlled by the Company (its 
subsidiaries) made up to 30 September each year. Subsidiaries are all entities over which the Group has the power to govern the financial and 
operating policies of the entity concerned, generally accompanying a shareholding of more than one half of the voting rights. All intra-group 
transactions, balances, income and expenses are eliminated on consolidation. Acquisitions are accounted for under the purchase method.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201141

1.  Significant Accounting Policies continued
As part of a Group reconstruction GW Pharmaceuticals plc acquired GW Pharma Limited on 31 May 2001. This purchase was accounted 
for under merger accounting principles. Under this method, results are reported as if the acquiring companies have been combined since the 
earlier date of incorporation. No purchased goodwill was created on the acquisition and the assets and liabilities of the acquired company 
were not adjusted to reflect their market value.

No income statement is presented for GW Pharmaceuticals plc as permitted by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006. The Company’s 
loss for the financial year was £300,000 (2010: £214,000).

Intangible Assets – Goodwill
Goodwill arising on the acquisition of the subsidiary undertakings, representing the excess of the fair value of the consideration given over 
the fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired is recognised as an asset and shown separately on the face of the balance sheet. 
Goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually and, where appropriate, an impairment charge is reflected in the income statement.

Determination of whether goodwill is impaired requires an estimation of the value in use of the cash generating units to which the goodwill has 
been allocated. The value in use calculation requires an estimate of the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at an appropriate 
discount rate. Where appropriate, provision is then made to ensure that the carrying value does not exceed this value in use estimate.

Revenue
Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable and represents amounts receivable for goods and services 
provided in the normal course of business, net of trade discounts, value added tax and other sales-related taxes. No revenue is recognised 
for consideration, the value or receipt of which is dependent on future events, future performance or refund obligations. The Group’s 
principal revenue streams and their respective accounting treatments are set out below:

Product Sales
Revenue from the sale of products is recognised upon collection by customers or at the time of delivery depending on the terms of sale. 

Research and Development Fees
Revenue from contract research and development (R&D) agreements is recognised as the services are performed.

Licensing Fees
Licensing fees represent revenues derived from product out-licensing agreements and from contract (R&D) agreements.

Signature fees received in connection with product out-licensing agreements, even where such fees are non-refundable and not creditable 
against future royalty payments, are deferred and recognised over the period of the license term, or the period of the associated collaborative 
assistance if that period is reasonably estimable. 

Technical access fees are fees charged to licensing partners to have access to and to commercially exploit data that GW already possesses  
or which can be expected to result from GW research programmes that are already in progress. Such fees are recognised upon delivery of 
data to the partner or, in the event that the research programme is on-going, over the period taken to complete the research and to provide 
the data.

Development and Approval Milestones
During the term of certain contract R&D agreements and licensing agreements, the Group is eligible to receive non-refundable development 
and approval milestone payments when certain clinical or regulatory results are achieved or upon the occurrence of certain milestone 
events. These milestones are recognised upon achievement of the relevant result or upon the occurrence of the milestone event when they 
become receivable. 

Research and Development
R&D expenditure is recognised as an intangible asset only when the Group has achieved reasonable certainty that future economic benefits will 
flow to the Group and then only to the extent that the asset created is separately identifiable and the costs of which can be measured reliably.

All R&D expenditure incurred prior to achieving regulatory approval is therefore expensed as incurred. 

R&D expenditure incurred subsequent to regulatory approval is only recognised as an intangible asset if there is reasonable certainty that 
additional future economic benefits will flow to the Group as a direct result of that research.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 2011 
42

Notes to the Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 30 September 2011

1.  Significant Accounting Policies continued
Property, Plant and Equipment
Fixtures and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and any provision for impairment. Depreciation is provided on 
all tangible fixed assets, at rates calculated to write off the cost of each asset on a straight-line basis over its expected useful life commencing 
upon the satisfactory completion of installation such that assets are ready for their intended use, as follows:

Motor vehicles 
Plant, machinery and lab equipment  4–10 years
Office and IT equipment 
Leasehold improvements 

4 years

4 years
4 years or term of the lease if shorter

Investments
Investments are shown at cost less any provision for impairment. Investments in subsidiary companies which are accounted for under 
merger accounting principles are shown at the nominal value of shares issued in accordance with the provisions of Section 131 of the 
Companies Act 2006.

The carrying value of investments in subsidiary companies in the Company balance sheet is increased annually by the value of the capital 
contribution deemed to have been made by the Company in its subsidiary by the grant of equity-settled share-based payments to the 
employees of the subsidiary company. The value attributable to these equity-settled share-based payments is calculated in accordance with 
IFRS 2, Share-based payments.

Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is calculated using the average weighted cost method. Cost includes 
materials, direct labour and an attributable proportion of manufacturing overheads based on normal levels of activity. Net realisable value is 
the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less all estimated costs of completion and costs to be incurred in marketing, 
selling and distribution.

Provision is made for obsolete, slow moving or defective items where appropriate. Inventory is also provided for where the level of inventory 
held is in excess of the amount required to manufacture projected future sales volumes based on the current regulatory status of the relevant 
product. The provision ensures that the carrying value of inventory does not exceed expected net realisable value.

Prior to achieving territorial regulatory approvals, the sales volume projections for each territory, used to estimate the required level of 
inventory provision, are derived by applying historic growth rates to the current volumes being sold via named patient sales programmes. 
Once a territorial approval is achieved, volume projections are revised to take account of expected commercial sales volumes for that 
territory, based upon projections provided by commercial partners, adjusted to take into account other factors such as historic experience 
of sales growth rates and expected market penetration. 

Taxation
The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable or recoverable and deferred tax.

The tax payable or recoverable is provided for at amounts expected to be paid (or recovered) using the tax rates and laws that have been 
enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.

Deferred tax is the tax expected to be payable or recoverable on differences between carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the 
financial statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable profit, and is accounted for using the balance sheet 
liability method. Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all taxable temporary differences and deferred tax assets are recognised 
only to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be available against which deductible temporary differences can be utilised.

Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised.

Retirement Benefit Costs
The Group does not operate any pension plans, but makes defined contributions to the personal pension arrangements of its Executive 
Directors and employees. The amounts charged to the income statement in respect of pension costs are the contributions payable in the 
year. Differences between contributions payable in the year and contributions actually paid are shown as either accruals or prepayments in 
the balance sheet.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 2011 
43

1.  Significant Accounting Policies continued
Foreign Currency
Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the rate of exchange at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated 
in foreign currencies at the balance sheet date are retranslated at the rates of exchange prevailing at that date. Any gain or loss arising from a 
change in exchange rates subsequent to the date of the transaction is included as an exchange gain or loss in the income statement.

Share-based Payment
The Group has applied the requirements of IFRS 2, Share-based payments.

The Group issues equity-settled share-based payments to employees. Equity-settled share-based payments are measured at fair value 
(excluding the effect of non-market-based vesting conditions) 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, based on the Group’s estimate of shares 
that will eventually vest and adjusted for the effect of non-market-based vesting conditions.

Fair value is measured by use of 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.

Leases 
Rentals payable under operating leases are charged on a straight-line basis over the term of the relevant lease.

Assets held under finance leases are recognised as assets of the Group at their fair value or, if lower, the present value of the minimum 
lease payments, each determined at the inception of the lease. The corresponding liability to the lessor is included in the balance sheet as 
a finance lease obligation. Lease payments are apportioned between finance charges and reduction of the finance lease obligation so as to 
achieve a constant rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability. Finance charges are charged directly to the income statement.

Financial Instruments
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised in the Group’s balance sheet when the Group becomes a party to the contractual 
provisions of the instrument.

Trade Receivables
Trade receivables are measured at initial recognition at fair value, and are subsequently measured at amortised cost, using the effective 
interest rate method where credit exceeds normal terms. Appropriate allowances for estimated irrecoverable amounts are recognised in 
the income statement when there is objective evidence that the asset is impaired. The allowance recognised is measured as the difference 
between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows discounted at the effective interest rate computed 
at initial recognition.

Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash in hand and deposits held at call with banks and other short-term highly liquid investments with 
a maturity of three months or less.

Trade Payables
Trade payables are initially measured at fair value, and are subsequently measured at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Critical Accounting Judgements and Key Sources of Estimation Uncertainty
In the application of the Group’s accounting policies, which are described above, the Directors are required to make judgements, estimates 
and assumptions about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and 
associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ 
from these estimates.

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

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201144

Notes to the Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 30 September 2011

1.  Significant Accounting Policies continued
Critical Judgements in Applying the Group’s Accounting Policies
The following are the critical judgements, apart from those involving estimations (which are dealt with separately below), that the Directors 
have made in the process of applying the Group’s accounting policies and that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in 
the financial statements.

Recognition of Clinical Trials Expenditure
The Group recognises expenditure incurred in carrying out clinical trials during the course of conduct of each clinical trial in line with 
the state of completion of each trial. This involves the calculation of clinical trial accruals at each period end to account for expenditure 
which has been incurred but for which invoices have not yet been received. Clinical trials usually take place over extended time periods 
and typically involve a set-up phase, a recruitment phase and a completion phase which ends upon the receipt of a final report containing 
full statistical analysis of trial results. Accruals are prepared separately for each in-process clinical trial and take into consideration the 
stage of completion of each trial including the number of patients that have entered the trial, the number of patients that have completed 
treatment and whether the final report has been received. In all cases, the full cost of each trial is expensed by the time the final report 
has been received.

Revenue Recognition
The Group recognises R&D fee revenues as services are performed. Where services are in-progress at the period end, the Group recognises 
revenues proportionately, in line with the stage of completion of the service. Where such in-progress services include the conduct of clinical 
trials, the Directors recognise service fees in line with the stage of completion of each trial so that revenues are recognised in line with the 
clinical trials expenditure, as outlined in detail above.

The Group recognises licensing fees either over the estimated term of the commercial license or, in the case of technical access fees, over the 
period taken to provide access to the data to the licensee. For existing data, this may be immediate, but in the case of data that is expected 
to arise from in-progress research, it is necessary to estimate the timescale for completing the research and to recognise the revenue over this 
period. In the case of upfront fees that represent a number of different elements, these are allocated according to the underlying obligations 
of the contract, with the revenue being recognised when these obligations have been carried out and the earnings process is regarded as 
being complete.

Key Sources of Estimation Uncertainty
The key assumptions concerning the future, and other key sources of estimation uncertainty at the balance sheet date, that have a significant 
risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year, are discussed below.

Carrying Value of Inventory
The Group maintains inventory which, based upon current sales levels and the current regulatory status of the product, is in-excess of the 
amount that is expected to be utilised in the manufacture of finished product for future commercial sales. Provision is therefore required to 
reduce the carrying value of inventory to its expected net realisable value. Estimation of the level of provision required involves estimation 
of future product sales volumes. Future changes to the regulatory status of products can be expected to lead to revisions to future sales 
projections which may in turn lead to partial release of this provision in future. However, the timing and extent of future provision release 
will be contingent upon timing and extent of future regulatory approvals and post-approval in-market sales demand, which remain 
uncertain at this time.

Deferred taxation
The Group has accumulated tax losses of £46.0m (2010: £44.3m) which are available to carry forward and to offset against trading profits 
in future periods in order to make future corporation tax savings. If the value of these losses were recognised within our balance sheet at the 
balance sheet date, we would be carrying a deferred tax asset of £11.9m (2010: £11.9m). However, as explained in the taxation accounting 
policy note on page 42, our policy is to recognise deferred tax assets only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be 
available against which the brought forward trading losses can be utilised so that the asset becomes realised. Estimation of the level of 
future taxable profits is therefore required in order to determine the appropriate carrying value of the deferred tax asset at each balance 
sheet date. 

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201145

2.  Segmental Information
Operating Segments
Previously, the Directors have considered GW’s business to consist of a single operating segment, being pharmaceutical development. 

The Directors now consider that GW’s business consists of three operating segments, being:

Sativex® – Commercial operations
Sativex – Research and development
Pipeline – Research and Development

The management information used by the GW Board for monitoring performance and allocating resources now focuses upon the financial 
results of these three segments.

This reflects the fact that, following the series of Sativex commercial launches during 2011, the importance and value of GW’s Sativex 
commercial business has increased significantly.

At the same time, the Board recognise that it is essential that we and our partners continue to invest in further Sativex R&D, in order 
to maximise the commercial opportunity for Sativex by seeking approvals for a broader range of clinical indications, whilst also moving 
forward the development of our pipeline product candidates to a licensable stage. Management information has therefore been adapted to 
allow decisions to be made about resource allocation between these two important activities.

The Board continues to make operational decisions and to assess performance against our strategic plan using cash flow and balance sheet 
information for the Group as a single operating entity. Therefore, no analysis of net assets or cash flows by segment have been provided.

Profit and Loss
For the Year Ended 30 September 2011

Product sales
Research and development fees
Licensing fees:
– signature and technical access fees
– development and approval milestones

Total revenue
Cost of sales
Research and development expenditure

Segmental result

Management and administrative expenses
Share-based payment

Operating profit
Interest payable
Interest received

Profit before tax
Tax

Profit after tax

Sativex 
Commercial 
year ended 
2011 
£’000

Sativex R&D 
year ended 
2011 
£’000

Pipeline R&D 
year ended 
2011 
£’000

Consolidated 
year ended 
2011 
£’000

4,409
–

3,843
5,337

13,589
(1,347)
266

12,508

–
10,822

–
–

10,822
–
(14,757)

(3,935)

–
5,216

–
–

5,216
–
(7,834)

(2,618)

4,409
16,038

3,843
5,337

29,627
(1,347)
(22,325)

5,955

(2,892)
(795)

2,268
(3)
263

2,528
221

2,749

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201146

Notes to the Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 30 September 2011

2.  Segmental Information continued
Profit and Loss
For the Year Ended 30 September 2010

Product sales
Research and development fees
Licensing fees:
– signature and technical access fees
– development and approval milestones

Total revenue
Cost of sales
Research and development expenditure

Segmental result

Management and administrative expenses
Share-based payment

Operating profit
Interest payable
Interest received

Profit before tax
Tax

Profit after tax

Sativex® 
Commercial 
year ended 
2010 
£’000

Sativex R&D 
year ended 
2010 
£’000

Pipeline R&D 
year ended 
2010 
£’000

Consolidated 
year ended 
2010 
£’000

2,768
–

1,900
11,200

15,868
(752)
114

15,230

–
10,381

–
–

10,381
–
(14,518)

(4,137)

–
4,427

–
–

4,427
–
(7,419)

(2,992)

2,768
14,808

1,900
11,200

30,676
(752)
(21,823)

8,101

(2,959)
(630)

4,512
(8)
100

4,604
37

4,641

Total
£000’s

19,632

15,908

2010 
£000’s

1,834
12,511
11,904
4,427

30,676

2010 
£000’s

7,015
14,808

21,823

2011 
£000’s

1,469
10,317
12,625
5,216

29,627

2011 
£000’s

6,286
16,039

22,325

Revenues from the Group’s largest customer are included within the above segments as follows:

Sativex 
Commercial 
£’000

Sativex R&D
£000’s

Pipeline R&D 
£000’s

3,687

1,100

10,729

10,381

5,216

4,427

Year ended 30 September 2011

Year ended 30 September 2010

Geographical analysis of revenue by destination of customer:

UK
Europe (excluding UK)
North America
Asia

All revenue, profits and losses before taxation originated in the UK. All assets and liabilities are held in the UK. 

3.  Research and Development Expenditure

GW-funded research
Development partner-funded research

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 20114.  Profit on Ordinary Activities before Taxation
Profit on ordinary activities before taxation is stated after charging/(crediting):

R&D expenditure
Operating lease rentals – land and buildings
Depreciation and amounts written off tangible fixed assets – owned
Depreciation and amounts written off tangible fixed assets – leased
Inventory recognised as an expense
Inventory provision (decrease)/increase
Foreign exchange gain
Staff costs (see note 5)
The auditors for the years ending 30 September 2011 and 2010 were Deloitte LLP
Fees payable to the Company’s auditor were:
– Audit of the Company
– Audit of subsidiaries
– Interim review procedures

5.  Staff Costs
The average number of Group employees (including Executive Directors) was:

R&D
Management and administration

The Company had no employees during the year (2010: nil).

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs

The Company incurred no staff costs during the year (2010: nil). 

6.  Directors’ Remuneration, Interests and Transactions
Aggregate Remuneration
The total amounts for Directors’ remuneration and other benefits were as follows:

Emoluments
Money purchase contributions to Directors’ pension arrangements
Gain on exercise of share options

47

2011 
£000’s

22,325
782
541
48
1,210
(425)
(96)
7,737

2010 
£000’s

21,823
749
678
48
528
(114)
(16)
7,459

8
37
5

8
34
5

2011 
Number

2010 
Number

136
16

152

104
16

120

2011 
£000’s

2010 
£000’s

6,443
865
429

7,737

6,260
798
401

7,459

2011 
£000’s

1,426
171
225

1,822

2010 
£000’s

1,796
165
674

2,635

During 2011, four Directors were members of defined contribution pension schemes (2010: four).

Further details concerning the Directors’ remuneration, shareholdings and share options which form part of these financial statements are 
set out in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 28 to 32.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201148

Notes to the Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 30 September 2011

7. Interest

Finance lease interest payable

Bank interest receivable

8.  Tax Credit on Profit on Ordinary Activities

Current year charge
Adjustment in respect of prior year – credit

UK Corporation tax – R&D tax credit

2011 
£000’s

2010 
£000’s

(3)

263

(8)

100

2011 
£000’s

2010 
£000’s

–
(221)

(221)

–
(37)

(37)

The UK Corporation tax credit relates to research and development tax credits claimed under the Finance Act 2000. 

Factors Affecting the Tax Credit for the Year
The tax credit for the year is lower than the standard rate of Corporation Tax in the UK. The differences are explained below:

Group profit on ordinary activities before tax

Tax charge on Group profit at standard UK Corporation tax rate of 27% (2010: 28%)
Effects of:
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes
Fixed asset timing differences
Other short term timing differences
R&D tax relief
Share-based payment
Deferred tax losses not recognised
Adjustment in respect of prior year

Group tax credit for the year

2011 
£000’s

2,528

682

(181)
(74)
625
(1,275)
(412)
635
(221)

(221)

2010 
£000’s

4,604

1,289

(400)
71
(97)
(1,342)
202
277
(37)

(37)

At 30 September 2011 there were tax losses available for carry forward of approximately £46.0m (2010: £44.3m).

Net deferred tax assets, relating to carried forward losses, of approximately £11.9m (2010: £11.9m) have not been recognised as there is insufficient 
evidence at this stage that the assets will be recovered. These assets would be utilised if the Group were to make future taxable profits.

9.  Earnings Per Share
The calculations of earnings per share are based on the following profits and numbers of shares:

Profit for the financial year

Weighted average number of shares

Basic

Diluted

2011 
£000’s

2010 
£000’s

2011 
£000’s

2010 
£000’s

2,749

4,641

2,779

4,657

Number of shares

Number of shares

2011 
m

2010 
m

2011 
m

2010 
m

131.9

129.9

138.2

136.7

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 2011 
49

2011 
£000’s

2010 
£000’s

5,210
–

5,210
–

5,210

5,210

10.  Intangible Fixed Assets – Goodwill

Cost
As at 1 October
Provision for impairment

Net Book Value
As at 30 September

Goodwill arose upon the acquisition of GW Research Ltd ( formerly G-Pharm Ltd) by GW Pharma Limited in 2001.

The carrying value of the goodwill attributable to the GW Research acquisition in 2001 derives from its entitlement to a share of future 
product sales revenues of GW Pharma Ltd. The value in use of this entitlement is calculated by discounting the cash flows expected to arise 
from projected future product sales revenues for the next 15 years, the estimated Sativex® product lifecycle, using an estimated risk-adjusted 
cost of capital of 12% (2010: 12%) to calculate a present value. An impairment provision is recognised only if the goodwill carrying value 
exceeds this value in use.

No such provision was required at 30 September 2011 (2010: nil).

As at 30 September 2011 the Company had no intangible assets (2010: nil).

11.  Investments
Principal Group Investments

Company

At 1 October 2010
Add capital contribution in respect of share-based payment charge
Additional funds advanced during year
Amount capitalised as equity investment in subsidiary
Intra Group Transfer of GW Research Ltd from GW Pharma Ltd
Transfer to intercompany creditors

At 30 September 2011

Loans to 
Group 
undertakings 
£000’s

Investments 
£000’s

4,540
795
–
65,000
7,160
–

64,314
–
1,149
(65,000)
–
(463)

Total 
£000’s

68,854
795
1,149
–
7,160
(463)

77,495

–

77,495

The Company and the Group have investments in the following subsidiary undertakings.

Name of undertaking

Country of registration

Description of shares held

Activity

% holding

GW Pharma Limited1
GW Research Limited1,2
Cannabinoid Research Institute Limited1
Guernsey Pharmaceuticals Limited
GWZ Limited
GWP Trustee Company Limited
G-Pharm Trustee Company Limited
G-Pharm Limited1,3

England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
Guernsey
Guernsey
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales

0.1p ordinary shares
£1 ordinary shares
£1 ordinary shares
£1 ordinary shares
£1 ordinary shares
£1 ordinary shares
£1 ordinary shares
£1 ordinary shares

Production commercialisation
Research and Development
Research and Development
Research and Development
Research & Development
Employee Share Ownership
Dormant
Dormant

100
100
100
100
40
100
100
100

1  Held directly by GW Pharmaceuticals plc.
2  Formerly G-Pharm Ltd.
3  Formerly Advanced Dispensing Systems Ltd.

All the subsidiary undertakings are included in the consolidated accounts.

On 15 September 2011, GW Pharmaceuticals plc converted £65m of its long-term intercompany loan to GW Pharma Limited into an 
equity investment.

On 21 September 2011, ownership of GW Research Limited was transferred from GW Pharma Limited to GW Pharmaceuticals plc. 

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201150

Notes to the Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 30 September 2011

12.  Property, plant and equipment

Group

Cost
At 1 October 2009
Additions
Disposals

At 1 October 2010
Additions
Disposals

At 30 September 2011

Accumulated Depreciation
At 1 October 2009
Charge for the year
Disposals

At 1 October 2010
Charge for the year
Disposals

At 30 September 2011

Net Book Value
At 30 September 2011

At 30 September 2010

Motor 
vehicles 
£000’s

Plant, 
machinery and 
lab equipment 
£000’s

Office and IT 
equipment 
£000’s

Leasehold 
improvements 
£000’s

11
–
–

11
–
–

11

11
–

11
–
–

11

–

–

3,091
234
(185)

3,140
405
–

3,545

1,773
405
(185)

1,993
403
–

2,396

1,149

1,147

984
188
(394)

778
344
–

1,022
12
(66)

968
142
–

1,122

1,110

833
105
(394)

544
125
–

669

453

234

633
216
(66)

783
61
–

844

266

185

2011 
Total 
£000’s

5,108
434
(645)

4,897
891
–

5,788

3,250
726
(645)

3,331
589
–

3,920

1,868

1,566

The Net Book Value at 30 September 2011 includes £10,000 in respect of assets held under finance leases (2010: £58,000).

The depreciation charge for the year includes a charge of £48,000 in respect of assets held under finance leases (2010: £48,000).

The Company does not own any property, plant and equipment.

13.  Inventories

Raw materials
Work in progress
Finished goods

Group

Company

2011 
£000’s

2010 
£000’s

2011 
£000’s

2010 
£000’s

70
771
583

1,424

126
505
149

780

–
–
–

–

–
–
–

–

Inventories are stated net of a realisable value provision of £3.4m (2010: £3.9m).

Further details of how the level of provision is calculated are given in the inventories accounting policy note on page 42.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201151

14.  Financial Assets
Trade and Other Receivables

Amounts falling due within one year
Trade receivables
Other receivables
Prepayments and accrued income

Group

Company

2011 
£000’s

2010 
£000’s

2011 
£000’s

2010 
£000’s

1,521
330
430

2,281

645
154
418

1,217

–
7
24

31

–
3
16

19

The Directors consider that the carrying value of trade receivables equals their fair value. 

No provision is required for impairment (2010: nil). 

Trade receivables at 30 September 2011 represent 19 days of sales (2010: eight days). The average trade receivable days during the year was 
18 days (2010: 24 days). 

No interest is charged on trade receivables. 

The trade receivables balance at 30 September 2011 consisted of balances due from six customers (2010: five customers) with the largest 
single customer representing 36% (2010: 83%) of the total amount due. No receivables are past their due date (2010: nil).

15.  Financial Liabilities
Trade and Other Payables

Amounts falling due within one year
Trade payables
Other taxation and social security
Other creditors and accruals
Defined contribution pension scheme accruals

Group

Company

2011 
£000’s

2010 
£000’s

2011 
£000’s

2010 
£000’s

2,381
441
3,695
45

6,562

1,281
356
2,876
41

4,554

35
–
7,710
–

7,745

6
–
16
–

22

Trade payables at 30 September 2011 represents the equivalent of 46 days purchases (2010: 26 days).

The average trade payable days during the year was 43 days (2010: 43 days). 

The Directors consider that the carrying value of trade payables approximates to their fair value.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201152

Notes to the Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 30 September 2011

16.  Obligations under Finance Leases

Amounts payable under finance leases:
Within one year
In the second to fifth years inclusive

Less: future finance charges

Present value of lease obligations

Less: Amount due for settlement within 12 months (shown under current liabilities) 

Amount due for settlement after 12 months

Minimum lease payments

Present value of lease 
payments

2011 
£000’s

2010 
£000’s

2011 
£000’s

2010 
£000’s

7
–

7

–

7

42
7

49

(3)

46

7
–

7

n/a

7

–

–

40
6

46

n/a

46

40

6

It is the Group’s policy to lease certain of its fixtures and equipment under finance leases. The average lease term is three years. For the year 
ended 30 September 2011, the average effective borrowing rate was 11% (2010: 11%). Interest rates are fixed at the contract date. All leases 
are on a fixed repayment basis and no arrangements have been entered into for contingent rental payments.

All lease obligations are denominated in Sterling.

The fair value of the Group’s lease obligations is approximately equal to their carrying amount.

The Group’s obligations under finance leases are secured by the lessors’ rights over the leased assets. 

17.  Deferred Revenue

Amounts falling due within one year
Deferred signature and technical access fee income
Advance payments received

Amounts falling due after one year
Deferred signature and technical access fee income

Group

Company

2011
 £000’s

2010 
£000’s

2011 
£000’s

2010 
£000’s

1,294
2,165

3,459

1,900
3,220

5,120

11,422

11,599

–
–

–

–

–
–

–

–

Deferred signature and technical access fee income represents the balance of the non-refundable licensing fees received from Almirall, 
Otsuka and Novartis. 

For Almirall the £12m signature fee is being recognised at the rate of £0.8m per year over 15 years from December 2005. 

In the case of Otsuka, where the Group’s obligations are weighted towards the earlier years, the $18m (£9.2m) signature fee has been 
recognised from 1 April 2007 to 30 September 2011 at the rate of £1.1m per year and will be recognised at the rate of £0.28m per year for 
the following 15 years.

The Novartis up-front payment of £3.1m consisted of both a signature fee and technical access fees. £1.9m of this has been earned and 
recognised during 2011. The remaining £1.2m has been deferred and will be recognised over the estimated 10 year term of the license, at the 
rate of £0.2m per year for the period from 1 October 2011 to 31 March 2015 and thereafter at the rate of £0.1m per year until 31 March 2021. 

Advance payments received represents payments for research and development activities to be carried out in the next financial year on 
behalf of Otsuka. These amounts will be recognised as revenue in future periods. 

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 2011 
53

18.  Financial Instruments
The Group’s senior management are responsible for monitoring and managing the financial risks relating to the operations of the Group. 
These risks include credit risk, market risks, arising from interest rate risk and currency risk, and liquidity risk. The Board and Audit 
Committee review and approve the internal policies for managing each of these risks, as summarised below.

The Group’s financial instruments comprise cash and liquid resources and various items such as trade payables and trade receivables, which 
arise directly from the Group’s operations. 

Categories of Financial Instruments

Financial Assets
Receivables, cash and cash equivalents

Financial Liabilities
Liabilities at amortised cost

2011 
£000’s

2010 
£000’s

30,598

26,436

6,602

4,600

It is, and has been throughout the period under review, the Group’s policy that no speculative trading in financial instruments shall 
be undertaken. 

Credit Risk:
Credit risk refers to the risk that a counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss to the Group. The Group 
has adopted a policy of only dealing with creditworthy counterparties, principally involving the major UK clearing banks and their wholly 
owned subsidiaries, when placing cash on deposit. In addition the Group operates a Treasury policy that dictates the maximum cash 
balance that may be placed on deposit with any single institution or Group. This policy is reviewed and approved from time to time by 
the Audit Committee and the Board.

Trade Receivables represent amounts due from customers for the sale of commercial product and research funding from development partners, 
consisting primarily of a small number of major pharmaceutical companies where the credit risk is considered to be low. The Group seeks to 
minimise credit risk by offering only 30 days credit to commercial customers and by requesting payment in advance from its development 
partners for the majority of its research activities.

Due to the nature of the small number of development partners and the sums involved in funding research activity, concentration of credit 
risk is considered to be high. In the short-term the Group manages this risk by seeking payments in advance for most research activity.

At the balance sheet date the maximum credit risk attributable to any individual counterparty was £7.2m (2010: £7.1m).

The carrying amount of the financial assets recorded in the financial statements represents the Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk as 
no collateral or other credit enhancements are held.

Market Risk:
Market risk arises from the Group’s exposure to fluctuation in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. These risks are managed 
by maintaining an appropriate mix of cash deposits in various currencies, placed with a variety of financial institutions for varying periods 
according to expected liquidity requirements. There has been no material change to the Group’s exposure to market risks or the manner in 
which it manages and measures risk. 

i)  Interest Rate Risk
The Group is exposed to interest rate risk as it places surplus cash funds on deposit to earn interest income. The Group seeks to ensure that 
it consistently earns commercially competitive interest rates by using the services of an independent broker to identify and secure the best 
commercially available interest rates from those banks that meet the Group’s stringent counterparty credit rating criteria. In doing so the 
Group manages the term of cash deposits, up to a maximum of 365 days, in order to maximise interest earnings while also ensuring that it 
maintains sufficient readily available cash in order to meet short-term liquidity needs. 

Interest income of £263,000 (2010: £100,000) during the year ended 30 September 2011 was earned from deposits with a weighted average 
interest rate of 0.86% (2010: 0.64%). Therefore, a 100 basis point increase in interest rates would have increased interest income, and 
increased the profit for the year, by £306,000 (2010: £156,000).

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 2011 
 
54

Notes to the Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 30 September 2011

18.  Financial Instruments continued
The Group does not have any balance sheet exposure to assets or liabilities which would increase or decrease in fair value with changes to 
interest rates. 

ii)  Currency Risk
The Group’s functional currency is Sterling and the majority of its transactions are denominated in that currency. However, the Group 
receives revenues and incurs expenditures in foreign currencies and is exposed to the effects of foreign exchange. The Group seeks to 
minimise this exposure by passively maintaining foreign currency cash balances at levels appropriate to meet foreseeable foreign currency 
expenditures, converting surplus foreign currency balances into Sterling as soon as they arise. The Group does not use forward exchange 
contracts to manage exchange rate exposure.

The table below shows an analysis of year end cash deposits by currency:

Cash deposits:

Sterling
Euro
US Dollar 
Canadian Dollar

2011 
£000’s

24,247
1,219
2,848
5

28,319

2010 
£000’s

21,841
222
3,145
11

25,219

The table below shows those transactional exposures that give rise to net currency gains and losses recognised in the income statement. 
Such exposures comprise the net monetary assets and monetary liabilities of the Group that are not denominated in the functional currency 
of the Group. As at 30 September 2011 these exposures were as follows:

Net Foreign Currency Assets/(Liabilities):

Euro
US Dollar
Canadian Dollar
Other

2011 
£000’s

902
986
218
(39)

2,067

2010 
£000’s

(159)
2,988
10
(38)

2,801

Foreign Currency Sensitivity Analysis:
The most significant currencies in which the Group trades, other than Sterling, are the US Dollar and the Euro. The Group also trades in 
the Canadian Dollar; the Czech Crown and the Polish Zloty. The following table details the Group’s sensitivity to a 10% change in the key 
foreign currency exchange rates against Sterling:

Year ended 30 September 2011

Profit Before Tax

Equity

Year ended 30 September 2010

Profit Before Tax

Equity

Euro 
£’000

US Dollar 
£’000

Can Dollar 
£’000

Other 
£’000

90

90

99

99

22

22

(4)

(4)

Euro 
£’000

US Dollar 
£’000

Can Dollar 
£’000

Other 
£’000

(16)

(16)

299

299

1

1

(4)

(4)

Liquidity Risk:
Responsibility for Liquidity management rests with the Board of Directors, which has built a liquidity risk management framework to 
enable the monitoring and management of short, medium and long term cash requirements of the business. 

The Board actively monitors Group cash flows and regularly reviews projections of future cash requirements to ensure that appropriate 
levels of liquidity are maintained. The Group manages its short term liquidity primarily by planning the maturity dates of cash deposits 
in order to time the availability of funds as liabilities fall due for payment. The Group does not maintain any borrowing facilities.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201155

18.  Financial Instruments continued
The cash deposits comprise deposits placed on money markets for periods of up to 365 days and on call. The weighted average time for 
which the rate was fixed was 64 days (2010: 35 days). 

The Directors consider that all of the Group’s financial liabilities at the year end and prior year end have maturity dates of less than 
12 months from the balance sheet date. There have been no material changes to the Group’s exposure to liquidity risks or the manner 
in which it manages and measures liquidity risk.

Fair Value of Financial Assets
The Directors consider there to be no material difference between the book and fair value of the Group’s financial instruments at the 
balance sheet date.

19.  Share Capital
As at 30 September 2011 the authorised share capital of the Company and the allotted, called-up and fully paid amounts were as follows:

Authorised
200,000,000 ordinary shares of 0.1p each

Allotted, called-up and fully paid

Changes to the number of ordinary shares in issue have been as follows:

As at 1 October 2009

Exercise of share options
As at 30 September 2010

Exercise of share options

As at 30 September 2011

The Company has one class of ordinary shares which carry no right to fixed income.

20.  Options and Warrants in the Shares of GW Pharmaceuticals plc
Options 
Options have been granted over 0.1p ordinary shares as follows:

At 1 October
Granted during the year
Exercised during the year
Lapsed during the year

At 30 September

2011 
£000’s

2010
 £000’s

200

133

200

131

Number of 
shares

129,277,655

1,920,137
131,197,792

1,857,362

133,055,154

Total 
nominal 
value 
£000’s

129

2
131

2

133

Total share 
premium 
£000’s

Total 
consideration 
£000’s

–

678
–

–

680
–

1,433

1,435

2011 
Number

2010 
Number

913,763

14,212,354 15,513,436
911,450
(1,857,362) (1,920,137)
(292,395)
(2,227,625)

11,041,130 14,212,354

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201156

Notes to the Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 30 September 2011

20.  Options and Warrants in the Shares of GW Pharmaceuticals plc continued
Share options, which include the share options granted to Directors as stated in the Directors’ Remuneration Report, are as shown below:

At 1 Oct 
2010 
Number

Options 
granted 
Number

Options 
exercised 
Number

 Options 
lapsed 
Number

At 30 Sept 
2011 
Number

Date 
granted

Exercise 
price

Earliest 
date of 
exercise

Date of 
expiry

Approved Share Options:
GW Pharmaceuticals Approved Company Share Option Scheme

111,800

–

(111,800)

–

–

01/02/01

36.21p

01/02/04

01/02/11

GW Pharmaceuticals Approved Share Option Scheme 2001

28,708
52,200
29,000
116,770
8,700
11,600
101,138
89,500
7,900
264,363
20,300
63,800
40,200
159,862
18,000

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

(28,708)
(52,200)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(47,500)
–
(15,300)
(3,000)
(26,362)
–

–
–
–
(8,700)
–
(11,600)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(8,000)

Enterprise Management Incentive (EMI) Share Options:
GW Pharmaceuticals Executive Share Option Scheme

72,500
14,500
304,500
401,021

–
–
–
–

(72,500)
(14,500)
(304,500)
–

–
–
–
(401,021)

GW Pharmaceuticals Unapproved Share Option Scheme 2001
–
–
–
–
(2,325)
–
(2,500)
–
–

(6,000)
(11,600)
–
–
–
(17,500)
(20,000)
(5,800)
–

6,000
60,900
92,500
133,340
52,575
189,700
162,500
11,600
150,000

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

GW Pharmaceuticals Long Term Incentive Plan

359,999
101,133
19,750
169,374
–

–
–
–
–
100,000

–
–
–
–
–

(10,000)
(18,000)
–
–
–

–
–
29,000
108,070
8,700
–
101,138
89,500
7,900
216,863
20,300
48,500
37,200
133,500
10,000

–
–
–
–

–
49,300
92,500
133,340
50,250
172,200
140,000
5,800
150,000

349,999
83,133
19,750
169,374
100,000

10/09/01
26/09/01
31/10/01
23/01/02
04/04/02
03/07/03
22/01/04
02/09/04
21/01/05
19/10/05
18/04/06
27/09/06
20/11/06
05/11/07
19/09/08

15/01/01
01/02/01
14/05/01
14/05/01

01/06/01
08/07/02
15/07/02
16/01/03
22/01/04
02/09/04
19/10/05
18/04/06
05/11/07

26/11/08
20/05/09
30/11/09
19/07/10
08/06/11

104.50p
72.00p
107.00p
122.00p
131.00p
210.50p
199.00p
99.00p
119.50p
72.00p
84.00p
83.00p
78.00p
54.00p
39.00p

36.21p
36.21p
55.00p
182.00p

55.00p
107.00p
107.00p
171.00p
199.00p
99.00p
72.00p
84.00p
54.00p

0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p

10/09/04
26/09/04
31/10/04
23/01/05
04/04/05
03/07/06
22/01/07
02/09/07
21/01/08
19/10/08
18/04/09
27/09/09
20/11/09
05/11/10
19/09/11

15/01/04
01/02/04
14/05/04
14/05/04

01/06/04
08/07/05
15/07/05
16/01/06
22/01/07
02/09/07
19/10/08
18/04/09
05/11/10

26/11/11
20/05/12
30/11/12
19/07/13
08/06/14

10/09/11
26/09/11
31/10/11
23/01/12
04/04/12
03/07/13
22/01/14
02/09/14
21/01/15
19/10/15
18/04/16
27/09/16
20/11/16
05/11/17
19/09/18

15/01/11
01/02/11
14/05/11
14/05/11

01/06/11
08/07/12
15/07/12
16/01/13
22/01/14
02/09/14
19/10/15
18/04/16
05/11/17

26/11/18
20/05/19
30/11/19
19/07/20
08/06/21

Sub-total – carried forward

3,425,733

100,000

(737,270)

(462,146)

2,326,317

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201157

20.  Options and Warrants in the Shares of GW Pharmaceuticals plc continued

At 1 Oct 
2010 
Number

Options 
granted 
Number

Options 
exercised 
Number

 Options 
lapsed 
Number

At 30 Sept 
2011 
Number

Date 
granted

Exercise 
price

Earliest 
date of 
exercise

Date of 
expiry

Sub-total – brought forward

3,425,733

100,000

(737,270)

(462,146)

2,326,317

Unapproved Share Options:
GW Pharmaceuticals Executive Share Option Scheme

150,000
491,479
942,500
871,292
9,380
50,000
790,958
701,004
620,000
205,000
857,814
309,500
585,658
1,219,454

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

(150,000)
–
–
(871.292)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
(491,479)
(942,500)
–
–
(50,000)
–
–
–
–
–
(35,000)
–
–

–
–
–
–
9,380
–
790,958
701,004
620,000
205,000
857,814
274,500
585,658
1,219,454

GW Pharmaceuticals Long Term Incentive Plan

600,000
600,000
722,326
–

–
–
–
813,763

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

Options Issued to Consultants and Other Non-employees:

43,500
20,300
123,250
123,250
24,167
24,167
24,166
50,000
86,600
50,000
72,360
35,000
102,500
135,000
50,996
15,000
20,000
60,000

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

(43,500)
(20,300)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(15,000)
(20,000)
–

–
–
(123,250)
(123,250)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

600,000
600,000
722,326
813,763

–
–
–
–
24,167
24,167
24,166
50,000
86,600
50,000
72,360
35,000
102,500
135,000
50,996
–
–
60,000

Total

14,212,354

913,763

(1,857,362)

(2,227,625)

11,041,130

15/01/01
01/06/01
01/06/01
10/09/01
23/01/02
23/01/02
16/01/03
22/01/04
02/09/04
21/01/05
02/03/05
19/10/05
10/02/06
26/03/07

19/03/08
27/03/09
19/07/10
08/06/11

01/02/01
01/06/01
01/06/01
01/06/01
23/01/02
23/01/02
23/01/02
14/10/02
16/01/03
03/07/03
22/01/04
02/09/04
21/01/05
02/03/05
10/02/06
18/04/06
19/09/08
26/11/08

36.21p
182.00p
237.00p
104.50p
122.00p
182.00p
171.00p
199.00p
99.00p
119.50p
128.00p
72.00p
125.50p
95.50p

0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p

36.21p
55.00p
182.00p
237.00p
122.00p
122.00p
122.00p
94.50p
171.00p
210.50p
199.00p
99.00p
119.50p
128.00p
125.50p
84.00p
39.00p
29.50p

15/01/04
01/06/04
01/06/04
10/09/04
23/01/05
23/01/05
16/01/06
22/01/07
02/09/07
21/01/08
02/03/08
19/10/08
10/02/09
26/03/10

19/03/11
27/03/12
19/07/13
08/06/14

01/02/04
01/06/04
01/06/04
01/06/04
21/12/05
21/12/06
21/12/07
14/10/05
16/01/06
03/07/06
22/01/07
02/09/07
21/01/08
02/03/08
10/02/09
18/04/09
19/09/11
26/11/11

15/01/11
01/06/11
01/06/11
10/09/11
23/01/12
23/01/12
16/01/13
22/01/14
02/09/14
21/01/15
02/03/15
19/10/15
10/02/16
26/03/17

19/03/18
27/03/19
19/07/20
08/06/21

01/02/11
01/06/11
01/06/11
01/06/11
23/01/12
23/01/12
23/01/12
14/10/12
16/01/13
03/07/13
22/01/14
02/09/14
21/01/15
02/03/15
10/02/16
18/04/16
19/09/18
26/11/19

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201158

Notes to the Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 30 September 2011

20.  Options and Warrants in the Shares of GW Pharmaceuticals plc continued
Warrants
Warrants to subscribe for ordinary shares in the Company are as shown below:

Warrant Holder
Peter Mountford
Adrian Bradshaw
Seven Hills Partners LLC
Kings Road Investments Ltd
Kings Road Investments Ltd
Great Point Partners
Great Point Partners

Total

At 1 Oct 
2010 
Number

Warrants 
granted 
Number

Warrants 
exercised 
Number

Warrants 
lapsed 
Number

At 30 Sept 
2011 
Number

Date of 
issue

Exercise 
price

Date of 
expiry

108,750
108,750
77,075
924,897
924,897
1,888,480
1,888,480

5,921,329

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

(108,750)
(108,750)
(77,075)
(924,897)
(924,897)

_
_
_
_
_
– 1,888,480
– 1,888,480

09/02/01
09/02/01
10/01/06
10/01/06
10/01/06
13/08/09
13/08/09

– (2,144,369) 3,776,960

188.0p
188.0p
139.6p
161.0p
174.5p
105.0p
175.0p

14/01/11
14/01/11
10/01/11
10/01/11
10/01/11
13/08/14
13/08/14

21.  Other Reserves
Other reserves is a merger reserve of £19,262,000 that arose in 2001 as a result of the acquisition by GW Pharmaceuticals plc of 
GW Pharma Ltd via a share for share exchange which was merger accounted.

ESOP Reserve
The GW Pharmaceuticals All Employee Share Scheme is an Inland Revenue approved all employee share scheme constituted under a trust 
deed. The trust holds shares in the Company for the benefit of and as an incentive for the employees of the Group.

The trustee is the GWP Trustee Company Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary. Costs incurred by the trust are expensed in the Group’s 
financial statements as incurred. Distributions from the trust are made in accordance with the scheme rules and on recommendations from 
the Board of Directors of GW Pharmaceuticals plc.

As at 30 September 2011 the trust held the following shares:

Unconditionally vested in employees
Conditionally gifted to employees
Shares available for future distribution to employees

Total

2011 
Number

2010 
Number

260,331
186,341
22,316

328,474
196,769
11,888

468,988

537,131

Accordingly as at 30 September 2011 the number and market value of shares held by the trust which have not yet unconditionally vested in 
employees is 208,657 (2010: 208,657) and £204,484 (2010: £208,657) respectively.

The shares held by the trust were originally acquired for nil consideration by way of a gift and hence the balance on the ESOP reserve is nil 
(2010: nil).

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 2011 
 
59

22.  Share-based Payment 
Equity-settled Share Option Scheme
The Company operates share option schemes for all employees of the Group. Options are granted at the market price on the day of grant, 
with the exception of options issued under the LTIP which are issued with an exercise price equivalent to the nominal value of the shares 
under option. The vesting period is three years from the date of grant and the options lapse after 10 years. The options under the LTIP 
lapse if the performance condition is not achieved by the time the three year vesting period has elapsed. All other options usually lapse if 
the employee leaves the Group before the options vest. Vested options usually need to be exercised within six months of leaving. Details 
of the share options outstanding during the year are as follows:

Outstanding at beginning of the year
Granted during the year
Exercised during the year
Lapsed during the year
Outstanding at the end of the year

Exercisable at the end of the year

2011

2010

Number of 
share options

14,212,354
913,763
(1,857,362)
(2,227,625)
11,041,130

8,122,785

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price £

1.08
0.001
0.77
2.04
0.85

Number of 
share options

15,513,436
911,450
(1,920,137)
(292,395)
14,212,354

1.15

11,231,910

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price £

1.06
0.001
0.36
1.32
1.08

1.35

The weighted average market price at the date of exercise for share options exercised during the year was £1.03 (2010: £1.03). 

The options outstanding at 30 September 2011 had a weighted average exercise price of £0.85 (2010: £1.08) and a weighted average 
remaining contractual life of 4.9 years (2010: 4.2 years). 

In the current year, options were granted on 8 June 2011 and 1 September 2011. The aggregate of the estimated fair values of the options 
granted on those dates is £1.21m.

In the prior year, options were granted on 30 November 2009 and 19 July 2010. The aggregate of the estimated fair values of the options 
granted on those dates is £1.04m.

The inputs into the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model are as follows:

Weighted average share price
Weighted average exercise price
Expected volatility
Expected life
Risk-free rate
Expected dividend yield

2011

2010

108p
0.1p
68%
3.0 years
0.5%
Nil

115p
0.1p
75%
3.0 years
0.5%
Nil

Expected volatility was determined by calculating the historical volatility of the Group’s share price over the previous three years. 
The expected life used in the model has been adjusted, based on management’s best estimate, for the effects of non-transferability, 
exercise restrictions, performance conditions and behavioural considerations.

The Group recognised a total charge of £795,000 and £630,000 related to equity-settled share-based payment transactions in 2011 and 
2010 respectively.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 2011 
 
60

Notes to the Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 30 September 2011

23.  Financial Commitments
The Group had capital commitments for fixed assets contracted but not provided for at 30 September 2011 of £234,000 (2010: nil). 

At the balance sheet date the Group had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating 
leases, which fall due as follows:

– within one year
– between two and five years
– after five years

Group 
2011 
£000’s

955
3,442
–

4,397

Group 
2010 
£000’s

Company 
2011 
£000’s

Company 
2010
£000’s

677
1,714
856

3,247

–
–
–

–

–
–
–

–

The minimum lease payments payable under operating leases recognised as an expense in the year were £782,000 (2010: £749,000).

Operating lease payments represent rentals payable by the Group for certain of its leased properties. Manufacturing and laboratory facilities 
are subject to 10 year leases with a seven year lease break at GW’s option. Office properties are usually leased for one year or less with the 
exception of the London and Histon properties which are on a five year lease and ten year lease with a five year break respectively.

24.  Contingent Liabilities
There were no contingent liabilities at 30 September 2011 (2010: nil).

25.  Related Party Transactions
Remuneration of Key Management Personnel:
The remuneration of the Directors, who are the key management personnel of the Group, is set out below in aggregate for each of the 
categories specified in IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures. Further information about the remuneration of individual Directors is provided in 
the audited part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 28 to 32.

Short term employee benefits
Post-employment benefits
Share-based payments

2011 
£000’s

1,426
171
625

2,222

2010 
£000’s

1,796
165
444

2,405

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

During the year the Group purchased services in the ordinary course of business from Brian Whittle Associates Limited, a company 
controlled by Brian Whittle, a former Director and substantial shareholder of GW Pharmaceuticals plc, at a cost of £19,000 (2010: 
£44,000). As at 30 September 2011 there was no amount due to Brian Whittle Associates Limited (2010: £24,000).

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 201161

Advisers

Registered Office
GW Pharmaceuticals plc
Porton Down Science Park
Salisbury
Wiltshire SP4 0JQ
United Kingdom

Registered Number
04160917 England and Wales

Nominated Adviser and Broker
Peel Hunt LLP
120 London Wall
London EC2Y 5ET

Joint Financial Adviser 
N M Rothschild & Sons Limited
New Court
St. Swithin’s Lane
London EC4P 4DU

Solicitors to the Company
Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw LLP
201 Bishopsgate
London EC2M 3AF

Auditors
Deloitte LLP
Abbots House
Abbey Street
Reading
Berkshire RG1 3BD

Principal Bankers
HSBC Bank plc
PO Box 68
130 New Street
Birmingham B2 4JU

Public Relations Advisers
Financial Dynamics Limited
Holborn Gate
Southampton Buildings
London WC2A 1PB

Registrars
Capita Registrars
Northern House
Woodsome Park
Fenay Bridge
Huddersfield
West Yorkshire HD8 0LA

GW Pharmaceuticals plc
Porton Down Science Park
Salisbury
Wiltshire SP4 0JQ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0)1980 557000
F: +44 (0)1980 557111
E: info@gwpharm.com

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual Report and Accounts 2011Cautionary statement:

This annual report contains forward-looking statements 
that reflect GW’s current expectations regarding future 
events, including development and regulatory clearance of 
GW’s products. Forward-looking statements involve risks 
and uncertainties. Actual results and events could differ 
materially from those projected herein and depend on a 
number of factors, including (inter alia), the success of 
GW’s research strategies, the applicability of the discoveries 
made therein, the successful and timely completion of 
uncertainties related to the regulatory process, and the 
acceptance of Sativex® and other products by consumer 
and medical professionals. The forward-looking statements 
reflect knowledge and information available at the date 
of preparation of this annual report and the Company 
undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking 
statements. Nothing in this annual report should be 
construed as a profit forecast.

gwpharm.com

GW Pharmaceuticals plc 
Porton Down Science Park
Salisbury
Wiltshire
SP4 0JQ
UK

T: +44 (0)1980 557000
F: +44 (0)1980 557111
info@gwpharm.com

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