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GW Pharmaceuticals plc

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FY2016 Annual Report · GW Pharmaceuticals plc
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Annual report and accounts 2016 

www.gwpharm.com

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GW Pharmaceuticals plc
GW Pharmaceuticals plc
Annual report and accounts 2016
Annual report and accounts 2016

Contents

01  Strategic Report
10  Directors’ Report
12  Directors’ Remuneration Report
32  Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities
33  Independent Auditor’s Report

35  Consolidated Income Statements
35   Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss
36  Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 
37  Company Statement of Changes in Equity 
38  Consolidated Balance Sheets
39  Consolidated Cash Flow Statements
40   Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
72  Advisers

01

Strategic Report

The Directors present their Strategic Report for the Group for the financial year ended 30 September 2016.

Strategy, Objectives and Business Model
The strategy of the Group is to research, develop and commercialise a range of plant-derived cannabinoid prescription medicines to 
meet unmet patient needs in a wide range of medical conditions.

We believe that we have unique expertise and occupy a leading position in cannabinoid science. Over the last 18 years we have 
selectively bred our library of cannabis plants to create plant varieties which contain high concentrations of selected cannabinoids. 
We then extract these cannabinoids, formulate them and, in collaboration with a network of scientific collaborators, we take these 
product candidates through a battery of pharmacology, toxicology, in vitro and in vivo models of disease in order to identify disease 
areas where these cannabinoids show promise. 

Using our in-house clinical management expertise we then take these product candidates through a series of Phase 1, Phase 2 and 
Phase 3 clinical trials, gathering evidence of safety, efficacy and control over chemistry and manufacturing of our products in order to 
compile and present regulatory dossiers to healthcare regulators and seek pharmaceutical marketing authorisations. 

We expect to retain marketing rights for niche, orphan opportunities where our reputation as leaders in cannabinoid science will 
be a key part of the targeted marketing of our prescription medications to specialist clinicians in focused areas of medicine. These 
opportunities include Epidiolex®, our treatment for paediatric epilepsy for two orphan indication syndromes, Dravet syndrome and 
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (“LGS”). 

During 2016 we have reported a series of positive results from three pivotal Phase 3 trials of Epidiolex in Dravet syndrome and LGS. 
In each of these three trials Epidiolex achieved the primary endpoint of a significant reduction in seizures assessed over the treatment 
period compared with placebo. The Company expects to submit a New Drug Application (“NDA”), to the Food and Drug 
Administration (“FDA”) in 2017 for Epidiolex in both Dravet syndrome and LGS. GW Pharmaceuticals plc (“GW”) is also building an 
experienced commercial team in the US in preparation for the future commercial launch of Epidiolex.

During 2016 we have also started Phase 3 clinical trials in the treatment of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (“TSC”) and we expect to 
commence Phase 3 clinical trials in the treatment of Infantile Spasms (“IS”) in the near-term. We believe that we have a deep pipeline 
of additional cannabinoid product candidates with an increasing focus on orphan paediatric neurologic conditions. The Company’s 
pipeline includes cannabidivarin (“CBDV”), which is in Phase 2 development in the field of epilepsy and is also being researched in 
several severe autism spectrum disorders. In addition, GW has received Orphan Drug Designation and Fast Track Designation from 
the FDA for intravenous cannabidiol (“CBD”) for the treatment of Neonatal Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (“NHIE”), which is 
expected to enter Phase 1 development in Q4 2016. We are also developing promising product candidates for the treatment of Glioma 
and Schizophrenia.

We also collaborate with other pharmaceutical companies. Where appropriate, we out-license the marketing rights to our products  
to large pharmaceutical partner companies, who have appropriate marketing expertise, in return for licence, technical access and 
collaboration fees, funding of our research and development (“R&D”) programmes, development and approval milestones, royalties 
and product revenues. We manufacture our medicines, acting as the sole source of supply to our marketing partners, in return for a 
product supply price based upon an agreed share of their in-market sales revenues. 

We believe that our track record and expertise give us a significant competitive advantage. We have been conducting cannabinoid 
research for 18 years and believe that our accumulated knowledge and expertise in the field of cannabinoid science gives us a distinct 
competitive advantage. We have a range of intellectual property as well as strong relationships with leading cannabinoid scientists.  
In addition, we are the first company in the world to have successfully obtained regulatory approval for a plant-derived cannabinoid 
medicine. In total, 29 countries have approved Sativex® and we continue to build relationships with medicines and controlled 
substance regulatory authorities around the world. We aim to protect our leadership position by maintaining our professional 
reputation, by continuing our open collaboration efforts with other cannabinoid scientists, using a combination of confidentiality  
and non-compete agreements to protect our know-how, registration of plant variety rights and further enhancing our broad range  
of patent rights. 

The Group operates a business model that allows us to create value by developing a broad pipeline of potential future products. 

Where we consider that the risk reward ratio is sufficiently attractive and where development costs and timelines are manageable, it is 
our intention to seek to develop certain pipeline programmes in-house with a view to retaining the valuable commercialisation rights 
to such products ourselves. Such programmes are most likely to be orphan programmes where opportunities exist to develop valuable 
and worthwhile medicines to address unmet patient need in defined, readily addressable patient populations and where there is 
sufficient intellectual property or regulatory protection from competition to enable a healthy commercial return to be earned over the 
medium to long term. Where we consider it to be appropriate, we out-license in order to share the financial risk with our partners.  
By maintaining close internal control over most aspects of R&D, 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. 

The nature of our business is to take product development 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. 

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 201602

Strategic Report  
continued

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 should allow us to develop valuable products in an efficient 
manner that will significantly reduce, but which cannot eliminate, this risk in the future.

Business Strategy
Our goal is to capitalise on our leading position in the field of plant-derived cannabinoid therapeutics by pursuing the  
following strategies:
 > Secure regulatory approval and launch using our own commercial organisation and our lead product candidate Epidiolex in Dravet 
syndrome and LGS in the US and around the world. We have reported positive Phase 3 data in Dravet syndrome and LGS, held 
pre-NDA meetings with the FDA regarding our filing approach and expect to submit a NDA to the FDA at the end of the first half 
of 2017. We also expect to submit a regulatory application in Europe in the second half of 2017, and also have future plans to 
submit applications elsewhere around the world. We are building US and European commercial organisations in preparation for 
potential launch of Epidiolex.

 > Expand the market opportunity for Epidiolex within the field of epilepsy. We have commenced Phase 3 clinical development of 

Epidiolex for TSC and clinical development of Epidiolex for IS in Q4 2016. We are evaluating additional indications for Epidiolex 
within the field of epilepsy.

 > Develop additional product candidates within the field of epilepsy and paediatric neurology. We have a second product candidate, 

GWP42006, for which a Phase 2 clinical trial in epilepsy is under way with data expected mid-2017. We expect to commence Phase 
2 development of GWP42006 in the field of autism spectrum disorder (“ASD”) in Q3 2017. We also commenced a Phase 1 clinical 
trial in 2016 for an intravenous CBD formulation in the treatment of NHIE. In addition, following positive proof-of-concept data in 
a Phase 2 schizophrenia trial, we expect to conduct further research within the field of psychiatric disease in children. We retain 
global commercial rights to these programmes.

 > Leverage our proprietary cannabinoid product platform to discover, develop and commercialise additional novel first-in-class 

cannabinoid products. We believe our established platform, including our in-house development expertise, allows us to achieve 
candidate selection and proof-of-concept in an efficient manner.

 > Further strengthen our competitive position. We will continue to develop our extensive international network of the most 

prominent scientists in the cannabinoid field and secure additional intellectual property rights.

Review of the Business
Revenue
Total revenue for the year ended 30 September 2016 was £10.3 million, compared to £28.5 million for the year ended 30 September 
2015. The decrease of £18.2 million comprises:
 >   £19.0 million decrease in R&D fees reflecting the impact of the conclusion of the Group’s partner-funded Sativex Phase 3 cancer 

pain clinical trials.

 >   £1.0 million increase in Sativex product sales revenues to £5.2 million due to increased shipments. In-market sales volumes sold by 
GW’s commercial partners for the year ended 30 September 2016 were 14% higher than the year ended 30 September 2015. Sales 
volumes to partners increased by 9% over the same period.

 >   £0.1 million decrease in licence, collaboration and technical access fees to £1.2 million for the year ended 30 September 2016 

compared to £1.3 million for the year ended 30 September 2015. This decrease is due to the recognition period of certain signature 
fees having come to an end in the prior year.

 >   £0.1 million decrease in development and approval milestones as a result of their one-off nature and not having been repeated in 

the current year.

Cost of Sales
Cost of sales for the year ended 30 September 2016 of £2.7 million represents an increase of £0.1 million compared to the £2.6 million 
recorded in the year ended 30 September 2015. This increase reflects the growth in the volume of Sativex inventory shipped to 
commercial partners in the year ended 30 September 2016. 

Research and Development Expenditure
Total R&D expenditure for the year ended 30 September 2016 of £99.8 million increased by £23.0 million compared to the £76.8 
million incurred in the year ended 30 September 2015. 

GW-funded R&D expenditure increased by £42.0 million to £96.0 million for the year ended 30 September 2016 from £54.0 million 
for the year ended 30 September 2015. The increase is due to:
 >   £17.1 million increase in epilepsy and other GW-funded clinical programme costs – reflecting the costs associated with GW’s 
continuing Dravet syndrome and LGS Epidiolex studies, setting up new Phase 3 studies, costs of our other pipeline studies 
and costs of providing regulatory support and Epidiolex to an increasing number of patients under FDA-authorised expanded 
access INDs.

 >   £16.0 increase in R&D staff and employment-related expenses linked to increased global headcount combined with the transition 

of the Group’s clinical headcount from partner-funded Sativex trials to the GW-funded pipeline activities and Epidiolex 
development programme.

 >   £6.5 million increase in other overheads associated with running clinical trials such as depreciation of R&D assets, consumables 

and other property-related overheads. This increase has been impacted by the Group’s refocusing of assets on GW-funded 
activities from partner-funded projects.

 >  £2.4 million increase in costs of growing an increased volume of high CBD plant material for the Epidiolex development programme.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 201603

We track all R&D expenditures against detailed budgets but do not seek to allocate and monitor all R&D costs by individual project. 
As noted in the segmental analysis below, we do analyse GW-funded R&D into Sativex related expenditures and pipeline related 
expenditures. External third-party costs of running clinical trials totalling £28.1 million for the year ended 30 September 2016 and 
£13.4 million for the year ended 30 September 2015 were tracked as individual projects while the remaining £67.9 million for the year 
ended 30 September 2016 and £40.6 million for the year ended 30 September 2015 consisting largely of internal overhead costs were 
not allocated to individual projects. We believe that our existing liquidity is sufficient to complete our currently ongoing GW-funded 
R&D projects.

Development partner-funded R&D projects are funded in advance by our development partners, which involves the receipt of 
advanced funds every three months, sufficient to cover projected expenditure for the next three months.

Sativex US development expenses decreased by £18.8 million, or 84%, to £3.5 million during the year ended 30 September 2016 as 
compared to £22.3 million for the year ended 30 September 2015. This reflects decreased expenditure following the completion of  
the three Sativex Phase 3 cancer pain trials.

Otsuka research collaboration expenses decreased by £0.2 million, or 37%, to £0.3 million during the year ended 30 September  
2016 as compared to £0.5 million for the year ended 30 September 2015. The decrease reflects the fact that the Otsuka research 
collaboration term ended on 30 June 2013 and the remaining revenue relates to income recognised to offset the depreciation  
expense of property, plant and equipment purchased under the collaboration agreement, which are now all fully depreciated.  
Most of the pre-clinical programmes that Otsuka was funding are now proceeding into Phase 1/2 clinical trials as part of the  
GW-funded clinical programmes.

Sales, General and Administrative Expenses
Sales, general and administrative expenses for the year ended 30 September 2016 of £19.9 million increased by £7.3 million 
compared to the £12.6 million incurred in the year ended 30 September 2015. This net increase is due to:
 >   £6.3 million increase in employee-related expenses, comprising a £5.1 million increase in payroll costs driven by increased 
headcount and a £1.2 million increase in the charge in respect of the provision for payroll taxes on unrealised staff share 
option gains.

 >   £0.9 million increase in property and travel costs, primarily to the US by staff involved in the establishment of US 

based operations.

 >   £0.5 million increase in accountancy, audit and investor relation costs arising from GW’s US listing and  

Sarbanes-Oxley compliance.

 >   A £0.4 million decrease in respect of pre-launch commercialisation costs in the US. These costs follow discrete  

commercialisation projects.

Net Foreign Exchange Gains
Net foreign exchange gains increased by £19.4 million, or 312%, to £25.6 million for the year ended 30 September 2016 compared to 
£6.2 million for the year ended 30 September 2015. This represents foreign exchange gains, due to unrealised gains on our US Dollar 
denominated cash deposits at the closing balance sheet exchange rate.

Other Expense
Other expense of £0.2 million for the year ended 30 September 2016 increased by £0.1 million, or 131%, compared to the  
£0.1 million recorded for the year ended 30 September 2015. This increase reflects an increase in interest paid on leases for 
manufacturing facilities.

Other Income
Other income increased by £0.4 million, or 149%, to £0.6 million for the year ended 30 September 2016 compared to £0.2 million  
for the year ended 30 September 2015. The increase reflects the increase in the Group’s cash and cash equivalents balance and 
additional tax credit recognised in the UK.

Tax
Our tax benefit increased by £10.0 million, or 80%, to £22.5 million for the year ended 30 September 2015 compared to £12.5 million 
for the year ended 30 September 2015. This benefit consists of:
 >   Accrual for an expected R&D tax credit claim of £21.2 million in respect of the year ended 30 September 2016 for GW Research 
Limited. We expect to submit this claim in the quarter ending 31 March 2017 and this claim is subject to agreement by HMRC.

 >   Recognition of an additional £0.5 million of R&D tax credit in respect of the year ended 30 September 2015 for GW Research Limited.
 >   Recognition of US tax credits of £0.8 million in respect of the years ended 30 September 2015 and 30 September 2016 for the Group’s 
US subsidiary, Greenwich Biosciences, Inc. (formerly GW Pharmaceuticals Inc.) following the submission of an orphan drug tax 
credit claim.

R&D tax credits recognised vary depending on our available tax losses, the eligibility of our R&D expenditure and the level of 
certainty relating to the recoverability of the claim.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 201604

Strategic Report  
continued

Summary of Cash Flows
Operating Activities
Net cash outflow from operating activities for the year ended 30 September 2016 of £84.6 million was £38.1 million higher than the 
£46.5 million outflow from operating activities for the year ended 30 September 2015, principally reflecting the increase in investment 
in Epidiolex and other pipeline R&D activities offset by additional tax benefit.

Investing Activities
The net cash outflow from investing activities decreased by £9.0 million to £8.8 million for the year ended 30 September 2016 from 
£17.8 million for the year ended 30 September 2015, reflecting a decrease in capital expenditure of £9.2 million during the year ended 
30 September 2016 due to the conclusion of a significant phase of construction of these facilities.

Financing Activities
Net cash flow from financing activities increased by £78.4 million to a £206.8 million inflow in the year ended 30 September 2016 
compared to a £128.4 million inflow for the year ended 30 September 2015 due to a £79.1 million increase in net new equity funding 
inflows, a £0.6 million reduction in proceeds from the exercise of employee share options, a £0.2 million increase in fit out funding 
repayments and a £0.1 million decrease in finance lease repayments.

Our Key Business Trends
The following information provides a summary of the development and performance of the Company’s business during the financial 
year and the position of the business as at 30 September 2016.

Our revenues consist of R&D fees, product sales revenues, royalties, licence collaboration and technical access fees and development 
and approval milestone fees. 

Total Group Revenue (£000s)
Year ended 30 September

Sativex In-market Vial Sales Volumes
Financial year ended 30 September

n Development and 
  approval milestone fees

n Licence, collaboration 
  and technical access fees

n Product sales

n R&D fees

35,000

30,000

25,000

20,000

15,000

10,000

5,000

0

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

250,000

d
e
p
p
h
s

i

200,000

l

s
a
v

i

150,000

l

m
0
1

t
e
k
r
a
m
n

-

i

l

t

a
o
T

100,000

50,000

0

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

For the year ended 30 September 2016, we recorded revenues of £5.2 million for Sativex product sales, an increase of £0.9 million from 
the £4.3 million recorded for the year ended 30 September 2015. This increase was due primarily to an increase in the volume of 
shipments to partners of 9%. 

In the year to 30 September 2016 we have seen a decline in our R&D fee income, as the level of rechargeable activity associated with 
our completed cancer pain trials programme has significantly reduced during the course of the year. We consider our licence, 
collaboration and technical access fees and our product sales revenues to be recurring revenues. The milestone revenues recognised in 
each of the financial years above tend to be individual items linked to specific development milestones achieved in a particular 
financial year. 

In 2012 we received substantial development and approval milestones from our Sativex licensees. In 2013, we received only one 
£250,000 development and approval milestone. In 2014, we received no development and approval milestones. In 2015, we received 
two €125,000 development and approval milestones linked to regulatory filings by Ipsen, our commercial partner in Latin America.  
In 2016, we received one €125,000 development and approval milestone linked to a regulatory submission filing by Ipsen in Venezuela.

The Sativex in-market vial sales volumes graph above illustrates the trend in in-market commercial sales volumes of Sativex by our 
commercial marketing partners Bayer in UK/Canada, Almirall S.A. in Europe and Neopharm in Israel. In-market sales volumes grew 
by 14% from 2015 to 2016. 

In 2012 commercial sales to private patients started in Sweden and in 2013 commercial sales by Almirall S.A. commenced in Norway, 
Austria, Italy, Poland and by Neopharm in Israel. In 2014, Almirall S.A. launched Sativex in Switzerland and Finland. 2015 and 2016 
saw volume growth driven primarily by increased prescribing in Germany and Italy, as well as launch in Belgium. 

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 2016 
 
 
 
05

Total Group Expenditure (£000s)
Year ended 30 September

Closing Group Cash (£000s)
As at 30 September

140,000

120,000

100,000

80,000

60,000

40,000

20,000

0

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

n Selling, general and 
  administrative expenses

n GW-funded R&D

n Development 
  partner-funded R&D

400,000

350,000

300,000

250,000

200,000

150,000

100,000

50,000

0

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

As illustrated in the Total Group Expenditure graph above, our R&D expenditures have shown a consistent growth trend over the 
last five financial years from £27.6 million in 2012 to £99.8 million in 2016. The growth during 2016 of £23.0 million from the 
£76.8 million of R&D incurred in 2015 demonstrates the execution of our epilepsy Phase 3 clinical research with Epidiolex as well 
as progress with a number of other pipeline product candidates. In addition, selling, general and administrative expenses expenditure 
has increased from £12.6 million in 2015 to £19.9 million in 2016, reflecting the increased activity in respect of pre-launch 
commercialisation in the US.

From 2012 to 2015 a significant proportion of the partner-funded R&D expenditure has been driven by our US Phase 3 cancer pain 
clinical trials programme, which included three pivotal Phase 3 cancer pain trials plus a series of supporting Phase 1 clinical trials and 
regulatory activities. All of this clinical activity was funded by our development partner Otsuka. These activities have come to an end 
during 2016, explaining the significant decrease in partner-funded R&D.

In 2012 and 2013, Otsuka also funded a significant amount of pre-clinical activity as part of our six-year pre-clinical research 
collaboration. This pre-clinical collaboration ended on 30 June 2013. GW now has a worldwide licence to all data and product 
candidates generated under this collaboration.

From 2012 to 2016 GW-funded R&D increased from £8.1 million in 2012 to £96.0 million in 2016. In 2014 GW-funded R&D 
increased significantly to £19.2 million, reflecting our investment in the development of Epidiolex, CBDV and other pipeline 
candidates. In 2015 GW-funded R&D increased further to £54.0 million, as we initiated five Phase 3 clinical trials in several forms of 
refractory childhood epilepsy, including Dravet syndrome and LGS. In 2016 GW-funded R&D increased to £96.0 million as we 
completed three Phase 3 clinical trials, and continued to invest in our wider epilepsy programme to support the forthcoming NDA 
filing in the US. In addition we commenced a Phase 3 clinical trial in TSC as well as continuing to progress multiple active Phase 1/2 
clinical trials in other disease areas such as epilepsy partial seizures, Glioma and NHIE.

The Closing Group Cash graph above illustrates the trend in our financial year-end closing cash position for each of the last five years.

In 2012 we recorded a positive net operating cash inflow each financial year, largely as a result of the substantial milestone receipts 
from our Sativex development partners. Since 2013, having taken the decision to invest in the development of Epidiolex to treat a 
number of refractory forms of childhood onset epilepsy we have consistently recorded operating cash outflows, offset by the proceeds 
of a series of fundraisings, each of which have been conducted following the achievement of key product development milestones. Our 
aim has been to ensure that the Group remains well funded with sufficient working capital to successfully execute our Epidiolex and 
other pipeline product development plans. These equity fundraisings, together with proceeds from share options and warrants, have 
generated net financing cash inflows as follows:

– £18.1 million of net new funds from issue of equity as part of our NASDAQ IPO in May 2013.
– £136.6 million in 2014.
– £128.7 million in 2015. 
– £207.2 million in 2016.

As a result of this series of successful equity fundraisings the Group has made excellent progress with the execution of our Epidiolex 
development strategy and with £374 million of cash reserves held at 30 September 2016, the Group has the funds necessary to execute 
our plans to file an NDA with the FDA, to scale up our growing and manufacturing facilities and to expand our commercial team in 
preparation for Epidiolex commercialisation.

The subsidiary undertakings affecting the results and net assets of the Group are listed in note 28 to the financial statements.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 201606

Strategic Report  
continued

Principal 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 risk factors considered by GW for the year ended 
30 September 2016 are included on Form 20-F to be filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

The main risks have been identified as follows:

Clinical
 > Clinical trials for our product candidates are expensive, time-consuming, uncertain and susceptible to change, delay or termination. 
Even if we completed Phase 3 clinical trials for a product candidate and these trials show positive results, there can be no assurance 
that a regulatory authority will approve that product candidate for any given indication.

 > Information obtained from expanded access studies and other survey results may not reliably predict the efficacy of our product 

candidates in company-sponsored clinical trials and may lead to adverse events that could limit approval.

 > There is a high rate of failure for drug candidates proceeding through clinical trials.

Regulatory and Legislative
 > Legislative or regulatory reform of the healthcare system in the US and foreign jurisdictions may affect our ability to profitably sell 

our products, if approved. 

 > If product liability lawsuits are successfully brought against us, we will incur substantial liabilities and may be required to limit the 

commercialisation of our product candidates.

 > We are subject to the UK Bribery Act, the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other anti-corruption laws, as well as export 

control laws, customs laws, sanctions laws and other laws governing our operations. If we fail to comply with these laws, we could 
be subject to civil or criminal penalties, other remedial measures, and legal expenses, which could adversely affect our business, 
results of operations and financial condition.

 > Our proprietary information, or that of our customers, suppliers and business partners, may be lost or we may suffer  

security breaches.

 > Any failure by us to comply with existing regulations could harm our reputation and operating results.
 > The anticipated development of a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (“REMS”) for our product candidates could cause delays 
in the approval process and would add additional layers of regulatory requirements that could impact our ability to commercialise 
our product candidates in the US and reduce their market potential.

 > If we are found in violation of federal or state “fraud and abuse” laws, we may be required to pay a penalty and/or be suspended 
from participation in federal or state healthcare programmes, which may adversely affect our business, financial condition and 
results of operations.

 > Controlled substance legislation differs between countries and legislation in certain countries may restrict or limit our ability to sell 

Epidiolex and our product candidates.

 > The product candidates we are developing will be subject to US controlled substance laws and regulations and failure to comply 

with these laws and regulations, or the cost of compliance with these laws and regulations, may adversely affect the results of our 
business operations, both during clinical development and post approval, and our financial condition.

 > As a foreign private issuer, we are not subject to certain NASDAQ Global Market corporate governance rules applicable to US 

listed companies and are subject to reporting obligations that are different and less frequent than those of a US listed company.  
As a result, investors in our securities may not have the same protections afforded to shareholders of companies that are not foreign 
private issuers.

 > We may lose our foreign private issuer status in the future, which could result in significant additional costs and expenses.

Orphan Drug Designation and Intellectual Property
 > In respect of our product candidates targeting rare indications, orphan drug exclusivity may afford limited protection, and if 
another party obtains orphan drug exclusivity for the drugs and indications we are targeting, we may be precluded from 
commercialising our product candidates in those indications during that period of exclusivity.

 > If third parties claim that intellectual property used by us infringes upon their intellectual property, our operating profits could be 

adversely affected.

 > We may not be able to adequately protect Epidiolex, our product candidates or our proprietary technology in the marketplace.

Manufacturing
 > Problems with scale up of our manufacturing process, failure to comply with manufacturing regulations or pass regulatory 

inspections or unexpected increases in our manufacturing costs could harm our business, results of operations and  
financial condition.

 > Business interruptions could delay us in the process of developing our product candidates and could disrupt our product sales.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 201607

Marketing and Commercialisation
 > We are dependent on the success of our product candidates, none of which may receive regulatory approval or be successfully 

commercialised.

 > Our product candidates, if approved, may be unable to achieve the expected market acceptance and, consequently, limit our ability 

to generate revenue from new products.

 > We expect to face intense competition, often from companies with greater resources and experience than we have.
 > Product shipment delays could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
 > Product recalls or inventory losses caused by unforeseen events, cold chain interruption and testing difficulties may adversely affect 

our operating results and financial condition.

 > Counterfeit versions of our products could harm our business. 

Safety
 > Serious adverse events or other safety risks could require us to abandon development and preclude, delay or limit approval of our 

product candidates, limit the scope of any approved label or market acceptance.

Staffing
 > We have recently grown our business and will need to further increase the size and complexity of our organisation in the future, 

and we may experience difficulties in managing our growth and executing our growth strategy.

 > We depend upon our key personnel and our ability to attract and retain employees.
 > We are exposed to the risk of employee fraud or other employee misconduct. Employee misconduct could involve the improper use 
of information, including information obtained in the course of clinical trials, or illegal misappropriation of drug product, either of 
which could result in governmental investigations and serious harm to our reputation.

Funding and Operational
 > We have significant and increasing liquidity needs and may require additional funding.
 > We may acquire other companies which could divert our management’s attention, result in additional dilution to our shareholders 

and otherwise disrupt our operations and harm our operating results.

 > The UK’s vote in favour of withdrawing from the European Union could lead to increased market volatility which could adversely 
impact the market price of our American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”) and make it more difficult for us to do business in Europe.

 > The liquidity of our ADSs may have an adverse effect on share price, which may be volatile.

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, and as such the Group does not enter into 
contracts for complicated or compound financial instruments.

Credit Risk 
 > The Group’s principal financial assets are cash and short-term cash equivalents. Risk is minimised through an investment policy 

restricting the investment of surplus cash to interest-bearing deposits principally held with the major UK banking groups and with 
UK subsidiaries of banking groups with acceptable credit ratings.

 > Trade receivables are concentrated in a small number of large customers with well-established relationships, where the risk and 

history of default is considered to be low.

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 90 days. 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 90 days, on a breakable deposit basis. The majority of funds are deposited for 
terms of less than 90 days. This allows the Group to react to rate changes within a reasonable timeframe and to mitigate pricing  
risk accordingly. 

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 201608

Strategic Report  
continued

Exchange Rate Risk
 > The individual financial statements of each Group company are presented in the currency of the primary economic environment in 

which it operates (its functional currency). For the purpose of the consolidated financial statements, the results and financial 
position of each Group company are expressed in Pounds Sterling. 

Exchange rate fluctuations between local currencies and the Pound Sterling create risk in several ways, including the following:  

 – Weakening of the Pound Sterling may increase the Pound Sterling cost of overseas R&D expenses and the cost of sourced 

product components outside the UK;

 – Strengthening of the Pound Sterling may decrease the value of our revenues denominated in other currencies; 
 – Exchange rates on non-Sterling transactions and cash deposits can distort our financial results; and
 – Commercial Sativex pricing and profit margins are affected by currency fluctuations.

During the year the Group had exposure to US Dollars (“US$”), Euros (“€”) and Canadian Dollars (“CAD”). The Group’s policy  
is to maintain natural hedges, where possible, by matching revenue and receipts with expenditure. The Group continues to hold 
a large balance of US$, to match future anticipated US$-denominated expenditure on pre-launch activities and our clinical trials  
for Epidiolex. 

Going Concern
Having reviewed cash flow forecasts for the 12-month period following the date of signing the financial statements, 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.

Employee Consultation and Human Rights
The Group places considerable value on the involvement of its employees. They are regularly briefed on the Group’s activities  
in Company-wide meetings and updates, and have regular opportunities to share their views with Executive Directors.  
Their contribution is a key element to the future success of the Group and accordingly, the majority of 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 23 to the financial statements. Equal opportunity  
is given to all employees regardless of their age, sex, colour, race, disability, religion or ethnic origin.

The Group considers that respecting human rights is a global standard of expected conduct for all business enterprises. The Group 
aims to comply with all applicable laws, especially health and safety, to prevent abuses of human rights. Regular dialogue is held 
between employees at each of the Group’s sites and senior management to ensure that any issues are identified and resolved.  
The Group maintains and operates within a Code of Conduct and Business Ethics with which all staff are required to comply. 

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.

Our Employees
We aim to recruit, retain and motivate intelligent people who will share our passion for developing medicines that meet the needs of 
patients and who will strive to help us to achieve strategic aims. We recognise that the accumulated knowledge and experience of our 
staff is one of our greatest assets and we recognise and reward loyalty. 

As at 30 September 2016, 102 (2015: 87) of our staff have worked for the Group for more than five years. 50 (2015: 51) of these have 
been with us for more than 10 years. We seek to encourage staff retention by offering participation in staff share option schemes, 
bonus schemes and the GW Spirit Award scheme with which we reward those members of staff who have demonstrated exceptional 
achievements, innovative ideas, great teamwork and/or other praiseworthy achievements that go beyond the day-to-day requirements 
of their role.

We recruit individuals who have the skills, experience and positive attitude needed to optimally perform the roles that we need in 
order to help us to drive our business forward. We recruit without regard to sex or ethnic origin, appointing and thereafter promoting 
staff based upon merit, positive attitude and success. 

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 2016 
09

The profile of the Group’s employees at 30 September 2016 was as follows:

Number of persons who were Directors of the Company
Number of persons who were senior managers of the Company
Number of persons who were employees of the Company

Total employees at 30 September 2016

Male 
30 September 
2016

Female 
30 September 
2016

Total 
30 September 
2016

9
18
208

235

–
10
251

261

9
28
459

496

Environmental Matters
We have reported on all of the emission sources required under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors’ Report) 
Regulations 2013. Our sources of emission relate principally to our growing and manufacturing facilities, the costs of which are 
included within our consolidated financial statements. We have responsibility for any emission sources where we bear the associated 
costs in our consolidated statements.

We have used the Greenhouse Gas (“GHG”) Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard (revised edition) data gathered 
to fulfil our requirements under the CRC Energy Efficiency scheme, and emission factors from UK Government’s GHG Conversion 
Factors for Company Reporting 2015.

We have used the most recent evidence or estimates provided by our energy supply partners to generate our disclosure of emissions  
for the year ended 30 September 2016. These include the purchase of electricity, heat, steam or cooling.

The annual quantity of emissions for the Group for 2016 was 3,052 tonnes of carbon dioxide (2015: 2,414), produced by activities  
for which the Group is responsible. The Group considers that the intensity ratio of tonnes of carbon dioxide per employee is a suitable 
metric for its operations. This was 6.9 tonnes per head average (2015: 7.5 tonnes) for the year ended 30 September 2016.

The Group actively looks to minimise indirect areas of emissions by encouraging remote working and promoting online  
conferencing facilities to reduce business-related travel and is actively exploring ways to reduce the light energy used in some of  
its plant growing facilities.

As a business whose core activity starts with the growing of plants which are actively absorbing carbon dioxide, we have a natural 
carbon capture process within our business operations. We have not sought to quantify the extent to which this offsets the carbon 
footprint of our business but we take some comfort from the fact that this helps to mitigate the environmental impact of our business 
and we expect this to increase as the scale of our growing operations expands to meet future demand for our plant-derived medicines.

On behalf of the Board

Adam George
Chief Financial Officer
5 December 2016

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 201610

Directors’ Report 

The Directors present their report and the consolidated financial statements for the Company and for the Group for the financial year 
ended 30 September 2016. The Company has chosen to set out some of the matters otherwise required by regulations made under 
section 416(4) of the Companies Act 2006 to be disclosed in the Directors’ Report as the Directors consider are of strategic importance 
to the Company.

Principal Activities
The principal activity of GW Pharmaceuticals plc (“GW”) is the development and commercialisation of prescription cannabinoid 
medicines, which address clear unmet patient needs.

We are the global leader in the development of cannabinoid prescription medicines. Our lead product, Epidiolex® (cannabidiol) is in 
Phase 3 clinical development to treat rare and catastrophic forms of childhood-onset epilepsy, potentially offering relief to patients for 
conditions that previously had few treatment options. 

Group Research and Development Activities
The research and development (“R&D”)undertaken by the Group amounted to £99.8 million (2015: £76.8 million), all of which was 
expensed during the year. This included £3.8 million (2015: £22.8 million) of R&D expenditure which was carried out under contract 
for, and was fully funded by, our development partners.

Results and Dividends
The Consolidated Income Statement for the year is set out on page 35. The Group’s loss for the financial year after tax was £63.7 million 
(2015: £44.6 million).

The Directors do not recommend the payment of a dividend (2015: £nil).

Share Capital
Information relating to changes to the issued share capital during the year is given in note 22 to the financial statements.

The Group is funded principally by ordinary share capital and has no bank debt as at 30 September 2016 (2015: £nil). The Group had 
a fit out funding liability of £9.2 million at 30 September 2016 (2015: £8.8 million) and a finance lease liability of £5.2 million (2015: 
£1.7 million), reflecting funding provided by our landlords to fit out leased properties of a number of our manufacturing premises. 

We have also signed a long-term commercial growing agreement with an external supplier to produce plant material for use in the 
Epidiolex development programmes and commercial release. This agreement, which is expected to commence during Q2 2017 and 
continue over a 10-year period, forms part of the Group’s strategy to support expected future sales growth. The agreement includes 
multiple fee elements designed to incentivise cost efficient, reliable production volumes. Associated with this agreement is the lease 
of a plant-growing facility, which has been identified as an operating lease. Rental payments commence during Q2 2017 and continue 
over a 10-year period. Future minimum lease payments associated with this operating lease are included in the table set out in note 25 
to the financial statements.

Substantial Shareholdings
On 5 December 2016 the Company had been notified, in accordance with the Companies Act 2006, of the following interests in the 
ordinary share capital of the Company:

Number of  
Shares Held

Capital Research and Management Companies, Inc.
Prudential plc group of companies
Scopia Capital Management
Fidelity Management & Research Co.
Dr. Geoffrey W. Guy
Deerfield Partners
Viking Global Investors
Janus Capital Management
Bank of New York Mellon

45,341,270
24,602,551
22,622,004
21,119,580
12,847,852
12,101,700
11,791,860
9,297,036
9,134,064

Percentage

15.0
8.1
7.5
7.0
4.2
4.0
3.9
3.1
3.0 

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 201611

Directors and their Interests
The following Directors held office during the period:
Dr Geoffrey W Guy 
Justin Gover
Dr Stephen Wright
Adam George
Chris Tovey 
Julian Gangolli
James Noble 
Thomas Lynch 
Cabot Brown

Details of the beneficial interests of Directors in the ordinary shares of the Company are disclosed within the Directors’ Remuneration 
Report on page 18.

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

In accordance with the Articles of Association of the Company, Geoffrey Guy, Thomas Lynch and Cabot Brown will retire by rotation 
at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) and, being eligible, all offer themselves for re-election.

Annual General Meeting
The AGM will be held in London in March 2017. Further details will be provided to shareholders in early 2017. 

Auditor 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 auditor 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 auditor is aware of that information. 

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

The audit committee has recommended the re-appointment of the Group’s existing auditors, Deloitte LLP, which will be proposed at 
the forthcoming AGM.

By order of the Board

Adam George
Chief Financial Officer
5 December 2016

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 2016 
12

Directors’ Remuneration Report 

The information provided in this part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report is not subject to audit.

Remuneration Committee Chairman’s Annual Statement

Dear Shareholder
On behalf of the Board I am pleased to present the remuneration committee’s report for the financial year ending 30 September 2016.

Following another year of excellent corporate progress I would like to take this opportunity to provide you with an overview of the 
remuneration committee’s major decisions taken during 2016, together with the context in which these decisions were taken. We were 
delighted to receive a high level of shareholder voting support at the AGM in March 2016, with 98.2% of proxy voting in support of 
the resolution to adopt the 2015 remuneration report. This was consistent with the 97.7% of shareholder support for the resolution 
passed at the previous Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) in February 2015 to approve the Executive Director Remuneration Policy 
(the “Policy”). We remain confident that, for 2017, the Policy remains appropriate for the business and therefore no changes to the 
Policy are proposed at the forthcoming AGM in March 2017. We expect to seek shareholder re-approval of the Policy in early 2018. 

Context of the Committee’s Decisions in 2016
2016 has been another year of excellent progress towards the successful execution of the Board’s strategy. The Executive Team have 
successfully led the GW Pharmaceuticals plc (“GW”) team to execute a series of successful Epidiolex® Phase 3 clinical studies 
producing the efficacy and safety data that we expect to enable the submission of an Epidiolex New Drug Application (“NDA”) to the 
Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) in 2017. This data has fundamentally changed the risk profile of the business, creating a 
valuable asset that, subject to achievement of future regulatory approvals, has the potential for near-term commercialisation. At the 
start of 2016 the committee agreed a set of objectives with the executive management team that included successful execution of the 
Epidiolex Phase 3 trials, objectives linked to interaction with regulators to agree the regulatory pathway for Epidiolex and objectives 
linked to the scale up of growing and key steps of the manufacturing process in order to create the capability to meet potential market 
demand. In parallel with these achievements the team have managed the rapid growth of headcount necessary to execute our strategic 
plans and are managing an increasing level of technical and operational complexity as the business expands both in the UK and the US. 

Looking forwards 2017 and 2018 are likely to be demanding but have the potential to create significant shareholder value if executed 
successfully. It is in this context that the committee have made our major decisions during 2016. We have been able to reward success 
via the 2015 short-term bonus incentive award paid in February 2016 and by approving, in September 2016, the vesting of 100% of the 
Long Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) options granted in September 2013. We have sought to encourage retention of the Executive Team 
by making additional LTIP option awards and we have sought to align their remuneration incentives with the key value drivers for the 
business by linking the vesting of the majority of these awards to the successful filing of an NDA with the FDA and achievement of a 
US marketing approval for Epidiolex. 

The Remuneration Committee
In accordance with best practice, the GW remuneration committee, consisting of independent non-executive Directors under my 
Chairmanship, manages the remuneration of the Executive Directors within the framework of the shareholder approved Policy and 
shareholder approved LTIP option scheme rules. 

Our approach to remuneration:
The Group remuneration policy for Executive Directors aims to:
 > align the interests of Executive Directors with those of shareholders;
 > 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 short-term and long-term performance through the award of incentives via 

participation in the Group’s cash and equity-based incentive schemes;

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

I believe that these aims, which remain unchanged from previous years, have been working well, continue to be relevant and provide a 
firm framework within which future remuneration will be determined. The shareholder approved Policy provides a set of parameters 
within which we work whilst still allowing the remuneration committee sufficient flexibility to adapt remuneration packages in line 
with the development of the business. This should allow the Company to attract, retain and motivate Executive Directors and senior 
management with the skills, talent and motivation to deliver upon our strategy and to continue to create value for our shareholders. 

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 201613

Key Remuneration Committee Activities in 2016:
During 2016 the remuneration committee’s key activities have been as follows:
 > At the start of the 2016 financial year we engaged Willis Towers Watson as independent advisers to benchmark the remuneration of 
the Executive Directors against the selected peer group and to provide recommendations for basic salaries, LTIP awards and the 
structure of bonus incentive awards for the year.

 > In January 2016, in line with inflationary increases given to the majority of GW staff, the Executive Directors were given an 

inflationary basic salary increase of 2%, effective from 1 January 2016.

 > In February 2016, the remuneration committee met to consider the extent of achievement of 2015 calendar year objectives by the 

Executive Team and to determine the level of short-term bonus incentive award to be paid in respect of the 2015 calendar year. The 
consensus was that 2015 had been a very successful year with significant progress having been made against the majority of the 
objectives that had been agreed at the start of 2015. These included:
 – Successful recruitment of Epidiolex Phase 3 clinical trials in Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes together with successful 

management of effectiveness data emerging from the expanded access programme;

 – Successful scale up of Epidiolex manufacturing volumes to meet demand from the clinical trials programme, expanded access 

and Investigator initiated studies;

 – Establishment of Commercial scale growing capability;
 – Achievement of multiple orphan designations from US and European Union regulators; and
 – Good progress with recruitment of Phase 2 clinical trials with pipeline products in the fields of schizophrenia, Glioma and diabetes.
Unfortunately, the Sativex® phase 3 trials for the treatment of advanced cancer pain did not achieve statistical significance 
for the primary clinical endpoint for these studies, with the result that the cancer pain programme funded by Otsuka has 
been discontinued.
The consensus reached by the committee was that each member of the Executive Team should receive a short-term incentive  
bonus award, in respect of achievements in the 2015 calendar year, equivalent to 48% of their 2015 basic salary.

 > At the same time, the remuneration committee approved the objectives to be achieved by the Executive Directors during 2016. 

These are considered to be commercially sensitive and will not be disclosed here in detail but are primarily linked to achievement 
of positive Phase 3 clinical trial results with Epidiolex together with scale up of Epidiolex manufacturing capability, inspection 
readiness and progress towards readiness to submit an NDA filing to the FDA in 2017. These are considered by the remuneration 
committee to be the key value drivers for the business and therefore represent the optimum objectives for Executive Team incentive 
schemes to be based upon in 2016. 

 > In February 2016, the remuneration committee met and agreed the terms of the 2016 grant of LTIP awards to the executive 

Directors. These were segmented so that:
 – 50% of the value of the award is linked to specific performance conditions which must be achieved in the three-year vesting 

period. Half of the share options will vest upon receipt from the FDA of their confirmation of acceptance of an Epidiolex NDA 
filing, and half will vest upon the FDA grant of Epidiolex regulatory approval; 

 – 25% of the value of the award is in the form of market-priced share options with a three-year vesting period; and
 – 25% of the value of the award took the form of restricted stock options which vest at the rate of 25% per annum over a four-year 

vesting period.

The selected performance conditions that are required to be achieved in order to trigger vesting of 50% of this award are again 
considered to be directly linked to key business value drivers creating alignment with shareholders’ interests. The restricted stock 
option element of the award is considered to encourage long-term retention, considered to be a key factor critical to success, and  
the market priced options are intended to align further the interests of the Executive Directors with shareholders’ interests.  
At the grant date these awards had expected values equivalent to 400% of basic salary for the Chief Executive and President,  
North America, 300% of basic salary for the Chairman and 200% for the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Medical Officer and  
Chief Operations Officer. 

 > In March 2016 the members of the remuneration committee attended the AGM in order to make themselves available to answer 

shareholder questions about remuneration policy and to receive feedback from shareholders represented at the meeting. 
 > In September 2016, the three-year vesting period for the 2013 awards under the 2008 LTIP scheme concluded. The vesting 
condition for these options stated that the GW share price needed to increase by at least 75% over the three years from the  
NASDAQ IPO date in May 2013. The share price actually increased by more than 900% over this period, with the result that the 
committee approved the vesting of 100% of this award.

 > As part of the consideration of the vesting of the September 2013 LTIP award, the committee also agreed to indemnify Justin Gover 
for the incremental US taxation that he is likely to suffer on the gain arising from these LTIP options as a result of having relocated 
to the US at the Company’s request during the vesting period of this award. At 30 September 2016 this additional income tax 
liability is estimated at $1.25 million, and is expected to payable when the option gain is crystallised by sale of these options, 
expected in late 2016/early 2017.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 201614

Directors’ Remuneration Report 
continued

 > Since 30 September, in preparation for the end of 2016 remuneration review the remuneration committee have again engaged 

Willis Towers Watson as independent consultants to advise the committee. In recognition of the fact that following achievement 
of multiple positive Phase 3 trial results during 2016 together with growth in the size and complexity of the Company’s operations 
plus the significant growth in the market capitalisation of the business since the original peer group was established in 2014, Willis 
Towers Watson advised that a peer group refresh is appropriate. Willis Towers Watson have therefore conducted a new peer group 
selection process with the result that the 21 company peer group consisting of comparable US-listed biotech/pharmaceutical 
development companies, to be used for benchmarking of future pay awards now consists of: 
Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc., Agios Pharmaceuticals Inc., Alder Biopharmaceuticals Inc., Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc., Ariad 
Pharmaceuticals Inc., Bluebird Bio Inc, Depomed Inc., Horizon Pharma plc, Insys Therapeutics Inc., Intercept Pharmaceuticals 
Inc., Juno Therapeutics Inc., Kite Pharma Inc., Neurocrine Biosciences Inc., Pacira Pharmaceuticals Inc., Portola Pharmaceuticals 
Inc., Puma Biotechnology Inc., Radius Health Inc., Sage Therapeutics Inc., Sarepta Therapeutics Inc., Tesaro Inc., Ultragenyx 
Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Looking forwards we expect that the committee will meet in December 2016 to consider: 
 > Short-term bonus incentives payable in respect of performance objectives achieved by the Executive Team in the 2016 calendar year; 
 > Potential changes to basic salaries; and
 > Performance objectives to be used for short-term bonus incentives during 2017.

On the pages that follow I welcome the opportunity to set out the Policy that was approved by shareholders at our February 2015 AGM 
and which has been in force throughout 2016. We propose to continue to apply this pay policy to Executive remuneration in 2017. We 
believe that the Policy gives the remuneration committee transparent powers to implement appropriate incentive rewards, in line with 
US market practice, enabling us to continue to maintain appropriate remuneration for the existing Executive team, the non-executive 
Directors, and new senior roles that we expect to join GW during 2017. 

Thomas Lynch
Remuneration Committee Chairman
5 December 2016

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 201615

Annual Report on Remuneration
The information provided in this part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report is subject to audit.

Single Total Figure of Remuneration for Each Director
The Directors received the following remuneration for the year ended 30 September 2016:

Name of Director

Executive
Dr Geoffrey W Guy
Justin Gover
Adam George
Dr Stephen Wright
Chris Tovey
Julian Gangolli
Non-executive
James Noble
Cabot Brown
Thomas Lynch1

Salary and 
Fees 
£

Taxable 
Benefits 
£

Short-term 
Incentives 
£

Long-term 
Incentive

Plans2 

£

Pension 
Contributions 
£

2016 
Total 
£

 353,860 
 311,921 
 197,276 
 242,370 
 214,179 
 274,997 

 63,500 
 51,294 
 – 

 28,475 
32,852
 17,699 
 20,180 
 17,817 
 1,159 

 167,342  3,127,209
 146,720  2,585,049
 93,293  1,734,260
 114,618  2,130,678
 101,287  1,882,849
53,666
 72,658 

 54,416  3,731,302
52,993 3,129,535
 30,337  2,072,865
 39,830  2,547,676
 35,198  2,251,330
 1,664 
404,144

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 

63,500
51,294
 – 

Aggregate emoluments

1,709,397

118,182

695,918 11,513,711

214,438 14,251,646

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

1 
2  LTIP gains represent the unrealised gains on LTIPs that vested during the year ended 30 September 2016, calculated according to the share price at the date of vesting. These gains 

have not been realised by 30 September 2016 as the Directors have not exercised or sold these LTIPs.

The Directors received the following remuneration for the year ended 30 September 2015:

Name of Director

Executive
Dr Geoffrey W Guy
Justin Gover
Adam George
Dr Stephen Wright
Chris Tovey
Julian Gangolli
Non-executive
James Noble
Cabot Brown
Thomas Lynch1

Salary and 
Fees 
£

Taxable
Benefits2 
£

Short-term 
Incentives 
£

Long-term 
Incentive 
Plans3 
£

Pension 
Contributions 
£

2015 
Total 
£

345,212
286,188
193,408
237,618
209,980
80,631

65,000
58,000
–

29,843
202,289
18,472
22,435
18,724
–

170,897
140,531
95,275
117,331
103,438
–

688,377
617,423
443,981
562,561
–
–

53,850 1,288,179
48,817 1,295,248
781,989
30,853
981,528
41,583
368,888
36,746
80,631
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

65,000
58,000
–

Aggregate emoluments

1,476,037

291,763

627,472 2,312,342

211,849 4,919,463

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

1 
2  Taxable benefits comprise healthcare insurance premiums, telephone allowances, healthcare and the cash value of car allowances. Justin Gover’s taxable benefits include a 

relocation allowance of £181,653 paid to him in September 2015 to reimburse expenditures incurred as a result of his relocation to the US.

3  LTIP gains represent the unrealised gains on LTIPs that vested during the year ended 30 September 2015, calculated according to the share price at the date of vesting. Apart from 

Justin Gover’s vested options, these gains have not been realised as the Directors have not exercised or sold these LTIPs.

Long-Term Incentive Awards Vesting During the Financial Year
On 24 September 2016 the vesting period for the 2013 LTIP award ended. This extent of vesting of this award, granted following the 
NASDAQ IPO in 2013, was linked to the growth in the Company’s share price over the period from the IPO to the vesting date, as follows:
 > All of the awards will vest if the share price increases by 75% or more.
 > 25% of the awards will vest if 25% growth is achieved. 
 > A straight-line basis of calculation will be used to calculate the number of LTIPs vesting between these two extremes. 
 > No LTIPs will vest if the share price growth is below 25% over the three-year vesting period. 

The starting price for this calculation was based on the average price of the AIM shares over the last 30 trading days prior to the 
NASDAQ IPO date on 1 May 2013 and was compared to the average price over the last 30 trading days of the vesting period.

The average AIM share price over the last 30 days prior to the NASDAQ IPO date was 55.6 pence, giving an American Depository 
Share (“ADS”) equivalent price at the time of $10.7. This increased to an average ADS price for the 30 days prior to vesting of  
$92.3, representing growth of 763%.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 201616

Directors’ Remuneration Report 
continued

The committee were therefore delighted to be able to approve the vesting of 100% of this LTIP award on 24 September 2016.

The intrinsic value of these vested options has been included in the 2016 remuneration table above based on the share price at the 
vesting date of £6.99 per ordinary share.

Long-Term Incentive Awards Granted to the Executive Directors in 2016
Executive Directors are awarded LTIPs at the discretion of the remuneration committee. Awards are typically calculated with reference 
to the closing mid-market ordinary share price of the Company’s ordinary shares on the day prior to grant. During periods of 
volatility, the price used to determine award size is determined by reference to the average closing mid-market ordinary share price of 
the previous five trading days.

Following the completion of the review of the Group’s remuneration strategy, the Executive Directors were awarded options to 
subscribe for the Company’s ordinary shares split into three different types of options:
 > market-priced options, whereby the options have an exercise price equivalent to the market price at market close on the day prior  

to grant;

 > performance stock options, whereby the options will vest upon the third anniversary of the date of grant subject to certain 

corporate performance conditions having been achieved; and

 > restricted stock options, whereby the options are subject to a four-year service condition and vesting period. 25% of the options 

will vest on the each anniversary of the date of grant over the four-year period.

In general, the awards may be exercised at any time between the vesting date and the 10th anniversary of the date of grant.  
Our US-based Directors will be required to exercise their performance stock and restricted stock options within six months of the 
vesting date. The exercise price of the performance stock options and restricted stock options is 0.1p per ordinary share, being the  
par value of the shares. Awards which do not vest at the end of the vesting period will lapse permanently.

The table below sets out the LTIPs awarded in the year to 30 September 2016 to Executive Directors:

Name of Director

Justin Gover
Market-priced options
Restricted stock options year 1 – 25%
Restricted stock options year 2 – 25%
Performance stock options
Restricted stock options year 3 – 25%
Restricted stock options year 4 – 25%

Dr Geoffrey W Guy
Market-priced options
Restricted stock options year 1 – 25%
Restricted stock options year 2 – 25%
Performance stock options
Restricted stock options year 3 – 25%
Restricted stock options year 4 – 25%

Dr Stephen Wright
Market-priced options
Restricted stock options year 1 – 25%
Restricted stock options year 2 – 25%
Performance stock options
Restricted stock options year 3 – 25%
Restricted stock options year 4 – 25%

Chris Tovey
Market-priced options
Restricted stock options year 1 – 25%
Restricted stock options year 2 – 25%
Performance stock options
Restricted stock options year 3 – 25%
Restricted stock options year 4 – 25%

Adam George
Market-priced options
Restricted stock options year 1 – 25%
Restricted stock options year 2 – 25%
Performance stock options
Restricted stock options year 3 – 25%
Restricted stock options year 4 – 25%

Granted

Value at Date 
of Grant

Valuation 
Method

Exercise Price

Performance 
Period End

Date of Expiry

238,759 Fair value
213,245
80,006  Face value
30,334
30,334
80,006 Face value
404,455 1,066,750 Face value
80,006 Face value
30,334
80,006 Face value
30,334

257.0p 15/02/2019 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2017
15/08/2017
0.1p 15/02/2018 15/08/2018
0.1p 15/02/2019 15/08/2019
0.1p 15/02/2019 15/08/2019
0.1p 15/02/2020 15/08/2020

182,171
25,914
25,914
345,517
25,914
25,913

83,183
11,833
11,833
157,771
11,833
11,832

73,508
10,456
10,456
139,420
10,457
10,457

67,707
9,631
9,631
128,417
9,631
9,632

274,517 Fair value
68,348 Face value
68,348 Face value
911,301 Face value
68,348 Face value
68,346 Face value

257.0p 15/02/2019 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2017 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2018 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2019 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2019 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2020 15/02/2026

125,350 Fair value
31,210 Face value
31,210 Face value
416,121 Face value
31,210 Face value
31,207 Face value

257.0p 15/02/2019 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2017 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2018 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2019 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2019 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2020 15/02/2026

110,771 Fair value
27,578 Face value
27,578 Face value
367,720 Face value
27,580 Face value
27,580 Face value

257.0p 15/02/2019 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2017 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2018 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2019 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2019 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2020 15/02/2026

102,029 Fair value
25,402 Face value
25,402 Face value
338,700 Face value
25,402 Face value
25,404 Face value

257.0p 15/02/2019 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2017 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2018 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2019 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2019 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2020 15/02/2026

Percentage of 
Award Vesting 
for Minimum 
Performance

100
100
100
0
100
100

100
100
100
0
100
100

100
100
100
0
100
100

100
100
100
0
100
100

100
100
100
0
100
100

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 201617

Name of Director

Julian Gangolli
Market-priced options
Restricted stock options year 1 – 25%
Restricted stock options year 2 – 25%
Performance stock options
Restricted stock options year 3 – 25%
Restricted stock options year 4 – 25%

Granted

Value at Date 
of Grant

Valuation 
Method

Exercise Price

Performance 
Period End

Date of Expiry

Percentage of 
Award Vesting 
for Minimum 
Performance

192,755
27,419
27,419
365,591
27,419
27,420

215,817 Fair value
72,318 Face value
72,318 Face value
964,246 Face value
72,318 Face value
72,320 Face value

257.0p 15/02/2019 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2017
15/08/2017
0.1p 15/02/2018 15/08/2018
0.1p 15/02/2019 15/08/2019
0.1p 15/02/2019 15/08/2019
0.1p 15/02/2020 15/08/2020

100
100
100
0
100
100

The vesting of the above awards is subject to the following performance conditions:

25% of the awards are in the form of market-priced options, whereby the options have an exercise price equivalent to the market price 
at market close on the day prior to grant ($44.64 per ADS, equivalent to 257p per ordinary share). These options become exercisable 
on the third anniversary of the date of grant. Future gains upon exercise of these options will be linked to the extent of share price 
growth over the vesting period. The committee consider that this element of the awards will help to ensure continuing alignment 
between Executive and shareholders’ interests. The Black-Scholes option pricing model was used to derive the fair values.

50% of the awards are in the form of performance stock options, whereby the options will vest upon the third anniversary of the date of grant 
subject to certain corporate performance conditions having been achieved. In this case, vesting of half of the performance stock options will 
occur upon receipt from the FDA of their confirmation of acceptance of an Epidiolex NDA filing and half will vest upon the FDA grant of 
Epidiolex regulatory approval. The committee considers these particular milestones to be important elements of our agreed strategy and the 
key value drivers for the business at this time. Each option has a face value equal to 264p, the share price on the date of grant.

25% of the awards are in the form of restricted stock options whereby these options are subject to a four-year service condition and 
vesting period. 25% of the options will vest on each anniversary of the date of grant over the next four years. The committee consider 
that this element of the awards should help to ensure retention of our team of Executive Directors, a key factor for GW’s future 
success. Each option has a face value equal to 264p, the share price on the date of grant.

Long-Term Incentive Awards Granted to the Non-Executive Directors in 2016
The Policy, approved by shareholders in March 2015, allows the grant of LTIP awards to the non-executive Directors. During 
December 2016 the executive members of the Board met to discuss and approve the first such award.

The award was made after seeking advice from Willis Towers Watson and was based upon peer group benchmarking data that was 
used to review the total remuneration packages for the non-executive members of the Board. This review resulted in a reduction to the 
cash based remuneration receivable offset by the implementation of a proposed annual grant of equity based incentives. The first such 
grant took place on 29 December 2015.

The table below sets out the LTIPs awarded in the year to 30 September 2016 to non-executive Directors:

Name of Director

James Noble
Market-priced options
Restricted stock options
Cabot Brown
Market-priced options
Restricted stock options
Thomas Lynch
Market-priced options
Restricted stock options

Granted

Value at Date 
of Grant

Valuation 
Method

Exercise Price

Performance 
Period End

Date of Expiry

68,122
14,479

105,230 Fair value
55,853 Face value

383.0p 29/12/2018 29/12/2025
0.1p 29/12/2018 29/12/2025

68,122
14,479

105,230 Fair value
55,853 Face value

383.0p 29/12/2018 29/06/2019
0.1p 29/12/2018 29/06/2019

68,122
14,479

105,230 Fair value
55,853 Face value

383.0p 29/12/2018 29/12/2025
0.1p 29/12/2018 29/12/2025

Percentage of 
Award Vesting 
for Minimum
Performance

100
100

100
100

100
100

This LTIP award has been structured as follows:
67% of the awards are in the form of market-priced options, whereby the options have an exercise price equivalent to the market price 
at market close on the day prior to grant ($68.39 per ADS, equivalent to 383p per ordinary share). These options become exercisable 
on the third anniversary of the date of grant. Future gains upon exercise of these options will be linked to the extent of share price 
growth over the vesting period. The committee consider that this element of the awards will help to ensure continuing alignment 
between Executive and shareholders’ interests. The Black-Scholes option pricing model was used to derive the fair values.

33% of the awards are in the form of restricted stock options whereby these options are subject to a three-year service condition and 
vesting period. 100% of the options will vest on the third anniversary of the date of grant. The committee consider that this element of 
the awards should help to ensure retention of our team of non-executive Directors, a key factor for GW’s future success. Each option 
has a face value equal to 386p, the share price on the date of grant.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 201618
GW Pharmaceuticals plc
Annual report and accounts 2016

Directors’ Remuneration Report 
continued

In structuring these grants, the Executive Directors were mindful of best practice advice received from Willis Towers Watson whereby 
the award of options with vesting linked to performance is considered to have the potential to impair the independence of the non-
executive members of the Board. It is for this reason that the vesting of awards is not linked to specific future performance conditions. 

In accordance with the equity retention policy the non-executives will generally be required to retain their options for as long as they 
continue to serve as a non-executive Director. However, vested awards must be exercised by the 10th anniversary of the date of grant. 
Also, in the event that vesting triggers a tax liability, the option holders may seek prior approval to exercise and dispose of sufficient 
shares to cover the tax liability.

Statement of Directors’ Shareholding and Share Interests
The table below shows, for each Director, the total number of ordinary shares owned, the total number of share options with and 
without performance conditions, those vested but unexercised and those exercised during the year. Details of the share retention 
policy applicable to the Executive Directors is set out on page 27.

Name of Director

Executive
Dr Geoffrey W Guy
Justin Gover
Adam George
Dr Stephen Wright
Chris Tovey
Julian Gangolli
Non-executive
James Noble
Cabot Brown 
Thomas Lynch

Nominal-cost Options:

Unvested 
With 
Performance 
Measures

Unvested 
Without 
Performance
Measures2

Shares
Owned1

Vested 
Not yet
Exercised3

Exercised 
During the 
Year

13,797,852
2,513,759
27,617
5,915
2,500
–

 475,386 
 546,846 
 176,685 
 217,071 
 191,825 
 507,035 

 466,888 
 510,447 
 188,883 
 232,191 
 205,065 
 409,625 

450,148 1,369,848
–
372,823
5,921
448,250
256,488
602,990
99,600
270,887
–
10,608

27,500
7,200
2,074

–
–
–

82,601
82,601
82,601

–
–
–

–
–
–

1   This comprises the Directors’ holding of ordinary shares as at 30 September 2016. Further details are given in the table below.
2  Unvested awards in this column are solely subject to a service performance requirement, which the regulations treat differently from other types of performance measure.
3  This includes vested share options, LTIPs and vested shares held in trust under the GW Pharmaceuticals All Employee Share Scheme. Further details are given in the table below.
Note: Each NASDAQ listed ADS represents 12 ordinary 0.1 pence shares.

The table below shows the total number of Directors’ interests in the ordinary shares of GW Pharmaceuticals plc:

Name of Director

Executive
Dr Geoffrey W Guy1
Justin Gover2
Adam George3
Dr Stephen Wright4 
Chris Tovey
Julian Gangolli
Non-executive
James Noble
Thomas Lynch
Cabot Brown

Ordinary 
Shares of 0.1p 
30 September 
2016

Ordinary 
Shares of 0.1p 
30 September 
2015

13,797,852
2,513,759
27,617
5,915
2,500
–

14,443,648
2,513,759
21,696
5,915
2,500
–

27,500
2,074
7,200

27,500
56,344
–

Justin Gover’s holding includes 2,143,314 ordinary shares held by The Gover Family Investment LLP, of which Justin owns 99% and the remaining 1% is held by his wife.

1  Dr Geoffrey Guy’s holding includes 225,000 ordinary shares held by his immediate family and 1,168,958 shares held by his personal pension plan.
2 
3  Adam George’s holding includes 21,696 shares held by his personal pension scheme.
4  Dr Stephen Wright’s holding includes 5,000 ordinary shares held by his wife.
Note: Each NASDAQ listed ADS represents 12 0.1 pence ordinary shares.

In addition, the following ordinary shares are owned by Directors under the rules of the GW Pharmaceuticals All Employee Share 
Scheme as follows:

Name of Director

Executive
Dr Stephen Wright

Adam George

At 
30 September 
2016

At 
30 September 
2015

Vested

1,507
1,500
–

22/01/07
1,507
1,500
21/01/08
2,065  01/06/12

19

The interests of the Directors in share options over the ordinary shares of the Company as at 30 September 2016 were:

Granted

 Exercised

Lapsed

At  
30 September 
2016

Nominal 
Value

Exercise 
Price

Date of 
Vesting

Date of 
Expiry

Name of Director

Geoffrey Guy

At  
1 October 
2015

171,315
364,675
170,000
170,000
129,918
259,493
104,458
440,397
82,639
69,202
9,740
9,740
9,740
129,869
9,740
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
182,171
25,914
25,914
25,914
345,517
25,914

(171,315)
(364,675)
(170,000)
(170,000)
(129,918)
(259,493)
(104,447)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
11
440,397
82,639
69,202
9,740
9,740
9,740
129,869
9,740
182,171
25,914
25,914
25,914
345,517
25,914

Total

2,130,926

631,344

(1,369,848)

– 1,392,422

Justin Gover

362,144
67,955
75,874
10,679
10,679
10,679
142,391
10,679
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
213,245
30,334
30,334
30,334
404,455
30,334

Total

691,080

739,036

Adam George

10,000
35,000
90,593
67,372
245,521
46,071
25,720
3,620
3,620
3,620
48,268
3,620
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
67,707
9,631
9,631
9,631
128,417
9,632

Total

583,025

234,649

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–
(3,856)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

(3,856)

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

362,144
67,955
75,874
10,679
10,679
10,679
142,391
10,679
213,245
30,334
30,334
30,334
404,455
30,334

– 1,430,116

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

10,000
31,144
90,593
67,372
245,521
46,071
25,720
3,620
3,620
3,620
48,268
3,620
67,707
9,631
9,631
9,631
128,417
9,632

813,818

0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p

0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p

0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p

10/02/2016
125.5p 10/02/2009
26/03/2017
 95.5p 26/03/2010
19/03/2018
 0.1p 19/03/2011
27/03/2019
 0.1p 27/03/2012
 0.1p 19/07/2013
19/07/2020
 0.1p 08/06/2014 08/06/2021
 0.1p 06/06/2015 06/06/2022
0.1p 24/09/2016 24/09/2023
0.1p 12/08/2017 12/08/2024
671.0p 24/06/2018 24/06/2025
 0.1p 24/06/2016 24/06/2025
 0.1p 24/06/2017 24/06/2025
 0.1p 24/06/2018 24/06/2025
 0.1p 24/06/2018 24/06/2025
 0.1p 24/06/2019 24/06/2025
257.0p 15/02/2019 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2017 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2018 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2019 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2019 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2020 15/02/2026

 0.1p 24/09/2016 24/09/2023
0.1p 12/08/2017 12/08/2024
671.0p 24/06/2018 24/06/2025
24/12/2016
0.1p 24/06/2016
24/12/2017
0.1p 24/06/2017
24/12/2018
0.1p 24/06/2018
0.1p 24/06/2018
24/12/2018
0.1p 24/06/2019 24/12/2019
257.0p 15/02/2019 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2017
15/08/2017
0.1p 15/02/2018 15/08/2018
0.1p 15/02/2019 15/08/2019
0.1p 15/02/2019 15/08/2019
0.1p 15/02/2020 15/08/2020

26/11/2018
0.1p 26/11/2011
0.1p 19/07/2013
19/07/2020
0.1p 08/06/2014 08/06/2021
0.1p 06/06/2015 06/06/2022
0.1p 24/09/2016 24/09/2023
0.1p 12/08/2017 12/08/2024
671.0p 24/06/2018 24/06/2025
0.1p 24/06/2016 24/06/2025
0.1p 24/06/2017 24/06/2025
0.1p 24/06/2018 24/06/2025
0.1p 24/06/2018 24/06/2025
0.1p 24/06/2019 24/06/2025
257.0p 15/02/2019 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2017 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2018 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2019 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2019 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2020 15/02/2026

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 2016 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Granted

 Exercised

Lapsed

At  
30 September 
2016

Nominal 
Value

Exercise 
Price

Date of 
Vesting

Date of 
Expiry

20

Directors’ Remuneration Report 
continued

Name of Director

Stephen Wright

At  
1 October 
2015

58,295
140,000
88,985
177,735
85,366
301,642
56,735
31,598
4,448
4,448
4,448
59,300
4,448
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
83,183
11,833
11,833
11,833
157,771
11,832

(58,295)
(140,000)
(58,193)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
30,792
177,735
85,366
301,642
56,735
31,598
4,448
4,448
4,448
59,300
4,448
83,183
11,833
11,833
11,833
157,771
11,832

Total

1,017,448

288,285

(256,488)

– 1,049,245

Chris Tovey

200,000
266,557
50,018
27,924
3,930
3,930
3,930
52,404
3,930
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
73,508
10,456
10,456
10,456
139,421
10,457

(99,600)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

(100,000)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

400
266,557
50,018
27,924
3,930
3,930
3,930
52,404
3,930
73,508
10,456
10,456
10,456
139,421
10,457

Total

612,623

254,754

(99,600)

(100,000)

667,777

Julian Gangolli

75,369
10,608
10,608
10,608
141,444
10,608
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
192,755
27,419
27,419
27,419
365,591
27,420

Total

259,245

668,023

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

75,369
10,608
10,608
10,608
141,444
10,608
192,755
27,419
27,419
27,419
365,591
27,420

927,268

0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p

0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p

0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p
0.1p

26/03/2017
 95.5p 26/03/2010
27/03/2019
 0.1p 27/03/2012
 0.1p 19/07/2013
19/07/2020
 0.1p 08/06/2014 08/06/2021
0.1p  06/06/2015 06/06/2022
0.1p  24/06/2016 24/09/2023
0.1p  12/08/2017 12/08/2024
671.0p 24/06/2018 24/06/2025
0.1p 24/06/2016 24/06/2025
0.1p 24/06/2017 24/06/2025
0.1p 24/06/2018 24/06/2025
0.1p 24/06/2018 24/06/2025
0.1p 24/06/2019 24/06/2025
257.0p 15/02/2019 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2017 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2018 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2019 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2019 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2020 15/02/2026

 0.1p 30/11/2015 30/11/2022
 0.1p 24/09/2016 24/09/2023
0.1p  12/08/2017 12/08/2024
671.0p 24/06/2018 24/06/2025
0.1p 24/06/2016 24/06/2025
0.1p 24/06/2017 24/06/2025
0.1p 24/06/2018 24/06/2025
0.1p 24/06/2018 24/06/2025
0.1p 24/06/2019 24/06/2025
257.0p 15/02/2019 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2017 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2018 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2019 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2019 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2020 15/02/2026

671.0p 24/06/2018 24/06/2025
24/12/2016
0.1p 24/06/2016
24/12/2017
0.1p 24/06/2017
24/12/2017
0.1p 24/06/2017
0.1p 24/06/2018
24/12/2018
0.1p 24/06/2019 24/12/2019
257.0p 15/02/2019 15/02/2026
0.1p 15/02/2017
15/08/2017
0.1p 15/02/2018 15/08/2018
0.1p 15/02/2019 15/08/2019
0.1p 15/02/2019 15/08/2019
0.1p 15/02/2020 15/08/2020

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 2016 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
21

Name of Director

James Noble

Total

Cabot Brown

Total

Thomas Lynch

Total

At  
1 October 
2015

Granted

 Exercised

Lapsed

At  
30 September 
2016

Nominal 
Value

Exercise 
Price

Date of 
Vesting

Date of 
Expiry

–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–

–

68,122
14,479

82,601

68,122
14,479

82,601

68,122
14,479

82,601

–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–

–

68,122
14,479

82,601

68,122
14,479

82,601

68,122
14,479

82,601

0.1p
0.1p

383.0p 29/12/2018 29/12/2025
0.1p 29/12/2018 29/12/2025

0.1p
0.1p

383.0p 29/12/2018 29/06/2019
0.1p 29/12/2018 29/06/2019

0.1p
0.1p

383.0p 29/12/2018 29/12/2025
0.1p 29/12/2018 29/12/2025

During the year 1,729,792 options (2015: 1,326,525) over ordinary shares were exercised. The average exercise price for the year ended 
30 September 2016 was £0.36 (2015: £0.47) and the average market price at date of exercise was £4.09 (2015: £6.43), resulting in a 
notional gain at exercise of £6,452,124 (2015: £7,910,206).

The market price of the Company’s ordinary shares as at 30 September 2016 was £8.39 (2015: £4.99) and the range during the year 
was £2.12 to £8.39 (2015: £3.20 to £6.96).

Illustration of Total Shareholder Return
The information provided in this part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report is not subject to audit.

The first graph below shows the Company’s performance, measured by total shareholder return, for the ADSs listed on NASDAQ as 
compared to the NASDAQ Biotech Index (“NASDAQ BTI”). GW’s ADSs are a constituent of the NASDAQ BTI so this is considered to 
be the most suitable comparator index.

Although the Company ceased to be listed on the AIM market of the London stock exchange on 5 December 2016, in order to present 
greater than three years of data, we have elected to provide a second graph to show the Company’s share price performance, measured 
by total shareholder return, for the UK ordinary shares listed on AIM compared with the performance of the FTSE SmallCap Index, 
excluding investment trusts. The FTSE SmallCap Index is considered to be the most suitable UK comparator index. 

Total Shareholder Return – ADS
Source: Thomson Reuters

)
£
(
e
u
a
V

l

1,750

1,500

1,250

1,000

750

500

250

100

30 April 2013

30 April 2014

29 August 2015

30 April 2016

§ NASDAQ Biotech Index 

§ GW Pharmaceuticals plc ADS

This graph shows the daily movements, by 30 September 2016, of £100 invested in GW Pharmaceuticals plc ADR on 1 May 2013 
compared with the value of £100 invested in the NASDAQ Biotech Index.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 2016 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
22

Directors’ Remuneration Report 
continued

Total Shareholder Return
Source: Thomson Reuters

)
£
(
e
u
a
V

l

2,500

2,250

2,000

1,750

1,500

1,250

1,000

750

500

250

100

§ GW Pharmaceuticals plc  

§ FTSE SmallCap (excluding investment trusts) Index  

This graph shows the daily movements, by 30 September 2015, of £100 invested in GW Pharmaceuticals plc on 30 September 2008 compared with the value of £100 invested 
in the FTSE SmallCap (excluding investment trusts) Index.

Chief Executive Officer Total Remuneration History
The table below sets out total remuneration details for the Chief Executive Officer. 

Year

2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009

CEO Single 
Figure of Total
Remuneration1

3,129,535
1,295,928
1,390,235
482,084
586,171
541,294
535,325
354,871

Short-Term 
Incentive 
Pay-out Against 
Maximum

Long-Term 
Incentive Vesting 
Rates Against 
Maximum 
Opportunity

48%
50%
100%
35%
50%
30%
70%
23%

100%
50%
100%
50%
100%
100%
100%
100%

1   This total includes unrealised gains on share options vesting in each of the financial years shown above. 

The table below shows the percentage change in remuneration of the Chief Executive Officer and the Company’s employees as a whole 
between 2015 and 2016.

Basic salary
Taxable benefits1
Short-term incentives

Percentage Increase  
in Remuneration in  
2016 Compared with 
Remuneration in 2015

CEO
%

All employees
%

2
59
4

2
–5
28

1  Taxable benefits provided to the Chief Executive Officer exclude the relocation allowance of £181,653 paid during 2015 but do include the additional healthcare insurance benefits 

required as a result of relocation to become a US resident employee from July 2015 onwards.

The employee comparator group comprises employees in the UK and the US. We consider this to be an appropriate comparator group 
because it is representative of the Group and the employee populations are well balanced in terms of seniority and demographics. To 
provide a meaningful comparison of salary increases, a consistent employee comparator group is used by which the same individuals 
appear in the 2015 and 2016 group.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 2016 
23

Relative Importance of Spend on Pay
The committee has determined that research and development (“R&D”) expenditure is the most relevant comparator for staff costs of the 
Group. Dividend distribution and share buy-back comparators have not been included as the Group has no history of such transactions.

The graph below shows the Group actual staff costs as compared to R&D expenditure for the last two financial years and illustrates  
the year-on-year growth in both. Staff costs continue to grow faster than R&D spend as, in addition to R&D team headcount growth 
we have been expanding our manufacturing and commercialisation team headcount in preparation for future commercialisation  
of Epidiolex.

Relative Importance of Spend on Pay (£000s)

120,000

100,000

80,000

60,000

40,000

20,000

0

+30%

n 2016
n 2015

+75%

R&D Expenditure

Staff Costs

Proposed Application of the Remuneration Policy for the Year Ended 30 September 2017
Executive Directors’ remuneration packages are considered annually and comprise a number of elements, as follows: 

i) Fixed Elements of Remuneration
Fixed elements of remuneration including basic salary, pension contributions and other benefits will be set and paid in accordance 
with our Remuneration Policy. Any changes to salary will be considered in the context of a number of factors including the annual 
peer group based benchmarking exercise carried out for the remuneration committee by Willis Towers Watson, home-market location, 
any changes to executive responsibilities since the last review and broader employee increases. 

ii) Short-term Incentive
We anticipate that the remuneration committee will meet in December 2016 to assess Executive Director performance for the calendar 
year ended 31 December 2016. Based upon this assessment and in accordance with the Remuneration Policy Report below, the 
remuneration committee may award a cash bonus payment to each Executive Director. The level of award will depend upon the extent 
of achievement of strategic objectives that were set by the remuneration committee in 2016. These included specific objectives linked 
to what were considered, at the date that these were established, to be the key value drivers for the business and which included 
progress with our Epidiolex Phase 3 clinical trial programme, pipeline development activities, operational and business development 
objectives, financial position and equity valuation.

At the date of signing of this report, objectives for the 2017 calendar year have not yet been set. It is anticipated that details pertaining 
to the performance targets will comprise commercially sensitive information. However, to the extent that this is not the case, targets 
will be disclosed in next year’s report.

iii) Long-term Incentive Plan
It is expected that 100% of the LTIP awards granted on 12 August 2014 will vest on 12 August 2017. The vesting of this award is 
subject to a “continued service as a Director” performance condition.

Long-term incentive awards for 2017, to be determined by the remuneration committee in December 2016 will be informed by the peer 
group benchmarking data provided to the committee by Willis Towers Watson and vesting will be linked to share price performance 
and/or subject to appropriate performance objectives linked to value drivers for the business. 

Details of the 2017 LTIP awards to Executive Directors will be disclosed upon grant and in next year’s Annual Report.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 201624

Directors’ Remuneration Report 
continued

iv) Non-executive Director Fees and Equity Based Incentives
Non-executive Director fees were last reviewed by the executive members of the Board at the end of 2015, under guidance from  
Willis Towers Watson, as part of the broader remuneration benchmarking exercise referenced above. The result of this review was a 
reduction to the cash based fees receivable by the non-executives. We do not expect the level of cash based fees to change during 2017 
but we do expect there to be a further grant of equity based incentives. This grant will be subject to approval by the executive members 
of the Board and is likely to be linked to a combination of share price performance and service-based conditions.

Remuneration Committee Approach to Remuneration Matters
The remuneration committee comprises James Noble and Cabot Brown under the chairmanship of Thomas Lynch. The constitution of 
the committee is in compliance with the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code (the “Code”). 

During the year the committee received advice from Adam George in his capacity as Company Secretary. The committee also retains 
Willis Towers Watson to provide ongoing peer group remuneration benchmarking, option valuations and remuneration policy related 
advice. The committee is satisfied that Willis Towers Watson, signatories of the Remuneration Consultants’ Code of Conduct, 
provides independent and objective advice. 

When setting its remuneration policy for Executive Directors the committee gives consideration to the provisions and principles of the 
Code. Operation of this remuneration policy will largely be compliant with the remuneration elements of the Code but we are aware 
that in certain areas we will consciously differ from the Code. These instances reflect significant differences in US market practice 
when compared to the UK. Any departures from the Code are intentional and are driven by accepted market practice in the US. We 
consider that these design features are pivotal to our ability to offer competitive incentive packages in the markets that we compete 
and operate in.

The terms of reference of the remuneration committee can be found on the GW website at www.gwpharm.com.

Statement of Voting at Annual General Meeting
The Group is committed to ongoing shareholder dialogue and the remuneration committee takes an active interest in voting outcomes. 

Voting at our shareholder meetings is generally conducted by a show of hands by shareholders who are in attendance at the meeting. 
Such votes have resulted in unanimous approval of the Directors’ Remuneration Report at each of the last three AGMs. No votes were 
withheld.

On 5 February 2015 the Group put the Remuneration Policy to shareholders for approval, with 97.7% of proxy votes submitted prior to 
the meeting approving this policy. At the 2016 AGM held on 23 March 2016, 98.2% of shareholders’ proxy votes approved the 2015 
Directors’ Remuneration Report.

In the event that we experience significant levels of shareholder votes against any remuneration-related resolutions we will seek to 
investigate the reasons for such votes and in the event that the remuneration committee consider that changes to the Remuneration 
Policy are appropriate, we will disclose details of proposed changes in a timely manner.

Remuneration Policy Report
The information provided in this part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report is not subject to audit.

The Remuneration Policy has been designed to ensure that Executive Directors are appropriately incentivised and rewarded for their 
performance, responsibility and experience. The remuneration committee aims to ensure that the policy aligns the interests of 
Executive Directors with those of shareholders.

The Remuneration Policy that follows was presented to shareholders at the AGM on 5 February 2015 for a binding vote. Following 
shareholder approval this policy then became effective from the date of the AGM and will remain in use for three years, or until a 
revised policy is approved by shareholders. There will continue to be an advisory vote on the Directors’ Remuneration Report 
presented to shareholders at the AGM on an annual basis.

For the avoidance of doubt, in approving this Directors’ Remuneration Policy, authority is given to the Company to honour any 
commitments entered into with current or former Directors (such as the payment of a pension or the vesting/exercise of past share 
awards). Details of any payments to former Directors will be set out in the Annual Report on Remuneration as they arise.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 2016 
25

Future Policy Table
The policy table below describes GW’s shareholder-approved Remuneration Policy for Directors and seeks to explain how each 
element of the Directors’ remuneration packages operates:

Summary Remuneration Policy – Executive Directors

Element of 
Remuneration

Purpose and  
Link to Strategy

Operation

Salary

Rewards skills and 
experience and 
provides the basis for 
a competitive 
remuneration 
package

Salaries will be reviewed annually by 
reference to market practice and market 
data, on which the committee receives 
independent advice, rates of inflation, 
broader employee increases, the individual’s 
experience and scope of the role

Salaries will be benchmarked against 
comparable roles in a selected peer group  
of other US-listed pharmaceutical 
development companies with similar 
market capitalisations and/or scale of 
operational complexity. We typically expect 
to align salaries with the 50th percentile of 
peer group comparator data but may vary 
from this general rule where we consider 
that special circumstances apply or where 
recruitment or retention of a particular role 
is required

The Committee may also decide to approve 
future increases following changes to job 
responsibilities or to reflect experience 
within the role

Maximum

Salaries will not 
exceed the 75th 
percentile of peer 
group comparator 
data for the 
relevant role.  
The committee 
will reference 
alternative 
comparator data 
for roles not 
widely represented 
in the core 
peer group

Performance 
Targets

Not 
applicable

Changes  
to Policy

No changes 
proposed

The peer group 
used for 
benchmarking 
will be 
annually 
reviewed and 
updated under 
guidance from 
Willis Towers 
Watson

Pension

Benefits

Enables Executive 
Directors to build 
long-term retirement 
savings

Company contribution to a personal 
pension scheme or salary supplement. 
Levels will be reviewed annually and the 
committee may decide to increase future 
contribution levels should the review 
indicate such a change is appropriate

17.5% of basic 
salary

Not 
applicable

No changes 
proposed

Not 
applicable 

No changes 
proposed

Protects against risks 
and provides other 
benefits in line with 
market practice

Benefits currently include death-in-service 
life insurance, family private medical cover, 
ill-health income protection and a taxed 
cash car allowance. The committee will 
review benefits offered from time to time 
and retains the discretion to add or 
substitute benefits to ensure they remain 
market competitive

The disclosed 
taxable value of 
benefits and 
allowances is not 
expected to 
exceed 15% of 
salary per annum

In the event that the Group requires an 
Executive Director to relocate, we would 
offer appropriate relocation assistance and 
would be likely to update the package of 
benefits to align with local market practice, 
eg increased health insurance benefits if 
relocating to US

The Committee 
may exceed this in 
the event of 
relocation, both 
on a one-off and 
ongoing basis to 
align with local 
market norms

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 2016 
The choice of 
annual performance 
objectives will 
reflect the 
committee’s 
assessment of the 
key milestones/
metrics required to 
be achieved within 
the calendar year in 
order to make 
progress towards 
achieving GW’s 
strategic plan

Payable in cash

Clawback provisions 
will apply (see 
details below)

26

Directors’ Remuneration Report 
continued

Operation

Maximum

Performance Targets

Objectives are set at 
the start of each 
calendar year

Up to 150%  
of salary

The remuneration committee 
retains the ability to set 
performance objectives annually

Changes  
to Policy

No changes 
proposed

Element of 
Remuneration

Purpose and  
Link to Strategy 

Short-term 
Incentive 
Awards

Incentivises and 
rewards achievement 
of the near-term 
business objectives, 
reflecting individual 
and team 
performance of the 
Executive Directors

These objectives can be group-
based and/or individual, financial 
and/or non-financial, and are likely 
to include various milestones 
linked to:
>   successful execution of key 
elements of the Epidiolex 
development programme and 
identification and execution of 
other new orphan drug 
developments;

>   progress with and results from 
our Sativex Phase 3 cancer pain 
clinical trials programme in  
the US;

>   key regulatory steps (IND 

grants, NDA filings, regulatory 
approvals);

>   successful commercialisation of 
approved products, either by our 
own commercial organisation or 
by our partners; 

>   the Group’s financial  

position; and

>   equity liquidity and valuation

Performance conditions are set at 
the discretion of the remuneration 
committee and will generally 
consist of a mixture of:
>   service requirements;
>   milestone-based events, linked 
to the successful execution of 
GW’s strategic plan, likely to 
include items such as positive 
trial results, or regulatory 
approvals; and 

>   market-based measures such as 
absolute or relative share price 
performance

Major shareholders may be 
consulted as part of the process of 
setting performance conditions

No changes 
proposed

Long-term 
Incentive 
Awards

Rewards execution 
of GW’s strategic 
plan and growth in 
shareholder value 
over a multi-year 
period. Encourages 
achievement of 
strategy over the 
medium to long 
term and aligns 
Executive Directors’ 
interests with those 
of shareholders

Individual awards 
in any one year will 
have an expected 
value of no more 
than 600% of  
basic salary

Expected values are 
calculated in 
accordance with 
generally accepted 
methodologies 
based on Black-
Scholes or binomial 
stochastic models

Conditional awards 
of nominal-cost 
options, share 
options, 
performance  
shares and/or 
restricted shares

Awards normally 
vest over periods of 
three or more years. 
The committee is 
able to grant awards 
which permit 
phased vesting over 
the period

Clawback provisions 
will apply (see 
details below)

Notes to the Policy Table
Clawback of incentives: The following clawback policy was implemented with effect from 5 February 2015, applying to future eligible 
executive incentive grants. The policy provides that certain incentive compensation is recoverable from a Director if the Company is 
required to restate financial statements due to the misconduct of that particular Director, and that misconduct has significantly 
contributed to the need for the restatement. Generally, eligible incentive grants shall include cash short-term incentive awards and 
equity-based long-term incentive awards that have been awarded and/or vested based upon achievement of specific financial or 
operational goals which were deemed to have been achieved but which, following restatement, are considered to no longer have been 
achieved. To be effective, intention to claw back awards which have already vested and been exercised must be notified to the Director 
within 24 months of the award having vested. The committee may effect a clawback either through a cash or equity repayment by the 
individual, or via an adjustment to an outstanding award that is yet to vest or that has vested but is not yet exercised.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 201627

Notes to the Policy Table continued
Equity retention policy: To encourage executives to retain a meaningful amount of equity in the Company the following equity 
retention policy for Executive Directors took effect from 5 February 2015. The purpose of this policy is to encourage ownership  
of the Company’s shares, promote alignment of the long-term interests of the Executive Directors with those of our shareholders,  
and promote our commitment to sound corporate governance. The policy is applicable to our Executive Directors and certain other 
members of our leadership team, as nominated by our Chief Executive Officer. Under the policy, covered Directors and officers must 
retain an agreed proportion of each new equity grant issued to them after 1 January 2015, subject to the payment of any applicable 
taxes, for a period of five years from vesting until an overall level of share ownership is achieved. The target level of ownership  
equates to four times basic salary for the Chief Executive Officer and two times basic salary for the other Executive Directors.  
The target deadline for achieving the ownership requirement is intended to be five years from implementation of the policy. Existing 
shareholdings or direct purchases of equity by executives shall contribute towards attainment of the targeted shareholding cap.  
The committee retains the power to consider an individual ineligible for future equity incentive grants if the required target has  
not been achieved in a timely manner, subject to the consideration of individual circumstances. 

General discretions relating to the operation of incentive plans: The committee will operate all incentive plans in accordance  
with Plan Rules and will retain full discretion over a number of areas relating to the operation and administration of these plans.  
This includes, but is not limited to, determining eligibility, setting performance conditions, determining the extent to which 
performance conditions are achieved, leaver terms and the vehicle of delivery. 

Summary Remuneration Policy – Non-executive Directors

Performance 
Targets

Changes  
to Policy

Not 
applicable

No changes 
proposed

Maximum

The value of 
individuals’ 
aggregate fees 
will not exceed 
the 75th 
percentile of 
peer group 
comparator 
data

Element of 
Remuneration

Non-
executive  
fees

Purpose and  
Link to Strategy

Operation

Reflects time 
commitments 
and 
responsibilities 
of each role

Reflects fees 
paid by 
similarly sized 
companies

The remuneration of the non-executive Directors  
will be determined by the Board as a whole by 
reference to market practice and market data, on 
which the committee receives independent advice,  
and reflects the individual’s experience, scope of  
the role, time commitment and changes to the  
job responsibilities 

Fees typically consist of a basic fee for non-executive 
Director responsibilities plus incremental fees for 
additional roles/responsibilities such as chairmanship 
of Board sub-committees, senior non-executive 
Director and US representative Director roles

Fees can be paid in the form of cash or shares to be 
held until the individual retires from the Board. Any 
element of fees paid in the form of shares will not be 
subject to performance conditions

The non-executive Directors do not receive any 
pension from the Company, nor do they participate in 
any performance-related incentive plans 

All Employee Comparison
The following differences exist between the Company’s policy for the remuneration of Executive Directors as set out above and its 
approach to the payment of employees generally:
 > Benefits offered to other employees are consistent with those offered to the Executive Directors. 
 > All employees are entitled to a contribution from the Company towards a personal pension scheme which is generally at a lower 

level than the Executive Directors.

 > All employees are able to participate in the LTIP schemes although the size of LTIP awards tends to increase with seniority as there 

is a greater emphasis on performance-related pay for senior members of staff. 

 > A lower level of maximum annual bonus/short-term incentive opportunity typically applies to other employees.

Approach to Recruitment Remuneration
The remuneration package for a new Executive Director, to include basic salary, benefits, pension, annual bonus/short-term incentive 
and long-term incentive awards, will be set in accordance with the terms of the Company’s prevailing approved Remuneration Policy 
at the time of appointment. The committee will consider the role, responsibility and experience of the candidate and will seek 
independent advice and market data to help derive an appropriate level of remuneration in order to secure the right candidate with the 
required skills and experience for the role.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 201628

Directors’ Remuneration Report 
continued

To facilitate recruitment, the committee may offer additional cash and/or share-based remuneration to take account of, and 
compensate for, remuneration that the Director is required to relinquish when leaving a former employer. Any such offer would take 
into account the nature, time horizon and performance conditions attached to any such remuneration and would seek to offer no more 
than the potential value of the remuneration opportunity being relinquished.

For an internal Executive Director appointment, any variable pay element awarded in respect of the prior role will be allowed to pay 
out according to its terms. In addition, any other contractual remuneration obligations existing prior to appointment may continue.

For external and internal appointments, the committee may agree that the Group will provide reasonable relocation support. In all 
cases, the committee will ensure that decisions made are in the best interests of the Group.

The remuneration for any non-executive appointments will be set in accordance with the prevailing Remuneration Policy. No 
additional payments will be made.

Service Contracts
It is Group policy that Executive Directors should have contracts with an indefinite term providing for a maximum of 12 months’ 
notice. New appointees to the Board are typically given a six-month notice period which can then be increased to 12 months’ notice, at 
the discretion of the remuneration committee, once the new appointee is considered to be established within their role.

Details of Directors’ service contracts are as follows:

Director

Executive
Dr Geoffrey W Guy
Justin Gover
Dr Stephen Wright
Adam George
Chris Tovey
Julian Gangolli

Non-executive
James Noble
Thomas Lynch
Cabot Brown

Date of Contract

 Notice Period

November 2000
November 2000
March 2005
June 2012
October 2012
May 2015

12 months
12 months
12 months
12 months
12 months
6 months

February 2016
July 2010
January 2016

3 months
3 months
3 months

The non-executive Directors have service agreements which are subject to a three-month notice period. Their remuneration is reviewed 
by the Board annually. In accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association, non-executive Directors are included in the 
requirement that one-third of Directors are subject to retirement by rotation at each AGM. Geoffrey Guy, Thomas Lynch and Cabot 
Brown will be retiring by rotation at the next AGM and, being eligible, they will seek re-election.

Illustrations of the Application of the Remuneration Policy – Performance and Remuneration Scenarios
The following table and graphical illustrations provide an illustration of the potential remuneration for the year ended 30 September 
2017 for each of the Executive Directors, computed in accordance with the Remuneration Policy outlined above for each of three 
performance scenarios, as follows:

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 201629

The following table provides an illustration of the potential remuneration:

Minimum –  
fixed elements 
of remuneration

This scenario assumes that the current basic salary for each Director continues to be earned in 2017.

The value of benefits receivable for the year ended 30 September 2017 is assumed to be equal to the value of benefits 
received in the year ended 30 September 2016 as set out in the single total figure of remuneration table on page 22. 

The pension contribution receivable by each Director for the year ended 30 September 2017 is assumed to be in line 
with the maximum of 17.5% of basic salary – as set out in the pay Policy Table above. The only exception to this is 
Julian Gangolli, who do es not currently receive a Company pension contribution.

No short-term incentive payment is assumed for any Director.

No vesting of long-term equity-based incentives is assumed.

Performance 
in line with 
expectations

This scenario is illustrative only and is not expected to be a prediction of 2017 remuneration for any of the  
Executive Directors.

Fixed elements of remuneration, as set out above, plus:

Maximum 
remuneration 
receivable

On-target level of short-term incentive payment is taken to be 66% of basic salary, being the current best estimate of 
the average bonus likely to be awarded by the remuneration committee in years when Group and individual Director 
performance is in line with expectations.

This scenario assumes the grant of equity-based incentives with a Black-Scholes valuation at grant equivalent to 
400% of basic salary to the CEO, 300% for the US based President of Commercial Operations and the Chairman, 
with 200% granted to the other Directors. It is then assumed that 50% of these awards will vest. We are required to 
illustrate the face value of these awards, ie where awards consist of market priced option awards, the face value is 
derived by multiplying the number of options granted by the exercise price. For the purposes of the illustrations 
below, we have assumed that the face value of options will equate to 152% of the Black-Scholes value. This has been 
derived by reference to the most recent equity incentive award to the Directors in February 2016. 

No account is taken of share price growth over the vesting period. 

This is illustrative only and is not intended to be predictive of 2016 Executive Director remuneration.

The August 2014 LTIP grant will vest in August 2017. These awards were granted with a service condition only and 
therefore will vest after a three year period with no additional performance conditions.

In addition, 25% of the restricted stock option awards granted to Executive Directors in June 2015 can be expected 
to vest in June 2017, and 25% of the restricted stock option awards granted to Executive Directors in February 2016 
can be expected to vest in February 2017.

This scenario is illustrative only and is not expected to be predictive of 2017 remuneration for any of the  
Executive Directors.

Fixed elements of remuneration, as set out above, plus:

The maximum level of short-term incentive payment is assumed to be 150% of basic salary.

This scenario assumes the grant, to all Directors, of the maximum possible number of equity-based incentives per 
the above policy, being awards with a Black-Scholes valuation at grant equivalent to 600% of basic salary. We are 
required to illustrate the face value of these awards, ie where awards consist of market priced option awards, the face 
value is derived by multiplying the number of options granted by the exercise price. For the purposes of the 
illustrations below, we have assumed that the face value of options will equate to 152% of the Black-Scholes value. 
This has been derived by reference to the most recent equity incentive award to the Directors in February 2016. For 
illustrative purposes, it is then assumed that 100% of these awards will vest. 

Awards are valued as at the date of grant with no account taken of share price growth over the vesting period.

It is very important to note that it is likely that a significant proportion of future long-term equity incentive grants to 
the Executive Directors are likely to consist partly of market priced share options and/or option awards with vesting 
conditions linked to share price growth or similarly structured awards which will only have value to the Executive 
Directors if they are successful in generating share price growth during the vesting period. The remuneration 
committee believe that this approach will align the interests of Executive Directors with those of our shareholders. 
The face value of equity incentive awards shown in the graphical illustrations below is not therefore indicative of the 
amount that the Directors will earn from these awards in future, as it is principally the future growth in value of 
these awards that will generate a financial return for each Director.

Operation of the equity retention policy, outlined above, will also mean that Executive Directors may only be able to 
realise a proportion of the illustrated incentive gains in 2017 as they are likely to be required to retain equity shares 
acquired under such schemes for an extended period.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 201630

Directors’ Remuneration Report 

Chief Executive Officer 
(£000s)

Chief Financial Officer 
(£000s)

Chief Medical Officer 
(£000s)

4,000

3,500

3,000

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

0

£1,553

61%

13%
26%

£399

100%

£3,710

77%

13%

11%

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

0

£2,356

77%

£683

44%

19%
37%

13%

11%

£251

100%

3,000

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

0

£2,893

77%

£837

44%

19%
37%

13%

11%

£303

100%

Minimum

Future In Line 
with Expectations

Maximum

Minimum

Future In Line 
with Expectations

Maximum

Minimum

Future In Line 
with Expectations

Maximum

Chief Operating Officer 
(£000s)

Chairman 
(£000s)

President, US Commercial Operations
(£000s)

3,000

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

0

£2,557

77%

£740
45%

19%
37%

13%

10%

£271

100%

4,500

4,000

3,500

3,000

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

0

£4,223

77%

£1,492

54%

16%
30%

13%

11%

£446

100%

4,000

3,500

3,000

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

0

£3,366

79%

£1,128

59%

17%
24%

13%

8%

£303

100%

Minimum

Future In Line 
with Expectations

Maximum

Minimum

Future In Line 
with Expectations

Maximum

Minimum

Future In Line 
with Expectations

Maximum

 Fixed remuneration
 Annual variable remuneration
 Long-term variable remuneration

Policy for Payments for Loss of Office
The committee’s approach to payments in the event of termination is to take account of the individual circumstances including the 
reason for termination, individual performance, contractual obligations and the terms of the LTIPs in which the Executive Director 
participates. On notice from the Company, the Company will normally continue to pay salary, pension and other benefits during the 
balance of the notice period while the individual remains an employee. Although the Executive Director employment contracts do not 
provide for payment in lieu of notice, the remuneration committee may offer payment in lieu of notice if they consider that it is in the 
best interests of the Company, subject to such payment not exceeding the contractual notice entitlement. The committee may also 
approve other limited payments in connection with a departure, which may include legal fees connected to the departure, untaken 
holiday, out-placement and repatriation.

There is no automatic contractual entitlement to bonus on termination although this may be considered. 

Unvested LTIP awards normally lapse although the committee retains the power to determine, in accordance with the good leaver 
provisions of the LTIP scheme rules, what proportion of unvested awards will be retained and what proportion will lapse. In 
determining this, the committee will give consideration to the reason for leaving, the extent of achievement of performance conditions 
at the date of leaving and may decide to time pro-rate awards.

Statement of Consideration of Employment Conditions Elsewhere in the Company
During the annual review of remuneration, the committee considers the remuneration and terms and conditions for the broader 
employee population when determining the extent of basic salary increases for the Executive Directors. Employees have not been 
consulted in respect of the design of the Company’s senior executive remuneration policy to date although the committee will keep 
this under review.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 2016 
31

Statement of Shareholder Views
The remuneration committee considers shareholder feedback received in relation to the AGM each year at a meeting immediately 
following the AGM. This feedback, plus any additional feedback received from shareholders in respect of remuneration matters during 
the financial year, is then considered as part of the Company’s annual review of remuneration policy. In addition, the remuneration 
committee will seek to engage directly with major shareholders should any material changes be proposed to the Remuneration Policy. 

Approval
This report was approved by the Board of Directors and signed on its behalf by:

Adam George
Company Secretary
5 December 2016

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 2016 
32

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, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) 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 financial statements 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 UK governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other 
jurisdictions.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 201633

Independent Auditor’s Report 

For the year ended 30 September

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of GW Pharmaceuticals plc 
We have audited the financial statements of GW Pharmaceuticals plc for the year ended 30 September 2016 which comprise the 
Consolidated Income Statements, the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss, the Consolidated and Parent Company 
Balance Sheets, the Consolidated and Parent Company Cash Flow Statements, the Consolidated and Parent Company Statements of 
Changes in Equity and the related notes 1 to 28. 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 regards the 
Parent Company financial statements, 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 auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to 
anyone other than the Company and the Company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we 
have formed.

Respective Responsibilities of Directors and Auditor
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 Ethical Standards for Auditors.

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

Opinion on Financial Statements
In our opinion:
 > the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s and of the Parent Company’s affairs as at 30 September 

2016 and of the Group’s loss for the year then ended;

 > the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union;
 > 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.

Separate Opinion in Relation to IFRSs as Issued by the IASB
As explained in Note 2 to the Group financial statements, the Group in addition to applying IFRSs as adopted by the European Union, 
has also applied IFRSs as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”).

In our opinion the Group financial statements comply with IFRSs as issued by the IASB. 

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 201634

Independent Auditor’s Report continued

For the year ended 30 September

Opinion on Other Matters Prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
 > the information given in the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are 

prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

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

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not 
identified any material misstatements in the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report.

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.

David Hedditch (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of Deloitte LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor 
London, United Kingdom
5 December 2016

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 201635

Consolidated Income Statements 

For the year ended 30 September

Revenue
Cost of sales
Research and development expenditure
Sales, general and administrative expenses
Net foreign exchange gain

Operating loss
Interest expense
Other income

Loss before tax
Tax benefit

Loss for the year

Loss per share – basic

Loss per share – diluted

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated income statements.

All activities relate to continuing operations.

Notes

3

4

9

9

5

10

11

11

2016 
£000s

10,315
(2,719)
(99,815)
(19,939)
25,551

(86,607)
(173)
608

(86,172)
22,515

(63,657)

2015 
£000s

28,540
(2,618)
(76,785)
(12,569)
6,202

(57,230)
(75)
244

(57,061)
12,498

(44,563)

2014 
£000s

30,045
(2,060)
(43,475)
(7,337)
3,188

(19,639)
(61)
130

(19,570)
4,911

(14,659)

(23.5)p

(23.5)p

(18.1)p

(18.1)p

(7.0)p

(7.0)p

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss 

For the year ended 30 September

Loss for the year

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

Other comprehensive gain/(loss) for the year

Total comprehensive loss for the year

2016 
£000s

2015 
£000s

2014 
£000s

(63,657)

(44,563)

(14,659)

349

349

(71)

(71)

(2)

(2)

(63,308)

(44,634)

(14,661)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 201636

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 

For the year ended 30 September

Group

At 1 October 2013
Issue of share capital
Expenses of new equity issue
Exercise of share options
Exercise of warrants
Share-based payment transactions
Loss for the year
Other comprehensive loss

Balance at 30 September 2014
Issue of share capital
Expenses of new equity issue
Exercise of share options
Share-based payment transactions
Loss for the year
Deferred tax attributable to unrealised share option gains
Other comprehensive loss

Balance at 30 September 2015
Issue of share capital (note 22)
Expenses of new equity issue
Underwriters’ contribution towards expenses of new equity issue
Exercise of share options (note 22)
Share-based payment transactions
Loss for the year
Deferred tax attributable to unrealised share option gains
Other comprehensive gain

Balance at 30 September 2016

Share 
Capital 
£000s

178
51
–
4
4
–
–
–

237
22
–
2
–
–
–
–

261
39
–
–
2
–
–
–
–

302

Share 
Premium 
Account 
£000s

84,005
127,315
(1,067)
5,014
5,284
–
–
–

220,551
127,812
(271)
1,183
–
–
–
–

349,275
206,512
(472)
472
690
–
–
–
–

556,477

Other 
Reserves 
£000s

20,184
–
–
–
(922)
–
–
(2)

19,260
–
–
–
–
–
–
(71)

19,189
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
349

19,538

Accumulated 
Deficit
£000s

(68,965)
–
–
–
922
1,238
(14,659)
–

(81,464)
–
–
–
2,488
(44,563)
84
–

(123,455)
–
–
–
–
8,152
(63,657)
1,133
–

Total 
Equity 
£000s

35,402
127,366
(1,067)
5,018
5,288
1,238
(14,659)
(2)

158,584
127,834
(271)
1,185
2,488
(44,563)
84
(71)

245,270
206,551
(472)
472
692
8,152
(63,657)
1,133
349

(177,827)

398,490

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 201637

Company Statement of Changes in Equity

For the year ended 30 September

Group

At 1 October 2013
Issue of share capital
Expenses of new equity issue
Exercise of share options
Exercise of warrants
Share-based payment transactions
Profit for the year

Balance at 30 September 2014
Issue of share capital
Expenses of new equity issue
Exercise of share options
Share-based payment transactions
Profit for the year

Balance at 30 September 2015
Issue of share capital (note 22)
Expenses of new equity issue
Underwriter’s contribution towards expense of new equity issue
Exercise of share options (note 22)
Share-based payment transactions
Profit for the year

Balance at 30 September 2016

Share 
Capital 
£000s

178
51
–
4
4
–
–

237
22
–
2
–
–

261
39
–
–
2
–
–

302

Share 
Premium 
Account 
£000s

84,005
127,315
(1,067)
5,014
5,284
–
–

220,551
127,812
(271)
1,183
–
–

349,275
206,512
(472)
472
690
–
–

556,477

Other 
Reserves 
£000s

Accumulated 
Deficit
£000s

922
–
–
–
(922)
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

43,092
–
–
–
922
1,238
4,267

49,519
–
–
–
2,478
8,046

60,043
–
–
–
–
8,152
30,480

98,675

Total 
Equity 
£000s

128,197
127,366
(1,067)
5,018
5,288
1,238
4,267

270,307
127,834
(271)
1,185
2,478
8,046

409,579
206,551
(472)
472
692
8,152
30,480

655,454

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated and Company statements of changes in equity.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 201638

Consolidated Balance Sheets 

As at 30 September

Group

2016 
£000s

Notes

Non-current assets
Intangible assets – goodwill
Other intangible assets
Investments
Property, plant and equipment
Deferred tax asset

Current assets
Inventories
Taxation recoverable
Trade receivables and other current assets 
Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

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

Non-current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Obligations under finance leases
Deferred revenue

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity
Share capital
Share premium account
Other reserves
Accumulated (deficit)/profit

Total equity

12

13

28

14

10

15

10

16

21

17

10

19

20

17

19

20

22

24

2015
000s

5,210
245
–
28,733
418

34,606

4,756
12,641
2,873
234,872

255,142

289,748

(24,022)
(366)
(111)
(3,269)

(27,768)

(8,445)
(1,540)
(6,725)

Company

2016
£000s

2015
£000s

–
–
305,027
–
–

305,027

–
–
23,331
327,676

351,007

656,034

(580)
–
–
–

(580)

–
–
–

–
–
199,853
–
–

199,853

–
–
32,584
177,971

210,555

410,408

(829)
–
–
–

(829)

–
–
–

5,210
629
–
38,947
3,873

48,659

4,248
21,322
4,556
374,392

404,518

453,177

(31,170)
(883)
(211)
(2,686)

(34,950)

(9,423)
(4,959)
(5,355)

(54,687)

(44,478)

(580)

(829)

398,490

245,270

655,454

409,579

302
556,477
19,538
(177,827)

261
349,275
19,189
(123,455)

398,490

245,270

302
556,477
–
98,675

655,454

261
349,275
–
60,043

409,579

The financial statements of GW Pharmaceuticals plc, registered number 04160917, on pages 35 to 71 were authorised by the Board 
and approved for issue on 5 December 2016.

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

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 201639

Consolidated Cash Flow Statements

For the year ended 30 September

(Loss)/profit for the year
Adjustments for:
Interest expense
Other income
Tax
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Impairment of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation of intangible assets
Net foreign exchange gains
Increase/(decrease) in provision for inventories
Decrease in deferred signature fees
Share-based payment charge
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

Decrease/(increase) in inventories
(Increase)/decrease in trade receivables and other 

current assets

Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables and 

deferred revenue

2016 
£000s

Group

2015
000s

2014
£000s

2016
£000s

(63,657)

(44,563)

(14,659)

30,480

173
(608)
(22,515)
3,605
–
62
(25,551)
72
(1,170)
8,152
1

(101,436)
436

75
(244)
(12,498)
2,250
606
52
(6,282)
33
(1,250)
2,478
1

(59,342)
(12)

61
(130)
(4,911)
1,398
–
–
(1,876)
(408)
(1,065)
1,238
2

(20,350)
292

(753)

(1,010)

(142)

–
(320)
–
–
–
–
(24,439)
–
–
–
–

5,721
–

9,253

Company

2015
£000s

8,046

–
(67)
–
–
–
–
(5,782)
–
–
–
–

2,197
–

2014
£000s

4,267

3
(16)
–
–
–
–
(2,072)
–
–
–
–

2,182
–

(5,591)

(22,980)

4,761

8,478

4,393

(249)

328

239

Cash (used in)/generated by operations

(96,992)

(51,886)

(15,807)

14,725

(3,066)

(20,559)

Income taxes paid
Research and development tax credits received

(883)
13,281

–
5,415

–
3,181

–
–

–
–

–
–

Net cash (outflow)/inflow from 

operating activities

Investing activities
Interest received
Increase in loan to subsidiary
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Purchase of intangible assets
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

Net cash outflow from investing activities

Financing activities
Proceeds on exercise of share options
Proceeds of new equity issue
Expenses of new equity issue
Underwriters’ contribution towards expenses of  

new equity issue

Proceeds of warrant exercise
Interest paid
Proceeds from fit out funding
Repayments of fit out funding
Repayments of obligations under finance leases

Net cash inflow from financing activities
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning  

of the year

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year

(84,594)

(46,471)

(12,626)

14,725

(3,066)

(20,559)

434
–
(8,678)
(512)
–

(8,756)

236
–
(17,915)
(114)
2

(17,791)

145
–
(7,254)
–
14

(7,095)

320
(97,022)
–
–
–

(96,702)

67
(58,235)
–
–
–

(58,168)

15
(28,345)
–
–
–

(28,330)

540
206,550
(319)

1,185
127,834
(271)

5,018
127,367
(1,067)

540
206,550
(319)

1,185
127,834
(271)

5,018
127,367
(1,067)

472
–
(69)
–
(240)
(127)

206,807
26,063

139,520

234,872

374,392

–
–
(74)
–
–
(255)

128,419
6,224

70,381

164,491

234,872

–
5,288
(61)
7,822
–
(100)

144,267
1,876

126,422

38,069

164,491

472
–
–
–
–
–

207,243
24,439

149,705

177,971

327,676

–
–
–
–
–
–

128,748
5,782

73,296

104,675

177,971

–
5,288
(3)
–
–
–

136,603
2,072

89,786

14,889

104,675

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated and Company cash flow statements. 

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 201640

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 30 September

1. General Information
GW Pharmaceuticals plc (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries (the “Group”) are primarily involved in the development of 
cannabinoid prescription medicines using botanical extracts derived from the cannabis plant. The Group is developing a portfolio of 
cannabinoid medicines, of which the lead product is Epidiolex®, an oral medicine for the treatment of refractory childhood epilepsies.

The Company is a public limited company, which has had American Depository Receipts (“ADRs”) registered with the US Securities 
and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and is listed on NASDAQ since 1 May 2013. Until 5 December 2016, the Company was also listed 
on the Alternative Investment Market (“AIM”), which is a sub-market of the London Stock Exchange. The Company is incorporated 
and domiciled in the UK. The address of the Company’s registered office and principal place of business is Sovereign House, Vision 
Park, Histon, Cambridgeshire.

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

Basis of Accounting
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”) as endorsed by 
the European Union and as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”). The Group financial statements also 
comply with Article 4 of the European Union IAS regulation.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except for the revaluation of financial instruments. 
Historical cost is generally based on the fair value of the consideration given in exchange for the assets and received for the liabilities. 
The principal accounting policies are set out below.

Going Concern
At 30 September 2016 the Group had cash and cash equivalents of £374.4 million (2015: £234.9 million). The Directors have 
considered the financial position of the Group, its cash position and forecast cash flows for the 12-month period from the date of  
this report when considering going concern. They have also considered the Group’s key risks and uncertainties affecting the likely 
development of the business. 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 at least a 12-month period from the date of this report. 
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.

The results of subsidiaries acquired or disposed of during the year are included in the consolidated income statement from the effective 
date of acquisition or up to the effective date of disposal, as appropriate. Where necessary, adjustments are made to the financial 
statements of subsidiaries to bring the accounting policies used into line with those used by the Group. All intra-Group transactions, 
balances, income and expenses are eliminated on consolidation. Acquisitions are accounted for under the acquisition method.

In future business combinations, if a non-controlling interest in a subsidiary arises, such non-controlling interest will be identified 
separately from the Group’s equity therein. The interests of non-controlling shareholders that are present ownership interests entitling 
their holders to a proportionate share of net assets upon liquidation may initially be measured at fair value or at the non-controlling 
interests’ proportionate share of the fair value of the acquiree’s identifiable net assets. The choice of measurement is made on an 
acquisition-by-acquisition basis. Other non-controlling interests are initially measured at fair value. Subsequent to acquisition, the 
carrying amount of non-controlling interests is the amount of those interests at initial recognition plus the non-controlling interests’ 
share of subsequent changes in equity. Total comprehensive income is attributed to non-controlling interests even if this results in the 
non-controlling interests having a deficit balance.

Changes in the Group’s interests in subsidiaries that do not result in a loss of control are accounted for as equity transactions. The 
carrying amount of the Group’s interests and the non-controlling interests are adjusted to reflect the changes in their relative interests 
in the subsidiaries. Any difference between the amount by which the non-controlling interests are adjusted and the fair value of the 
consideration paid or received is recognised directly in equity and attributed to the owners of the Company.

When the Group loses control of a subsidiary, the profit or loss on disposal is calculated as the difference between (i) the aggregate of 
the fair value of the consideration received and the fair value of any retained interest and (ii) the previous carrying amount of the assets 
(including goodwill), less liabilities of the subsidiary and any non-controlling interests. Amounts previously recognised in other 
comprehensive income in relation to the subsidiary are accounted for (ie reclassified to profit or loss or transferred directly to 
accumulated deficit) in the same manner as would be required if the relevant assets or liabilities are disposed of. The fair value of any 
investment retained in the former subsidiary at the date when control is lost is regarded as the fair value on initial recognition for 
subsequent accounting under IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement or, when applicable, the costs on initial 
recognition of an investment in an associate or jointly controlled entity.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 201641

No income statement is presented for GW Pharmaceuticals plc as permitted by section 408 of the Companies Act 2006. The 
Company’s profit for the financial year was £30,480,000 (2015: £8,046,000; 2014: £4,267,000).

Intangible Assets – Goodwill
Goodwill arising in a business combination is recognised as an asset at the date that control is acquired. Goodwill is measured as the 
excess of the sum of consideration transferred, the amount of any non-controlling interest in the acquiree and the fair value of the 
acquirer’s previously held equity interest (if any) in the entity over the net of the acquisition date amounts of the identifiable assets and 
liabilities assumed. 

Goodwill is not amortised but is tested for impairment at least annually. For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to 
each of the Group’s cash-generating units expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination. Cash-generating units to which 
goodwill has been allocated are tested for impairment annually, or more frequently when there is an indication that the unit may be 
impaired. If the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit is less than the carrying amount of the unit, the impairment loss is 
allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the unit and then to the other assets of the unit pro rata on the 
basis of the carrying amount of each asset in the unit. An impairment loss recognised for goodwill is not reversed in a subsequent period.

On disposal of a subsidiary, the attributable amount of goodwill is included in the determination of the profit or loss on disposal.

Intangible Assets – Other
Other intangible assets are stated at cost less provisions for amortisation and impairments. Licences, patents, know-how, software and 
marketing rights separately acquired or acquired as part of a business combination are amortised over their estimated useful lives 
using the straight-line basis from the time they are available for use. The estimated useful lives for determining the amortisation take 
into account patent lives and related product application, but do not exceed their lifetime. Asset lives are reviewed annually and 
adjusted where necessary. Contingent milestone payments are recognised at the point that the contingent event becomes certain. Any 
subsequent development costs incurred by the Group and associated with acquired licences, patents, know-how or marketing rights 
are written off to the income statement when incurred, unless the criteria for recognition of an internally generated intangible asset are 
met, usually when a regulatory filing has been made in a major market and approval is considered highly probable.

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 value added tax and other sales-related taxes. The Group recognises revenue 
when the amount can be reliably measured; when it is probable that future economic benefits will flow to the Group; and when 
specific criteria have been met for each of the Group’s activities, as described below. 

The Group’s revenue arises from product sales, licensing fees, collaboration fees, technical access fees, development and approval 
milestone fees, research and development (“R&D”) fees and royalties. Agreements with commercial partners generally include non-
refundable up-front licence and collaboration fees, milestone payments, the receipt of which is dependent upon the achievement of 
certain clinical, regulatory or commercial milestones, as well as royalties on product sales of licenced products, if and when such 
product sales occur, and revenue from the supply of products. For these agreements, total arrangement consideration is attributed to 
separately identifiable components on a reliable basis that reasonably reflects the selling prices that might be expected to be achieved in 
stand-alone transactions. The then allocated consideration is recognised as revenue in accordance with the principles described below. 

The percentage of completion method is used for a number of revenue streams of the Group. For each of the three years ended 
30 September 2016, there were no discrete events or adjustments which caused the Group to revise its previous estimates of completion 
associated with those revenue arrangements accounted for under the percentage of completion method.

Product Sales
Revenue from the sale of products is recognised when the Group has transferred to the buyer the significant risks and rewards of 
ownership of the goods, the Group no longer has effective control over the goods sold, the amount of revenue and costs associated 
with the transaction can be measured reliably, and it is probable that the Group will receive future economic benefits associated with 
the transaction. Product sales have no rights of return other than where products are damaged or defective. 

The Group maintains a rebate provision for expected reimbursements to our commercial partners in circumstances in which actual  
net revenue per vial differs from expected net revenue per vial as a consequence of, as an example, ongoing pricing negotiations with 
local health authorities. The amount of our rebate provision is based on, amongst other things, monthly unit sales and in-market sales 
data received from commercial partners and represents management’s best estimate of the rebate expected to be required to settle the 
present obligation at the end of the reporting period. Provisions for rebates are established in the same period that the related sales  
are recorded.

Licensing Fees
Licensing fees received in connection with product out-licensing agreements, even where such fees are non-refundable, are deferred 
and recognised over the period of the licence term. 

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 201642

2. Significant Accounting Policies continued 
Collaboration Fees
Collaboration fees are deferred and recognised as services rendered based on the percentage of completion method. 

Technical Access Fees
Technical access fees represent amounts charged to licensing partners to provide access to, and to commercially exploit, data that  
the Group possesses or which can be expected to result from Group research programmes that are in progress. Non-refundable 
technical access fees that involve the delivery of data that the Group possesses and that permit the licensing partner to use the data 
freely and where the Group has no remaining obligations to perform are recognised as revenue upon delivery of the data. Non-
refundable technical access fees relating to data where the research programme is ongoing are recognised based on the percentage  
of completion method. 

Development and Approval Milestone Fees
Development and approval milestone fees are recognised as revenue based on the percentage of completion method on the assumption 
that all stages will be completed successfully, but with cumulative revenue recognised limited to non-refundable amounts already 
received or reasonably certain to be received. 

Research and Development Fees
Revenue from partner-funded contract R&D agreements is recognised as R&D services are rendered. Where services are in progress 
at period end, the Group recognises revenues proportionately, in line with the percentage of completion of the service. Where such in 
progress services include the conduct of clinical trials, the Group recognises revenue in line with the stage of completion of each trial 
so that revenues are recognised in line with the expenditures. 

Royalties
Royalty revenue is recognised on an accrual basis in accordance with the substance of the relevant agreement, provided that it is 
probable that the economic benefits will flow to the Group and the amount of revenue can be measured reliably. 

Research and Development
Expenditure on R&D activities is recognised as an expense in the period in which it is incurred prior to achieving regulatory approval.

An internally generated intangible asset arising from the Group’s development activities is recognised only if the following conditions 
can be demonstrated:
 > the technical feasibility of completing the intangible asset so that it will be available for use or sale;
 > the intention to complete the intangible asset and use or sell it;
 > the ability to use or sell the intangible asset;
 > how the intangible asset will generate probable future economic benefits;
 > the availability of adequate technical, financial and other resources to complete the development and to use or sell the intangible 

asset; and

 > the ability to measure reliably the expenditure attributable to the intangible asset during its development.

The Group has determined that regulatory approval is the earliest point at which the probable threshold can be achieved. All R&D 
expenditure incurred prior to achieving regulatory approval is therefore expensed as incurred.

Government Grants
Government grants are not recognised until there is reasonable assurance that the Group will comply with the conditions attaching to 
them and that the grants will be received. Government grants for research programmes are recognised as revenue over the periods 
necessary to match them with the related costs incurred, and in the consolidated income statement are deducted from the related 
costs. Government grants related to property, plant and equipment are treated as deferred income and released to the consolidated 
income statement over the expected useful lives of the assets concerned.

Borrowing Costs
Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of qualifying assets, which are assets that 
necessarily take a substantial period of time to get ready for their intended use or sale, are added to the cost of those assets, until 
such time as the assets are substantially ready for their intended use or sale. All other borrowing costs are recognised in the income 
statement using the effective interest method.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 2016Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 30 September43

Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and any recognised impairment loss. Depreciation is 
provided so as to write off the cost of assets, less their estimated residual values, over their useful lives using the straight-line method, 
as follows:

Leasehold buildings 
Plant, machinery and lab equipment   3–10 years
3–5 years
Office and IT equipment 
4–15 years or term of the lease if shorter
Leasehold improvements 

20 years or term of lease if shorter

Assets under finance leases are depreciated over their expected useful lives on the same basis as owned assets or, where shorter, over 
the term of the relevant lease.

No depreciation is provided on assets under the course of construction. Cost includes professional fees and, for qualifying assets, 
borrowing costs capitalised in accordance with the Group’s accounting policy. Depreciation on these assets commences when the 
assets are available for use. 

The gain or loss arising on disposal or scrappage of an asset is determined as the difference between the sales proceeds and the 
carrying amount of the asset and is recognised in operating profit.

Investments in Subsidiary Companies
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 weighted average cost method. Cost 
includes materials, direct labour, depreciation of manufacturing assets and an attributable proportion of manufacturing overheads 
based on normal levels of activity. Net realisable value is the estimated selling price, less all estimated costs of completion and costs to 
be incurred in marketing, selling and distribution.

If net realisable value is lower than the carrying amount, a write-down provision is recognised for the amount by which the carrying 
amount exceeds its net realisable value.

Inventories manufactured prior to regulatory approval are capitalised as an asset but provided for until there is a high probability of 
regulatory approval of the product. At the point when a high probability of regulatory approval is obtained, the provision is adjusted 
appropriately to increase the carrying value to expected net realisable value, which may not exceed original cost.

Adjustments to the provision for inventories manufactured prior to regulatory approval are recorded as a component of R&D 
expenditure. Adjustments to the provision against commercial product related inventories manufactured following achievement of 
regulatory approval are recorded as a component of cost of goods.

Taxation
The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable or recoverable and deferred tax. Current and deferred taxes are 
recognised in profit or loss, except when they relate to items that are recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, 
in which case, the current and deferred tax are also recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, respectively. 
Where current or deferred tax arises from the initial accounting for a business combination, the tax effect is included in the accounting 
for the business combination.

The tax payable or recoverable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from profit before tax as reported in the 
consolidated income statement because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it 
further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The Group’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates and laws 
that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 2016 
 
 
 
44

2. Significant Accounting Policies continued 
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. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the temporary difference arises from the initial recognition of goodwill 
or from the initial recognition (other than in a business combination) of assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the 
taxable profit nor the accounting profit. 

Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for taxable temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries and associates, and 
interests in joint ventures, except where the Group is able to control the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that the 
temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

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

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 
based on tax laws and rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date. Deferred tax is charged or 
credited in the consolidated income statement, except when it relates to items charged or credited in other comprehensive income, in 
which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in other comprehensive income.

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

(Loss)/Earnings per Share 
Basic earnings or loss per share represents the profit or loss for the year, divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in 
issue during the year, excluding the weighted average number of ordinary shares held in the GW Pharmaceuticals All Employee Share 
Scheme (the “ESOP”) during the year to satisfy employee share awards.

Diluted earnings or loss per share represents the profit or loss for the year, divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares 
in issue during the year, excluding the weighted average number of shares held in the ESOP during the year to satisfy employee share 
awards, plus the weighted average number of dilutive shares resulting from share options or warrants where the inclusion of these 
would not be anti-dilutive.

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

Foreign Currency
The individual financial statements of each Group company are presented in the currency of the primary economic environment in 
which it operates (its functional currency). For the purpose of the consolidated financial statements, the results and financial position 
of each Group company are expressed in Pounds Sterling. 

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

For the purpose of presenting consolidated financial statements, the assets and liabilities of the Group’s foreign operations are 
translated at exchange rates prevailing on the balance sheet date. Income and expense items are translated at the average exchange rate 
for the period, unless exchange rates fluctuate significantly during the period, in which case the exchange rates at the date of 
transactions are used. Exchange differences arising, if any, are recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity.

Share-based payments
The Group operates a number of equity-settled share-based compensation plans under which the Company receives services from 
employees as consideration for equity instruments (options) of the Company. The fair value of the employee services received in 
exchange for the grant of the awards is recognised as an expense. The total amount to be expensed is determined by reference to the 
fair value of the options granted (excluding the effect of any non-market-based performance and service vesting conditions) at the  
date of grant. 

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 2016Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 30 September 
45

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. At each balance sheet date, the Group revises its 
estimate of the number of equity instruments expected to vest as a result of the effect of non-market-based performance and service 
vesting conditions. The impact of the revision of the original estimates, if any, is recognised in profit or loss such that the cumulative 
expense reflects the revised estimate, with a corresponding adjustment to equity reserves. 

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

Leases 
Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to 
the lessee. All other leases are classified as operating leases.

Rentals under operating leases are charged on a straight-line basis over the term of the relevant lease except where another more 
systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefits from the lease are consumed. Contingent rentals 
arising under operating leases are recognised as an expense in the period in which they are incurred. 

In the event that lease incentives are received to enter into operating leases, such incentives are recognised as a liability. The aggregate 
benefit of incentives is recognised as a reduction of rental expense on a straight-line basis, except where another systematic basis is 
more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefits from the leased asset are consumed.

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 expenses are recognised immediately in profit 
or loss, unless they are directly attributable to qualifying assets, in which case they are capitalised in accordance with the Group’s 
general policy on borrowing costs. Contingent rentals are recognised as an expense in the periods in which they are incurred.

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

All financial assets are recognised and derecognised on a trade date where the purchase or sale of a financial asset is under a contract 
whose terms require delivery of the financial asset within the timeframe established by the market concerned, and are initially 
measured at fair value, plus transaction costs, except for those financial assets classified as at fair value through profit or loss, which 
are initially measured at fair value. 

Financial assets are classified into the following specified categories: financial assets “at fair value through profit or loss”, “held-to-
maturity” investments, “available-for-sale” financial assets and “loans and receivables”. The classification depends on the nature and 
purpose of the financial assets and is determined at the time of initial recognition.

For each reporting period covered herein, the Group’s financial assets were restricted to “loans and receivables”. 

Loans and Receivables 
Trade receivables that have fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market are classified as “loans and 
receivables”. Loans and receivables are measured at amortised cost, less any impairment. Interest income is recognised by applying the 
effective interest rate, except for short-term receivables when the recognition of interest would be immaterial.

Trade receivables are assessed for indicators of impairment at each balance sheet date. Trade receivables are impaired where there is 
objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after initial recognition, the estimated future cash flows of the 
receivables have been affected. Appropriate allowances for estimated irrecoverable amounts are recognised in the consolidated income 
statement. 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 on-call deposits held with banks and other short-term highly liquid investments 
with a maturity of three months or less.

Financial Liabilities 
Financial liabilities are classified as either financial liabilities “at fair value through profit and loss” or “other financial liabilities”.  
For each reporting period covered herein, the Group’s financial liabilities were restricted to “other financial liabilities”. 

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 201646

2. Significant Accounting Policies continued 
Other Financial Liabilities 
Trade payables are initially recognised at fair value and then held at amortised cost which equates to nominal value. Long-term 
payables are discounted where the effect is material.

All borrowings are initially recorded at the amount of proceeds received, net of transaction costs. Borrowings are subsequently carried 
at amortised cost, using the effective interest method. The difference between the proceeds, net of transaction costs, and the amount 
due on redemption is recognised as a charge to the income statement over the period of the relevant borrowing.

The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a financial liability and of allocating interest expense 
over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash payments through the 
expected life of the financial liability or, where appropriate, a shorter period, to the net carrying amount on initial recognition.

Critical Judgements in Applying the Group’s Accounting Policies
In the application of the Group’s accounting policies, which are described above, the Board of 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.

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. This requires estimation of the expected full cost to complete the trial and also estimation of the 
current stage of trial completion. 

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 revenue from product sales, licensing fees, collaboration fees, technical access fees, development and approval 
milestone fees, R&D fees and royalties. Agreements with commercial partners generally include a non-refundable up-front fee, 
milestone payments, the receipt of which is dependent upon the achievement of certain clinical, regulatory or commercial milestones, 
as well as royalties on product sales of licenced products, if and when such product sales occur. For these agreements, the Group is 
required to apply judgement in the allocation of total agreement consideration to the separately identifiable components on a reliable 
basis that reasonably reflects the selling prices that might be expected to be achieved in stand-alone transactions. 

Product revenue received is based on a contractually agreed percentage of our commercial partner’s in-market net sales revenue.  
The commercial partner’s in-market net sales revenue is the price per vial charged to end customers, less set defined deductible 
overheads incurred in distributing the product. In developing estimates, the Group uses monthly unit sales and in-market sales data 
received from commercial partners during the course of the year. For certain markets, where negotiations are ongoing with local 
reimbursement authorities, an estimated in-market sales price is used, which requires the application of judgement in assessing 
whether an estimated in-market sales price is reliably measurable. In the Group’s assessment, the Group considers, inter alia, identical 
products sold in similar markets and whether the agreed prices for those identical products support the estimated in-market sales 
price. In the event that the Group considers there to be significant uncertainty with regard to the in-market sales price to be charged 
by the commercial partner as a result of, as an example, ongoing pricing negotiations with local health authorities, such that it is not 
possible to reliably measure the amount of revenue that will flow to the Group, the Group would not recognise revenue until that 
uncertainty has been resolved.

The Group applies the percentage of completion revenue recognition method to certain classes of revenue. The application of this 
approach requires the judgement of the Group with regard to the total costs incurred and total estimated costs expected to be incurred 
over the length of the agreement. 

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 2016Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 30 September 
47

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.

Deferred Taxation 
At the balance sheet date, the Group has accumulated tax losses of £102.8 million (2015: £74.0 million) and other temporary 
differences of £33.9 million (2015: £20.7 million) available to offset against future profits. If the value of these losses and other 
temporary differences were recognised within the Group’s balance sheet at the balance sheet date, the Group would be carrying an 
additional deferred tax asset of £23.2 million (2015: £18.9 million). However, as explained in the tax accounting policy note, the 
Group’s policy is to recognise deferred tax assets only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits, feasible tax-planning 
strategies, and deferred tax liabilities will be available against which the brought-forward trading losses can be utilised. 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. As such, a deferred tax asset of £3.9 million has been recognised at 30 September 2016 (2015: £0.4 million) 
in respect of temporary timings differences relating to the Group’s US subsidiary that are expected to be fully recoverable.

Research and Development and Orphan Tax Credits
The Group’s R&D tax credit claim is complex and requires management to interpret and apply UK and US R&D and orphan credit tax 
legislation to the Group’s specific circumstances and requires the use of certain assumptions in estimating the portion of current year 
research costs that are eligible for the claim.

Impairment of Investments in Subsidiaries and Inter-Company Receivables
The Company considers the recoverability of investments in subsidiaries and inter-company receivables on an ongoing basis, 
whenever indicators of impairment are present. If facts and circumstances indicate that investment in subsidiaries may be impaired, 
the estimated future cash flows associated with these subsidiaries would be compared to their carrying amounts to determine if 
a write-down to fair value is necessary.

Adoption of New and Revised Standards
In the current year the following revised standards have been adopted in these financial statements. Adoption has not had a significant 
impact on the amounts reported in these financial statements but may impact the accounting for future transactions.

Amendments to IAS 19: Defined Benefit Plans: Employee Contributions (November 2013)
Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2011–2013 Cycle (December 2013)
Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2010–2012 Cycle (December 2013)

At the date of authorisation of these financial statements, the following Standards and Interpretations which have not been applied in 
these financial statements were issued by the IASB but not yet effective:

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments (July 2014)
IFRS 14 Regulatory Deferral Accounts (January 2014)
IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (May 2014)
IFRS 16 Leases (January 2016)
Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2012–2014 Cycle (September 2014)
Amendments to IFRS 2: Classification and Measurement of Share-Based Payment Transactions (June 2016)
Amendments to IFRS 4: Applying IFRS 9 Financial Instruments with IFRS 4 Insurance Contracts (September 2016)
Amendments to IFRS 10, IFRS 12 and IAS 28: Investment Entities – Applying the Consolidation Exception (December 2014)
Amendments to IFRS 10 and IAS 28: Sale or Contribution of Assets between an Investor and its Associate or Joint Venture (September 2014)
Amendments to IFRS 11: Accounting for Acquisitions of Interests in Joint Operations (May 2014)
Clarifications to IFRS 15: Revenue from Contracts with Customers (April 2016)
Amendments to IAS 1: Disclosure Initiative (December 2014)
Amendments to IAS 7: Disclosure Initiative (January 2016)
Amendments to IAS 12: Recognition of Deferred Tax Assets for Unrealised Losses (January 2016)
Amendments to IAS 16 and IAS 38: Clarification of Acceptable Methods of Depreciation and Amortisation (May 2014)
Amendments to IAS 16 and IAS 41: Bearer Plants (June 2014)
Amendments to IAS 27: Equity Method in Separate Financial Statements (August 2014)

IFRS 15: establishes comprehensive guidelines for determining when to recognise revenue and how much revenue to recognise. The 
core principle in that framework is that a company should recognise revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to the 
customer in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or 
services. The standard is effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018. The Group continues to assess the 
impact of IFRS 15 on the results of the Group, and expects to finalise this assessment following final endorsement by the European 
Union, which occurred on 31 October 2016. The impact is expected to be limited to historic revenue-generative partner agreements.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 201648

2. Significant Accounting Policies continued 
IFRS 16: Leases will replace IAS 17 for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019. In so doing it will eliminate the 
distinction between classification of leases as finance or operating leases. The adoption of IFRS 16 is not expected to have a significant 
impact on the Group’s net results or net assets, although the full impact will be subject to further assessment following the conclusion 
of the ongoing consultations.

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

3. Segmental Information
Information reported to the Company’s Board of Directors, the chief operating decision maker for the Group, for the purposes of 
resource allocation and assessment of segment performance is focused on the stage of product development. The Group’s reportable 
segments are as follows: 
 > Commercial: The Commercial segment distributes and sells the Group’s commercial products. Currently Sativex® is promoted 

through strategic collaborations with major pharmaceutical companies for the currently approved indication of spasticity due to 
multiple sclerosis (“MS”). The Commercial segment will include revenues from the direct marketing of other future approved 
commercial products. The Group has licensing agreements for the commercialisation of Sativex with Almirall S.A. in Europe 
(excluding the UK) and Mexico, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. (“Otsuka”) in the US, Novartis Pharma AG in Australia, New 
Zealand, Asia (excluding Japan, China and Hong Kong), the Middle East and Africa, Bayer HealthCare AG in the UK and Canada, 
Neopharm Group in Israel and Ipsen Biopharm Ltd. in Latin America (excluding Mexico and the Islands of the Caribbean). 
Commercial segment revenues include product sales, royalties, licence, collaboration and technical access fees, and development 
and approval milestone fees.

 > Sativex Research and Development: The Sativex Research and Development (“Sativex R&D”) segment seeks to maximise the 

potential of Sativex through the development of new indications. Sativex has shown promising efficacy in Phase 2 trials in other 
indications such as neuropathic pain, but these areas are not currently the subject of full development programmes. Sativex R&D 
segment revenues consist of R&D fees charged to Sativex licensees.

 > Pipeline Research and Development: The Pipeline Research and Development (“Pipeline R&D”) segment seeks to develop 

cannabinoid medications other than Sativex across a range of therapeutic areas using our proprietary cannabinoid technology 
platform. The Group’s product pipeline includes Epidiolex, in development as a treatment for Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut 
syndrome, Tuberous Sclerosis Complex and Infantile Spasms, as well as other product candidates in Phase 1 and 2 clinical 
development for glioma, adult epilepsy and schizophrenia. Pipeline R&D segment revenues consist of R&D fees charged to Otsuka 
under the terms of our pipeline research collaboration agreement.

The accounting policies of the reportable segments are consistent with the Group’s accounting policies described in note 2. Segment 
result represents the result of each segment without allocation of share-based payment expenses, and before sales, general and 
administrative expenses, interest expense, interest income and tax. No measures of segment assets and segment liabilities are reported 
to the Group’s Board of Directors in order to assess performance and allocate resources. There is no intersegment activity and all 
revenue is generated from external customers. 

Segment Results
For the Year Ended 30 September 2016

Revenue:
Product sales
R&D fees
Licence, collaboration and technical access fees
Development and approval milestones

Total revenue
Cost of sales
R&D expenditure

Segmental result

Sales, general and administrative expenses
Net foreign exchange gain

Operating loss
Interest expense
Other income

Loss before tax

Tax benefit

Loss for the year

Commercial 
£000s

Sativex R&D 
£000s

Pipeline R&D 
£000s

Total Reportable 
Segments 
£000s

Unallocated

Costs1 
£000s

Consolidated 
£000s

5,208
–
1,172
98

6,478
(2,719)
–

3,759

–
3,500
–
–

3,500
–
(4,125)

–
337
–
–

337
–
(91,571)

(625)

(91,234)

5,208
3,837
1,172
98

10,315
(2,719)
(95,696)

(88,100)

–
–
–
–

–
–
(4,119)

(4,119)

5,208
3,837
1,172
98

10,315
(2,719)
(99,815)

(92,219)

(19,939)
25,551

(86,607)
(173)
608

(86,172)

22,515

(63,657)

1  Unallocated costs represent the portion of share-based payment expenditures which is included in R&D expenditure, but which is not allocated to segments. The remaining 

share-based payment expenditure is included within sales, general and administrative expenses, which is similarly excluded from segmental result.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 2016Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 30 September49

Segment Results
For the Year Ended 30 September 2015

Revenue:
Product sales
R&D fees
Licence, collaboration and technical access fees
Development and approval milestones

Total revenue
Cost of sales
R&D expenditure

Segmental result

Sales, general and administrative expenses
Net foreign exchange gain

Operating loss
Interest expense
Other income

Loss before tax

Tax benefit

Loss for the year

Commercial 
£000s

Sativex R&D 
£000s

Pipeline R&D 
£000s

Total Reportable 
Segments 
£000s

Unallocated

Costs1 
£000s

Consolidated 
£000s

4,255
–
1,287
188

5,730
(2,618)
–

3,112

–
22,275
–
–

22,275
–
(26,398)

(4,123)

–
535
–
–

535
–
(48,862)

(48,327)

4,255
22,810
1,287
188

28,540
(2,618)
(75,260)

(49,338)

–
–
–
–

–
–
(1,525)

(1,525)

4,255
22,810
1,287
188

28,540
(2,618)
(76,785)

(50,863)

(12,569)
6,202

(57,230)
(75)
244

(57,061)

12,498

(44,563)

1  Unallocated costs represent the portion of share-based payment expenditures which is included in R&D expenditure, but which is not allocated to segments. The remaining 

share-based payment expenditure is included within sales, general and administrative expenses, which is similarly excluded from segmental result.

Segment Results
For the Year Ended 30 September 2014

Revenue:
Product sales
R&D fees
Licence, collaboration and technical access fees

Total revenue
Cost of sales
R&D credit/(expenditure)

Segmental result

Sales, general and administrative expenses
Net foreign exchange gain

Operating loss
Interest expense
Other income

Loss before tax

Tax benefit

Loss for the year

Commercial1
£000s

Sativex R&D 
£000s

Pipeline R&D 
£000s

Total Reportable 
Segments 
£000s

Unallocated

Costs2 
£000s

Consolidated 
£000s

4,382
–
1,378

5,760
(2,060)
847

4,547

–
23,618
–

23,618
–
(26,444)

–
667
–

667
–
(17,103)

(2,826)

(16,436)

4,382
24,285
1,378

30,045
(2,060)
(42,700)

(14,715)

–
–
–

–
–
(775)

(775)

4,382
24,285
1,378

30,045
(2,060)
(43,475)

(15,490)

(7,337)
3,188

(19,639)
(61)
130

(19,570)

4,911

(14,659)

1  The R&D credit in the commercial segment is the element of the inventory provision movement that relates to commercial inventory.
2  Unallocated costs represent the portion of share-based payment expenditures which is included in R&D expenditure, but which is not allocated to segments. The remaining 

share-based payment expenditure is included within sales, general and administrative expenses, which is similarly excluded from segmental result.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 201650

3. Segmental Information continued
Segment Results
Revenues from the Group’s largest customer are included within the above segments as follows:

Year ended 30 September 2016
Year ended 30 September 2015
Year ended 30 September 2014

Commercial 
£000s

Sativex R&D 
£000s

Pipeline R&D 
£000s

4,310
3,385
3,494

–
–
–

–
–
–

Total 
£000s

4,310
3,385
3,494

Revenues from the Group’s second largest customer, the only other customer where revenues account for more than 10% of the 
Group’s revenues, are included within the above segments as follows:

Year ended 30 September 2016
Year ended 30 September 2015
Year ended 30 September 2014

Geographical Analysis of Revenue by Destination of Customer:

UK
Europe (excluding UK)
US
Canada
Asia/Other

4. Research and Development Expenditure

GW-funded R&D
Development partner-funded R&D

Commercial 
£000s

Sativex R&D 
£000s

Pipeline R&D 
£000s

280
280
280

3,500
22,275
23,618

337
535
667

Total 
£000s

4,117
23,090
24,565

2016 
£000s

1,082
4,435
3,780
680
338

2015 
£000s

2014 
£000s

1,158
3,592
22,555
700
535

1,099
3,864
23,904
518
660

30,045

10,315

28,540

2016 
£000s

95,978
3,837

99,815

2015 
£000s

53,975
22,810

76,785

2014 
£000s

19,190
24,285

43,475

GW-funded R&D expenditure consists of costs associated with the Group’s research activities. These costs include costs of 
conducting pre-clinical studies or clinical trials, payroll costs associated with employing a team of R&D staff, share-based payment 
expenses, property costs associated with leasing laboratory and office space to accommodate research teams, costs of growing 
botanical raw material, costs of consumables used in the conduct of in-house research programmes, payments for research work 
conducted by sub-contractors by a network of academic collaborative research scientists, costs associated with safety studies and costs 
associated with the development of further Epidiolex, Sativex or other pipeline product data.

Development partner-funded R&D expenditures include the costs of employing staff to work on joint R&D plans, plus the costs of 
sub-contracted pre-clinical studies and sponsorships of academic scientists who collaborate with the Group. These expenditures are 
charged to the Group’s commercial partners, principally Otsuka. The Group is the primary obligor for these activities and under the 
terms of the Sativex development agreements, the Group uses both its internal resources and third-party contractors to provide 
contract R&D services to its commercial partners. 

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 2016Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 30 September51

5. Loss Before Tax
Loss before tax is stated after charging/(crediting):

Operating lease rentals – land and buildings
Operating lease rentals – equipment
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Impairment of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation of intangible assets
Increase/(decrease) provision for inventories 
Foreign exchange gain
Staff costs (see note 7)

6. Auditor’s Remuneration

The auditor for the years ended 30 September 2016, 2015 and 2014 was Deloitte LLP
Audit fees:
– Audit of the Group’s annual accounts1
– Audit of the Company and subsidiaries pursuant to legislation

Total audit fees
Other services
– Audit-related assurance2
– Other assurance services3

Total non-audit fees

2016 
£000s

2,341
20
3,605
–
62
72
(25,551)
40,463

2015 
£000s

1,473
–
2,250
606
52
33
(6,202)
23,083

2014 
£000s

1,301
–
1,398
–
–
(408)
(3,188)
17,725

2016 
£000s

2015 
£000s

2014 
£000s

400
50

450

75
109

184

400
50

450

53
92

145

243
41

284

46
193

239

1  For the years ended 30 September 2016, 2015 and 2014, audit fees include amounts for the audit of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with the International 

Standards of Auditing, and standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). For the years ended 30 September 2016, 2015 and 2014, audit fees also 
include amounts for the audit of the Group’s internal controls over financial reporting.

2  Audit-related assurance fees relate to fees for the performance of interim reviews, and other procedures on interim results.
3  Other assurance services represents assurance reporting on historical financial information included in the Company’s initial, shelf and follow-on US registration statements.

An additional £40,000 was billed in respect of the 2015 audit during the year ended 30 September 2016.

An additional £156,000 was billed in respect of the 2014 audit during the year ended 30 September 2015.

The audit committee’s policy is to pre-approve all audit, audit-related and other services performed by the auditor. All such services 
were pre-approved during the years ended 30 September 2016, 2015 and 2014 under the audit committee’s policy.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 201652

7. Staff Costs
The average number of Group employees (including Executive Directors) for the year ended 30 September was:

R&D
Management and administration

2016 
Number

2015 
Number

2014 
Number 

391
53

444

288
34

322

202
21

223

The average number of Company employees for the year ended 30 September was four (2015: one and 2014: none).

Group aggregate remuneration comprised:
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs
Share-based payment

Included in social security costs are local tax obligations on unrealised share option gains.

The Company incurred £0.2 million of staff costs during the year (2015: £0.2 million and 2014: £nil).

8. Directors’ Remuneration
Directors’ remuneration and other benefits for the year ended 30 September were as follows:

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

2016 
Number

2015 
Number

2014 
Number 

25,823
5,132
1,356
8,152

40,463

17,092
2,748
765
2,478

23,083

11,470
4,484
533
1,238

17,725

2016 
£000s

2,523
215
6,453

9,191

2015 
£000s

2,395
211
7,910

10,516

2014 
£000s 

2,688
203
5,526

8,417

During 2016, six Directors were members of defined contribution pension schemes (2015 and 2014: five).

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 12 to 31.

9. Other Income and Expense

Interest income – bank interest

Other income

Interest expense – finance lease interest

2016 
£000s

435

173

(173)

2015 
£000s

244

–

(75)

2014 
£000s 

130

–

(61)

Other income relates to an “above the line” credit associated with the UK large company R&D tax scheme. This represents an  
amount that is expected to be claimable from UK tax authorities in relation to qualifying expenditure incurred in the year ended 
30 September 2016.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 2016Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 30 September53

10. Tax 
a) Analysis of Tax Credit for the Year 

Current year R&D tax credit
Current period tax (credit)/charge
Adjustment in respect of prior year tax credit
Deferred tax credit
Movements on deferred tax assets

Tax benefit

2016 
£000s

2015 
£000s

(21,150)
1,175
(546)
(2,037)
43

(12,641)
366
(165)
(335)
277

(22,515)

(12,498)

2014 
£000s 

(5,251)
–
(278)
(829)
1,447

(4,911)

Tax credits relate to UK R&D tax credits claimed under the Finance Act 2000. The current period tax charge relates to US taxation on 
the taxable profit for the Group’s US subsidiary.

The Group recognises in full the estimated benefit for qualifying current year UK R&D expenditures and resulting tax credits. Any 
difference in the credit ultimately received is recorded as an adjustment in respect of prior year.

The Group recognises the likely recoverable estimated benefit for qualifying current year US R&D expenditures and resulting tax 
credits. Any difference in the credit ultimately received is recorded as an adjustment in respect of prior year.

At 30 September 2016 the Group had tax losses available for carry forward of approximately £102.8 million (2015: £74.0 million).  
Of such carried-forward losses, the Group has recognised a deferred tax asset of £1.8 million (2015: £1.9 million) up to the level of 
deferred tax liabilities arising in the same jurisdiction and additionally an asset supportable by taxable income projections of £nil 
(2015: £nil). The Group has also recognised a deferred tax asset of £3.9 million (2015: £0.4 million) in respect of taxable temporary 
timing differences relating to timing differences in another jurisdiction supportable by taxable income projections. In addition, the 
Group has not recognised deferred tax assets relating to other temporary differences of £33.9 million (2015: £20.7 million). These 
deferred tax assets have not been recognised as the Group’s management considers that there is insufficient future taxable income, 
taxable temporary differences and feasible tax-planning strategies to utilise all of the cumulative losses and therefore it is probable  
that the deferred tax assets will not be realised in full. If future income differs from current projections, this could significantly impact 
the tax charge or benefit in future periods.

In addition to the amount charged to the income statement and other comprehensive income, the following amounts relating to tax 
have been recognised directly in equity:

Change in estimate of excess tax deductions related to share-based payments

Total income tax recognised directly in equity

2016 
£000s

1,133

1,133

2015 
£000s

84

84

2014 
£000s 

–

–

b) Factors Affecting the Tax Benefit for the Year
The tax benefit for the year can be reconciled to the tax benefit on the Group’s loss for the year at the standard UK corporation tax rate 
as follows:

2016 
£000s

2015 
£000s

2014 
£000s 

Loss before tax

Tax credit on Group loss before tax at the standard UK corporation tax rate of 20.0% 
(2015: 20.5%; 2014: 22.0%)
Effects of:
Expenses not deductible in determining taxable profit
Impact of employee share acquisition relief
Income not taxable in determining taxable profit
Current year UK R&D tax credit
Current year US tax credits
R&D enhanced tax relief and surrender of losses
Effect of unrecognised losses and temporary differences
Overseas profits taxed at different rates
Recognition of previously unrecognised deferred tax asset 
Adjustment in respect of prior year tax credit

Tax

(86,172)

(57,061)

(19,570)

(17,234)

(11,698)

(4,305)

588
(1,842)
–
(21,150)
(1,766)
12,679
6,634
122
–
(546)

233
(2,519)
–
(12,641)
–
7,756
6,536
–
–
(165)

(22,515)

(12,498)

1,070
(1,053)
(1)
(5,251)
–
3,875
1,861
–
(829)
(278)

(4,911)

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 201654

10. Tax continued
The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets recognised by the Group and movements thereon during the current and 
prior reporting periods: 

At 1 October 2013
(Charged)/credited to profit or loss

At 1 October 2014
Credited/(charged) to profit or loss
Credited/(charged) to equity

At 1 October 2015
Credited/(charged) to profit or loss
Credited/(charged) to equity

At 30 September 2016

Accelerated Tax 
Depreciation 
£000s

(740)
135

(605)
(1,290)
–

(1,895)
(23)
–

(1,918)

Tax 
Losses 
£000s

1,635
(753)

882
1,002
–

1,884
(48)
–

1,836

Share-Based 
Payment 
and Other 
Compensation 
£000s

–
–

–
345
84

429
2,072
1,454

 3,955

Total 
£000s

895
(618)

277
57
84

418
2,001
1,454

3,873

Deferred tax assets and liabilities have been offset where the Group has a legally enforceable right to do so, and intends to settle on a 
net basis. The taxing authority permits the Group to make or receive a single net payment for all UK subsidiaries. The Group’s US 
subsidiary operates in a different jurisdiction with no legally enforceable right to offset against UK tax charges or credits.

On 6 September 2016, the UK Government substantively enacted a reduction in the main rate of corporation tax from 20% to 19% 
with effect from 1 April 2017. The main rate of corporation tax will be reduced by a further 2% to 17% with effect from 1 April 2020. 
The enacted UK tax rate until 1 April 2015 was 21%. 

11. Loss Per Share
The calculations of loss per share are based on the following data:

Loss for the year – basic and diluted

Weighted average number of ordinary shares
Less ESOP trust ordinary shares1

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for purposes of basic earnings per share
Effect of potentially dilutive shares arising from share options2

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for purposes of diluted earnings per share

Loss per share – basic

Loss per share – diluted

2016 
£000s

2015 
£000s

2014 
£000s 

(63,657)

(44,563)

(14,659)

Number of Shares

2016 
Million

270.4
–

270.4
–

270.4

2015 
Million

246.4
–

246.4
–

246.4

2014 
Million

210.4
–

210.4
–

210.4

(23.5)p

(23.5)p

(18.1)p

(18.1)p

(7.0)p

(7.0)p

1  As at 30 September 2016, 33,054 ordinary shares were held in the ESOP trust (2015: 33,054 and 2014: 34,706). The effect is less than 0.1 million shares, and consequently these 

have not been presented above.

2  The Group incurred a loss in each of the financial years above. As a result, the inclusion of potentially dilutive share options in the diluted loss per share calculation would have an 
anti-dilutive effect on the loss per share for the period. The impact of 7.1 million share options have therefore been excluded from the diluted loss per share calculation for the year 
ended 30 September 2016 (30 September 2015: 7.8 million; 30 September 2014: 9.5 million).

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 2016Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 30 September55

12. Intangible Assets – Goodwill

Cost – as at 1 October 

Net book value – as at 30 September

2016 
£000s

5,210

5,210

2015 
£000s

5,210

5,210

Goodwill arose upon the acquisition of GW Research Limited (formerly G-Pharm Limited) by GW Pharma Limited in 2001.  
For impairment testing purposes, all goodwill has been allocated to the Commercial segment as a separate cash-generating unit. 
Goodwill has an indefinite useful life and is tested annually for impairment or more frequently if there are indications of impairment.

The Company has determined the recoverable amount of the Commercial segment based on a value-in-use calculation. This calculation 
uses pre-tax cash flow projections based on financial budgets approved by management covering a two-year period. Cash flows beyond 
the two-year period are based upon detailed internal and external third party analysis of the Company’s product opportunity, of which 
Epidiolex is a significant contributor, or are extrapolated using the estimated growth rates stated below. The projections include 
assumptions about the timing and likelihood of product launches and pricing policy.

Management has determined the following assumptions to be the key assumptions in the calculation of value-in-use for the 
Commercial segment: 

Growth rate – sales volume in each period is the main driver for revenue and costs. The same growth rates have been used in  
financial budgets and are consistent with in-market run rates and internal commercial forecasts based on a 10-year period.

Long-term growth rate – A 0% growth rate has been applied after 10 years (2015: 0% after 10 years). This approach has been adopted 
by management as it is representative of the long development and product life cycle in the pharmaceutical sector. In future periods, 
depending on the performance of the Commercial segment, it may be necessary to revise the terminal growth rate.

Discount rate – a 12.6% (2015: 14.3% and 2014: 13.2%) pre-tax rate has been used. This is considered appropriate for the purpose  
of impairment reviews as it reflects the current market assessment of the time value of money and the risks specific to the  
cash-generating unit.

Any reasonably possible change in the key assumptions on which value-in-use is based would not cause the carrying amount to  
exceed the recoverable amount of the Commercial segment. 

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 2016 
56

13. Other Intangible Assets

Group

Cost
At 1 October 2014
Additions
Reclassifications from property, plant and equipment (note 14)

At 1 October 2015
Additions
Transfers of completed assets

At 30 September 2016

Accumulated amortisation
At 1 October 2014
Charge for the year
Reclassifications

At 1 October 2015
Charge for the year

At 30 September 2016

Net book value
At 30 September 2016

At 30 September 2015

Intangible 
Assets Under 
the Course of 
Construction 
£000s

Software 
£000s

Licences 
£000s

Total 
£000s

–
55
11

66
387
(38)

415

–
–
–

–
–

–

415

66

–
76
144

220
35
38

293

–
48
48

96
57

153

140

124

–
59
–

59
24
–

83

–
4
–

4
5

9

74

55

–
190
155

345
446
–

791

–
52
48

100
62

162

629

245

Included in additions are £nil of other intangible assets which are unpaid at the balance sheet date and are included in trade and other 
payables (2015: £0.1 million).

The Company does not own any other intangible assets.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 2016Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 30 September57

14. Property, Plant and Equipment

Group

Cost
At 1 October 2014
Additions
Reclassifications to other intangible assets (note 13)
Transfers of completed assets
Disposals

At 1 October 2015
Additions
Reclassifications
Transfers of completed assets
Disposals
Exchange differences

At 30 September 2016

Accumulated depreciation and impairment
At 1 October 2014
Disposals
Charge for the year
Impairment of assets
Reclassifications

At 1 October 2015
Disposals
Charge for the year
Reclassifications
Exchange differences

At 30 September 2016

Net book value
At 30 September 2016

At 30 September 2015

Assets Under 
the Course of 
Construction 
£000s

Leasehold 
Buildings 
£000s

Plant, 
Machinery 
and Lab 
Equipment 
£000s

Office and IT 
Equipment 
£000s

Leasehold 
Improvements 
£000s

4,655
3,056 
–
570
(366)

7,915
1,754
1,463
1,809
(112)
–

1,478
2,054
(144)
–
(41)

3,347
273
(1,463)
29
(789)
20

4,657
2,574
–
1,000
(67)

8,164
473
–
1,785
(122)
1

Total 
£000s

17,280
20,058
(155)
–
(474)

36,709
13,801
–
–
(1,023)
21

12,829

1,417

10,301

49,508

3,384
(365)
746
–
–

3,765
(112)
1,654
216
–

5,523

7,306

4,150

918
(41)
510
–
(48)

1,339
(788)
338
(216)
1

674

1,339
(67)
994
–
–

2,266
(122)
1,550
–
1

3,695

5,641
(473)
2,250
606
(48)

7,976
(1,022)
3,605
–
2

10,561

743

2,008

6,606

5,898

38,947

28,733

6,490
12,374
(11)
(1,570)
–

17,283
7,698
–
(3,623)
–
–

21,358

–
–
–
606
–

606
–
–
–
–

606

–
–
–
–
–

–
3,603
–
–
–
–

3,603

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
63
–
–

63

20,752

16,677

3,540

–

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

The impairment loss for the year ended 30 September 2015 on assets under the course of construction arose in connection with a 
change in use of manufacturing assets whereby the recoverable value of the assets did not exceed their carrying value.

The net book value of property, plant and equipment at 30 September 2016 includes £4.9 million in respect of assets held under 
finance leases (2015: £1.5 million). In addition, assets under the course of construction include £1.6 million of capitalised interest 
(2015: £1.0 million). Included in additions is £3.2 million of property, plant and equipment which is unpaid and is included in trade 
and other payables (2015: £1.4 million).

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 2016 
58

15. Inventories

Raw materials
Work in progress
Finished goods

Total inventories, net of provision

2016 
£000s

252
3,226
770

4,248

2015 
£000s

317
3,686
753

4,756

Inventories with a carrying value of £2.2 million are considered to be recoverable after more than one year from the balance sheet date, 
but within the Group’s normal operating cycle (2015: £2.7 million).

The provision for inventories relates to inventories expected to be utilised in the Group’s R&D activities. The movement in the 
provision for inventories is as follows:

Opening balance as at 1 October
Write-down of inventories
Write-off of inventories included in the provision
Reversal of write-down of inventories

Closing balance as at 30 September

2016 
£000s

66
129
(20)
(57)

118

2015 
£000s

351
98
(318)
(65)

66

The reversal of write-down is as a result of an increased level of production, reducing the level of work in progress expected to expire 
before use. Write-off of inventories previously provided for does not impact cash flow.

The Company did not own any inventory in the current or prior years.

16. Trade and Other Receivables

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

Group

Company

2016 
£000s

2015 
£000s

2016 
£000s

2015 
£000s

778
2,637
1,141

4,556

373
1,544
956

2,873

–
177
23,153

23,330

–
193
32,391

32,584

Trade receivables disclosed above are classified as loans and receivables and are therefore measured at amortised cost. 

Trade receivables at 30 September 2016 represent 27 days of sales (2015: 5 days). The average trade receivable days during the year 
ended 30 September 2016 was 19 days (2015: 22 days). The credit period extended to customers is 30 to 60 days. 

The trade receivables balance at 30 September 2016 consisted of balances due from four customers (2015: four customers) with the 
largest single customer representing 70% (2015: 46%) of the total amount due. The Group’s customers consist of a small number of 
large pharmaceutical companies, where the risk attributable to each customer is considered to be low. The Group seeks to mitigate 
credit risk by seeking payments in advance from pharmaceutical partners for expenditure to be incurred on their behalf.

No interest is charged on trade receivables. No impairment losses were recognised during the year ended 30 September 2016  
(2015: £nil).

The Directors consider that the carrying value of trade receivables approximates to their fair value due to the short maturity thereof. 

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 2016Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 30 September 
59

17. Trade and Other Payables

Amounts falling due within one year
Other creditors and accruals
Clinical trial accruals
Trade payables
Fit out funding (see note 18)
Other taxation and social security

Amounts falling due after one year
Other creditors and accruals
Fit out funding (see note 18)

Group

Company

2016 
£000s

2015 
£000s

2016 
£000s

2015 
£000s

15,899
9,503
3,433
845
1,490

31,170

1,081
8,342

9,423

10,714
8,374
3,795
348
791

24,022

–
8,445

8,445

521
–
52
–
7

580

–
–

–

386
–
334
–
109

829

–
–

–

40,593

32,467

580

829

Trade payables principally comprise amounts outstanding for trade purchases and ongoing costs.

Trade payables at 30 September 2016 represent the equivalent of 14 days’ purchases (2015: 17 days).

The average credit period taken for trade purchases during the year ended 30 September 2016 was 14 days (2015: 17 days).

For most suppliers, no interest is charged on invoices that are paid within a pre-agreed trade credit period. The Group has procedures 
in place to ensure that invoices are paid within agreed credit terms so as to ensure that interest charges by suppliers are minimised. 

The Directors consider that the carrying value of trade payables approximates to their fair value due to the short maturity thereof.

Non-current other creditors and accruals relates entirely to the expected employer’s payroll taxes payable on employee share options 
vesting more than one year after the financial year end. 

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 201660

18. Fit Out Funding
On 19 November 2013 the Group entered into an agreement with its landlord to receive fit out funding of £7.8 million to fund the 
expansion and upgrades to manufacturing facilities. The funds were received in tranches, with the final amount received on 1 July 
2014. The repayment of the borrowing takes the form of quarterly rental payments over a period of 15 years which commenced 
on 27 May 2016 when the Group entered into the associated lease of the building. As at 30 September 2016 associated interest  
of £1.6 million has been incurred (30 September 2015: £1.0 million). The total liability at 30 September 2016 is £9.2 million 
(30 September 2015: £8.8 million). The Group has estimated that £0.9 million of the total liability will be due within one year  
and the remaining £8.3 million is due after one year.

The liability in respect of the funding was initially recognised at the amount of proceeds received, net of transaction costs, and  
has been subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method and a rate of 7.0% (30 September 2015: 7.2%).

The following table details the Group’s remaining contractual maturity for its borrowings and the related interest payments. The tables 
are based on the undiscounted cash flows of financial liabilities based on the earliest date on which the Group could be required to 
pay. The table includes cash flows for both interest, based on the rate applicable as at 30 September 2016, and principal amounts:

Forward Projection of Cash Flows as at 30 September 2016

Principal
Interest

Total

Forward Projection of Cash Flows as at 30 September 2015

Principal
Interest

Total

19. Obligations Under Finance Leases

Group

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

Less: future finance charges

Present value of lease obligations

Amounts payable under finance leases:
Amounts due for settlement within 12 months
Amounts due for settlement after 12 months

<1 Year 
£000s

1–2 Years 
£000s

2–3 Years 
£000s

3–4 Years 
£000s

4–5 Years 
£000s

845
603

1,448

389
576

965

417
548

965

446
519

965

479
486

965

<1 Year 
£000s

1–2 Years 
£000s

2–3 Years 
£000s

3–4 Years 
£000s

4–5 Years 
£000s

348
516

864

369
596

965

397
568

965

426
539

965

456
509

965

5+ years 
£000s

6,611
2,480

9,091

5+ years 
£000s

7,011
2,740

9,751

Total 
£000s

9,187
5,212

14,399

Total 
£000s

9,007
5,468

14,475

Minimum Lease Payments 

2016 
£000s

2015 
£000s

571
2,223
6,511

9,305

(4,135)

5,170

176
703
1,206 

2,085

(434)

1,651

Present Value of  
Lease Payments 

2016 
£000s

2015 
£000s

211
4,959

5,170

111
1,540

1,651

It is the Group’s policy to lease certain of its property, plant and equipment under finance leases. The weighted average lease term 
remaining is 17.1 years (2015: 12.1 years). For the year ended 30 September 2016, the average effective borrowing rate was 7.5%  
(2015: 4.0%). Interest rates are fixed at the contract date. All leases to date have been on a fixed repayment basis and no arrangements 
have been entered into for contingent rental payments.

All lease obligations are denominated in Pounds Sterling.

The carrying value of the Group’s lease obligations as at 30 September 2016 approximates to their fair value.

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

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 2016Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 30 September 
 
61

20. Deferred Revenue

Amounts falling due within one year
Deferred licence, collaboration and technical access fee income1
Advance R&D fees2

Amounts falling due after one year
Deferred licence, collaboration and technical access fee income1

Group

Company

2016 
£000s

2015 
£000s

2016 
£000s

2015 
£000s

1,451
1,236

2,687

1,260
2,009

3,269

5,355

6,725

–
–

–

–

–
–

–

–

1  Deferred revenue primarily relates to up-front licence fees received in 2005 of £12.0 million from Almirall S.A. (deferred revenue balance as at 30 September 2016: £3.5 million; 

30 September 2015: £4.3 million) and collaboration and technical access fees from other Sativex licensees. Amounts deferred under each agreement will be recognised in revenue 
as disclosed in note 2.

2  Advance payments received represent payments for R&D activities to be recognised as revenue in future periods as the services are rendered. 

21. Financial Instruments
The Group manages its capital to ensure that entities in the Group will be able to continue operating as a going concern while 
maximising shareholder returns. The Group’s overall strategy remains unchanged from 2015.

Group senior management are responsible for monitoring and managing the financial risks relating to the operations of the Group, 
which include credit risk, market risks arising from interest rate risk and currency risk, and liquidity risk. The Board of Directors and 
the audit committee review and approve the internal policies for managing each of these risks, as summarised below. The Group is not 
subject to any externally imposed capital requirements.

The Group’s financial instruments, as at 30 September, are summarised below: 

Categories of Financial Instruments

Financial assets – loans and receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade receivables – at amortised cost
Other receivables

Total financial assets

Financial liabilities – amortised cost
Other creditors and accruals
Clinical trial accruals
Trade payables
Fit out funding
Obligations under finance leases

Total financial liabilities 

2016 
£000s

2015 
£000s

374,392
778
385

234,872
373
248

375,555

235,493

12,401
9,503
3,433
9,187
5,170

39,694

10,426
8,374
3,795
8,793
1,651

33,039

All financial assets and financial liabilities, other than the non-current element of £5.0 million in respect of the obligations under 
finance leases (2015: £1.5 million) and £8.3 million (2015: £8.4 million) of fit out funding received from the Group’s landlord, are 
current in nature. In all instances, the Directors consider that the carrying value of financial assets and financial liabilities 
approximates to their fair value.

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

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 201662

21. Financial Instruments continued
Credit Risk
Credit risk refers to the risk that a counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss to the Group.  
The Group has 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 by the audit 
committee and the Board of Directors.

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 new commercial customers and by requesting payment in 
advance from its development partners for the majority of its research activities.

At the balance sheet date the maximum credit risk attributable to any individual counterparty was £244.0 million (2015: £113.2 million) 
which is held by HSBC.

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
The Group’s activities expose it primarily to financial risks of changes 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 the Group’s 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 secures 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 90 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 £0.4 million (2015: £0.2 million; 2014: £0.1 million) during the year ended 30 September 2016 was earned from 
deposits with a weighted average interest rate of 0.36% (2015: 0.24%; 2014: 0.54%). Therefore, a 100 basis point increase in interest 
rates would have increased interest income, and reduced the loss for the year, by £1.2 million (2015: reduced loss by £1.0 million; 
2014: reduced loss by £0.5 million).

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 functional currency of the Company, and each of its subsidiaries apart from Greenwich Biosciences, Inc. (formerly GW Pharmaceuticals 
Inc.), is Pounds Sterling and the majority of transactions in the Group are denominated in that currency. The functional currency of 
Greenwich Biosciences, Inc. is US Dollars (“US$”). The Group receives revenues and incurs expenditures in foreign currencies and is 
exposed to the risks of foreign exchange rate movements, with the impact recognised in the consolidated income statement. 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 Pounds Sterling as soon as they arise. The Group does not use derivative 
contracts to manage exchange rate exposure.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 2016Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 30 September 
63

The table below shows analysis of the Pounds Sterling equivalent of year-end cash and cash equivalent balances by currency:

Cash at bank and in hand:
Pounds Sterling
Euro
US Dollar 
Canadian Dollar

Total

Short-term deposits (less than 30 days):
Pounds Sterling
US Dollar

Total cash and cash equivalents

2016 
£000s

2015 
£000s

73,277
1,582
169,738
448

18,756
2,070
98,417
804

245,045

120,047

31,564
97,783

31,516
83,309

374,392

234,872

The table below shows those transactional exposures that give rise to net currency gains and losses recognised in the consolidated 
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 relevant Group entity. As at 30 September these exposures were as follows:

Net Foreign Currency Assets/(Liabilities)

US Dollar
Euro
Canadian Dollar
Other

2016 
£000s

2015 
£000s

263,094
1,665
649
(38)

177,797
768
953
(55)

265,370

179,463

Foreign Currency Sensitivity Analysis
The most significant currencies in which the Group transacts, other than Pounds Sterling, are the US Dollar, the Euro and the 
Canadian Dollar. The Group also trades in other currencies in small amounts as necessary. The Group’s sensitivity to foreign currency 
has increased during the current period primarily due to the issuance of 38.6 million new shares on NASDAQ (see note 22). 

The following table details the Group’s sensitivity to a 10% change in the year-end rate, which the Group feels is the maximum likely 
change in rate based upon recent currency movements, in the key foreign currency exchange rates against Pounds Sterling:

Year Ended 30 September 2016

Loss before tax

Equity

Year Ended 30 September 2015

Loss before tax

Equity

Year Ended 30 September 2014

Loss before tax

Equity

Euro 
£000s

167

167

US Dollar 
£000s

26,309

26,309

Euro 
£000s

US Dollar 
£000s

77

77

17,780

17,780

Euro 
£000s

141

141

US Dollar 
£000s

10,095

10,095

Canadian 
Dollar 
£000s

65

65

Canadian 
Dollar 
£000s

95

95

Canadian 
Dollar 
£000s

31

31

Other 
£000s

(4)

(4)

Other 
£000s

(6)

(6)

Other  
£000s

(3)

(3)

In management’s opinion, the sensitivity analysis is unrepresentative of the inherent foreign exchange risk as the year-end exposure 
does not reflect the exposure during the year.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 201664

21. Financial Instruments continued
Liquidity Risk
Responsibility for liquidity risk 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 of Directors 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.

Cash deposits, classified as cash and cash equivalents on the balance sheet, comprise deposits placed on money markets for periods of 
up to three months and on call. The weighted average time for which the rate was fixed was 32 days (2015: 32 days). 

All of the Group’s financial liabilities at each balance sheet date have maturity dates of less than 12 months from the balance sheet 
date, other than the £5.0 million in respect of the obligations under finance leases (2015: £1.5 million) and £8.3 million (2015: £8.4 
million) of fit out funding received from the Group’s landlord. The obligations under finance leases will be repaid over a weighted 
average 17.1 year term (2015: 12.1 year term) and the fit out funding received is being repaid over a 15-year finance term of which 
repayments commenced during the year. 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.

22. Share Capital
As at 30 September 2016 the share capital of the Company’s allotted, called-up and fully paid amounts were as follows:

Allotted, called-up and fully paid

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

As at 1 October 2014
Issue of new shares (net of issuance costs)
Exercise of share options

As at 1 October 2015
Issue of new shares (net of issuance costs)
Exercise of share options

As at 30 September 2016

2016 
£000s

302

2015 
£000s

261

Number  
of Shares

236,646,895
22,093,601
2,439,677

261,180,173
38,640,000
2,272,966

302,093,139

Total  
Nominal  
Value 
£000s

237
22
2

261
39
2

302

Total Share 
Premium  
£000s

Total 
Consideration 
£000s

220,551
127,541
1,183

349,275
206,512
690

556,477

220,788
127,563
1,185

349,536
206,551
692

556,779

In July 2016, the Group completed an equity financing, issuing 38,640,000 ordinary shares in the form of American Depositary Shares 
(“ADSs”) listed on the NASDAQ Global market, raising net proceeds after expenses of $273.1 million (£206.6 million). This took the 
form of 3,220,000 ADSs at a price to the public of $90.00 per ADS. Each ADS represents 12 ordinary shares of 0.1p each in the capital 
of the Company.

In May 2015, the Group completed an equity financing, issuing 22,080,000 ordinary shares in the form of ADSs listed on the 
NASDAQ Global market, raising net proceeds after expenses of $193.3 million (£127.5 million). This took the form of 1,840,000 
ADSs at a price to the public of $112.00 per ADS. Each ADS represents 12 ordinary shares of 0.1p each in the capital of the Company.

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

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 2016Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 30 September 
65

23. Share-based Payments
Equity-settled Share Option Schemes
The Company operates various equity-settled share option schemes for employees of the Group. All options granted under these schemes 
are exercisable at the share price on the date of the grant, with the exception of certain options issued under the GW Pharmaceuticals 
Long Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) which are issued with an exercise price equivalent to the par value of the shares under option. 
The vesting period for all options granted range between one and four years from the date of grant and options lapse after six months to 
seven years from the vesting date. Options generally also lapse if the employee leaves the Group before the options vest. However, at the 
discretion of the remuneration committee, under the “Good Leaver” provisions of the various share option scheme rules, employees may 
be allowed to retain some or all of the share options upon ceasing employment by the Group. Vested options usually need to be exercised 
within six months of leaving.

In the year ended 30 September 2016, two employees designated as “Good Leavers” were permitted to retain options over 4,807 shares 
upon ceasing employment. Also during the year ended 30 September 2016, 90,000 non-director LTIP share options were replaced and 
accounted for as a modification of terms per the provisions of IFRS 2 Share-based Payment. This led to the recognition of an 
incremental fair value charge of £0.4 million, calculated using the Black-Scholes share option pricing model, which arises due to 
increases in the underlying share price since the initial options were granted.

LTIP awards granted to employees (excluding Executive Directors) are subject to service and non-market-based performance 
conditions which must be achieved before the options vest and become exercisable. LTIP awards granted to Executive Directors are 
subject to service and performance conditions which are determined by the remuneration committee. These are usually a mixture of 
market-based and non-market-based performance conditions which are intended to link executive compensation to the key value 
drivers for the business whilst aligning the interests of the Executive Directors with those of shareholders and employees. In the event 
that the performance conditions (non-market and market) are not achieved within the required vesting period, the options lapse.

2013 Awards
In the year ended 30 September 2013, all awards granted were LTIP awards.

The 2013 LTIP awards are subject to performance conditions whereby 100% of the awards vest on the third anniversary of the date of 
the grant if the ADS price has increased by 75% or more during the three-year vesting period ended 24 September 2016. 25% of the 
awards vests if 25% growth is achieved, with a straight-line basis of calculation being used to calculate the number of options vesting 
between these two extremes. No options vest if the share price growth is below 25% over the three-year vesting period.

The 2013 LTIP awards are subject to a service condition whereby the awards vest on the third anniversary of the date of the grant if the 
holders remain in employment, subject to the performance conditions above.

2014 Awards
In the year ended 30 September 2014, all awards granted were LTIP awards.

The 2014 LTIP awards are subject to a service condition whereby 100% of the awards vest on the third anniversary of the date of the 
grant if the holders remain in employment.

2015 Awards
In the year ended 30 September 2015, all awards granted were LTIP awards.

The 2015 LTIP awards are subject to performance conditions, whereby:
 > 25% of the awards are in the form of market-priced options, whereby the options have an exercise price equivalent to the market 
price at market close on the day prior to grant ($127.26 per ADS, equivalent to 671p per ordinary share). These options become 
exercisable on the third anniversary of the date of grant. Future gains upon exercise of these options will be linked to the extent of 
share price growth over the vesting period. 

 > 50% of the awards are in the form of performance stock options, whereby the options will vest upon the third anniversary of the date 
of grant subject to certain corporate performance conditions having been achieved. In this case, vesting of half of the performance 
stock options will occur upon receipt from the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”)of their confirmation of acceptance of an 
Epidiolex New Drug Application (“NDA”) filing and half will vest upon the FDA grant of Epidiolex regulatory approval. 

 > 25% of the awards are in the form of restricted stock options whereby these options are subject to a four-year service condition and 

vesting period. 25% of the options will vest on each anniversary of the date of grant over the next four years. 

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 201666

23. Share-based Payments continued
2016 Awards
In the year ended 30 September 2016, all awards granted were LTIP awards.

The 2016 LTIP awards are subject to performance conditions, whereby:
 > 25% of the awards are in the form of market-priced options, whereby the options have an exercise price equivalent to the market 
price at market close on the day prior to grant ($44.64 per ADS, equivalent to 257p per ordinary share). These options become 
exercisable on the third anniversary of the date of grant. Future gains upon exercise of these options will be linked to the extent of 
share price growth over the vesting period. 

 > 50% of the awards are in the form of performance stock options, whereby the options will vest upon the third anniversary of the 

date of grant subject to certain corporate performance conditions having been achieved. In this case, vesting of half of the 
performance stock options will occur upon receipt from the FDA of their confirmation of acceptance of an Epidiolex NDA filing 
and half will vest upon the FDA grant of Epidiolex regulatory approval. 

 > 25% of the awards are in the form of restricted stock options whereby these options are subject to a four-year service condition and 

vesting period. 25% of the options will vest on each anniversary of the date of grant over the next four years. 

The number of outstanding options under each scheme can be summarised as follows:

Employee share option schemes
Employee LTIP awards

Options outstanding

30 September 
2016 
Number of Share 
Options

30 September 
2015 
Number of Share 
Options

107,542
10,525,630

770,936
7,660,564

10,633,172

8,431,500

The movement in share options in each scheme during the year can be summarised as follows:

Employee Options

Employee LTIP

Consultant Options

Total Options

Outstanding at 1 October 2014
Granted during the year
Exercised during the year
Lapsed during the year

Outstanding at 1 October 2015
Granted during the year
Exercised during the year
Lapsed during the year

Number of 
Share 
Options

1,868,699
–
(1,097,763)
–

770,936
–
(663,394)
–

Weighted 
Average 
Exercise 
Price £

0.98
–
0.96
–

1.02
–
1.04
–

Number of 
Share 
Options

7,471,320
2,009,231
(1,237,108)
(582,879)

7,660,564
4,767,106
(1,609,572)
(292,468)

Outstanding at 30 September 2016

107,542

0.868 10,525,630

Share options outstanding at 30 September 2016 can be summarised as follows:

Weighted 
Average 
Exercise 
Price £

0.001
1.09
0.001
0.001

0.29
0.60
0.001
0.001

0.482

Number of 
Share 
Options

104,806
–
(104,806)
–

–
–
–
–

–

Weighted 
Average 
Exercise 
Price £

1.27
–
1.27
–

–
–
–
–

–

Number of 
Share 
Options

9,444,825
2,009,231
(2,439,677)
(582,879)

8,431,500
4,767,106
(2,272,966)
(292,468)

10,633,172

Weighted 
Average 
Exercise 
Price £

0.21
1.09
0.49
0.001

0.35
0.60
0.305
0.001

0.61

£0.00–£0.50
£0.51–£1.00
£1.00+

Outstanding at 30 September 2016

Exercisable at 30 September 2016

Employee Options

Employee LTIP

Consultant Options

Total Options

Weighted 
Average 
Remaining 
Contractual 
Life/Years

Number of Share 
Options

Weighted 
Average 
Remaining 
Contractual 
Life/Years

Weighted 
Average 
Remaining 
Contractual 
Life/Years

Number of 
Share 
Options

1.97
0.59
–

9,182,071
–
1,343,559

0.64 10,525,630

0.64

3,057,821

6.26
–
7.24

6.38

6.12

–
–
–

–

–

–
–
–

–

–

Weighted 
Average 
Remaining 
Contractual 
Life/Years

6.25
0.59
7.24

6.32

5.93

Number of Share 
Options

9,186,071
103,542
1,343,559

10,633,172

3,165,363

Number of 
Share 
Options

4,000
103,542
–

107,542

107,542

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 2016Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 30 September67

Share options outstanding at 30 September 2015 can be summarised as follows:

£0.00–£0.50
£0.51–£1.00
£1.01–£1.50
£1.51+

Outstanding at 30 September 2015

Exercisable at 30 September 2015

Employee Options

Employee LTIP

Consultant Options

Total Options

Weighted 
Average 
Remaining 
Contractual 
Life/Years

Weighted 
Average 
Remaining 
Contractual 
Life/Years

Number of 
Share 
Options

Weighted 
Average 
Remaining 
Contractual 
Life/Years

Number of 
Share 
Options

Weighted 
Average 
Remaining 
Contractual 
Life/Years

Number of 
Share 
Options

2.97 7,333,940
–
1.52
–
0.36
326,624
–

1.20 7,660,564

1.20 2,207,875

6.95
–
–
9.74

7.07

4.98

–
–
–
–

–

–

– 7,337,940
547,812
–
219,124
–
326,624
–

– 8,431,500

– 2,978,811

6.95
1.52
0.36
9.74

6.53

4.00

Number of 
Share 
Options

4,000
547,812
219,124
–

770,936

770,936

Charges for share-based payments have been allocated to the R&D expenditure and sales, general and administrative expenses in the 
consolidated income statements as follows:

2016 
£000s

2015 
£000s

2014 
£000s

R&D expenditure
Sales, general and administrative expenses

4,119
4,033

8,152

1,525
953

2,478

775
463

1,238

In the year ended 30 September 2016, options were granted on 29 December 2015, 15 January 2016, 15 February 2016, 18 March 
2016, 14 April 2016, 12 May 2016, 9 June 2016 and 26 August 2016. The aggregate of the estimated fair values of the options granted 
on those dates is £12.7 million and the weighted average fair value of the awards made during 2016 was £2.66 per option.

In the year ended 30 September 2015, options were granted on 24 December 2014, 9 January 2015, 25 February 2015, 20 March 2015, 
9 April 2015, 6 May 2015, 24 June 2015 and 22 September 2015. The aggregate of the estimated fair values of the options granted on 
those dates is £10.6 million and the weighted average fair value of the awards made during 2015 was £5.30 per option.

Fair values were calculated using the Black-Scholes share option pricing model for grants with non-market-based performance conditions. 
The Monte Carlo share option pricing model has been used for grants with market-based performance conditions. The following 
weighted average assumptions were used in calculating these fair values: 

2016
£000s

2015
£000s

2014
£000s

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

298p
60p
58%
3.3 years
1.09%
Nil

579p
109p
59%
3.6 years
1.32%
Nil

303p
0.1p
58%
5.0 years
0.5%
Nil

Expected volatility was determined by calculating the historical volatility of the Group’s share price over previous 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.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 201668

24. Other Reserves
Other reserves of £19.5 million (30 September 2015: £19.2 million) relate to a £19.3 million merger reserve (30 September 2015: 
£19.3 million) and a £0.2 million credit relating to exchange difference on translation of foreign operations (30 September 2015: 
debit £0.1 million). The merger reserve was created as a result of the acquisition by the Company of the entire issued share capital 
of GW Pharma Limited in 2001. This acquisition was effected by a share-for-share exchange which was merger accounted under 
UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (“UK GAAP”), in accordance with the merger relief provisions of section 131 of the 
Companies Act 1985 (as amended) relating to the accounting for business combinations involving the issue of shares at a premium. 
In preparing consolidated financial statements, the amount by which the fair value of the shares issued exceeded their nominal value 
was recorded in a merger reserve on consolidation, rather than in a share premium account. The merger reserve was retained upon 
transition to IFRSs, as allowed under UK law. This reserve is not considered to be distributable.

ESOP Reserve
The Group’s “ESOP” 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 of the ESOP is GWP Trustee 
Company Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. 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 the recommendation of the 
Board of Directors of the Company.

Shares held in trust represent issued and fully paid up 0.1p ordinary shares and remain eligible to receive dividends. The shares held by 
the ESOP were originally acquired in 2000 for nil consideration by way of a gift from a shareholder and hence the balance on the ESOP 
reserve is nil (2015: nil).

As at 30 September the ESOP held the following shares:

Unconditionally vested in employees
Shares available for future distribution to employees

Total

2016 
Number

90,043
33,054

123,097

2015 
Number

115,352
33,054

148,406

The valuation methodology used to compute the share-based payment charge related to the ESOP is based on fair value at the grant 
date, which is determined by the application of a Black-Scholes share option pricing model. The assumptions underlying the Black-
Scholes model for the ESOP shares are as detailed in note 23 relating to the LTIP awards. The exercise price for shares granted under 
the ESOP is nil, and the vesting conditions include employment by the Group over a three-year vesting period from the date of grant. 
The share-based payment charge for shares granted under the ESOP plan amounted to £nil in the year ended 30 September 2016 
(2015: £nil).

As at 30 September 2016 the number and market value of shares held by the trust which have not yet unconditionally vested in 
employees is 33,054 (2015: 33,054) and £0.3 million (2015: £0.2 million) respectively.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 2016Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 30 September69

25. Financial Commitments
The Group had capital commitments for property, plant and equipment contracted but not provided for at 30 September 2016 of  
£5.1 million (2015: £0.7 million). Included within the commitment for the year ended 30 September 2016 is £4.0 million of property, 
plant and equipment associated with the commercial growing agreement explained further below.

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

Group

Company

Within one year
Between two and five years
After five years

2016 
£000s

2,723
8,117
2,198

13,038

2015 
£000s

1,642
4,600
1,982

8,224

2016 
£000s

2015 
£000s

–
–
–

–

–
–
–

–

The minimum lease payments payable under operating leases recognised as an expense in the year were £2.4 million (2015: £1.5 million).

Operating lease payments represent rentals payable by the Group for certain of its leased properties. Manufacturing and laboratory 
facilities are subject to 5 to 15-year leases, some of which have a lease break three years prior to the conclusion of the lease at the 
Group’s option. Office properties are subject to 1 to 10-year leases.

During the year ended 30 September 2016, the Group signed a commercial growing agreement with an external supplier to produce 
plant material for use in the Epidiolex development programmes and commercial release. This agreement commences during Q2 2017 
and includes multiple fee-elements designed to incentivise cost efficient, reliable production volumes of raw materials for use in 
research, development and commercial activities.

As part of the accounting treatment for this agreement a component operating lease has been identified under the requirements of 
IFRIC 4 Determining Whether an Arrangement Contains a Lease. Rental payments commence during Q2 2017 and continue over a 
five-year non-cancellable period. Future minimum lease payments associated with this operating lease are included in the table shown 
above.

Other gross payments associated with this agreement, excluding operating lease rentals and capital commitments outlined above, fall 
due as follows: 

Group

Company

Within one year
Between two and five years
After five years

2016 
£000s

6,755
36,667
2,248

45,670

2015 
£000s

2016 
£000s

2015 
£000s

–
–
–

–

–
–
–

–

–
–
–

–

26. Contingent Liabilities
As at 30 September 2016 certain fees associated with capital expenditure have been estimated. The final fees payable are to be agreed 
and paid once agreement is reached, which is expected during Q2 2017. The Group estimates that there is a possible contingent 
liability for incremental fees of up to £0.4 million of capital expenditure. 

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 201670

27. 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. 

2016 
£000s

2015 
£000s

2014 
£000s

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

2,523
215
4,556

7,294

2,395
211
1,164

3,770

2,688
203
666

3,557

Other Related Party Transactions
Group
The Group purchased various regulatory support services from Icon Clinical Research Limited and Icon Clinical Research (UK) 
Limited, which are part of Icon plc. Tom Lynch, a non-executive Director of the Group, acted as Chairman for Icon plc up to 29 March 
2016. These services were at a cost of £2,044 (2015: £12,762; 2014: £12,166). As at 30 September 2016 there was £nil due in relation to 
these amounts (2015: £nil; 2014: £2,799).

The Group paid £138 (2015: £263; 2014: £3,441) under a consultancy agreement for medical writing services to Kathryn Wright,  
wife of the Group’s Chief Medical Officer Stephen Wright. As at 30 September 2016 there was no amount due to Kathryn Wright 
(2015 and 2014: £nil).

The Group paid £47 (2015 and 2014: £nil) to Adaptimmune Ltd in relation to travel expenses incurred by James Noble, a non-executive 
Director of the Group, who also acts as Chief Executive Officer for Adaptimmune Ltd. As at 30 September 2016 there was no amount 
due to Adaptimmune Ltd (2015 and 2014: £nil).

All fees outlined above were paid on an arms-length basis and were carried out in accordance with the Group’s policy regarding related 
party transactions.

As part of the consideration of the vesting of the September 2013 LTIP award, the remuneration committee has agreed to indemnify 
Justin Gover for the incremental US taxation that he is likely to suffer on the gain arising from these LTIP options as a result of having 
relocated to the US at the Company’s request during the vesting period for this award. As at 30 September 2016 this liability is 
estimated as $1.2 million, and is expected to payable when the option gain is crystallised by sale of the resulting shares, expected in 
late 2016/early 2017.

Company
During 2016, the Company advanced funds to GW Research Limited, in order to fund Group pipeline R&D activities. This took the 
form of a long-term loan, bearing interest at 5% per annum. The balance due to the Company at 30 September 2016 was £213.9 million 
(2015: £115.7 million). As a long-term loan, this has been disclosed within the Company balance sheet as an investment – see note 28.

At 30 September 2016, the amount due from GW Pharma Limited to the Company was £23.1 million (2015: £32.3 million).

At 30 September 2016, the amount due from Greenwich Biosciences, Inc. (formerly GW Pharmaceuticals Inc.) to the Company was 
£nil (2015: £1.3 million).

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 2016Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continuedFor the year ended 30 September71

28. Investments
Group Investments

Company

At 1 October 2014
Capital contribution in respect of share-based payment charge
Additional funds advanced during year

At 1 October 2015
Capital contribution in respect of share-based payment charge
Additional funds advanced during year

At 30 September 2016

Loans to 
Group 
Undertakings 
£000s

58,782
–
58,235

117,017
–
97,022

Investments 
£000s

80,358
2,478
–

82,836
8,152
–

Total  
£000s

139,140
2,478
58,235

199,853
8,152
97,022

90,988

214,039

305,027

The Company has investments in the following subsidiary undertakings:

Name of Undertaking

Country of Registration

Activity

Direct ownership:
GW Pharma Limited 
GW Research Limited
Greenwich Biosciences Inc.  

(formerly GW Pharmaceuticals Inc.)

Indirect ownership:
GWP Trustee Company Limited
Cannabinoid Research Institute Limited
Guernsey Pharmaceuticals Limited
G-Pharm Limited

England and Wales
England and Wales

R&D
R&D

United States of America

Pharmaceutical development services

England and Wales
England and Wales
Guernsey
England and Wales

Employee share ownership
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant

Percentage 
Holding

100
100

100

100
100
100
100

All the subsidiary undertakings are included in the consolidated accounts.

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 2016Principal Bankers
HSBC Bank plc
70 Pall Mall
London SW1Y 5EZ

Public Relations Advisers
FTI Consulting
Holborn Gate
Southampton Buildings
London WC2A 1PB

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

72

Advisers

Registered Office
GW Pharmaceuticals plc 
Sovereign House
Vision Park
Histon
Cambridgeshire CB24 9BZ
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0)1223 266800
F: +44 (0)1223 235667
E: info@gwpharm.com

Registered Number
04160917 England and Wales

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

Auditor
Deloitte LLP
2 New Street Square
London EC4A 3BZ

Cautionary statement:
This annual report release contains forward-looking statements 
that reflect GW’s current expectations regarding future events, 
including statements regarding financial performance, the timing 
of clinical trials, the relevance of GW products commercially 
available and in development, the clinical benefits of Sativex® 
and Epidiolex® and the safety profile and commercial potential of 
Sativex and Epidiolex. Forward-looking statements involve risks 
and uncertainties. Actual events could differ materially from 
those projected in this news release 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, Epidiolex and 
other products by consumer and medical professionals. A further 
list and description of risks and uncertainties associated with an 
investment in GW can be found in GW’s filings with the US 
Securities and Exchange Commission. Existing and prospective 
investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these 
forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date 
hereof. GW undertakes no obligation to update or revise the 
information contained in this press release, whether as a result of 
new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.

GW Pharmaceuticals plc
Sovereign House Vision Park Histon Cambridgeshire CB24 9BZ 
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0)1223 266800 F: +44 (0)1223 235667
www.gwpharm.com

GW Pharmaceuticals plcAnnual report and accounts 2016GW Pharmaceuticals plc
Sovereign House  
Vision Park  
Histon  
Cambridgeshire  
CB24 9BZ  
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0)1223 266800  
F: +44 (0)1223 235667
www.gwpharm.com