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Instem plc

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FY2012 Annual Report · Instem plc
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Instem plc
Annual Report 
2012

Instem  is  a  leading  supplier  of  IT  applications  to  the  early  development  healthcare  market

delivering compelling solutions for data collection, management and analysis across the R&D

continuum.  Instem  applications  are  in  use  by  customers  worldwide,  meeting  the  rapidly

expanding needs of life science and healthcare organisations for data-driven decision making

leading to safer, more effective products.

Instem’s portfolio of software solutions increases client productivity by automating study-related

processes while offering the unique ability to generate new knowledge through the extraction

and harmonisation of actionable scientific information.

Instem supports its clients through full service offices in the United States, United Kingdom and

China with additional locations in India and a full service distributor based in Japan.

Our clients include these fine organisations...

Contents

HIGHLIGHTS

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

OPERATIONAL REVIEW

FINANCIAL REVIEW

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

DIRECTORS’ REPORT

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT

DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE PREPARATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF INSTEM PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

COMPANY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

COMPANY STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

CONSOLIDATED AND COMPANY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

ACCOUNTING POLICIES

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DIRECTORS AND ADVISERS

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Instem plc Annual Report, 2012           1

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Instem plc Annual Report, 2012     

Highlights 

Financial Highlights

Operational Highlights

• 

• 

• 

• 

Customer retention rate remained strong at over 
95%

A number of prestigious contract wins including:

• 

• 

• 

The US National Institute of Allergy and 
Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

JOINN Laboratories, China’s largest provider of 
pre-clinical studies  

Advinus Therapeutics and Lupin Limited in 
India

•  One of the world’s largest Biopharmaceutical 

organisations

• 

A leading Japanese pharmaceutical company

Improvements to the product set through the 
release of Provantis® 9, the next generation of 
our leading pre-clinical drug safety data collection 
software, Provantis Portal for remote data access, 
Omniviz® 6.1, an upgraded version of our visual 
data analytics platform,  further modules in the 
Centrus™ suite and Logbook™, our paperless 
solution for laboratory and other data recording

A significant post year end US government contract 
win for Provantis 9, announced in late February 
2013, with the National Institute of Environmental 
Health Sciences committing to an agreement lasting 
up to ten years

* Operating profit before amortisation, share based payment and 
non-recurring items.

• 

Revenues of £10.7m (2011: £10.8m)

• 

• 

Recurring revenues accounted for 70% of total 
revenues (2011: 70%)

SaaS (Software as a Service) revenue up 12% 
to £1.1m (2011: £1.0m)

• 

• 

• 

• 

Adjusted operating profit* £1.5m (2011: £2.0m) in 
line with revised market expectations

Reported profit before tax £1.3m (2011: £1.5m)

Basic earnings per share 8.9p (2011: 8.6p)

Closing cash balance as at 31 December 2012 of 
£2.5m (2011: £3.4m)

The market inertia experienced earlier in 
2012 now appears to be largely resolved, with 
several new contracts secured in December 
and in the first quarter of 2013. North America 
and the emerging markets appear to be the 
most buoyant, offsetting continuing difficult 
conditions in Europe. While Provantis sales are 
anticipated to continue to deliver the majority of 
revenues to the Group for some time, the growing 
interest in our Centrus and translational science 
capabilities offers additional revenue avenues 
for the future. 

Instem is a robust business, with net cash and 
a valuable customer base delivering high levels 
of recurring revenue. The business has been 
developed extensively in the last few years and 
is continuing to increase its strong global market 
share. We believe Instem continues to be well 
positioned to take advantage of the structural 
changes in the processes of drug development 
that are currently taking place. Both the 
regulatory and fiscal environments continue to 
be favourable to Instem, driving demand for all 
areas of our product suite.

Phil Reason,
Chief Executive

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012       3

GLOBAL EXPANSION

“Operations now span the US, UK, India and 

China, and notable customer wins were secured 

in each of these regions during the year.” 

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Instem plc Annual Report, 2012     

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Chairman’s       
Statement

Against a challenging market environment, created 
by global economic concerns on the one hand and 
the rapidly changing structure of drug development 
processes on the other, Instem has delivered a solid 
set of results for the year. The Group has further 
consolidated its leading position in the early 
development application market and extended its 
penetration across its customer base, as well as 
establishing new relationships with some of the most 
notable global leaders in the pharmaceutical market. 

Delays, caused by customer uncertainties in the face of 
strategic changes in the market, impacted the level of 
new licence sales, particularly in the first half of 2012. 
However a strong final quarter ensured revenues were 
broadly flat year-on-year at £10.7m (2011: £10.8m) 
and several delayed contracts have been signed post 
period end. A small increase in internal cost to support 
the completion and release of Provantis 9, together with 
increased third party costs due to the successful launch 
of Logbook, led to a decrease in adjusted operating profit 
to £1.5m (2011: £2.0m). This was in line with the revised 
market expectation. 

The Group continues to benefit from its substantial 
recurring revenue base, of approximately £7.5m (on 
an annualised basis), and enjoys a high and sustained 
customer renewal rate of over 95%. Taken together 
with a healthy opening order book, this provides a solid, 
profitable and cash-generative platform from which to 
continue to develop the business. 

Strong operational progress was made in the year. In 
particular the Group extended its geographical footprint, 
establishing a wholly owned subsidiary in Pune, India, 
providing additional software development and support 
resource. Operations now span the US, UK, India and 
China, and notable customer wins were secured in each 
of these regions during the year. Over 87% of Instem’s 
revenue now comes from territories outside the UK 
(2011: 87%).

Instem continues to execute against this strategy and 
in 2012 was pleased to launch planned major new 
releases of Provantis, OmniViz, the Provantis Portal, 
and further Centrus modules. In addition, we were 
able to add Logbook to our offering via a partnership 
with Trimetra. Partnering and complementary product 
introductions such as this have the ability to increase 
Instem’s addressable marketplace and will continue to 
be a focus for the Group going forward. The year saw an 
encouraging level of sales across the enlarged product 
suite to both existing and new customers. 

Provantis 9, which delivers significant operational 
efficiencies in Clinical Pathology laboratories, received 
very positive feedback from its early adopter Roche 
and all of the other high profile beta test clients.  This 
product generated new licence and upgrade revenue in 
2012 and excellent opportunities for 2013. 

Post year end, the Group announced that Provantis 
had been selected as the IT platform for the National 
Toxicology Program being managed by the US 
Government. This is a substantial multi-year Software-as-
a-Service contract and endorses Instem’s leading market 
position.

I would like to thank all our employees across the Group 
for their continued enthusiasm and commitment, as 
it is their efforts that provide Instem with its strong 
reputation and leading market position.

While the structural changes in the market continue 
to impact purchasing decisions at large pharma, there 
were signs towards the end of the year of increasing 
confidence amongst pharma and Contract Research 
Organisations (CROs), particularly within the US and 
emerging markets. We believe that Instem is well 
positioned to meet the needs of our customers in this 
changing environment and look forward to a positive 
2013. 

A core element of the Group’s strategy is the extension 
of the range of solutions it can offer its customer base. 

D Gare
Chairman

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012       5

 
MARKET LEADERSHIP

“Instem continues to extend its footprint within 

existing clients and across the industry as a whole, 

outperforming its competitors in product and 

performance evaluations.”

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Instem plc Annual Report, 2012     

Operational
Review

Whilst the major structural changes underway within 
the pharmaceutical market are, we believe, to Instem’s 
long term advantage, they created uncertainty in 2012, 
delaying order placement. This was particularly the case 
in Europe, where revenues were down 13% on the prior 
year. The US and emerging markets were less affected 
and, by the end of 2012, pharmaceutical customers in 
these regions were making commitments - with Instem 
enjoying favourable outcomes in the majority of bidding 
situations. After they had endured a very challenging 
2011, there was also a notable increase in business 
in the year from our CRO clients. Some of the largest 
CROs made significant purchases of additional products, 
whilst the smaller ones added more user licences - an 
encouraging sign that study volumes are starting to 
increase.

It is pleasing to report that throughout the year, the 
Group successfully increased its penetration in overseas 
markets and secured several new clients. A number of 
new product introductions and releases were made 
in 2012 and all of these generated new sales in the 
year and contributed to a solid pipeline for 2013. As 
in previous years, the majority of new contracts and 
contract renewals were secured in the second half 
of 2012, consequently, the majority of associated 
implementation services and product support revenue 
will be recognised in 2013.  

The Group’s substantial recurring revenue base continues 
to provide a solid and cash generative platform for the 
expansion of an increasingly global business. 

Customer Wins and Renewals

As the leader in its field, Instem continues to extend its 
footprint within existing clients and across the industry 
as a whole, outperforming its competitors in product 
and performance evaluations. Instem has once again 
maintained its high level of Provantis renewals in the 
year, with the rate remaining above 95%. As anticipated 
at the time of the Interim Results, the second half of the 

year saw a significant increase in the amount of new 
business secured, in comparison with the first half, with 
the final quarter once again being the strongest. 

Traditional perpetual licences for on-premise 
deployment signed during the year included the 
purchase of Provantis in November 2012 by the 
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases 
(NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). 
This purchase by a US government agency represents a 
good opportunity for the Group, particularly as the NIH 
invests over $30 billion annually in medical research. 
A prestigious contract was won in December 2012 
with a top 10 biopharmaceutical organisation, which 
purchased multiple modules of the Centrus software 
suite, including the Standard for Exchange of Nonclinical 
Data (SEND). This represents the most comprehensive 
suite of Centrus modules purchased to date. Additionally, 
in December 2012, Instem secured a multi-year contract 
extension with its largest client, a leading CRO, worth 
an annual seven-figure US Dollar amount. The CRO not 
only extended the existing contract but also purchased 
additional Instem products and services with a value in 
excess of $400,000, underlining its confidence in Instem.

As well as securing customers for traditional licences, 
Instem also saw further uptake of its software deployed 
via the Software as a Service (SaaS) business model. 
SaaS and hybrid SaaS options continue to prove to be 
an increasingly popular choice for organisations of all 
sizes. Total SaaS revenue for 2012 was up 12% to £1.1m 
(2011: £1.0m).

Several smaller US and European CROs extended 
their agreements with Instem in the period by adding 
additional user and module licences; these included 
Champions, PSL, Jackson and Vivotecnia. There was also 
a step-up in upgrade projects to Provantis 9 with orders 
from Advinus and Lovelace. 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012       7

OPERATIONAL REVIEW

Increased Global Presence

Instem’s increased global reach has provided the Group 
with a strong competitive advantage and we continue to 
tender and successfully win projects with organisations 
located in all territories where early development 
research facilities are based. In late 2009, Instem 
embarked on a strategy to broaden its global presence 
beyond the more traditional markets of North America, 
Europe and Japan to the emerging economies. In 2010, 
our Chinese operation was established, and during 
2012 we were pleased to also launch the Group’s Indian 
operations out of Pune. Provantis offers compliance 
to national and western standards, dual language 
operation and proven protocol-driven automation that 
produces high quality study output in greatly reduced 
timescales. 

The Indian office provides the ability to scale-up 
development and support resources flexibly in response 
to demand. In the longer term, it is planned that this 
operation will also enable the Group to provide sales 
and services locally in the region. During the year we 
were pleased to increase our penetration in this region 
by gaining a new client, Lupin Pharmaceuticals, and 
also by securing an upgrade with an existing customer, 
Advinus Therapeutics. 

In China, Instem continued to achieve new contracts 
including the prestigious sale of Provantis to JOINN 
Laboratories, China’s largest provider of preclinical 
studies. The system will automate processes within its 
China-based facilities located in Beijing and Suzhou. 

Through its highly successful Japanese distributor 
CTCLS, Instem signed a contract in the first half of 2012 
with one of Japan’s leading pharmaceutical companies 
for a comprehensive suite of Provantis modules. 

Instem Scientific

Instem Scientific has leveraged its strong client base, 
technology and service offerings in omics research, data 
integration and visual analytics to deliver information 
solutions for translational science. This is a growing area 
of the life sciences market as companies look to re-use 
data in the development of new drugs, chemicals and 
medical devices. Leveraging large volumes of historic 
data collected by Instem’s flagship product Provantis, 
and extending this across the full reach of the drug 
development process, from discovery through to clinical 
development, is one of the opportunities for Instem 
Scientific solutions.  

Instem Scientific continues to enjoy a high rate of 
recurring revenue renewal across all product lines 
reflecting the strong long-term partnerships with its life 
science customers. 

The Group continues to invest in this area of the 
business, adding further expertise, marketing strength 
and new product releases to improve performance and 
functionality. 

Product Development

Instem’s market leading study management product, 
Provantis, continues to generate significant revenues for 
the Group. In July 2012, Instem successfully delivered 
Provantis 9, a major new release of its core product 
suite. The release completed a significant, phased 
multi-year product redevelopment, designed to further 
enhance efficiencies and reduce study timelines while 
supporting the changes in laboratory working practices 
brought about by the structural changes in the pharma 
market. It takes advantage of the latest capabilities 
of the underlying Microsoft® and Oracle® platform 
technologies. Unique Provantis capabilities that improve 
operational efficiency and reduce study timelines are 
proving key competitive differentiators. 

Initial Provantis 9 uptake and future interest has been 
encouraging. Early adopter Roche and a wider group of 
high profile beta test clients have shared very positive 
impressions of the new release, helping stimulate both 
new client and existing client upgrade orders.

In late 2010, Instem launched Centrus, a software suite 
that is complementary to Provantis but focused on the 
areas of enterprise information integration in early 
drug development, management and reporting. The 
suite continues to build good momentum, particularly 
the modules associated with the US Food and Drug 
Administration sponsored Standard for the Exchange of 
Non-clinical Data (SEND). 

The Group’s leading position in this developing area 
was underlined in February 2012 when Instem was 
recognised for its outstanding contribution to SEND 
at the Interchange North America event organised 
by CDISC, the Clinical Data Interchange Standards 
Consortium. The release of Centrus submitTM 3.1 
immediately after the formal release of the SEND 3.0 
standard continues Instem’s leadership in this area. 

The Centrus pipeline continues to be healthy, and 
Instem was pleased that in December 2012 it secured 
a significant order with one of the world’s largest 
biopharmaceutical organisations. This order represents 
the most comprehensive suite of Centrus modules 
purchased to date. Instem expects the SEND standard 
to be a catalyst for the uptake of Centrus, as clients 
prioritise investments that satisfy new regulatory 
requirements and support increased study outsourcing.

In June 2012, Instem launched Logbook, via a 
partnership with Trimetra. It achieved notable success, 
by exceeding its anticipated revenue targets for the 

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Instem plc Annual Report, 2012     

OPERATIONAL REVIEW

year. Logbook replaces the last vestiges of client paper 
data recording, improving operational efficiency and 
facilitating electronic data access. 

In October 2012 the Provantis Portal was launched, 
enabling internal client staff or their external clients and 
collaborators to access live study data securely. During 
the year it was taken into use by a lead client, Jackson 
Laboratories, and generated good opportunities for 
further follow-on business.

Instem Scientific continues to focus on translational 
informatics, harnessing its expertise in developing 
solutions across the whole spectrum of pharmaceutical 
R&D, but now with an added focus in Instem’s early 
development market. In November 2012, version 6.1 of 
OmniViz was released, bringing the full power of 64-bit 
processing technology to a key component of their data 
integration and bioinformatics suite. In particular this 
facilitates the generation of new knowledge through the 
extraction of actionable information across the research 
and development continuum.

Market Overview

A typical drug can take 13-15 years from patent 
registration to come to market, at an average cost of 
approximately $1.3 billion, leaving a pharmaceutical 
company just 5-7 years of remaining patent protection 
following product launch to recover its investment. 
Therefore there is a recognised need to increase 
efficiencies and reduce costs. Instem’s established 
software solutions increase efficiencies during drug 
development by automating study management 
processes. The addition of products through internal 
development, revenue-share partnerships, and 
acquisitions, serve to increase Instem’s addressable 
markets. Alongside this is an increased tendency for 
pharmaceutical companies to partner with external 
service providers such as CROs in order to share risk. 
We expect this, combined with the release of the SEND 
standard by the FDA, to create sustained demand for 
high integrity data sharing solutions. We address this 
need through our Centrus and broader Instem Scientific 
suite of products.

Instem is ideally positioned to take advantage of 
on-going changes within the global R&D market, 
particularly in emerging markets such as China where 
technology solutions are being sought to help reduce 
development time, cut costs and improve operating 
efficiency, and where little automation of processes has 
taken place to date. There were also indications during 
the year from the larger CROs that there is a modest 
but sustained increase in activity levels as large pharma 
begin to increase spend on drug development activities. 
Additionally in 2012, Instem saw an increase in the 
number of licences required by smaller US and European 
CROs, an encouraging sign of increasing confidence in 
these markets.

The majority of the leaders in the industry continue to 
choose our software, and indeed advocate consolidation 
in the disparate supplier marketplace. Since the Group 
provides access to a blue chip client base and a global 
network of support, sales and development, Instem is 
seeing an appetite, from other suppliers, to partner with 
the Group in complementary areas. We remain alert to 
opportunities for partnered product developments and, 
where appropriate, selective acquisitions.

Future Plans

Instem plans to continue to develop its business by 
building on the three elements of the Instem product 
set:

Instem Study Management
• 

Provantis; a suite of Study Management and Data 
Collection modules that provide 75% of recurring 
revenues annually and invariably captures a high 
proportion of all new business placed in its market;
Centrus; a complementary Reporting, Analysis & 
Submission product suite,  that offers cross-selling 
capabilities within the existing client base as well 
as to potential new customers; 

• 

Instem Scientific
•  Our translational science suite provides the ability 
to aggregate, analyse and extract knowledge from 
huge volumes of disparate internal and external 
data, unlocking considerable additional value from 
prior research investments; this positions us within 
a valuable area of the pharmaceutical market.

Although Provantis sales are anticipated to continue 
to deliver the majority of revenues to the Group for 
some time, the growing interest in our Centrus and 
translational science capabilities offers additional 
avenues for future growth.

The Group has an impressive and longstanding customer 
list of leading global pharmaceutical, chemical, 
academic and government research organisations. The 
IT supplier market is highly fragmented and Instem’s 
customer base has indicated its preference to purchase 
software from a smaller number of core suppliers, 
of which Instem is one. Instem continues to pursue 
relationships with other suppliers that would advance 
this goal. An example is the partnership with Trimetra 
which, for Instem, simultaneously enhances the Group’s 
market position, complements existing products and 
provides access to adjacent markets and for Trimetra 
provides a route to market for their Logbook product. 
Similar mutually beneficial relationships that provide 
access to Instem’s blue chip client base and global 
network, for organisations with relevant ‘market ready’ 
products, offer attractive growth possibilities and 
increase Instem’s addressable market. 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012       9

outlook

“Instem continues to be well positioned to 

take advantage of the structural changes in the 

processes of drug development that are currently 

taking place. Both the regulatory and fiscal 

environments continue to be favourable to Instem, 

driving demand for all areas of our product suite.” 

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Instem plc Annual Report, 2012     

Financial 
Review  

The financial results demonstrate a solid performance 
in the year with total revenues steady at £10.7m (2011: 
£10.8m). As described in the Chairman’s Statement, new 
licence sales were lower in the first half of the year than 
previously anticipated, but increased in the final quarter. 
As a result only minimal revenue has been recognised 
for implementation services and annual support and 
maintenance from these contracts in 2012, with the 
remainder to be recognised in 2013.

The business continued to expand in developing markets 
with revenue from outside North America and Europe 
increasing to £1.1m (2011: £0.9m), being 10% of Group 
revenue (2011: 9%) with notable wins in India, China 
and Japan. 

Instem’s business model consists of fees for perpetual 
licences, annual support, SaaS subscriptions and 
professional services. As in the previous year, 
approximately 70% of revenue was recurring in 
nature, principally from annual support fees and 
SaaS subscriptions, with a small contribution from 
professional fees.

The business continues to generate the majority of its 
revenue in US dollars and therefore we continue to 
hedge against its decline. In the period the average 
exchange rate was $1.5888/£1.00 compared with an 
average exchange rate in 2011 of $1.6014/£1.00. 

The profit from operations before amortisation, share 
based payment and non-recurring costs for the year was 
£1.5m (2011: £2.0m). Operating expenses increased 
in line with expectations by £0.4m over 2011 due to 
a small increase in internal costs as Provantis 9 was 
completed, together with increased third party costs due 
to the successful launch of Logbook. 

Amortisation increased by £0.1m over the equivalent 
period in 2011 reflecting the increased investment in 
intangibles including those assets acquired through the 
purchase of Instem Scientific.

Development costs incurred in the period were £1.69m 
(2011: £1.64m), of which £0.26m were capitalised 
(2011: £0.26m).

Non-recurring costs include a charge of £0.1m in respect 
of legal and professional fees associated with pursuing 
acquisition opportunities, offset by a £0.24m write-back 
of the provision for deferred contingent consideration in 
respect of Instem Scientific.

In common with many businesses with a defined benefit 
pension scheme, there was an increase in the funding 
deficit during the period calculated in accordance with 
the provisions of IAS19 that amounted to £1.4m (net 
of deferred tax), which has been recognised in Other 
Comprehensive Income/(Expense). This was a non-cash 
charge in the period and arose primarily as a result of 
lower discount rates used for calculation of the liabilities, 
partially offset by higher expected returns on assets. As 
part of the scheme’s triennial actuarial valuation as at 5 
April 2011, the Group has agreed a schedule of payments 
to the scheme with the trustees and the Pensions 
Regulator that is designed to eliminate the funding 
deficit over an eight year period. This involves a modest 
increase of £0.1m in the Group’s current payments to 
the scheme rising from £0.3m to £0.4m per annum from 
2013. The defined benefit pension scheme has remained 
closed to new members since 2000 and to future accrual 
since 2008.

Cash generated from operations was £0.4m (2011: 
£1.3m). The Group had cash reserves of £2.5m as at 
31 December 2012, compared with £3.4m as at 31 
December 2011. Cash flows related to a number of the 
larger contracts which were signed in the final quarter of 
2012 have been received in the first quarter of 2013.

In line with previous periods, and our current policy 
of retaining cash within the business to capitalise on 
the available growth opportunities, the Board has not 
recommended the payment of a dividend. 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012       11

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Principal risks and uncertainties

The directors consider that the global pharmaceutical 
market is likely to continue to provide growth 
opportunities for the business. The combination of the 
high level of annual support renewals and low levels of 
customer attrition provides revenue visibility to underpin 
the Group strategy on product and market development.

The Group seeks to mitigate exposure to all forms of risk 
through a combination of regular performance review and 
a comprehensive insurance programme.

The global nature of the market means that the Group 
is exposed to currency risk as a consequence of the 
significant proportion of its revenue being recognised 
in US Dollars. The Group continually assesses the most 
appropriate approach to managing its currency exposure 
in line with the overall goal of achieving predictable 
earnings growth.

Outlook

The market inertia experienced earlier in 2012 now 
appears to be largely resolved, with several new contracts 
secured in December and in the first quarter of 2013. 
North America and the emerging markets appear to be the 
most buoyant, offsetting continuing difficult conditions in 
Europe. While Provantis sales are anticipated to continue 
to deliver the majority of revenues to the Group for some 
time, the growing interest in our Centrus and translational 
science capabilities offers additional revenue avenues for 
the future. 

Instem is a robust business, with net cash and a valuable 
customer base delivering high levels of recurring revenue. 
The business has been developed extensively in the last 
few years and is continuing to increase its strong global 
market share. We believe Instem continues to be well 
positioned to take advantage of the structural changes 
in the processes of drug development that are currently 
taking place. Both the regulatory and fiscal environments 
continue to be favourable to Instem, driving demand for 
all areas of our product suite.

P J Reason
Chief Executive

12 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012     

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

David Gare
Non-executive Chairman
David was a founder member of the Company’s former parent, Instem Limited, and led the resulting 
businesses through most of their history. David successfully achieved a succession of strategic 
developments for Instem Limited, including its sale to Kratos Inc. in 1976, its MBO in 1983, its flotation on 
the USM in 1984, its flotation on the Official List in 1996, its public to private and demerger in 1998 and 
the buyout of Instem LSS Limited from Alchemy Partners in 2002. Throughout, David has concentrated on 
value creation through achievement of a strong market position. 

Phil Reason
Chief Executive Officer
Phil is an experienced chief executive who has developed a number of IT businesses in the life sciences 
and nuclear industries, both organically and through acquisition. Phil joined the former parent Company, 
Instem Limited, in 1982 and was appointed Managing Director of the Life Sciences division in 1995 and 
Chief Executive Officer of Instem LSS Limited on the demerger from Instem Limited. Given the importance 
of the North American market to Instem’s organic and acquisitive growth, Phil relocated from the UK to 
the US in 2003 and established a new headquarters in the Philadelphia area. Phil previously ran Instem 
Limited’s Nuclear and Laboratory Information Management Systems integration businesses.

Nigel Goldsmith
Chief Financial Officer
Nigel, who joined Instem in November 2011, has a wealth of experience in senior financial roles, at 
both public and private companies within the pharmaceutical industry. After qualifying as a Chartered 
Accountant, Nigel spent over nine years at KPMG prior to moving into industry. Nigel was Finance Director 
for three years at AIM listed, pharmaceutical and medical company, IS Pharma plc. He also spent a seven-
year tenure as CFO at Almedica International Inc, a privately held supplier of clinical trial materials to the 
pharmaceutical and biotech industry in Europe and the US and two years as European Controller for the 
sales and marketing division of laboratory equipment manufacturer, Life Sciences International plc.

Mike McGoun
Non-executive Director
Mike has a wealth of management experience within the IT industry. He spent 10 years at IBM prior to 
co-founding a successful ComputerLand franchise in 1984. In 1994 Mike moved to SkillsGroup plc as a 
main board director, with responsibility for corporate development and later as a non-executive director. 
Mike was founder and non-executive Chairman of Tikit Group plc prior to its disposal to BT plc in 2012. 
Mike has been Chairman of Peakdale Molecular plc, a chemistry research organisation, since 2002.

David Sherwin
Non-executive Director
David is a qualified Management Accountant and holds an MBA from Staffordshire University. He joined 
Instem Limited as a trainee accountant in 1973 and was appointed Chief Financial Officer in 1979. He has 
worked closely with David Gare on all of the subsequent transactions involving Instem Limited and Instem 
LSS Limited including participating in the management buyout of Instem Limited in 1983, the flotation on 
the USM in 1984, the flotation on the Official List in 1996 and the demerger of the business in 1998.

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012       13

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14 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012    

DIRECTORS’ REPORT

DIRECTORS’ REPORT

The directors submit their report and the Group and 
Company financial statements of Instem plc for the year 
ended 31 December 2012.

Instem plc is a public listed company, incorporated and 
domiciled in England, and quoted on the Alternative 
Investment Market (AIM).

Principal Activities

The principal activity of the Group is the provision of world-
class IT solutions to the early development healthcare 
market. Instem’s pre-clinical study management solutions 
accelerate drug and chemical development by increasing 
productivity, automating processes and enhancing practices 
that lead to safer and more effective drugs.  The principal 
activity of the Company is that of a holding company.  

The Group operates subsidiaries outside the EU in USA, 
China, Hong Kong and India.

Review of the Business

In measuring the successful development of the business, 
the directors focus on three important performance 
indicators, which strongly underwrite the future 
performance of the Group:

1.  Total number of customers

In 2012 the Group had a total of 122 customers (2011: 121 
customers) for continuing products.

2.  Recurring revenue

The Group generates a substantial proportion of revenue 
from fees in respect of annual support, hosting and routine 
upgrade services. The value of these recurring fees in 2012 
was £7.5m (2011: £7.5m).

grow organically in its core markets. Investment in business 
growth initiatives will also allow the business to move into 
new product and market areas. The combination of organic 
growth along with strategic acquisitions will support the 
expected growth as outlined in the Chairman’s Statement 
and the Operational Review.

Risks And Uncertainties

The directors consider that the global pharmaceutical 
market is likely to continue to provide growth opportunities 
for the business. The combination of the high level of 
annual support renewals and low levels of customer 
attrition provides revenue visibility to underpin the Group 
strategy on product and market development.

The Group seeks to mitigate exposure to all forms of risk 
through a combination of regular performance review and a 
comprehensive insurance programme.

The global nature of the market means that the Group is 
exposed to currency risk as a consequence of the significant 
proportion of its revenue being recognised in US Dollars. 
The Group continually assesses the most appropriate 
approach to managing its currency exposure in line with the 
overall goal of achieving predictable earnings growth.

Research and Development Activities

The Group continues its development programme of 
software for the global pharmaceutical market, including 
the research and development of new products and 
enhancement to existing products. The directors consider 
the investment in research and development to be 
fundamental to the success of the business in the future.

In 2012 development expenditure was £1.69m (2011: 
£1.64m) before capitalised expenditure of £0.26m (2011: 
£0.26m).

Dividends

3.  New product orders

The directors do not recommend the payment of a dividend.

In 2012 the value of orders from new products developed 
and new markets entered during the preceding three years 
amounted to £1.08m (2011: £0.40m).

A more detailed review of the development and 
performance of the Group’s business during the year and its 
position at the end of the year is set out in the Chairman’s 
Statement and the Operational Review on pages 5 to 9.

Future Developments

The directors consider that the continued investment in 
product and market development will allow the business to 

Directors

The following directors held office during the year:

D Gare
M F McGoun
D M Sherwin
P J Reason
N J Goldsmith

Details of the directors’ service contracts and their 
respective notice terms are detailed in the Remuneration 
Committee report on page 20.

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012       15

DIRECTORS’ REPORT

Directors and Their Interests

The interests of the directors who held office at 31 
December 2012 and up to the date of this report were 
as follows:

of their duties or the exercise of their powers, including 
but not limited to any liability for the costs of any legal 
proceedings. The Group has purchased and maintains 
appropriate insurance cover against legal action brought 
against directors or officers.

No. of Shares

2012

2011

Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of the Company will 
be held on 21 May 2013 at the offices of Baker Tilly, 
Manchester.  The resolutions to be proposed at the 
Annual General Meeting, together with explanatory 
notes appear in a separate notice of Annual General 
Meeting which is sent to all shareholders. The proxy 
card for registered shareholders is distributed along 
with the notice.

Statement as to Disclosure of Information 
to Auditors

The directors who were in office on the date of approval 
of these financial statements have confirmed, as 
far as they are aware, that there is no relevant audit 
information of which the auditors are unaware.  Each 
of the directors has confirmed that they have taken all 
the steps that they ought to have taken as directors 
in order to make themselves aware of any relevant 
audit information and to establish that it has been 
communicated to the auditor.

Auditors

Pursuant to s489 of the Companies Act 2006, a 
resolution to appoint Baker Tilly UK Audit LLP as 
auditors will be put to the members at the forthcoming 
AGM.

On behalf of the Board

N J Goldsmith
Director and Company Secretary

Diamond Way
Stone Business Park
Stone
Staffordshire
ST15 0SD                         

19 April 2013

D Gare

2,278,427

2,278,427

D M Sherwin

1,580,066

1,580,066

P J Reason

665,287

665,287

M F McGoun

14,286

14,286

N J Goldsmith

-

-

Directors’ interests in share options are detailed in the 
Remuneration Committee report on page 20.

Employee Involvement

The general policy of the Group is to welcome employee 
involvement as far as it is reasonably practicable. 
Employees are kept informed of progress by regular 
company meetings and monthly management reports. 

Politicial and Charitable Contributions

The Group made charitable contributions in the year of 
£1,100 (2011: £1,324), matching contributions made by 
employees to a Give As You Earn scheme.  No political 
donations were made in 2012 or 2011.

Policy on Payment of Suppliers

It is the Group’s policy to make payments to suppliers 
in accordance with the agreed terms and conditions 
of supply, provided that the supplier has performed in 
accordance with the terms of supply. Trade payables at 
31 December 2012 represented 42 days of purchases 
(2011: 61 days).

Financial Instruments

The Group’s objectives and policies on financial 
instruments are set out in note 18 to the financial 
statements.

Indemnity of Officers and Directors

Under the Company’s Articles of Association and subject 
to the provisions of the Companies Act, the Group may 
and has indemnified all directors and other officers 
against liability incurred in the execution or discharge 

16 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012     

                                 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
STATEMENT

The Board fully supports the underlying principles of 
corporate governance contained in the UK Corporate 
Governance Code, notwithstanding that, as its securities 
are not listed on the Official List, it is not required to 
comply with such recommendations. It has sought 
to comply with the provisions of the Corporate 
Governance Code, insofar as is practicable and 
appropriate for a public Company of its size and nature 
and taking account of the QCA guidelines for smaller 
quoted companies. The Board recognises its overall 
responsibility for the Group’s systems of internal control 
and for monitoring their effectiveness. 

The main features of the Group’s corporate governance 
procedures, which do not constitute full compliance 
with the UK Corporate Governance Code, are as follows:

a. 

b. 

c. 

d. 

the Board has one independent non-executive 
director who takes an active role in Board matters;
the Group has an Audit Committee, a Remuneration 
Committee and a Nomination Committee, each 
of which consists of the non-executive directors, 
and meets regularly with executive directors in 
attendance by invitation. The Audit Committee 
has unrestricted access to the Group’s auditor and 
ensures that auditor independence has not been 
compromised;
all business activity is organised within a defined 
structure with formal lines of responsibility and 
delegation of authority, including a schedule of 
“matters referred to the Board”; and
regular monitoring of key performance indicators 
and financial results together with comparison of 
these against expectations.

Attendance at Board and Committee 
Meetings

Attendances of directors at Board and Committee 
meetings convened in the period, along with the 
number of meetings they were invited to attend, are set 
out below:

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee comprises M F McGoun (Chairman), 
D Gare and D M Sherwin, all of whom are non-executive 
directors of the Company. The Board is satisfied that 
the Audit Committee has all the recent and relevant 
financial experience required to fulfil the role. 

Appointments to the Audit Committee are made by the 
Board in consultation with the Nomination Committee 
and the chairman of the Audit Committee.  The Audit 
Committee meets at least twice a year and any other 
time as required by either the chairman of the Audit 
Committee, the Chief Financial Officer of the Group or 
the external auditor of the Group.  In addition, the Audit 
Committee shall meet with the external auditor of the 
Group (without any of the executives attending) at any 
time during the year as it deems fit. 

The Audit Committee:
a.  monitors the financial reporting and internal 
financial control principles of the Group;
b.  maintains appropriate relationships with the 

external auditor, including considering the 
appointment and remuneration of the external 
auditor, and reviews and monitors the external 
auditor’s independence and objectivity and the 
effectiveness of the audit process;
reviews all financial results of the Group and 
financial statements, including all announcements 
in respect thereof before submission of the 
relevant documents to the Board;
reviews and discusses (where necessary) any 
issues and recommendations of the external 
auditor including reviewing the external auditor 
management letter and management’s response;
considers all major findings of internal operational 
audit reviews and management’s response to 
ensure co-ordination between internal and external 
auditors;
reviews the Board’s statement on internal reporting 
systems and keeps the effectiveness of such 
systems under review; and
considers all other relevant findings and audit 
programmes of the Group.

c. 

d. 

e. 

f. 

g. 

No. of meetings in the period/
No. invited to attend

Board meetings

Audit 
Committee

Remuneration Committee

Nomination 
Committee

Executive directors

P J Reason

N J Goldsmith

Non-Executive directors

D Gare

D M Sherwin

M F McGoun

7/7

7/7

7/7

7/7

7/7

3/3

3/3

3/3

3/3

3/3

2/2

1/1

2/2

2/2

2/2

1/1

-

1/1

1/1

1/1

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012       17

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

The Audit Committee is authorised to:

a. 

b. 

c. 

investigate any activity within its terms of 
reference;
seek any information it requires from any employee 
of the Group; and
obtain, at the Group’s expense, outside legal or 
other independent professional advice and to 
secure the attendance of such persons to meetings 
as it considers necessary and appropriate.

Remuneration Committee

The Remuneration Committee comprises M F McGoun 
(Chairman), D Gare and D M Sherwin, all of whom are 
non-executive directors of the Group.

The members of the Remuneration Committee are 
appointed by the Board on recommendation from 
the Nomination Committee, in consultation with the 
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee.  The Chief 
Executive Officer of the Group is normally invited to 
meetings of the Remuneration Committee to discuss 
the performance of other executive directors but is not 
involved in any of the decisions.  The Remuneration 
Committee invites any person it thinks appropriate to 
join the members of the Remuneration Committee at its 
meetings.  The Remuneration Committee meets at least 
once a year and any other time as required by either the 
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee or the Chief 
Financial Officer of the Group.

Board about the public disclosure of information 
about the executive directors’ remuneration 
packages and structures in addition to those 
required by law or by the London Stock Exchange.

The Chairman of the Remuneration Committee 
reports formally to the Board on its proceedings after 
each meeting on all matters within its duties and 
responsibilities. The Remuneration Committee produces 
an annual report which is included in the Group’s annual 
report and accounts.

The Remuneration Committee is authorised to:

a. 

b. 

c. 

investigate any activity within its terms of 
reference;
seek any information it requires from any employee 
of the Group;
assess the remuneration paid by other UK listed 
companies of a similar size in any comparable 
industry sector and to assess whether changes 
to the executive directors’ remuneration is 
appropriate for the purpose of making their 
remuneration competitive or otherwise comparable 
with the remuneration paid by such companies; and

d.  obtain, at the Group’s expense, outside legal or 

other independent professional advice, including 
independent remuneration consultants, when the 
Remuneration Committee reasonably believes it is 
necessary to do so and to secure the attendance of 
such persons to meetings as it considers necessary 
and appropriate. 

The Remuneration Committee:

Nomination Committee

a. 

b. 

c. 

ensures that the executive directors are fairly 
rewarded for their individual contributions to 
the overall performance of the Group but also 
ensures that the Group avoids paying more than is 
necessary for this purpose;
considers the remuneration packages of the 
executive directors and any recommendations 
made by the Chief Executive Officer for changes to 
their remuneration packages including in respect 
of bonuses (including associated performance 
criteria), other benefits, pension arrangements 
and other terms of their service contracts and any 
other matters relating to the remuneration of or 
terms of employment applicable to the executive 
directors that may be referred to the Remuneration 
Committee by the Board;
oversees and reviews all aspects of the Group’s 
share option schemes including the selection of 
eligible directors and other employees and the 
terms of any options granted;

d.  demonstrates to the Group’s shareholders that the 
remuneration of the executive directors is set by an 
independent committee of the Board; and
considers and makes recommendations to the 

e. 

The Nomination Committee comprises D Gare 
(Chairman), M F McGoun and D M Sherwin, all of whom 
are non-executive directors of the Group.

Appointments to the Nomination Committee are made 
by the Board, in consultation with the Chairman of the 
Nomination Committee. 

The Nomination Committee may invite any person 
it thinks appropriate to join the members of the 
Nomination Committee at its meetings. The Nomination 
Committee meets at least once per year.

The Nomination Committee:

a. 

regularly reviews the structure, size and 
composition (including skills, knowledge and 
experience required) of the Board compared to its 
current position and makes recommendations to 
the Board with regard to any changes;

b.  gives full consideration to succession planning for 
directors and other senior executives in the course 
of its work, taking into account the challenges and 

18 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012     

meeting at the Group’s expense if the Nomination 
Committee considers this reasonably necessary and 
appropriate.

Internal Controls

The directors are responsible for establishing and 
maintaining the Group’s system of internal control 
and reviewing its effectiveness. The system of internal 
control is designed to manage rather than eliminate the 
risk of failure to achieve business objectives and can 
only provide reasonable but not absolute assurance 
against material misstatement or loss.

The Board and senior executives meet to review 
both the risks facing the business and the controls 
established to minimise those risks and their 
effectiveness in operation on an ongoing basis. The aim 
of these reviews is to provide reasonable assurance 
that material risks and problems are identified and 
appropriate action taken at an early stage.

Going Concern

The directors have prepared and reviewed financial 
forecasts. After due consideration of these forecasts 
and current cash resources, the directors consider that 
the Company and the Group have adequate financial 
resources to continue in operational existence for the 
foreseeable future (being a period of at least twelve 
months from the date of this report), and for this reason 
the financial statements have been prepared on a going 
concern basis.

On behalf of the Board

N J Goldsmith
Director and Company Secretary

19 April 2013

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

c. 

opportunities facing the Group, and what skills and 
expertise are needed on the Board in the future;
is responsible for identifying and nominating for 
the approval of the Board, candidates to fill Board 
vacancies as and when they arise; and

d.  evaluates the balance of skills, knowledge and 

experience on the Board before an appointment 
is made and, in light of this evaluation, prepares a 
description of the role and capabilities required for 
a particular appointment.

The Chairman of the Nomination Committee reports 
formally to the Board on its proceedings after 
each meeting on all matters within its duties and 
responsibilities. 

The Nomination Committee also makes 
recommendations to the Board concerning:

a. 

formulating plans for succession for both executive 
and non-executive directors and in particular 
the key roles of Chairman of the Board and Chief 
Executive Officer;

b.  membership of the Audit and Remuneration 

c. 

d. 

Committees, in consultation with the chairmen of 
those committees;
the re-appointment of any non-executive director 
at the conclusion of their specified term of office 
having given due regard to their performance and 
ability to continue to contribute to the Board in 
the light of the knowledge, skills and experience 
required;
the re-election by shareholders of any director 
under the “retirement by rotation” provisions in 
the Company’s articles of association having due 
regard to their performance and ability to continue 
to contribute to the Board in the light of the 
knowledge, skills and experience required;

e.  matters relating to the continuation in office of any 
director at any time including the suspension or 
termination of service of an executive director as 
an employee of the Group subject to the provisions 
of the law and his/her service contract; and
the appointment of any director to executive or 
other office other than to the positions of Chairman 
of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, the 
recommendation for which would be considered at 
a meeting of the full Board.

f. 

The Nomination Committee is authorised to:

a. 

b. 

c. 

d. 

investigate any activity within its terms of 
reference;
seek any information it requires from any 
employee;
obtain outside legal or other independent 
professional advice at the Group’s expense when 
the Nomination Committee reasonably believes it is 
necessary to do so; and
instruct external professional advisers to attend any 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012       19

 
DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT

Performance Related Annual Bonus

Executive directors are eligible for a performance 
related bonus based on Company performance, in 
particular, the achievement of profit and cash targets.  
The performance related annual bonus forms a 
significant part of the level of remuneration considered 
appropriate by the Committee.  In addition to the formal 
bonus scheme, the Committee has the discretion to 
recommend the payment of ad hoc awards to reflect 
exceptional performance. No bonuses were paid or 
payable in respect of the year ended 31 December 2012 
(2011: £nil).

Pensions

Company contributions are made to the executive 
directors’ personal pension schemes up to a maximum 
of 16.5% of basic salary.

Benefits

Benefits comprise private healthcare and critical illness 
cover.  No director receives additional remuneration or 
benefits in relation to being a director of the Board of 
the Company or any subsidiary of the Company.

Service Contracts

The Executive directors have contracts of up to 12 
months duration with a maximum notice period of 12 
months.

The Board determines the Company’s policy on 
non-executive directors’ remuneration.

D Gare, D M Sherwin and M F McGoun each have a 
contract with an initial three year term that commenced 
in October 2010, with a notice period of 3 months 
during or after expiry of that fixed term.

Instem plc is not required to comply with Schedule 8 
of the Large and Medium Sized Companies and Groups 
(Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 relating to 
directors’ remuneration reports or the Listing Rules, as a 
Company on AIM.  The disclosures contained within this 
report are, therefore, made on a voluntary basis and in 
keeping with the Board’s commitment to best practice.

Remuneration Committee

The Remuneration Committee (“the Committee”) is 
composed entirely of non-executive directors. The 
Committee was formed upon the public listing of the 
Company on 13 October 2010.  The Chairman of the 
Committee is M F McGoun.  The terms of reference for 
the Committee are to determine the Company’s policy 
on executive remuneration and to consider and approve 
the remuneration packages for directors and key 
executives of the Company, subject to ratification by the 
Board.  During the year, the Committee met twice.  Full 
details of the elements of each director’s remuneration 
are set out on page 21.  Details of share-based payments 
are shown in note 6 to the financial statements.

Policy on Executive Director 
Remuneration

The Company’s current and ongoing policy aims to 
ensure that executive directors are rewarded fairly for 
their individual contributions to the Company’s overall 
performance and is designed to attract, retain and 
motivate executives of the right calibre.  The Committee 
is responsible for recommendations on all elements 
of executive remuneration including, in particular, 
basic salary, annual bonus, share options and any other 
incentive awards.  In implementing the remuneration 
policy, the Committee has regard to factors specific 
to the Company, such as salary and other benefit 
arrangements within the Company and the achievement 
of the Company’s strategic objectives.  The Committee 
determines the Company’s policy on executive 
remuneration with reference to comparable companies 
of similar market capitalisation, location and business 
sector.

Basic Salary

The basic salaries of executive directors are reviewed 
annually having regard to individual performance and 
position within the Company and are intended to be 
competitive but fair using information provided from 
both internal and external sources.

20 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012    

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT

The emoluments paid to directors in the year ended 31 December 2012 were as follows: 

Salary

Benefits

Pension

2012 Total

2011 Total

Executives

P J Reason

N J Goldsmith

J McLauchlan

Non-executives

D Gare

D M Sherwin

M F McGoun

£000

143

82

-

44

24

24

£000

£000

14

12

-

-

-

-

23

25

-

-

-

-

Total

317

26

48

Directors’ and Employees’ Share Options

£000

180

119

-

44

24

24

391

£000

175

18

58

44

49

24

368

Exercise 
price(£)

Issue date

Held at 31 
Dec 2011

Granted 
During Year

Exercised 
during Year

Lapsed 
during Year

Held at 31 
Dec 2012

P J Reason
Ordinary shares

N J Goldsmith
Ordinary shares

1.750

13/10/2010

187,428

2.215

29/11/2011

60,000

-

-

J McLauchlan & Estate
Ordinary shares

Employees
Ordinary shares

1.760

07/02/2012

-

20,000

1.750

13/10/2010

  62,476

1.750

13/10/2010

304,569

2.220

03/03/2011

101,351

2.220

17/10/2011

22,000

-

-

-

-

1.115

23/10/2012

-

40,000

Total

737,824

60,000

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

187,428

(20,000)

40,000

-

20,000

(62,476)

-

-

-

304,569

101,351

(7,333)

14,667

-

40,000

(89,809)

708,015

Further detail of the terms of the option agreements is given in note 6.

Approved by the Board and signed on its behalf by:

M F McGoun

Independent Non-Executive Chairman

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012       21

DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE PREPARATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

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

DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES IN 
THE PREPARATION OF FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS

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

Company law requires the directors to prepare Group 
and Company financial statements for each financial 
year.  The directors are required by the AIM Rules of 
the London Stock Exchange to prepare Group financial 
statements in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European 
Union (EU) and have elected under Company law to 
prepare the Company financial statements in accordance 
with IFRS as adopted by the EU.

The financial statements are required by law and 
IFRS adopted by the EU to present fairly the financial 
position of the Group and the Company and the financial 
performance of the Group. The Companies Act 2006 
provides in relation to such financial statements that 
references in the relevant part of that Act to financial 
statements giving a true and fair view are references to 
their achieving a fair presentation.

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

In preparing the Group and Company financial 
statements, the directors are required to:

a. 

select suitable accounting policies and then apply 
them consistently;

b.  make judgements and accounting estimates that 

c. 

are reasonable and prudent;
state whether they have been prepared in 
accordance with IFRSs adopted by the EU;
d.  prepare the financial statements on the going 

concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume 
that the Group and the Company will continue in 
business.

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

22 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012    

                                      
 
 
  
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO 
THE MEMBERS OF INSTEM PLC

• 

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

We have audited the group and parent company 
financial statements (“the financial statements”) on 
pages 24 to 62. The financial reporting framework that 
has been applied in their preparation is applicable law 
and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) 
as adopted by the European Union and, as regards the 
parent company financial statements, as applied in 
accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 
2006. 

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

Respective responsibilities of directors 
and auditor

As more fully explained in the Directors’ Responsibilities 
Statement set out on page 22, the directors are 
responsible for the preparation of the financial 
statements and for being satisfied that they give a true 
and fair view.  Our responsibility is to audit and express 
an opinion on the financial statements in accordance 
with applicable law and International Standards on 
Auditing (UK and Ireland).  Those standards require us 
to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s (APB’s) 
Ethical Standards for Auditors.

Opinion on other matter prescribed by 
the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion the information given in the Directors’ 
Report for the financial year for which the financial 
statements are prepared is consistent with the financial 
statements.

Matters on which we are required to 
report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following 
matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to 
report to you if, in our opinion:
• 

adequate accounting records have not been kept 
by the parent Company, or returns adequate for our 
audit have not been received from branches not 
visited by us; or
the parent Company financial statements are not in 
agreement with the accounting records and returns; 
or
certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration 
specified by law are not made; or

• 

• 

•  we have not received all the information and 

explanations we require for our audit.

Geoff Wightwick BA FCA (Senior Statutory Auditor)
For and on behalf of BAKER TILLY UK AUDIT LLP, 
Statutory Auditor 
Chartered Accountants 
3 Hardman Street
Manchester
M3 3HF 

Scope of the audit of the financial 
statements

22 April 2013

A description of the scope of an audit of financial 
statements is provided on the APB’s website at www.frc.
org.uk/apb/scope/private.cfm.

Opinion on financial statements

In our opinion: 
• 

the financial statements give a true and fair view of 
the state of the Group’s and the parent’s affairs as 
at 31 December 2012 and of the Group’s profit for 
the year then ended;
the Group financial statements have been properly 
prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by 
the European Union;
the parent financial statements have been properly 
prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by 
the European Union and as applied in accordance 
with the Companies Act 2006; and

• 

• 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012       23

  
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME for the year ended 31 December 2012

Year ended

Year ended

 31 December 2012

31 December 2011

Continuing Operations

Note

REVENUE 

Operating expenses

PROFIT FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE AMORTISATION, SHARE BASED 
PAYMENT AND NON-RECURRING ITEMS

Amortisation of intangibles

Share based payment

PROFIT BEFORE NON-RECURRING ITEMS

Non-recurring income/(costs)

PROFIT FROM OPERATIONS

Finance income

Finance costs

PROFIT BEFORE TAXATION

Income tax expense

RETAINED PROFIT FOR THE YEAR

1

2

2

3

4

8

£000

10,661

(9,157)

1,504

(397)

(86)

1,021

137

1,158

238

(144)

1,252

(208)

1,044

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (EXPENSE)/INCOME

Actuarial loss on retirement benefit obligations

20

(1,833)

Deferred tax on actuarial loss

Exchange differences on translating foreign operations

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE EXPENSE FOR THE YEAR

389

(189)

(1,633)

£000

10,793

(8,791)

2,002

(347)

(88)

1,567

(21)

1,546

422

(456)

1,512

(506)

1,006

(392)

68

96

(228)

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE (EXPENSE) / INCOME FOR THE YEAR

(589)

778

Profit attributable to Owners of the Parent Company

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE (EXPENSE) / INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO 

OWNERS OF THE PARENT COMPANY

Earnings per share from continuing operations                Basic

Diluted

22

22

1,044

(589)

8.9p

8.9p

1,006

778

8.6p

8.5p

24 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012    

              
              
              
              
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AT 31 DECEMBER 2012

31 December 2012

31 December 2011

Note

£000

£000

£000

£000

ASSETS

NON-CURRENT ASSETS

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Deferred tax assets

TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Current tax assets

Cash and cash equivalents

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

TOTAL ASSETS

LIABILITIES

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Trade and other payables

Financial liabilities

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

Financial liabilities

Retirement benefit obligations

TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

TOTAL LIABILITIES

EQUITY 

Share capital

Share premium

Merger reserve

Shares to be issued

Translation reserve

Retained earnings

9

11

19

12

13

16

14

15

17

17

20

21

23

23

23

23

23

8,953

6,525

15,478

7,287

3,196

10,483

8,034

187

732

90

3,750

235

2,450

7,037

250

-

3,196

1,176

7,892

(932)

174

284

(3,599)

8,570

6,554

15,124

7,844

1,866

9,710

8,103

188

279

93

3,029

64

3,368

7,594

250

250

1,616

1,171

7,813

(932)

88

473

(3,199)

TOTAL EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE TO OWNERS OF 

THE PARENT

4,995

5,414

TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 

15,478

15,124

The financial statements on pages 24 to 62 were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 19 April 2013 
and are signed on its behalf by:

P J Reason 
Director   

N J Goldsmith
Director 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012      25

 
 
 
 
 
COMPANY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AT 31 DECEMBER 2012

31 December 2012                     

31 December 2011                  

Note

£000

£000

£000

£000

ASSETS

NON-CURRENT ASSETS

Investments

10

17,195

17,109

TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS

17,195

17,109

CURRENT ASSETS

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

TOTAL ASSETS

LIABILITIES

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Trade and other payables

Financial liabilities

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

13

14

15

17

2,032

1,365

309

250

Financial liabilities

17

-

TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

TOTAL LIABILITIES

EQUITY 

Share capital

Share premium

Merger reserve

Shares to be issued

Retained earnings

21

23

23

23

23

1,176

7,892

10,702

174

89

TOTAL EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE TO OWNERS OF 

THE PARENT

TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

753

2,102

573

250

250

1,171

7,813

10,702

88

(883)

2,855

19,964

823

250

1,073

18,891

19,964

3,397

20,592

559

-

559

20,033

20,592

The financial statements on pages 24 to 62 were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 19 April 2013 and 
are signed on its behalf by:

P J Reason 
Director   

N J Goldsmith
Director 

26 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012    

              
              
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS for the year ended 31 December 2012

Year ended
31 December 2012

Year ended
31 December 2011

Note

£000

£000

£000

£000

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATIONS

Profit before taxation

1,252

Adjustments for:

Depreciation

Amortisation of intangibles 

Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment

Share based payments and shares to be issued

Adjustments to contingent consideration

Retirement benefit obligations

Net foreign exchange gains

Finance income

Finance costs

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE MOVEMENTS IN 

WORKING CAPITAL  

Movements in working capital:

Decrease in inventories

Increase in trade and other receivables

(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables

CASH GENERATED FROM OPERATIONS

Finance costs

Income taxes paid

NET CASH (USED IN)/GENERATED FROM OPERATING 

ACTIVITIES

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Finance income received

Purchase of intangible assets

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

Disposal of property, plant and equipment

Acquisition of subsidiary

Cash acquired with subsidiary

NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

158

397

-

86

(241)

(337)

219

(238)

144

19

(328)

(158)

-

(85)

-

Loan notes repaid

(250)

NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES

NET (DECREASE)/INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH 

EQUIVALENTS 

Cash and cash equivalents at start of year

Effects of exchange rate changes on the balance of cash 

held in foreign currencies

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR

14

1,512

116

347

(14)

88

(80)

(245)

88

(422)

456

300

(291)

(152)

30

(200)

141

(253)

1,846

47

(1,230)

679

1,342

(362)

(478)

502

(172)

(253)

77

3,263

28

3,368

1,440

-

(953)

(64)

423

(60)

(442)

(79)

(552)

(250)

(881)

3,368

(37)

2,450

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012      27

COMPANY STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS for the year ended 31 December 2012

Year ended                      

Year ended                      

31 December 2012

31 December 2011

Note

£000

£000

£000

£000

972

(241)

-

(18)

13

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATIONS 

Profit/(loss) before taxation

Adjustments for:

Contingent consideration

Share based payment

Finance income

Finance cost

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE 

MOVEMENTS IN WORKING CAPITAL  

Movements in working capital:

Increase in trade and other receivables

Increase in trade and other payables

CASH USED IN OPERATIONS

Finance costs

NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Finance income

Acquisition of subsidiary

18

(85)

NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Loan note repayment

(250)

NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES

NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS  

Cash and cash equivalents at start of year

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR

14

726

(1,279)

146

(407)

(13)

(420)

(67)

(250)

(737)

2,102

1,365

(542)

-

88

(42)

48

42

(200)

(253)

(448)

(189)

98

(539)

(48)

(587)

(158)

(253)

 (998)

3,100

2,102

28 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012    

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

Called 

up share 

capital

£000

Balance as at 1 January 2011

1,171

Share 

Premium

£000

7,813

Merger

Reserve

£000

 (932)

Shares to 

Translation

be issued

Reserve

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income/

(expense) for the year

Total comprehensive income

Share based payment

Balance as at 31 December 
2011

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive expense 

for the year

Total comprehensive expense

Share based payment

Transactions with owners in 

their capacity as owners

Shares issued

Balance as at 31 December 
2012

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1,171

7,813

 (932)

-

-

-

-

5

-

-

-

-

79

-

-

-

-

-

Retained 

Earnings

£000

 (3,881)

1,006

Total

 Equity

£000

4,548

1,006

 (324)

 (228)

682

-

778

88

 (3,199)

5,414

1,044

1,044

£000

377

-

96

96

-

473

-

 (189)

 (1,444)

 (1,633)

(189)

(400)

-

-

-

-

(589)

86

84

£000

-

-

-

-

88

88

-

-

-

86

-

1,176

7,892

(932)

174

284

(3,599)

4,995

COMPANY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

Called 

up share 

capital

£000

Balance as at 1 January 2011

1,171

Total comprehensive expense for the year

Share based payment

-

-

Share 

Premium

£000

7,813

-

-

Merger

Reserve

£000

10,702

-

-

Balance as at 31 December 2011

1,171

7,813

10,702

Total comprehensive income for the year

Share based payment

Transactions with owners in 

their capacity as owners

Shares issued

-

-

5

-

-

79

-

-

-

Shares to 

be issued

£000

-

-

88

88

-

86

-

Retained 

Earnings

£000

(341)

(542)

-

(883)

972

-

-

Total

 Equity

£000

19,345

(542)

88

18,891

972

86

84

Balance as at 31 December 2012

1,176

7,892

10,702         

174

89

20,033

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012      29

accounting policies

GENERAL INFORMATION
The principal activity of the Group is the provision of world 
class IT solutions to the early development healthcare market.   
Instem’s pre-clinical study management solutions accelerate 
drug and chemical development by increasing productivity, 
automating processes and enhancing practices that lead to safer 
and more effective drugs.  Instem plc is a Company incorporated 
in England and Wales under the Companies Act 2006 and 
domiciled in the UK.  The registered office is Diamond Way, 
Stone Business Park, Stone, Staffordshire, ST15 0SD.

STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance 
with International Financial Reporting Standards and 
IFRIC interpretations as endorsed by the EU (IFRS) and 
the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to 
companies reporting under IFRS.

BASIS OF PREPARATION
The Group’s accounting reference date is 31 December.  

The acquisition of the Instem LSS Group in 2010 did not 
qualify as a business combination under IFRS 3 ‘Business 
Combinations’ as Instem plc did not meet the definition of a 
business within that standard.  As a consequence the transaction 
was treated as a pooling of interests to reflect the substance of 
the transaction which was that of the continuation of the existing 
Instem LSS Group.

The financial statements have been prepared on the historical 
cost basis. 

The Company has taken advantage of the audit exemption for 
two of its non-trading subsidiaries Instem Life Science Systems 
Limited and Instem Scientific Solutions Limited, by virtue of 
s479A of Companies Act 2006.  The Company has provided 
parent guarantees to these two subsidiaries.

In accordance with Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 the 
company has elected not to present its own income statement. 
The profit for the year of the parent company is £972,000 (2011: 
Loss £542,000).

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

BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION 
The consolidated financial statements incorporate those of the 
parent company, Instem plc, and its subsidiary undertakings 
made up to 31 December 2012 and 31 December 2011, 
excluding Instem India Private Limited as the values were 
considered immaterial.

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, any intra-
Group balances, unrealised gains and losses or income and 
expenses arising from intra-Group trading are eliminated.  Where 
accounting policies used in individual financial statements of a 
subsidiary Company differ from Group policies, adjustments are 
made to bring these policies in line with Group policies.

Subsidiaries
Subsidiaries are entities over which the Group has the power 
to govern the financial and operating policies so as to obtain 
economic benefits from their activities.  Subsidiaries are 
consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the 

Group up until the date that control ceases.

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
Acquisitions of businesses are accounted for using the 
acquisition method.  The consideration transferred in a business 
combination is measured at fair value, which is calculated as the 
sum of the acquisition date fair values of the assets transferred 
by the Group, liabilities incurred by the Group to the former 
owners of the acquiree and the equity interests issued by the 
Group in exchange for control of the acquiree.  Acquisition 
related costs are recognised in profit or loss as incurred.

At the acquisition date, the identifiable assets acquired and the 
liabilities assumed are recognised at their fair value, except that 
deferred tax assets or liabilities are recognised and measured in 
accordance with IAS 12 ‘Income taxes’.

Contingent consideration is measured at its acquisition-date fair 
value and is included as part of the consideration transferred.  
Changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration that 
qualify as measurement period adjustments are adjusted 
retrospectively, with corresponding adjustments against goodwill.  
The subsequent accounting for changes in the fair value of the 
contingent consideration that do not qualify as measurement 
period adjustments depends on how the contingent consideration 
is classified.  Contingent consideration that is classified as 
equity is not re-measured at subsequent reporting dates 
and its subsequent settlement is accounted for within equity.  
Contingent consideration that is classified as an asset or a 
liability is re-measured at subsequent reporting dates with the 
corresponding gain or loss being recognised in profit or loss.

GOING CONCERN
Having made appropriate enquiries, the directors consider that 
the Group has adequate resources to enable it to continue in 
operation for the foreseeable future.  The Group has a significant 
proportion of recurring revenue from a well-established global 
customer base, supported by a largely fixed cost base. A working 
capital facility is in place to support the Group’s working capital 
needs.

The financial position of the Group, its cash flows and liquidity 
position are set out in the primary statements within these 
financial statements.  Detailed projections have been made for 
the 12 months following the approval of the financial statements 
and sensitivity analysis undertaken.  This work gives the 
directors confidence as to the future trading performance of the 
Group. Accordingly the directors continue to adopt the going 
concern basis for the preparation of the financial statements.

REVENUE RECOGNITION
The Group follows the principles of IAS 18 ‘Revenue 
Recognition’, in determining appropriate revenue recognition 
principles.  In general, revenue is recognised to the extent that 
it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the 
transaction will flow to the Group.

Revenue comprises the value of software licence sales, 
installation, training, maintenance and support services.  
Revenue is recognised when (i) persuasive evidence of an 
arrangement exists; (ii) delivery has occurred or services have 
been rendered; (iii) the sales price is fixed and determinable and 
(iv) collectability is reasonably assured.
For software arrangements with multiple elements revenue is 
recognised dependent on whether vendor-specific objective 
evidence (VSOE) of fair value exists for each of the elements. 

30 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012    

accounting policies

VSOE is determined by reference to sales made to customers 
on a stand-alone basis. Where there is no VSOE revenue is 
recognised over the full term of each contract.

The revenue and expenses of foreign operations are translated 
at an average rate for the year where this rate approximates to 
the foreign exchange rates ruling at the dates of the transactions.  

Revenue from licence based products is recognised when the 
risks and rewards of ownership of the product are transferred to 
the customer.  For bill and hold arrangements relating to sales 
of licences,  revenue is recognised when the buyer takes title 
provided that it is probable that delivery will be made, the item is 
on hand, identified and ready for delivery to the buyer, the buyer 
specifically acknowledges the deferred delivery instructions and 
the usual payment terms apply. 

Revenue from software maintenance and other time based 
contracts are recognised over the invoiced contract period.

Revenue from installation and training is recognised on a 
percentage completion basis on fixed price contracts or as 
services are provided in respect of time and materials contracts.

The excess of amounts invoiced over revenue is included 
in accruals and deferred income.  If the amount of revenue 
recognised exceeds the amounts invoiced the excess amount is 
included within amounts recoverable on contracts.

PROFIT FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE AMORTISATION, 
SHARE BASED PAYMENT AND NON-RECURRING ITEMS
Profit from operations before amortisation, share based payment 
and non-recurring items is profit arising from the Group’s normal 
trading activities stated before amortisation of intangible assets, 
share based payment charges, non-recurring items, finance 
income, finance costs and taxation.  

PROFIT FROM OPERATIONS
Profit from operations is profit from the Group’s ordinary activities 
stated before finance income and costs, and income tax 
expense.

SEGMENTAL REPORTING
IFRS 8 ‘Operating Segments’ provides segmental information for 
the Group on the basis of information reported internally to the 
chief operating decision-maker for decision-making purposes. 
The Group considers that the role of chief operating decision-
maker is performed by the Group’s Board of directors.  

Since the Group is primarily providing goods and services to the 
global life sciences market there is only one operating segment 
which is monitored by the business.

FOREIGN CURRENCIES 
Transactions in foreign currencies are translated at the foreign 
exchange rate ruling at the date of the transaction.  Monetary 
assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at 
the reporting date are translated at the foreign exchange rate 
ruling at that date.  Foreign exchange differences arising on 
translation are recognised in profit or loss.  Non-monetary assets 
and liabilities that are measured in terms of historical cost in a 
foreign currency are translated using the exchange rate at the 
date of the transaction.  Non-monetary assets and liabilities 
denominated in foreign currencies that are stated at fair value 
are translated at foreign exchange rates ruling at the date the fair 
value was determined.  

The assets and liabilities of foreign operations, including 
goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on consolidation, are 
translated at foreign exchange rates ruling at the reporting date.  

Exchange differences arising from the translation of foreign 
operations are taken directly to the translation reserve.  They are 
released into profit or loss upon disposal of the foreign operation.

The presentational currency adopted by the Group is Sterling (£).  
The functional currencies of the principal companies in the Group 
are as follows:

Instem plc

Sterling (£)

Instem Life Science Systems Limited 

Sterling (£)

Instem LSS Limited

Sterling (£)

Instem LSS (North America) Limited

US Dollars ($)

Instem LSS Asia Limited

Hong Kong 
Dollars (HK$)

Instem Information Systems (Shanghai) Limited

Renminbi (¥)

Instem Scientific Limited

Sterling (£)

Instem Scientific Solutions Limited

Sterling (£)

Instem Scientific Inc

US Dollars ($)

Instem India Pvt Limited

Indian Rupees 
(INR)

The exchange rates used to translate the financial statements 
into Sterling (£) are as follows:

US Dollar 
($)

Hong Kong 
Dollar
(HK$)

Chinese 
Renminbi
(¥)

1.6014

12.4623

10.3447

1.5541

12.0701

9.7815

1.5888

12.3237

10.0170

1.6155

12.5228

10.0699

Average rate for year 
ended 31 December 2011

Closing rate at 31 
December 2011

Average rate for year 
ended 31 December 2012

Closing rate at 31 
December 2012

FINANCE INCOME
Interest income is accrued on a time basis, by reference to the 
principal outstanding and at the effective interest rate applicable, 
which is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash 
receipts through the expected life of the financial asset to that 
asset’s net carrying amount.  Finance income includes exchange 
gains on the translation of intra-group funding balances.

FINANCE COSTS
Net finance costs comprise interest payable, exchange losses on 
the translation of intra-group funding balances, finance charges 
on finance leases and interest on pension scheme liabilities.  
Interest payable is recognised in the statement of comprehensive 
income as it accrues, using the effective interest method.

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012      31

 
accounting policies

LEASING
Where assets are financed by leasing agreements that give 
rights approximating to ownership (finance leases), the assets 
are treated as if they had been purchased outright.  The amount 
capitalised is the fair value or, if lower, the present value of the 
minimum lease payments payable during the lease term.  The 
corresponding leasing commitments are shown as finance lease 
obligations to the lessor. 

Lease payments are apportioned between finance charges and 
reduction of lease obligations so as to achieve a constant rate 
of interest on the remaining balance of the liability.  Finance 
charges are charged to finance costs in the statement of 
comprehensive income.

All other leases are “operating leases” and the annual rentals are 
charged to the statement of comprehensive income on a straight 
line basis over the lease term. 

The income tax payable is based on an estimation of the 
amount due on the taxable profit for the year.  Taxable profit is 
different from profit before tax as reported in the statement of 
comprehensive income because it excludes items of income or 
expenditure which are not taxable or deductible in the year as a 
result of either the nature of the item or the fact that it is taxable 
or deductible in another year.  The Group’s liability for current 
tax is calculated by using tax rates that have been enacted or 
substantively enacted by the reporting date.

Income tax credits for research and development activities are 
recognised on an accruals basis when their receipt is reasonably 
certain.

Deferred tax is accounted for on the basis of temporary 
differences arising from the differences between the tax base 
and accounting base of assets and liabilities.

SHARE-BASED PAYMENT TRANSACTIONS
The Group has applied the requirements of IFRS 2 Share-based 
Payment.  In accordance with the transitional provisions, IFRS 
2 has been applied to all grants of equity instruments after 7 
November 2002 that were unvested as of 1 January 2007.

Deferred tax is recognised for all taxable temporary differences, 
except to the extent where it arises from the initial recognition 
of an asset or liability in a transaction that is not a business 
combination.  Deferred tax assets are recognised only to 
the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be 
available against which temporary differences can be utilised.

The Group issues equity-settled share-based payments to 
certain employees. Equity-settled share-based payments 
are measured at fair value at the date of grant by reference 
to the fair value of the equity instruments granted.  The fair 
value determined at the grant date of equity-settled share-
based payments is expensed on a straight-line basis over the 
vesting period, based on the Group’s estimate of the number 
of instruments that will eventually vest with a corresponding 
adjustment to equity.  Fair values are measured by use of 
the Black-Scholes model and for options with a performance 
condition, Binomial or Monte Carlo models are used.  The 
expected life used in the model has been adjusted, based on 
management’s best estimate, for the effect of non-transferability, 
exercise restrictions, and behavioural considerations.

Non-vesting and market vesting conditions are taken into 
account when estimating the fair value of the option at grant 
date. Service and non-market vesting conditions are taken into 
account by adjusting the number of options expected to vest at 
each reporting date.

Cancelled or settled options are accounted for as an acceleration 
of vesting.  The unrecognised grant date fair value is recognised 
in profit or loss in the year that the options are cancelled or 
settled.  Where the terms of the options are modified and 
the modification increases the fair value or number of equity 
instruments granted, measured immediately before and after 
the modification, the incremental fair value is spread over the 
remaining vesting period.

Options over the Company’s shares granted to employees of 
subsidiaries are recognised as a capital contribution by the 
Company to the subsidiaries.

TAXATION 
Taxation expense includes the amount of current income tax 
payable and the charge for the year in respect of deferred 
taxation.

Deferred tax is charged or credited to the statement of 
comprehensive income, except when it relates to items charged 
or credited directly to equity, in which case it is dealt with within 
equity.  It is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply 
to the period when the asset is realised or the liability is settled.

INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Intangible assets purchased separately from a business are 
capitalised at their cost. 

The Group makes an assessment of the fair value of intangible 
assets arising on acquisitions. These include Intellectual 
Property, Customer Relationships and Patents.  An intangible 
asset will be recognised as long as the asset is identifiable and 
its fair value can be measured reliably.  An intangible asset 
is identifiable if it is separable or if it was obtained through 
contractual or legal rights.  Amortisation is provided on the fair 
value of the asset and is calculated on a straight line basis 
over its useful life.  The useful life for Intellectual Property, 
Customer Relationships and Patents is five years.  Amortisation 
is recognised within the statement of comprehensive income.  All 
intangible assets except Goodwill are amortised.

Goodwill
Goodwill on acquisitions, being the excess of the fair value of the 
cost of acquisition over the Group’s interest in the fair value of 
the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired, is capitalised and 
tested for impairment on an annual basis.  

Any impairment is recognised immediately in profit or loss and 
is not subsequently reversed.  For the purpose of impairment 
testing goodwill is allocated to cost generating units of Instem 
plc, which represent the smallest identifiable group of assets that 
generates cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash 
inflows from other assets or groups of assets.

Computer Software
Computer software is carried at cost less accumulated 
amortisation and any impairment loss.  Externally acquired 

32 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012    

accounting policies

computer software and software licences are capitalised and 
amortised on a straight line basis over their useful economic lives 
of 3 years.  Costs relating to development of computer software 
for internal use are capitalised once the recognition criteria of IAS 
38 “Intangible Assets” are met.  When the software is available 
for its use, these costs are amortised over the estimated useful 
life of the software.

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

Where the asset does not generate cash flows that are 
independent from other assets the Group estimates the 
recoverable amount of the cash generating unit to which the 
asset belongs.  A cash generating unit is the smallest identifiable 
group of assets that generates cash inflows that are largely 
independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of 
assets.

Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell 
and value in use.  In assessing value in use the estimated future 
cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax 
discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the 
time value of money and the risks specific to the asset, for which 
the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted.  

If the recoverable amount of an asset is estimated to be less than 
its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced 
to its recoverable amount.  An impairment loss is recognised as 
an expense immediately.

Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying 
amount of the assets is increased to the revised estimate of 
its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying 
amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have 
been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for 
the asset in prior years.  A reversal of an impairment loss is 
recognised in profit or loss immediately.

INVENTORY 
Inventory is stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value.  
Inventory includes billable employee expenses and hosting set 
up costs.  These are stated at the lower of amortised cost and 
net realisable value.

Provision is made where necessary for obsolete and slow 
moving inventory.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Classification of financial instruments 
Financial instruments are classified as financial assets, financial 
liabilities or equity instruments.

Recognition and valuation of financial assets
Financial assets are initially recorded at their fair value net of 
transaction costs.  At each reporting date, the Group reviews 
the carrying value of its financial assets to determine whether 
there is objective evidence of an indication of impairment.  If any 
such indication exists the recoverable amount is estimated and 
any identified impairment loss is recognised in the statement of 
comprehensive income.

Internally generated intangible assets 
Expenditure on research activities is recognised in the statement 
of comprehensive income as incurred.

Expenditure arising from the Group’s development of software 
for sale to third parties is recognised only if all of the following 
conditions are met:

• 
• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

an asset is created that can be identified;
it is probable that the asset created will generate future 
economic benefits; 
the development cost of the asset can be measured 
reliably;
the Group has the intention to complete the asset and the 
ability and intention to use or sell it;
the product or process is technically and commercially 
feasible; and 
sufficient resources are available to complete the 
development and to either sell or use the asset.

Where these criteria have not been achieved, development 
expenditure is recognised in profit or loss in the period in which it 
is incurred.

Internally-generated intangible assets are amortised, once the 
product is available for use, on a straight-line basis over their 
useful lives (five to eight years).

PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT 
Property, plant and equipment are stated in the statement of 
financial position at cost less accumulated depreciation and 
provision for impairments.

Depreciation is provided on all assets so as to write off the cost 
less estimated residual value on the following basis:

Short leasehold property 
Plant and equipment 

-     Over term of lease 
-     12½% - 25% per annum 

Depreciation is recognised within operating expenses.

The expected useful lives and residual values of property, 
plant and equipment are reviewed on an annual basis and, 
if necessary, changes in useful lives are accounted for 
prospectively.  

The gain or loss arising on the disposal or retirement of an asset 
is determined as the difference between the sales proceeds 
and the carrying amount of the asset and is recognised in the 
statement of comprehensive income.

IMPAIRMENT OF ASSETS EXCLUDING GOODWILL
The carrying value of property, plant and equipment is reviewed 
for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances 
indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable.  

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012      33

accounting policies

Investments
Investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures are 
recorded at cost in the statement of financial position.  They 
are tested for impairment when there is objective evidence 
of impairment.  Any impairment losses are recognised in the 
statement of comprehensive income in the period they occur.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash in hand and cash 
deposits which are readily convertible to a known amount of 
cash.  For the purposes of the cash flow statement, cash and 
cash equivalents include bank overdrafts, which are repayable 
on demand as these form an integral part of Group cash 
management.  

Trade receivables
Trade receivables are classified as loans and receivables and 
are initially recognised at fair value.  They are subsequently 
measured at their amortised cost using the effective interest 
method less any provision for impairment.  A provision for 
impairment is made where there is objective evidence that 
amounts will not be recovered in accordance with original terms 
of the agreement.  A provision for impairment is established when 
the carrying value of the receivable exceeds the present value 
of the future cash flows discounted using the original effective 
interest rate.  The carrying value of the receivable is reduced 
through the use of an impairment provision account and any 
impairment loss is recognised in the statement of comprehensive 
income.

Financial liabilities and equity
Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified 
according to the substance of the contractual arrangements 
entered into.  An equity instrument is any contract that evidences 
a residual interest in the assets of the Group after deducting all 
of its liabilities.

Bank borrowings and loan notes
Interest-bearing loan notes and bank overdrafts are recorded 
initially at their fair value, net of direct transaction costs. 
Such instruments are subsequently carried at their amortised 
cost and finance charges are recognised in the statement of 
comprehensive income over the term of the instrument using an 
effective rate of interest.  Finance charges are accounted for on 
an accruals basis to the statement of comprehensive income.  
Overdrafts are offset against cash and cash equivalents when 
the Group has a legal right of off-set.

Trade and other payables
Trade and other payables are not interest bearing and are initially 
recognised at fair value and subsequently at amortised cost.

Ordinary share capital
For ordinary share capital, the par value is recognised in share 
capital and the premium in the share premium reserve.

held for trading in accordance with IAS 39.  They are initially 
and subsequently measured at fair value with gains and losses 
recognised in the statement of comprehensive income.

RETIREMENT BENEFITS 
Defined contribution schemes
A defined contribution scheme is a pension plan under which 
the Group pays a fixed contribution to a scheme with an 
external provider.  The amount charged to the statement of 
comprehensive income in respect of pension costs and other 
post-retirement benefits is the total of contributions payable in the 
year.  Differences between contributions payable in the year and 
contributions actually paid are shown as either other payables 
or other receivables in the statement of financial position.  The 
Group has no further payment obligations once the contributions 
have been paid.

Defined benefit schemes
A defined benefit scheme is a pension plan under which the 
Group pays contributions in order to fund a defined amount of 
pension that the employees under the scheme will receive on 
retirement.  The cost of providing the benefits is determined 
using the projected unit credit method with actuarial valuations 
being carried out regularly. 

An asset or liability is recognised equal to the present value of 
the defined benefit obligation, adjusted for unrecognised past 
service costs and reduced by the fair value of plan assets.

Actuarial gains and losses are recognised in the statement 
of other comprehensive income in the year in which they 
occur, whilst expected returns on plan assets, servicing 
costs and financing costs are recognised in the statement of 
comprehensive income.

The rate used to discount the benefit obligations is based on 
market yields for high quality corporate bonds with terms and 
currencies consistent with those of the benefit obligations.

PROVISIONS
Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present 
obligation as a result of a past event which it is probable will 
result in an outflow of economic benefits that can be reliably 
estimated.

The time value of money is not expected to be material and 
therefore future outflows have not been discounted.

ADOPTION OF IFRS
The Group and Company financial statements have been 
prepared in accordance with IFRS, IAS and International 
Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRICs) effective 
as at 31 December 2012.  The Group and Company have not 
chosen to adopt any amendments or revised standards early.

Derivative financial instruments
The Group’s activities expose it primarily to foreign currency 
risk.  The Group uses forward contracts to hedge this exposure.  
The Group does not use derivative financial instruments for 
speculative purposes.

IFRSs ISSUED BUT NOT YET EFFECTIVE
The following IFRSs, IASs and IFRICs have been issued, are 
not yet effective, and have not been adopted by the Group or 
the Company in these financial statements.  The directors do not 
believe the adoption will have a material impact on the business.

The Group does not adopt the hedge accounting provisions and 
as such, these derivatives are classified as financial instruments 

34 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012    

• 

IAS 32 Financial Instruments: Presentation
Clarifies that income tax relating to distributions to 
holders of an equity instrument and income tax relating to 
transaction costs of an equity transaction are accounted for 
in accordance with IAS 12 Income Taxes.
Effective for periods commencing on or after 1 January 
2013.

IFRSs ADOPTED IN THE YEAR
The following IFRSs, IASs and IFRICs have been adopted for 
the first time in the year:

• 

• 

IAS 24 Revised Related Party Disclosures

IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures – Amendments; 
Disclosures – Transfers of Financial Assets

accounting policies

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement
Provides a definition of fair value and a single source of fair 
value measurement and disclosure requirements for use 
across IFRS’s. 
Effective for periods commencing on or after 1 January 
2013.

IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures – Amendment; 
Offsetting Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities  
Provides guidance on the meaning of “a legally enforceable 
right of set off” and situations where gross settlement 
systems may be considered equivalent to net settlement.
Effective for periods commencing on or after 1 January 
2013.

IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements            
Replaces IAS 27 “Consolidated and Separate 
Financial Statements” and SIC 12 “Consolidation – 
Special Purpose Entities”.  Retains the principle of 
control, but redefines control and provides further 
guidance on how to apply the control principle.                                                         
Effective for periods commencing on or after 1 January 
2013.

IFRS 12 Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities         
Applies to entities with interests in subsidiaries, joint 
arrangements, associates and other unconsolidated 
structured entities and sets out disclosures in respect of 
such entities. 
Effective for periods commencing on or after 1 January 
2013.

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments (including Amendment issued 
16 Dec 11) 
Replaces the requirements for the classification and 
measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities 
in IAS 39 “Financial Instruments: Recognition and 
Measurement”. Requires that financial assets are measured 
initially at fair value and subsequently at amortised cost 
or fair value through profit or loss, based on how an entity 
manages its financial instruments and the contractual 
cash flow characteristics of the financial assets.  Retains 
the option to designate as at fair value through profit or 
loss under certain conditions and applies measurement 
to the entire hybrid contract, so embedded derivatives are 
no longer separated.  Requires equity instruments to be 
measured at fair value through profit and loss unless an 
irrevocable election is made to recognise fair value gains 
and losses in other comprehensive income. Changes the 
fair value option for financial liabilities to address own credit 
risk.
Effective for periods commencing on or after 1 January 
2015.

IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements  
Details requirements for voluntarily disclosed comparative 
information and confirms that notes are not required to 
the opening statement of financial position presented on a 
change of accounting policy or retrospective restatement or 
reclassification.
Effective for periods commencing on or after 1 January 
2013.

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012      35

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.  Segmental Reporting

For management purposes, the Group is currently organised into one operating segment – Global Life Sciences.

Segment results, assets and liabilities include items directly attributable to a segment as well as those that can be allocated on a 
reasonable basis. 

THIRD PARTY REVENUE

INFORMATION BY PRODUCT TYPE

Licence fees

Annual support fees

SaaS subscription fees

Professional services

Funded development initiatives

THIRD PARTY REVENUE

INFORMATION BY GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION

United Kingdom

Rest of Europe

USA and Canada

Rest of World

   NON-CURRENT ASSETS EXCLUDING DEFERRED TAXATION       

INFORMATION BY GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION

United Kingdom

USA and Canada

Rest of World

2012

£000

1,775

6,188

1,141

1,373

184

2011

£000

2,336

5,961

1,016

1,338

142

10,661

10,793

2012

£000

1,311

2,147

6,135

1,068

2011

£000

1,342

2,518

5,989

944

10,661

10,793

2012

£000

8,183

29

9

8,221

2011

£000

8,163

48

80

8,291

MAJOR CUSTOMERS
The Group generates external revenue from one customer which individually amounts to more than 10% of the Group revenue.  
Revenue in respect of this customer for the year ended 31 December 2012 amounted to £1.1m (2011: £0.8m).  In 2011 no customers 
exceeded 10% of revenue.   

36 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012    

 
       
             
  
  
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

2.  Profit from Operations

Profit from operations includes the following significant items:

Depreciation and amounts written off property, plant and 

equipment:

 Charge for the year:

   Owned assets

Amortisation of intangible assets

Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment

Research and development costs

Foreign exchange gains recognised in operating expenses

Operating lease rentals: 

Plant and machinery

Land and buildings

Amounts payable to Baker Tilly UK Audit LLP and their associates 

in respect of both audit and non-audit services:

Audit services:

Statutory audit of parent and consolidated financial information

Audit of subsidiaries where such services are provided by Baker 

Tilly UK Audit LLP or its associates

Other services:

2012

£000

158

397

-

1,434

(219)

61

363

15

31

Taxation services - Compliance

10                  

Taxation services - Advisory

Corporate finance services

2

25

83

2011

£000

116

347

(14)

1,384

(88)

108

308

16

60

12

-

31

119

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012      37

    
    
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

2.  Profit from Operations (continued)

The following table analyses the nature of expenses:

Staff costs (see note 5)

Depreciation (see note 11)

Operating lease rentals

Software maintenance charges

Licence costs 

2012

£000

6,024

158

424

257

436

Total cost of sales, distribution costs, administrative expenses and other 

operating expenses

9,157

Other expenses

1,858

2011

£000

5,761

116

416

309

114

2,075

8,791

Non-Recurring Income/(Costs)

The Group incurred costs of £0.10m (2011: £0.10m) in connection with acquisition activities.  In addition the Group recognised a credit 
of £0.24m (2011: £0.08m) in relation to the re-assessment of contingent consideration.

38 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012    

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

3. 

Finance Income

Bank interest

Foreign exchange gains

4. 

Finance Costs

5. 

Employees

Bank loans and overdrafts

Foreign exchange losses

Expected returns on pension scheme assets

Interest on pension scheme liabilities

Other

2012

£000

19

219

238

2012

£000

47

-

(288)

372

13

144

2011

£000

300

122

422

2011

£000

306

34

(334)

394

56

456

Average monthly number (including executive directors)

By role:

Directors, administration and supervision

Software design, sales and customer service

Employment costs:

Wages and salaries

Social security costs

Other pension costs

2012

Number

2011

Number

35

79

114

2012

£000

5,000

495

529

6,024

34

82

116

2011

£000

4,769

470

522

5,761

A charge of £0.09m (2011: £0.09m) arises in respect of share based payment.

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012      39

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

6.  Share-Based Payment

Equity-Settled Share Option Plan
Under the approved and unapproved option schemes, the Remuneration Committee can grant options to employees of the Group. 
Options are granted with a fixed exercise price which is equal to the market price at the date of grant. The contractual life is generally 
ten years from the date of grant. Options become exercisable after three years. Certain options issued to directors and senior 
employees carry market based performance conditions.     

Outstanding at the beginning of the year

Granted

Lapsed 

Outstanding at end of the year 

Number

737,824

60,000

(89,809)

708,015

Exercisable at 31 December 

-

2012

2011

Weighted 

average exercise 

price (£)

1.87

1.33

1.89

1.82

-

Number

585,711

183,351

(31,238)

737,824

-

Weighted 

average exercise 

price (£)

1.75

2.22

1.75

1.87

-

The options outstanding at 31 December 2012 had exercise prices of £1.115, £1.750, £1.760, £2.215 and £2.220 (2011: £1.750, £2.220 
and £2.215) and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 8.10 years (2011: 8.90 years).

Options are valued using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and for performance conditions, the Binomial or Monte Carlo models.  
The fair market value has been estimated using the following key assumptions:

Average exercise price

Average market price

Average vesting period (years)

2012

£1.33

£1.47

3

2011

£2.22

£2.22

3

Expected volatility

17.9%-19.1%

19.1%-20.7%

Option life (years)

Expected life

10

6

10

6

Risk free rate

0.95%-1.29%

1.27%-1.60%

Expected dividend yield

Expected lapse rate

0%

0%

0%

0%

Fair value of options

£0.30-£0.45

£0.51-£0.53

Expected volatility was determined by calculating the historical volatility of a comparable business, prior to the period when the 
Company’s shares were listed on the AIM market.  Volatility since listing has been calculated using the daily mid-market share price. The 
expected life used in the model has been adjusted, based upon the management’s best estimate for the effects of non-transferability, 
exercise restrictions, and behavioural considerations.

Options over 464,281 shares (2011: 447,233 shares) incorporate a market performance condition based on the Company’s share price.

The fair value of options granted in the year is £0.02m (2011: £0.11m).

40 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012    

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

7.  Directors’ Emoluments

Amounts payable by Instem plc:

Emoluments

Money purchase pension contributions

Amounts payable by subsidiary companies:

Emoluments

Money purchase pension contributions

Total emoluments

2012

£000

92

-

251

48

391

2011

£000

117

-

246

30

393

2012

Number

2011

Number

Number of directors to whom retirement benefits

are accruing under:

Defined contribution schemes

2

1

The highest paid director is shown in the Directors’ Remuneration Report.

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012      41

                                                           
                                                           
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

8. 

Income Taxes                 

Income taxes recognised in the statement of 

comprehensive income

Current tax:

UK corporation tax on profits of the year

Double tax relief

Foreign tax

Adjustments in respect of previous years

Adjustment in respect of 2010 R&D tax credit

Total current tax

Deferred tax:

Origination and reversal of temporary differences

Adjustments in respect of previous years

Retirement benefit obligation

Total deferred tax

Total income tax expense recognised in the current year

The income tax expense can be reconciled to the 

accounting profit as follows:

Profit before tax

Profit before tax multiplied by standard rate of 

corporation tax in the UK 24.5% (2011: 26.5%)

Effects of:

Expenses not deductible for tax purposes

Differences in overseas tax rates

Adjustments in respect of prior years

Tax losses utilised in respect of subsidiaries

Non taxable income

Total income tax expense recognised in the statement 

of comprehensive income

42 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012    

2012

£000

179

(109)

224

27

(50)

271

(38)

(83)

58

(63)

208

2012

£000

1,252

307

29

110

(106)

(73)

(59)

208

2011

£000

167

-

240

(78)

-

329

150

(36)

63

177

506

2011

£000

1,512

401

67

152

(114)

-

-

506

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

9. 

Intangible Assets

Goodwill

Software 

property 

Relations

Group

£000

£000

£000

£000

Patents

£000

Intellectual 

Customer 

Cost

At 1 January 2011

5,858

Additions from continuing 

operations

Additions from acquisitions in 

the period

-

498

788

291

79

At 31 December 2011

6,356

1,158

Additions from continuing 

operations

-

328

At 31 December 2012

6,356

1,486

Amounts written off 

At 1 January 2011

Amortisation expense

At 31 December 2011

Amortisation expense

At 31 December 2012

Net book value

-

-

-

-

-

At 31 December 2011

6,356

At 31 December 2012

6,356

229

153

382

164

546

776

940

-

-

819

819

-

819

-

137

137

164

301

682

518

-

-

325

325

-

325

-

54

54

65

119

271

206

-

-

21

21

-

21

-

3

3

4

7

18

14

Total

£000

6,646

291

1,742

8,679

328

9,007

229

347

576

397

973

8,103

8,034

Impairment of goodwill

Goodwill, amounting to £5.858m (2011: £5.858m), relates to a cash generating unit, being the Instem business acquired on the 
management buyout of Instem LSS Limited on 27 March 2002.  Goodwill amounting to £0.498m (2011: £0.498m), relates to a cash 
generating unit (“CGU”), being the BioWisdom Limited (now Instem Scientific Limited) business acquired on 3 March 2011.  During the 
period, goodwill was tested for impairment in accordance with IAS 36 “Impairment of Assets”.  The recoverable amount for the cash 
generating units exceeded the carrying amounts of goodwill.  The recoverable amount for each of the cash generating units has been 
measured using a value in use calculation and as such no impairment was deemed necessary.

The key assumptions used, which are based on management’s past experience, for the value in use calculations are those regarding 
the discount rates, growth rates and direct costs during the period.  The value in use calculations are based on the future cashflows from 
approved forecasts for two years which have then been extrapolated to cover a period of five years, being the maximum period which 
management considers can reliably be forecast.  At 31 December 2012 a pre-tax discount rate of 12.5% (2011: 12.0%) was used in the 
value in use calculation based on the Group’s cost of capital.

Projected cashflows were based on detailed  profit and cashflow projections through to 2014 with a 2.5% assumption of growth beyond 
2014.  The projections were based on reasonable assumptions in respect of business growth rates, payroll and other cost increases and 
related cashflow impacts.

The recoverable amount of the Instem CGU exceeds the carrying amount of this CGU by 22% and, for the Instem Scientific CGU, by 
10%. The directors consider the discount rate and revenues to be the most sensitive assumptions used in the impairment reviews.  
An increase in the discount rate of 8 percentage points, or a reduction in certain revenues of in excess of 10%, would result in the 
recoverable amount of the Instem CGU being equal to its carrying amount. An increase of 4 percentage points in the Instem Scientific 
discount rate, or a reduction in revenues of 3%  would result in the recoverable amount of the CGU being equal to its carrying amount. 

Amortisation expenses are disclosed in the consolidated Statement of comprehensive income.

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012      43

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

10.  Investments

Company

£000’s

Cost

At 1 January 2011

16,500

Additions 

609

At 31 December 2011

17,109

Additions

86

At 31 December 2012

17,195

The company has two wholly-owned subsidiaries and seven wholly-owned sub-subsidiaries, details of which are as follows:

Company

Activity

Ownership

Instem Life Science Systems Limited

(company number 04339129)

England and Wales

Instem LSS Limited

(company number 03548215)

England and Wales

Instem LSS (North America) Limited

(company number 02126697)

England and Wales

Instem LSS (Asia) Limited

(company number 1371107)

Hong Kong

Holding Company

100% by Instem plc

Software development, 

sales, sales support and 

administrative support

Sales, sales support and 

administrative support

100% by Instem Life Science 

Systems Limited

100% by Instem LSS Limited

Holding Company

100% by Instem LSS Limited

Instem Information Systems (Shanghai) Limited

(company number 310115400257075)

Sales, sales support and service

100% by Instem LSS (Asia) 

Limited

Shanghai, PRC

Instem Scientific Limited

(company number 03861669)

England and Wales

Instem Scientific Solutions Limited

(company number 03598020)

England and Wales

Instem Scientific Inc

USA

Instem India Pvt Limited

Leading provider of software 

solutions for extracting 

intelligence from R&D related 
healthcare data

100% by Instem plc

Non-trading

100% by Instem Scientific 

Limited

Leading provider of software 

solutions for extracting 

100% by Instem Scientific 

intelligence from R&D related 

Limited

healthcare data

(company number U73100MH2012FTC231951)

Software development

100% by Instem LSS Limited

India

44 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012    

Short leasehold 

Plant and                      

property

£000

equipment

£000

Motor vehicles

£000

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

11.  Property, Plant and Equipment

Group

Cost 

At 1 January 2011

Additions

Disposals

Acquisitions through business 

combinations

Exchange adjustment

At 31 December 2011

Additions

Disposals

Exchange adjustment

45

8

(48)

-

-

5

9

-

-

At 31 December 2012

14

Depreciation

At 1 January 2011

Depreciation expense

Eliminated on disposals

Exchange adjustment

At 31 December 2011

Reclassification

Depreciation expense

Disposals

Exchange adjustment

At 31 December 2012

Net book value

At 31 December 2011

At 31 December 2012

20

15

(35)

-

-

(12)

4

-

-

(8)

5

22

2,847

144

(1,495)

1

4

1,501

149

-

-

1,650

2,706

101

(1,492)

3

1,318

12

154

-

1

1,485

183

165

12

-

-

-

-

12

-

(12)

-

-

12

-

-

-

12

-

-

(12)

-

-

-

-

Total

£000

2,904

152

(1,543)

1

4

1,518

158

(12)

-

1,664

2,738

116

(1,527)

3

1,330

-

158

(12)

1

1,477

188

187

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012      45

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

12.  Inventories

Group

Work in progress

Total gross inventories

Inventory impairment

Net inventories

13. Trade and Other Receivables

Group

Trade receivables

Amounts recoverable on contracts

Other receivables   

Prepayments and accrued income

Company

Amounts owed by group companies

Other receivables   

2012

£000

90

2012

£000

90

-           

90

2012

£000

1,971

1,232

-

547

3,750

1,919

113

2,032

2011

£000

93

2011

£000

93

-

93

2011

£000

2,008

590

15

416

3,029

700

53

753

A provision for impairment is made where there is objective evidence of impairment which is usually indicated by a delay in the expected 
cash flows or non-payment from customers.   

An analysis of the provision for impairment of receivables is as follows:

Group

At beginning of year

(Credit)/charge for the year

At end of year

2012

£000

6

(2)

4

2011

£000

2

4

6

The average credit period taken on sale is 54 days (2011: 48 days).  No interest is charged on overdue receivables.

Before accepting any new customer, the Group obtains relevant credit references to assess the potential customer’s credit quality.  
Credit limits are defined by customer.

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

46 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012    

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

13. Trade and Other Receivables (continued)

The age profile of the net trade receivables for the Group at the year-end was as follows:

Group

2011

Current

0-30 

days

31-60 

days

Over 60 

days

Total

Debt age

Trade receivables/Amounts recoverable 

on contracts

Value (£000)

%

1,896

73

440

17

246

9

16

1

2,598

100

Group

2012

Current

0-30 

days

31-60 

days

Over 60 

days

Total

Debt age

Trade receivables/Amounts recoverable 

on contracts

Value (£000)

%

2,133

67

775

24

250

8

45

1

3,203

100

An analysis of trade and other receivables by currency is as follows:

Group

Sterling

Euro

US Dollar

Renminbi

Hong Kong Dollar

2012

£000

1,690

179

1,645

235

1

3,750

2011

£000

1,544

186

1,150

148

1

3,029

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012      47

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

14.  Cash and Cash Equivalents

Group

Cash at bank

Bank overdraft 

Company

Cash at bank

2012

£000

11,415

(8,965)

2,450

1,365

2011

£000

12,280

(8,912)

3,368

2,102

The Group overdraft facility has a net limit of £2,000,000 and gross facility of £9,000,000.  Interest is charged on the bank overdraft at 
2.75% above base rate.  The bank overdraft is secured by fixed and floating charges over certain of the Group’s assets.  All balances 
are denominated in Sterling.  The bank facility is reviewed in April each year.

There is a debenture in favour of National Westminster Bank Plc, dated 13 April 2011, secured over the assets of the group by way of 
fixed and floating charges, in respect of the Group’s overdraft facility.

An analysis of cash and cash equivalents by currency is as follows:

Group

Sterling

Euro

US Dollar

Other

Company

Sterling

The carrying amount of these assets approximate to their fair value. 

15.  Trade and Other Payables

Group - Current

Trade payables

Other taxation and social security costs

Other payables

Accruals and other payables

Deferred income

Company - Current

Trade payables

Amounts owed to group companies

Other payables

Accruals and deferred income

48 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012    

2012

£000

743

38

1,418

251

2,450

1,365

2012

£000

334

134

82

704

5,783

7,037

11

260

-

38

309

2011

£000

2,032

100

1,114

 122

3,368

2,102

2011

£000

404

163

152

839

6,036

7,594

40

103

411

19

573

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

15. Trade and Other Payables (continued)

An analysis of trade and other payables by currency is as follows:

Group

Sterling

US Dollar

Renminbi

Hong Kong Dollar

Company

Sterling

2012

£000

3,010

3,819

206

2

7,037

309

2011

£000

3,878

3,590

124

2

7,594

573

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

16.  Current Taxation

The Group current tax receivable of £235,000 (2011: £64,000) represents the amount of income taxes receivable in respect of current 
and prior years.

17.  Financial Liabilities

Group and Company

2011

Total

£000

Less than 

One to 

More than 

one year

two years

two years

£000

£000

£000

Loan Note

500

250

250

-

Total

£000

Less than 

One to 

More than 

one year

two years

two years

£000

£000

£000

2012

Loan Note

250

250

-

-

Loan Note

The Loan Note was issued on 3 March 2011.  The loan note is unsecured and bears interest at the rate of 7%.

Due to the short maturity the directors believe the carrying value approximates to fair value.

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012      49

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

18. Financial Instruments

All financial instruments held by the Group, as detailed in this note, are classified as “Loans and Receivables” (trade and other 
receivables, excluding prepayments, and cash and cash equivalents), “Financial Liabilities Measured at Amortised Cost” (trade and 
other payables, excluding statutory liabilities, and financial liabilities) and “Fair value through profit and loss” (other financial liabilities 
which reflect derivative contracts) under IAS 39 ‘Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement’.

FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT

The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks including market risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. Market risk includes 
interest rate risk, foreign exchange rate risk and price risk. The main financial risks managed by the Group, under policies approved by 
the Board, are interest rate risk, foreign currency risk, liquidity risk and credit risk. 

The Group has in place risk management policies that seek to limit the adverse effects on the financial performance of the Group by 
using various instruments and techniques.  Derivative financial instruments are only used to hedge exposures arising in respect of 
underlying business requirements and not for any speculative purpose.  

Foreign exchange risk

The Group operates internationally and is exposed to foreign currency risk on transactions denominated in a currency other than the 
functional currency and on the translation of the statement of financial position and statement of comprehensive income of foreign 
operations into sterling.  The currencies giving rise to this risk are primarily US dollars.  The Group has both cash inflows and outflows in 
this currency that create a natural hedge.  

In managing currency risks the Group aims to reduce the impact of short-term fluctuations on the Group’s cash inflows and outflows in a 
foreign currency.  The Group also hedges any material foreign currency transaction exposure.  During the year the Group entered into a 
US dollar hedging arrangement with a fixed forward contract which expired prior to the reporting date. 

Over the longer term, changes in foreign exchange could have an impact on consolidation of foreign subsidiaries earnings.  The 
assumption in 2012 was based on a forecast that the US Dollar to sterling rate would be 1.60.  A 10% decrease in the value of sterling 
against the US dollar would result in an increase in the Group’s profit before tax by approximately £0.20m.

Interest rate risk 

The Group operates an interest rate policy designed to minimise interest costs and reduce volatility in reported earnings.

The Group’s bank facility does not allow the US Dollar cash balances to generate interest therefore the Group transfers funds from the 
US dollar account into the sterling account.  Currency swaps have been utilised to maximise the interest gains whilst minimising foreign 
exchange risks.

As at 31 December 2012 indications are that the UK bank rate will remain at 0.5% over the next 12 months.  On the basis of the floating 
net cash position at 31 December 2012 and assuming no other changes occur (such as changes in currency exchange rates) and that 
no further interest rate management action is taken, the stable interest rates will not have an impact on net interest income/(expense). 

50 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012    

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

18. Financial Instruments (continued)

2011

Group

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other payables

Loan notes

2012

Group

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other payables

Loan notes

2011

Company

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other payables

Loan notes

2012

Company

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other payables

Loan notes

Fixed

 rate

£000

-

-

-

(500)

(500)

Fixed

 rate

£000

-

-

-

(250)

(250)

Fixed

 rate

£000

-

-

-

(500)

(500)

Fixed

 rate

£000

-

-

-

(250)

(250)

Floating

Non-interest 

 rate

£000

-

3,368

-

-

3,368

bearing

£000

2,613

-

(1,395)

-

1,218

Floating

Non-interest 

 rate

£000

-

2,450

-

-

2,450

bearing

£000

3,203

-

(1,120)

-

2,083

Floating

Non-interest 

 rate

£000

500

2,102

-

-

2,602

bearing

£000

253

-

(573)

-

(320)

Floating

Non-interest 

 rate

£000

500

1,365

-

-

1,865

bearing

£000

1,532

-

(309)

-

1,223

Total

£000

2,613

3,368

(1,395)

(500)

4,086

Total

£000

3,203

2,450

(1,120)

(250)

4,283

Total

£000

753

2,102

(573)

(500)

1,782

Total

£000

2,032

1,365

(309)

(250)

2,838

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012      51

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

18. Financial Instruments (continued)

Credit risk

Management aims to minimise the risk of credit losses.

The Group’s financial assets are bank balances and cash and trade and other receivables, which represent the Group’s maximum 
exposure to credit risk in relation to financial assets.

The Group’s credit risk is primarily attributable to its trade receivables and the Group has policies in place to ensure that sales of 
products and services are made to customers with appropriate creditworthiness. 

The amounts presented in the statement of financial position are net of impairment provisions, estimated by the Group’s management 
based on prior experience and their assessment of the present value of estimated future cash flows. An allowance for impairment is 
made where there is an identified loss event which, based on previous experience, is evidence of a reduction in the recoverability of the 
cash flows. 

The Group generates external revenue from one customer which individually amounts to more than 10% of the Group revenue.  
Revenue in respect of this customer for the year ended 31 December 2012 amounted to £1.1m (2011: £0.8m).  In 2011 no customers 
exceeded 10% of revenue.

The Group’s exposure to losses from defaults on trade receivables is reduced due to contractual terms which require installation, 
training, annual licensing and support fees to be invoiced and paid annually in advance.   

Note 13 sets out the impairment provision for credit losses on trade receivables and the ageing analysis of overdue trade receivables.  
There were no impairment losses recognised on other financial assets.

Liquidity risk 

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will not be able to meet its financial commitments as they fall due.

The Group’s objective is to ensure that adequate facilities are available through use of bank overdrafts and finance leases.  The Group 
manages liquidity risk through regular cash flow forecasting and monitoring of cash flows, management review and regular review of 
working capital and costs.

The Group regularly monitors its available headroom under its borrowing facilities.  At 31 December 2012, its £2.0m bank facility was 
undrawn and available (2011: £2.0m).

In respect of the Group’s interest-bearing financial liabilities, the table in note 17 includes details at the reporting date of the periods in 
which they mature.

52 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012    

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

19.  Deferred Tax

Group

Deferred tax assets

 Amounts due to be recovered within 12 months

 Amounts due to be recovered after 12 months

Deferred tax liabilities

 Amounts due to be settled within 12 months

 Amounts due to be settled after 12 months

Net position 

The movement in the period in the Group’s net deferred tax position was as follows:

At beginning of the year

Charge to income for the year

Credit to other comprehensive income for the year

Effect of change in tax rate – equity

Recognised on acquisitions

Other

Adjustments in respect of prior years

At end of the year

2012

£000

-

735

-

(3)

732

2012

£000

279

(46)

421

(32)

-

-

110

732

2011

£000

-

404

-

(125)

279

2011

£000

321

(177)

98

(30)

69

(2)

-

279

The following are the major deferred tax assets and liabilities recognised by the Group and the movements thereon during the year:

Accelerated 

tax 

depreciation

Tax losses

Deferred tax asset/(liability)

At 1 January 2011

Charge to profit or loss for the year

Credit/(charge) to equity for the year

Recognised on acquisitions

At 31 December 2011

Credit/(charge) to profit or loss for 

the year

Credit to equity for the year

Adjustments in respect of prior 

years

£000

(104)

(88)

28

(336)

(500)

42

-

100

£000

26

(26)

(30)

405

375

(30)

-

-

At 31 December 2012

(358)

345

Retirement 

benefit 

obligations

£000

Other timing 

differences

£000

399

(63)

68

-

404

(58)

389

-

735

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

10

10

Total

£000

321

(177)

66

69

279

(46)

389

110

732

Unrecognised tax losses not included at 31 December 2012 were £3,571,000 (2011: £3,834,000).

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012      53

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

20.  Retirement Benefit Obligations

Defined contribution pension scheme

The Group has four active defined contribution schemes and a closed defined benefit scheme:

Group Personal Pension Plan - the scheme was created on 31 December 2008.  The Scheme is a contributory money purchase 
scheme with the employer matching employee contributions to a maximum of 5%.  The employer also contributes to the Scheme for 
former members of Instem LSS Pension Scheme at rates varying from 5% to 18%.  Employer contributions for the year ended 31 
December 2012 were £0.43m (2011: £0.39m).

Contracted In Money Purchase Scheme (CIMP) - the Scheme was created on 31 December 2008.  The Scheme is a non-contributory 
scheme created for former members of the Instem LSS Pension Scheme who are US residents.  Employer contributions for the year 
ended 31 December 2012 were £0.03m (2011: £0.03m).

Instem LSS (North America) Limited 401k Plan - the scheme was created for the benefit of employees of Instem LSS (North America) 
Limited in the USA.  The Scheme is a contributory money purchase scheme with the employer matching contributions to the scheme to 
a maximum of 4.8%.  Employer contributions for the year ended 31 December 2012 were £0.09m (2011: £0.09m).

Instem LSS Stakeholder Scheme - the Scheme was a contributory money purchase scheme which closed on 31 December 2008.   
Employer contributions for the year ended 31 December 2012 were £nil (2011: £nil).

BioWisdom GPP Scheme - the Scheme is a Group Personal Pension arrangement with Winterthur Life (now part of Friends Life) and 
was set up in 2001.  Employee members must contribute at least 3% of basic salary and the employer contributes up to a maximum of 
6%.  Employer contributions for the year ended 31 December 2012 were £0.03m (2011: £0.03m).

54 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012    

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

20.  Retirement Benefit Obligations (continued)

Defined benefit pension scheme

The Group also operates a pension scheme providing benefits based on final pensionable pay.  This scheme was closed to new 
members with effect from 8 October 2001 and the rate of future benefit accrual reduced from 1/60th of final pensionable pay per year of 
service to 1/80th with effect from 6 April 2003.  The scheme closed to future accrual on 31 December 2008.  

The latest full actuarial valuation was carried out at 5 April 2011 and was updated to 31 December 2012 by a qualified independent 
actuary.  

The expected return on plan assets was determined by considering the expected returns available on the assets underlying the current 
investment portfolio.  Expected yields on bonds are based on gross redemption yields at the reporting date whilst the expected returns 
on the equity and property investments reflect the long-term real rates of return experienced in the respective markets.

Discount rate

Expected return on plan assets

Inflation

Rate of increase in salaries

Rate of increase in pensions in payment

Rate of increase in pensions in deferment

Life Expectancy assumptions

Male currently aged 45

Female currently aged 45

Male currently aged 65

Female currently aged 65

ANALYSIS OF AMOUNT CHARGED TO OPERATING EXPENSES

Current service cost

Past service cost

Total operating charge

ANALYSIS OF AMOUNT CHARGED TO FINANCE COSTS

Expected returns on pension scheme assets

Interest on pension scheme liabilities

Net finance charge

ANALYSIS OF AMOUNT RECOGNISED IN OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Actual return less expected return on pension scheme assets

Experience losses arising on scheme liabilities

Changes in assumptions underlying the present value of the scheme liabilities

Actuarial loss recognised in other comprehensive income

2012

%

4.5

4.5

2.9

N/A

2.9

2.9

24.9

26.2

23.6

24.7

2012

£000

-

-

-

2012

£000

288

(372)

(84)

2012

£000

172

(763)

(1,242)

(1,833)

2011

%

5.4

5.3

3.1

N/A

3.1

3.1

24.4

26.8

22.5

24.9

2011

£000

-

-

-

2011

£000

334

(394)

(60)

2011

£000

(480)

-

88

(392)

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012      55

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

20.  Retirement Benefit Obligations (continued)

CHANGES IN THE PRESENT VALUE OF THE DEFINED 

BENEFIT OBLIGATION

Opening defined benefit obligation

Interest cost

Actuarial loss/(gain)

Benefits paid

Closing defined benefit obligation

CHANGES IN THE FAIR VALUE OF PLAN ASSETS

Opening plan assets

Expected return

Actuarial gain/(loss)

Contributions by employer

Benefits paid

Closing plan assets

2012

£000

6,946

372

2,005

(123)

9,200

2012

£000

5,330

288

172

337

(123)

6,004

The actual return on plan assets was a negative return of £460,000 (2011: negative return of £146,000)

Present value of funded obligations

Fair value of plan assets

Deficit

Related deferred tax asset

Net pension liability

2012

£000

(9,200)

6,004

(3,196)

735

(2,461)

2011

£000

6,956

394

(88)

(316)

6,946

2011

£000

5,479

334

(480)

313

(316)

5,330

2011

£000

(6,946)

5,330

(1,616)

404

(1,212)

56 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012    

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

20.  Retirement Benefit Obligations (continued)

ANALYSIS OF CUMULATIVE AMOUNT RECOGNISED IN 

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Actual return less expected return on pension scheme 

assets

Experience gains and losses arising on scheme liabilities

Changes in assumptions underlying the present value of 

the scheme liabilities

Cumulative actuarial loss recognised in other 

comprehensive income

Cumulative

Cumulative

2012

£000

(359)

(1,673)

(564)

(2,596)

2011

£000

(531)

(910)

678

(763)

%

72

2

8

11

6

1

MAJOR CATEGORIES OF PLAN ASSETS AS A PERCENTAGE OF FAIR VALUE OF TOTAL PLAN ASSETS

2012

2011

Equities

Property

Bonds

Corporate Bonds

Cash

Other

£000

4,263

120

541

600

480

-

%

71

2

9

10

8

-

£000

3,838

107

426

586

320

53

6,004

100

5,330

100

The five year history of experience adjustments are as follows:

2012

£000

2011

£000

2010

£000

2009

£000

2008

£000

Present value of defined 

benefit obligation

(9,200)

(6,946)

(6,956)

(5,893)

(4,901)

Fair value of plan assets

6,004

5,330

5,479

4,812

3,752

Deficit

(3,196)

(1,616)

(1,477)

(1,081)

(1,149)

Experience adjustments on 

plan liabilities

(763)

-

Experience adjustments on 

plan assets

172

(480)

(77)

235

(18)

557

(431)

(1,390)

The Group expects to contribute £412,000 to its defined benefit plans in the next financial year (2012: £321,000).

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012      57

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

21.  Share Capital

Allotted, called up and fully paid

At 1 January

11,714,286 ordinary shares of 10p each

50,372 ordinary shares of 10p each, issued during year

At 31 December

2012

£000

1,171

5

1,176

2011

£000

1,171

-

1,171

50,372 shares were issued in the year in part settlement of the deferred contingent consideration in respect of the acquisition of Instem 
Scientific Limited.

22.  Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of 
ordinary shares in issue during the year.  Diluted earnings per share is calculated by adjusting the weighted number of ordinary shares 
outstanding to assume conversion of all dilutive potential shares arising from the share option scheme.  The dilutive impact of the share 
options is calculated by determining the number of shares that could have been acquired at fair value (determined as the average 
market share price of the Company’s shares) based on the monetary value of the subscription rights attached to the outstanding share 
options. 

Profit after tax 

(£000’s)

2012

Weighted 

average 

number of 

shares (000’s)

Earnings per 

Profit after tax 

2011

Weighted 

average 

Earnings per 

share  (pence)

(£000’s)

number of 

share  (pence)

shares (000’s)

Earnings per share-

basic

Potentially dilutive 

shares

Earnings per share-

diluted

1,044

11,755

-

-

1,044

11,755

8.9

-

8.9

1,006

11,714

-

134

1,006

11,848

8.6

(0.1)

8.5

58 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012    

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

23.  Capital and Reserves

Called up share capital

The share capital account includes the par value for all shares issued and outstanding.

Share premium account

The share premium account is used to record amounts received in excess of the nominal value of shares on issue of new shares less 
the costs of new share issues.

Translation reserve

The translation reserve incorporates the cumulative net exchange gains and losses recognised on the translation of subsidiary company 
financial information to the presentational currency of Sterling (£). 

Retained earnings

The retained earnings reserve includes the accumulated profits and losses arising from the consolidated ‘Statement of Comprehensive 
Income’ and certain items from ‘Other Comprehensive Income’ attributable to equity shareholders net of distributions to shareholders.

Merger reserve

The merger reserve represents the difference between the consideration payable at the date of acquisition, net of merger relief, and the 
share capital and share premium of Instem Life Science Systems Limited.

Shares to be issued

The shares to be issued reserve represents the shares to be issued under the share option scheme and shares contingently issuable on 
acquisitions.

Capital management

The Group’s main objective when managing capital is to protect returns to shareholders by ensuring the Group will continue to trade 
profitably in the foreseeable future.  The Group also aims to maximise the capital structure of debt and equity so as to minimise its cost 
of capital.

The Group manages its capital with regard to the risks inherent in the business and the sector within which it operates by monitoring its 
gearing ratio on a regular basis. 

The Group considers its capital to include share capital, share premium, translation reserve, retained earnings and net debt as noted 
below. 

Net debt includes short and long-term borrowings (including overdrafts, redeemable preference shares and lease obligations) net of 
cash and cash equivalents.  

The Group has not made any changes to its capital management during the year.

24.  Capital Commitments

There were no capital commitments at the end of the financial year (2011: £nil).

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012      59

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

25. Operating Leases Payable

Minimum lease payments under operating leases recognised as 

an expense in the year

At the reporting date, the Group has outstanding commitments 

under operating leases, which fall due as follows:

Land and buildings

  Within one year

  In the second to fifth year inclusive

  After five years

Plant and machinery

  Within one year

  In the second to fifth year inclusive

2012

£000

424

2012

£000

364

1,168

727

3

5

2011

£000

416

2011

£000

363

1,048

863

61

2

2,267

2,337

Operating lease payments represent rentals payable by the Group for property leases and certain equipment.  Leases have varying 
terms and renewal rights.  The above leasing arrangements do not contain any restrictive covenants, contingent rents or purchase 
options.

The operating lease in relation to the head office buildings contain a dilapidation clause whereby Instem plc must make good any 
damage to the demised premises on expiration of the lease in November 2023.  The directors estimate that the current liability is not 
material to warrant provision at the period end.

60 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012    

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

26.  Related Party Transactions

Transactions between Group companies have not been disclosed as these have all been eliminated in the preparation of the 
consolidated financial statements.  During the year the Company traded with subsidiary companies in its normal course of business.  
These transactions related to recharges and totalled in aggregate £1.21m (2011: £nil).  The intercompany balances due to the Company 
at the year-end totalled £1.66m (2011: £0.60m).

During the year the Company has traded in its normal course of business with shareholders and consultancy businesses in which 
Directors have a material interest as follows:

Key management compensation:

2012

£000

2011

£000

Fees for services provided as non-executive directors

Salaries and short term benefits

Post employment retirement benefits

Employers’ national insurance & social security costs

Share based payment charge

Executive directors

92

-

10

-

Salaries and short term benefits

251

Post employment retirement benefits

Employers’ national insurance & social security costs

Share based payment charge

Other key management

48

18

43

Salaries and short term employee benefits

336

Post employment retirement benefits

Employers’ national insurance & social security costs

Share based payment charge

24

29

36

117

-

10

-

221

30

14

41

346

26

31

31

In addition the Company paid £0.05m (2011: £0.05m) to Instem Ventures Limited, a company owned by Adrian Gare, a shareholder.  
The balance outstanding at the end of the year was £nil (2011: £0.01m).

Key management are considered to be the Directors together with the Senior Vice-President of Client Services, the Senior Vice-
President of Product Development and the Chief Scientific Officer.

27.  Accounting Estimates and Judgements

Some asset and liability amounts reported in the financial information are based on management estimates and assumptions.  There 
is therefore a risk of significant changes to the carrying amounts for these assets and liabilities within the next financial year.  The 
estimates and assumptions are made on the basis of information and conditions that exist at the time of the valuation.

Inventory impairment provisions

The Group makes provision for work in progress deemed to be irrecoverable.  This provision is established on a specific contract by 
contract basis based on management’s prior experience and their assessment of the present value of estimated future cash flows.

Receivables impairment provisions

The amounts presented in the statement of financial position are net of impairment provisions, estimated by the Group’s management 
based on prior experience and their assessment of the present value of estimated future cash flows.

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012      61

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

27.  Accounting Estimates and Judgements (continued)

Pension valuation assumptions

Assumptions are used in the actuarial valuation of the Group’s defined benefit pension schemes.  Details of these assumptions are 
disclosed in note 20.

Impairment

At each reporting date, the Group reviews the carrying amounts of goodwill and investments.  The recoverable amount of the asset 
is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).  Where the asset does not generate cash flows that are 
independent from other assets, the Group estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. A 
key factor which could result in an impairment of goodwill or investments is lower than predicted revenue. Sensitivities around this factor 
and the discount rate are set out in note 9.

Other intangible assets – useful lives

Other intangible assets are amortised over their useful life, which has been estimated by management to be up to 8 years.

28.  Contingent Liabilities

Instem plc has provided a guarantee to its subsidiaries which have taken advantage of the exemption from audit. Under this guarantee, 
the Company has a contingent liability of £9.0m.

62 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012    

NOTES

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012      63   

NOTES

64 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012    

NOTES

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012      65

NOTES

66 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012    

NOTES

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012      67

NOTES

68 

Instem plc Annual Report, 2012    

Directors and Advisers

DIRECTORS
D Gare (Non-Executive Chairman)
M F McGoun (Independent Non-Executive)
D M Sherwin (Non- Executive)
P J Reason
N J Goldsmith

SECRETARY
N J Goldsmith

REGISTERED OFFICE
Diamond Way
Stone Business Park
Stone
Staffordshire
ST15 0SD
Tel: +44 1785 825600
Fax: +44 1785 825633
www.instem.com

Company No: 07148099

AUDITORS
Baker Tilly UK Audit LLP
Chartered Accountants
3 Hardman Street
Manchester 
M3 3HF

BANKERS
Nat West Bank
1 Spinningfields Square
Manchester
M2 3AP

NOMINATED ADVISER AND BROKER
Nplus1 Singer Advisory LLP
One Bartholomew Lane
London 
EC2N 2AX

REGISTRARS
Computershare
The Pavilions
Bridgwater Road
Bristol 
BS13 8AE

FINANCIAL PUBLIC RELATIONS
Newgate Threadneedle
5th Floor
33 King William Street
London 
EC4R 9AS

Our clients include these fine organisations...

UK
Global Headquarters -
UK & European Operations
Diamond Way
Stone Business Park
Stone
Staffordshire, ST15 0SD
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1785 825600

USA
North American Headquarters
Eight Tower Bridge
161 Washington Street
Suite 1550, 15th Floor
Conshohocken, PA 19428
United States
Tel: +1 (610) 941 0990

China
Asia-Pacific Headquarters
Room 205, Building 16
88 Darwin Road
Zhangjiang High-Tech Park, Pudong District
Shanghai
China, 201203
Tel: +86 (0) 21 5131 2080

The Group employs over 110 people in seven offices in the US,

UK, China and India; with a full service distributor in Japan.

e-mail
investors@instem.com

instem.com