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ImmuPharma- Plc

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FY2019 Annual Report · ImmuPharma- Plc
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ImmuPharma plcReport and Consolidated Financial StatementsFor the Year Ended 31 December 2019Contents

Chairman’s Report

Financial Review

Strategic Report

Business Overview and Prospects

Business Strategy and Objectives

Product Portfolio and Pipeline

Review of Group Activity

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

Forward-Looking Statements

Board of Directors

Scientific Collaborators

Officers and Professional Advisers

Corporate Governance Report

Directors’ Report

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

Independent Auditor’s Report

Consolidated Income Statement

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

Company Statement of Comprehensive Income

Company Statement of Financial Position

Company Statement of Changes in Equity

Company Statement of Cash Flows

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Glossary of Technical Terms

Page

2 – 8

9 – 10

11 – 27

12

14

15 – 19

20 – 22

23 – 26

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28 – 31

32 – 33

35

36 – 39

40 – 43

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45 – 49

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ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

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ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019Annual Review

Chairman’s Report

The first half of 2019 saw the successful completion of the 
analysis of the results from the Open Label Extension six 
month study from its original Phase III trial of Lupuzor™, 
ImmuPharma’s lead program for lupus, a potential life 
threatening auto immune disease. The key finding 
from this study confirmed the robust safety profile of 
Lupuzor™ whilst also reporting no serious adverse events. 
Furthermore, we announced the successful completion 
of a subscription and Sharing Agreement (“Sharing 
Agreement”) raising approximately £2.66 million with 
an institutional investor Lanstead Capital Investors LP 
(“Lanstead”), see note 14 for further details.

During the second half of 2019, we continued discussions 
with potential commercial partners for Lupuzor™, resulting 
in the signed Trademark, License and Development 
Agreement (“Agreement”) with Avion Pharmaceuticals LLC 
(“Avion”), for the exclusive rights to Lupuzor™ in North 
America (United States). The Agreement allows completion 
of a new optimised international Phase III trial, which will 
be fully funded by Avion. Outside of lupus, the Agreement 
also includes the option for Avion to explore the peptide’s 
potential in other auto-immune diseases for the US market.

ImmuPharma retains the rights to Lupuzor™ for all 
territories outside of the US and positive discussions with 
a number of potential commercial partners of Lupuzor™ in 
other key territories outside of the US are continuing.

In light of the recently emerged Covid-19 outbreak, the 
Company has put in place mitigating measures against 
medium term plans. Such measures are detailed in the 
Strategic Report (page 26).

Lupuzor™ Phase III open label extension results
Following requests from both investigators and patients 
involved in the Phase III trial completed in 2018, 
ImmuPharma initiated an additional clinical trial permitting 
patients who participated in the Phase III study, to receive 
Lupuzor™ plus Standard of Care for six months in an open 
label study. The results were gathered as an “extension” 
open label study, independent of the pivotal Phase III trial. 
The study results announced in June 2019, confirmed that 
the primary endpoint, which was the safety and tolerability 
of Lupuzor™, were successfully met.

The open label extension study followed the pivotal Phase 
III clinical trial for Lupuzor™, the results of which were 
announced in April 2018. The data showed that Lupuzor™ 
demonstrated a superior response rate over the placebo 
(52.5% vs 44.6% “responders”) in the primary analysis on 
the Full Analysis Set of all 202 patients. However, due to 
the high response rate in the placebo group, this superior 
response did not allow statistical significance to be reached 
(p = 0.2631) and the trial’s primary end point was not met. 
However, importantly, in patients who were anti-dsDNA 
autoantibody positive (a recognised biomarker for Systemic 
Lupus Erythematosus (‘SLE’), Lupuzor™ plus Standard of 
Care demonstrated a higher superior response rate over 

placebo plus Standard of Care (61.5% vs 47.3%). In the 
European cohort (Europe and Mauritius), the difference 
was higher (71.1% vs 48.8%) and reached statistical 
significance (p=0.0218). In addition, 7.5% of the patients in 
the Lupuzor™ plus Standard of Care group went into full 
remission versus none in the placebo plus Standard of Care 
group. The study confirmed the outstanding safety profile 
of Lupuzor™, with zero drug-related serious adverse events 
reported in the Lupuzor™ plus Standard of Care group.

Scientific literature indicates that approximately 
60% - 70% of patients diagnosed for lupus are anti-
dsDNA autoantibody positive. These proportions were 
seen in the Europe cohort (60.8% of patients) and could 
therefore be considered as representative of the overall 
lupus population. In those patients who were anti-dsDNA 
autoantibody negative, there was almost no difference in 
disease activity reduction between the active group and 
the comparator group. Anti-dsDNA autoantibodies are a 
recognised biomarker for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

This finding indicates that the activity of Lupuzor™ could be 
correlated with the presence of anti-dsDNA autoantibodies 
in lupus patients. ImmuPharma believes that predictive 
biomarkers, such as anti-dsDNA autoantibodies, could 
allow identification of patients that are more likely to 
respond positively to treatment with Lupuzor™.

Lupuzor™ – Opportunity and next steps
There are an estimated five million people globally suffering 
from lupus, with approximately 1.5 million patients in the US, 
Europe and Japan (Source: Lupus Foundation of America). 
Current ‘standard of care’ treatments, including steroids and 
immunosuppressants, can potentially have either serious side 
effects for patients or limited effectiveness, with over 60 per 
cent of patients not adequately treated.

ImmuPharma believes Lupuzor™ has the potential to 
be a novel specific drug therapy for the treatment of 
Lupus by specifically modulating the immune system and 
halting disease progression in a substantial proportion of 
patients. Lupuzor™ has a unique mechanism of action that 
modulates the activity of CD4 T-cells which are involved 
in the cell-mediated immune response which leads to the 
lupus disease. Lupuzor™, taken over the long term, as 
indicated in earlier stage clinical trials, has the potential to 
prevent the progression of lupus rather than just treating 
its symptoms, with the rest of the immune system retaining 
the ability to work normally.

The Board is confident that there are a number of routes to 
market for Lupuzor™, including corporate collaborations. 
Such a collaboration was successfully completed at the 
end of November 2019, resulting in a signed exclusive 
Trademark, License and Development Agreement with Avion 
Pharmaceuticals LLC (“Avion”) in North America. Positive 
discussions with a number of potential commercial partners for 
Lupuzor™ in key territories outside of the US are continuing.

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

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Chairman’s Report (continued)

Agreement with Avion Pharmaceuticals LLC
On 28 November 2019 Avion Pharmaceuticals LLC (“Avion”) 
and ImmuPharma signed a Trademark, License and 
Development Agreement (“Agreement”) for the exclusive 
rights to Lupuzor™ in North America (United States).

With important insights gained from the initial pivotal Phase 
III Lupuzor™ trial concluded by ImmuPharma in 2018, a new 
Phase III clinical trial design with Avion has been identified. 
The ability to select the most responsive patients by biomarker 
profile has enabled Avion and ImmuPharma to agree the 
most robust way forward for Lupuzor™ in lupus patients. 
The Agreement allows completion of this new optimised 
international Phase III trial. Avion and ImmuPharma have 
assessed and agreed an expected level of funding required 
to complete the international Phase III trial, which Avion 
has agreed to fund in full up to $25 million, in return for full 
licensing rights over the drug within the US. ImmuPharma 
will receive milestone payments of up to $70 million, of which 
$5 million payment will be paid on regulatory approval and 
a further $65 million will be based on achievement of overall 
sales targets. Additionally, ImmuPharma will receive from Avion 
double-digit royalties up to 17%, according to pre-specified 
annual US sales targets. Avion and ImmuPharma will co-
develop Lupuzor™ to allow registration for marketing in the 
United States, Europe and elsewhere. Avion will commercialise 
Lupuzor™ in the United States exclusively.

Avion also has the right to explore clinical development 
for other auto-immune indications within US territories. 
Additional milestone payments of $5 million will be paid to 
ImmuPharma for each disease indication, outside of lupus, 
receiving regulatory approval. All existing clinical data and any 
future joint Intellectual Property will be shared between the 
two parties for their respective regions. ImmuPharma retains 
all rights to commercialise Lupuzor™ outside of the US, either 
through commercial partnerships or directly by ImmuPharma.

Avion Pharmaceuticals LLC
Established in 2007, Avion is a US-based speciality 
pharmaceutical company formed to develop, acquire and 
market a portfolio of innovative pharmaceutical products in 
Women’s Health and other therapeutic categories. Avion 
has a deep in-house expertise within medical and regulatory 
affairs and late-stage clinical development, together with a 
strong marketing and commercialisation operation. Avion’s 
sales team reaches throughout North America with more 
than 100 sales representatives with significant specialist 
therapeutic experience. Since 2012, Avion has launched 
more than 55 New Drug Candidates (NDCs) and 20+ 
generic product extensions. Avion’s launch earlier this year 
of a new gout product (Gloperba®) for adults is an excellent 
sales and marketing fit for the future commercialisation of 
Lupuzor™, as rheumatologists are the core prescribers and 
therapeutic influencers in both gout and lupus.

Post review period
On 30 March 2020 ImmuPharma confirmed that its partner 
Avion had strengthened its team of advisors for the Phase 
III trial, entering into a collaboration with a leading lupus 
patient group and the formation of a Board of Key Opinion 
Leaders all of whom are senior respected consultants within 
the lupus and autoimmune community in the US and Europe.

Centre National de la Recherche 
Scientifique (CNRS)
ImmuPharma continues to have important collaboration 
arrangements with the Centre National de la Recherche 
Scientifique (CNRS), the French National Council for 
Scientific Research and the largest basic research 
organisation in Europe. This is where Lupuzor™ was 
invented by Prof. Sylviane Muller, Research Director at the 
CNRS. Through this partnership, CNRS will be entitled to

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Annual Review

Chairman’s Report (continued)

receive from ImmuPharma, low double-digit royalty 
payments of funds received by ImmuPharma from Avion 
through the Licence and Development Agreement.

Pipeline Overview
ImmuPharma’s pipeline includes novel peptide-based 
therapeutics within four therapy areas: Autoimmunity; 
Anti-Infectives; Metabolism and Cancer.

Autoimmunity / Lupuzor™ / Forigerimod / P140 Platform
Lupuzor™, is also known by its chemical name 
‘Forigerimod’ or ‘P140’. Outside of Lupuzor™ for lupus, 
ImmuPharma in conjunction with the CNRS are exploring 
opportunities on expanding into other autoimmune 
indications, as demonstrated by Lupuzor’s™’ strong 
efficacy and safety profile and by its mechanism of action.

Certain autoimmune indications, outside of lupus, have the 
potential for Orphan Drug designation. One disease of key 
interest to ImmuPharma’s team is Chronic Inflammatory 
Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (“CIDP”). CIDP is a 
neurological disorder targeting the body’s nerves. Further 
assessment continues with the objective of moving CIDP 
forward into a Proof of Concept study, based on the strong 
data already gained within ImmuPharma’s lupus dossier.

Nucant and Peptide program combined to form Ureka 
Pharma SAS
On 15 February 2020, the Company combined its two 
subsidiaries, Ureka Pharma SAS (‘Ureka’) and Elro Pharma 
SARL (‘Elro’) into one entity Ureka Pharma SAS (“Ureka 
Pharma”). The intention of this is to maximise value from 
the combined entity whilst retaining an interest in any 
future commercial success. Within this newly formed 
entity, and as further announced in a R&D update on 
30 March 2020, there are three therapy areas: Cancer, 
Metabolism and Anti-Infectives.

Cancer
Within this therapy area is ImmuPharma’s Nucant cancer 
program, IPP-204106, which is focused on combination 
cancer therapy approaches. A grant was awarded by the EU 
to different EU partners (€7 million total with €430k awarded 
to ImmuPharma) to develop the Nucants in combination 
with cytotoxic drugs linked to a solid support. The molecule 
has also shown promising results in ophthalmology (age-
related macular degeneration) models.

Metabolism & Urelix™ technology
This therapy area has been developing lead compounds 
from its novel and patented peptide technology platform 
Urelix™. The laboratories are based at the Institut 
Europeen de Chimie et Biologie (IECB) in Bordeaux, 
France, which is under the joint authority of the CNRS, 
Inserm and the University of Bordeaux.

Urelix™ is focusing on oligourea foldamers as a tool to 
improve the pharmaceutical properties of peptides. One 
of the first focus areas has been GLP-1 analogues for the 
treatment of Type II diabetes and NASH (Non-Alcoholic-
Steato-Hepatitis) as proof of concept for its technology. 
In February 2019, the peer reviewed scientific research 
journal ‘Nature Communications’ published a paper on 
this technology.

Further applications of the Urelix™ technology include 
protein/protein interactions, notably in cancer, and 
improvement of marketed efficacious peptides allowing 
additional long lasting patent protection, paving the way for a 
life cycle management franchise. Novel patented technologies 
are also currently implemented to cover other aspects of the 
improvement of peptides including potential oral delivery. 
Peptides have gained so much attention in the last decade 
that they are now part of the main strategies, along with small 
molecules and biologics, for developing new medicines.

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

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Chairman’s Report (continued)

Metabolism | ‘BioGlucagon’ (new program)
ImmuPharma announced on 30 March 2020 that it has 
developed a new product, BioGlucagon, as a potential new 
rescue therapy for low sugar events in diabetes. Existing 
glucagon products have poor solubility and are inconvenient 
with variable dosing due to poor solubility creating risks for 
patients. BioGlucagon has 100% solubility, can be formulated 
in pre-filled syringe pens and could be used in insulin pumps. 
The next step will be to progress towards a bio equivalence 
study for BioGlucagon, which if successful could result with a 
potential market launch date in 2022. Partnering discussions 
will now progress in parallel.

Anti-Infectives (new therapy area)
As also announced on 30 March 2020, ImmuPharma has recently 
started exploring opportunities in research and development of 
anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial programs.

Of specific interest is within anti-fungal. ImmuPharma has 
recently developed BioAMP-B, a novel peptide-based drug 
that offers a potential improvement on Amphotericin-B 
(“Amp-B”). Amp-B is one of the few effective treatments for 
many serious and life threatening fungal infections such as 
aspergillosis (lung infection). However, the leading AMP-B, 
‘Ambisome’ is known to cause serious kidney toxicity in 14-
15% of patients. ImmuPharma’s BioAMP-B’s target profile has 
a superior safety profile to Ambisome. Sales of Ambisome 
in 2019 were $407 million. The next step is lead candidate 
optimisation and in parallel opening up partnering discussions. 
Further information regarding these programs are described in 
detail within the Strategic Report.

Capital Subscription
In June 2019, as part of a placing that raised, in aggregate, £2.66 
million (before expenses) ImmuPharma issued 26,565,200 new 
ordinary shares to Lanstead Capital Investors LP (‘Lanstead’) 
at a price of 10p per share for £2.66 million. All of the shares 
with full voting rights were allotted to Lanstead on 2 July 2019. 

ImmuPharma simultaneously entered into a Sharing Agreement 
with Lanstead for 100% of these shares with a reference price 
of 13.33p per share price. The Sharing Agreement is for a 24 
month period. The actual consideration is variable depending 
upon ImmuPharma’s share price and provides the opportunity 
for ImmuPharma to benefit from a positive future share price 
performance. On 2 July 2019, ImmuPharma also issued, in 
aggregate, a further 1,328,290 new ordinary shares to Lanstead 
as a value payment in connection with entering into the Sharing 
Agreement. At the end of financial year 2019, the fair value of 
Lanstead derivative financial asset was recalculated, resulting in 
finance gain of £58k.

Post review period
On 30 March 2020 ImmuPharma announced subscriptions 
to raise £1.5 million (the “Subscriptions”) through the issue 
of 15,000,000 new ordinary shares of 10 pence each in 
ImmuPharma (“Ordinary Shares”) (the “Subscription Shares”) 
at a price of 10p per Ordinary Share (“Issue Price”). The 
Subscriptions comprise a £200,000 subscription from Dr 
Robert Zimmer, (Director, President & Chief Scientific Officer 
of ImmuPharma) through Luca and Associates AG (“Luca”) 
( a company to which he is connected) and a further £1.3 
million subscription with Lanstead”, an institutional investor 
and substantial shareholder, together with a related Sharing 
Agreement, to raise in aggregate £1.5 million before expenses.

The subscriptions from Lanstead represent further supportive 
investments in the Company by Lanstead following the £4.43 
million investment in February 2016, from which the Company 
ultimately received just over £5.0 million from Lanstead 
including the additional funds received through the Sharing 
Agreement over time.

These funding initiatives had been undertaken in order to 
further strengthen the Company’s financial position and to 
support further investment in ImmuPharma’s research and 
development (“R&D”) programs.

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ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

Annual Review

Chairman’s Report (continued)

Dual Listing on Euronext Growth Brussels
On 19 December 2019 ImmuPharma’s shares were admitted to 
trading on Euronext Growth Brussels (“Euronext”) under ticker 
‘ALIMM’. The intention of this listing was to further increase 
the visibility of ImmuPharma’s shares in continental Europe 
where the Company is conducting its operational activities in 
France and Switzerland. It also allowed ImmuPharma to join 
the number one European stock exchange for Life Sciences 
and the world’s second biggest for biotech companies after the 
United States.

Interest in Incanthera plc
In September 2018, ImmuPharma signed a Heads of Terms 
agreement with Incanthera Ltd “Incanthera” regarding a 
potential collaboration on the Nucant program. Discussions 
were ultimately terminated. At the same time, ImmuPharma 
invested £2 million to purchase 363,637 shares at £5.50 per 
share in Incanthera and received warrants for a further 363,637 
shares at £5.50. This investment represented a holding of 
approximately 15% in Incanthera in 2018.

On 26 February 2020 Incanthera entered into Share Exchange 
Agreement with its shareholders, whereby each shareholder in 
Incanthera agreed to exchange their original shares for shares 
in the new Company – Incanthera Plc, resulting in the allotment 
of 48,564,280 ordinary shares.

On 28 February 2020 Incanthera’s shares were admitted to 
trading on Aquis Stock Exchange (“AQSE”, formerly NEX 
Exchange) under the ticker (TIDM: INC). Following Admission 
to trading, ImmuPharma retains 7,272,740 (from 363,637 
held previously, subject of 1:20 sub-division) ordinary shares 
in Incanthera, representing 11.9% of Incanthera’s enlarged 
issued ordinary share capital. As for all Incanthera’s major 
shareholders, ImmuPharma has entered a standard “lock-in” 
agreement for these shares, for a period up to 12 months 
following Admission.

ImmuPharma also has 7,272,740 warrants at an exercise price 
of 9.5p pence, being the price at which new shares have 
been issued in the Placing accompanying Incanthera’s listing 
(“Issue Price”).

In addition, ImmuPharma has entered into a Subscription 
Agreement with Incanthera. Under the Subscription 
Agreement, ImmuPharma has the right, at any time prior to 
31 October 2020, to subscribe for 2,631,579 new Ordinary 
Shares in Incanthera at the Issue Price (an amount of £250,000). 
Should ImmuPharma not exercise their right to subscribe by 
31 October 2020, Incanthera may serve notice to ImmuPharma 
requiring exercise within 10 business days.

As a major shareholder ImmuPharma remains supportive of 
Incanthera and its diverse oncology pipeline but is especially 
excited of the potential near term commercialisation of 
Incanthera’s lead product Sol, for skin cancer and other 
topical indications.

Current Activities and Outlook
The Board has been focused on delivering a business strategy, 
which provides the optimum route forward for ImmuPharma 
and its shareholders, based on its current assets, knowhow, 
collaborations and funding, including taking into account risks 
related to Covid-19 outbreak, discussed in further detail on 
page 26. In the medium term, we remain focussed on achieving 
the full regulatory approval of Lupuzor™ in conjunction with 
our US partner, Avion, which we believe has the potential to 
be a ground breaking drug for lupus patients with blockbuster 
potential in commercial terms. Both companies are focused 
on expediting Lupuzor™ into a new optimised international 
Phase III study. Avion’s strengthening of its team of advisors 
to include a collaboration with a leading lupus patient group 
and the formation of KOLs, all of whom are senior respected 
consultants within the lupus and autoimmune community in 
the US and Europe, only enhances this strategy. In parallel, 
discussions are continuing with a number of potential 
commercial partners for Lupuzor™ outside of the US.

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

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Chairman’s Report (continued)

“Within the P140 Lupuzor™ platform and having confidence 
in the data gained from the lupus trials already completed, we 
can see real opportunities by expanding the disease targets and 
are now focussing our efforts on a Proof of Concept study in 
CIDP patients.”

“In also broadening our R&D programs (with additional 
investment from Lanstead and Dr Robert Zimmer), through 
newly formed entity Ureka Pharma SAS, we are excited by the 
potential of our anti-fungal Bio-AMP-B therapy and our new 
BioGlucagon program, both have the potential of progressing 
quickly through initial bio-equivalence trials whilst in parallel 
opening up discussions for potential partnering opportunities. 
These initiatives continue to create further opportunities in the 
medium to long term to enhance shareholder value.”

“We are in a new chapter within ImmuPharma’s history, with the 
investment thesis for the Company and specifically Lupuzor™ 
being repositioned and we look forward to providing further 
updates on progress with shareholders over the next period.”

“Lastly, the Board would like to thank its shareholders, including 
Lanstead for their support as well as its staff, corporate and 
scientific advisers and our partners including Simbec-Orion, 
CNRS and our new partner for Lupuzor™, Avion for their 
continued efforts and collaborative expertise.”

Tim McCarthy
Non-Executive Chairman

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ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

Financial Review

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

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Annual Review

Financial Review

The financial results of the ImmuPharma plc Group in 
this report cover the year ended 31 December 2019. 
The Group principal activity is that of research and 
development of novel drugs to treat serious medical 
conditions.

Results
The Group recorded a loss for the year of £6.1 million 
(2018: £7.2 million). Basic and diluted loss per share was 
3.99p (2018: 5.19p). In accordance with the Group’s loss 
making position no dividend is proposed.

Income Statement
The operating loss for the year ended 31 December 
2019 was £6.3 million, down from £8.1 million for the year 
ended 31 December 2018. The research and development 
expenditure was £2.7 million, substantially down from 
£4.7 million in 2018. Administrative expenses were £1.8 
million (2018: £1.7 million). Fair value loss of £1.3 million 
(2018: Nil) on investment in Incanthera has been charged 
to Statement of Comprehensive Income. Finance income 
has decreased from £130k in 2018 to £64k in 2019. 
Finance costs amounted to £527k, up from £5k in 2018. 
Total comprehensive loss for the year was £7.0 million, a 
decrease from £7.3 million in 2018.

Total Voting Rights
The Company has a total of 167,360,920 ordinary shares 
in issue at 31 December 2019 with each share carrying the 
right of one vote.

Treasury Policy
The policy continues to be that surplus funds of the 
Group are held in interest-bearing bank accounts on 
short or medium maturities, until commitments to future 
expenditure are made, when adequate funds are released 
to enable future expenditure to be incurred. The Group’s 
Treasury Policy and controls are straightforward and 
approved by the Board.

Statement of Financial Position
The Group cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 
2019 amounted to £1.4 million (2018: £4.9 million). 
Financial borrowings were £27k (2018: £121k). This balance 
is primarily the conditional advance from the French 
Government for use in the development of our cancer 
program. No interest is payable.

In June 2019, ImmuPharma signed a subscription 
agreement with Lanstead, raising approximately £2.66 
million, spread over 24 months. At 31 December 2019 
Lanstead derivative financial asset amounted to £2.3 
million (2018: £Nil). Investment in Incanthera amounted to 
£691k (2018: £2.0 million).

Financial Strategy
The overall strategy is to maintain a tight control over 
cash resources whilst enabling continued progress of the 
Company’s development assets.

On behalf of the Board 
Dimitri Dimitriou
Director

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ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

Strategic Report

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

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Annual Review

Strategic Report

The Board of ImmuPharma plc present their Strategic 
Report for the Group for the year ended 31 December 
2019.

Vision and Values
ImmuPharma is an ethical organisation with the vision to 
develop novel drugs to treat serious medical conditions, 
delivering value to patients, medical professionals, 
healthcare payers and our shareholders.

Business Overview and Prospects
ImmuPharma plc is a specialty biopharmaceutical 
company that discovers and develops peptide-based 
therapeutics, headquartered in London and listed on 
both the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange 
(IMM) and Euronext Growth Brussels (ALIMM). Its research 
operations are in France. ImmuPharma is dedicated to the 
development of novel drugs, largely based on peptide 
therapeutics, to treat serious medical conditions such as 
autoimmune diseases characterised by:

•  high unmet medical need;

•  low marketing costs; and

•  relatively low development costs.

Founded first in Basel, Switzerland in 1999 and led by 
an experienced management team, ImmuPharma now 
has important research and development collaboration 
arrangements with highly respected health and medical 
research laboratories in Europe.

ImmuPharma’s strategy and risk-averse business model 
is different from many of its peers, and its management 
team has extensive experience in senior positions in some 
of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies.

ImmuPharma has adopted an outsourcing model 
where development activities are assigned to contract 
research organisations (“CROs”), maintaining low costs. 
ImmuPharma continues to manage the development of 
its own assets up to commercialisation, but will also seek 
collaborative agreements with larger pharmaceutical 
companies at an earlier stage, where viable.

ImmuPharma’s portfolio includes novel peptide 
therapeutics within autoimmunity, metabolism, anti-
infectives and cancer. The lead program, Lupuzor™, 
is a first-in class autophagy immunomodulator which 
is in Phase III development for the treatment of lupus. 
Preclinical analysis suggests therapeutic activity for 
many other autoimmune diseases that share the same 
autophagy mechanism of action. ImmuPharma and Avion 
Pharmaceuticals LLC (“Avion”) signed on 28 November 
2019, an exclusive Licence and Development Agreement 
and Trademark Agreement for Lupuzor™ to fund a new 
optimised international Phase III trial for Lupuzor™ and 
commercialise in the US (North America).

Collaboration with Centre National de la 
Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
ImmuPharma has important collaboration arrangements 
with the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 
(CNRS), the French National Council for Scientific Research 

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Annual Review

Strategic Report (continued)

and the largest basic research organisation in Europe. 
ImmuPharma also has links with the Institut National de 
la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), France’s 
national institute for health and medical research.

As part of the collaboration arrangements, ImmuPharma 
has entered into a research agreement with the CNRS 
which relates to the therapeutic use of peptides and 
peptide derivatives. ImmuPharma has been granted the 
worldwide exclusive rights to exploit all discoveries made 
pursuant to this agreement and will co-own the relevant 
intellectual property with the CNRS.

The CNRS has granted additional exclusive worldwide 
licenses to ImmuPharma covering rights to discoveries 
made prior to this agreement but related to it. 
Applications for additional patents, to be jointly owned by 
the CNRS and ImmuPharma, have already been and are 
being filed. The CNRS is entitled to a share of the revenue 
generated by ImmuPharma from the exploitation of the 
CNRS’ licensed and co-owned rights.

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

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Strategic Report (continued)
Business Strategy and Objectives

ImmuPharma focuses on developing pioneering and 
novel drugs in specialist therapeutic areas where 
there is a distinct lack of existing treatments, avoiding 
primary care (diseases treated by GPs) where many 
treatments exist. This is consistent with the trends in the 
pharmaceutical industry.

Since our foundation, our research strategy has been 
to work closely with the largest fundamental research 
organisation in Europe, the CNRS in France. This 
collaboration enables us to access innovative research 
with substantial embedded value at a relatively low cost, 
and to work with many leading scientists and doctors.

Our market strategy is to develop drug candidates to 
a point where further value can be added by licensing 
our assets to partners (primarily major pharmaceutical 
corporations) that are well placed to further develop 
and/or commercialise them. Our corporate deal with 
Cephalon Pharmaceuticals in 2009 and most recently with 
Avion Pharmaceuticals signed in 2019, encompassing 
an exclusive Agreement for Lupuzor™,  our lead drug 
candidate for the treatment of lupus, to fund a new 
international Phase III trial and commercialise in the US,   
are successful examples of this strategy in action.

ImmuPharma’s principal business objective is to 
enhance shareholder value through the development 
and commercialisation of novel drugs.  Its strategies for 
achieving this objective include:

•(cid:3) pursuing a low cost model of accessing world class 

research through our collaboration with the CNRS in 
France;

•(cid:3) selecting specialist therapeutic areas where there are 

high unmet needs;

•(cid:3) managing the clinical development of novel drug 

candidates;

•(cid:3) seeking collaborative agreements with partner 
companies to further the development and 
commercialisation of novel drug candidates; and

•(cid:3) maintaining a small corporate infrastructure to 

minimise costs.

As dually listed (LSE:AIM & Euronext Growth Brussels) 
and a Group with European subsidiaries and operations, 
ImmuPharma continue to consider and monitor the 
Brexit process. At this stage of the Group’s development, 
ImmuPharma does not believe that Brexit will significantly 
impact the Group’s operations or future plans.

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Annual Review

Strategic Report (continued)
Pipeline Overview

ImmuPharma currently has four therapy areas covering:

•  Autoimmunity

•  Metabolism

•  Anti-Infectives

•  Cancer

Each of these programs and respective drug candidates, 
many being novel peptide therapeutics, are proprietary 
and represent a novel approach to therapy. The Company 
believes each has significant commercial potential if 
successfully developed.

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Strategic Report (continued)
Product Pipeline

Autoimmunity / Lupuzor™ for Lupus and CIDP
ImmuPharma’s lead product candidate, Lupuzor™, also 
known by its scientific name Forigerimod / ‘P140’, targets 
lupus, an autoimmune disease for which there is currently 
no cure or specific treatment. Lupuzor™ was successfully 
licensed to US Cephalon Pharmaceuticals in February 
2009, in which ImmuPharma received upfront payments 
totalling US$45 million, with a US$500 million cash milestone 
payment structure plus high royalties on future sales. In 
late 2011, following the acquisition of Cephalon by Teva 
Pharmaceuticals, ImmuPharma regained all product 
rights to Lupuzor™. More recently on 28 November 
2019, ImmuPharma and Avion Pharmaceuticals signed an 
exclusive trademark, licence and development agreement 
for Lupuzor™ to fund a new optimised international Phase 
III trial for Lupuzor™ and commercialise in the US. Avion will 
fund the Phase III trial and pay ImmuPharma milestones and 
tiered double digit royalties.

Lupus (frequently manifested as Systemic Lupus 
Erythematosus or SLE) is a chronic, life-threatening 
autoimmune, inflammatory disease with a pattern of 
flares and remission. Lupus can affect multiple organs 
such as skin, joints, kidneys, blood cells, heart and lungs. 
It can appear in a multitude of forms, making diagnosis 
difficult with patients presenting to several different 
specialists (mainly dermatologists, rheumatologists and 
nephrologists). Awareness of the disease has steadily 
increased in recent years and should continue to do so 
due to well-organised patient groups and increased 
research and development activity into new treatments. 

New diagnostic tools are now in place and are increasingly 
used by physicians, which coupled with greater awareness, 
should lead to an increase in diagnosis rates.

There are an estimated five million people globally suffering 
from lupus, with approximately 1.5 million patients in the US, 
Europe and Japan (source: Lupus Foundation of America). 
Current ‘standard of care’ treatments, including steroids and 
immunosuppressants, can potentially have either serious side 
effects for patients or limited effectiveness, with over 60% of 
patients not adequately treated. GlaxoSmithKline’s Benlysta 
is the first lupus drug approved in over 50 years and paves 
the path to market for Lupuzor™. Based on conservative 
estimates, and taking into account that Benlysta is priced 
currently at approximately US$35,000 per patient per year, 
Lupuzor™ would be entering a market with the potential for 
multi-billion sales.

ImmuPharma believes that Lupuzor™, which was invented 
by Professor Sylviane Muller, previous Chair of Therapeutic 
Immunology at CNRS, has the potential to be a novel 
specific first-line drug therapy for the treatment of lupus 
by specifically modulating the immune system and halting 
disease progression in a substantial proportion of patients. 
Lupuzor™, taken over the long term, is intended to 
prevent the progression of lupus rather than just treating its 
symptoms. Lupuzor™ has a unique mechanism of action that 
modulates the activity of CD4 T cells which are involved in 
the cell-mediated immune response which leads to the lupus 
disease. The Company has demonstrated that Lupuzor™ 
could leave the rest of the immune system working normally.

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Strategic Report (continued)
Product Pipeline (continued)

Lupuzor™ successfully completed Phase IIb clinical trials 
demonstrating a response rate of 65% after 3 months 
treatment and has also completed a Phase III clinical 
trial. Lupuzor™ was given a Special Protocol Assessment 
(SPA) from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to 
conduct Phase III trials with Fast Track Designation. In 2015, 
ImmuPharma signed an agreement with Simbec-Orion to 
complete a pivotal Phase III clinical study of Lupuzor™. 
Simbec-Orion is a full service international Clinical Research 
Organisation (CRO) specialising in rare and orphan 
conditions and has previous direct experience of lupus trials.

The Phase III trial was a double-blind, randomised, 
placebo-controlled trial. The study involved patients being 
dosed for one year, receiving 0.2mg once every month 
subcutaneously. 293 patients were screened illustrating 
the demand from physicians for a new, safe and effective 
treatment for lupus. Of these, the required 202 patients 
were successfully recruited and randomised (dosed). 
Patients participated in the trial in seven countries across 
28 sites. The dosing of patients was completed in January 
2018 and top line results announced in April 2018.

Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating 
Polyneuropathy (“CIDP”)
Outside of lupus the unique mechanism of action of 
Lupuzor™ (also known as Forigerimod or P140) has 
demonstrated in a number of pre-clinical trials that 
it has the potential to also be effective within other 
auto-immune diseases. One disease of key interest to 
ImmuPharma’s team is Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating 
Polyneuropathy (“CIDP”) where compelling pre-clinical 
data* has been generated. CIDP could potentially be 

granted ’Orphan Drug Designation’ due to the unmet 
clinical need and with around 50,000 to 100,000 confirmed 
cases in the US and Europe, which would provide a fast 
approval process. The sales potential however could 
be greater than $500 million annually, with currently no 
effective approved drug on the market.

ImmuPharma is planning to commence a Proof of Concept 
study in CIDP patients based on the strong data already 
gained within the Company’s lupus dossier.

*Results were published in 2018 in the ’Journal of 
Autoimmunity’ entitled: “An autophagy-targeting 
peptide to treat chronic inflammatory demyelinating 
polyneuropathies”.

Anti-Infectives
There is growing resistance to antibiotics and antifungal 
agents, and more recently, the Covid-19 outbreak has 
highlighted mankind’s unpreparedness and susceptibility 
to more aggressive infectious microorganisms, not only 
from a health perspective but also from an economic and 
social impact. Surviving cancer and other fatal diseases 
is undoubtedly vital but without sufficient ammunition 
against bugs (viral, fungal or bacterial) we survive to face a 
bigger problem.

The World Health Organisation has stated that resistance 
to antibiotics is one of the biggest threats to global health, 
costs and mortality. Pandemic disease events could cost 
the global economy over $6 trillion in the 21st century 
(National Academy of Medicine: 2016).

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Strategic Report (continued)
Product Pipeline (continued)

However, despite the obvious threats to the health and 
wellbeing of the world’s population, anti-infectives is a 
therapy area that attracts one of the lowest R&D spends in 
the biopharma industry. For example, there are three trials 
in oncology for one in anti-infectives, even though anti-
infective drug development is faster and less expensive. 
Trials are generally much shorter for anti-infection versus 
chronic disease, so this is an attractive therapy area for 
speed to market and lower cost of trials.

Antiviral opportunity
The Company through its subsidiary Ureka Pharma SAS 
has recently become a partner in a consortium dedicated 
to the development of novel peptides intended to block 
the fusion of COVID-19 and other viruses to the target cell, 
an approach similar to Fuzeon (enfuvirtide) by Roche.

Drugs that target viral entry into the host cell have been 
proven effective against a wide range of viral diseases. 
The aim is to apply the results of fundamental research to 
the development of novel inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 entry 
into target cells using the Urelix™ patented technology of 
Ureka Pharma SAS together with contributions from the 
other members of the consortium. The strategy is based 
on inhibiting viral entry, using peptides specific for the 
viral fusion protein.

Anti-fungal opportunity / ’BioAMP-B’
ImmuPharma has recently developed BioAMP-B, a novel 
peptide-based drug that offers a potential improvement on 
Amphotericin-B (“Amp-B”). Amp-B is one of the few effective 
treatments for many serious and life threatening fungal 
infections such as aspergillosis (lung infection). However, 

the leading AMP-B, ’Ambisome’ is known to cause serious 
kidney toxicity in 14-15% of patients. ImmuPharma’s BioAMP-
B’s target profile has a superior safety profile to Ambisome. 
Sales of Ambisome in 2019 were $407 million. Next step is 
lead candidate optimisation.

Anti-bacterial opportunity / ’IPP-203101’
IPP-203101 is ImmuPharma’s novel peptide-based 
antibiotic for the treatment of MRSA (“methicillin-resistant 
Staphylococcus aureus” or “superbug”) and other severe 
and hospital acquired multi-resistant infections. MRSA 
infections are increasingly resistant to even the last lines of 
drug defence such as ’vancomycin’ and ’teicoplanin’, which 
are two commonly used antibiotics. IPP-203101 causes 
bacterial cell death by a two-step mechanism involving 
interaction with the lipid component of the membrane 
followed by membrane breakdown. IPP-203101’s target 
profile is to be as efficacious as vancomycin, but with a 
better safety profile, weekly administration, less susceptible 
resistance and a better efficacy profile for certain strains. 
Next step is lead candidate optimisation.

Metabolism & Urelix™ technology
ImmuPharma continues the development of its novel and 
innovative peptide technology platform ‘Urelix™’, through 
its collaboration with the CNRS, thereby gaining access 
to pioneering research centred on novel peptide drugs at 
the University of Bordeaux and the Institut Européen de 
Chimie et Biologie (IECB).

The peptide technology platform ‘Urelix™’ has the ability 
to mimic protein structures, allowing for the preservation 
(or enhancement) of function while significantly increasing 

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Strategic Report (continued)
Product Pipeline (continued)

protein stability. Jointly, ImmuPharma and CNRS have 
filed a new co-owned patent controlling this breakthrough 
peptide technology.

The first therapeutic area being targeted is diabetes with 
glucagon-like peptide -1 agonists, a class of drugs for the 
treatment of diabetes, as well as initiating the development 
of novel peptides as glucagon antagonists - one of the novel 
approaches to treat Type I and Type II diabetes. ImmuPharma 
has received a non-refundable grant of approximately 
€600,000 to develop this technology.

Metabolism | ‘BioGlucagon’ (new program)
ImmuPharma has developed a new product, BioGlucagon, 
as a potential new rescue therapy for low sugar events 
in diabetes. Existing glucagon products have poor 
solubility and are inconvenient with variable dosing due 
to poor solubility creating risks for patients. BioGlucagon 
has 100% solubility, can be formulated in pre-filled 
syringe pens and could be used in insulin pumps. The 
next step will be to progress towards a bio equivalence 
study for BioGlucagon, which if successful could result 
with a potential market launch date in 2022. Partnering 
discussions will now progress in parallel.

Cancer | (IPP-204106)
The Nucant cancer platform (IPP-204106) is a specific family 
of peptides designed to modulate angiogenesis with 
application in cancer (modifying the blood supply to the 
tumour) and ophthalmology (promising results were shown 
in models of age-related macular degeneration). The rights 
for this compound have been obtained through the Group’s 
ongoing research collaboration with the CNRS.

Our cancer Nucant program, IPP-204106, is focused on 
combination therapy approaches and seems to act as 
a potentiating agent increasing the efficacy of cancer 
drugs such as cytotoxics by normalising the abnormal and 
protective vasculature of the tumour and thereby enabling 
the entry of cancer agents.

In November 2016, ImmuPharma announced that Cancer 
Research, the prestigious medical journal of the American 
Association for Cancer Research (“AACR”), published 
a fundamental scientific paper highlighting the unique 
mechanism of action of IPP-204106. The publication was 
entitled “Nucleolin targeting impairs the progression 
of pancreatic cancer and promotes the normalisation of 
tumour vasculature” and was authored by a number of 
researchers working with ImmuPharma. The key findings 
of the study for this compound (referred to in the paper as 
N6L) were:

•  Nucleolin inhibition is a new anti-cancer therapeutic 
strategy that has been shown to dually normalise 
tumour vasculature and reduce its volume.

•  As a result, it has the potential to dramatically improve 
the delivery and efficacy of existing chemotherapeutic 
drugs, in particular those for difficult-to-treat tumours 
such as pancreatic cancer.

The Group has also been awarded grants to investigate 
its use in age-related macular degeneration, diabetic 
retinopathy and other ophthalmological indications.

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Strategic Report (continued)
Review of Group Activity

As a drug development company, ImmuPharma does 
not currently have steady revenues. Its primary focus is to 
develop drug candidates sufficiently to attract a license 
partner to further develop and commercialise them.

On 28 November 2019 ImmuPharma signed a US 
Trademark, Licensing and Development Agreement with 
Avion Pharmaceuticals LLC for exclusive rights in US to 
Lupuzor™. Summary of the agreement is provided in the 
Key objectives and performance table below.

ImmuPharma incurred an overall loss for the year ended 
31 December 2019 of £6.1 million (2018: £7.2 million). 
During 2019, research and development expenditure 
was £2.7 million (2018: £4.7 million). The R&D decrease 
was in line with expectation, due to completion of the 
Lupuzor Phase III trials within prior year with reduced work 
on Lupuzor and other projects during 2019, focusing on 
signing Lupuzor licencing agreement with Avion.

The foreign exchange losses of £523k within finance cost 
were due to weakening of the pound, leading to a foreign 
exchange loss (2018: gain of £117k), primarily in relation to 
intercompany receivables.

Other operating income of £120k (2018: £Nil) relates to 
amounts received from Avion Pharmaceuticals during 
2019, as part of Trademark, Licensing and Development 
Agreement signed with ImmuPharma.

The derivative financial asset of £2.3m (2018: £Nil) is 
in relation to the Sharing Agreement with Lanstead 
Capital. The investment of £691k (2018: £2 million) relates 
to an 11.9% shareholding in Incanthera plc. Following 
Incanthera listing, post 2019 year-end and with quoted 
information available, the directors considered that the fair 
value based on a quoted share price is more appropriate 
than on a discounted cash flow model. The fair value of 
investment as at 31 December 2019 equated to £691k 
resulting in a fair value loss of £1.3m recognised through 

Other Comprehensive Income. At 31 December 2019 the 
Group’s cash reserves have decreased to £1.4m (2018: 
£4.9m). This is due to an operating cash outflow of £4.3m.

Key Performance Indicators
ImmuPharma plc is a drug discovery and development 
group. In keeping with organisations at a similar stage of 
development in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology 
sector, ImmuPharma’s main activity involves incurring 
research and development expenditure. The overall 
strategy is to maintain a tight control over cash resources 
whilst enabling controlled development of the potential 
product portfolio.

Going Concern
The Company and Group do not generate any cash 
revenues as its pipeline products are currently at research 
and development stage and therefore are reliant on 
external finance in order to fund its operation. As set out in 
this annual report, in June 2019 the Company placed shares 
for proceeds of £2.66m, which are subject to the Lanstead 
Sharing Arrangement and again on 30 March 2020 the 
Company placed further shares for proceeds of £1.5m, of 
which £1.3m is subject to a Lanstead Sharing Arrangement.

The directors have prepared cashflow forecasts covering a 
period of more than 12 months from the date of approval 
of these financial statements. These forecasts include 
several assumptions, including possible impacts of 
COVID-19 and expected cash receipts under the Lanstead 
Sharing Agreements. The proceeds from the Lanstead 
agreements are dependent on ImmuPharma’s future share 
price and therefore the Directors have assessed a number 
of different reasonable scenarios, which include where 
cash outflows can be reduced, if required. These forecasts 
and scenarios indicate that both the Company and Group 
will have sufficient funds to meet their liabilities as they 
fall due. As a result, the directors have prepared these 
financial statements on the going concern basis.

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Annual Review

Strategic Report (continued)
Review of Group Activity (continued)

Key objectives and performance
Objective

Key progress during the period

Successfully find a suitable partner(s) for 
and/or sufficient funding for the clinical 
development of Lupuzor™

•  Exclusive US license and commercial partnership with “Avion” to fund a new 
optimised Phase III clinical trial for Lupuzor™ for up to $25 million with up to 
$70 million milestone payments and tiered double digit royalties on US sales. 

Develop potential product portfolio

•  First joint steering committee “JSC” of Avion and ImmuPharma completed 
in December 2019, confirming agreed new optimised Phase III study design 
for Lupuzor™. JSC agreed to progress Lupuzor™ into its second international 
Phase III clinical trial in 2020. 

•  Collaboration with the European Institute of Chemistry and Biology at the 

University of Bordeaux continues to develop the Group’s peptide technology 
platform.

•  Merger of Elro (Nucant) and Ureka (Peptide Platform) into a stronger combined 

company, Ureka Pharma SAS, overseeing development of 3 programs: 
metabolism, anti-infectives (including anti-viral, anti–bacterial, anti-fungal)
and cancer.

Maintain strong cash position

•  Consolidated cash balance at 31 December 2019 was £1.36 million. 

•  Two subscription agreements with “Lanstead”. First in June 2019 securing 
approximately £2.66 million over 24 months. Second subscription in March 
2020 securing approximately £1.3 million over 24 months.

•  £200,000 subscription from Dr Robert Zimmer, (Director) through “Luca”.

•  Continued tight financial control to ensure effective overall expenditure. 

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

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Strategic Report (continued)
Review of Group Activity (continued)

Directors duties in relation to s172 Companies 
Act 2006
The directors consider, that they have acted in the way 
they believe, in good faith, to promote the success of the 
Company for the benefit of its members as a whole and, in 
doing so, have regard (amongst other matters) to:

•  the likely consequences of any decisions in the 

long-term,

•  the interests of the Company’s employees,

•  the need to foster the Company’s business relationships 

with suppliers, customers and others,

•  the impact of the Company’s operations on the 

community and environment,

•  the desirability of the Company maintaining a reputation 

for high standards of business conduct, and

•  the need to act fairly between the shareholders of the 

Company.

Long term value
The aim of all business resources allocation is to 
create a long-term value, being a development and 
commercialisation of novel drugs.

Our people
Being a small group with only on average 17 employees 
(including Executive Directors), there is a high level of 
visibility between Board and employees. For further 
details, please see pages 29 - 33.

Business relationships
The Board is aware of the importance of maintaining good 
relationship with its key suppliers whilst safeguarding 
its resources. For further details, please see page 41 for 
stakeholder engagement.

Community and environment
The Board seeks to support as many interactions with 
research and development community as possible 
through regular meetings and continuous collaborations. 
For further details, please see page 41 for stakeholder 
engagement.

Shareholders
One of our major Shareholders is represented on our 
Board, providing regular feedback on Shareholder views 
on events and decisions. Shareholder communications are 
conducted via press releases or annual and interim reports 
on timely manner. For further details, please see page 41 
for stakeholder engagement.

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Strategic Report (continued)
Principal Risks and Uncertainties

ImmuPharma operates within a complex business 
environment and an industry that is fundamentally driven 
by regulatory processes. A robust understanding of the 
risks and uncertainties involved in a pharmaceutical drug 
development business is fundamental to ImmuPharma’s 

success. The Board regularly considers these principal risks 
and uncertainties and reviews its strategies for minimising 
any adverse impact to the Company or its investors.

The principal risks and uncertainties have been grouped 
into three categories: pharmaceutical environment, 
financial and operational.

Pharmaceutical Environment Risks

Drug Development
Risk

Mitigating factors

If the clinical trials of any of ImmuPharma’s drug candidates fail, that drug 
candidate will not be marketed, which would result in a complete absence 
of revenue from the failed product. The drug development process and 
achievement of regulatory approvals is complex and uncertain. Because of 
the cost and duration of clinical trials, the directors may decide to discontinue 
development of drug candidates that are either unlikely to show good results 
in the trials or unlikely to help advance a product to the point of a meaningful 
collaboration. Positive results from pre-clinical studies and early clinical trials 
do not ensure positive results in clinical trials designed to permit application 
for regulatory approval.

ImmuPharma’s management team 
have many years of experience in 
drug development and a robust 
understanding of the clinical trial design 
process. This experience should help 
ensure that such risks are minimised. In 
addition, ImmuPharma has established 
scientific advisors and an advisory board 
in the case of Lupuzor™.

Patent Protection

Risk

The commercial success of ImmuPharma depends to a great extent upon 
its ability to obtain patent protection for its products in Europe, the US and 
other countries and to preserve the confidentiality of its know-how. The 
successful commercialisation of its products, whether by itself or by third 
parties, as licensees or collaborators, is largely dependent on the extent of 
the intellectual property protection obtained. No assurance is given that 
ImmuPharma will develop products that are patentable, or that patents will 
be sufficiently broad in their scope to provide protection for ImmuPharma’s 
intellectual property rights and exclude competitors with similar technology. 
The commercial success of ImmuPharma is dependent, in part, on non-
infringement of patents granted to third parties. Competitors or potential 
competitors may have filed applications, or may have been granted or 
may obtain patents that may relate to products competitive with those 
of ImmuPharma. If this is the case then ImmuPharma may have to obtain 
appropriate licences under these patents or cease and/or alter certain 
activities or processes, or develop or obtain alternative technology. There can 
be no assurance that, if any licences are required, ImmuPharma will be able to 
obtain any such licences on commercially favourable terms, if at all.

Mitigating factors

Since its inception, ImmuPharma 
has developed a significant patent 
portfolio. Through its own expertise 
and by utilising external advisers, the 
Company believes that it is continually 
acting to maximise the potential for 
commercial success of its know-how and 
potential products.

Product Liability

Risks

ImmuPharma’s business exposes it to potential liability risks, which are 
inherent in research and development, manufacturing, marketing and use of 
human therapeutic products. There can be no assurance that future necessary 
insurance cover will be available to ImmuPharma at an acceptable cost, 
if at all, or that, in the event of any claim, the level of insurance carried by 
ImmuPharma now or in the future will be adequate or that a liability or other 
claim would not materially and adversely affect the business.

Mitigating Factors

ImmuPharma operates in a manner 
that factors potential liability risks into 
decision making. The Group maintains 
corporate and clinical trials insurance to 
mitigate this risk.

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Strategic Report (continued)
Principal Risks and Uncertainties (continued)

Regulatory Framework
Risks

Mitigating factors

Changes in government regulations or enforcement policies could impose 
more stringent requirements on ImmuPharma, compliance with which could 
adversely affect its business. Failure to comply with applicable regulatory 
requirements could result in enforcement action, including withdrawal of 
marketing authorisation, injunction, seizure of products and liability for civil 
and/or criminal penalties.

It is essential that ImmuPharma complies 
with all regulatory requirements and 
it continually monitors regulatory 
developments to ensure that any issues 
are factored into decision making and 
projected timelines.

Reimbursement Policies

Risks

Mitigating factors

The ability of ImmuPharma and any of its licensees or collaborators 
to commercialise its products also depends on the extent to which 
reimbursement for the cost of such products and related treatments will 
be available from government health administration authorities, private 
health providers and other organisations. There is uncertainty as to the 
reimbursement status of newly approved healthcare products, and there is no 
assurance that adequate, or indeed any, health administration or third party 
coverage will be available to ImmuPharma or its partners to obtain satisfactory 
price levels.

By focusing on therapeutic areas 
of significant clinical unmet need, 
ImmuPharma helps ensure that potential 
products will likely be accepted. The 
Group expects that it will need to 
support any pricing policies in a manner 
acceptable to pricing/reimbursement 
authorities.

Environmental hazards

Risks

ImmuPharma and its third party contractors are subject to laws, regulations 
and policies relating to environmental protection, disposal of hazardous 
or potentially hazardous substances, healthy and safe working conditions, 
manufacturing practices and fire hazard control. There can be no assurance 
that ImmuPharma or its collaborators will not be required to incur significant 
costs to comply with future laws, regulations and policies relating to these 
or similar matters. The risk of accidental contamination or injury from certain 
materials cannot be eliminated. In the event of such an accident, ImmuPharma 
could be held liable for any damage that results and any such liability could 
exceed its resources.

Mitigating factors

ImmuPharma works with reputable 
third party organisations that provide 
assurance regarding their working 
practices and conditions. In addition, the 
Group maintains corporate insurance to 
mitigate this risk.

Mitigating factors

Lack of continuity of profits is a key 
aspect of drug development companies 
like ImmuPharma. The Group builds this 
risk into its decision making processes, 
particularly around obtaining funding. 

Financial Risks

Lack of continuity of profits
Risk

While ImmuPharma was successful in licensing Lupuzor™ in 2008/2009 
which resulted in revenue of £22m during that year, in common with most 
comparable businesses in the biotechnology/pharmaceutical sector, 
ImmuPharma has not been consistently profitable. The directors expect it to 
incur additional losses for the near future as its research and development 
efforts progress. To become consistently profitable, ImmuPharma must 
successfully develop drug candidates and enter into profitable agreements 
with other parties and its drug candidates must receive regulatory approval. 
ImmuPharma or these other parties must then successfully manufacture 
and market the drug candidates. It could be several years, if ever, before 
ImmuPharma receives royalties from any future licence agreements 
or revenues directly from product sales. If ImmuPharma fails to obtain 
additional financing, it may be unable to complete the development and 
commercialisation of its drug candidates or continue its research and 
development programmes.

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Strategic Report (continued)
Principal Risks and Uncertainties (continued)

Raising capital
Risk

The Group may need to raise additional capital to complete the development 
and commercialisation of ImmuPharma’s current drug candidates. Additional 
funding, whether through additional sales of shares or collaborative or other 
arrangements with corporate partners or from other sources, may not be 
available when needed or on terms acceptable to it. The issuance of preferred 
or ordinary shares, or the borrowing of additional funds with terms and prices 
significantly more favourable than those of the currently available ordinary 
shares, could have the effect of diluting or adversely affecting the holdings 
or rights of existing shareholders. In addition, collaborative arrangements 
may require ImmuPharma to transfer certain material rights to such corporate 
partners. Insufficient funds may require it to delay, scale-back or eliminate 
certain of its research and development programmes.

Share price and liquidity

Risk

The share price of publicly traded biotechnology and emerging pharmaceutical 
companies can be highly volatile. The price at which the Company’s shares are 
quoted and the price which investors may realise their share positions, can be 
influenced by a number of factors, which could include: the performance of both 
ImmuPharma’s and its competitor’s research and development programs, large 
purchases or sales of the Company’s shares, legislative changes in the healthcare 
environment and general economic conditions. The volume of share trading on 
AIM or Euronext Growth Brussels markets can be limited and this may restrict the 
ability of shareholders to dispose of their shareholding at any particular time.

Investment in shares traded on AIM, Euronext Growth Brussels or AQSE (where 
shares in Incanthera are traded and where ImmuPharma owns 11.9%) is perceived 
to involve a higher degree of risk and be less liquid than investment in companies 
the shares of which are listed on the Official List. An investment in the Company’s 
shares may be difficult to realise. Prospective investors should be aware that the 
value of an investment in the Company may go down as well as up and that the 
market price of the Company’s shares may not reflect the underlying value of the 
Company. Investors may therefore realise less than, or lose all of, their investment.

Moreover, the fluctuation of the Company share price can affect the value of the 
future cash flows due from the Lanstead derivative financial asset.

Lastly, uncertainty around Covid-19 virus pandemic is a key driver behind the 
market declines, seen across almost all industries at the first half of 2020. The 
magnitude of the impact will depend on the ability to contain the virus in the 
coming months.

All risks described above could also impact on the Company’s ability to conduct 
an equity fundraising.

Operational Risks

Reliance on third parties
Risk

ImmuPharma relies heavily upon other parties (including clinical research 
organisations) for many important stages of its drug development programmes, 
including execution of some pre-clinical studies and later-stage development 
for its compounds and drug candidates, management of its clinical trials, 
including medical monitoring and data management, management of its 
regulatory function, and manufacturing, sales, marketing and distribution of 
its drug candidates. Underperformance by any of these other parties could 
adversely impact the Company’s ability to operate effectively.

Mitigating factors

ImmuPharma remains focused on ensuring 
it has sufficient capital funds to progress 
its product portfolio. Its recent successful 
placings are testament to the Company’s 
ability to make a convincing investment 
case to shareholders. However, the 
Company remains aware of the continuing 
need to secure sufficient funding and/or to 
establish commercial revenues.

Mitigating factors

ImmuPharma maintains a transparent 
and active investor relations function that 
aims to ensure existing and potential 
investors are informed as to the Group’s 
strategy, objectives and progress.

Progressive news flow is key to this 
strategy as well as regular investor 
meetings, media commentary and 
interviews and analyst coverage.

Mitigating factors

ImmuPharma works with respected 
third party organisations and regularly 
monitors their performance.

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

25

Annual Review

Strategic Report (continued)
Principal Risks and Uncertainties (continued)

Reliance on key personnel
Risk

ImmuPharma is dependent on the principal members of its management 
and scientific staff. Recruiting and retaining qualified personnel, consultants 
and advisers will be important to its success. There can be no assurance that 
ImmuPharma will be able to recruit the new staff or retain its personnel on 
acceptable terms given the competition for such personnel from competing 
businesses. The loss of service of any of ImmuPharma’s personnel could 
impede the achievement of its objectives. 

Competition
Risk

ImmuPharma’s competitors include amongst others, major pharmaceutical, 
biotechnology and healthcare companies with substantially greater resources 
than those of the Group. The areas in which ImmuPharma has chosen to 
conduct its research and development are very attractive areas to all its 
competitors. There is no assurance that competitors will not succeed in 
developing products that are more effective or economical than those being 
developed by ImmuPharma or which would render its products obsolete 
and/or otherwise uncompetitive.

Furthermore, there is no guarantee that the drug candidates being developed 
by ImmuPharma have either a better safety profile, dosing profile and/or 
efficacy profile than products that are already marketed by its competitors and 
this may adversely affect the sales of any new products. 

Mitigating factors

The Board actively considers succession 
planning for its key roles.

Mitigating factors

The Group remains aware of the 
continually evolving competitive 
landscape of the therapeutic areas in 
which it operates. This awareness is 
factored into its decision making for its 
pipeline programs.

Brexit

Risk

ImmuPharma is a UK, AIM and Euronext Growth Brussels quoted Group with 
operational subsidiaries in France and Switzerland. The Group benefits from 
one EU grant and a number of French grants. As a Company, ImmuPharma has 
qualified for Enterprise Investment Scheme and Venture Capital Trust (EIS/VCT) 
shares based on its activities as a Group. There is no guarantee that the Group 
and Company will continue to be able to benefit from EU grants and EIS/VCT 
status in the future. 

Mitigating factors

The Group continues to monitor 
and assess the implications of Brexit 
implementation. The Board actively 
considers future plans in light of the 
Brexit process.

Covid-19

Risk

COVID-19 has spread to multiple countries, including the countries in which we 
may have planned our clinical trials. We may experience disruptions that could 
impact our business, including a delay in the timing of any action by the FDA, 
such as:

•  delays or difficulties in enrolling patients in our clinical trials;

•  difficulties in recruiting clinical site staff;

•  diversion of healthcare resources and hospitals serving as our clinical trial sites;

•  limitations in employee resources that would otherwise be focused on the 

conduct of our clinical trials, because of sickness of employees / their families 
or the desire of employees to avoid contact with large groups of people;

•  interruption of key clinical trial activities, such as clinical trial site monitoring, 

because of limitations of travel.

Mitigating factors

The Group actively assesses its 
contingency planning, including securing 
cash reserves to cover potential delays 
of clinical trials up to a period of c. 3 
years, expanding its product pipeline 
into anti-infective therapies, where there 
are potential partnering opportunities 
and remote working of administrative 
personnel.

It is also important to note that the Phase 
III trial for ImmuPharma’s lead program, 
Lupuzor™ is being fully funded, up to 
$25 million, by its US partner, Avion 
Pharmaceuticals. 

26

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

Annual Review

Strategic Report (continued)
Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains certain statements that are not 
historical facts and may be forward-looking statements 
that are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties. 
There are a number of important factors that could cause 
actual results to differ materially from those projected or 
suggested in any forward-looking statement made herein.

These factors include, but are not limited to: (i) 
ImmuPharma’s and/or ImmuPharma’s partners’ 
ability to successfully complete product research 
and development, including pre-clinical and clinical 
studies and commercialisation; (ii) ImmuPharma’s 
and/or ImmuPharma’s partners’ ability to obtain 
required governmental approvals, including product 
and patent approvals, the impact of pharmaceutical 
industry regulation, the difficulty of predicting FDA and 
other regulatory authority approvals, the regulatory 
environment and changes in the health policies and 
structure of various countries; (iii) the acceptance and 
demand for new pharmaceutical products and new 
discovery-enabling technologies such as the use of cells 
and (iv) ImmuPharma’s ability to attract and/or maintain 
manufacturing, sales, distribution and marketing partners; 
and (v) ImmuPharma’s and/or ImmuPharma’s partners’ 
ability to develop and commercialise products before its 
competitors and the impact of competitive products and 
pricing, the availability and pricing of ingredients used 
in the manufacture of products, uncertainties regarding 
market acceptance of innovative products newly launched, 
currently being sold or in development. In addition, 
significant fluctuations in financial results may occur as a 

result of the timing of milestone payments and the timing 
of costs and expenses related to ImmuPharma’s research 
and development programme.

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no 
assurance is given as to when ImmuPharma’s products 
will be launched or licensed, or whether that launch or 
licensing will be commercially successful, and words 
such as “may”, “will”, “to”, “expect”, “plan”, “believe”, 
“anticipate”, “intend”, “could”, “would”, “estimate” or 
“continue” or the negative or other variations thereof or 
comparable terminology is intended to identify forward-
looking statements.

If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialises, 
or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect, the 
Group’s actual results may vary materially from those 
expected, estimated or projected. Given these risks and 
uncertainties, potential investors should not place any 
reliance on forward-looking statements.

Neither the directors nor the Company undertake any 
obligation to update forward-looking statements or 
risk factors other than as required by AIM and Euronext 
Growth Brussels Rules or by applicable law, whether as a 
result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Tim McCarthy
Signed on behalf of the Board of ImmuPharma plc
29 April 2020

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

27

Board of Directors

2828

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019Annual Review

Board of Directors

Tim McCarthy, FCCA, MBA
Non-Executive Chairman

Dr Robert Zimmer, MD, PhD
President and Chief Scientific Officer

Mr McCarthy has over 35 years’ international experience 
in high growth biotech, healthcare and technology 
companies. He is currently Chairman and Non-Executive 
Director for a number of biotech and healthcare related 
companies, including Incanthera plc and 4basebio AG. Mr 
McCarthy is also the former Chief Executive Officer and 
Finance Director of a number UK listed public and private 
companies, including Alizyme plc and Peptide Therapeutics 
Group plc, and has a core understanding of AIM and its 
regulatory processes. Co-founding a number of healthcare 
and biotechnology companies, Mr McCarthy has raised 
substantial amounts of equity capital and also advised and 
worked at Board level for a diverse range of companies 
internationally, in areas such as business strategy, mergers & 
acquisitions, due diligence and licensing.

Dimitri Dimitriou, MSc
Chief Executive Officer

Mr Dimitriou has over 30 years’ experience in the 
pharmaceutical and biotech industry. He was Senior 
Director, Worldwide Business Development at 
GlaxoSmithKline, where his responsibilities included 
corporate deals with pharmaceutical and biotech 
companies on a worldwide basis. He is also the founder 
and CEO of DyoDelta Biosciences Ltd, a company 
specialising in transactions between pharma and biotech 
companies. His other past positions included Senior 
Director of Business Development in Europe for Bristol-
Myers Squibb, and a number of managerial positions 
in the pharmaceutical division of Procter & Gamble and 
marketing at Novartis. He received his first degree in 
Biochemistry from King’s College prior to graduating in 
Pathology & Toxicology from the Royal Postgraduate 
Medical School (now Imperial College Medical School) in 
London in 1984. 

Dr Robert Zimmer was the CEO and founder of 
ImmuPharma’s operations in Switzerland and France. He 
is a physician and obtained his MD at Strasbourg Medical 
School and his PhD at the University of Aix-Marseille. 
He became a department director at the “Fondation 
de Recherche en Hormonologie” in Paris. He began his 
career in the industry in 1985 in Roche’s headquarters 
in Basel, Switzerland responsible for numerous clinical 
studies. He was a director and head of R&D at SkyePharma 
plc. He was instrumental in the development of a 
substantial number of products for companies including 
Roche, GlaxoSmithKline, Abbott, Searle, Sanofi -Aventis 
and Lilly; some of which reached the market, such as Paxil 
CR (GSK), Xatral LP (Sanofi) and Madopar CR (Roche). 

Dr Franco Di Muzio
Non-Executive Director

Dr Di Muzio has over 40 years’ experience in the 
pharmaceutical and other industries, encompassing 
international management experience in business 
development, strategic marketing, international finance, 
M&A and re-engineering businesses. After graduating 
in Economics and Business in 1963, Dr Di Muzio worked 
for Colgate Palmolive and Nestle before joining Squibb 
(now Bristol Myers Squibb) for 18 years. He then became 
Executive Vice President of BMS’ medical equipment and 
products division, Weck International Inc., in charge of 
Europe, Asia, Middle East and Africa. In 1990, he joined 
Glaxo Wellcome plc (now GlaxoSmithKline plc) in London 
as Area Managing Director and Head of all GW’s business 
in the Middle East, Africa and Turkey. Following early 
retirement from GW, in the beginning of 1998, he joined 
Alza International, the then world leader in drug delivery 
systems, as Managing Director, based in London, in charge 
of the Company’s business expansion in all markets outside 
of the US and remained there until the end of 2000. 

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

29

Board of Directors (continued)

3030

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019Company Secretary
Tracy Weimar, BA, MBA
Vice President, Operations and Finance

Ms. Weimar stepped down from her roles in April 2020.

Orana Corporate LLP “Orana”
On 29 April 2020 ImmuPharma appointed “Orana” as 
a Company Secretary. “Orana” is a boutique corporate 
advisory and service practice. Their team consists 
of Chartered Accountants and Corporate Finance 
professionals (FINSIA), all of whom have extensive 
experience dealing with quoted and private companies 
operating in variety sectors and jurisdictions. 

Annual Review

Board of Directors (continued)

Dr Stephane Mery, DVM, MBA
Non-Executive Director

Dr Stéphane Méry has extensive experience in the 
Healthcare industry. He is currently CEO of Contronics 
Ltd, which designs and sells laboratory monitoring 
equipment, and until recently he was Partner at Beringea 
LLP, a US$400m US/UK venture capital fund, where he 
was responsible for healthcare investments in Europe. 
Previously, he was the Fund Manager/CEO of the 
Bloomsbury Bioseed Fund, a Biotech and Medtech 
investment fund, which was behind the birth of successful 
companies such as Spirogen (sold to MedImmune), 
Abzema (listed on AIM), and Canbex, (recently sold to 
Ipsen). Prior to this, Stéphane was Associate Director, 
Worldwide Business Development, for GlaxoSmithKline 
(GSK) where he was responsible for the negotiation of 
several major in-license deals and acquisitions. Before 
GSK, he was involved in the start-up of Double Helix 
Development, a successful strategic consultancy company 
specialising in R&D for the biotech and healthcare industry 
and recently sold to McCann. Before this he worked as 
a management consultant at the American consultancy 
firm, ZS Associates, specialising on sales and marketing 
within the pharmaceutical industry. Stéphane is a Doctor 
in Veterinary Medicine, a trained Veterinary Pathologist, 
specialising in Nasal Toxicology at the Chemical Industry 
Institute of Toxicology (CIIT) in North Carolina, and holds 
an MBA from INSEAD (Fontainebleau).

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

31

Scientific Collaborators

3232

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019Annual Review

Scientific Collaborators

Prof Sylviane Muller, PhD
Co-founder of ImmuPharma France SA

Professor Muller is Professor at the Institute of Advanced 
Studies of the Strasbourg University where she holds 
the chair in Therapeutic immunology; emeritus Research 
Director at the Centre National de la Recherche 
Scientifique; former Director of the CNRS Unit 
Immunopathology and therapeutic chemistry (2001-2017) 
and former Director of the CNRS Institute of Molecular 
and Cellular Biology (2016-2017). She is the current 
Director of the Drug discovery Center for cancer and 
inflammation Medalis awarded ‘Laboratory of Excellence’ 
(2011-2020; with 200 persons) and future Director of the 
Strasbourg Institute for drug development and discovery 
(2021-2028; 250 persons). She received several awards 
(CNRS Silver Medal, CNRS Innovation Award, Léon Velluz 
Prize from the French Academy of Sciences, finalist of the 
2017 European Inventor Award). In 2020, she became an 
elected member of the European Academy of Sciences. 
Her expertise in peptide immunochemistry, combined with 
insights into the molecular and cellular pathways behind 
autoimmune disease, led to the discovery of Lupuzor™.  
Professor Muller has filed over 30 patents and published 
more than 380 papers and reviews.   

Dr Gilles Guichard, PhD
Co-founder of ImmuPharma France SA

Dr Guichard is senior researcher in the chimie et 
immunologie des peptides-medicaments unit of the 
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), 
France’s scientific research institution and is co-inventor 
of the heterocyclic ureas and oligoureas chemistry. He 
leads various research groups in the field of chemistry 

and peptide mimicry including one dedicated to 
the development and process improvement of the 
heterocyclic urea library. He received the CNRS bronze 
award for the excellence of his research activities and has 
made eight patented discoveries. 

Dr Jean-Paul Briand, PhD
Co-founder of ImmuPharma France SA

Dr Briand is Research Director of the immunologie et 
chimie therapeutiques unit of the Centre National de la 
Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), France’s scientific research 
institution, and co-inventor of the heterocyclic ureas and 
oligoureas chemistry. He has extensive industry experience 
in peptide chemistry and synthesis in Peninsula, USA 
and was also a founder of NeoMPS, a leading peptide 
development and manufacturing company. 

Dr Jose Courty, PhD
Dr Courty is CNRS Research Director and head of the 
‘Croissance, Réparation et Régénération Tissulaires’, a unit 
of both the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 
and the University Paris EST Créteil.  He has been working 
for several years on tumour growth and angiogenesis and 
has good expertise in the field of growth factors and the 
regulation of their biological activities. He is a co-inventor 
of ImmuPharma’s lead compound for the treatment of 
cancer IPP-204106 molecule also named Nucant.

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33

Financial and Corporate Information

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ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019Annual Review

Officers and Professional Advisers

Directors
Mr Tim McCarthy – Non-Executive Chairman 
Mr Dimitri Dimitriou – Chief Executive Officer 
Dr Robert Henri Zimmer – President and 
Chief Scientific Officer
Dr Franco Di Muzio – Senior Non-Executive Director
Dr Stephane Mery - Non-Executive Director 

Secretary
Tracy Weimar (stepped down in April 2020) 
Orana Corporate LLP  
Eccleston Yards 
25 Eccleston Pl 
London SW1W 9NF

Investor Relations
Lisa Baderoon

Registered Office
50 Broadway
London 
SW1H 0RG

Nominated Adviser
SPARK Advisory Partners Limited
5 St John’s Lane 
London EC1M 4BH 

Joint Broker
Stanford Capital Partners
15-17 Eldon Street
London EC2M 7LD

Joint Broker
SI Capital
46 Bridge Street
Godalming
Surrey GU7 1HL

Auditors
Nexia Smith & Williamson
Chartered Accountants
25 Moorgate
London EC2R 6AY

Solicitors
BDB Pitmans
50 Broadway
London SW1H 0BL

Principal Bankers
Royal Bank of Scotland plc
62/63 Threadneedle Street
London EC2R 8LA

Registrars
Computershare Investor Services Plc
PO Box 82,
The Pavilions
Bridgwater Road,
Bristol BS99 7NH

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

35

Financial and Corporate Information

Corporate Governance Report

The Group’s directors recognise the importance of sound 
corporate governance. As such the Board has adopted the 
Quoted Companies Alliance Corporate Governance Code 
(“the QCA Code”).

Tim McCarthy, non-executive Chairman, has assumed 
responsibility for ensuring that the Group has appropriate 
corporate governance standards and that these standards 
are applied throughout the Group.

The Board, through its adoption of the QCA Code, 
believes in the value of putting the necessary systems 
and processes in place to support the medium to long-
term delivery of the Company’s strategic objectives. The 
Board is aware of the importance of communicating these 
strategic objectives to stakeholders and in reporting 
performance in a manner that encourages constructive 
dialogue to support the production of sustainable 
value in the long term. The Board recognise their role 
in setting the strategic direction of the business as 
well as in establishing the organisation’s risk appetite. 
This is supported with a strong belief in appropriate 
accountability and performance measures. Further, the 
Board is cognisant of the key role it plays in setting the 
tone and culture of the entire Group.

The Board currently consists of 5 directors, 2 of which are 
executive and 3 are non-executive.

The Board has considered each of the 10 principles 
contained within the QCA Code and where the Group 
does not fully comply with each principle an explanation is 
provided as to why it does not currently do so.

In addition, the Company has implemented a code of 
conduct for dealing in the shares of the Company by 
directors and employees (see Principle 9, pages 38-39 for 
more information).

Principle 1 – Establish a strategy and business 
model which promote long-term value 
for shareholders
ImmuPharma is an ethical organisation with the vision to 
develop novel drugs to treat serious medical conditions, 
delivering value to patients, medical professionals, 
healthcare payers and its shareholders.

ImmuPharma’s principal business objective is to 
enhance shareholder value through the development 
and commercialisation of novel drugs. Its strategies for 
achieving this objective include:

•  Pursuing a low cost model of accessing world class 

research through collaboration with the CNRS in France;

•  Selecting specialist therapeutic areas where there are 

high unmet needs;

•  Managing clinical development of novel drug candidates;

•  Seeking collaborative agreements with partner 
companies to further the development and 
commercialisation of novel drug candidates; and

•  Maintaining a small corporate infrastructure to 

minimise costs.

Key activities and discussions in 2019, in relation to 
strategy and performance were revolving around product 
pipeline (see Strategic Report on pages 15 - 20 for more 
information), licensing agreement with “Avion” (see 
Chairman Statement on page 4 for further detail), Ureka 
Pharma SAS formation (see Chairman Statement on page 5 
for more information) and Incanthera partnership (discussed 
in further detail on page 7 of Chairman Statement).

Principle 2 – Seek to understand and meet 
shareholder needs and expectations
ImmuPharma strives to engage in active dialogue with 
shareholders through regular communication including 
investor events, participation in conferences, the Company’s 
Annual General Meeting, any General Meetings that are 
held throughout the year and one-on-one discussions.

Over the past 12 months, ImmuPharma’s shareholder 
communications have included participation at investor 
events, regular announcements regarding the Company’s 
clinical trial progress, the Annual General Meeting and 
numerous one-on-one meetings. These meetings seek to 
foster a mutual understanding of both the Company’s and 
shareholders’ objectives. Such meetings are conducted 
in a format to protect price sensitive information that 
has not already been made generally available to all the 
Company’s shareholders. Similar guidelines also apply to 
other communications between the Company and other 
parties, such as financial analysts, brokers and the media.

In addition, the Board is provided with market 
summary reports which detail share price and share 
register movements.

All members of the Board are scheduled to attend 
the Annual General Meeting. Notice of the Meeting 
is dispatched to shareholders at least 21 working days 
before the Meeting. The information sent to shareholders 
includes a summary of the business to be covered, with 
a separate resolution prepared for each substantive 
matter. When a vote is taken on a show of hands, the 
level of proxies received for and against the resolution 
and any abstentions are disclosed at the Meeting. The 
results of votes lodged for and against each resolution 
are announced to the London Stock Exchange, Euronext 
Growth Brussels and displayed on the Company’s website. 
At the Meeting there will be an opportunity, following the 
formal business, for informal communications between 
shareholders and directors.

36

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

Financial and Corporate Information

Corporate Governance Report (continued)

Principle 3 – Take into account wider 
stakeholder and social responsibilities and 
their implications for long-term success.
The Board recognises the importance of its wider 
stakeholders – employees, contractors, suppliers, 
regulators and advisors – to its long-term success. The 
Board has established expectations that these key 
resources and relationships are valued and monitored. In 
particular, the Company’s business model of outsourcing 
clinical trials requires reliable dialogue with contractors 
to ensure the success pursuit of long-term strategic 
objectives. Furthermore, the Board actively seek to 
engage regularly with our corporate advisers to ensure 
proactive communication regarding the Company’s 
activities. In doing so, the Company is able to take any 
feedback into account and adjust its actions accordingly to 
ensure it stays focused on long-term performance.

The Board recognise that the Company operates within 
the wider pharmaceutical industry and strives to remain 
alert to developments in a wider industry/society context. 
See stakeholder engagement within Strategic Report for 
further details on the page 41.

Principle 4 – Embed effective risk 
management, considering both opportunities 
and threats, throughout the organisation
ImmuPharma operates within a complex business environment 
and an industry that is fundamentally driven by regulatory 
processes. The Board has set out its understanding of the 
principal risks and uncertainties in its Strategic Report and 
regularly reviews its strategies for minimising any adverse 
impact to the Company or its investors.

Risk assessment is a priority for the Board. The major risks 
to the business are laid out in detail in the Company’s 
Strategic Report on pages 23 - 26. They concern mainly 
the control and timely progress of clinical trials and 
the obtaining of regulatory approval and profitable 
agreements with other parties, with adequate financial 
resources to achieve these objectives.

Where a material new risk or opportunity is identified, or 
an existing risk escalates, the Board will communicate and 
meet outside of the regular Board meetings to ensure the 
required actions are taken and are effective.

Principle 5 – Maintain the board as a 
well-functioning, balanced team led by 
the Chairman
The Board members have a collective responsibility and 
legal obligation to promote the interests of the company.

In the table below, details of the Board of Directors 
are summarised:

Name
Mr Tim 
McCarthy

Mr Dimitri 
Dimitriou

Dr Robert 
Zimmer

Dr Franco di 
Muzio

Dr Stephane 
Mery

Title
Non-
Executive 
Chairman
Chief 
Executive 
Officer
President 
and Chief 
Scientific 
Officer
Senior 
Non-
Executive 
Director
Non-
Executive 
Director

Committee 
Memberships

Independent
X

X

X

Audit, 
Remuneration

Audit, 
Remuneration

Brief biographies of each Director are set out on pages 
29 and 31. The Company believes that the skills and 
experience of each Director are of the appropriate mix 
to provide effective governance and management of the 
business. The Board was supported in its governance 
and finance responsibilities by Tracy Weimar, Company 
Secretary and Vice President, Operations & Finance and 
who is not a Director (Stepped down in April 2020).

The Board is supported by a team of Scientific Collaborators, 
further details of which can be found on page 33.

The Board considers the non-executive directors 
to be independent and to represent the interests 
of shareholders. The independent directors have 
considerable relevant experience to sufficiently question 
and hold the executive directors to account. The Board 
continues to consider Franco di Muzio as the Senior 
independent non-executive director given his limited 
ties to the Company, extensive experience and ability to 
exercise independent judgement.

Each Director is required to devote as much time is 
required to carry out the roles and responsibilities 
required.

The Company has adopted the practice of requiring all 
directors to be subject to re-election every three years.

The executive directors are employed under service 
agreements requiring 12 months’ notice by either party. 
Non-executive directors and the Chairman receive 
payments under appointment letters which are terminable 
by six months’ notice by either party.

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

37

Financial and Corporate Information

Corporate Governance Report (continued)

The Board meets regularly throughout the year with 
all decisions concerning the direction and control of 
the business made by a quorum of the Board. As of 
31 December 2019, the Board met 9 times with the 
attendance records of the directors as follows:

Mr Tim McCarthy, Non-Executive Chairman – 9/9
Mr Dimitri Dimitriou, Chief Executive Officer – 9/9
Dr Robert Zimmer, President and Chief Scientific
Officer – 9/9
Dr Franco di Muzio, Senior Non-Executive Director – 9/9
Dr Stephane Mery, Non-Executive Director – 9/9

Principle 6 – Ensure that between them the 
directors have the necessary up-to-date 
experience, skills and capabilities
The Board has extensive mixture of skills and experience, 
which enable the delivery of Group’s strategy for the 
shareholders over the medium to long-term. These 
include scientific expertise, public market requirements, 
business acumen and financial knowledge. Please refer to 
Director biographies on pages 29 and 31.

Principle 7 – Evaluate board performance 
based on clear and relevant objectives, 
seeking continuous improvement
Internal evaluation of the Board, the Audit Committee and 
Remuneration Committee as well as individual directors is 
undertaken on an informal basis at present. The review takes 
the form of peer appraisal, questionnaires and discussions 
to determine the overall effectiveness of individual directors 
and the Board as a whole. Specific consideration will be 
given to evaluating the continued independence of the 
Group’s non-executive directors. Senior management 
appointments are discussed at the Board Meetings and are 
managed by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Science 
Officer with additional support from the Chairman and non-
executive directors where appropriate.

Principle 8 – Promote a corporate culture that 
is based on ethical values and behaviours
The Board recognises its role in establishing and 
monitoring not only the strategic direction and risk 
appetite but also the tone and culture of the organisation. 
As a pharmaceutical drug development company, an 
ethical approach is essential. As such, the Board places 
great importance on the serious pursuit of therapeutic 
innovation and making effective use of limited resources. It 
applies to the directors as well as all group employees and 
consultants. It is a key belief of the Company and helps to 
define its competitive advantage in relation to its peers.

Upon joining the Company, employee has an induction 
meeting in relation to the Company’s code of conduct 
and ethics. This includes example behaviours that are 
considered unacceptable by the Group.

Principle 9 – Maintain governance structures 
and processes that are fit for purpose and 
support good decision-making by the board
The Board is responsible for long-term success of the 
Company. There is a schedule of matters reserved for the 
Board that guides the Board’s activities.

An Audit Committee and a Remuneration Committee 
have been established with formally delegated duties 
and responsibilities. As summarised under Principle 5, 
the members of both committees are the Non-Executive 
Directors.

Audit Committee
The Audit Committee, which determines the engagement 
of the Company’s auditors and, in consultation with them, 
the scope of their audit. The Audit Committee meets a 
minimum of two times per year. The Audit Committee 
receives and reviews reports from management and 
the auditors relating to the interim and annual financial 
statements and the accounting and internal control 
systems in use by the Company. It has unrestricted access 
to the auditors.

The Board and the Audit Committee review the need for 
an internal audit function on an annual basis and currently 
do not consider it necessary at this stage in the Company’s 
development.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for the 
Group’s system of internal financial controls. They have 
not, during the year ended 31 December 2019, carried 
out a formal review of internal financial controls in view of 
the small size of the Board and employees. The Group’s 
financial reporting arrangements are designed to provide 
the directors with reasonable assurance that problems are 
identified on a timely basis and dealt with appropriately.

In 2019 Audit Committee has deliberated two times. At 
these meetings the main point of discussion were annual 
and interim financial statements and working capital, the 
presentation of the annual report, audit report from Nexia 
Smith & Williamson, the audit fees and audit plan, updates 
on cash position, financial instruments and overall function 
of the committee and its members. Audit Committee 
members also assisted the Board in risk management 
activities.

Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee reviews the scale and 
structure of the executive directors’ remuneration and 
benefits and the terms of their service contracts. The 
remuneration of the non-executive directors is determined 
by the Board as a whole.

The Committee has formal terms of reference and meets 
at least twice a year. It is the duty of the Committee, inter 
alia, to determine and agree with the Board the framework 

38

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

Financial and Corporate Information

Corporate Governance Report (continued)

or broad policy for the remuneration of the Company’s 
executive Board members. The remuneration packages 
are designed to motivate and retain executive directors to 
ensure the continuing development of the Company and 
to reward them for enhancing value to shareholders.

In 2019 the Remuneration Committee met twice and 
hasn’t implemented any changes to the remuneration of 
the Company’s executive Board members.

Nominations committee
The directors consider that the Company is not currently 
of a size to warrant the need for a separate nominations 
committee and any decisions which would usually be 
taken by the nomination committee will be taken by the 
Board as a whole.

Share Dealing Code
The Company has adopted a Share Dealing Code given 
the importance of having a clear and effective policy that 
sets out the rules and procedures for share dealings by the 
directors and other applicable employees.

Principle 10 – Communicate how the company 
is governed and is performing by maintaining 
a dialogue with shareholders and other 
relevant stakeholders.
The Board is committed to maintaining good 
communication with its shareholders and in promoting 
effective dialogue regarding the Company’s strategic 
objectives and performance. Institutional shareholders 
and analysts have the opportunity to discuss issues and 
provide feedback via meetings with the Company. The 
Annual General Meeting and any other General Meetings 
that are held throughout the year are for shareholders 
to attend and question the directors on the Company’s 
performance. The results of any general meetings are 
released through LSE AIM RNS and Euronext Growth 
Brussels news as soon as practically possible. The Annual 
Reports and notice of all general meetings are available 
on the Group’s website.

The directors also periodically promote ImmuPharma’s 
activities, following the publication of regulatory 
announcements, through various media platforms such as 
Proactive Investors.

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

39

Financial and Corporate Information

Directors’ Report

Company Number: 03929567
The directors present their report and the audited financial statements of ImmuPharma plc (the “Company”, and 
collectively with the subsidiary companies, the “Group”) for the year ended 31 December 2019.

Principal Activities
The principal activity of the Group and Company in the year under review was that of pharmaceutical research and development.

Results and Dividends
The Consolidated Income Statement is set out on page 50.

The directors do not recommend the payment of a dividend.

Business Review, Research and Development and Future Developments
The Strategic Report includes a review of the business, as well as a commentary regarding research and development, 
and future developments. The principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group are considered on pages 23 - 26.

Subsequent Events
Details of subsequent events are given in note 25 of the financial statements.

Directors
The following directors of the Company have held office since 1 January 2019:

Mr Tim McCarthy
Mr Dimitri Dimitriou
Dr Robert Henri Zimmer
Dr Franco Di Muzio
Dr Stephane Mery

40

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

Financial and Corporate Information

Directors’ Report (continued)

Stakeholder engagement
The Board seeks to understand and consider the views of the Group’s key stakeholders in Board discussions and 
decision making.

Key Stakeholders and concerns

Board Considerations

Key Outcomes

Employees

Our present and future employees 
are key for the future success of 
the business

Shareholders

Our Shareholders have been 
highly supportive. We are actively 
encouraging retention of their 
investment whilst trying to secure new 
Shareholders and funding

Business Partners

We have worked closely with our 
suppliers to set up new commercial 
and development agreements

Research and Development 
Community

The Collaboration with CNRS, 
University of Bordeaux, Simbec 
Orion and others is at the heart of 
our business

Environment

The Group is conscious of the need 
to protect the environment

Reputation

Maintaining a strong reputation and 
acting within laws and regulations 
impacts the Group’s relationships with 
all stakeholders

Executive directors update the 
Board with details of employee 
changes, concerns and recruitment 
prospects. An open, collaborative 
working environment with attractive 
remuneration packages aligns 
employees’ with shareholders’ goals.

Staff turnover has been very low.

All our employees participate in share 
based incentives.

The Board is in regular communication 
with its Shareholders via press 
releases, Annual and Interim Report.

The Company meets periodically with 
its Shareholders. Summary of these 
events are below:

•  AGM, June 2019

•  Investor conferences, San 

Francisco USA, January 2019

•  Interviews: both audio and TV 

with Proactive Investor, Directors 
Talk, Vox Markets and Investor 
meet Company.

New supplier agreements with 
material threshold need to be 
approved by two directors.

With the budgets, the Board 
supported the research and 
development community to meet 
these objectives.

The Board is aware of the importance 
of maintaining good relationships 
with key suppliers while safeguarding 
the Group’s assets. It receives regular 
updates on main supply agreements.

The Board seeks to support as 
many interactions with research and 
development community as possible 
through regular meetings and 
continuous collaborations.

ImmuPharma’s operations are 
relatively low in their impact on 
the environment.

Policies and procedures approved 
by the Board are concentrated on 
maintaining the strong reputation 
of the Group within its employees, 
Shareholders, suppliers, regulators 
and other key stakeholders.

During the year, employees 
reduced their travel wherever 
reasonably practical, using 
phone - conferencing instead.

ImmuPharma continuously monitors 
and assesses all regulatory 
developments to ensure that any 
issues are being addressed in 
decision making.

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

41

Financial and Corporate Information

Directors’ Report (continued)

Directors Remuneration
The following amounts were payable to the directors of ImmuPharma plc across the Group in relation to the year ended 
31 December 2019:

Director

Robert Zimmer
Dimitri Dimitriou
Tim McCarthy
Franco di Muzio
Stephane Mery

Total

Salary/Fees 
£

Cash Benefits 
£

Total 
remuneration 
2019 
£

Total 
remuneration 
2018 
£

398,548
247,832
260,000
55,328
45,000

99,637
61,958
-
-
-

498,185
309,790
260,000
55,328
45,000

498,503
305,114
260,000
55,047
45,000

1,006,708

161,595

1,168,303

1,163,664

The Company does not operate a health plan or company car plan and the directors don’t receive pension contributions. 
There were no bonus payments to directors in 2019. As referred to in note 23, the £169,790 received by D Dimitriou and 
the £260,000 received by T McCarthy in lieu of directors’ fees for the year ended 31 December 2019 are included in the 
table above.

The following share options were outstanding to the directors of ImmuPharma plc in relation to the year ended 
31 December 2019 (see note 21 for more detail): 

Director

Tim McCarthy
Dimitri Dimitriou
Robert Zimmer
Franco di Muzio
Stephane Mery

Total

Options 
granted 
2 June 
2016

500,000
-
-
100,000
100,000

Options 
granted 
30 March 
2017

-
1,000,000
1,000,000
-
-

Options 
granted 
12 July 
2017

Options 
granted 
24 November 
2017

Share 
options 
outstanding 
2019

Share 
options 
outstanding 
2018

1,000,000
-
-
200,000
200,000

1,500,000
1,500,000
1,500,000
300,000
300,000

3,000,000
2,500,000
2,500,000
600,000
600,000

3,000,000
2,640,000
2,650,000
700,000
600,000

700,000

2,000,000

1,400,000

5,100,000

9,200,000

9,590,000

Third Party Indemnity Provision for Directors
Qualifying third party indemnity provision for the benefit for 5 directors was in force during the financial year and as at 
the date this report is approved.

Substantial Shareholdings
As at 31 March 2020 the directors are not aware of any interest of 3% or more in the share capital of the Company other 
than the person noted below.

Shareholder

Dr Robert Zimmer
Lanstead Capital Investors LP

Number of 
ordinary 10p 
shares

24,551,553
18,116,676

% of issued 
share capital

14.67%
10.82%

Options to 
acquire ordinary 
shares

2,500,000
-

Financial Instruments and Financial Risk Management
Information regarding the use of financial instruments and the approach to financial risk management is detailed in notes 
1 and 2 of the financial statements.

42

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

Financial and Corporate Information

Directors’ Report (continued)

Disclosure of information to the Auditors
In the case of each person who was a director at the time this report was approved they have:

•  taken all the necessary steps to make themselves aware of any information relevant to the audit and to establish that 

the auditors are aware of that information; and

•  so far as they are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the auditors have not been made aware.

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

Auditors
A resolution to reappoint the auditors, Nexia Smith & Williamson, will be proposed at the next Annual General Meeting.

On behalf of the Board 
Dimitri Dimitriou 
Director 
29 April 2020

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

43

Financial and Corporate Information

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

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

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors 
have elected to prepare the group and parent company financial statements in accordance with 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. 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 Group and of the profit or loss of the Group for that period. In preparing 
these financial statements, the directors are required to:

•  select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

•  make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

•  state that the financial statements comply with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union subject to any material 

departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

•  prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company 

will continue in business.

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 
the Group 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 also responsible for ensuring that they meet their responsibilities under the AIM Rules and Euronext 
Growth Brussels rules.

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

44

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

Independent auditor’s report 
To the members of ImmuPharma plc
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of ImmuPharma plc (the ‘Parent Company’) and its subsidiaries (the ‘Group’) 
for the year ended 31 December 2019 which comprise the Consolidated Income Statement, the Consolidated and 
Company Statements of Comprehensive Income, the Consolidated and Company Statements of Financial Position, 
the Consolidated and Company Statements of Changes in Equity, the Consolidated and Company Statements of Cash 
Flows, and the notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. 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.

In our opinion:

•  the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s and of the Parent Company’s affairs as at 

31 December 2019 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.

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

Conclusions relating to going concern
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the ISAs (UK) require us to report to 
you where:

•  the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is not 

appropriate; or

•  the directors have not disclosed in the financial statements any identified material uncertainties that may cast 

significant doubt about the Group’s or the Parent Company’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis 
of accounting for a period of at least twelve months from the date when the financial statements are authorised for 
issue.

Emphasis of matter – Going concern
We draw attention to the disclosures made in note 1 to the financial statements regarding going concern.

The directors have prepared cashflow forecasts covering a period of more than 12 months from the date of approval of 
these financial statements. These forecasts include several assumptions, including possible impacts of COVID-19 and 
expected cash receipts under the Lanstead Sharing Agreements.

The proceeds from the Lanstead agreements are dependent on ImmuPharma’s future share price and therefore the 
Directors have assessed a number of different reasonable scenarios, which include where cash outflows can be reduced, 
if required. These forecasts and scenarios indicate that both the Company and Group will have sufficient funds to meet 
their liabilities as they fall due.

Our opinion is not modified in respect of this matter.

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

45

Independent auditor’s report 
To the members of ImmuPharma plc (continued)

Emphasis of matter – Valuation of the Parent Company’s receivables and investments in 
subsidiaries
We draw attention to the disclosures made in note 13 to the financial statements concerning the carrying values of 
investments in subsidiaries and to the disclosures made in note 15 concerning the carrying value of the receivables due 
from group undertakings. The carrying value of £40.9 million investments in subsidiaries and £10.0 million receivables 
due from group undertakings is dependent on future pharmaceutical sales within the Group, which are dependent on 
obtaining regulatory approval and being taken to market, including their successful commercialisation.

The ultimate outcome of these matters cannot presently be determined, and the Group and Parent Company financial 
statements do not reflect any provision that may be required if the £40.9 million investments in subsidiaries and £10.0 
million receivables due from group undertakings cannot be recovered in full. Our opinion is not modified in respect of 
these matters.

Key audit matters
We identified the key audit matters described below as those that were of most significance in the audit of the financial 
statements of the current period. Key audit matters include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement, 
including those risks that had the greatest effect on our overall audit strategy, the allocation of resources in the audit and 
the direction of the efforts of the audit team.

In addressing these matters, we have performed the procedures below which were designed to address the matters in 
the context of the financial statements as a whole and in forming our opinion thereon. Consequently, we do not provide 
a separate opinion on these individual matters.

Going concern (see note 1)
Description of risk

The Group does not generate any cash from revenue, aside from receiving grants, as its pipeline products are currently 
at research and development stage. The Group is therefore reliant on external funding in order to finance its operations, 
as explained further by the directors in their assessment of principal risks and uncertainties, within the Strategic Report 
on page 25. If the Group is unable to raise sufficient funds, there is a risk that it will not be able to continue as a going 
concern.

How the matter was addressed in the audit

We considered management’s assessment of the Group to continue as a going concern and as part of our procedures we:

•  Reviewed the future cash flow forecasts prepared by management and challenged the inputs and assumptions 

included in the forecasts. Where appropriate we corroborated the inputs and assumptions to supporting information.

•  Assessed sensitivity analysis performed by management and performed additional stress testing of the forecasts.

•  Enquired with management the future plans and funding requirements for the research and development 

programme on the current product development and corroborated to supporting information.

•  Reviewed the current cash reserves and available financing facilities and compared to the cash outflows required from 

the date of signing the annual report.

•  Considered management’s assessment of the impact of COVID-19 on the going concern status of the entity.

Carrying value of the Parent Company’s investment in subsidiaries and receivables due from 
group companies (see note 13 and note 15)
Description of risk

The Parent Company has significant balances relating to investments in subsidiaries and receivables due from group 
companies.

The investments are largely represented by the ownership of ImmuPharma (France) SA, Elro Pharma SARL and Ureka 
Pharma SAS and amounts owed by those companies. The carrying value of the investment in and receivables due from 
those companies is underpinned by the future financial viability of those companies.

46

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

Independent auditor’s report 
To the members of ImmuPharma plc (continued)

How the matter was addressed in the audit

We reviewed management’s assessment of impairment of investments in subsidiaries and the recoverability of 
receivables due from group companies. We challenged assumptions and assertions made by management in their 
assessment and considered whether the presence of impairment indicators should result in an impairment charge.

As part of our procedures we:

•  Discussed with management the underlying future planned activities, including research and development 

programmes, for ImmuPharma (France) SA, Elro Pharma SARL and Ureka Pharma SAS.

•  Considered the implications of the level of market capitalisation of the Parent Company for the valuation of these 

balances.

•  Reviewed any third party reports such as investor analysis.

•  Reviewed the discounted cash flow model for valuation purposes. The assumptions to which the model was most 
sensitive were the discount rate, growth rates, exchange rates, tax rate and probability weighting of successful 
product launches. As part of this work we corroborated management’s assumptions with reference to historical data 
and external data.

•  Performed sensitivity analysis on the key assumptions used in the model.

Investment in Incanthera Limited (see note 12)
Description of risk

As described in note 12, in September 2018 ImmuPharma plc purchased 363,637 shares in Incanthera Limited 
representing a 15% shareholding for £2m. On 28 February 2020, following the admission to a traded market, 
ImmuPharma exchanged these 363,637 shares for 7,272,740 ordinary shares in Incanthera Plc in a share-for-share 
exchange, representing 11.9% of Incanthera Plc‘s enlarged issued ordinary share capital.

The fair value of this investment has been assessed at 31 December 2019 and based on the ImmuPharma Plc’s 
shareholding of Incanthera plc, and the share issue price on 28 February 2020 of 9.5 pence.

Therefore, there is a risk that the fair value of the investment included in the financial statements may be misstated as this 
requires judgement, particularly if the post year-end listing does not give evidence of conditions at the year-end date.

How the matter was addressed in the audit

As part of our procedures we:

•  Reviewed the accounting treatment of the investment in Incanthera Limited.

•  Reviewed management’s assessment of the fair value of the investment and considered the appropriateness of using 

the post year-end listing to measure fair value at year-end.

•  Challenged assertions made by management in their assessment of the fair value, and corroborated inputs to 

external documentation.

Materiality
The materiality for the Group financial statements as a whole was set at £620,000. This has been determined 
with reference to the benchmark of the Group‘s gross expenditure, which we consider to be one of the principal 
considerations for members of the Parent Company in assessing the performance of the Group. Materiality represents 
10% of the Group‘s gross expenditure as presented on the face of the Consolidated Income Statement.

The materiality for the Parent Company financial statements as a whole was set at £496,000. This has been determined 
with reference to the benchmark of the Parent Company‘s total assets, which we consider to be an appropriate 
measure as the Parent Company exists only as a holding company for the Group and carries on no trade in its own 
right. Materiality represents 1% of total assets as presented on the face of the Parent Company‘s Statement of Financial 
Position.

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

47

Independent auditor’s report 
To the members of ImmuPharma plc (continued)

An overview of the scope of our audit
Of the Group’s five reporting components, four were subject to audit for group reporting purposes. The four 
components covered: 70% of Group revenue, 100% of Group loss before tax and 99% of Group net assets.

For the remaining component, we performed analysis at a Group level to re-examine our assessment that there were no 
significant risks of material misstatement within it.

Three out of the four components subject to audit were based in France and their audits were carried out by a 
component auditor in France. We held a telephone meeting with the component auditor in France as part of planning 
and discussed the component auditor’s risk assessments and directed their planned audit approach. In addition to this 
meeting, we sent detailed instructions to the component audit teams and reviewed their key audit working papers.

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

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing 
so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge 
obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or 
apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial 
statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude 
that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

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.

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

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters 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.

48

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

Independent auditor’s report 
To the members of ImmuPharma plc (continued)

Responsibilities of directors
As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities set out on page 44, the directors are responsible 
for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such 
internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free 
from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the Group’s and the Parent Company’s 
ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going 
concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the Group or the Parent Company or to cease 
operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from 
material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. 
Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with 
ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are 
considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic 
decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

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

Use of our report
This report is made solely to the Parent 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 Parent 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 Parent Company and the Parent 
Company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Sancho Simmonds 
Senior Statutory Auditor, for and on behalf of 
Nexia Smith & Williamson 
Statutory Auditor 
Chartered Accountants 

25 Moorgate 
London 
EC2R 6AY 

29 April 2020

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

49

Financial and Corporate Information

Consolidated Income Statement

for the year ended 31 December 2019

Continuing operations

Revenue

Other operating income 

Research and development expenses

Administrative expenses 

Share based expense

Operating loss

Finance costs

Finance income 

Loss before taxation

Tax 

Loss for the year

Attributable to:

Equity holders of the parent company

Loss per ordinary share

Basic and diluted

Notes

1 & 3

5

6

7

8

9

Year
ended
31 December 
2019
£

Year
ended
31 December 
2018
£

77,925

119,901

(2,664,550)

(1,831,395)

(1,983,525)

81,281

-

(4,697,284)

(1,660,408)

(1,803,769)

(6,281,644)

(8,080,180)

(526,734)

64,014

(4,783)

129,808

(6,744,364)

(7,955,155)

620,774

748,606

(6,123,590)

(7,206,549)

(6,123,590)

(7,206,549)

(3.99p)

(5.19p)

50

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

Financial and Corporate Information

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

for the year ended 31 December 2019

Loss for the financial year

Other comprehensive income

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:

Fair value loss on investments

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

Other comprehensive loss for the year, net of tax

Year
ended
31 December 
2019
£

Year
ended
31 December 
2018
£

(6,123,590)

(7,206,549)

(1,309,090)

438,810

(870,280)

-

(88,256)

(88,256)

Total comprehensive loss for the year

(6,993,870)

(7,294,805)

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

51

Financial and Corporate Information

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

for the year ended 31 December 2019

Notes

31 December 
2019
£

31 December 
2018
£

Non-current assets

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Derivative financial asset

Financial asset

Total non-current assets

Current assets

Trade and other receivables

Derivative financial asset

Cash and cash equivalents

Current tax asset

Total current assets

Current liabilities

Financial liabilities - borrowings

Trade and other payables

Total current liabilities

Net current assets

Non-current liabilities

Financial liabilities - borrowings

Net assets

EQUITY

Ordinary shares

Share premium

Merger reserve

Other reserves

Retained earnings

Total equity

10

11

14

12

15

14

16

17

18

17

20

478,960

206,744

843,147

690,910

2,219,761

153,609

1,456,714

1,364,840

606,157

3,581,320

483,039

164,661

-

2,000,000

2,647,700

331,487

-

4,911,448

767,121

6,010,056

(26,778)

(505,089)

(98,340)

(913,907)

(531,867)

(1,012,247)

3,049,453

4,997,809

-

(22,470)

5,269,214

7,623,039

16,736,093

27,187,316

106,148

1,430,337

13,946,744

27,320,145

106,148

(991,998)

(40,190,680)

(32,758,000)

5,269,214

7,623,039

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 29 April 2020
They were signed on its behalf by:

Robert Zimmer

Director

Dimitri Dimitriou

Director

52

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

Financial and Corporate Information

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

for the year ended 31 December 2019

Share 
capital
£

Share 
premium
£

Merger
reserve
£

Other 
reserves - 
Acquisition
reserve
£

Other 
reserves - 
Translation
reserve
£

Other 
reserves - 
Equity shares
to be issued
£

Retained
earnings
£

Total
equity
£

At 1 January 2018

13,252,299 18,728,519 106,148

(3,541,203)

(1,701,241)

2,281,427 (25,551,451) 3,574,498

Loss for the financial 
year

Exchange differences 
on translation of 
foreign operation

Transactions with 
owners: Share 
based payments

New issue of 
equity capital

Costs of new issue 
of equity capital

-

-

-

-

-

-

694,445

9,305,555

-

(713,929)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(88,256)

-

-

-

-

-

2,057,275

-

-

(7,206,549)

(7,206,549)

-

-

(88,256)

2,057,275

- 10,000,000

-

(713,929)

At 31 December 2018

13,946,744 27,320,145 106,148

(3,541,203)

(1,789,497)

4,338,702 (32,758,000) 7,623,039

Loss for the 
financial year

Exchange differences 
on translation of 
foreign operations

Transactions with 
owners: Share based 
payments

New issue of equity 
capital

Costs of new 
issue of equity capital

Fair value loss on 
investments

-

-

-

2,789,349

-

-

-

-

-

-

(132,829)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

438,810

-

-

-

-

-

-

1,983,525

-

-

-

(6,123,590)

(6,123,590)

-

-

-

-

438,810

1,983,525

2,789,349

(132,829)

(1,309,090)

(1,309,090)

At 31 December 2019

16,736,093 27,187,316 106,148

(3,541,203)

(1,350,687)

6,322,227 (40,190,680) 5,269,214

Attributable to:-

Equity holders of the 
parent company

16,736,093 27,187,316 106,148

(3,541,203)

(1,350,687)

6,322,227 (40,190,680) 5,269,214

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

53

Financial and Corporate Information

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

for the year ended 31 December 2019

Year
ended
31 December 
2019
£

Year
ended
31 December 
2018
£

Notes

Cash flows from operating activities

Cash used in operations

Tax received

Interest paid

Net cash used in operating activities

Investing activities

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

Purchase of investments

Interest received

Net cash generated/(used) in investing activities

Financing activities

Decrease in bank overdraft

Loan repayments

Settlements from Sharing Agreement

Gross proceeds from issue of new share capital

Share capital issue costs

Funds deferred per Sharing Agreement

Net cash generated from financing activities

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

Effects of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

22

6

7

16

16

(4,963,710)

(5,606,138)

746,369

(4,045)

889,787

(4,783)

(4,221,386)

(4,721,134)

(107,111)

-

5,743

(102,880)

(2,000,000)

12,491

(101,368)

(2,090,389)

(14)

(89,205)

414,930

(72)

(138,809)

-

2,656,520

10,000,000

-

(713,929)

(2,656,520)

-

325,711

9,147,190

(3,997,043)

4,911,448

450,435

2,335,667

2,729,468

(153,687)

1,364,840

4,911,448

54

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

Financial and Corporate Information

Company Statement of Comprehensive Income

for the year ended 31 December 2019

Loss for the financial year

Other comprehensive income

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:

Fair value loss on investments

Other comprehensive loss for the year, net of tax

Year
ended
31 December 
2019
£

Year 
ended
31 December 
2018
£

(4,036,897)

(3,159,748)

(1,309,090)

(1,309,090)

-

-

Total comprehensive loss for the year

(5,345,987)

(3,159,748)

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

55

Financial and Corporate Information

Company Statement of Financial Position

as at 31 December 2019

Notes

31 December 
2019
£

31 December 
2018
£

Non-current assets

Property, plant and equipment

Financial asset

Derivative financial asset

Investment in subsidiaries

Total non-current assets

Current assets

Trade and other receivables

Derivative financial asset

Cash and cash equivalents

Total current assets

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Total current liabilities

Net current assets

Net assets

EQUITY

Ordinary shares

Share premium

Merger reserve

Equity shares to be issued

Retained earnings

Total equity

11

12

14

13

15

14

16

18

20

11,215

690,910

843,147

16,590

2,000,000

-

40,872,730

39,472,023

42,418,002

41,488,613

10,031,037

1,456,714

834,464

9,566,666

-

4,379,345

12,322,215

13,946,011

(241,071)

(241,071)

(229,536)

(229,536)

12,081,144

13,716,475

54,499,146

55,205,088

16,736,093

27,187,316

19,093,750

6,322,227

(14,840,240)

13,946,744

27,320,145

19,093,750

4,338,702

(9,494,253)

54,499,146

55,205,088

The Company’s loss for the year ended 31 December 2019 was £4,036,897 (2018: loss of £3,159,748).

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 29 April 2020.

They were signed on its behalf by:

Robert Zimmer

Director

Dimitri Dimitriou

Director

56

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

Financial and Corporate Information

Company Statement of Changes in Equity

for the year ended 31 December 2019

Share 
capital
£

Share 
premium
£

Merger
reserve
£

Equity 
shares to be 
issued
£

Retained
earnings
£

Total
equity
£

At 1 January 2018

13,252,299 18,728,519 19,093,750

2,281,427

(6,334,505) 47,021,490

Loss for the financial year

Transactions with owners: 
Share based payments

-

-

-

-

New issue of equity

694,445

9,305,555

Cost of new issue of equity capital

-

(713,929)

-

-

-

-

-

(3,159,748)

(3,159,748)

2,057,275

-

2,057,275

-

-

- 10,000,000

-

(713,929)

At 31 December 2018

13,946,744 27,320,145 19,093,750

4,338,702

(9,494,253) 55,205,088

Loss for the financial year

Transactions with owners: 
Share based payments

Fair value loss on investments

-

-

New issue of equity capital

2,789,349

-

-

-

-

Costs of new issue of equity

-

(132,829)

-

-

-

-

-

-

(4,036,897)

(4,036,897)

1,983,525

-

1,983,525

-

-

-

(1,309,090)

(1,309,090)

-

-

2,789,349

(132,829)

At 31 December 2019

16,736,093 27,187,316 19,093,750

6,322,227 (14,840,240) 54,499,146

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

57

Financial and Corporate Information

Company Statement of Cash Flows

for the year ended 31 December 2019

Notes

22

Cash flows from operating activities

Cash used in operations 

Interest paid

Investing activities

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

Purchase of investments

Finance income

Loans issued

Net cash used in investing activities

Financing activities

Gross proceeds from issue of share capital

Share capital issue costs

Settlements from Sharing Agreement

Gross proceeds from issue of new share capital 

Funds deferred per Sharing Agreement

Net cash generated from financing activities

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

16

16

Year
ended
31 December 
2019
£

Year
ended
31 December 
2018
£

(2,308,227)

(3,935)

(2,312,162)

(1,932)

-

5,303

(1,651,020)

(1,647,649)

(1,541,381)

(4,663)

(1,546,044)

(5,100)

(2,000,000)

12,451

(3,579,049)

(5,571,698)

-

-

10,000,000

(713,929)

414,930

2,656,520

(2,656,520)

414,930

(3,554,881)

4,379,345

834,464

-

-

-

9,286,069

2,168,327

2,211,018

4,379,345

58

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

Financial and Corporate Information

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2019

ImmuPharma plc (the “Company”) is a public limited company registered in England and Wales (company number 
03929567). The Company is limited by shares and the registered office of the Company is located at 50 Broadway, 
London SW1H 0RG. ImmuPharma plc and its subsidiaries focus on the research, development and commercialisation of 
pioneering and novel drugs in specialist therapeutic areas within the pharmaceutical industry.

1 

Accounting policies
The principal accounting policies are summarised below. They have all been applied consistently throughout the 
financial years contained in these financial statements.

Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 
(IFRS) as adopted by the European Union.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and on a going concern basis. 
Further commentary on the Group’s plan for the continuing funding of activities is provided in the Strategic 
Report. The Company has taken advantage of the exemption provided under section 408 of the Companies 
Act 2006 not to publish its individual Income Statement and related notes.

Going concern
The Company and Group do not generate any cash revenues as its pipeline products are currently at research 
and development stage and therefore are reliant on external finance in order to fund its operation. As set out 
in this annual report, in June 2019 the Company placed shares for proceeds of £2.66m, which are subject to the 
Lanstead Sharing Arrangement and again on 30 March 2020 the Company placed further shares for proceeds of 
£1.5m, of which £1.3m is subject to a Lanstead Sharing Arrangement.

The directors have prepared cashflow forecasts covering a period of more than 12 months from the date of approval 
of these financial statements. These forecasts include several assumptions, including possible impacts of COVID-19 
and expected cash receipts under the Lanstead Sharing Agreements. The proceeds from the Lanstead agreements 
are dependent on ImmuPharma’s future share price and therefore the Directors have assessed a number of different 
reasonable scenarios, which include where cash outflows can be reduced, if required. These forecasts and scenarios 
indicate that both the Company and Group will have sufficient funds to meet their liabilities as they fall due. As a 
result, the directors have prepared these financial statements on the going concern basis.

Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting practice requires 
management to make estimates and judgements that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as 
well as the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the Statement of financial position date and the 
reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting year. Estimates and judgements are continually 
evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that 
are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

Management have had to make judgements in the following areas:

•  Financial instruments – fair value measurement 

A number of assets and liabilities included in the Group’s financial statements require measurement at, 
and/or disclosure of, fair value. The fair value measurement of the Group’s financial and non-financial 
assets and liabilities utilises market observable inputs and data as far as possible. Inputs used in 
determining fair value measurements are categorised into different levels based on how observable the 
inputs used in the valuation technique utilised are (the ‘fair value hierarchy’):

- Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical items (unadjusted)

- Level 2: Observable direct or indirect inputs other than Level 1 inputs

- Level 3: Unobservable inputs (i.e. not derived from market data).

  The classification of an item into the above levels is based on the lowest level of the inputs used that 

has a significant effect on the fair value measurement of the item. Transfers of items between levels are 
recognised in the period they occur.

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

59

 
 
 
Financial and Corporate Information

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

1 

Accounting policies (continued)
Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty (continued)

•  Financial asset – Other investments 

The Group and the Company hold 11.9% of the issued share capital in Incanthera plc. Incanthera plc 
investment is held at fair value through other comprehensive income. The investment included above 
represents investments in quoted equity securities. Under IFRS 7 Financial instruments: Disclosures and 
IFRS 13 Fair value measurement this is classified under the fair value hierarchy as level 2. This strategic 
investment is classified as fair value through other comprehensive income. The fair value has been 
assessed at 31 December 2019 and is based on the share price and holding at 28 February 2020 on 
the ImmuPharma plc shareholding of Incanthera plc. The value of ImmuPharma’s retained 7,272,740 
shares at an exercise price of 9.5p pence, (being the price at which new shares have been issued in the 
placing accompanying Incanthera’s listing) amounted to £690,910, being the fair value of the investment 
in Incanthera plc as of 31 December 2019. Fair value loss of £1.3 million has been recorded in Other 
Comprehensive Income.

•  Derivative financial asset 

The Group and the Company has placed shares with Lanstead and at the same time entered into a 
Sharing Agreement. The amount receivable under the Sharing Agreement each month, over a 24 
month period will be dependent on the Company’s share price performance. The nature of the Sharing 
Agreement with Lanstead requires the calculation of the fair value as at the end of the accounting 
period and it is based on the estimation of the Company’s share price and discount rate. Under IFRS 7 
Financial instruments: Disclosures and IFRS 13 Fair value measurement, the Company’s share price has 
been assessed under the fair value hierarchy as Level 2 input. At each period end the amount receivable 
is restated to fair value. Any change in the fair value of the derivative financial asset is reflected in the 
Income Statement. The derivative was initially recognised at the date the Sharing Agreement was 
entered into and was subsequently re-measured to its fair value at the reporting date. The resulting gain 
or loss was recognised in finance income within profit and loss. As at 31 December 2019, the Company 
completed a calculation of fair value of the derivative financial asset that resulted in a finance gain of 
£58,271. At the reporting date, the derivative had a positive fair value and therefore is recognised as a 
financial asset, whereas if it had a negative fair value it would be recognised as a financial liability. The 
derivative is presented as both current asset and non current asset.

•  Warrants financial asset 

In September 2018, the Group and the Company has been issued warrants for 363,637 shares at 
£5.50 of Incanthera. These warrants represent financial asset, measured at fair value through Income 
Statement. At the reporting date, warrants financial asset was revalued to its fair value and the valuation 
was immaterial. The fair value was measured using the “Black – Scholes” valuation model, in which 
there were several inputs, based on details specified in warrant agreement and estimations described 
further in Note 12.

Management have applied estimates in the following areas:

•  Investment in Subsidiaries 

For the Company Statement of Financial Position, management has considered whether there has been 
any impairment to the carrying value and has applied estimates including taking account of various factors 
and available evidence in assessing the recoverable amounts in arriving at the conclusion.

  At 31 December 2019, the Company’s investment in its subsidiary, ImmuPharma (France) SA was 

£30,380,205. The directors have assessed the carrying value of the Company’s investment in subsidiaries 
taking into account the various factors and available evidence as at that date and concluded that no 
impairment is required against this investment at the year-end date.

•  Amounts owed by group undertakings 

For the Company Statement of Financial Position, management needs to consider whether these 
balances are recoverable or an impairment is required and applies estimates including taking account 
of various factors and available evidence in arriving at the conclusion.

60

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

Financial and Corporate Information

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

1 

Accounting policies (continued)
Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty (continued)

  At 31 December 2019, ImmuPharma Plc was due £8,597,241 from its subsidiary ImmuPharma (France) 
SA. At that date, ImmuPharma (France) SA had net liabilities of £8,153,851 and is not in a position to 
repay this balance without realising value from its intangible investment in Lupuzor™. Following the 
announcement of the results of the Lupuzor™ clinical trial in April 2018, the directors have reviewed 
the future prospects of ImmuPharma (France) SA, using information which would have been available 
at 31 December 2019 and believe that going forward, there is sufficient value in its underlying activities 
and will generate sufficient cash to enable this balance to be repaid. As a result, no impairment of this 
debt is considered necessary at the year-end date.

•   Derivative Financial Asset – the nature of the Sharing Agreement with Lanstead requires the calculation 

of the fair value as at the end of the accounting period and it is based on the estimation of the 
Company’s share price and discount rate.

Changes in accounting policies and disclosures
(a) New and amended Standards and Interpretations adopted by the Group and Company
There were a number of Amendments to Standards adopted in the current year, but none of these had a material 
impact on the Group in the current period.

IFRS 16 “Leases” has been effective for the year ended 31 December 2019. The adoption of this standard has not 
had a material impact on the financial statements.

(b) New and amended Standards and Interpretations issued but not effective for the financial year beginning 

1 January 2019

There were a number of Amendments to Standards not yet effective in the current year, but none of these are 
expected to have a material impact on the Group in the following period.

Basis of consolidation
Both the consolidated and the Company’s financial statements are for the year ended 31 December 2019 and 
present comparative information for the year ended 31 December 2018. All intra-group transactions, balances, 
income and expenditure are eliminated upon consolidation.

The Group’s financial statements incorporate the financial statements of ImmuPharma plc and other entities 
controlled by the Company (‘the subsidiaries’). The control principle in IFRS 10 sets out the following three elements 
of control: power over the investee; exposure, or rights, to variable returns from involvement with the investee; and. 
the ability to use power over the investee to affect the amount of those returns. The financial statements of these 
other entities cease to be included in the Group financial statements from the date that control ceases.

Revenue
Grant income
Revenue is recognised under IAS 20 and relates to grants received by Ureka Pharma SAS and Elro Pharma SARL. In 
respect of certain grants, the proportion of the grant received recognised as revenue in the year is based upon the 
proportion of the relevant project costs actually incurred as at the year-end, compared with the projected total costs 
over the life of that project. For other grants, the amount of grant receivable is based upon the costs of specific 
research staff and in respect of these grants, the amount recognised as revenue is matched to the cost incurred.

Foreign currency
i) Income statement
The presentational and functional currency of ImmuPharma plc is sterling (£). Transactions in foreign currency are 
recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the dates of the transactions. At each reporting date, monetary assets 
and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing on the reporting date. 
Any gains or losses arising on translation are taken to the Income Statement as finance income or costs.

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

61

Financial and Corporate Information

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

1 

Accounting policies (continued)
Foreign currency (continued)
ii) Translation reserve
The main functional currencies of the overseas subsidiaries are the Euro and the Swiss Franc. On consolidation, 
the assets and liabilities of the Group’s overseas operations are translated at exchange rates prevailing on 
the reporting date. Income and expenses are translated at the average exchange rates for the period unless 
exchange rates fluctuate significantly. Exchange differences arising are classified as equity and transferred to the 
Group’s translation reserve. Such cumulative translation differences are recognised as income or as expenses in 
the period in which the operation is disposed of.

Taxation
The tax expense or credit represents the sum of the tax currently payable and any deferred tax less tax credits 
recognised in relation to research and development tax incentives.

The tax currently receivable is based on tax credits for the year. Taxable loss differs from net loss as reported in 
the Income Statement as 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 Company’s receivable for current tax is 
calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the year-end date.

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

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

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

Whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an investment in a subsidiary 
undertaking may not be recoverable the investment is reviewed for impairment. An investment’s carrying value is 
written down to its estimated recoverable amount if that is less than the investment’s carrying amount.

Intangible assets
Research and development expenditure is charged to the Income Statement in the period in which it is incurred. 
Development expenditure is capitalised when the criteria for recognising an asset are met, usually when a regulatory 
filing has been made in a major market and approval is considered highly probable. Property, plant and equipment 
used for research and development is capitalised and depreciated in accordance with the Group’s policy.

In process research and development acquired as part of a business combination is recognised separately from 
goodwill where the associated project meets the definition of an intangible asset and its fair value can be measured 
reliably. In process, research and development assets arising because of a business combination are amortised on a 
straight-line basis over their useful lives from the point in time at which the asset is available for use.

Patents are stated at purchase cost and are amortised on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of 
15 years from the date of patent registration.

Property, plant and equipment
Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost, net of depreciation and provision for any impairment. Depreciation is 
calculated to write off the cost of all tangible fixed assets to estimated residual value by equal annual instalments 
over their expected useful lives as follows:

-  Fixtures, fittings and equipment: 2 – 5 years

62

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

Financial and Corporate Information

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

1 

Accounting olicies (continued)
Impairment of tangible and intangible assets
At each year-end date, the Group reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets to determine 
whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, 
the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). 
An impairment loss is immediately recognised as an expense, in the Income Statement.

Share based payments
The Company issues equity-settled share based payments to certain employees and third parties. These are 
measured at fair value (excluding the effect of non-market based vesting conditions) at the date of grant. The fair 
value determined at the grant date is expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, based on the Group’s 
estimate of shares that will eventually vest and adjusted for the effect of non market-based vesting conditions.

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

Provisions
In respect of National Insurance contributions on share option gains, the Company provides in full for all vested 
options and on a pro-rata basis over the vesting period for options that have not yet vested for the employer’s 
National Insurance liability estimated to arise on the future exercise of the unapproved share options granted. 
The amount of National Insurance payable will depend on the number of employees who remain with the 
Company and exercise their options, the market price of the Company’s Ordinary shares at the time of exercise 
and the prevailing National Insurance rate at that time.

Equity
Share capital is determined using the nominal value of shares that have been issued.

The Share premium account includes any premiums received on the initial issuing of the share capital. Any 
transaction costs associated with the issuing of shares are deducted from the Share premium account.

The Merger reserve represents the difference between the nominal value and the market value at the date of 
issue of shares issued in connection with the acquisition by the Group of an interest in over 90% of the share 
capital of another company.

The Acquisition reserve includes those adjustments arising on reverse acquisition of the Company by 
ImmuPharma (UK) Limited.

Foreign currency differences arising on the retranslation of overseas subsidiaries are included in the translation reserve.

Equity-settled share-based payments are credited to the Equity shares to be issued reserve as a component of 
equity until related options or warrants are exercised.

Retained earnings includes all current and prior period results as disclosed in the Income Statement.

Financial instruments
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised on the Statement of Financial Position when the Group 
becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. An equity instrument is any contract that 
evidences a residual interest in the assets of the group after deducting all of its liabilities and when issued by the 
Group is recorded at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs.

Investments other than investments in subsidiaries are classified as either held-for-trading or not at initial 
recognition. Those investments and financial assets are initially measured at fair value less transaction costs and 
are subsequently measured at fair value. At the year-end date all investments are classified as not held for trading. 
An irrevocable election has been made to recognise changes in fair value in other Comprehensive Income.

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

63

Financial and Corporate Information

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

1 

Accounting policies (continued)
Financial instruments (continued)
Trade and other receivables are measured at initial recognition at fair value and are subsequently measured at 
amortised cost using the effective interest method. A provision for impairment is established based on lifetime 
expected credit losses. The amount of any provision is recognised in profit or loss.

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash held by the Group and short-term bank deposits with an original 
maturity of three months or less.

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

Non-interest bearing loans and overdrafts are initially recorded at fair value and are subsequently measured at 
amortised cost using the effective interest rate method.

Derivative financial assets are initially measured at fair value less transaction costs and are subsequently measured 
at fair value.

2 

Financial risk management
The Group uses a limited number of financial instruments, cash, short-term deposits, loans, overdrafts, and 
various items such as trade receivables and payables, which arise directly from operations. The Group does not 
trade in financial instruments.

Financial risk factors
The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (including currency risk, and interest rate 
risk), credit risk, liquidity risk and cash flow interest rate risk. The Group’s overall risk management programme 
focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to minimise potential adverse effects on the 
Group’s financial performance.

a)  Foreign exchange risk

The Group operates internationally and is exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from various currency 
exposures, primarily with respect to Sterling, the Euro, the Swiss Franc and the US Dollar. Foreign exchange 
risk arises from future commercial transactions, recognised assets, liabilities, and net investments in 
foreign operations.

Foreign exchange risk arises when future commercial transactions or recognised assets or liabilities are 
denominated in a currency that is not the entity’s functional currency.

The Group has certain investments in foreign operations, whose net assets are exposed to foreign 
exchange risks.

The Group did not enter into any arrangements to hedge this risk, as the directors did not consider this risk 
significant. The directors will review this policy as appropriate in the future.

b)  Credit risk

The Group has no significant concentrations of credit risk because the majority of the debtors are 
government bodies.

c)  Liquidity risk

Prudent liquidity risk management implies maintaining sufficient cash and available funding through an 
adequate amount of committed facilities. The Group ensures it has adequate cover through the availability of 
funding and facilities.

d)  Cash flow and interest rate

The Group finances its operations through a mix of equity finance and borrowings. Borrowings are generally 
non-interest bearing.

64

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

Financial and Corporate Information

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

2 

Financial risk management (continued)
Financial risk factors (continued)
e)  Equity price risk

The Group is exposed to equity price risk due to the possibility that the value of the Company’s shares will 
fluctuate. This can affect the amount of any proceeds in any fundraise the Company might undertake.

f)  Exposure to equity investments

The Group’s exposure to equity securities price risk arises from investments held by the Group and classified 
in the Statement of Financial Position at fair value.

3 

Segment information
- Group

IFRS 8 requires operating segments to be identified on the basis of internal reports about components of the 
Group that are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker to allocate resources to the segments 
and to assess their performance. In accordance with IFRS 8, the chief operating decision maker has been identified 
as the Board of Directors. They review the Group’s internal reporting in order to assess performance and allocate 
resources. The Board of Directors consider that the business comprises a single activity, being the development and 
commercialisation of pharmaceutical products. Therefore, the Group is organised into one operating segment and 
there is one primary reporting segment. The segment information is the same as that set out in the Consolidated 
Income Statement, Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, Consolidated Statement of Financial 
Position, Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity and Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

Revenue of £54,749 (2018: £77,338) originates in France and £23,176 (2018: £3,943) originates in Switzerland. Of the 
loss before taxation, £1,738,750 (2018: £3,813,218) originates in France, with losses before taxation of £5,004,410 
(2018: £4,137,698) and £1,203 (2018: £4,239) originating in the United Kingdom and Switzerland respectively.

Of the total non-current assets, £674,486 (2018: £631,110) originates in France and £1,734,529 (2018: £2,016,590) 
from the United Kingdom.

4 

Staff costs
The average monthly number of employees across the Group and the Company (including executive directors) was:

Group 
Year ended 
31 December 
2019 
No.

Group 
Year ended 
31 December 
2018 
No.

Company 
Year ended 
31 December 
2019 
No.

Company 
Year ended 
31 December 
2018 
No.

14

3

17

14

3

17

1

3

4

1

3

4

Group 
Year ended 
31 December 
2019 
£

Group 
Year ended 
31 December 
2018 
£

Company 
Year ended 
31 December 
2019 
£

Company 
Year ended 
31 December 
2018 
£

1,681,159

173,801

1,618,729

147,117

1,133,456

40,773

1,130,664

37,862

Drug research and development, and 
commercial operations

Administration and management

The aggregate remuneration 
comprised:

Wages and salaries

Social security costs

Share-based payment

1,983,525

2,057,275

1,736,937

1,810,687

3,838,485

3,823,121

2,911,166

2,979,213

During the year ended 31 December 2018, there was a reversal of National Insurance provision of £253,506 made 
against Social security costs. No such provision was in place for the year ended 31 December 2019.

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

65

Financial and Corporate Information

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

4 

Staff costs (continued)
Directors’ emoluments
The following disclosures are in respect of emoluments payable across to the directors of ImmuPharma plc across 
the Group and the Company: 

Fees

Salaries and benefits

Group 
Year ended 
31 December 
2019 
£

Group 
Year ended 
31 December 
2018 
£

Company 
Year ended 
31 December 
2019 
£

Company 
Year ended 
31 December 
2018 
£

530,118

638,185

525,162

638,502

530,118

638,185

525,162

638,502

1,168,303

1,163,664

1,168,303

1,163,664

Please refer to information in the Directors Report on page 42 in respect for amounts paid to individual directors.

Refer to note 23 for details of amounts paid to related parties in lieu of directors’ fees and bonus payments.

The emoluments of the highest paid director, amounts included above are:

Salaries and benefits 

Group 
Year ended 
31 December 
2019 
£

Group 
Year ended 
31 December 
2018 
£

Company 
Year ended 
31 December 
2019 
£

Company 
Year ended 
31 December 
2018 
£

498,185

498,185

498,503

498,503

498,185

498,185

498,503

498,503

Key management are those persons having authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling 
the activities of the entity. In the opinion of the Board, the key management of the Group and the Company 
comprises the Executive and Non-executive Directors of ImmuPharma plc. Information regarding their 
emoluments is set out below.

The following disclosures are in respect of employee benefits, including National Insurance, payable to the 
directors of ImmuPharma plc across the Group and the Company and are stated in accordance with IFRS:

Group 
Year ended 
31 December 
2019 
£

Group 
Year ended 
31 December 
2018 
£

Company 
Year ended 
31 December 
2019 
£

Company 
Year ended 
31 December 
2018 
£

1,168,303

1,181,821

1,168,303

1,181,821

1,143,207

1,175,473

1,143,207

1,175,473

2,311,510

2,357,294

2,311,510

2,357,294

Short-term employee benefits  
(salaries and benefits)

Share based payments

Directors’ emoluments

66

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

Financial and Corporate Information

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

5 

Operating loss
- Group

Operating loss is stated after charging/(crediting):

Share based payments charge

1,983,525

2,057,275

Year ended 
31 December  
2019 
£

Year ended 
31 December  
2018 
£

Employers National Insurance provision in respect of share 
based payments charge

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment  
- owned

Amortisation of intangible assets  
- patents

Services provided by Company auditors:  
- Audit services

- Other services relating to tax compliance services

- Other services relating to taxation advisory services

- Audit services – interim review

Audit services provided by other auditors 

6 

Finance costs
- Group

Interest payable on loans and overdraft

Loss on foreign exchange 

7 

Finance income
- Group

Bank interest receivable

Gain on foreign exchange

Gain on derivative financial asset 

-

(253,506)

61,091

29,227

72,500

3,500

-

14,650

23,086

99,588

33,492

58,000

4,550

5,150

9,500

10,722

Year ended 
31 December  
2019 
£

4,045

522,689

526,734

Year ended 
31 December  
2018 
£

 4,783

-

 4,783

Year ended 
31 December  
2019 
£

Year ended 
31 December  
2018 
£

5,743

-

58,271

64,014

12,491

117,317

-

129,808

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

67

Financial and Corporate Information

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

8 

Taxation
- Group

Current tax:

Corporation tax

Total current tax credit for the year

Year ended 
31 December  
2019 
£

Year ended 
31 December  
2018 
£

(620,774)

(620,774)

(748,606)

(748,606)

The difference between the total current tax shown above and the amount calculated by applying the standard 
rate of UK corporation tax to the loss before tax is as follows:

Loss before taxation

Tax on loss (at the average rate 19%)

(2018: 19%)

Effects of:

Expenses not allowable for tax purposes

Depreciation in excess of capital allowances

Rate differences

Research and development tax credit

Current year losses carried forward

Current tax credit for year 

Year ended  
31 December 
 2019 
£

Year ended  
31 December 
 2018 
£

(6,744,364)

(7,955,155)

(1,281,429)

(1,511,490)

4,463

19,364

229

(620,774)

1,257,373

(620,774)

(5,212)

24,934

1,192

(748,606)

1,490,952

(748,606)

As at 31 December 2019, the Group has unused tax losses of £39,360,358 (2018: £32,615,994) available for offset 
against future profits in the jurisdiction in which the loss arises. No deferred tax asset has been recognised due to 
the unpredictability of future profit streams in the relevant jurisdictions. 

68

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

Financial and Corporate Information

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

9 

Loss per share
- Group

Year ended  
31 December  
2019

£

Year ended  
31 December  
2018

£

Loss

Loss for the purposes of basic loss per share being net loss after 
tax attributable to equity shareholders

(6,123,590)

(7,206,549)

Number of shares

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purposes of 
basic earnings per share

Basic loss per share

Diluted loss per share

153,452,385

138,839,576

(3.99)p

(3.99)p

(5.19)p

(5.19)p

The Group has granted share options in respect of equity shares to be issued, the details of which are disclosed 
in note 21. 

There is no difference between basic loss per share and diluted loss per share as the share options are anti-dilutive.

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

69

Financial and Corporate Information

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

10 

Intangible assets
- Group

Cost

At 1 January 2018

Exchange rate movements

At 1 January 2019

Exchange rate movements

At 31 December 2019

Amortisation

At 1 January 2018

Exchange rate movements

Charge for the period

At 1 January 2019

Exchange rate movements

Charge for the period

At 31 December 2019

Net book amount

At 31 December 2019

At 31 December 2018

In process 
research and  
development 
£

404,095

-

404,095

-

404,095

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

404,095

404,095

Patents 
£

477,043

5,948

482,991

(24,660)

458,331

398,870 

(28,315)

33,492

404,047 

(49,807)

29,227

383,467 

74,865

78,944

Total 
£

881,138

5,948

887,086

(24,660)

826,426

398,870

(28,315)

33,492

404,047

(49,807)

29,227

383,467

478,960

483,039

70

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

Financial and Corporate Information

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

11 

Property, plant and equipment
- Group

Cost

At 1 January 2018

Exchange rate movements

Additions

At 1 January 2019

Exchange rate movements

Additions

Disposals 

At 31 December 2019

Depreciation

At 1 January 2018

Exchange rate movements

Charge for the period

At 1 January 2019

Exchange rate movements

Charge for the period

Depreciation eliminated on disposals

At 31 December 2019

Net book amount

At 31 December 2019

At 31 December 2018

Fixtures, fittings 
and equipment 
£

652,425

6,396

102,880

761,701

(34,323)

110,580

(3,468)

834,490

491,026

6,426

99,588

597,040

(28,105)

61,091

(2,280)

627,746

206,744

164,661

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

71

Financial and Corporate Information

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

11 

Property, plant and equipment (continued)
- Company

Cost

At 1 January 2018

Additions

At 1 January 2019

Additions

Disposals

At 31 December 2019

Depreciation

At 1 January 2018

Charge for the period

At 1 January 2019

Charge for the period

Eliminated on disposal

At 31 December 2019

Net book amount

At 31 December 2019

At 31 December 2018

Fixtures, fittings 
and equipment 
£

55,111

5,100

60,211

3,476

(1,543)

62,144

35,889

7,732

43,621

7,617

(309)

50,929

11,215

16,590

72

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

Financial and Corporate Information

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

12 

Financial asset

- Group and Company

Valuation

At 31 December 2018

Additions

Fair value loss

At 31 December 2019

Other 
investments 
£

2,000,000 

-

(1,309,090)

690,910

In September 2018 ImmuPharma purchased 363,637 shares in Incanthera Limited representing a 15% 
shareholding for £2 million. This investment was initially recorded at cost (when purchased and at the 2018 year 
end, which was the fair value of the consideration paid). On 28 February 2020, following the admission to trading 
on AQSE ImmuPharma exchanged these 363,637 shares for 7,272,740 ordinary shares in Incanthera Plc in a share-
for-share exchange, representing 11.9% of Incanthera Plc’s enlarged issued ordinary share capital.

The fair value of this investment has been assessed at 31 December 2019 and it is based on the ImmuPharma Plc’s 
shareholding of Incanthera plc, and the share issue price on 28 February 2020 of 9.5 pence.

In the year ended 31 December 2018, Incanthera Limited was an unquoted company and determining an 
appropriate market price of its shares is difficult. Management used a discounted cash flow model to determine 
the fair value of the investment which equated to £2.0m. As at the year ended 31 December 2019, the directors 
were aware of Incanthera imminent listing (furthermore, there was no other shares issued or significant changes 
between year end and 28 February 2020), the post year end admission to trading denotes to be the best evidence 
of fair value of investment in Incanthera Limited at the year ended 31 December 2019.

Under IFRS 7 Financial instruments: Disclosures and IFRS 13 Fair value measurement this is classified under the 
fair value hierarchy as level 2. The fair value of ImmuPharma’s 7,272,740 shares held in Incanthera Plc equated 
to £690,910 as at 31 December 2019, which has resulted in a fair value loss of £1.3m recognised through other 
comprehensive income.

Warrants in Incanthera Ltd
In September 2018, ImmuPharma has been also issued warrants for 363,637 shares at £5.50 per share of 
Incanthera ltd. These warrants represent financial asset, measured at fair value through Income Statement. At 
the year end 2019, the warrants were revalued to its fair value and the valuation was deemed immaterial. The fair 
value was measured using the “Black – Scholes” valuation model, in which there were several inputs, based on 
the contractual details and estimations. The inputs below have been taken into account in 2019:

-  Expected volatility of share price – 30%

-  Risk free rate – 0.605%

-  Market value of share price at issue - £1.9

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

73

Financial and Corporate Information

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

13 

Investment in subsidiaries

- Company 

Cost and fair value

At 31 December 2018

Additions

At 31 December 2019

Shares in 
subsidiary 
undertakings 
£

39,472,023

1,400,707

40,872,730

Details of the Company’s subsidiaries as at 31 December 2019 are as follows:

Name of company 
ImmuPharma (France) SA

Holding
Ordinary

% voting rights 
and shares held
100

ImmuPharma AG

Ordinary

100

Ureka Pharma SAS (formerly 
Ureka SARL)

Ordinary

99.97

Elro Pharma SARL

Ordinary

99.97

Nature of business & 
country of incorporation
Pharmaceutical research 
and development – 
France

Pharmaceutical research 
and development – 
Switzerland 

Pharmaceutical research 
and development – 
France

Pharmaceutical research 
and development – 
France

Registered Office 
Address
5 rue du Rhone
68100 Mulhouse 
France

Poststrasse 10
CH-6060
Sarnen OW
Switzerland

5 rue du Rhone
68100 Mulhouse
France

5 rue du Rhone
68100 Mulhouse
France

Investments are recorded at cost, which is the fair value of the consideration paid.

The Company assessed the fair value of its Investment in Subsidiaries as at 31 December 2019 and has concluded 
that there has been no impairment to their value and that the carrying value remains as stated above. In order to 
reach this conclusion, the directors considered several points. Central to this assessment was a discounted cash 
flow analysis of the Group’s lead program that supported this conclusion. Key assumptions included the discount 
rate, growth rate, exchange rate, tax rate as well as probability weighting. These assumptions were tested for 
sensitivity, which supported the conclusion of no impairment. Sensitivity analysis of the key assumptions showed 
that an adverse 10% change to any of these factors did not change this conclusion.

74

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

Financial and Corporate Information

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

14  Derivative financial asset

Group 
31 December 
2019 
£

Group 
31 December 
2018 
£

Company 
31 December 
2019 
£

Company 
31 December 
2018 
£

Value of derivative at inception

Settlements received

Gains recognised through income 
statement

2,656,520

(414,930)

58,271

2,299,861

Due within one year

Due after one year

At 31 December

-

-

-

-

2,656,520

(414,930)

58,271

2,299,861

-

-

-

-

31 December 
2019 
£

31 December 
2018 
£

1,456,714

843,147

2,299,861   

-

  -

-

As part of the placement completed in June 2019, the Company issued 26,565,200 new ordinary shares to 
Lanstead Capital Investors L.P. (“Lanstead”) at a price of 10p per share for an aggregate subscription price of 
£2.66 million before expenses. The Subscription proceeds were pledged under a Sharing Agreement under 
which Lanstead made and will continue to make, subject to the terms and conditions of that Sharing Agreement, 
monthly settlements to the Company that are subject to adjustment upwards or downwards depending on the 
Company’s share price performance.

On 2 July 2019, the Company also issued, in aggregate, a further 1,328,290 new ordinary shares to Lanstead as a 
value payment in connection with the Share Subscription and the Sharing Agreement.

ImmuPharma received four monthly settlements during 2019. Monthly settlements under the Sharing Agreement 
will continue in 2020 and 2021 and complete in August 2021.

At the end of the accounting period the amount receivable is restated to fair value based upon the share price of 
the Company at that date. Any change in the fair value of the derivative financial asset is reflected in the income 
statement. As at 31 December 2019, the Company completed a calculation of fair value of the derivative financial 
asset that resulted in a finance gain of £58,271, which was recorded in the income statement. The restatement to 
fair value will be calculated at the end of each accounting period during the course of the Sharing Agreement and 
will vary according to the Company’s share price performance.

15 

Trade and other receivables

Amounts owed by group undertakings

Other debtors

Prepayments

Group 
31 December 
2019 
£

Group  
31 December 
2018 
£

Company 
31 December 
2019 
£

Company 
31 December  
2018 
£

-

102,924

50,685

153,609

-

9,950,510

9,453,609

176,511

154,976

42,327

38,200

58,856

54,201

331,487

10,031,037

9,566,666

The Group’s and the Company’s credit risk is primarily attributable to its other debtors. Based on prior experience 
and an assessment of the current economic environment, the Company’s management did not consider any 
provision for irrecoverable amounts was required. The directors consider that the carrying value of these assets 
approximates to their fair value.

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

75

Financial and Corporate Information

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

15 

Trade and other receivables (continued)
The Company’s receivables due from Group undertakings are intercompany loan balances due from its three 
French subsidiaries. As of 31 December 2019, the Company believes that there has been no impairment to these 
values. This assessment is based on the Company’s oversight of the subsidiaries’ financial position as well as an 
assessment of the future prospects of the subsidiaries’ underlying development programs.

The Company considers that the amounts included in receivables due from group companies will prove 
recoverable. However, the timing of and the ultimate repayment of these amounts will depend primarily on the 
growth of revenues for the relevant group companies. Currently, the Company expects the amounts to be repaid 
over a number of years.

The total carrying amount of financial assets for the Group is £4,458,535 (2018: £7,087,959), consisting of trade 
and other receivables of £102,924 (2018: £176,511), £690,910 (2018: £2,000,000) investment, £2,299,861 (2018: £nil) 
derivative and £1,364,840 (2018: £4,911,448) cash and cash equivalents.

The total carrying amount of financial assets for the Company is £13,818,072 (2018: £15,891,820), consisting of 
trade and other receivables of £9,992,837 (2018: £9,512,474), £690,910 (2018: £2,000,000) investment, £2,299,861 
(2018: £nil) derivative and £834,464 (2018: £4,379,345) cash and cash equivalents.

16  Cash and cash equivalents

Group 
31 December 
2019 
£

Group 
31 December 
2018 
£

Company 
31 December 
2019 
£

Company 
31 December 
2018 
£

Cash and cash equivalents

1,364,840

4,911,448

834,464

4,379,345

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash held by the Group and short-term bank deposits with an original 
maturity of three months or less at varying rates of interest over the period between 0.0% and 0.5%.

The directors consider that the carrying value of these assets approximates to their fair value.

The credit risk on liquid funds is limited because the counter-party is a bank with a high credit rating.

Included within the above is £50,000 held separately in a Royal Bank of Scotland bank account in respect of a 
charge held over cash balances with reference to the Company’s credit card facility.

17 

Financial liabilities – borrowings
- Group

Total borrowings within one year comprises:

Bank overdraft

Loans

Total borrowings after more than one year comprises:

Loans

31 December 
2019 
£

31 December 
2018 
£

471

26,307

26,778

-

-

511

97,829

98,340

22,470

22,470

Please refer to note 24 for details of maturity.

All loans are non-interest bearing. The directors consider that the carrying amount of short and long-term 
liabilities approximates to their fair value.

76

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

Financial and Corporate Information

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

17 

Financial liabilities – borrowings (continued)
The non-interest bearing loans referred to above is a conditional advance from the French Government and 
repayments began in 2012. The full amount is repayable if the relevant research and development is deemed 
successful. A reduced amount will be repayable if the relevant research and development is deemed unsuccessful.

18 

Trade and other payables

Trade payables

Other taxes and social security

Accruals and other creditors

Group 
31 December 
2019 
£

Group 
31 December 
2018 
£

Company 
31 December 
2019 
£

Company 
31 December 
2018 
£

329,701

71,133

104,255

505,089

719,860

106,917

87,130

913,907

136,816

-

104,255

241,071

139,633

5,166

84,737

229,536

The directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other payables approximates to their fair value.

19 

Provisions
- Group and Company

At 1 January

Amount credited during the year

At 31 December

31 December 
2019 
£

31 December 
2018 
£

-

-

-

253,506

(253,506)

-

Provisions relate to a provision for National Insurance on share options, the timing of which is dependent on the 
exercise date of the share options (see note 21).

The provision in place as at 31 December 2017 arose due to the share price exceeding the exercise price on 
share options. As at 31 December 2018 and 2019, all exercise prices exceeded the share price and therefore no 
provision was required.

20 

Share capital

Group and Company

Group and Company

Called up, issued and fully paid

Called up, issued and fully paid

31 December 2019

31 December 2018

Number of 
shares

£

Number of 
shares

£

Ordinary shares of 10p each

167,360,920

16,736,093

139,467,430

13,946,744

At 31 December 2019, the Company had no limit on its authorised share capital.

27,893,495 new ordinary shares were issued at a value of £0.10 as a result of a new Sharing Agreement with 
Lanstead Capital Investors LP. Of the proceeds, £2,789,349 has been recorded in the share capital and £132,829 
has been deducted from the share premium account in relation to value payment shares.

Please refer to note 21 for details of share based payments granted by the Company and note 14 for further 
details around this Sharing Agreement.

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

77

Financial and Corporate Information

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

21 

Share based payments
Equity-settled share options and warrants
The Company adopted a new share option plan in March 2017 to replace the previous scheme, which had expired.

Details of the share options and warrants outstanding during the period are as follows:

Outstanding as at 31 December 2018

16,368,850

0.811

Number of 
share options

Weighted average 
exercise price (£)

Expired during the year

Granted during 2019

Outstanding as at 31 December 2019

Exercisable as at 31 December 2018

Expired during the year

Granted during 2019

-

-

16,368,850

1,093,850

-

-

0.811

0.785

Exercisable as at 31 December 2019

1,093,850

0.785

The options and warrants outstanding as at 31 December 2019 had a weighted average remaining contractual life 
of 8 years.

The options and warrants outstanding as at 31 December 2019 had exercise prices between £0.439 and £1.530 
(2018: £0.439 and £1.530).

Equity-settled share option scheme
The total value of options granted during 2017 was calculated using the Economic Research Institute’s Black-
Scholes pricing model. The inputs into the pricing model were as follows:-

Option grant date

Option value

Share price at grant date

Exercise price

Volatility

Vesting period

Expected life

Expected dividend yield

Risk free interest rate

30 March 
2017

£833,000

13 July 
2017

24 November 
2017

1 December 
2017

£400,950

£3,928,838

£707,760

£0.5025

£0.5025

47%

3 years

7 years

0%

0.382%

£0.5675

£0.5675

47%

3 years

7 years

0%

0.382%

£0.9862

£0.9862

51%

3 years

7 years

0%

0.382%

£1.5300

£1.5300

52%

3 years

7 years

0%

0.382%

Expected volatility was determined by calculating the historical volatility of the Company’s share price to the 
date of the grant over a 3 year period. Expected life was determined by examining the exercise history of the 
Company’s option holders. No market-based conditions were used as inputs into the pricing model.

The total value of options granted during 2017 was calculated as above at £5,870,548. Of this amount, £1,956,849 
has been charged in the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2019.  The total charged to date 
is £4,317,568 and the remaining £1,552,980 will be charged in the financial statements over the year ending 
31 December 2020.

The total value of options granted during the year ended 31 December 2016 was calculated as £301,280. The 
remaining balance of £26,676 has been charged in the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2019. 

The total value of all other options granted in previous years has been fully charged in the financial statements in 
prior years.

78

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

Financial and Corporate Information

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

22  Cash used in operations

Group
31 December 
2019  
£

Group
31 December 
2018
£

Company
31 December 
2019
£

Company
31 December 
2018
£

Operating loss

(6,281,644)

(8,080,180)

(3,575,225)

(3,290,599)

Depreciation and amortisation

Share-based payments

(Increase)/decrease in trade and 
other receivables

Increase/(decrease) in trade and 
other payables

Increase/(decrease) in provisions

(Gain)/loss on foreign exchange

88,038

1,983,525

133,080

2,057,275

7,310

7,732

1,736,938

1,810,687

177,878

404,725

32,530

(52,087)

(408,818)

-

(522,689)

15,151

(253,506)

117,317

11,533

-

(521,313)

113,328

(253,506)

123,064

Cash used in operations

(4,963,710)

(5,606,138)

(2,308,227)

(1,541,381)

23  Related party transactions

a) Group

D Dimitriou receives part of his remuneration through a consultancy company owned by him, Dragon Finance 
AG. During the year ImmuPharma AG was charged £169,790 (2018: £165,114) for the provision of management 
services by Dragon Finance AG. D Dimitriou is a director of ImmuPharma (France) SA and ImmuPharma plc. 
All amounts received by D Dimitriou via Dragon Finance AG are incorporated in the remuneration table in the 
Directors Report on page 42.

T McCarthy receives his remuneration through a service company owned by him, Unnamed Ltd. During the year 
ImmuPharma plc was charged £260,000 (2018: £260,000) for the provision of Chairman’s fees by Unnamed Ltd. All 
amounts received by T McCarthy via Unnamed Ltd are incorporated in the remuneration table in the Directors 
Report on page 42.

During the year, an amount of £117,361 (2018: £129,000) was paid to the wife of Dr R Zimmer in respect of services 
provided to ImmuPharma plc, ImmuPharma (France) SA, Elro Pharma SARL and Ureka Pharma SAS. 

b) Company

During the year ended 31 December 2019, management charges of £610,644 (2018: £583,923) were rendered by 
ImmuPharma plc to ImmuPharma (France) SA. This amount was due to the Company at 31 December 2019. The 
Company also loaned the sum of £684,135 (2018: £1,985,446) to ImmuPharma (France) SA during the year ended 
31 December 2019. The total balance due to the Company from ImmuPharma (France) SA at 31 December 2019 
was £8,597,241 (2018: £7,736,887).

During the year ended 31 December 2019, management charges of £152,661 (2018: £145,981) were rendered 
by ImmuPharma plc to Ureka Pharma SAS. This amount was due to the Company at the 31 December 2019. The 
Company also loaned the sum of £528,930 to Ureka Pharma SAS during the year ended 31 December 2019. The 
total balance due to the Company from Ureka Pharma SAS at 31 December 2019 was £815,786 (2018: £1,329,864).

The Company loaned the sum of £173,852 (2018: £135,409) to Elro Pharma SARL during the year ended 31 
December 2019. The total balance due to the Company from Elro Pharma SARL at 31 December 2019 was 
£537,484 (2018: £386,858).

During the year ended 31 December 2019, management charges of £169,901 (2018: £187,918) were rendered by 
ImmuPharma AG to ImmuPharma plc of which no balance was owed at the year end (2018: £nil).

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

79

Financial and Corporate Information

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

24 

Financial instruments
The Group’s financial instruments comprise of cash and cash equivalents, investment in Incanthera plc, derivative 
financial asset, borrowings and items such as trade payables, which arise directly from its operations. The main 
purpose of these financial instruments is to provide finance for the Group’s operations.

The Group’s operations expose it to a variety of financial risks including liquidity risk, interest rate risk, equity 
price risk and foreign exchange rate risk. Given the size of the Group, the directors have not delegated the 
responsibility of monitoring financial risk management to a sub-committee of the Board. The Company’s finance 
department implements the policies set by the Board of Directors.

The principal financial instruments used by the Group from which financial instrument risk arises are as follows:-

Trade and other receivables

Investments

Derivative financial asset

Cash and cash equivalents

Total financial assets

Financial liabilities – borrowings due within 1 year

Trade and other payables

Financial liabilities – borrowings due after 1 year

Total financial liabilities

Liquidity risk
Group

Year ended 
31 December 
2019 
£

Year ended 
31 December 
2018 
£

102,924

690,910

2,299,861

1,364,840

4,458,535

26,307

433,956

-

460,263

176,511

2,000,000

-

4,911,448

7,087,959

97,829

806,990

22,470

927,289

The Group actively maintains a mixture of long term and short-term debt finance that is designed to ensure it has 
sufficient available funds for operations and planned expansions. The Group monitors its levels of working capital 
to ensure that it can meet its debt repayments as they fall due.

The following table shows the contractual maturities of the Group’s financial liabilities, all of which are measured 
at amortised cost: 

At 31 December 2019

6 months or less

6 – 12 months

1 – 2 years

2 – 5 years

Trade and 
other payables
£

Borrowings
£

-

433,956

-

-

-

26,307

-

-

Total
£

-

460,263

-

-

Total contractual cash flows

433,956

26,307

460,263

Carrying amount of financial 
liabilities measured at amortised cost

433,956

26,307

460,263

80

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

Financial and Corporate Information

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

24 

Financial instruments (continued)
Liquidity risk (continued)
Group (continued)

Trade and 
other payables
£

Borrowings
£

Total
£

At 31 December 2018

6 months or less

6 – 12 months

1 – 2 years

2 – 5 years

806,990

-

-

52,889

44,940

22,470

Total contractual cash flows

806,990

120,299

859,879

44,940

22,470

927,289

Carrying amount of financial 
liabilities measured at amortised cost

806,990

120,299

927,289

Company
The Company’s financial liabilities comprise trade and other payables with a carrying amount equal to gross cash 
flows payable of £136,816 (2018: £139,633) and accrued purchases with a carrying amount of £104,255 (2018: 
£84,737), all of which are payable within 6 months.

Interest rate risk
Group
The Group has both interest bearing assets and interest bearing liabilities. Interest bearing assets comprise cash 
and cash equivalents denominated in Sterling, the Euro, the Swiss Franc and the US Dollar which earn interest at a 
variable rate. The directors will revisit the appropriateness of this policy should the Group’s operations change in 
size or nature.

During the year, the Group’s cash and cash equivalents earned interest at a variable rate between 0.0% and 0.5% 
(2018: 0.0% and 0.5%).

As at 31 December 2019, if LIBOR had increased by 0.5% with all other variables held constant, the post-tax profit 
and equity would have been higher by £13,170 (2018: £28,000). Conversely, if LIBOR had fallen by 0.5% with all 
other variables held constant, the post-tax profit and equity would have been lower by £13,170 (2018: £28,000)

Details of the terms of the Group’s borrowings are disclosed in note 17.

The Group has only non-interest bearing borrowings, which are carried at amortised cost, and therefore the risk 
is the change in the fair value of the borrowings. Changes in the market interest rates of these liabilities do not 
affect loss or equity and therefore no sensitivity analysis is required under IFRS 7.

Company
The Company has interest bearing assets, comprising of cash and cash equivalents denominated in Sterling, 
which earn interest at a variable rate. During the year, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents earned interest at 
a variable rate between 0.0% and 0.5% (2018: 0.0% and 0.5%).

As at 31 December 2019, if LIBOR had increased by 0.5% with all other variables held constant, the post-tax loss 
would have been lower and equity would have been higher by £11,000 (2018: £30,500). Conversely, if LIBOR had 
fallen by 0.5% with all other variables held constant, the post-tax loss would have been higher and equity would 
have been lower by £11,000 (2018: £30,500).

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

81

Financial and Corporate Information

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

24 

Financial instruments (continued)
Foreign exchange rate risk
Group

The Group is exposed to foreign exchange rate risk as a result of having cash balances in Euros, Swiss Francs and 
US Dollars. During the year, the Group did not enter into any arrangements to hedge this risk, as the directors 
did not consider the exposure significant given the short-term nature of the balances. The Group will review this 
policy as appropriate in the future.

As at 31 December 2019, if the Euro had weakened 10% against Sterling with all other variables held constant, 
the post-tax profit and equity would have been lower by £43,000 (2018: £49,000). Conversely, if the Euro had 
strengthened 10% against Sterling with all other variables held constant, the post-tax profit and equity would 
have been higher by £43,000 (2018: £49,000).

As at 31 December 2019, if the US Dollar had weakened 10% against Sterling with all other variables held 
constant, the post-tax profit and equity would have been lower by £15,000 (2018: £50). Conversely, if the US Dollar 
had strengthened 10% against Sterling with all other variables held constant, the post-tax profit and equity would 
have been higher by £15,000 (2018: £50).

As at 31 December 2019, if the Swiss Franc had weakened 10% against Sterling with all other variables held 
constant, the post-tax profit and equity would have been lower by £7,500 (2018: £8,000). Conversely, if the Swiss 
Franc had strengthened 10% against Sterling with all other variables held constant, the post-tax profit and equity 
would have been higher by £7,500 (2018: £8,000).

Company

The Company is exposed to foreign exchange rate risk through the payment of non-Sterling amounts and as 
a result of having cash balances in Euros and US Dollars. During the year, the Company did not enter into any 
arrangements to hedge this risk, as the directors did not consider the exposure significant. The Company will 
review this policy as appropriate in the future.

As at 31 December 2019, if the Euro had weakened 10% against Sterling with all other variables held constant, 
the post-tax profit and equity would have been lower by £1,500 (2018: £8,000). Conversely, if the Euro had 
strengthened 10% against Sterling with all other variables held constant, the post-tax profit and equity would 
have been higher by £1,500 (2018: £8,000).

As at 31 December 2019, if the US Dollar had weakened 10% against Sterling with all other variables held 
constant, the post-tax profit and equity would have been lower by £15,000 (2018: £50). Conversely, if the US Dollar 
had strengthened 10% against Sterling with all other variables held constant, the post-tax profit and equity would 
have been higher by £15,000 (2018: £50). 

Equity price risk
Group and Company

The Group holds the investment in shares in Incanthera, trading on AQSE, described in further detail in Note 12. 
The Group and Company are exposed to equity price risk as the sale of any Incanthera plc shares will fluctuate 
depending on the future share price. If ImmuPharma sold their shares in Incanthera for 10% less than the issue 
price of 9.5p, this would indicate a reduction in investment value of £69,091 which would increase the Group’s and 
Company’s loss by £69,091. If ImmuPharma sold their shares for 10% more than the issue price of 9.5p, this would 
indicate an increase in fair value of £69,091 which would decrease the Group’s and Company’s loss by £69,091.

The Group has also entered into a derivative transaction during the year 2019, details of which can be found at 
note 14. The risk associated with this transaction is the variable consideration receivable, which depends on the 
Company’s share price. During the year, the Group did not enter into any arrangements to hedge this risk, as the 
directors did not consider the exposure significant given the short term nature of the balance. The Group will 
review this policy as appropriate in the future.

82

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

Financial and Corporate Information

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

24 

Financial instruments (continued)
Equity price risk (continued)
Group and Company (continued)

If the Company’s share price had weakened 10% with all other variables held constant, the post-tax loss would 
have been higher and equity would have been lower by £329,004. Conversely, if the Company’s share price had 
strengthened by 10% with all other variables held constant, the post-tax loss would have been lower and equity 
would have been higher by £329,004.

The following is a comparison by category of the carrying amounts and fair values of the Group’s financial assets 
and liabilities at 31 December 2019. Set out below the table is a summary of the methods and assumptions used 
for each category of instrument.

Carrying 
amount 
2019
£

Fair
Value
2019
£

Carrying 
amount
2018
£

Fair
Value
2018
£

Trade and other receivables at 
amortised cost

102,924

102,924

176,511

176,511

Derivative financial asset

2,299,861

2,299,861

Financial liabilities at amortised cost

Other investments at fair value

369,584

690,910

369,584

690,910

-

840,159

2,000,000

-

840,159

2,000,000

3,463,279

3,463,279

1,336,352

1,336,352

Trade and other receivables at amortised cost

The fair value approximates to the carrying amount because of the short maturity of these instruments.

Derivative financial asset

The asset is recorded at fair value and is calculated based on ImmuPharma’s share price at the year end.

Financial liabilities at amortised cost

The fair value approximates to the carrying amount because the majority are associated with variable-rate interest 
payments that are re-aligned to market rates at intervals of less than one year.

Other investments at fair value

The balances are recorded at fair value and are determined by using published price quotations in an active 
market or using a valuation technique based on the price of recent investment methodology.

Fair value measurement

The Group measures the fair value of its financial assets and liabilities in the Statement of Financial Position in 
accordance with the fair value hierarchy. The hierarchy groups financial assets and liabilities into three levels 
based on the significance of inputs used in measuring the fair value of the financial assets and liabilities. The fair 
value hierarchy has the following levels:-

Level 1 fair value measurements are those derived from unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical 
assets and liabilities;

Level 2 fair value measurements are those derived from inputs, other than quoted prices included within level 1, 
that are observable either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices);

Level 3 fair value measurements are those derived from valuation techniques that include inputs for the asset or 
liability that are not based on observable market data.

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

83

Financial and Corporate Information

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

24 

Financial instruments (continued)
Fair values of financial assets and liabilities (continued)
Fair value measurement (continued)

The following table presents the Group’s financial assets that are measured at fair value at 31 December 2019:

Other investments

Derivative financial asset

As at 31 December 2019

Level 1
£

-

-

-

Level 2
£

690,910

2,299,861

2,990,771

Level 3
£

-

-

-

Total
£

690,910

2,299,861

2,990,771

Summary of financial assets held at level 2 fair value:

As at 1 January 2019

Revaluation at fair value

As at 31 December 2019

Other 
investments
£

-

690,910

690,910

The fair value has been assessed at 31 December 2019 and is based on the share price of Incanthera, which 11.9% 
was owned by ImmuPharma as of 28 February 2020, when shares of Incanthera has been admitted to trading on 
AQSE market. The investment in Incanthera had previously been assessed as a Level 3 input, valued at £2 million 
and due to the above Admission to trading on AQSE it moved to a Level 2 input.

Fair value at inception

Payments received under Sharing Agreement

Net gains recognised in Income Statement

As at 31 December 2019

Derivative financial asset
£

2,656,520

(414,930)

58,271

2,299,861

The consideration receivable is variable depending on the Company’s share price and the derivative financial 
asset is revalued through the Income Statement with reference to the Company’s closing share price. The 
valuation methodology and inputs are detailed in note 14.

Capital Risk
Group and Company

The Group and Company considers its capital under management to be its cash and cash equivalents, 
share capital and reserves. The Group and Company’s overall objective in managing its capital is to support 
the strategic objectives of the business: the development of potential new drugs. Decisions regarding the 
management of capital are taken by the Board in conjunction with regular strategic planning and budget reviews.

84

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

Financial and Corporate Information

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

for the year ended 31 December 2019

25 

Subsequent events
On 15 February 2020, following a review of options for progressing other ImmuPharma programs, the Company 
combined its two subsidiaries, Ureka Pharma SAS (‘Ureka’) and Elro SARL (‘Elro’) into one entity Ureka Pharma 
SAS. The intention of this is to maximise value from the combined entity whilst retaining an interest in any future 
commercial success.

On 28 February 2020 Incanthera’s shares were admitted to trading on AQSE under the ticker (TIDM: INC). 
Following Admission to trading, ImmuPharma retains 7,272,740 (from 363,637 held previously) ordinary shares in 
Incanthera, representing 11.9% of Incanthera’s enlarged issued ordinary share capital. As for all Incanthera’s major 
shareholders, ImmuPharma has entered a standard “lock-in” agreement for these shares, for a period up to 12 
months following Admission.

ImmuPharma also has 7,272,740 warrants at an exercise price of 9.5p pence, being the price at which new shares 
have been issued in the Placing accompanying Incanthera’s listing (“Issue Price”).

In addition, ImmuPharma has entered into a Subscription Agreement with Incanthera. Under the Subscription 
Agreement, ImmuPharma has the right, at any time prior to 31 October 2020, to subscribe for 2,631,579 new 
Ordinary Shares in Incanthera at the Issue Price (an amount of £250,000). Should ImmuPharma not exercise their 
right to subscribe by 31 October 2020, Incanthera may serve notice to ImmuPharma requiring exercise within 10 
business days.

Due to this post balance sheet event, the Company’ investment in Incanthera has been reassessed and the 
Company concluded that the fair value of this investment has decreased from £2m to £691k with the loss of £1.3m 
recorded in other comprehensive income.

On 30 March 2020 the Company announced subscriptions to raise £1.5 million (the “Subscriptions”) through the 
issue of 15,000,000 new ordinary shares of 10 pence each in the Company (“Ordinary Shares”) (the “Subscription 
Shares”) at a price of 10p per Ordinary Share (“Issue Price”). The Subscriptions comprise a £200,000 subscription 
from Dr Robert Zimmer, (Director, President & Chief Scientific Officer of ImmuPharma) through Luca and 
Associates AG (“Luca”) ( a company to which he is connected) and a £1.3 million subscription with Lanstead”), 
an institutional investor and substantial shareholder, together with a related Sharing Agreement, to raise in 
aggregate £1.5 million before expenses.

The Covid-19 outbreak can cause some short term disruptions to ImmuPharma operations described in this 
Annual Report, within principal risk and uncertainties on page 26. The Group assessed its impact, (including 
going concern) taking into account its cash reserves, secured phase III trial funding for Lupuzor™ and its product 
expansion into anti-infective therapies. As the outbreak happened after the year end, the Group concluded that 
Covid-19 is not being treated as an adjusting event.

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

85

Financial and Corporate Information

Glossary of Technical Terms

‘biomarkers’ 

measurable biological responses used as predictors of clinical effects.

‘CRO’ 

‘drug-like’ 

‘Lupus’ 

‘PDCT’ 

‘peptide’ 

‘Pharma’ 

‘Phase 0’ 

‘Phase I’ 

‘Phase II’ 

‘Phase III’ 

contract research organisation.

having the potential to become a drug product candidate due to its physical and 
chemical characteristics.

an autoimmune inflammatory disease of unknown etiology.

peptide to drug converting technology.

a molecule comprised of a series of amino acids (or a small subpart of a protein).

abbreviation for “Pharmaceutical”; sometimes in the industry “pharma” also denotes 
a pharmaceutical company.

the stage of development of a drug candidate before the first administration to man, 
during which all mandatory data required by regulatory bodies such as the FDA or the 
EMEA is generated and filed.

the stage of development of a drug candidate during which it is administered to man 
(usually healthy volunteers) for the first time. Phase I studies are designed to assess 
primarily the safety and tolerability of the drug candidate and gather information on 
its ADME. This phase is also used whenever possible to evaluate surrogate markers 
which are indicative of the clinical efficacy of the drug candidate.

the stage of development of a drug candidate during which therapeutic studies are 
conducted in limited numbers of patients using data generated in Phase I studies to 
determine dose regimen and primary efficacy, and to examine therapeutic outcomes 
and monitor safety in patients.

the stage of development of a drug candidate during which it is tested in large 
scale pivotal trials on, typically, between 200 to 4000 patients to demonstrate overall 
efficacy, tolerability and safety with a dose regimen as determined in Phase II. The 
drug candidate must generally prove to be statistically better than placebo or the 
current best therapy in terms of efficacy, safety or quality of life.

86

ImmuPharma plc Report and Consolidated Financial Statements December 2019

Portrait photography: Johnny Haddock / www.johnnyhaddock.co.uk
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ImmuPharma plc50 BroadwayWestminsterLondon SW1H 0RGUKTel: +44 20 7152 4080Fax: +44 20 7152 4001investors@immupharma.comwww.immupharma.com