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Midatech Pharma PLC

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FY2019 Annual Report · Midatech Pharma PLC
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Annual Report & Accounts 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
Contents

Overview

01 Highlights

02 Midatech Pharma at a glance

Strategic Report

04   Our business model and strategy

06   Spotlight on lead programmes

  06  Spotlight on MTD201

  07  Spotlight on MTX110

08   Chief Executive’s review

12    Financial review

17    Risk management

Governance

22   Board of Directors 

24   Chairman’s introduction to 
Corporate Governance 

28   Audit committee report

31    Directors’ remuneration report 

38   Directors’ report

Financial Statements

40   Independent auditor’s report

45    Consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income

46    Consolidated statement of  

financial position

47    Consolidated statement of  

cash flows

48    Consolidated statement of  

changes in equity

49    Notes forming part of the  
financial statements

97   Company balance sheet

98   Company statement of changes  

in equity

99    Notes forming part of the 

Company financial statements

108 Company information

To find out the latest information,  
please visit our website

www.midatechpharma.com

Financial highlights

Cash and deposits at 31 December 2019

£10.9m

•  Total gross revenue(1) for the year of £0.7m (2018: £1.9m, 2017: £1.0m).

•  Statutory revenue(2) for 2019 of £0.3m (2018: £0.1m, 2017: £0.1m).

•  Subscription, Placing and Open Offer in February 2019 raised £12.3m  
(net) and Registered Direct Offering in the US in October 2019 raised  
$2.5m (£1.8m) (net).

•  Receipt of €3.6m (£3.1m) net non-dilutive Reindus loan and award of 

Guazatu loan of €1.5m.

•  Provisional award of a GlioKIDS grant of €2.7m (£2.3m), subject to 
confirmation of Midatech’s status as an SME, to support a Phase II  
trial of MTX110.

•  Cash and deposits at 31 December 2019 of £10.9m (2018: £2.3m,  

2017: £13.2m).

•  Net loss from continuing operations of £9.1m (2018: £10.4m loss,  
2017: £11.7m loss) with net cash inflow in the year of £8.4m (2018:  
£10.9m outflow, 2017: £4.1m outflow).

•  Tax credit receivable of £1.8m (2018: £2.0m, 2017: £1.2m).

(1) 

(2) 

Total gross revenue represents collaboration income from continuing operations plus grant revenue.

Statutory Revenue represents total gross revenue, excluding grant revenue.

Midatech Pharma plc

Annual Report & Accounts 2019

 
 
Midatech is a drug delivery technology company  
focused on improving the biodelivery and biodistribution 
of medicines

We are developing an internal pipeline of Q-Sphera formulations  
and progressing MTX110 through the clinic.

Spotlight on…

MTD201
 06

MTX110
 07

Operational highlights

•  First substantive licensing agreement with China 

•  MTX110 received orphan drug designation for malignant 

Medical System Holdings Ltd (“CMS”) for the Group’s 
pipeline products for Greater China accompanied by 
an £8.0m strategic investment in the Company, as part 
of a Subscription, Placing and Open Offer executed in 
February 2019.

Post period end highlights

glioma including DIPG from the FDA.

In January 2020, a study of subcutaneous administration 
of MTD201 compared with traditional intramuscular 
administration in healthy volunteers showed similar 
pharmacokinetics and bioavailability, offering the potential 
for a differentiated, more patient-friendly product profile.

•  On 18 May 2020, the Company announced that it had  

raised gross proceeds of £4.3m (£3.8m net of expenses)  
in a combined UK Placing and Registered Direct Offering  
in the US. The combined offerings resulted in the issuance 
of 15.8m new Ordinary Shares and 16.5m new Warrants.

• 

• 

In March 2020, an exploratory study was initiated by 
Columbia University in five patients with DIPG using an 
alternative convection enhanced delivery system.

•  Also in March 2020, following a General Meeting, the 
Company’s ordinary shares of £0.00005 each were 
consolidated on a one-for-20 basis into ordinary shares 
of £0.001 each. At the same meeting a resolution was 
passed to change the ratio of the Company’s American 
Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”). This will change from one 
ADR representing 20 Existing Ordinary Shares to one ADR 
representing five new ordinary shares.

•  On 31 March 2020, the Company announced a wide-

ranging strategic review including termination of in-house 
development of MTD201, closure of the Company’s Bilbao 
operations and a re-alignment of the Board. 

•  On 20 April 2020, the Company announced an update 

to the strategic review including the appointment of an 
adviser and start of a “formal sale process” under the 
Takeover Code.

•  On 8 June 2020, the Company received a letter sent on 

behalf of Secura Bio, Inc. (“Secura Bio”), dated 1 June 2020, 
purporting to terminate a License Agreement, dated 5 June 
2017 (the “Secura License Agreement”), by and between 
Midatech Limited and Novartis AG, which Novartis AG 
subsequently transferred to Secura Bio. Pursuant to the 
Secura License Agreement, Midatech Limited was granted 
a non-exclusive worldwide, sublicenseable license to 
certain patents of panobinostat, the active pharmaceutical 
ingredient of the Company’s development product MTX110. 
Midatech Limited’s rights are limited to the treatment 
of brain cancer in humans, administered by convection-
enhanced delivery. The Company plans to continue to 
pursue development of MTX110 and the strategic review 
process previously disclosed. The Company is also 
reviewing with its outside counsel remedies it may have 
if Secura Bio does not withdraw the notice and otherwise 
cease to interfere with its ongoing business and strategic 
review process, which the Company has formally requested. 
The Company is evaluating available actions to protect its 
rights under the Secura License Agreement and its assets.

01

 Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements Midatech Pharma at a glance

Listed on AIM and NASDAQ, Midatech is headquartered in 
Cardiff, UK. Following the announcement of a strategic review 
on 31 March 2020, the Company has terminated in-house 
development of MTD201 and is in the process of closing down 
its operations in Bilbao, Spain. After the closure, Midatech’s 
remaining 20 employees will be focused on extracting value 
from its technology platforms. 

On 20 April 2020, the Company provided a further update to 
the strategic review including the appointment of Noble Capital 
Markets, Inc. to advise the Board and the initiation of a “formal 
sale process” under the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers.

Technologies

Midatech is focused on developing products based on its three proprietary platform technologies, designed to deliver therapeutic drugs to  
the right place at the right time. The Company has three proprietary drug delivery technologies based on 120 granted patents, 70 applications  
in-process across 36 patent families:

Q-Sphera™

MidaSolve™

MidaCore™

Technology

Technology

Technology

•  Micro-encapsulation PLGA polymer 

•  Solubilises inherently insoluble drugs

depot system

•  Nano inclusion technology for 

•  Advanced piezo printing technology

chemotherapeutics

•  Several million microspheres  

•  Complex has hydrophobic core  

•  Gold nanotechnology to deliver 
chemo/immuno therapeutics

•  Key attributes are small size and  

multi-valent binding sites

produced per second

and hydrophilic surface

•  Decorated with therapeutic and 

targeting moieties

Clinical 

Clinical 

Clinical 

•  Superior sustained-release 

•  Converts oral drugs into liquid 

•  Size (2–4nm) improves delivery, 

pharmacokinetics

administration forms

targeting, reduces toxicity

• 

Improves usability, patient experience 
and compliance

•  Enables infusion directly into the 

•  Enters immune cells to enhance 

tumour

immune responses against tumour cells

•  Enhanced dosing and administration 

•  Aim to enhance efficacy and reduce 

•  Research programmes in  

routes

Manufacture 

toxicity

Manufacture 

•  Scalable, efficient high yield 

•  Simple manufacturing process

manufacture

•  Modest infrastructure, 

environmentally very friendly

•  Low CoGS and broad API compatibility

•  Multiple patent families

•  No solvents, non-toxic

•  Lyophilised powder, long shelf-life

•  Product-specific patents

psoriasis and solid tumours

Manufacture 

•  Simple manufacturing process

•  Modest infrastructure

•  Multiple patent families

We have established proof of concept formulations using all three drug delivery platforms and have been tested in human clinical trials.

See our spotlight on lead programmes on pages 06 and 07

02

Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019 
Employees

65

Granted patents

120

Patent Families

36

Development product pipeline 

Midatech’s two lead programmes, MTD201 and MTX110, are both in clinical development.

Indication

Pre-clinical

Phase I

Phase II

Phase III/Pivotal

Registration

MTD201 

Acromegaly

Neuroendocrine  
tumours

DIPG

MTX110

Medulloblastoma

Glioblastoma

MTX114

Psoriasis

Completed

Under way / In preparation

03

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements Our business model and strategy

Following the divestment in November 2018 of Midatech Pharma US, Inc., the Group’s 
sales and marketing business, the Company re-focused on building stakeholder value 
through the development and exploitation of its three proprietary platform technologies. 
When it became clear the Company was unable to raise additional capital in March  
2020, the Company’s strategy was refined further as a result of the termination of  
further in-house development of MTD201 and closure of Bilbao operations. 

Midatech’s drug delivery technologies are supported by a strong intellectual property base including 
120 granted patents, 70 applications in-process across 36 patent families.

Precision clinical 
performance 
and high usability

Converts oral meds 
into liquid meds

Ultra small size

Advanced 
manufacturing 
technology

Increases routes  
of administration

Can bind multiple 
agents (targeting 
and therapeutic)

04

Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019Development

Manufacturing

Our development strategy is to take existing, approved therapies  
and “make them better” by applying one of our three proprietary 
platform drug delivery technologies to improve the bio-delivery 
and bio-distribution of drugs, through either sustained delivery 
(Q-Sphera), direct delivery (MidaSolve), or targeted delivery 
(MidaCore). Our R&D is based in Cardiff, UK where we currently 
employ 15 scientific personnel engaged in pharmaceutical 
development, engineering, pilot-scale manufacture and 
development of analytical methods and testing.

Midatech’s near term goal is to deploy its proprietary drug delivery 
technologies to formulate a compelling portfolio of novel first-in-
class sustained release formulations of products with significant 
commercial potential for licensing to pharmaceutical company 
partners at proof-of-concept stage. Other than its ongoing 
commitments for MTX110, the Company has no plans to undertake 
additional trials in humans unless a license partner or grant funding 
has been secured.

Once a licensing partner has been secured, Midatech would expect 
any future development costs to be reimbursed by that partner.

Following the announcement 
on 31 March 2020 that it had 
decided to terminate the in-house 
development of MTD201, the 
Company also decided to close 
its operations in Bilbao, Spain 
which were largely dedicated to 
the manufacturing scale-up of 
MTD201. 

To establish proof-of-concept 
for potential licensees, Midatech 
is able to manufacture non-
GMP material at pilot scale at its 
Cardiff facility. Midatech would 
expect a licensee to assume 
responsibility for manufacturing 
GMP material and commercial 
scale-up pursuant to a technology 
transfer agreement. 

Opportunities for value creation

Commercialisation (future)

Once proof-of-concept has been established, Midatech intends to seek to license its products to a partner who 
would complete the development and subsequently market and sell them in the licensed territory. In addition to 
reimbursement of development costs, the partner would be expected to make milestone payments based on sales 
targets and royalty payments. 

05

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements Spotlight on lead programmes

MTD 201 

Q-Sphera™

for neuroendocrine tumours and acromegaly

On 31 March 2020, the Company announced that, because of prevailing conditions in the capital markets 
and the prospects for raising funds to support MTD201 and/or partnering of MTD201, the Board of 
Midatech had decided to terminate further in-house development of MTD201 including manufacturing 
scale-up. The Company continues to believe MTD201 represents a viable R&D asset and it therefore 
remains available for licensing by third parties.

Benefits

Indications

Addressable market

Enhanced clinical profile with 
consistent, predictable and 
reproducible release kinetics of  
the active drug into the body.

Simple, quick and reliable 
reconstitution, reducing clinical 
preparation time, no needle 
blockages, and no wastage of 
expensive product.

Compared to current therapeutics, 
MTD201 is administered through a 
smaller needle, with less injection  
site irritation for patients.

Subcutaneous injection 
administration, versus intramuscular 
for current therapies, offering the 
potential for self-administration by 
patients, with fewer hospital visits 
and substantial cost savings.

Potential for longer dosing intervals 
compared with current therapies, 
again with cost savings.

06

Acromegaly: a hormonal disorder 
usually caused by a pituitary tumour 
secreting excessive growth hormone 
(GH). Symptoms include increased 
bone size, and skin, sensory and 
metabolic disorders.

Neuroendocrine tumours (NET): 
benign or malignant neoplasms most 
commonly found in the intestine but 
also in the pancreas and other parts  
of the body. 

Both are debilitating conditions with 
significant morbidity and mortality.

Acromegaly affects approx. 28–140 
per million(1) people.

Incidence of NET is up to 2/100,000(2) 
people (0.5% of all cancer diagnoses).

Significant opportunity for MTD201 to 
enter an estimated global market of 
approximately $2.5Bn, dominated by 
Sandostatin® LAR® and Somatuline® 
Autogel®. 

(1) 

(2) 

 Epidemiology of acromegaly, Pituitary 1999 Jun; 
2(1):29-4

 Öberg K. Diagnosis and treatment of carcinoid 
tumors. Expert Review of Anticancer Therapy 
2003; Volume 3: 863–877 

Using Q-Sphera sustained release technology, MTD201’s 
favourable clinical profile is designed to provide a cost-effective 
alternative in an established $2.5bn global somatostatin 
analogue market.

Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019The clinically favourable Phase I pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data 
reported in healthy subjects has shown the potential of Midatech’s Q-Sphera™ 
technology to deliver flexible sustained-release octreotide options. ”

Professor Shlomo Melmed
Dean of Medical Faculty, Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre, Los Angeles

MTX 110 

MidaSolve™

for incurable cancers of the brain

Using our MidaSolve technology in combination with panobinostat, an 
otherwise insoluble drug, MTX110 is designed for direct-to-tumour treatment 
of DIPG, an intractable childhood brain cancer.

Benefits

Indication(s)

Addressable market(s)

MidaSolve technology converts 
the active drug panobinostat from 
an oral formulation, not used in 
DIPG since it cannot cross the 
blood brain barrier, into a liquid 
formulation that can be injected 
directly into the tumour.

Enables elevated drug 
concentrations of solubilised 
MTX110 to be infused directly 
into the tumour, while minimising 
systemic toxicity and peripheral 
side effects.

Panobinostat, licensed 
from Novartis in June 2017, 
demonstrated high potency 
against DIPG tumour cell lines  
in animal studies.

Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma 
(DIPG): a tumour located in the pons 
(middle) of the brain stem that is 
diffusely infiltrating and cannot be 
surgically removed. Occurring mostly 
in children, median survival rate is 
nine months(1). There is no effective 
treatment; surgical resection is 
not possible; radiotherapy and 
chemotherapy do not improve 
survival since anti-cancer drugs 
cannot cross the blood-brain  
barrier to reach the tumour.

In adults, MTX110 represents an 
exciting treatment prospect for 
glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the 
most common and most aggressive 
brain cancer, with median survival 
of around 12 months(3). Again, no 
effective therapies currently exist.

Approximately 1,000(2) individuals 
are diagnosed with DIPG each year, 
representing a potential $100m(4) 
market; highly under-served. 
Medulloblastoma diagnoses  
are similar.

For GBM, approximately 
2–3/100,000(3) diagnoses per  
annum and an estimated $3bn 
addressable market.

(1) 

(2) 

 Veldhuizen S, Jansen M. A twenty-year 
review of diagnosing and treating children 
with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma in 
The Netherlands, Expert Rev. Anticancer 
Therapy 2014 1–8

 Louis DN, Ellison DW, et al. The 2016 
World Health Organization Classification 
of Tumors of the Central Nervous System: 
a summary. Acta Neuropathol 2016; 
131:803–820 

(3) 

 American Association of Neurosurgeons

(4) 

 Real Endpoints Payor Research: data on file

07

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements Chief Executive’s review

Our near term goal is to deploy our proprietary drug delivery 
technologies to formulate a compelling portfolio of novel 
first-in-class sustained release formulations of products 
with significant commercial potential for licensing to 
pharmaceutical company partners at proof-of-concept stage.”

Stephen Stamp 
Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer

Introduction

The clarity of our strategy and the 
simplification of the investment 
case enabled us to attract new 
investment, both dilutive and 
non-dilutive, into the Company 
during 2019. That, in turn, allowed 
us to start Phase I studies in each 
of our two lead programmes and 
report our MTD201 ‘102 study in 
January 2020. 

Like most development-stage 
biotech companies, Midatech is 
reliant on licensing revenues and/
or cash injections from investors 
to fund operations. Unfortunately, 
in view of the precipitous fall in 
global capital markets in the first 
quarter of 2020 and the prospects 
for raising additional funds and 
partnering of assets, the Board 
concluded Midatech could no longer 
continue to fund MTD201. As a direct 
consequence, the Company’s 
operations in Bilbao which are largely 
dedicated to the manufacturing and 
scale-up of MTD201, will be closed. 
Significant progress was made in 
the development of MTD201 during 
2019 and early 2020 and the asset 
remains available for licensing to a 
third party.

R&D progress

Our R&D strategy remains clear and robust. By applying our proprietary 
drug delivery technology to existing approved medicines, we can make 
them better, generate new products, and/or give products new patent life. 
We do not take typical “biotech” risks on the side effects or efficacy of the 
medicine, since these are already approved products. We only need prove 
that our technology delivers the drug as required and confers one or more 
advantages over the originator product such as usability, greater efficacy, 
lower side effects, ease of manufacture and/or lower cost to the payer.

See our development pipeline on page 03

MTD201 (octreotide using Q-Sphera technology)

The ‘101 Phase I study which reported 
in August 2018 in 24 healthy volunteers 
comparing MTD201 with Sandostatin 
LAR (SLAR) demonstrated MTD201 had 
a host of advantages over SLAR. These 
include a longer dosing profile, less 
inter patient release kinetics variability, 
no initial burst release, smaller 
needle gauge resulting in less painful 
injections and injection site reactions 
and quicker, simpler reconstitution 
of the product. Based on extensive 
regulatory and opinion leader input, we 
determined that developing MTD201 as 
a differentiated product would be more 
valuable commercially and medically 
than a generic version of SLAR. 

We initiated the ’102 Phase I study 
in 28 healthy volunteers comparing 
subcutaneous versus intramuscular 
administration of MTD201 which 
reported headline data in January 
2020 and showed similar kinetics and 
bioavailability for the two routes of 
administration. These latest results 
further differentiated MTD201 
from SLAR and offer the potential 
for patients to administer therapy 
themselves at home, significantly 
reducing the frequency of hospital 
visits and therefore payer costs.

08

Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019 
Our two Phase I trials have already established a number of key advantages of MTD201 compared with the currently 
available therapies in the market as illustrated in the following table:

Demonstrated advantages of MTD201  
vs. Sandostatin LAR

Favourable release profile  
(with intramuscular injection)

Minimal burst release

Less painful injections &  
injection site reactions

Smaller needle gauge

Quicker, simpler reconstitution  
and injection

Confirmation of higher strengths  
(30mg – 90mg)

Clinical study

Phase

Subjects

Design

Status

Study information

MTD201-101

Phase I

24 healthy 
volunteers

Randomized, 
double blind

Completed

MTD201-Lab

Research

None

Laboratory 
research

Completed

Subcutaneous dosing in addition  
to intramuscular dosing

MTD201-102

Phase I

24 healthy 
volunteers

Randomized, 
open label

Completed, 
preliminary data

The next step for MTD201 would be the preparation for the pivotal trial in acromegaly. These preparations were 
underway and a CRO had been appointed to manage the trial. Following the Board’s decision in March 2020 to 
terminate in-house development of MTD201, activities are being wound down as expeditiously as possible. 

MTX110 (panobinostat using MidaSolve technology)

DIPG is an intractable cancer of the 
brain, most common in children. 
MTX110 may be an important 
advancement in transforming patient 
outcomes. Our ‘101 Phase I study 
being conducted by UCSF requires 
the recruitment of one more patient 
in the first in-human clinical trial of 
MTX110 and is expected to report 
safety and tolerability in mid 2020. 
This study which includes dose 
escalation, is designed to confirm 
the dose for a Phase II trial of safety 
and efficacy study in 19 patients 
with Kinderspital, Zurich and the 
Princess Máxima Center, Utrecht 
using a Convection Enhanced Delivery 
(CED) system whereby MTX110 will 

be infused under slight pressure 
directly into and around the tumour. 
The primary endpoint of the study 
will be patient survival rates after 
12 months. Start of the Zurich / 
Utrecht study was contingent on the 
receipt of the €2.7m GlioKIDS grant 
from the EU. Receipt of this grant, 
which was provisionally awarded in 
December 2019, is dependent upon 
confirmation that Midatech falls 
within the EU definition of an SME. 
Following the successful fundraising 
in May 2020, the Phase II trial will now 
move ahead. We have also initiated 
an exploratory trial in five patients 
with DIPG at Columbia University, 
New York using an alternative CED 

infusion system although recruitment 
may be impacted by restrictions 
on movement of patients due 
to COVID-19. 

MTX110 was awarded orphan drug 
designation for DIPG in October 2019 
and, subject to further favourable 
results from the studies, we could 
pursue accelerated approval, a fast 
track process generally reserved for 
orphan conditions where there are no 
existing treatments.

We are evaluating other indications 
in which MTX110 might make a 
difference. 

Estimated global market for MTD201 

Estimated global market for MTX110

£2bn

£85m

09

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements Chief Executive’s review continued

MidaCore

Whilst we have directed our resources 
to the MTD201 and MTX110 products, 
there are several early phase 
programmes based on the MidaCore 
gold nanoparticle targeted delivery 
platform that may be progressed, 
subject to receiving further funding. 
First among these will be MTX114, a 
topical methotrexate-complexed gold 
nanoparticle that has been shown to 
be better tolerated and more effective 
than systemic methotrexate in animal 
psoriasis models. 

Financing activities

Like many companies in our sector, 
funding and therefore resource 
allocation is an ongoing challenge.  
We met this challenge head-on in 
2019, raising a total of £17.2m in 
additional funding, net of expenses. 
This included £3.1m of non-dilutive 
funding and £14.1m of equity and 
equity-related funding. The Company 
recognised £1.1m as a warrant 
liability in relation to the fundraising 
completed on NASDAQ in October 
2019 (note 21). 

Non-dilutive funding in the year 
was a €6.6m (£5.6m) loan under 
the Spanish Government’s Reindus 
programme, offset by a deposit by 
the Company of €3.0m (£2.5m). In 
addition, we were awarded a €1.5m 
(£1.3m) soft loan (Guazatu) from the 
Basque regional government, which 
was not drawn down during 2019. 
Both loans were earmarked to support 
the commercial scale-up for MTD201 
and the Q-Sphera™ platform in our 
Bilbao manufacturing site. As a result 
of the Strategic Review announced in 
March 2020 the Reindus loan will be 
repaid and the Guazatu loan cancelled 
following the decision to terminate 
in-house development of MTD201 and 
close Bilbao operations. In December 
2019 we were awarded, subject to 

meeting the EU’s definition of an SME,  
a grant from the EU of €2.7m (£2.3m) 
to support the Phase II trial of MTX110 
in DIPG at Kinderspital, Zurich and 
Princess Máxima Center, Utrecht.

In terms of equity and equity-related 
financings, there were two events. 
In February 2019, we raised a total 
of £12.3m, net of expenses, from a 
combined subscription, placing and 
open offer of “Units” comprising 
one ordinary share at 3.85p and one 
warrant exercisable at 50p, adjusted 
to 77p and £10.00 respectively on 
a post share consolidation basis. 
Of the total invested, £8.0m was 
subscribed by China Medical System 
Holdings Limited (CMS) in parallel 
with an important and wide-reaching 
license agreement described below, 
with the remainder coming from UK 
institutional and individual investors. In 
October 2019, we utilised our NASDAQ 
listing for the first time to raise $2.5m 
(£1.8m) net of expenses at $1.00 per 
American Depositary Share (ADS) in 
a “Registered Direct Offering”. Each 
ADS issued had one warrant attached 
exercisable at $1.25. At the time, each 
ADS represented 20 ordinary shares.

Licensing and 
technology partnerships

In line with our strategy to partner our 
products at key value inflexion points, 
and for the first time with human data 
in hand for MTD201, we have geared 
up our business development and 
licensing capabilities.

Our first substantive license 
agreement was signed in February 
2019 with CMS, simultaneously with 
their £8m equity investment. Under 
the terms of the wide-ranging licence 
agreement, CMS has rights to develop 
and commercialise the Company’s 
pipeline of products, at its cost, in 
Greater China and certain countries  
in South East Asia.  

This includes promotion through  
its network of around 2,800 sales  
staff in China alone. Subject to certain 
milestones being achieved, Midatech 
will receive regulatory and sales-
based payments, as well as royalty 
payments. In addition, CMS may 
identify further product opportunities 
using Midatech’s technologies beyond 
our current focus. Midatech would 
undertake the initial development on 
CMS’ behalf, funded by CMS. If such 
products obtain marketing approval, 
CMS would own the rights in the 
territories covered by the agreement 
and Midatech would retain the rights 
in the rest of the world, including the 
US and Europe. CMS also provides 
manufacturing options for Midatech 
products, with an impressive 
manufacturing capability and facility 
based in Shenzhen, China. 

Under our collaboration with Emergex, 
they are using our MidaCore gold 
nanoparticle technology to develop 
vaccines for infectious viral illnesses 
such as Ebola and Dengue Fever. 

Strategic review

On 31 March 2020 we announced the 
Board had initiated a wide-ranging 
strategic review of its operations. 
The Board concluded that, in the 
context of its cash runway, the 
Company was unlikely to conclude a 
license transaction or raise sufficient 
funds to continue the required 
remaining investment in MTD201 on 
a timely basis. The Board therefore 
decided to terminate further in-
house development of the MTD201 
programme with immediate effect. 
The Company will continue to seek 
licensing partners for this asset.

In line with the decision to terminate 
MTD201, the Board also took the 
difficult decision to close the 
Company’s MTD201 dedicated 
manufacturing facilities in Bilbao and 
offer redundancy to all 42 employees. 

10

Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019In accordance with Spanish law, the 
Company engaged in a period of 
consultation with its Bilbao based 
employees. In addition, a further 
five UK-based employees in clinical 
research and administrative roles 
were offered redundancy. 

Following these changes, Midatech’s 
remaining 20 employees and operations 
are concentrated in Cardiff. With the 
exception of our commitments with 
respect to MTX110 clinical trials, we 
have no plans to undertake additional 
trials in humans unless a license partner 
or grant funding has been secured.

On 20 April 2020, we announced an 
update to the strategic review of 
operations including the appointment 
of Noble Capital Markets, Inc to advise 
the Company on options for extracting 
value from its technologies. These 
options include partnering our clinical 
stage assets, partnering existing 
and upcoming proof of concept 
formulations, partnering or selling 
one or more of its technologies or 
selling the entire company. A sale 
of the Company would be by way of 
a “Formal Sale Process”, as defined 
by The City Code on Takeovers and 
Mergers, or Takeover Code. Pursuant to 
the Formal Sale Process, the Company 
and our advisers are able to conduct 
discussions with a range of potential 
offerors without the requirement to 
publicly identify interested parties as 
ordinarily required under Rule 2.4a) 
and Rule 2.4b) of the Takeover Code. 

As a result of the announcement 
of the Formal Sale Process, we are 
considered to be in an “Offer Period” 
under the Takeover Code.

COVID-19

We established a COVID-19 task 
force in mid-March 2020 with the 
objectives of safeguarding the heath 
and wellbeing of our staff members 
and monitoring the impact on our 
vendors and collaborators. From 
mid-March, our employees have for 
the most part been working from their 
homes with only very few colleagues 
working in our Cardiff laboratories at 
any one time. Our expectation is that 
the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to 
negatively affect businesses globally 
for an indeterminate period and that, 
once the pandemic is under control, 
recovery to normalisation will not 
be instantaneous. Accordingly, we 
believe governmental limitations on 
travel will certainly cause delays to 
timelines. These delays may be the 
result of a limitation on the number 
of staff permitted in our facilities at 
any one time or delays in our vendor’s 
supply chains. In addition, delays are 
likely in the recruitment and execution 
of clinical trials as prospective and 
enrolled patients are unable to 
visit clinical sites. We require one 
more patient in our MTX110 Phase 
I trial at UCSF before that trial can 
report safety and tolerability and a 
recommended dose established for 
a Phase II trial.

It is not possible to quantify the 
impact of COVID-19 and resultant 
delays on Midatech until it becomes 
clear that the global crisis has abated, 
and a normalisation of the business 
environment can be foreseen with 
confidence. 

Outlook

The implications of our strategic review 
and the ongoing impact of COVID-19 
has had a dramatic impact on Midatech. 
Despite the cost-cutting measures 
announced, our cash resources are 
limited and there can be no certainty 
that we will be able to secure milestone 
payments from licensee partners and/
or raise additional funds before our 
cash runway runs out in early 2021. 
Accordingly, the Board is considering 
all possible strategies to optimise 
outcomes for stakeholders.

In the meantime, our near term goal is 
to deploy our proprietary drug delivery 
technologies to formulate a compelling 
portfolio of novel first-in-class sustained 
release formulations of products with 
significant commercial potential for 
licensing to pharmaceutical company 
partners at proof-of-concept stage.

I look forward to a busy and productive 
2020 and beyond. On behalf of the 
Board, I would like to thank all our 
stakeholders; investors, partners and 
employees for their continued support.

With the exception of our commitments with respect to MTX110 clinical trials, we have no plans  
to undertake additional trials in humans unless a partner or grant funding has been secured.”

Stephen Stamp
Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer

11

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements Financial review

The strategic review announced on 31 March 2020 resulted in a further  
narrowing of focus of operations and significant expected closure and  
redundancy costs.

Stephen Stamp 
Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer

Following the sale of Midatech’s commercial operations in the US in  
November 2018, and the closure of the Abingdon R&D centre, 2019 was a  
year of consolidation and re-focus as a drug delivery technology company.  
The strategic review announced on 31 March 2020 resulted in a further 
narrowing of focus of operations and significant expected closure and 
redundancy costs which are described below. 

Introduction 

Midatech Pharma plc (the “Company”) was incorporated as a company on  
12 September 2014 and is domiciled in England and Wales.

Financial analysis

Key performance indicators (from continuing operations)

Total gross revenue(1)

Statutory revenue

R&D costs

2019

2018

Change

£0.7m

£1.9m

(65)%

£0.3m

£0.1m

£7.8m

£9.4m

109%

(16)%

n/a

R&D as % of operating costs

65%

68%

Loss from continuing operations 

£(9.1)m

£(10.4)m

(12)%

Net cash inflow/(outflow) for the year

£8.4m

£(10.9)m

n/a

Average headcount

65

85

(24)%

(1) 

 Total gross revenue represents collaboration income from continuing operations plus grant revenue.

For the year ended 31 December 2019, Midatech generated consolidated total 
gross revenue of £0.7m (2018: £1.9m), a decrease of 65% on the prior year. 
Statutory Revenue for the year was £0.3m (2018: £0.1m), the difference between 
gross and statutory revenue being grant revenue of £0.4m (2018: £1.8m).

12

Research and development 
expenditure

Research and development costs 
decreased 16% to £7.8m (2018: £9.4m) 
in the year primarily due to lower 
research and development headcount 
costs and associated overheads of 
£2.18m offset by £0.66m of higher 
clinical development costs, primarily 
associated with our lead clinical 
programs, MTD201 and MTX110.  
R&D expenses in 2019 included:

•  Completion of the second Phase 
I study in 24 healthy volunteers 
of MTD201, which demonstrated 
similar pharmacokinetics and 
bioavailability from subcutaneous 
administration of MTD201 
compared with traditional 
intramuscular administration; and

•  Continuation of our Phase I safety 
and tolerability study of MTX110 
with UCSF in DIPG.

Distribution costs,  
sales and marketing

Distribution costs, sales and 
marketing costs in 2019 were  
£0.3m (2018: £nil) representing  
certain market and payor research 
expenses associated with our  
pipeline R&D products.

Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019£0.7m

2019

2018

Total gross revenue(1)

£0.7m

2019

£0.3m

£1.9m

2018

£0.1m

2019

2018

£7.8m

£9.4m

Statutory Revenue

£0.3m

R&D costs

£7.8m

2019

2018

£9.1m

£10.4m

2019

2018

65%

68%

Loss from continuing operations

£9.1m

R&D as % of  
operating costs

65%

(1) 

 Total gross revenue represents collaboration income from continuing operations plus grant revenue.

Administrative costs

Staff costs

Impact of IFRS 16

During the year, the average number 
of staff decreased to 65 (2018: 85), 
reflecting the closure of the Abingdon 
R&D facility. Total staff cost for 
continued operations fell by 22% to 
£3.4m (2018: £4.4m). Total staff costs 
for discontinued operations in 2019 
were £nil (2018: £1.8m).

Capital expenditure

The total cash expenditure on 
property plant and equipment in 2019 
was £0.3m (2018: £0.2m), largely in 
respect of investment in our small-
scale manufacturing and R&D facility 
in Bilbao, Spain. Property, plant and 
equipment with a net book value of 
£0.2m was sold or written off as part 
of the closure of the Abingdon R&D 
facility in 2018.

Other comprehensive income

Other comprehensive income in 
2019 comprised a foreign exchange 
loss of £0.2m (2018: gain of £1.2m) 
arising on retranslation of Midatech’s 
non-UK operations. In 2018, a foreign 
exchange loss of £3.8m was realised 
on the disposal of MPUS.

Prior to the implementation of IFRS 16, 
leases classified as operating leases 
were not recorded as related assets 
and liabilities; instead lease payments 
were spread on a straight-line basis 
over the lease term. By contrast, IFRS 
16 requires us to recognise right-of-
use assets and lease liabilities on our 
Balance Sheet for all contracts that 
are, or contain, a lease.

We implemented IFRS 16 with effect 
from 1 January 2019, applying the 
modified retrospective adoption 
method and therefore have not 
re-stated periods prior to that date. 
At 31 December 2019 we recorded, 
in respect of our operating leases, 
right-of-use assets of £1.1m, offset by 
accumulated depreciation of £0.3m, 
for a net book value of £0.8m. 

Instead of recognizing an operating 
expense for our operating lease 
payments, under IFRS 16 we instead 
recognise interest on our lease 
liabilities and amortization on our 
right-of-use assets. In 2019, we 
recognised £0.2m interest in respect 
of leases previously recorded as 
operating leases. 

Administrative costs in the year 
decreased 13% to £3.8m (2018: 
£4.4m) reflecting higher foreign 
exchange losses of £0.44m and a 
loan redemption penalty and other 
costs relating to the early repayment 
of the MidCap Credit Agreement of 
£0.30m in 2018, offset by a reduction 
in accommodation and other  
overheads as a result of closure  
of the Abingdon facility.

Loss from discontinued operations

Loss from discontinued operations 
relates to the sale of Midatech Pharma 
US(MPUS) in November 2018. The loss 
of £0.9m in 2019 is the impairment of 
a deposit paid by Midatech pursuant 
to an indemnity claim following 
the sale of MPUS to Barings LLC in 
November 2018. Under the terms of 
the sale and purchase agreement, 
Midatech indemnified the purchaser 
against, inter alia, any liability related 
to any prescription drug user fee 
amounts owed to the FDA under 
the Prescription Drug Fee User Act 
(“PDUFA”) by MPUS for the United 
States government’s fiscal year ended 
30 September 2018. Since paying 
the deposit, Midatech has requested 
a waiver from the FDA a number of 
times without success. Loss from 
discontinued operations of £4.7m in 
2018 includes net losses after tax of 
MPUS of £3.3m and loss on disposal 
of £1.4m.

13

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements Financial review continued

Cash flow

Net cash outflow from operating 
activities in 2019 was £6.5m (2018: 
outflow £13.5m) driven by a net loss of 
£10.1m (2018: loss £15.0m) and after 
positive movements in working capital 
of £1.8m (2018: negative £1.5m), taxes 
received of £1.9m (2018: £1.4m) and 
other net negative adjustments for 
non-cash items totalling £0.1m  
(2018: positive £1.7m). 

Investing activities outflow in 2019 
of £3.8m (2018: inflow of £9.0m) 
comprised purchases of property, 
plant and equipment of £0.3m (2018: 
£0.2m) and the purchase of a long term 
asset of £2.5m as security for the loan 
received from the Spanish Government 
under the Reindus Program. The 
remaining investing activities outflow 
of £1.0m in 2019 related to the disposal 
of MPUS (2018: inflow £9.3m). 

Financing activities inflow in 2019 of 
£18.7m (2018: outflow of £6.5m) was 
driven by the receipt of Government 
loans of £5.6m offset by a related 
deposit of £2.5m and net cash inflow 
from share issues of £14.1m (2018: 
£nil). Financing activities outflow in 
2018 included the repayment of the 
MidCap financial loan including early 
redemption penalty of £5.8m.

As a result of the foregoing, net cash 
inflows for the year were £8.4m (2018: 
outflow of £10.9m). 

Capital structure

Following approval by shareholders at a General Meeting of the Company on 2 March 2020, the Ordinary Shares of 
0.005 pence each were consolidated on a one for 20 basis with effect from 3 March 2020 with new ISIN GB00BKT14T00. 
Consequently, Midatech’s capital structure on a pre- and post-consolidation basis as at 31 December 2019 was as follows:

Ordinary Shares

Warrants 2022 exercisable at £0.50 (post consolidation £10.00)

Warrants exercisable at $0.0625 (post consolidation, ratio change $1.25)

Midatech options

Warrants assumed in connection with DARA acquisition

Options assumed in connection with DARA acquisition

Pre-consolidation 
Ordinary Shares of 
0.005 pence

Post-consolidation 
Ordinary Shares of 
0.1 pence

469,899,613

23,494,981

313,846,440

15,692,276

63,000,000

6,720,222

92,480

57,150

3,150,000

336,026

4,624

2,857

In addition, there were 1,000,001 deferred shares of £1 each, unaffected by the consolidation.

As a consequence of the consolidation, per share amounts have been restated based on one twentieth of the weighted 
average number of Ordinary Shares outstanding during the year, being 18,330,588 (2018 restated: 3,056,303).

Strategic review

The Company announced a wide ranging strategic review of its operations. Having concluded it was unlikely the Company 
could execute a fundraise under prevailing market conditions and/or secure a licensee on a timely basis, the Board decided 
to terminate further in-house development of MTD201. In line with its termination, the Board also decided to close the 
Company’s MTD201 dedicated facilities in Bilbao and offer redundancy to all 42 Bilbao based employees. At the same  
time, five UK employees in clinical operations and administration were also made redundant. The estimated one-time  
cash outflows and non-cash costs of these actions are expected to be as follows:

Staff redundancy

Repayment of loans, net of deposit returned

Property lease termination costs

Settlement of finance leases

Repayment of grant funding

Other

14

Estimated  
cash outflow  
£000

933

3,569

–

130

230

70

4,933

Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019Impairment of acquired IPRD

Impairment of goodwill 

Write down of tangible assets to net realisable value

Right of use asset – IFRS 16

Other

Estimated  
non-cash costs 
£000

9,300

2,291

975

(61)

(186)

12,319

The cash outflows and non-cash costs will be reflected in the Company’s financial statements for the year ending  
31 December 2020.

Going concern

The Group and Company has 
experienced net losses and significant 
cash outflows from cash used in 
operating activities over the past 
years as it develops its portfolio. For 
the year ended 31 December 2019, 
the Group incurred a consolidated 
loss from operations of £10.1m and 
negative cash flows from operations 
of £6.5m. As of 31 December 2019,  
the Group had an accumulated deficit 
of £99.8m.

The Group’s consolidated financial 
statements have been presented 
on a going concern basis, which 
contemplates the realization of assets 
and the satisfaction of liabilities in the 
normal course of business.

As at 31 December 2019, the Group had 
cash and cash equivalents of £10.93m. 
In May 2020, the Group completed an 
equity offering, raising £3.8m net of 
costs. The Directors forecast that the 
Group currently has enough cash to 
fund its planned operations into the 
second quarter of 2021.

The Group’s future viability is 
dependent on its ability to generate 
cash from operating activities, to 
raise additional capital to finance its 
operations and to successfully obtain 
regulatory approval to allow marketing 
of its development products.  

The Group’s failure to raise capital 
as and when needed could have 
a negative impact on its financial 
condition and ability to pursue its 
business strategies. For example, due 
to the Group’s current and forecasted 
cash position, on 31 March 2020, the 
Directors made the decision to cease 
certain of the Group’s research and 
development programs, close its 
Spanish operations and make certain 
terminations within its UK operations. 
In connection with the strategic 
review announced on the same date, 
the Directors are in the process of 
seeking to license or assign one or 
more of the Group’s technologies 
to a partner or, alternatively, to seek 
a buyer for the Company. Any or 
all of these transactions may be on 
unfavourable terms.

The Directors have prepared cash flow 
forecasts and considered the cash 
flow requirement for the Company 
for the next five years including 
the period twelve months from the 
date of approval of the consolidated 
financial statements. These forecasts 
show that further financing will be 
required before the second quarter 
of 2021 assuming, inter alia, that 
certain development programs and 
other operating activities continue as 
currently planned. This requirement 
for additional financing in the 
short term represents a material 

uncertainty that may cast significant 
doubt upon the Group and parent 
company’s ability to continue as a 
going concern.

In addition, the global spread of the 
pandemic COVID-19 virus places 
increased uncertainty over the 
Directors’ forecasts. The restrictions 
placed and being placed on the 
movement of people will likely cause 
delays to some of the Group’s plans. 
The scale of the impact of COVID-19 
is evolving and it is difficult to assess 
to what extent, and for how long, 
it will cause delays to the Group’s 
operations. The Directors have 
established a COVID-19 task force 
internally to monitor the impact 
of COVID-19 on the business and 
prioritize activities to minimize 
its effect.

In addition to utilizing the existing 
cash reserves, as part of the 
Group’s ongoing strategic review, 
the Directors and its advisors 
are evaluating a number of near-
term funding options potentially 
available to the Group, including 
fundraising, the partnering of assets 
and technologies or the sale of the 
Company. After considering the 
uncertainties, the Directors consider 
it is appropriate to continue to adopt 
the going concern basis in preparing 
these financial statements

15

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements Financial review continued

Macro-economic environment

Section 172 Statement 

The United Kingdom completed its 
exit from the European Union on 31 
January 2020 although a transition 
period is expected to continue until 
31 December 2020, by which time 
the United Kingdom is expected to 
negotiate a new trade agreement 
with the EU. It is unknown what 
terms will emerge from a new trade 
agreement between the UK and the 
EU, and the impact of market risks is 
uncertain. Depending on the terms of 
any such agreement, there may be an 
impact on the general and economic 
conditions in the United Kingdom 
that could have a negative effect on 
our business. Subject to meeting the 
EU’s definition of an SME, we were 
provisionally awarded the GlioKIDS 
grant by the EU in December 2019;  
our expectation is that it is unlikely  
we will receive further grants from  
the EU.

A novel strain of coronavirus, 
COVID-19, first discovered in 
Wuhan, China has spread globally 
and been recognised by the WHO 
as a “pandemic”. Apart from the 
devastating effect on public health, 
COVID-19 has had a widespread 
impact on business confidence and 
global capital markets. In addition to 
the potential impact on our clinical 
trial operations, the availability of 
certain equipment and products used 
in our operations and our ability to 
raise additional capital. This pandemic 
is considered to be a post balance 
sheet event.

The Directors are required to include 
a statement of how they have had 
regard to stakeholders to promote 
the success of the Company, in 
accordance with section 172 of the 
Companies Act 2006. Under s172, 
a Director must act in the way he 
considers, in good faith, would be 
most likely to promote the success 
of the Company for the benefit of its 
members, as a whole, and in doing  
so have regard to: 

•  the likely consequences of any 

decision in the long term; 

•  the interests of the Company’s 

employees; 

•  the need to foster the Company’s 

business relationships with 
suppliers, customers and others; 

•  the impact of the Company’s 

operations on the community  
and the environment; 

•  the desirability of the Company 

maintaining a reputation for high 
standards of business conduct; and 

•  the need to act fairly as between 

members of the Company. 

In accordance with the QCA Code, as 
well as what is most likely to promote 
the success of the Group in the long 
term, the Board considers the interests 
of the Group’s employees and other 
stakeholders in its decision making and 
understands the importance of taking 
into account their views and considers 
the impact of the Group’s activities 
on the community, environment 
and its reputation. 

Information about our stakeholders 
are detailed in the section on 
Corporate Governance on pages  
24 to 27. 

During 2019 the key decisions for the 
Board are highlighted within the Chief 
Executive’s Review on pages 08 to 11. 
The key decisions during the year are 
as follows:

• 

in February 2019 the Group entered 
into a licensing agreement with 
CMS, simultaneously with their 
£8m equity investment. The 
Board gave regard to all relevant 
stakeholders, including potential 
alternative sources of finance, and 
consulted with shareholders during 
the process; and

•  the initiation of the MTD201-102 
Phase 1 study. The Board gave 
regard to all relevant stakeholders 
in arriving at their decision 
to proceed. The trial offered 
the potential for patients to 
administer therapy themselves at 
home, significantly reducing the 
frequency of hospital visits and 
therefore payer costs, resulting  
in enhanced shareholder value.

16

Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019Risk management

The Group has formal procedures to monitor  
and manage risk.

Principal risks and uncertainties

The Directors consider the principal 
risks facing the business to be 
as follows:

Regulation

Midatech operates in a highly-
regulated sector.

Government authorities in the United 
Kingdom, United States and in other 
countries and jurisdictions, including 
the European Union, extensively 
regulate, among other things, the 
research, development, testing, 
manufacture, quality control, approval, 
distribution, sale, marketing, post-
approval monitoring and reporting 
of pharmaceutical products. The 
processes for obtaining regulatory 
approvals, along with subsequent 
compliance with applicable s 
tatutes and regulations require  
the expenditure of substantial  
time and financial resources.

Following the announcement on 
31 March 2020 that the Company 
had terminated further in-house 
development of MTD201, the 
Company also commenced the 
shutdown of its facilities in Bilbao 
which were largely dedicated to the 
manufacture of MTD201. Other than 
its ongoing commitments for MTX110 
trials, the Company’s strategy is to 
deploy its drug delivery technologies 
to develop new formulations to 
proof-of-concept stage. The Company 
has no plans to undertake clinical 
development unless underwritten  
by a licensee partner or grant funding. 

Accordingly, the successful 
development, manufacture and 
commercialisation of its products 
will be dependent upon the 
expertise and compliance of its 
licensee partners with regulations. 
These include current Good Clinical 
Practice (“cGCP”) and current Good 
Manufacturing Practice (“cGMP”). 

Waste solutions and products are 
suitably disposed of under contract 
with a licensed provider for this 
purpose. Prior to disposal, hazardous 
waste materials are stored under 
appropriate conditions. Solvents 
and other inflammable reagents are 
stored in appropriate fire containment 
storage cabinets.

Competition and  
technological advances

Midatech’s Q-Sphera™ sustained 
release technology relies on a 
novel manufacturing process that, 
the Directors believe, is unique 
in the pharmaceutical industry. 
Competing sustained release 
technologies are well established in 
the market, however, the Q-Sphera 
platform has the potential for 
improved drug delivery kinetics 
and manufacturing efficiency.

The Group’s MidaSolve™ technology is 
employed for increasing the aqueous 
solubility of small molecule cancer 
therapeutics to enable parenteral 
administration. This platform 
relies on internal know-how that 
uniquely applies prevailing chemistry 
techniques to enhance the solubility  
of certain insoluble agents.

The Group’s MidaCore™ drug 
nanoconjugate platform is among  
the latest generation of nanomedicine 
technologies. Liposomes followed 
by various polymeric nanoparticles 
were the first nanotechnologies 
and now inorganic nanoparticles 
like Midatech GNPs are a rapidly 
emerging technology within the 
nanomedicine market.

Commercial success of Midatech’s 
portfolio of development product 
candidates depends in part on 
the market’s acceptance of these 
products and technologies. There 
can be no guarantee that this 
acceptance will be forthcoming 
or that Midatech's technologies 
will succeed as an alternative to 
competing products. Furthermore, 
demand for Midatech’s products may 
decrease if competitor products are 
introduced with perceived advantages 
over Midatech’s product candidates.

The speed and nature of technological 
change means that physical science is 
always evolving and new competition 
and alternatives are always a possibility, 
however, the Directors believe that 
Midatech has established competitive 
advantage over its peers. As a result 
of the combination of its platform 
technologies, intellectual property and 
proprietary know-how, the Group has 
a protected position in the sustained 
release, solubility enhancement and 
nanoparticle spaces which allows 
the potential for highly differentiated 
drugs serving high unmet needs, such 
as orphan oncology, to be rapidly 
and independently manufactured 
and scaled.

17

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements Risk management continued

Clinical development and 
regulatory risk

There can be no guarantee that 
any of the Group’s products will 
be able to obtain or maintain the 
necessary regulatory approvals 
in any or all of the territories in 
respect of which applications for 
such approvals are made. Where 
regulatory approvals are obtained, 
there can be no guarantee that 
the conditions attached to such 
approvals will not be considered 
too onerous by the Group or its 
distribution partners in order to be 
able to market its products effectively. 
The Group seeks to reduce this risk 
by developing products using safe, 
well-characterised active compounds, 
by seeking advice from regulatory 
advisers, consulting with regulatory 
approval bodies and by working with 
experienced distribution partners.

Financial risk management 
objectives and policies

The Group is exposed to a variety 
of financial risks which result from 
both its operating and investing 
activities. The Board is responsible 
for coordinating the Group's risk 
management and focuses on 
actively securing the Group's short 
to medium term cash flows.

Finance risk

The Group enters into very few 
transactions involving significant 
complexity, potential material 
financial exposure or atypical risk.  
The Group does not actively engage 
in the trading of financial assets and 
has no financial derivatives other than 
equity settled derivative financial 
liabilities as set out in note 21. 

Funding risk

The Group continues to incur 
substantial operating expenses. 
The IPO in December 2014 and 
subsequent fundraises in October 
2016, October 2017 and most recently 

in February 2019 and October 2019, 
allowed the Group to advance the 
development pipeline products 
towards future value inflection points. 
However, until the Group generates 
positive net cash inflows from the 
out-licence or commercialisation of its 
development products it is expected 
to have to seek additional funding, 
whether through the injection of 
further equity capital from share 
issues, grants or debt finance. The 
Group may not be able to generate 
positive net cash inflows in the future 
or be able to attract such additional 
funding as may be required, either 
at all, or on suitable terms. In such 
circumstances the development 
programmes may be delayed or 
cancelled and business operations  
cut back.

The Group seeks to reduce this 
risk by keeping a tight control 
on expenditure, avoiding long 
term supplier contracts (other 
than for clinical trials), prioritising 
development spend on products 
closest to potential revenue 
generation, obtaining government 
grants (where possible), maintaining 
a focused portfolio of products 
under development and by keeping 
shareholders informed of progress.

Political landscape  
and external risk

In the referendum in June 2016, 
voters approved the UK’s exit from 
the European Union (commonly 
referred to as “Brexit”). On 29 March 
2017, the UK formally initiated its 
withdrawal from the European Union 
by triggering Article 50 of the Treaty 
of Lisbon. On 9 January 2020, a 
withdrawal agreement, setting out 
the terms of the UK’s withdrawal 
from the EU, was approved by 
Parliament, and on 31 January 2020, 
the UK formally completed its exit 
from the EU. However, a transition 
period is expected to continue until 
31 December 2020, by which time  

the UK is expected to negotiate a new 
trade agreement with the EU, though 
such an agreement is not guaranteed 
in that timeframe. It is unknown what 
terms will emerge from a new trade 
agreement between the UK and the 
EU, and the exact impact of market 
risks we face is uncertain. Depending 
on the terms of such agreement, 
including whether or not the UK could 
lose access to the EU market, there 
may be an impact on the general and 
economic conditions in the UK that 
could have a material adverse effect 
on our business, financial condition 
and results of operations.

From a regulatory perspective, a basic 
requirement of EU law relating to the 
grant of a marketing authorization for 
a medicinal product in the EU is that 
the applicant is established in the EU. 
The scope of a marketing authorization 
for a medicinal product granted by the 
European Commission pursuant to the 
centralized procedure might not, in the 
future, include the UK.

In these circumstances, an 
authorization granted by competent 
UK authorities would be required 
to place medicinal products on the 
UK market. In addition, the laws and 
regulations that will apply after the 
UK withdraws from the EU would 
affect the manufacturing sites that 
hold a certification issued by the UK 
competent authorities, and vice versa. 
Upon expiry of the transition period 
following the withdrawal of the UK 
from the EU, our ability to integrate 
our UK and Spanish operations could 
be adversely affected. For example, 
depending on the terms of any 
agreement establishing the future 
relationship between the European 
Union and the United Kingdom which 
relate to medicinal products, or if 
there is no such agreement, we could 
become subject to export tariffs and 
regulatory restrictions that could 
increase the costs and time related 
to doing business in Spain.

18

Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019In the United States, President 
Trump has proposed or sought to 
implement various policies, including 
reforming the US Food and Drug 
Administration that regulates, inter 
alia, the development, manufacture 
and sale of pharmaceutical products, 
repealing the Patient Protection and 
Affordable Care Act, as amended 
by the Health Care and Education 
Reconciliation Act of 2010 (the 
“Affordable Care Act”) and changing 
the manner in which drug prices are 
negotiated by the US national social 
insurance Medicare programme. 
Notwithstanding these possible 
reforms, we do not expect this 
administration to have a significant 
impact on the Midatech business 
given our development product 
portfolio, but changes in United 
States social, political, regulatory 
and economic conditions or in laws 
and policies governing foreign 
trade, importation, manufacturing, 
development, registration and 

approval, commercialisation and 
reimbursement of our products in 
the United States could adversely 
affect our business.

COVID-19

Public health epidemics or outbreaks 
could adversely impact our business. 
In December 2019, a novel strain of 
coronavirus, COVID-19, emerged 
in Wuhan, China. While initially the 
outbreak was largely concentrated 
in China and caused significant 
disruptions to its economy, it 
has now spread to several other 
countries and infections have been 
reported globally. We have taken, 
and may continue to take, measures 
to mitigate the effect of these 
conditions, including restricting all 
non-essential business travel for 
our personnel and employees. As 
of mid March 2020 our employees 
have been largely working from 
home with limited numbers of 
employees attending our laboratories 

for certain essential activities. Our 
expectation is that recruitment for 
our ongoing MTX110 clinical trials 
with UCSF and Columbia University 
will be delayed due to restrictions on 
travel. The extent to which COVID-19 
impacts our operations will depend 
on future developments, which 
are highly uncertain and cannot be 
predicted with confidence, including 
the duration of the outbreak, new 
information which may emerge 
concerning the severity of COVID-19 
and the actions to contain COVID-19 
or treat its impact, among others. 
In particular, the continued 
spread of COVID-19 globally could 
adversely impact our operations, 
including among others, our sales 
and marketing, our clinical trial 
operations, and the availability of 
certain equipment and products used 
in our operations, and accordingly, 
the impact of COVID-19 could have 
an adverse impact on our business 
and our financial results.

Risk mitigation

The Group has formal procedures to monitor and mitigate risk. Some of the principal risks facing the Group include:

Risk 

Description

Mitigation

•  Securing fee-for-service contracts 
to formulate third parties’ APIs 
together with development of an 
attractive in-house pipeline for 
licensing should provide cash flow 
to support operations.

•  Dual NASDAQ and AIM listings  

may provide access to additional 
funding sources

Availability  
of funding

Until the Group generates positive net 
cash inflows from the commercialisation 
of its development products it may be 
required to seek additional funding, 
whether through the injection of 
further equity capital from share issues, 
grant or debt finance. The Group may 
not be able to generate positive net 
cash inflows in the future or be able 
to attract such additional funding as 
may be required, either at all, or on 
suitable terms. In such circumstances 
the development programmes may 
be delayed or cancelled and business 
operations cut back. The risk of 
availability of funding is exacerbated by 
recent macro-economic developments 
including Brexit and COVID-19.

Change 
from prior 
year

Increased

19

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements  
Risk management continued

Change 
from prior 
year

Increased

Risk 

Description

Mitigation

Competition / 
technological 
progression

Although R&D is directed towards 
large market opportunities, existing 
and prospective competitors may have 
superior capabilities, and/or alternative 
products may become available. 
There is a risk of our products losing 
commercial viability in the fast-moving 
biotechnology sector.

•  Keep a watching brief on drug 

delivery industry developments 
and academic outputs to identify 
generic competition and disruptive 
technology and products early

•  Protect our own technologies and 

products as broadly as possible with 
patents and trademarks

•  Review commercial relevance  
of the Group’s technology  
platforms regularly

•  Direct innovation effort towards 
identified strengths and USPs

•  Examine opportunities to diversify 
the pipeline by adding additional 
sustained release and GNP projects

Obtaining / 
maintaining 
regulatory 
approval

Commercial 
viability of 
products

There can be no certainty that our 
products will receive regulatory 
approvals in the countries where 
we intend to operate, either within 
the timescale envisaged or at all. 
Regulations may also change after 
approval has been granted and 
subsequent regulatory difficulties  
with products may result in  
impositions against us.

There can be no assurance that our 
products will be commercially viable; 
the amounts and costs of production 
may not be acceptable for commercial 
use, or superior products may be 
developed. The ability to sell products 
at an acceptable cost would also be 
affected by healthcare reform and by 
access to appropriate sales channels 
and infrastructure in individual countries 
where we plan to operate.

•  Develop products using safe, well-
characterised active compounds

Increased

Increased

•  Seek early scientific and regulatory 

advice

•  Track the changing regulatory 

environment to ensure that we  
remain in compliance with all 
regulations and expectations

•  Maintain a detailed understanding 
of in-house platform technologies 
to maximise successful application 
thereof in Midatech therapeutic areas, 
whether in relation to chemistry, 
manufacturing, development  
or commercialisation

•  Have clear go/no-go decision criteria 

allowing early identification of 
projects unlikely to succeed

•  Portfolio management to balance 
higher risk projects with lower  
risk projects

•  Hold Scientific and Therapeutic 

Advisory Board meetings to review  
the viability of the pipeline and  
allocate resources accordingly

20

Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019 
 
 
Change 
from prior 
year

Increased

Risk 

Description

Mitigation

Dependence 
on third party 
manufacturing 
capability

We no longer operate our own in-
house manufacturing facility and will 
therefore be reliant on third party 
contract manufacturers. There can 
be no assurance that we will be able 
to contract with third party contract 
manufacturers on appropriate terms 
or at all. In addition, we cannot be sure 
such third parties will be capable of 
manufacturing sufficient quantities, 
in compliance with regulatory 
requirements at an acceptable cost  
or within an acceptable timeframe.

•  Early involvement of experienced and 
suitably qualified organisations and 
individuals to plan and manage the 
commercial scale-up process

•  Commitment of appropriate resources 

to ensure the scale-up plan can be 
properly executed

•  Audit of external contract 

manufacturing organisations to 
ensure compliance with GMP.

•  Clear go/no-go decision criteria  

to determine the optimal 
manufacturing partner.

Dependence 
on suppliers, 
partners and 
customers

We source materials from certain 
suppliers, depend on contract research 
organisations to undertake clinical 
research, and have collaboration 
agreements with various partners for 
aspects of the product development 
and commercialisation processes.

COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted 
in global restrictions on movement of 
people which, in turn has caused delays 
in the provision of supply chain materials 
and services. It has also resulted 
in volatility in the capital markets, 
impacting on fundraising activities.

•  Identify and maintain relationships  

with alternative suppliers, particularly 
for critical materials

No change

•  Seek partnerships with companies  

of diverse interests and sizes

•  Hold regular dialogue with partners  

to increase understanding of 
respective interests

•  Optimise the portfolio mix and 

number of projects, and improve R&D 
productivity to expand the pipeline

•  Preserve the health and wellbeing of 
employees by working from home 
and staggering essential workplace 
attendance

•  Establish a COVID-19 task force 

to (1) monitor government 
recommendations and implement as 
appropriate and (2) identify potential 
delays in vendor deliverables and 
recommend corrective / alternative 
action, if viable. 

New

This Strategic Report was approved by the Board  
on 15 June 2020 and signed on its behalf.

Stephen Stamp 
Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer

21

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements  
 
 
 
Board of Directors

Stephen Stamp 
Chief Executive Officer,  
Chief Financial Officer (58)

Mr Stamp is an experienced  
public company CFO and has held 
senior positions in a number of 
healthcare companies in the UK  
and the US including CFO of Shire  
plc, Chief Operating Officer of 
Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals Inc., 
CFO of Assurex Health, Inc and  
CFO and latterly CEO, of Ergomed  
plc. He has also been CFO of Regus  
plc (now IWG plc) and EZCORP Inc.  
Mr Stamp also has considerable  
M&A experience, having worked  
for Lazard in London.

He is a Chartered Accountant and 
qualified with KPMG and has a 
BA(Econ) from the University  
of Manchester.

Rolf Stahel  
Non-Executive Chairman (age 76)

Sijmen de Vries  
Non-Executive Director (60)

Mr Stahel has approximately 40 years 
of experience in the pharmaceutical 
industry, of which around 20 years 
were spent at Chief Executive and 
Board level in public (United Kingdom, 
Switzerland and United States) 
and private life science companies 
registered in Europe, the United 
States and Asia. Mr Stahel joined 
Shire as CEO in 1994 following a 
27-year career at Wellcome plc (now 
GlaxoSmithKline). He is currently the 
non-executive chairman of Ampha 
Limited and was previously the 
non-executive chairman of Ergomed 
plc, Connexios Life Sciences Pvt 
Limited, EUSA Pharma Inc., Cosmo 
Pharmaceuticals SpA, PowderMed 
Limited and Newron Pharmaceuticals 
SpA.

Dr de Vries has extensive senior level 
experience in both the pharmaceutical 
and biotechnology industry. He is 
currently CEO of Pharming group N.V., 
the Euronext-listed pharmaceutical 
company. Dr de Vries was previously 
CEO of both Switzerland-based 
4-Antibody and Morphochem AG, and 
prior to this he worked at Novartis 
Pharma, Novartis Ophthalmics and at 
SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals 
Plc, where he held senior business 
and commercial positions. Dr de 
Vries holds an MD degree from the 
University of Amsterdam and a MBA in 
General Management from Ashridge 
Management College (UK).

22

Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019Simon Turton  
Senior Independent  
Non-Executive Director (53)

Dr Turton previously headed Warburg 
Pincus’ healthcare investing activities 
in Europe and was a principal at 
Index Ventures in Geneva. He 
has over 10 years of experience 
investing in biopharma companies 
following a ten-year career in the 
international pharmaceutical industry 
incorporating roles in research, 
business development and general 
management. Dr Turton has an MBA 
from INSEAD and a Ph.D. in pharmacy 
from the University of London. He 
has been a board director of private 
and public biomedical companies: 
Archimedes Pharma, Eurand, 
ProStrakan and Tornier. Dr Turton was 
most recently Chairman of Q Chip 
prior to its acquisition by the Group. 
He is currently CEO of Gensmile, a 
new dental corporate building a group 
of dental clinics in the UK.

23

As at 31 December 2019 the Board consisted of two Executive Directors and five Non-Executive Directors.On 31 March 2020, in line with the Company’s streamlined strategy and operations and narrower focus, Craig Cook resigned as Chief Executive Officer and Director and Dr Huaizheng Peng and Frédéric Duchesne resigned as Non-Executive Directors. Stephen Stamp joined the Company as Chief Financial Officer and was appointed to the Board in September 2019 following the resignation of Nick Robbins-Cherry. Stephen Stamp was also appointed Chief Executive Officer on 31 March 2020 upon the resignation of Craig Cook. Following the investment in the Company by China Medical System and other investors in February 2019, three Non-Executive Directors, Pavlo Protopapa, Michele Luzi and John Johnston stepped down and a new Non-Executive Director, Huaizheng Peng, was appointed to the Board. Brief biographies of the current Directors are set out below. Frédéric Duchesne joined the Board as a Non-Executive Director on 31 July 2019.The Directors believe that the combined functional and industry expertise of Board members provides Midatech Pharma plc with a strong platform to lead the business.Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements Chairman’s introduction to Corporate Governance

I am pleased to present the Company’s  
Corporate Governance Report for the year  
ended 31 December 2019.

Rolf Stahel 
Chairman

Corporate governance remains a strategic imperative 
for Midatech. As the Board of an AIM and NASDAQ listed 
company we are committed to ensuring the Midatech 
Group is managed in accordance with best practice 
and, specifically, in accordance with the principles 
and provisions set out in Quoted Companies Alliance 
Corporate Governance Code for Small and Mid-Sized 
Quoted Companies (QCA Code). This Corporate 
Governance Report, together with the Audit Committee 
and Directors’ Remuneration Reports that follow, set 
out the principles of our governance framework and  
how the Group has applied the QCA Code.

The Board, through its Committees plays a key role 
in providing the necessary framework, challenge and 
support to the business, the executives and ensuring 
that a culture of good governance exists throughout  
the Midatech Group.

As Chairman, my role is to ensure that the Board 
operates in an open and transparent environment, 
allowing the Non-Executive Directors an opportunity  
to critically assess, challenge and support the Executive 
Directors and senior management team.

At Midatech, engaging with our stakeholders is  
an integral part of how we operate as a business –  
actively seeking to understand what really matters  
to our stakeholders and ensuring that we take this  
into account in our decision-making, both at a strategic  
and an operational level.

QCA Code

With effect from 28 September 2018, all AIM listed 
companies were required to formally apply a 
recognised corporate governance code. Midatech 
chose to adopt the principles of the QCA Code 
which identifies 10 principles to be followed in 
shareholder value, encompassing an efficient, 
effective and dynamic management framework, 
accompanied by good communication, to promote 
confidence and trust. I am very pleased to say that 
we are able to report full compliance with each of 
the 10 principles of the QCA Code. Details of the 
principles and how we comply are set out on our 
website www.midatechpharma.com.

24

Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019Business Model

Since the divestment of the US commercial business 
in November 2018, Midatech has focused on its R&D 
activities. Our pipeline of therapies for rare cancers 
continued to progress during the year. MTD201, for the 
treatment of neuroendocrine tumours and acromegaly, 
and MTX110, for the treatment of the rare children’s brain 
tumour, DIPG, are both now in clinical development. For 
more information on our strategy please see the Strategic 
Report on pages 04 to 21, including information about 
the key risks and challenges posed to the Company in 
executing its strategy, please see pages 17 to 21 of  
this Annual Report.

Strategic review

On 31 March 2020 the Company announce that the 
Board had concluded, in the context of its current cash 
runway, that the Company was unlikely to conclude a 
license transaction or raise sufficient funds to continue 
the required remaining investment in MTD201 on a timely 
basis. The Board therefore decided to terminate further 
in-house development of the MTD201 programme with 
immediate effect. The Company will continue to seek 
licensing partners for this asset.

In line with the decision to terminate MTD201, the Board 
also took the difficult decision to close the Company’s 
MTD201 dedicated manufacturing facilities in Bilbao  
and offer redundancy to all 42 employees. In addition,  
a further five UK-based employees in clinical research  
and administrative roles were offered redundancy. 

Following these changes, Midatech’s remaining  
20 employees and operations are concentrated in  
Cardiff. The Company’s near term goal is to deploy its 
proprietary drug delivery technologies to formulate a 
compelling portfolio of novel first-in-class sustained 
release formulations of products with significant 
commercial potential for licensing to pharmaceutical 
company partners at proof of concept stage. The 
Company has no plans to undertake additional trials  
in humans unless a license partner or grant funding  
has been secured.

formulations, partnering or selling one or more of its 
technologies or selling the entire company. A sale of the 
company would be pursuant to a “Formal Sale Process”, 
as defined by The City Code on Takeovers and Mergers, 
or Takeover Code. The Takeover Panel has agreed to allow 
us and our advisers to conduct discussions with potential 
acquirors without the requirement to publicly identify 
any interested parties. As a result of the announcement, 
we are considered to be in an “Offer Period” which places 
certain restrictions and reporting obligations on us.

Board of Directors

The Board’s role is to establish the vision and strategy 
for the Midatech Group and is responsible for the long 
term success of the Company. The Board is responsible 
to the Company’s shareholders with its main objective 
being to increase the sustainable value of assets and 
long term viability of the Company. The Board reviews 
business opportunities and determines the risks and 
control framework. It also makes decisions on budgets, 
strategy and major capital expenditure. The day-to-
day management of the business is delegated to the 
Executive Directors. 

As at 31 December 2019 the Board comprised seven 
Directors, two of whom were Executive Directors and 
five Non-Executive Directors. The Board was realigned in 
February 2019 along with the refined strategy to focus on 
drug delivery technology. At that time, Pavlo Protopapa, 
Michele Luzi and John Johnston stepped down. At the 
same time, Dr Huaizheng Peng joined the Board as a 
Non-Executive Director following the investment by 
CMS. Dr Peng serves as General Manager of International 
Investment and Operations for CMS. Following a search, 
Frédéric Duchesne joined the Board as a Non-Executive 
Director in July 2019. Mr Duchesne was formerly President 
and Chief Executive Officer of the Pharmaceuticals Division 
of Pierre Fabre Laboratories and brings particular expertise 
in pharmaceutical supply chain and manufacturing, an area 
the Board identified as a skills gap.

Other than Dr Peng who is a representative of CMS,  
the Group regards the other Non-Executive Directors  
who served during the year as independent. 

On 20 April 2020, we announced an update to the strategic 
review of operations including the appointment of Noble 
Capital Markets, Inc to advise the Company on options 
for extracting value from its technologies. These options 
are expected to include partnering our clinical stage 
assets, partnering existing and upcoming proof of concept 

No remuneration is paid to any Non-Executive Directors 
in the form of shares. Sijmen de Vries and former Non-
Executive Director, Michele Luzi, both hold share options 
granted by Midatech Limited, prior to the incorporation of 
Midatech Pharma plc in 2014.

25

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements Chairman’s introduction to Corporate Governance continued

Relationship with NASDAQ

The Company’s shares are also listed on the NASDAQ 
market in the form of American Depositary Receipts 
(ADRs). Following a consolidation process, with effect 
from 8 April 2019, each ADR represents the right to 
receive 20 ordinary shares. Prior to that date, each ADR 
represented two ordinary shares. This consolidation 
process did not affect the total number of ordinary 
shares in issue, but it did reduce the number of ADRs. 
With effect from 3 March 2020 the Company’s ordinary 
shares were consolidated on a one for 20 basis. On the 
same day, the ADR ratio changed such that each ADR now 
represents five ordinary shares on a consolidated basis. 
The Company’s status as a Foreign Private Issuer means 
that we are permitted to follow English corporate law and 
the Companies Act 2006 with regard to certain aspects of 
corporate governance; such practices differ in significant 
respects from the corporate governance requirements 
applicable to US companies on NASDAQ.

Board and Committee Meetings 

The Board and its Committees meet regularly to consider 
strategy, performance and the framework of internal 
controls. To enable the Board and/or its Committees to 
discharge its duties, all Directors receive appropriate and 
timely information. Briefing papers are distributed to all 
Directors in advance of Board meetings. The Company 
has established audit, remuneration, and nomination 
committees of the Board with formally delegated  
duties and responsibilities.

The Audit Committee

The Audit Committee assists the Board in discharging 
its responsibilities with regard to financial reporting, 
the external audit and internal controls. This includes 
reviewing and monitoring the integrity of the Group’s 
annual and interim financial statements, advising on 
the appointment of external auditors, reviewing and 
monitoring the extent of any non-audit work undertaken  
by external auditors, overseeing the Group’s relationship 
with its external auditors, reviewing the effectiveness of 
the external audit process and reviewing the effectiveness 
of the Group’s internal control review function. The 
ultimate responsibility for reviewing and approving the 
annual report and accounts and the half-yearly reports 
remains with the Board.

Prior to the Board changes announced in February 2019, 
the Audit Committee was chaired by Pavlo Protopapa, a 
qualified accountant, and its other members were Simon 

Turton and John Johnston. The Audit Committee meet not 
less than twice a year. During 2019, the Audit Committee 
met four times. Following the Board changes, the Audit 
Committee is chaired by Simon Turton who is considered  
to have significant, recent and relevant financial 
experience, and its other members are Sijmen de Vries  
and Rolf Stahel.

The Report of the Audit Committee for the year ended  
31 December 2019 can be found on page 28.

The Remuneration Committee

The Remuneration Committee assists the Board in 
carrying out its responsibilities in relation to remuneration, 
including making recommendations to the Board on 
the Group’s policy on executive remuneration, setting 
the over-arching principles, parameters and governance 
framework of the Group’s remuneration policy and 
determining the individual remuneration and benefits 
package of each of the Executive Directors and the Group 
Secretary, including any payment of a discretionary bonus 
and the award of all share options. The Remuneration 
Committee ensures compliance with the QCA Code in 
relation to remuneration wherever possible.

The Remuneration Committee is chaired by Sijmen de 
Vries, and its other members are Simon Turton and Rolf 
Stahel. Prior to the Board changes announced in February 
2019, Michele Luzi was also a member. The Remuneration 
Committee is required to meet at least twice a year.  
The Directors Remuneration Report for the year ended  
31 December 2019 can be found on pages 31 to 37.

The Nomination Committee

The Nomination Committee assists the Board in 
discharging its responsibilities relating to the composition 
and make-up of the Board and any committees of the 
Board. It is responsible for periodically reviewing the 
Board’s structure and identifying potential candidates 
to be appointed as Directors or committee members 
as the need may arise. The Nomination Committee is 
responsible for evaluating the balance of skills, knowledge 
and experience and the size, structure and composition of 
the Board and committees of the Board, retirements and 
appointments of additional and replacement Directors 
and committee members and will make appropriate 
recommendations to the Board on such matters.

The Nomination Committee is chaired by Rolf Stahel and 
its other members are all members of the Board. The 
Nominations Committee was formally convened twice 
during 2019.

26

Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019Going concern

Employees

As disclosed in the Directors’ Report on pages 38 to 39 
the Group financial statements have been prepared on the 
going concern basis. The Directors have prepared cash 
flow forecasts and considered the cash flow requirement 
for the next five years, including the period twelve 
months from the date of the approval of the financial 
statements. These forecasts show that further financing 
will be required during the course of the next 12 months, 
assuming, inter alia, that certain development programs 
and other operating activities continue as currently 
planned. This requirement for additional financing 
represents a material uncertainty that may cast significant 
doubt over about our ability to continue as a going 
concern. The Directors believe that the Group will be able 
to access adequate resources to continue in operational 
existence for the foreseeable future and therefore the 
Directors, after considering the uncertainties, consider 
it is appropriate to continue to adopt the going concern 
basis in preparing the financial statements.

Relationship with shareholders

The Directors seek to build and maintain a mutual 
understanding of objectives between the Company 
and its shareholders. The Company reports formally to 
shareholders in its Annual Report and Interim Statements 
setting out details of the Group’s activities. In addition, 
the Company keeps shareholders informed of events 
and progress through the issue of regulatory news in 
accordance with the AIM Rules for Companies (“AIM 
Rules”) of the London Stock Exchange and the Foreign 
Private Issuer reporting requirements as set out in 
Rules 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the United States Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934. There is regular dialogue with 
financial stakeholders with the intention of providing 
transparent communication. The Chief Executive/Chief 
Financial Officer meets with institutional shareholders 
following interim and final results. The Chairman also 
makes himself available to liaise with shareholders as 
necessary. The Company also maintains investor relations 
pages and other information regarding the business, the 
Group’s products and activities on its website at www.
midatechpharma.com.

Suppliers 

We aim to work collaboratively with our suppliers to build 
long term, mutually beneficial relationships. The Group 
is committed to eliminating unlawful discrimination and 
to promoting equality and diversity in its professional 
dealings with suppliers and other third parties. The Group 
endeavours to enter into clear and fair contracts with 
its suppliers.

Our people are the foundation of our business and 
imperative to its success. The Group promotes a positive 
working environment for all employees with rigorous 
policies and procedures that protect, develop and satisfy 
our existing and future employees. 

Community

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

Health, Safety and Environment 

The Directors are committed to ensuring the highest 
standards of health and safety, both for their employees 
and for the communities within which the Group operates. 
The Directors are committed to minimising the impact 
of the Group’s operations on the environment. As set 
out in the Chief Executive’s Review we established a 
COVID-19 task force in mid-March 2020 with the objectives 
of safeguarding the health and wellbeing of our staff 
members and monitoring the impact on our vendors  
and collaborators, details on page 11.

The Annual Report is made available to shareholders at 
least 21 days before the Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) 
along with notice of the AGM. Directors are required 
to attend the AGM, unless unable to do so for personal 
reasons or due to pressing commercial commitments, and 
shareholders are given the opportunity to vote on each 
separate resolution proposed at the AGM. The Company 
counts all proxy votes and will indicate the level of proxies 
lodged for each resolution after it has first been dealt with 
by a show of hands.

I should like to recognise the contributions of the 
Directors who served on the Board of Midatech and 
resigned during the year including Non-Executives Pavlo 
Protopapa, Michele Luzi and John Johnston, and Executive 
Director Nick Robins-Cherry. As part of the restructuring 
announced in March 2020, Non-Executives Huaizheng 
Peng and Frédéric Duchesne resigned, and Craig Cook 
resigned as CEO. Each of these former colleagues made 
valuable contributions to Midatech.

I would like to add my thank you to our shareholders, 
Directors, employees and partners for their support and 
considerable time spent for the benefit of our Company.

Rolf Stahel 
Chairman

15 June 2020

27

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements Audit committee report

On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to present the Audit 
Committee Report for the year ended 31 December 2019. 

Simon Turton 
Chairman of the Audit Committee

The Committee plays a key role for the Board,  
monitoring and reviewing all aspects of the Group’s 
financial reporting, risk management procedures and 
internal controls.

The following report provides an overview of the work 
undertaken by the Committee during the year. The 
most significant topics considered by the Committee 
during the year included the carrying value of goodwill 
and intangibles, revenue recognition, the recoverability 
of a deposit paid under the MPUS sale and purchase 
agreement and going concern. The Committee also 
reviewed the principal risk and mitigation disclosures 
which are set out on pages 17 to 21.

External Auditor

The Committee oversees the relationship with BDO and 
is responsible for developing and monitoring the Group’s 
policy on external audit and for monitoring the external 
auditor’s independence. BDO has direct access to the 
Committee Chairman should they wish to raise any 
matters outside of formal Committee meetings.

The Committee monitors the external auditor’s 
effectiveness on an ongoing basis, taking into account  
the views of management that BDO provides a good-
quality audit service. The Committee is satisfied that  
BDO remains independent and objective and that the 
Group is receiving a robust audit. 

The Audit Committee

The Committee, which reports to the Board, is responsible 
for overseeing the Group’s financial reporting process as 
well as monitoring the effectiveness of internal control, 
risk management and conduct of the external audit. It  
also monitors the independence of the external auditors 
and the provision of non-audit services, if any. Prior to  
the Board changes announced in February 2019, the  
Audit Committee was chaired by Pavlo Protopapa, a 
qualified accountant, and its other members were Simon 
Turton and John Johnston. Following the Board changes, 
the Audit Committee is chaired by Simon Turton who 
is considered to have significant, recent and relevant 
financial experience, and its other members are  
Sijmen de Vries and Rolf Stahel.

The Committee’s meetings were also attended (by 
invitation) by the Chief Financial Officer, Group Financial 
Controller and senior representatives of the external 
auditor, BDO LLP (BDO). 

Non-audit services

During the year there were no non-audit services  
provided by BDO. 

The total fees charged by BDO in the year are shown  
in note 5.

Internal audit

The annual review of internal control and financial 
reporting procedures did not highlight any issues 
warranting the introduction of an internal audit function.  
It was concluded, given the current size and transparency 
of the operations of the Group and the robustness of the 
Group’s accounting and business management systems, 
that an internal audit function was not required, however 
this remains a matter for ongoing review.

28

Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019Financial risks are identified and evaluated for each  
major transaction for consideration by the Board and 
senior management.

•  Standard financial control procedures are operated 

throughout the Group to ensure that the assets of the 
Group are safeguarded and that proper accounting 
records are maintained.

•  A risk review process has been developed whereby the 
Chief Financial Officer presents a report to the Board 
each year on the key business risks.

Material weaknesses

As a US registrant, we are subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley 
Act of 2002 which requires, among other things, that we 
maintain effective internal controls for financial reporting 
and disclosure controls and procedures. We are required, 
under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, to furnish  
a report by management on, among other things,  
the effectiveness of our internal control over financial 
reporting. This assessment includes disclosures of  
any material weaknesses identified by management  
in its internal control over financial reporting.

A material weakness is a control deficiency, or combination 
of control deficiencies, in internal control over financial 
reporting that results in more than a reasonable possibility 
that a material misstatement of annual or interim financial 
statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely 
basis. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act also generally 
requires an attestation from our independent auditor on 
the effectiveness of our internal control over financial 
reporting. However, for as long as we remain an emerging 
growth company, we intend to take advantage of certain 
exemptions from various reporting requirements that are 
applicable to other public companies that are emerging 
growth companies including, but not limited to, not 
being required to comply with the independent auditor 
attestation requirement.

Risk management and internal controls

The Board has collective responsibility for risk 
management and is assisted by the Audit Committee in 
monitoring the principal risks and uncertainties faced by 
the Group, including those specific to the pharmaceutical 
sector, as well as other micro and macroeconomic factors. 
The Board also considers risks specific to the Group such 
as those relating to progress of the R&D programmes, the 
Spanish manufacturing operation and personnel.

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

The Audit Committee continues to monitor and review the 
effectiveness of the system of internal control and report 
to the Board when appropriate with recommendations.

The main features of the internal control system are 
outlined below:

•  The Group uses SAP Business One accounting and 
business management software that supports a 
comprehensive and auditable purchasing control and 
approvals process. This is supplemented by the close 
management of the business by the Executive Directors 
and Senior Management Team. The Group has a defined 
organisational structure with delineated responsibilities 
and approval limits.

•  The Board and Committees of the Board have 

schedules of matters expressly reserved for their 
consideration. Matters reserved for the Board include 
acquisitions and disposals, major capital projects, 
treasury and risk management policies and approval  
of budgets.

•  The Group utilises a detailed budgeting and forecasting 
process. Detailed budgets are prepared annually by 
the Senior Management Team before submission 
to the Board for approval. Budgets are updated to 
reflect significant, known changes in the business. 
Actual results, the cash position and future cash flow 
projections are all monitored against annual budgets  
in detail on a monthly basis, with variances highlighted 
to the Board and investigated.

29

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements Audit committee report continued

In preparing our interim financial statements for the six 
months ending 30 June 2019, we and our independent 
auditor identified a material weakness in the effectiveness 
of our internal controls over financial reporting, specifically 
that we had expensed a deposit in our income statement, 
as opposed to classifying it as a recoverable financial asset 
in other receivables during the six months ended 30 June 
2019. As previously disclosed, in October 2018, pursuant 
to the terms of a Stock Purchase Agreement dated 26 
September 2018, or Purchase Agreement, by and among 
the Company, Midatech US and Kanwa Holdings, LP, an 
affiliate of Barings LLC, we sold our subsidiary, Midatech 
US to Kanwa Holdings, LP. During the fiscal year ended 31 
December 2019, following a request by Midatech US, we 
paid a deposit of £947,000 in connection with a certain 
indemnity obligation set forth in the Purchase Agreement. 
The deposit was originally expensed in the income 
statement. Following a review by our independent auditor 
of the interim financial information for the six months 
ended 30 June 2019, this deposit was reclassified as a 
recoverable financial asset in other receivables. 

•  The design and operation of our revenue recognition 
process, in which required policies and procedures 
either were not designed or were not operating 
effectively at the period end. While no adjustments to 
our consolidated financial statements during the course 
of the audit were required, there were no mitigating 
controls that would have prevented or detected such  
a material error should it have occurred.

Although we are instituting remedial measures to address 
the material weaknesses identified and to continually 
review and evaluate our internal control systems to allow 
management to report on the sufficiency of our internal 
control over financial reporting, we cannot assure you that 
we will not discover additional weaknesses in our internal 
control over financial reporting. Any such additional 
weaknesses or failure to adequately remediate any 
existing weakness could materially and adversely affect 
our financial condition and results of operations, as well as 
our ability to accurately report our financial condition and 
results of operations in a timely and reliable manner.

Additionally, the material weaknesses described above, 
or other material weaknesses or significant deficiencies 
we may become aware of in the future, could result in 
our determining that our controls and procedures are not 
effective in future periods or could result in a material 
misstatement of the consolidated financial statements 
that would not be prevented or detected.

Simon Turton 
Chairman of the Audit Committee

15 June 2020

Furthermore, as part of their audit procedures, our 
independent auditor identified the following material 
weaknesses in our internal control environment:

•  Regarding our IT general controls environment material 

weaknesses included an absence of new vendor 
approval, inappropriate access to administration 
accounts of finance systems, password segregation 
and access security which were not designed or 
operating effectively. The lack of appropriate IT general 
controls could lead to a material misstatement of our 
financial statements that will not be prevented or 
detected in a timely manner.

•  Several control deficiencies were identified related 
to the consolidation and financial reporting close 
functions including; the adoption of IFRS 16, 
adjustments required to align the results of foreign 
subsidiaries prepared under Spanish GAAP to IFRS, 
the recognition of certain costs not yet incurred that 
occurred during the process of preparing our financial 
information during the period that, when considered in 
aggregate, would be considered a material weakness.

30

Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019Directors’ remuneration report

On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to present the 
Remuneration Report for the year ended 31 December  
2019, which sets out the remuneration policy for the 
Directors and the amounts earned during the year.

Sijmen de Vries 
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

The Remuneration Committee

The Remuneration Committee assists the Board in 
carrying out its responsibilities in relation to remuneration, 
including making recommendations to the Board on 
the Group’s policy on executive remuneration, setting 
the over-arching principles, parameters and governance 
framework of the Group’s remuneration policy and 
determining the individual remuneration and benefits 
package of each of the Executive Directors and the  
Group Secretary.

The Remuneration Committee ensures compliance  
with the QCA Code in relation to remuneration  
wherever possible.

The Remuneration Committee is chaired by Sijmen de 
Vries, and its other members are Simon Turton and Rolf 
Stahel. Prior to the Board changes announced in February 
2019, Michele Luzi was also a member. 

The Board determines whether or not Executive Directors 
are permitted to serve in roles with other companies. Such 
permission is only granted where a role is on a strictly 
limited basis, where there are no conflicts of interest or 
competing activities and providing there is no adverse 
impact on the commitments required to the Group. 
Earnings from such roles are not disclosed to the Group.

There are four main elements of the remuneration 
package for Executive Directors and staff:

(i)  Basic salaries and benefits in kind

Basic salaries are recommended to the Board by the 
Remuneration Committee, taking into account the 
performance of the individual and the rates for similar 
positions in comparable companies. Benefits in kind 
comprising death in service cover and private medical 
insurance are available to staff and Executive Directors. 
Benefits in kind are non-pensionable.

Policy on Executive Directors’ remuneration

(ii)  Share options and other share-based incentives

Executive remuneration packages are designed to 
attract and retain executives of the necessary skill and 
calibre to run the Group, with reference to benchmarking 
comparable groups. The Remuneration Committee 
recommends remuneration packages to the Board by 
reference to individual performance. It also uses the 
knowledge and experience of the Committee members, 
published surveys relating to AIM companies and the 
pharmaceutical industry, as well as advice and external 
benchmarking from a UK remuneration specialist company 
and market changes generally. The Remuneration 
Committee has responsibility for recommending  
any long term incentive schemes. 

The Group currently operates two distinct share option 
schemes for employees including the Executive Directors, 
to motivate those individuals through equity participation. 
The choice of scheme depends on the location of the 
individual:

a)   Approved share options awarded to UK based staff 
under the 2014 Midatech Pharma plc Enterprise 
Management Incentive Scheme (the “UK Plan”); and

b)   Unapproved share options awarded to non-UK staff.

31

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements Directors’ remuneration report continued

Prior to the Company’s IPO in December 2014, some 
unapproved share options were granted to certain staff 
and key consultants however, since then, the award of 
unapproved share options has been limited to employees 
of Midatech Pharma España SL and Midatech Pharma US, 
Inc. prior to the sale of that business. Exercise of all share 
options under the schemes is subject to specified exercise 
periods and compliance with the AIM Rules.

Each specific objective had an associated bonus 
weighting. The Remuneration Committee reviews actual 
performance against each objective and applies the 
appropriate weighting to individuals’ maximum potential 
bonus in order to determine the amount payable. The 
maximum amount payable against these objectives is 
100% of the individual’s fixed, on-target percentage of 
base salary.

The schemes are overseen by the Remuneration 
Committee, which recommends all grants of share options 
to the Board based on the Remuneration Committee’s 
assessment of personal performance and specifying the 
terms under which eligible individuals may be invited to 
participate. The quantum of any award made since 2016 is 
made with reference to a fixed percentage of base salary 
dependent upon the position of the employee within 
the Group. The exercise price of all awards is the volume 
weighted average price for the 20 days prior to the date of 
the Board meeting at which the award is made.

The QCA Code requires a significant proportion of the 
total remuneration package of Executive Directors to 
comprise performance related remuneration and should 
be designed to align Executive Directors’ interests with 
those of the shareholders. The Remuneration Committee 
currently considers that the best alignment of these 
interests is through the continued use of performance-
based incentives through the award of share options or 
other share-based arrangements.

(iii)  Bonus scheme

The Group has a discretionary bonus scheme for staff and 
Executive Directors. Bonus payments are based on a fixed 
on-target percentage of base salary dependent upon the 
position of the employee within the Group. The bonus is 
moderated depending on the achievement of corporate 
and personal objectives.

Specific details of the objectives used to measure 
performance are considered commercially sensitive and 
hence are not disclosed in detail, however, the corporate 
and personal objectives for 2018, used to determine bonus 
payments, included the following:

The Remuneration Committee and the Board seek to set 
objectives that encourage optimal, short term financial 
performance and maximise potential progress with the 
R&D portfolio thereby creating medium and long term 
improvements in stakeholder value.

(iv)  Pension contributions

The Group pays a defined contribution to the pension 
schemes of Executive Directors and other employees.  
The individual pension schemes are private, and their 
assets are held separately from the Group.

Loss of office

The Group has no specific policy on loss of office 
other than to ensure that employees and Directors 
are compensated in accordance with their contractual 
entitlements.

Review of Executive Remuneration

Significant progress was made during the year, including 
the advancement of the Company’s two lead development 
programmes, MTD201 and MTX110, together with fund 
raising success. These are detailed in the Chief Executive’s 
Review on pages 08 to 11 of this Annual Report. Based 
on a set of objectives agreed by it, the Remuneration 
Committee determined that 75% of these objectives, 
weighted by importance, have been achieved and 
therefore bonuses of 75% were due and payable to  
the Executive Directors and senior management in 
accordance with their individual bonus entitlements. 

Service contracts

Set out below are summary details of the service 
agreements and letters of appointment entered into 
between the Company and the Directors:

•  Commencement of various clinical studies for  

lead programmes;

•  Divestment of the US business; and

•  Cost containment measures and a successful  

re-financing of the Company

32

Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019Executive Directors

Dr Craig Cook 

Chief Executive Officer

Dr Cook entered into a service agreement with the Company to act as Chief Executive Officer on 1 June 2018.  
His continuous employment with the Group commenced 1 January 2014. Dr Cook’s appointment was ratified in 
accordance with the Company’s Articles at the AGM held on 19 June 2019. His appointment is terminable upon  
six months’ notice.

Stephen Stamp

Chief Financial Officer

Mr Stamp entered into a service agreement with the Company to act as Chief Financial Officer 9 September 2019.  
Mr Stamp will be subject to ratification in accordance with the Company’s Articles at the 2020 AGM. His appointment  
is terminable upon six months’ notice.

Relative importance of spend on pay

The total amount paid by the Group in remuneration to all employees, as disclosed in note 6, is as follows:

Remuneration

No dividends to shareholders have yet been paid.

Chief Executive Officer remuneration

2019 
£’000

3,383

2018 
£’000

6,145

2017 
£’000

6,599

The total remuneration paid to Dr Craig Cook, since his appointment as Chief Executive Officer, and to Dr Jim Phillips,  
the previous Chief Executive Officer, including a payment in 2018 on termination of his employment of £99k, is as follows:

Craig Cook

Jim Phillips

2019 
£’000

266

–

2018 
£’000

146

214

2017 
£’000

–

310

Midatech has chosen to provide disclosure on executive pay in line with initiatives such as the 2011 Dodd-Frank Wall 
Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act in the United States, where the US Securities and Exchange Commission 
was charged with drawing up rules for mandatory disclosure of pay ratios. The emoluments paid to the Chief Executive 
Officer, Dr Craig Cook, taken from the date of his appointment as CEO, is a multiple of 4.2 times (2018: 2.4 times) the 
average remuneration of an employee of the Midatech Group.

The average amount paid per employee for all operations in the year, excluding share based payment charges, 
decreased by 28% (2018: increase of 2%).

No performance related share options vested during the year.

33

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements Directors’ remuneration report continued

Non-Executive Directors

The service contracts of the Non-Executive Directors are 
made available for inspection at the AGM.

Rolf Stahel 

Non-Executive Chairman

Mr Stahel entered into an agreement with Midatech 
Limited on 13 April 2014 and was subsequently appointed 
Chairman with effect from 1 March 2014. Mr Stahel 
subsequently entered into a revised appointment 
agreement with the Company on 2 December 2014. The 
appointment is terminable upon the election of the Board. 
Mr Stahel offers himself for re-election at the 2020 AGM.

Sijmen de Vries 

Non-Executive Director

Dr de Vries entered into a Non-Executive Director 
appointment letter with the Company on 2 December 
2014. Dr de Vries was originally appointed as a Non-
Executive Director of Midatech Limited on 29 October 
2004 (subsequently terminated on 2 December 2014).  
The appointment is terminable upon the election of  
the Board. 

Frédéric Duchesne 

Non-Executive Director

Mr Duchesne entered into a Non-Executive Director 
appointment letter with the Company on 31 July 2019.  
Mr Duchesne resigned from the Board on 31 March 2020.

John Johnston 

Non-Executive Director

Mr Johnston entered into a Non-Executive Director 
appointment letter with the Company on 2 December 
2014. Mr Johnston retired by rotation prior to the 
Company’s AGM held on 27 June 2018 during which he 
was re-elected by the Company’s members. Mr Johnston 
resigned from the Board on 26 February 2019.

Michele Luzi 

Non-Executive Director

Mr Luzi entered into a Non-Executive Director appointment 
letter with the Company on 2 December 2014. Mr Luzi  
was originally appointed as a Non-Executive Director 
of Midatech Limited on 20 August 2010 (subsequently 
terminated on 2 December 2014). Mr Luzi retired by  
rotation prior to the Company’s AGM held on 27 June 2018 
during which he was re-elected by the Company’s members. 
Mr Luzi resigned from the Board on 26 February 2019.

Huaizheng Peng 

Non-Executive Director

Dr Peng entered into a Non-Executive Director appointment 
letter with the Company on 26 February 2019 following 
the investment in the Company by China Medical System 
Holdings. Dr Peng resigned from the Board on 31 March 
2020.

Pavlo Protopapa 

Non-Executive Director

Mr Protopapa entered into a Non-Executive Director 
appointment letter with the Company on 2 December 
2014. Mr Protopapa was originally appointed as a Non-
Executive Director of Midatech Limited on 5 December 
2013 (subsequently terminated on 2 December 2014).  
Mr Protopapa retired by rotation prior to the Company’s 
AGM held on 3 May 2017 during which he was re-elected 
by the Company’s members. Mr Protopapa resigned from 
the Board on 26 February 2019. 

Simon Turton 

Senior Independent Non-Executive Director

Dr Turton entered into a Non-Executive Director 
appointment letter with Midatech Limited on 2 December 
2014. Dr Turton was originally appointed as chairman  
of Q Chip Limited on 24 March 2014 (subsequently 
terminated on 2 December 2014). Mr Turton retired by 
rotation prior to the Company’s AGM held on 19 June 
2019 during which he was re-elected by the Company’s 
members. The appointment is terminable upon the 
election of the Board.

Policy on Non-Executive Directors’ remuneration

The Non-Executive Directors receive a fee for their 
services as a Director, which is approved by the Board, 
giving due consideration to the time commitment and 
responsibilities of their roles and of current market rates 
for comparable organisations and appointments. Non-
Executive Directors are reimbursed for travelling and  
other incidental expenses incurred on Group business  
in accordance with the Group expenses policy.

The Board encourages the ownership of Midatech shares 
by Executives and in normal circumstances does not 
expect Directors to undertake dealings of a short term 
nature. Non-Executive Directors are preferred to remain 
independent to the extent that they do not trade in the 
Company’s shares themselves.

34

Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019The emoluments of the Directors of Midatech Pharma plc are set out below. No emoluments were paid to any Director 
by any other Group company:

Non-Executive Directors

Rolf Stahel(1)

Sijmen de Vries

Frédéric Duchesne(2)

John Johnston(3)

Michele Luzi(3)

Huaizheng Peng(4)

Pavlo Protopapa(3)

Simon Turton

Executive Directors

Craig Cook(5)

Nick Robbins-Cherry(6)

Stephen Stamp(7)

Directors’ remuneration

Salary and 
fees 
£

Bonus 
£

Pensions 
£

Benefits in 
kind 
£

2019 
total 
£

2018 
£

2017 
£

90,000

30,400

12,784

7,600

7,600

25,765

7,600

30,400

265,762

136,178

49,846

663,935

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

67,980

–

5,642

73,622

22,495

14,665

5,333

42,493

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1,284

1,082

–

90,000

30,400

12,784

7,600

7,600

25,765

7,600

30,400

357,521

151,925

60,821

95,000

30,400

–

30,400

30,400

–

30,400

30,400

99,980

36,100

–

36,100

36,100

–

36,100

36,100

158,772

–

177,350

188,350

–

–

2,366

782,416

791,654

756,987

(1)  Mr Stahel’s remuneration included Directors’ fees of £40,000 and consulting fees of £50,000 from Chesyl Pharma, a company wholly-owned by Mr Stahel.

(2)  M. Duchesne was appointed a Director on 31 July 2019.

(3)  Messrs. Johnston, Luzi and Protopapa resigned as Directors on 26 February 2019.

(4)  Dr Peng was appointed a Director on 26 February 2019.

(5)  Dr Cook was appointed a Director on 1 June 2018.

(6)  Mr Robbins-Cherry resigned as a Director on 9 September 2019.

(7)  Mr Stamp was appointed a Director on 9 September 2019.

Share based payment credit of £58,000 in respect of Dr Cook, Mr Robbins-Cherry and Mr Stamp was charged to the 
income statement during the year (in respect of Dr Cook and Mr Robbins-Cherry for 2018: £146,000).

Details of the payments to other related parties are disclosed in note 29.

Directors’ interests in shares

Non-Executive Directors

Rolf Stahel(1)

Sijmen de Vries

Frédéric Duchesne

Huaizheng Peng

Simon Turton

Executive Directors

Craig Cook

Stephen Stamp

31 December 2019

31 December 2018

Beneficial  
interests

Non-beneficial 
interests

Beneficial 
interests

Non-beneficial 
interests

1,077,064

465,699

–

–

1,106,507

124,682

1,000,000

–

59,150

–

–

–

–

–

599,942

38,802

–

–

269,413

10,000

–

–

59,150

–

–

–

–

–

(1) 

 At 31 December 2018, 244,880 of Rolf Stahel’s shares were subject to restrictions preventing their disposal or transfer to another party. These restrictions fall 
away on the following events:

a)  122,440 shares become unrestricted when the market capitalisation of the Company achieves £155m

b)  122,440 shares become unrestricted when the market capitalisation of the Company achieves £213m

35

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements  
 
Directors’ remuneration report continued

Directors’ interests in share options

Other than as shown in the table and note above, no Director had any interest in the shares of any subsidiary company.

The Board uses share options to align Executive Directors’ and employees’ interests with those of shareholders in order 
to provide incentives and reward them based on improvements in Group performance.

Non-Executive Directors

Rolf Stahel

Sijmen de Vries

Frédéric Duchesne

Huaizheng Peng

Simon Turton

Executive Directors

Craig Cook

Stephen Stamp

31 December 2019 
options held over 
Ordinary Shares

31 December 2018 
options held over 
Ordinary Shares

–

14,000

–

–

–

2,761,000

1,000,000

–

14,000

–

–

–

961,000

–

All share options were granted with an exercise price at or above market value on the date of grant. As detailed below, 
some of the share options vest when the Company’s share price achieves certain targets. Otherwise the main vesting 
condition of all share options is that the Director or employee remains employed with the Group as at the date of 
exercise or continues to provide consultancy services as at the date of exercise. The share options of the Directors 
(included in totals in note 27) are set out below:

Grant date

Number 
awarded

Exercise price/ 
share 
£

Non-Executive Directors

Sijmen de Vries

20/04/2012

30/06/2014

4,000

10,000

Executive Directors

Craig Cook

01/07/2014

360,000

31/10/2016(4)

19/12/2016

15/12/2017

150,000

210,000

241,000

24/04/2019

1,800,000

4.19

0.075

0.075

2.68

1.21

0.46

0.073

Stephen Stamp

09/09/2019

1,000,000

0.0525

Vesting criteria

Expiry date

Fully vested

20/04/2022

Share price(2)

30/06/2024

Share price(2)

30/06/2024

Time based(3)

02/12/2025

Time based(3)

07/12/2026

Time and price based(5)

15/12/2027

Time based(3)

15/03/2029

Time based and 
performance based(6) 

09/09/2029

(1)  Share options held by Michele Luzi were granted as part of a 2011 investment round in Midatech Limited.

(2) 

 For those options noted as vesting based on share price; 50% vest when the share price reaches £5.31 per share, a further 25% vests when the share price reaches 
£13.72 and the remaining 25% when the share price reaches £18.86.

(3)  25% of the options vest 12 months after the grant date, followed by vesting of 12 equal quarterly tranches, over a subsequent three-year period.

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

 Share option award relates to 2015 but the acquisition of DARA BioSciences and other activities during that year meant that there was insufficient time during 
Open periods to make the awards until 2016.

 25% of the options become eligible to vest 12 months after the grant date, followed by 12 equal quarterly tranches becoming eligible to vest, over a subsequent 
three-year period. All vesting subject to the 20-VWAP share price reaching £1 at any time during the life of the option.

 40% of the options vest if the Company raises $20m before 9 September 2020, 15% vest on 9 September 2020 and the remainder vest in equal tranches at the end 
of the subsequent 12 quarters. 

36

Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019 
Directors’ interests in warrants

Certain Directors acquired Warrants over ordinary shares as part of the purchase of Units (one Ordinary Share and one 
Warrant) in the Company’s fundraise in February 2019.

31 December 2019 
Warrants over Ordinary 
Shares

31 December 2018 
Warrants over Ordinary 
Shares

Non-Executive Directors

Rolf Stahel

Sijmen de Vries

Frédéric Duchesne

Huaizheng Peng

Simon Turton

Executive Directors

Craig Cook

Stephen Stamp

477,122

426,897

–

–

837,094

118,682

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

The warrants may be exercised through February 2022 at an exercise price of £0.50 per Ordinary Share.

Sijmen de Vries  
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

15 June 2020

37

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements  
Directors’ report

The Directors present their report and the consolidated financial statements of the Group 
for the year ended 31 December 2019.

Directors

The Directors during the year were:

•  Rolf Stahel

•  Craig Cook (resigned 31 March 2020)

•  Sijmen de Vries

•  Frédéric Duchesne (appointed 31 July 2019,  

resigned 31 March 2020)

•  John Johnston (resigned 26 February 2019)

•  Michele Luzi (resigned 26 February 2019)

•  Huaizheng Peng (appointed 26 February 2019,  

resigned 31 March 2020)

•  Pavlo Protopapa (resigned 26 February 2019)

•  Nick Robbins-Cherry (resigned 9 September 2019)

•  Stephen Stamp (appointed 9 September 2019)

•  Simon Turton

Research and development

The Group is continuing to develop products within its 
chosen areas of therapeutic focus.

Matters covered in the Strategic Report

Details of the Group’s risk management, including financial 
risk objectives, and future developments and policies are 
given in the Strategic Report.

Dividend

The Directors are not recommending the payment of a 
dividend at this time due to the level of maturity of the Group.

Post balance sheet events

In December 2019, COVID-19 emerged in Wuhan, China 
and has spread to many countries globally. We have taken 
measures to mitigate the effect of these conditions, 
including restricting all non-essential business travel 
for our personnel and employees. The extent to which 
COVID-19 impacts our operations will depend on future 
developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be 
predicted with confidence, including the duration of the 
outbreak, new information which may emerge concerning 
the severity of COVID-19 and the actions to contain 
COVID-19 or treat its impact, among others. 

In January 2020, a study of subcutaneous administration 
of MTD201 compared with traditional intramuscular 
administration in healthy volunteers showed similar 

pharmacokinetics and bioavailability, offering the potential 
for a differentiated, more patient-friendly product profile.

In March 2020, an exploratory study was initiated by 
Columbia University in five patients with DIPG using an 
alternative convection enhanced delivery system.

At a General Meeting of the Company on 2 March 2020 
resolutions were passed to increase the Company’s 
s.551 authority to allot shares, disapply pre-emption 
rights and consolidate the Company’s Ordinary Shares of 
£0.00005 each on a one for 20 basis into Ordinary Shares 
of £0.001 each. At the same meeting a resolution was 
passed to change the ratio of the Company’s American 
Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”). This will change from one 
ADR representing 20 Existing Ordinary Shares to one ADR 
representing five new ordinary shares.

On 31 March 2020 the Company announced a wide- 
ranging strategic review of the Company’s operations.  
The components of that review and their impact are 
detailed in the Chief Executive’s Review. On 20 April 2020 
the Company announced an update to the strategic review 
including the appointment of an adviser and the initiation 
of a “formal sale process” as defined by The City Code on 
Takeovers and Mergers.

On 18 May 2020, the Company announced that it had 
raised gross proceeds of £4.3m (£3.8m net of expenses)  
in a combined UK Placing and Registered Direct Offering  
in the US. The combined offerings resulted in the issuance 
of 15.8m new Ordinary Shares and 16.5m new Warrants.

On 8 June 2020, the Company received a letter sent on 
behalf of Secura Bio, Inc. (“Secura Bio”), dated 1 June 
2020, purporting to terminate a License Agreement, 
dated 5 June 2017 (the “Secura License Agreement”), by 
and between Midatech Limited and Novartis AG, which 
Novartis AG subsequently transferred to Secura Bio. 
Pursuant to the Secura License Agreement, Midatech 
Limited was granted a non-exclusive worldwide, 
sublicenseable license to certain patents of panobinostat, 
the active pharmaceutical ingredient of the Company’s 
development product MTX110. Midatech Limited’s rights 
are limited to the treatment of brain cancer in humans, 
administered by convection-enhanced delivery. The 
Company plans to continue to pursue development of 
MTX110 and the strategic review process previously 
disclosed. The Company is also reviewing with its outside 
counsel remedies it may have if Secura Bio does not 
withdraw the notice and otherwise cease to interfere  
with its ongoing business and strategic review process, 
which the Company has formally requested. 

38

Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019The Company is evaluating available actions to protect  
its rights under the Secura  Bio License Agreement and  
its assets.

Directors’ and Officers’ liability insurance

The Company has, as permitted by s.234 and s.235 of 
the Companies Act 2006, maintained insurance cover 
on behalf of the Directors and Company Secretary 
indemnifying them against certain liabilities which  
may be incurred by them in relation to the Company. 

Employees

Midatech recognises the essential importance of 
employees to the success of the business and ensures 
that they are fully informed of events that directly affect 
them and their working conditions. Information on 
matters of concern to employees is given in briefings that 
seek to provide a common awareness on the part of all 
employees of the financial and economic factors affecting 
the Group’s performance.

Disabled employees

Applications for employment by disabled persons are 
given full and fair consideration for all vacancies in 
accordance with their particular aptitudes and abilities. 
It is the policy of the Group that training and promotion 
opportunities should be available to all employees.

Directors’ responsibilities

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

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial 
statements for each financial year. Under that law the 
Directors have elected to prepare the Group financial 
statements in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European 
Union, and the Company financial statements in accordance 
with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting 
Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and 
applicable law). 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 Company and of the profit or loss of the 
Group for that period. The Directors are required to prepare 
financial statements in accordance with the rules of the 
London Stock Exchange for companies trading securities on 
the Alternative Investment Market. The Directors are also 
required to prepare and file a Form 20-F in accordance with 
the rules of the US Securities and Exchange Commission 
which require the financial statements to also be prepared 
in accordance with International Financial Reporting 
Standards as issued by the International Accounting 
Standards Board (IASB).

In preparing these financial statements, the Directors  
are required to:

•  select suitable accounting policies and then apply  

them consistently;

•  make judgements and accounting estimates that are 

reasonable and prudent;

•  state whether they have been prepared in accordance 
with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union and as 
issued by the International Accounting Standards Board 
(IASB), subject to any material departures disclosed and 
explained in the financial statements; and

•  prepare the financial statements on the going concern 
basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the 
Group will continue in business.

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

Directors’ statement as to the  
disclosure of information to auditors.

All of the current Directors have taken all steps that they 
ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any 
information needed by the Group’s auditors for the purposes 
of their audit and to establish that the auditors are aware of 
that information. The Directors are not aware of any relevant 
audit information of which the auditors are unaware.

Website publication

The Directors are responsible for ensuring the Annual 
Report and the financial statements are made available 
on a website. Financial statements are published on 
the Group’s website in accordance with legislation in 
the United Kingdom governing the preparation and 
dissemination of financial statements, which may vary 
from legislation in other jurisdictions. The maintenance 
and integrity of the Group’s website is the responsibility 
of the Directors. The Directors’ responsibility also extends 
to the ongoing integrity of the financial statements 
contained therein.

By order of the Board

Stephen Stamp
Company Secretary

15 June 2020

39

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements Independent auditor’s report
To the members of Midatech Pharma plc

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Midatech Pharma plc (the “Parent Company”) and its subsidiaries (the 
“Group”) for the year ended 31 December 2019 which comprise the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, 
the consolidated statement of financial position, the consolidated statement of cash flows, the consolidated statement 
of changes in equity, the Company balance sheet, the Company statement of changes in equity and notes to the 
financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies.

The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the financial statements is applicable 
law and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union. The financial reporting 
framework that has been applied in the preparation of the Parent Company financial statements is applicable law and 
United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102, The Financial Reporting Standard in 
the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion:

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

31 December 2019 and of the Group’s loss for the year then ended;

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

•  the Parent Company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally 

Accepted Accounting Practice; and

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

Separate opinion in relation to IFRSs as issued by the IASB

As explained in note 1 to the Group financial statements, the Group in addition to complying with its legal obligation 
to apply IFRSs as adopted by the European Union, has also applied IFRSs as issued by the International Accounting 
Standards Board (IASB).

In our opinion the Group financial statements give a true and fair view of the consolidated financial position of the 
Group as at 31 December 2019 and of its consolidated financial performance and its consolidated cash flows for the year 
then ended in accordance with IFRSs as issued by the IASB.

Basis for opinion

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

Material uncertainty related to going concern 

We draw attention to note 1 to the financial statements concerning the Group and Parent Company’s ability to continue 
as a going concern. These matters explained in note 1 related to the requirement for additional funding to be raised by 
the Group and Parent Company within the next twelve months, indicate that a material uncertainty exists which may 
cast significant doubt over the Group and Parent Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Our opinion is not 
modified in respect of this matter. 

We have highlighted going concern as a key audit matter based on our assessment of the significance of the risk and 
the effect on our audit strategy. 

40

Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019We have performed the following work as part of our audit:

•  We reviewed the Directors’ formal assessment that going concern is an appropriate basis of preparation;

•  We reviewed the latest available cash flow forecasts for the Group which included the twelve months from the  

date of approval of these financial statements;

•  We agreed a sample of the restructuring costs incurred in April and May 2020 to supporting documentation, and 

agreed the receipts of the fundraise in May 2020 to bank statements;

•  We challenged and corroborated management’s assumptions included in the cash flow forecasts, in particular the 
impact of the restructuring actions announced on 31 March 2020, on future facilities and payroll costs, including 
comparison to prior actual costs for the continuing business; we challenged the Directors’ assessment of the impact 
of the Covid-19 pandemic on their forecasts, based on our experience of the life sciences industry; 

•  We discussed with management and their advisors their progress to date with fundraising activities, based on the 

strategy review announced on 31 March 2020, and their expectations regarding concluding such transactions within 
the required timeframe; and

•  We reviewed the disclosures made by the Directors in the financial statements, to ensure they were appropriate.

Key audit matters

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in our audit of the 
financial statements of the current period and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement 
(whether or not due to fraud) we identified, including those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy, 
the allocation of resources in the audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement team. These matters were 
addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and 
we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters. In addition to the matter referred to in the Material uncertainty 
related to going concern section above, the following key audit matters were identified.

Carrying value of goodwill and in-progress research and development

Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

See also note 1 (Accounting policies), note 
2 (Critical estimates), note 12 (Intangible 
assets) and note 13 (Impairment testing) 
for further details.

The Group has £10.1m of in-progress R&D 
(“IPRD”) intangible assets (2018: £10.1m) and 
£2.3m (2018: £2.3m) of goodwill at the year 
end. The products to which the IPRD relate 
are not yet ready for use and are therefore 
required, along with the goodwill, to be 
tested for impairment on an annual basis. 

•  We reviewed management’s impairment assessment, based on our 

knowledge of the Group’s business and activities and from discussions 
with management;

•  We gained an understanding, through discussion with management 
and non-financial personnel, of the underlying stage of development 
and future opportunities for the IPRD intangible assets;

•  We evaluated and challenged management’s assumptions used in 

assessing the recoverability of the goodwill and intangible assets, in 
particular, revenue, profit margins, the timing and quantum of cash 
flows, discount rates used and the probability of obtaining regulatory 
approval for products in trial;

For IPRD, the impairment assessment requires 
management to make certain key assumptions 
and judgements on the clinical, technical and 
commercial viability of the products to which 
the intangible assets relate. For such products 
in development, the main risk for the Group 
is the outcome of clinical trials and obtaining 
required clinical and regulatory approvals for 
commercialisation. The assessment of the 
carrying values of IPRD and goodwill is therefore 
based on forecasting and discounting future cash 
flows, which are inherently highly judgemental.

•  We performed sensitivity analysis on the value-in-use models prepared 

by management to support the intangible asset valuations;

•  We reviewed the mechanics of the models in order to ensure they are 

appropriate for the purpose of the assessment of the carrying value of  
the intangible assets recorded; and

•  We assessed the adequacy of the related accounting policies and 

disclosures in the financial statements.

Key observations: Nothing has come to our attention from performing the 
procedures above, to suggest that any impairment is required against the 
carrying values of IPRD and goodwill at 31 December 2019. We reviewed 
the disclosures in note 13 and are satisfied that they are appropriate.

41

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements Independent auditor’s report continued
To the members of Midatech Pharma plc

Key audit matters continued

Recoverability of deposit paid under Midatech Pharma US, Inc. disposal agreement, for Prescription Drug User Fee Act (“PDUFA”) fees

Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

See also note 1 (Accounting policies), note 2 (Critical estimates).

•  We reviewed management’s formal assessment of the 

In April 2019 the Group made a payment of $1.2m (£947,000) 
under the indemnities in the Midatech Pharma US, Inc. 
disposal agreement in relation to amounts due to the US 
Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) in respect of unpaid 
PDUFA fees, for the year to September 2018, which were and 
continue to be the subject of a fee waiver request as at the 
date of this report.

Management has assessed the likelihood of receipt of a 
waiver from the FDA, as at 31 December 2019, to be possible 
but not probable and have therefore reduced the fair value 
of the deposit receivable to nil at that date. The amount has 
been recognised as a loss from discontinued operations in 
the year ended 31 December 2019.

Given the amounts recorded are material to the financial 
statements and there is significant judgement exercised in 
the assessment, while the matter remains outstanding, we 
identified this as a key audit matter.

Our application of materiality

probability of a successful FDA waiver being received by 
Fortovia Inc. (previously Midatech Pharma US, Inc.) as at 
31 December 2019;

•  We vouched the payment to bank statements;

•  We reviewed submissions to and correspondence with 

the FDA on the matter;

•  We reviewed management’s assessment of probability 
received from Fortovia’s in-house regulatory expert;

•  We engaged an auditor’s regulatory expert to consider 
the facts and provide an independent assessment.

•  We reviewed the disclosures surrounding the matter.

Observation: Nothing has come to our attention from 
performing the procedures above, to suggest that 
management’s assessment at 31 December 2019 is 
inappropriate. We considered the accounting treatment  
and disclosures surrounding the matter were appropriate.

We apply the concept of materiality both in planning and performing our audit, and in evaluating the effect of 
misstatements. We consider materiality to be the magnitude by which misstatements, including omissions, could 
influence the economic decisions of reasonable users that are taken on the basis of the financial statements. 
Importantly, misstatements below these levels will not necessarily be evaluated as immaterial as we also take account 
of the nature of identified misstatements, and the particular circumstances of their occurrence, when evaluating their 
effect on the financial statements as a whole.

Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality for the financial statements as follows:

Overall materiality 

£350,000 (2018: £400,000)

£175,000 (2018: £200,000)

Group 

Parent Company 

How we determined it

Materiality was based on 3% of total 
operating expenses.

Rationale for benchmark applied

Total operating expenses is considered 
the most appropriate measure in 
assessing the performance of the Group 
given its pre-tax loss position, stage 
of development and level of activities 
during the year.

Materiality for the Parent Company 
financial statements was initially based 
on 3% of net assets, then capped at 50% 
of group materiality.

We considered an asset based measure 
to best reflect the nature of the parent 
company which acts as a holding 
company for the Group.

42

Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019In considering individual account balances and classes of transactions, we apply a lower level of materiality 
(performance materiality) in order reduce to an appropriately low level the probability that the aggregate of uncorrected 
and undetected misstatements exceed materiality. 

Performance materiality was set at £245,000 (2018: £280,000) for the Group, representing 70% of materiality. The 
level was set taking into account a number of factors including our past experience of adjusted and unadjusted 
errors, complexity of the audit and controls within the Group. The same percentage was applied to each component 
materiality including the Parent Company.

Where financial information from components was audited separately, component materiality levels were set for this 
purpose at lower levels varying from 34% to 69% (2018: 50% to 87%) of Group materiality. 

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to the Committee all individual audit differences in excess 
of £14,000 (2018: £12,000), being 4% (2018: 3%) of Group materiality. We also agreed to report differences below this 
threshold that, in our view, warranted reporting on qualitative grounds.

An overview of the scope of our audit

Our Group audit scope focussed on the Group’s principal operating locations and legal structure. The Group has 
operating entities based in the UK, Spain and Australia. The UK and Spanish entities were deemed significant 
components.

The UK and Spanish subsidiaries were subject to full scope audits by the Group audit team. The Group audit team were 
assisted by staff from the BDO Network firm in Spain who provided subcontracted staff to perform audit procedures 
under the supervision of the Group audit team. The Senior Statutory Auditor visited the Spanish operations during 
the local audit, reviewed workpapers, discussed risk areas with the BDO network firm team members and attended a 
completion meeting for the Spanish audit with local and group management.

The Australian entity was deemed a non-significant component on which we performed analytical review procedures.

Other information

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

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing 
so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge 
obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies 
or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the 
financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we 
conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have 
nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

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

statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

•  the Strategic report and the Directors’ report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

43

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements Independent auditor’s report continued
To the members of Midatech Pharma plc

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

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

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

Responsibilities of Directors

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

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

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from 
material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. 
Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with 
ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists.

Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could 
reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

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

Use of our report

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

Ian Oliver (Senior Statutory Auditor)

For and on behalf of BDO LLP, Statutory Auditor 
Reading, UK

15 June 2020

BDO LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales (with registered number OC305127).

44

Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019Consolidated statements of comprehensive income
For the year ended 31 December

Revenue

Grant revenue

Total revenue

Other income

Research and development costs 

Distribution costs, sales and marketing 

Administrative costs 

Impairment of intangible assets

Loss from operations

Finance income

Finance expense

Loss before tax

Taxation

Loss from continuing operations 

Loss from discontinued operations net of tax

Loss for the year attributable to the owners of the parent

Other comprehensive income:

Items that will or may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss 
when specific conditions are met:

Exchange (losses)/gains arising on translation of foreign operations

Exchange losses realised on disposal of subsidiaries

Total other comprehensive (loss)/income, net of tax

Total comprehensive loss attributable to the owners of the parent

Loss per share 

Continuing operations

Basic and diluted loss per ordinary share – pence

Discontinued operations

Basic and diluted loss per ordinary share – pence

Note

3

12,13

5

7

7

8

4

4

9

9

2019 
£’000

312

362

674

15

(7,843)

(323)

(3,841)

–

2018 
£’000

149

1,789

1,938

–

(9,359)

–

(4,394)

–

2017 
£’000

149

840

989

–

(8,329)

(170)

(4,266)

(1,500)

(11,318)

(11,815)

(13,276)

492

(97)

2

(587)

415

(109)

(10,923)

(12,400)

(12,970)

1,785

(9,138)

(947)

2,032

(10,368)

(4,662)

1,265

(11,705)

(4,359)

(10,085)

(15,030)

(16,064)

(207)

–

(207)

(10,292)

1,156

(3,842)

(2,686)

(17,716)

(1,233)

–

(1,233)

(17,297)

(50)p

(339)p

(456)p

(5)p

(153)p

(170)p

The notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

45

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements Consolidated statements of financial position
At 31 December

Company number 09216368

Assets

Non–current assets

Property, plant and equipment 

Intangible assets

Other receivables due in greater than one year

Current assets

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Taxation

Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Liabilities

Non–current liabilities

Borrowings

Provisions

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Borrowings

Provisions

Derivative financial liability – equity settled

Total liabilities

Issued capital and reserves attributable to owners of the parent

Share capital

Share premium

Merger reserve

Foreign exchange reserve

Accumulated deficit

Total equity

Total equity and liabilities

10

12

15

17

15

16

19

20

18

19

20

21

24

25

25

25

25

Note

2019 
£’000

2018 
£’000

2017 
£’000

1,983

12,374

469

2,529

27,647

465

14,826

30,641

2,154

12,379

2,625

17,158

–

992

1,817

10,928

13,737

–

1,323

1,952

2,343

5,618

30,895

20,444

5,670

–

5,670

4,494

412

97

664

5,667

11,337

1,023

65,879

53,003

884

165

1,049

2,103

368

–

–

2,471

3,520

1,003

52,939

53,003

(508)

(301)

941

3,242

1,196

13,204

18,583

49,224

6,185

–

6,185

8,002

361

–

–

8,363

14,548

1,003

52,939

53,003

2,385

(99,839)

(89,720)

(74,654)

19,558

30,895

16,924

20,444

34,676

49,224

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 15 June 2020 and were 
signed on its behalf by:

Stephen Stamp

Chief Financial Officer

The notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

46

Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019Consolidated statements of cash flows
For the year ended 31 December

Cash flows from operating activities

Loss for the year 

Adjustments for:

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

Depreciation of right of use asset

Amortisation of intangible fixed assets

Loss on disposal of fixed assets

Impairment of intangible assets

Finance income

Finance expense

Share–based payment expense

Taxation

Loss on sale of subsidiary

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

Foreign exchange (gains)/losses

Note

2019 
£’000

2018 
£’000

2017 
£’000

(10,085)

(15,030)

(16,064)

10

10

12

12,13

7

7

5

8

4

4

979

303

3

–

–

(492)

97

(34)

(1,785)

–

947

(140)

1,016

–

434

165

–

(2)

587

(36)

(2,032)

1,407

–

130

983

–

1,577

27

1,500

(415)

166

520

(1,265)

–

–

–

Cash flows from operating activities before changes in working capital

(10,207)

(13,361)

(12,971)

Decrease/(Increase) in inventories

Decrease/(Increase) in trade and other receivables

Increase/(Decrease) in trade and other payables

(Decrease)/Increase in provisions

Cash used in operations

Taxes received

Net cash used in operating activities

Investing activities

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

Proceeds from disposal of fixed assets

Purchase of intangibles

Long term deposit for guarantee for Government loan 

Disposal of discontinued operation, net of cash disposed of

Deposit paid in connection with disposed subsidiary

Interest received

–

725

1,141

(68)

347

1,030

(2,995)

165

(202)

(968)

(267)

–

(8,409)

(14,814)

(14,408)

1,920

1,364

1,455

(6,489)

(13,450)

(12,953)

10

12

4

4

(310)

–

(9)

(2,549)

–

(947)

8

(244)

25

–

–

 9,259

–

2

(707)

–

(778)

–

–

–

15

Net cash (used in)/generated from investing activities

(3,807)

9,042

(1,470)

Financing activities

Interest paid

Receipts from sub–lessors 

Amounts paid on lease liabilities (2018 & 2017: Amounts paid on  
finance leases) 

Repayment of borrowings

Proceeds from bank borrowings

Proceeds from Government loan

Proceeds from Government subsidy

Share issues including warrants, net of costs

Net cash generated from/(used in) financing activities

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

Exchange gains/(losses) on cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

(30)

107

(450)

(577)

–

4,436

1,139

14,108

18,733

8,437

2,343

148

10,928

(587)

–

(64)

(5,821)

–

–

–

–

(6,472)

(10,880)

13,204

19

2,343

(111)

–

(25)

(552)

5,237

–

–

5,728

10,277

(4,146)

17,608

(258)

13,204

16

16

The notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

47

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements Consolidated statements of changes in equity
For the year ended 31 December

At 1 January 2019

Loss for the year

Foreign exchange translation

Total comprehensive loss

Transactions with owners

Shares issued on 26 February 2019 
– note 16

Costs associated with share issue 
on 26 February 2019 – note 16

Shares issued on 29 October 2019 
– note 16

Costs associated with share issue 
on 29 October 2019 – note 16

Share–based payment charge

Total contribution by and 
distributions to owners

At 31 December 2019

At 1 January 2018

Loss for the year

Reclassification of foreign exchange 
on disposal

Foreign exchange translation

Total comprehensive loss

Share–based payment charge

Total contribution by and 
distributions to owners

At 31 December 2018

At 1 January 2017

Loss for the year

Foreign exchange translation

Total comprehensive loss

Transactions with owners

Shares issued on 16 October 2017 
– note 16

Costs associated with share issue 
– note 16
Share option charge

Total contribution by and 
distributions to owners

At 31 December 2017

Total 
equity 
£’000

16,924

(10,085)

(207)

6,632

13,405

(1,120)

1,214

(539)

(34)

12,926

19,558

Total 
equity 
£’000

34,676

(15,030)

(3,842)

1,156

Share 
capital 
£’000

1,003

–

–

Share 
premium 
£’000

52,939

–

–

Merger  
reserve 
£’000

53,003

–

–

1,003

52,939

53,003

Foreign 
exchange 
reserve 
£’000

(301)

–

(207)

(508)

Accumulated 
deficit 
£’000

(89,720)

(10,085)

–

(99,805)

17

13,388

–

3

–

–

20

1,023

Share 
capital 
£’000

1,003

–

–

–

–

–

–

(1,120)

1,211

(539)

–

12,940

65,879

Share 
premium 
£’000

52,939

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1

–
–

1

1,003

–

–

–

6,157

(429)
–

5,728

52,939

Merger  
reserve 
£’000

53,003

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(34)

(34)

53,003

(508)

(99,839)

Foreign 
exchange 
reserve 
£’000

2,385

–

(3,842)

1,156

Accumulated 
deficit 
£’000

(74,654)

(15,030)

–

–

(2,686)

(15,030)

(17,716)

–

–

(36)

(36)

(36)

(36)

Foreign 
exchange 
reserve 
£’000

3,618

–

(1,233)

(1,233)

Accumulated 
deficit 
£’000

(59,110)

(16,064)

–

(16,064)

Total 
equity 
£’000

45,724

(16,064)

(1,233)

(17,297)

–

–
–

–

–

6,158

–
520

520

(429)
520

6,249

34,676

53,003

2,385

(74,654)

1,003

52,939

53,003

(301)

(89,720)

16,924

Share 
capital 
£’000

1,002

Share 
premium 
£’000

47,211

Merger  
reserve 
£’000

53,003

The notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

48

Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019Notes forming part of the financial statements
For the years ended 31 December 2019, 2018 and 2017

1 Accounting policies

General information

Midatech Pharma plc (the “Company”) is a company registered and domiciled in England and Wales. The Company was 
incorporated on 12 September 2014.

The Company is a public limited company, which has been listed on the Alternative Investment Market (“AIM”), which is  
a submarket of the London Stock Exchange, since 8 December 2014. 

In addition, since 4 December 2015 the Company has American Depository Receipts (“ADRs”) registered with the US 
Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market.

Basis of preparation

The Group was formed on 31 October 2014 when Midatech Pharma plc entered into an agreement to acquire the entire 
share capital of Midatech Limited and its wholly owned subsidiaries through the issue equivalent of shares in the 
Company which took place on 13 November 2014.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, 
International Accounting Standards and Interpretations (collectively IFRS) issued by the International Accounting 
Standards Board (IASB) and as adopted by the European Union (“adopted IFRSs”) and are presented in £’000’s Sterling, 
unless stated otherwise.

The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below. The policies 
have been consistently applied to all the periods presented.

On 2 March 2020 a resolution was passed at a general meeting of shareholders of the Company to consolidate its 
ordinary shares on a one for 20 basis into new ordinary shares of 0.1p each in the capital of the Company. At the same 
meeting a resolution was passed to change the ratio of the Company’s American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”). This 
will change from one ADR representing 20 Existing Ordinary Shares to one ADR representing five new ordinary shares. 
Numbers of shares and share options/warrants and related exercise/issue prices are shown prior to the impact of the 
March 2020 share consolidation, with the exception of loss per share and note 9 Loss per share, where the weighted 
average share denominator has been adjusted for the share consolidation

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, except for the following item  
(refer to individual accounting policies for details):

•  Financial instruments – fair value through profit or loss.

Adoption of new and revised standards

New standards, interpretations and amendments effective from 1 January 2019

New standards impacting the Group that were adopted in the annual financial statements for the year ended 
31 December 2019, and which have given rise to changes in the Group’s accounting policies are: 

• 

• 

IFRS 16 Leases (IFRS 16); and 

IFRIC 23 Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments (IFRIC 23) 

Details of the impact these two standards have had are given in note 32 below. Other new and amended standards 
and Interpretations issued by the IASB that will apply for the first time in the next annual financial statements are not 
expected to impact the Group as they are either not relevant to the Group’s activities or require accounting which is 
consistent with the Group’s current accounting policies. 

49

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements 1 Accounting policies continued
New standards, interpretations and amendments not yet effective 

There are a number of standards, amendments to standards, and interpretations which have been issued by the 
IASB that are effective in future accounting periods that the Group has decided not to adopt early. The following 
amendments are effective for the period beginning 1 January 2020: 

• 

IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements and IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and 
Errors (Amendment – Definition of Material) 

• 

IFRS 3 Business Combinations (Amendment – Definition of Business)

•  Revised Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting 

These new accounting standard amendments are not expected to have a material impact on the Group.

In January 2020, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 1, which clarify the criteria used to determine whether liabilities 
are classified as current or non-current. These amendments clarify that current or non-current classification is based 
on whether an entity has a right at the end of the reporting period to defer settlement of the liability for at least twelve 
months after the reporting period. The amendments also clarify that “settlement” includes the transfer of cash, goods, 
services, or equity instruments unless the obligation to transfer equity instruments arises from a conversion feature 
classified as an equity instrument separately from the liability component of a compound financial instrument. The 
amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2022. 

The Group is currently assessing the impact of this new accounting standard amendment.

The Group does not expect any other standards issued by the IASB, but not yet effective, to have a material impact on 
the Group.

Basis for consolidation

The Group financial statements consolidate those of the parent company and all of its subsidiaries. The parent controls 
a subsidiary if it has power over the investee to significantly direct the activities, exposure, or rights to variable returns 
from its involvement with the investee, and the ability to use its power over the investee to affect the amount of the 
investor’s returns. All subsidiaries have a reporting date of 31 December.

All transactions and balances between Group companies are eliminated on consolidation, including unrealised gains 
and losses on transactions between Group companies. Where unrealised losses on intra–Group asset sales are 
reversed on consolidation, the underlying asset is also tested for impairment from a Group perspective. Amounts 
reported in the financial statements of subsidiaries have been adjusted where necessary to ensure consistency with  
the accounting policies adopted by the Group.

The loss and other comprehensive income of Midatech Pharma US, Inc. (formerly DARA Biosciences, Inc) acquired in 
December 2015 is recognised from the effective date of acquisition i.e. 4 December 2015 through to the date of sale on 
1 November 2018. Similarly, the loss and other comprehensive income of Zuplenz®, acquired as a business by Midatech 
Pharma plc, is recognised from 24 December 2015 until 31 October 2018 (up to the formal completion of the sale of 
MPUS on 1 November 2018).

Discontinued operations are presented in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income as a single line which 
comprises the post–tax profit or loss of the discontinued operation along with the post–tax gain or loss recognised 
on the re–measurement to fair value less costs to sell or on disposal of the assets or disposal groups constituting 
discontinued operations.

50

Notes forming part of the financial statements continuedFor the years ended 31 December 2019, 2018 and 2017Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019The consolidated financial statements consist of the results of the following entities:

Entity

Midatech Pharma plc

Midatech Limited 

Midatech Pharma (España) SL (formerly Midatech Biogune SL)

PharMida AG

Midatech Pharma (Wales) Limited (formerly Q Chip Limited)

Midatech Pharma Pty

Summary description

Ultimate holding company

Trading company

Trading company

Dormant

Trading company

Trading company

Midatech Pharma US, Inc. (formerly DARA Biosciences, Inc.) (until 1 November 2018)

Trading company

Dara Therapeutics, Inc. (until 1 November 2018)

Dormant

Going concern

The Group and parent company are subject to a number of risks similar to those of other development and early-
commercial stage pharmaceutical companies. These risks include, amongst others, generation of revenue from the 
development portfolio and risks associated with research, development, testing and obtaining related regulatory 
approvals of its pipeline products. Ultimately, the attainment of profitable operations is dependent on future uncertain 
events which include obtaining adequate financing to fulfil the Group’s commercial and development activities and 
generating a level of revenue adequate to support the Group’s cost structure.

On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) a global pandemic 
and recommended containment and mitigation measures worldwide. As of the date of these Financial Statements, the 
Group’s operations have been significantly curtailed temporarily due to restrictions imposed by governments.

The Group cannot reasonably estimate the length or severity of this pandemic and related restrictions. Some factors 
from the COVID-19 outbreak that the Company believe will adversely affect current and planned drug development 
activities include:

•  the diversion of healthcare resources away from the conduct of clinical trial matters to focus on pandemic concerns, 
including the attention of physicians serving as our clinical trial investigators, hospitals serving as our clinical trial 
sites and hospital staff supporting the conduct of our clinical trials;

• 

• 

limitations on travel that interrupt key trial activities, such as clinical trial site initiations and monitoring;

interruption in global shipping affecting the transport of clinical trial materials, such as investigational drug product 
used in our trials; and

•  employee absences that delay necessary interactions with local regulators, ethics committees and other important 

agencies and contractors.

The Group and Company has experienced net losses and significant cash outflows from cash used in operating 
activities over the past years as it develops its portfolio. For the year ended 31 December 2019, the Group incurred a 
consolidated loss from operations of £10.1m and negative cash flows from operations of £6.5m. As of 31 December 
2019, the Group had an accumulated deficit of £99.8m.

The Group’s consolidated financial statements have been presented on a going concern basis, which contemplates the 
realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business.

As at 31 December 2019, the Group had cash and cash equivalents of £10.93m. In May 2020, the Group completed an 
equity offering, raising £3.7m net of costs. The Directors forecast that the Group currently has enough cash to fund its 
planned operations into the second quarter of 2021.

51

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements 1 Accounting policies continued

The Group’s future viability is dependent on its ability to generate cash from operating activities, to raise additional capital 
to finance its operations and to successfully obtain regulatory approval to allow marketing of its development products. 
The Group’s failure to raise capital as and when needed could have a negative impact on its financial condition and ability 
to pursue its business strategies. For example, due to the Group’s current and forecasted cash position, on 31 March 2020, 
the Directors made the decision to cease certain of the Group’s research and development programs, close its Spanish 
operations and make certain terminations within its UK operations. In connection with the strategic review announced on 
the same date, the Directors are in the process of seeking to license or assign one or more of the Group’s technologies to 
a partner or, alternatively, to seek a buyer for the Company. Any or all of these transactions may be on unfavourable terms.

The Directors have prepared cash flow forecasts and considered the cash flow requirement for the Company for the 
next five years including the period twelve months from the date of approval of the consolidated financial statements. 
These forecasts show that further financing will be required before the second quarter of 2021 assuming, inter alia, 
that certain development programs and other operating activities continue as currently planned. This requirement for 
additional financing in the short term represents a material uncertainty that may cast significant doubt upon the Group 
and parent company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

In addition, the global spread of the pandemic COVID-19 virus places increased uncertainty over the Directors’ 
forecasts. The restrictions placed and being placed on the movement of people will likely cause delays to some of the 
Group’s plans. The scale of the impact of COVID-19 is evolving and it is difficult to assess to what extent, and for how 
long, it will cause delays to the Group’s operations. The Directors have established a COVID-19 task force internally to 
monitor the impact of COVID-19 on the business and prioritize activities to minimize its effect.

In addition to utilizing the existing cash reserves, as part of the Group’s ongoing strategic review, the Directors and its 
advisors are evaluating a number of near-term funding options potentially available to the Group, including fundraising, 
the partnering of assets and technologies or the sale of the Company. After considering the uncertainties, the Directors 
consider it is appropriate to continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing these financial statements.

Revenue

Revenue is accounted for in line with principles of IFRS 15 “Revenue from contracts with customers”

Revenue from licensing agreements

The Group entered into a Licence Agreement during 2019. The licence consists of two distinct performance conditions, which 
is the grant of the license to use of its intellectual property (“IP”) and the supply of Product. After the Company has granted 
the license, and the Product is granted applicable marketing authorizations in the EU, the US, or the UK, France, Germany 
or Switzerland and China, there are no further obligations to participate in, or provide additional services to its customer. 
The transaction price for the grant of the license to use the Company’s IP comprises of fixed and variable payment streams 
and the grant of the license is considered to be a right to use IP. Upfront fees earned, are recognised as revenue at a point in 
time, upon transfer of control over the license to the licensee and the grant of the applicable marketing authorisation by the 
relevant statutory authority. Revenue from variable consideration, which is contingent on achievements of future milestones 
is recognised as revenue when it is highly probable the revenue will not reverse, that is when the underlying contingencies 
have been resolved. For future royalty payments associated with a license, the Company applies the IFRS 15 exception for 
sales-based royalties and recognises the revenue only when the subsequent sale occurs.

Supply of Goods

Revenue from sales of goods to customer are recognised when all performance obligations are met. These criteria are 
considered to be met when the goods are delivered to the customer. Revenue represents the full list price of products 
shipped to wholesalers and other customers less product returns, discounts, rebates and other incentives based on the 
sales price.

Supply of Services

Revenue from the supply of services is subject to specific agreement. This is recognised over the contract term, 
proportionate to the progress in overall satisfaction of the performance obligations (the services performed by  
the Group), measured by cost incurred to date out of total estimate of costs.

52

Notes forming part of the financial statements continuedFor the years ended 31 December 2019, 2018 and 2017Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019Government grants and government loans

Milestones

The Group’s revenue also include milestone income from research and development contracts. Milestone income 
is recognised as revenue in the accounting period in which the milestones are achieved. Milestones are agreed on a 
project by project basis and will be evidenced by set deliverables.

Grant revenue

Where grant income is received, which is not a direct re–imbursement of related costs and at the point at which the 
conditions have been met for recognition as income, this has been shown within grant revenue.

Where government grants are received as a re–imbursement of directly related costs they are credited to research and 
development expense in the same period as the expenditure towards which they are intended to contribute. 

The Group receives government loans that have a below–market rate of interest. These loans are recognised and 
measured in accordance with IFRS 9. The benefit of the below–market rate of interest is measured as the difference 
between the initial carrying value of the loan discounted at a market rate of interest and the proceeds received.

The difference is held within deferred revenue as a government grant and is released as a credit to grant income or to 
research and development expense in line with the expenditure to which it relates. In a situation where the proceeds 
were invested in plant and equipment, the deferred revenue is credited to research and development within the income 
statement in line with the depreciation of the acquired asset.

Business combinations and externally acquired intangible assets

Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method at the acquisition date, which is the date at which 
the Group obtains control over the entity. The cost of an acquisition is measured as the amount of the consideration 
transferred to the seller, measured at the acquisition date fair value, and the amount of any non–controlling interest in 
the acquiree. The Group measures goodwill initially at cost at the acquisition date, being: 

•  the fair value of the consideration transferred to the seller, plus;

•  the amount of any non–controlling interest in the acquiree, plus;

• 

if the business combination is achieved in stages, the fair value of the existing equity interest in the acquiree  
re–measured at the acquisition date, less; and

•  the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired and assumed liabilities.

Acquisition costs incurred are expensed and included in administrative costs. Any contingent consideration to be 
transferred by the acquirer is recognised at fair value at the acquisition date. Subsequent changes to the fair value of 
the contingent consideration, whether it is an asset or liability, will be recognised either as a profit or loss or as a change 
to other comprehensive income. If the contingent consideration is classified as equity, it is not re–measured. 

An intangible asset, which is an identifiable non–monetary asset without physical substance, is recognised to the 
extent that it is probable that the expected future economic benefits attributable to the asset will flow to the Group and 
that its cost can be measured reliably. The asset is deemed to be identifiable when it is separable or when it arises from 
contractual or other legal rights. 

Externally acquired intangible assets other than goodwill are initially recognised at cost and subsequently amortised on 
a straight–line basis over their useful economic lives where they are in use. The amortisation expense is included within 
the distribution costs, sales and marketing in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. Goodwill is stated 
at cost less any accumulated impairment losses.

The amounts ascribed to intangibles recognised on business combinations are arrived at by using appropriate valuation 
techniques (see section related to critical estimates and judgements below).

53

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements 1 Accounting policies continued

In–process research and development (“IPRD”) programmes acquired in business combinations are recognised as 
assets even if subsequent expenditure is written off because the criteria specified in the policy for development 
costs below are not met. IPRD is subject to annual impairment testing until the completion or abandonment of the 
related project. No further costs are capitalised in respect of this IPRD unless they meet the criteria for research and 
development capitalisation as set out below.

As per IFRS 3, once the research and development of each defined project is completed, the carrying value of the 
acquired IPRD is reclassified as a finite–lived asset and amortised over its useful life.

The product and marketing rights recognised in 2017 related to various licenses, the Group held via its US subsidiary. 
These rights were disposed of with the sale of the subsidiary. 

The significant intangibles recognised by the Group and their useful economic lives are as follows:

Goodwill  

IPRD   

– Indefinite life

– In process, not yet amortising

IT and website costs 

– 4 years

Product and marketing rights 

– Between 2 and 12 years

The useful economic life of IPRD will be determined when the in–process research projects are completed. Amortisation 
of product and marketing rights ceased in June 2018 when the US entity was classified as held for sale.

Internally generated intangible assets (development costs)

Expenditure on the research phase of an internal project is recognised as an expense in the period in which it is incurred. 
Development costs incurred on specific projects are capitalised when all the following conditions are satisfied:

•  completion of the asset is technically feasible so that it will be available for use or sale;

•  the Group intends to complete the asset and use or sell it;

•  the Group has the ability to use or sell the asset and the asset will generate probable future economic benefits  

(over and above cost);

•  there are adequate technical, financial and other resources to complete the development and to use or sell the 

asset; and

•  the expenditure attributable to the asset during its development can be measured reliably.

Judgement is applied when deciding whether the recognition criteria are met. Judgements are based on the information 
available. In addition, all internal activities related to the research and development of new projects are continuously 
monitored by the Directors. The Directors consider that the criteria to capitalise development expenditure are not met 
for a product prior to that product receiving regulatory approval in at least one country.

Development expenditure not satisfying the above criteria, and expenditure on the research phase of internal projects 
are included in research and development costs recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income 
as incurred. No projects have yet reached the point of capitalisation.

Impairment of non–financial assets

Assets that have an indefinite useful life, for example goodwill, or intangible assets not ready for use, such as IPRD, 
are not subject to amortisation and are tested annually for impairment. Assets that are subject to amortisation are 
reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not 
be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds 
its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value less costs to sell and value in 
use. An impairment charge of £1.5m was recognised in 2017 against the IPRD of the Midatech Pharma (Wales) Ltd 
cash generating unit within continuing operations. Please refer to note 33 Post Balance Sheet Events, for potential 
impairment charges during 2020.

54

Notes forming part of the financial statements continuedFor the years ended 31 December 2019, 2018 and 2017Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019 
 
 
 
 
 
For the purposes of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are separately 
identifiable cash flows (cash-generating units). After the disposal of the US operation on 1 November 2018, the Group at 
31 December 2019 had only one cash generating unit (2018: one, 2017: two), as set out in note 13. Non-financial assets 
other than goodwill that suffered impairment are reviewed for possible reversal of impairment at each reporting date.

Impairment charges are included in profit or loss, except, where applicable, to the extent they reverse gains previously 
recognised in other comprehensive income. An impairment loss recognised for goodwill is not reversed. 

Patents and trademarks

The costs incurred in establishing patents and trademarks are either expensed in accordance with the corresponding 
treatment of the development expenditure for the product to which they relate or capitalised if the development 
expenditure to which they relate has reached the point of capitalisation as an intangible asset.

Joint arrangements

The Group is a party to a joint arrangement when there is a contractual arrangement that confers joint control over the 
relevant activities of the arrangement to the Group and at least one other party. Joint control is assessed under the 
same principles as control over subsidiaries.

The Group classifies its interests in joint arrangements as either:

•  Joint ventures: where the Group has rights to only the net assets of the joint arrangement; or

•  Joint operations: where the Group has both the rights to assets and obligations for the liabilities of the joint arrangement.

In assessing the classification of interests in joint arrangements, the Group considers:

•  the structure of the joint arrangement;

•  the legal form of joint arrangements structured through a separate vehicle;

•  the contractual terms of the joint arrangement agreement; and

•  any other facts and circumstances (including any other contractual arrangements).

The results and assets and liabilities of joint ventures are incorporated in the financial statements using the equity 
method of accounting, except when the investment is classified as held for sale, in which case it is accounted for 
in accordance with IFRS 5. Under the equity method, an investment in a joint venture is recognised initially in the 
consolidated statement of financial position at cost and adjusted thereafter to recognise the Group’s share of the 
profit or loss and other comprehensive income of the joint venture. When the Group’s share of losses of a joint venture 
exceeds the Group’s interest in that joint venture (which includes any long term interests that, in substance, form part 
of the Group’s net investment in the joint venture), the Group discontinues recognising its share of further losses. 
Additional losses are recognised only to the extent that the Group has incurred legal or constructive obligations or 
made payments on behalf of the joint venture.

Foreign currency

Transactions entered into by subsidiary entities in a currency other than the currency of the primary economic 
environment, in which they operate, are recorded at the rates ruling when the transactions occur. Foreign currency 
monetary assets and liabilities are translated at the rates ruling at the reporting date. Exchange differences arising  
on the retranslation of unsettled monetary assets and liabilities are recognised immediately in profit or loss.

The presentational currency of the Group is Pounds Sterling, and the reporting currency is also Pounds Sterling.  
Foreign subsidiaries use the local currencies of the country where they operate. On consolidation, the results of 
overseas operations are translated into Pounds Sterling at rates approximating to those ruling when the transactions 
took place. All assets and liabilities of overseas operations, including goodwill arising on the acquisition of those 
operations, are translated at the rate ruling at the reporting date. Exchange differences arising on translating the 
opening net assets at opening rate and the results of overseas operations at actual rate are recognised in other 
comprehensive income and accumulated in the foreign exchange reserve. 

55

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements 1 Accounting policies continued

Exchange differences recognised in the profit or loss of Group entities on the translation of long–term monetary 
items forming part of the Group’s net investment in the overseas operation concerned are reclassified to other 
comprehensive income and accumulated in the foreign exchange reserve on consolidation.

On disposal of a foreign operation, the cumulative exchange differences recognised in the foreign exchange reserve 
relating to that operation up to the date of disposal are transferred to the consolidated statement of comprehensive 
income as part of the gain or loss on disposal.

Financial assets and liabilities

Assets at amortised cost

The Group does not have any financial assets which it would classify as fair value through profit or loss. Therefore,  
all financial assets are classed as assets at amortised cost as defined below.

These assets are non–derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active 
market. They arise principally through the provision of goods and services to customers (e.g. trade receivables), but 
also incorporate other types of contractual monetary asset. They are initially recognised at fair value plus transaction 
costs that are directly attributable to their acquisition or issue, and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using  
the effective interest rate method, less provision for impairment. 

For impairment provisions, the Group applies the IFRS 9 simplified approach to measure expected credit losses using 
a lifetime expected credit loss provision for trade receivables to measure expected credit losses on a collective basis. 
Trade receivables are grouped based on a similar credit risk and ageing. Based on the scale of this area, our historic 
treatment is not materially different to the simplified approach under IFRS 9.

The expected loss rates are based on the Group’s historic credit losses experienced over the three–year period prior to the 
period end. The historic loss rates are then adjusted for current and forward–looking information on macroeconomic factors.

The Group’s assets at amortised costs comprise trade and other receivables and cash and cash equivalents in the 
consolidated statement of financial position.

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with original maturities of three months or less.

Financial liabilities

The Group classifies its financial liabilities into one of two categories, depending on the purpose for which the liability 
was acquired.

Fair value through profit and loss (“FVTPL”)

The Group has outstanding warrants in the ordinary share capital of the Company. The number of ordinary shares to be 
issued when exercised is fixed, however the exercise price is denominated in US Dollars being different to the functional 
currency of the parent company. Therefore, the warrants are classified as equity settled derivative financial liabilities 
recognised at fair value through the profit and loss account. 

The financial liability is valued using the either the Monte Carlo model or the Black-Scholes option pricing model. 
Financial liabilities at FVTPL are stated at fair value, with any gains or losses arising on re-measurement recognised in 
profit or loss. The net gain or loss recognised in profit or loss incorporates any interest paid on the financial liability and 
is included in the “finance income” or “finance expense” lines item in the income statement. Fair value is determined in 
the manner described in note 22.

Other financial liabilities include the following items:

•  Borrowings are initially recognised at fair value net of any transaction costs directly attributable to the issue of 

the instrument. Such interest–bearing liabilities are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective 
interest rate method, which ensures that any interest expense over the period to repayment is at a constant rate on 

56

Notes forming part of the financial statements continuedFor the years ended 31 December 2019, 2018 and 2017Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019the balance of the liability carried in the consolidated statement of financial position. Interest expense in this context 
includes initial transaction costs and premium payable on redemption, as well as any interest or coupon payable 
while the liability is outstanding.

•  Government loans received on favourable terms below market rate are discounted at a market rate of interest. The 
difference between the present value of the loan and the proceeds is held as a government grant within deferred 
revenue and is released to research and development expenditure or grant income in line with when the asset or 
expenditure is recognised in the income statement.

•  Trade payables and other short–term monetary liabilities are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently 

carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Share capital

Financial instruments issued by the Group are classified as equity only to the extent that they do not meet the 
definition of a financial liability or financial asset. The Group has two classes of share in existence: 

•  ordinary shares of £0.00005 each are classified as equity instruments; and

•  deferred shares of £1 each are classified as equity instruments.

On 2 March 2020 a resolution was passed at a general meeting of shareholders of the Company to consolidate it’s 
ordinary shares on a one for 20 basis into new ordinary shares of £0.001 each in the capital of the Company. 

Numbers of shares in these Accounts are shown prior to the impact of the share consolidation with the exception of 
note 9, Loss per share, where the denominator used has been adjusted to reflect the share consolidation. 

Retirement benefits: defined contribution schemes

Contributions to defined contribution pension schemes are charged to the consolidated statement of comprehensive 
income in the year to which they relate.

Provisions 

Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event; it 
is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and a 
reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. 

Share–based payments

The Group operates a number of equity–settled, share–based compensation plans, under which the entity receives 
services from employees as consideration for equity instruments (options) of the Group. The fair value of the employee 
services received in exchange for the grant of the options is recognised as an expense. The total amount to be 
expensed is determined by reference to the fair value of the options granted:

• 

including any market performance conditions (including the share price);

•  excluding the impact of any service and non–market performance vesting conditions (for example, remaining an 

employee of the entity over a specified time period); and

• 

including the impact of any non–vesting conditions (for example, the requirement for employees to save).

Non–market performance and service conditions are included in assumptions about the number of options that are 
expected to vest. The total expense is recognised over the vesting period, which is the period over which all of the 
specified vesting conditions are to be satisfied. Where vesting conditions are accelerated on the occurrence of a 
specified event, such as a change in control or initial public offering, such remaining unvested charge is accelerated  
to the income statement.

In addition, in some circumstances employees may provide services in advance of the grant date and therefore the 
grant date fair value is estimated for the purposes of recognising the expense during the period between service 
commencement period and grant date.

57

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements 1 Accounting policies continued

At the end of each reporting period, the Group revises its estimates of the number of options that are expected to 
vest based on the non–market vesting conditions. It recognises the impact of the revision to original estimates, if any, 
in the income statement, with a corresponding adjustment to equity. When the options are exercised, the Company 
issues new shares. The proceeds received net of any directly attributable transaction costs are credited to share capital 
(nominal value) and share premium. 

Leases

The majority of the Group’s accounting policies for leases are set out in note 11. 

Identifying Leases 

The Group accounts for a contract, or a portion of a contract, as a lease when it conveys the right to use an asset for a 
period of time in exchange for consideration. Leases are those contracts that satisfy the following criteria: 

(a) there is an identified asset; 

(b) the Group obtains substantially all the economic benefits from use of the asset; and

(c) the Group has the right to direct use of the asset. 

The Group considers whether the supplier has substantive substitution rights. If the supplier does have those rights, 
the contract is not identified as giving rise to a lease. 

In determining whether the Group obtains substantially all the economic benefits from use of the asset, the Group 
considers only the economic benefits that arise use of the asset, not those incidental to legal ownership or other 
potential benefits. 

In determining whether the Group has the right to direct use of the asset, the Group considers whether it directs how and for 
what purpose the asset is used throughout the period of use. If there are no significant decisions to be made because they 
are pre-determined due to the nature of the asset, the Group considers whether it was involved in the design of the asset in 
a way that predetermines how and for what purpose the asset will be used throughout the period of use. If the contract or 
portion of a contract does not satisfy these criteria, the Group applies other applicable IFRSs rather than IFRS 16. 

Deferred taxation

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognised where the carrying amount of an asset or liability in the consolidated 
statement of financial position differs from its tax base, except for differences arising on:

•  the initial recognition of goodwill;

•  the initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction which is not a business combination and at the time  

of the transaction affects neither accounting or taxable profit; and

• 

investments in subsidiaries and jointly controlled entities where the Group is able to control the timing of the 
reversal of the difference and it is probable that the difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Recognition of deferred tax assets is restricted to those instances where it is probable that taxable profit will be 
available against which the difference can be utilised.

The amount of the asset or liability is determined using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted  
by the reporting date and are expected to apply when the deferred tax assets or liabilities are recovered or settled. 

Property, plant and equipment

Items of property, plant and equipment are initially recognised at cost. As well as the purchase price, cost includes 
directly attributable costs.

58

Notes forming part of the financial statements continuedFor the years ended 31 December 2019, 2018 and 2017Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019Depreciation is provided on all items of property, plant and equipment so as to write off their carrying value over their 
expected useful economic lives. It is provided at the following rates:

Fixtures and fittings 

– 25% per annum straight line

Leasehold improvements   

– the shorter of 10% per annum straight line or over the lease term

Computer equipment 

– 25% per annum straight line

Laboratory equipment 

– 15% – 25% per annum straight line

Right of use asset  

– Economic life of contractual relationship

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realisable value. Net realisable value is the market value. In evaluating 
whether inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realisable value, management considers such factors as the 
amount of inventory on hand and in the distribution channel, estimated time required to sell such inventory, remaining 
shelf life, and current and expected market conditions, including levels of competition. 

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

Inventory is valued at the lower of cost or market value using the FIFO method. Inventory is charged to the income 
statement as cost of sales as it is sold.

2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements

The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires the Group to make estimates, assumptions and 
judgments that can have a significant impact on the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenue and expenses 
and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, at the respective dates of our financial statements. The Group 
bases its estimates, assumptions and judgments on historical experience and various other factors that we believe to 
be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions 
or conditions. Management evaluates estimates, assumptions and judgments on a regular basis and makes changes 
accordingly, and discusses critical accounting estimates with the Board of Directors. 

The following are considered to be critical accounting estimates:

Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets not yet ready for use

Goodwill and intangibles not yet ready for use are tested for impairment at the cash generating unit level on an annual 
basis at the year end and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than 
not reduce the fair value of a cash generating unit below its carrying value. These events or circumstances could include 
a significant change in the business climate, legal factors, operating performance indicators, competition, or sale or 
disposition of a significant portion of a reporting unit. 

Application of the goodwill impairment test requires judgment, including the identification of cash generating units, 
assignment of assets and liabilities to such units, assignment of goodwill to such units and determination of the fair 
value of a unit and for intangible assets not yet ready for use, the fair value of the asset. The fair value of each cash 
generating unit or asset is estimated using the income approach, on a discounted cash flow methodology. This analysis 
requires significant judgments, including estimation of future cash flows, which is dependent on internal forecasts, 
including for revenues and development costs, estimation of the long term rate of growth for the business, estimation 
of the useful life over which cash flows will occur and determination of our weighted–average cost of capital.

The carrying value of goodwill was £2.3m and intangibles not yet ready for use was £10.1m as at 31 December 2019 (note 12). 

The estimates used to calculate the fair value of a cash generating unit change from year to year based on operating 
results and market conditions. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect the determination 
of fair value and goodwill impairment for each such unit. Based on the analysis performed, there was no impairment of 
the goodwill in the years ended 31 December 2019, 2018 or 2017, and there was no impairment charge against the IPRD 
of the Midatech Pharma (Wales) Ltd cash generating unit (2018: £Nil; 2017: £1.5m ). See note 12 and 13. Please refer to 
note 33 Post Balance Sheet Events, for potential impairment charges during 2020.

59

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements  
 
 
 
2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements continued

Share–based payments

The Group accounts for share–based payment transactions for employees in accordance with IFRS 2 Share–based 
Payment, which requires the measurement of the cost of employee services received in exchange for the options on 
our ordinary shares, based on the fair value of the award on the grant date.

The Directors selected the Black–Scholes–Merton option pricing model as the most appropriate method for determining 
the estimated fair value of our share–based awards without market conditions. For performance–based options that 
include vesting conditions relating to the market performance of our ordinary shares, a Monte Carlo pricing model was 
used in order to reflect the valuation impact of price hurdles that have to be met as conditions to vesting. 

The resulting cost of an equity incentive award is recognised as expense over the requisite service period of the award, 
which is usually the vesting period. Compensation expense is recognised over the vesting period using the straight–line 
method and classified in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. 

The assumptions used for estimating fair value for share-based payment transactions are disclosed in note 27 to our 
consolidated financial statements and are estimated as follows:

•  volatility is estimated based on the average annualised volatility of a number of publicly traded peer companies in 

the biotech sector;

•  the estimated life of the option is estimated to be until the first exercise period, which is typically the month after the 

option vests; and

•  the dividend return is estimated by reference to our historical dividend payments. Currently, this is estimated to be 

zero as no dividend has been paid in the prior periods.

The following are considered to be critical accounting judgments:

Income taxes

Deferred tax assets are recognised for unused tax losses to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be 
available against which the losses can be utilised. Significant management judgment is required to determine the 
amount of deferred tax assets that can be recognised based upon the likely timing and the level of future taxable  
profits together with future tax planning strategies.

In 2019, there were approximately £49.6m of gross unutilised tax losses carried forward (2018: £40.7m, 2017: £38.4m). 
No deferred tax asset has been provided in respect of these losses as there was insufficient evidence to support their 
recoverability in future periods.

Research and development costs

Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred and are typically made up of salaries and benefits, 
clinical and preclinical activities, drug development and manufacturing costs, and third–party service fees, including  
for clinical research organizations and investigative sites. Costs for certain development activities, such as clinical trials, 
are periodically recognised as intangible assets based on an evaluation of the progress to completion of specific tasks 
using data such as patient enrolment, clinical site activations, or information provided by vendors on their actual costs 
incurred. Payments for these activities are based on the terms of the individual arrangements, which may differ from 
the pattern of costs incurred, and are reflected in the financial statements as prepaid or accrued expenses.

Leases

IFRS 16 defines the lease term as the non-cancellable period of a lease together with the options to extend or terminate 
a lease, if the lessee were reasonably certain to exercise that option. This will take into account the length of time 
remaining before the option is exercisable, current trading, future trading forecasts as to the ongoing profitability of 
the organisation and the level and type of planned future capital investment. The judgement is reassessed at each 
reporting period. A reassessment of the remaining life of the lease could result in a recalculation of the lease liability 
and a material adjustment to the associated balances. 

60

Notes forming part of the financial statements continuedFor the years ended 31 December 2019, 2018 and 2017Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019The discount rate used in the calculation of the lease liability involves estimation. The discount rate used is the 
incremental borrowing rate. This rates represents the rate the Group would have had to pay to borrow, over a similar 
term and with similar security, the funds necessary to obtain an asset of similar value to the right-of-use asset in a 
similar economic environment.

During 2019 Management considered the appropriate life of a new property lease entered into in Spain. The lease is for 
an initial period of five years, however the lease allows the Group to break the lease at any-time with one-month notice, 
provided it returns the property to its original condition. At 31 December 2019, Management assessed it was reasonably 
certain the expected life of the lease would be five years. 

Discontinued Operations

Under the terms of the Sale Agreement the Group agreed to indemnify the Purchaser against, inter alia, any liability 
related to any prescription drug user fee amounts owed to the United States Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) 
under the Prescription Drug Fee User Act (“PDUFA”) by MPUS for the United States government’s fiscal year ended 
30 September 2018.

MPUS had successfully obtained waivers for user fees for all prior fiscal periods in which it was liable under PDUFA and 
entered into the Sale Agreement with the Purchaser confident that a further waiver would be obtained. However, during 
2019 MPUS sought approval from the FDA for a filing relating to one of its commercial products and was informed by 
the FDA that the approval would not be forthcoming whilst the PDUFA fee remained unpaid. Consequently, MPUS paid 
the PDUFA fee of £0.95m and then, in accordance with the terms of the SPA, Midatech deposited the same amount with 
MPUS, pending completion of the waiver application process. 

At 30 June 2019 Management considered the amount recoverable from MPUS, this was based on the waiver application 
process being on-going and the historical success MPUS have had in obtaining the waiver.

At 31 December 2019 Management reconsidered the recoverability of the sum paid under the warranty, and although 
the waiver process is still on-going, Management concluded, based on third party advice, that the probability of 
successfully achieving the waiver had diminished and therefore have taken the decision to expense the cost of the 
warranty claim in the second half of 2019. 

Going Concern

The Group and Company has experienced net losses and significant cash outflows from cash used in operating 
activities over the past years as it develops its portfolio. For the year ended 31 December 2019, the Group incurred a 
consolidated loss from operations of £10.1m and negative cash flows from operations of £6.5m. As of 31 December 
2019, the Group had an accumulated deficit of £99.8m.

The Group’s consolidated financial statements have been presented on a going concern basis, which contemplates the 
realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business.

As at 31 December 2019, the Group had cash and cash equivalents of £10.93m. In May 2020, the Group completed an 
equity offering, raising £3.7m net of costs. The Directors forecast that the Group currently has enough cash to fund its 
planned operations into the second quarter of 2021.

The Group’s future viability is dependent on its ability to generate cash from operating activities, to raise additional capital 
to finance its operations and to successfully obtain regulatory approval to allow marketing of its development products. 
The Group’s failure to raise capital as and when needed could have a negative impact on its financial condition and ability 
to pursue its business strategies. For example, due to the Group’s current and forecasted cash position, on 31 March 2020, 
the Directors made the decision to cease certain of the Group’s research and development programs, close its Spanish 
operations and make certain terminations within its UK operations. In connection with the strategic review announced on 
the same date, the Directors are in the process of seeking to license or assign one or more of the Group’s technologies to 
a partner or, alternatively, to seek a buyer for the Company. Any or all of these transactions may be on unfavourable terms.

61

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements 2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements continued

The Directors have prepared cash flow forecasts and considered the cash flow requirement for the Company for the 
next five years including the period twelve months from the date of approval of the consolidated financial statements. 
These forecasts show that further financing will be required before the second quarter of 2021 assuming, inter alia, 
that certain development programs and other operating activities continue as currently planned. This requirement for 
additional financing in the short term represents a material uncertainty that may cast significant doubt upon the Group 
and parent company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

In addition, the global spread of the pandemic COVID-19 virus places increased uncertainty over the Directors’ 
forecasts. The restrictions placed and being placed on the movement of people will likely cause delays to some of the 
Group’s plans. The scale of the impact of COVID-19 is evolving and it is difficult to assess to what extent, and for how 
long, it will cause delays to the Group’s operations. The Directors have established a COVID-19 task force internally to 
monitor the impact of COVID-19 on the business and prioritize activities to minimize its effect.

In addition to utilizing the existing cash reserves, as part of the Group’s ongoing strategic review, the Directors and its 
advisors are evaluating a number of near-term funding options potentially available to the Group, including fundraising, 
the partnering of assets and technologies or the sale of the Company. After considering the uncertainties, the Directors 
consider it is appropriate to continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing these financial statements.

3 Segment Information

Revenue from contracts with customers

Geographical analysis of revenue by destination of customer

Revenue from continuing operations:

United Kingdom

Rest of Europe

Rest of the World

Revenue from discontinued operations

United States

2019 
£’000

2018 
£’000

2017 
£’000

197

55

60

312

149

–

–

149

79

70

–

149

–

3,882

6,609

In 2019, all revenue from continuing operations came from four customers (2018: one customer; 2017: three customers). 
Within revenue from discontinued operations for 2018, reported in the consolidated statement of comprehensive 
income under loss from discontinued operations, four customers each accounted for at least 10% of revenue from 
discontinued operations (2017: three customers): 

2019 
£’000

63%

19%

18%

2018 
£’000

100%

–

–

2017 
£’000

55%

–

–

Customer A

Customer B

Customer C

62

Notes forming part of the financial statements continuedFor the years ended 31 December 2019, 2018 and 2017Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019Following the disposal of the US commercial business, the Group contains one reportable operating segment, Pipeline 
Research and Development (“Pipeline R&D”). This segment seeks to develop products using the Group’s nanomedicine 
and sustained release technology platforms.

The accounting policies of the reportable segments are consistent with the Group’s accounting policies described in 
note 1. Segment results represent the result of each segment without the allocation of head office expenses, interest 
expense, interest income and tax.

No measures of segment assets and segment liabilities are reported to the Group’s Board of Directors in order to 
assess performance and allocate resources. There is no intersegment activity and all revenue is generated from 
external customers.

Both the UK and Spanish entities meet the aggregation criteria and have therefore been presented as a single reportable 
segment under Pipeline R&D. The research and development activities involve the discovery and development of 
pharmaceutical products in the field of nanomedicine and sustained release technology. The US operating company 
was engaged in the sale and marketing of cancer supportive care products and was reported historically under the 
Commercial segment.

In the following segmented results tables, depreciation and amortisation allocated to research and development costs, 
and administrative costs in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income, are presented separately.

Segmented results for the year ended 31 December 2019

Pipeline  
R&D 
£’000

Commercial 
(discontinued) 
£’000

Consolidated (including 
discontinued operations) 
£’000

Revenue

Grant revenue

Total revenue

Other income

Cost of sales

Research and development costs

Distribution costs, sales and marketing

Administrative costs

Loss from disposal of discontinued, net of tax

Depreciation

Amortisation

Loss from operations

Finance income

Finance expense

Loss before tax

Taxation

Loss for the year

Loss from continuing operations

Loss from discontinued operations

312

362

674

15

–

(6,624)

(323)

(3,775)

–

(1,282)

(3)

(11,318)

492

(97)

(10,923)

1,785

(9,138)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(947)

–

–

(947)

–

–

(947)

–

(947)

312

362

674

15

–

(6,624)

(323)

(3,775)

(947)

(1,282)

(3)

(12,265)

492

(97)

(11,870)

1,785

(10,085)

(9,138)

(947)

63

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements 3 Segment Information continued

Segmented results for the year ended 31 December 2018

Pipeline R&D 
£’000

Commercial 
(discontinued) 
£’000

Consolidated (including 
discontinued operations) 
£’000

Revenue

Grant revenue

Total revenue

Cost of sales

Research and development costs

Distribution costs, sales and marketing

Administrative costs

Loss on disposal of discontinued operations

Depreciation

Amortisation

Loss from operations

Finance income

Finance expense

Loss before tax

Taxation

Loss for the year

Loss from continuing operations

Loss from discontinued operations

149

1,789

1,938

–

(8,555)

–

(4,087)

–

(1,011)

(100)

(11,815)

2

(587)

(12,400)

2,032

(10,368)

3,882

–

3,882

(1,286)

(283)

(4,357)

(872)

(1,407)

(5)

(334)

(4,662)

–

–

(4,662)

–

(4,662)

4,031

1,789

5,820

(1,286)

(8,838)

(4,357)

(4,959)

(1,407)

(1,016)

(434)

(16,477)

2

(587)

(17,062)

2,032

(15,030)

(10,368) 

(4,662)

Segmented results for the year ended 31 December 2017

Pipeline R&D 
£’000

Commercial 
(discontinued) 
£’000

Consolidated (including 
discontinued operations) 
£’000

Revenue

Grant revenue

Total revenue

Cost of sales

Research and development costs

Distribution costs, sales and marketing

Administrative costs

Depreciation 

Amortisation

Impairment of intangible assets

Loss from operations

Finance income

Finance expense

Loss before tax

Taxation

Loss for the year

Loss from continuing operations

Loss from discontinued operations

64

149

840

989

–

(7,355)

(170)

(4,266)

(974)

–

(1,500)

(13,276)

415

(109)

(12,970)

1,265

(11,705)

6,609

–

6,609

(926)

(356)

(7,477)

(566)

(9)

(1,577)

–

(4,302)

–

(57)

(4,359)

–

(4,359)

6,758

840

7,598

(926)

(7,711)

(7,647)

(4,832)

(983)

(1,577)

(1,500)

(17,578)

415

(166)

(17,329)

1,265

(16,064)

(11,705) 

(4,359)

Notes forming part of the financial statements continuedFor the years ended 31 December 2019, 2018 and 2017Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019Non–current assets by location of assets

Spain

United Kingdom

United States

2019 
£’000

4,383

12,775

–

17,158

2018 
£’000

1,860

12,966

–

14,826

2017 
£’000

2,154

15,331

13,156

30,641

All material additions to non–current assets in 2019, 2018 and 2017 were in the Pipeline R&D segment.

4 Discontinued operations

During 2018 the Group made the decision to sell its Commercial business based in the US. The sale completed on  
1 November 2018 to Barings LLC, a member of the MassMutual Financial Group, for total consideration of up to $19m. 
This included $6m of consideration contingent payable on the achievement of various net revenue milestones for the 
MPUS business for the financial years 2018 and 2019. MPUS did not achieve the net revenue milestones in either 2018  
or 2019, as a result no contingent consideration was received during 2019. 

During 2019 a claim was made by MPUS under the warranties provided by Midatech under the disposal agreement,  
see note 2. The statement of cash flows includes the following amounts relating to discontinued operations:

Cash consideration received

Other consideration received

Total consideration received

Cash disposed of 

Net cash inflow on disposal of discontinued operation

Net assets disposed (other than cash):

Property, plant and equipment

Intangibles

Inventory

Trade and other payables

Total net assets disposed of (other than cash)

Loss on disposal of discontinued operation before and after tax

Foreign exchange gain realised on disposal

Loss on disposal

The post–tax loss on disposal of discontinued operations was determined as follows:

Result of discontinued operations

Revenue

Expenses other than finance costs

Finance costs

Impairment

Loss from discontinued operations before tax

Taxation

Loss on disposal of discontinued operations

Loss for the year from discontinued operations after tax

2019 
£’000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

– 

–

–

–

–

2019 
£’000

–

(947)

–

–

2018 
£’000

3,882

(7,137)

–

–

2018 
£’000

9,350

–

9,350

(91)

9,259

3

15,662

948

629

(2,734)

(14,508)

(5,249)

3,842

(1,407)

2017 
£’000

6,609

(10,911)

(57)

–

(947)

(3,255)

(4,359)

–

–

(947)

–

(1,407)

(4,662)

–

–

(4,359)

65

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements 4 Discontinued operations continued

Statement of cash flows

The statement of cash flows includes the following amounts relating to 
discontinued operations:

Operating activities 

Investing activities

Financing activities

Net cash flow from discontinued operations

5 Loss from operations

2019 
£’000

2018 
£’000

2017 
£’000

– 

(947)

–

(947)

(5,368)

(1,654)

–

(7)

–

(34)

(5,375)

(1,688)

2019 
£’000

2018 
£’000

2017 
£’000

Loss from operations is stated after charging/(crediting):

Changes in inventories of finished goods and work in progress

–

(976)

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 

– From continuing operations

– From discontinued operations

Depreciation of right of use asset 

– From continuing operations

– From discontinued operations

Amortisation of intangible assets – product and marketing rights

– From continuing operations

– From discontinued operations

Impairment of intangible assets

Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for the audit of the parent Company

Fees payable to the Company’s subsidiary auditors for the audits of the 
subsidiary accounts

Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for:

– Other services

Operating lease expense:

– Property

– Plant and machinery

Arrangement/penalty fees for loan facility

Foreign exchange(gain)/loss

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

Equity settled share–based payment

979

–

303

–

3

–

–

110

48

66

–

–

–

131

–

(34)

1,011

5

–

–

100

334

–

111

143

83

386

–

469

212

165

(36)

202

974

9

–

–

193

1,384

1,500

110

140

100

277

–

57

(39)

27

520

Amortisation of product and marketing rights are included with distribution costs, sales and marketing expenses. 
Amortisation ceased when the assets were reclassified as held for sale on 30 June 2018 and were sold on 
1 November 2018.

66

Notes forming part of the financial statements continuedFor the years ended 31 December 2019, 2018 and 2017Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 20196 Staff costs

Staff costs (including Directors), for continuing and discontinued operations, comprise:

Staff costs (including Directors) comprise:

Wages and salaries

Defined contribution pension cost (note 26)

Social security contributions and similar taxes

Share–based payment

Continuing operations

Discontinued operations

Employee numbers

2019 
£’000

2018 
£’000

2017 
£’000

2,762

5,393

90

565

(34)

3,383

3,383

–

3,383

149

639

(36)

6,145

4,352

1,793

6,145

5,278

158

643

520

6,599

4,578

2,021

6,599

The average number of staff employed by the Group during the financial year, for continuing and discontinued 
operations, amounted to: 

Research and development

General and administration

Sales and marketing

2019

2018

2017

52

13

–

65

63

16

6

85

62

17

6

85

Key management personnel compensation 

Key management personnel are those persons having authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the 
activities of the Group, including the Directors of the Company listed on page 38, including the Chief Operating Officer.

Wages and salaries

Defined contribution pension cost

Payments made to third parties

Social security contributions and similar taxes

Benefits in kind

Share–based payment

2019 
£’000

656

42

82

72

2

(58)

796

2018 
£’000

900

39

142

77

3

(92)

1,069

Emoluments disclosed above include the following amounts in respect of the highest paid Director. Directors’ 
emoluments are disclosed on pages 35 and 36.

Salary

Total pension and other post–employment benefit costs

Benefits in kind

Termination benefits

2019 
£’000

266

22

1

–

289

2018 
£’000

110

4

1

99

214

None of the Directors have exercised share options during the year (2018: nil, 2017: nil).

During the year three Directors (2018: three, 2017: two) participated in a defined contribution pension scheme.

2017 
£’000

811

68

142

97

3

388

1,509

2017 
£’000

299

10

1

–

310

67

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements 7 Finance income and expense

Finance income

Interest received on bank deposits

Gain on equity settled derivative financial liability

Total finance income

2019 
£’000

8

484

492

2018 
£’000

2

–

2

2017 
£’000

15

400

415

The gain on the equity settled derivative financial liability in 2019 arose as a result of the reduction in share price. The 
gain in 2017 arose due to the reduction in the share price and the lapsing of associated warrants and options as set out 
in note 21. 

Finance expense

Bank loans

Other loans

Total finance expense

8 Taxation

Current tax credit

Current tax credited to the income statement

Taxation payable in respect of foreign subsidiary

Adjustment in respect of prior year

Deferred tax credit

Reversal of temporary differences

Total tax credit

2019 
£’000

6

91

97

2019 
£’000

1,782

–

3

1,785

–

1,785

2018 
£’000

587

–

587

2018 
£’000

1,952

(67)

128

2,013

19

2,032

2017 
£’000

18

91

109

2017 
£’000

1,253

–

–

1,253

12

1,265

There was no tax charge relating to discontinued operations for 2018 and 2017. 

The reasons for the difference between the actual tax charge for the year and the standard rate of corporation tax in the 
United Kingdom applied to losses for the year are as follows:

Loss for the year, continuing and discontinued operations

Income tax credit – continuing operations

Loss before tax

Expected tax credit based on the standard rate of United Kingdom corporation 
tax at the domestic rate of 19% (2018: 19%, 2017: 19.25%) 

Expenses not deductible for tax purposes

Unrelieved tax losses and other deductions

Adjustment in respect of prior period

Surrender of tax losses for R&D tax refund

Unrelieved tax losses and other deductions arising in the period

Foreign exchange differences

Deferred tax not recognised

Total tax credited to the income statement

2019 
£’000

(10,085)

(1,785)

(11,870)

(2,255)

1,087

(114)

(3)

(1,810)

–

1

1,309

(1,785)

2018 
£’000

(15,030)

(2,032)

(17,062)

(3,241)

2,492

–

(129)

(1,955)

(220)

(26)

1,047

(2,032)

2017 
£’000

(16,064)

(1,265)

(17,329)

(3,336)

412

–

–

(1,196)

(156)

(84)

3,095

(1,265)

The taxation credit arises on the enhanced research and development tax credits accrued for the respective periods.

68

Notes forming part of the financial statements continuedFor the years ended 31 December 2019, 2018 and 2017Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 20199 Loss per share

Numerator

Loss used in basic EPS and diluted EPS:

Continuing operations

Discontinued operations

Denominator

2019 
£’000

2018 
£’000

2017 
£’000

(9,138)

(947)

(10,368)

(4,662)

(11,705)

(4,359)

Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in basic EPS:

18,330,588

3,056,303

2,565,866

Basic and diluted loss per share:

Continuing operations – pence

Discontinued operations – pence

(50)p

(5)p

(339)p

(153)p

(456)p

(170)p

On 2 March 2020 a resolution was passed at a general meeting of shareholders of the Company to consolidate its ordinary 
shares on a one for 20 basis into new ordinary shares of 0.1p each in the capital of the Company. The denominator has 
been calculated to reflect the share consolidation.

The Group has made a loss in the current and previous years presented, and therefore the options and warrants are 
anti–dilutive. As a result, diluted earnings per share is presented on the same basis for all periods shown.

10 Property, plant and equipment

Fixtures 
and fittings 
£’000

Leasehold 
improvements 
£’000

Computer 
equipment 
£’000

Laboratory 
equipment 
£’000

Right of use 
asset 
£’000 

Cost

At 1 January 2017

Additions 

Disposal

Exchange differences

At 31 December 2017

Additions 

Disposal

Exchange differences

At 31 December 2018

Adoption of IFRS 16 Leases

Additions 

Effect of modification to lease terms

Exchange differences

At 31 December 2019

228

18

–

6

252

4

(5)

2

1,999

41

–

72

2,112

106

(229)

24

281

57

–

4

342

40

–

1

3,050

591

(41)

69

3,669

353

(401)

30

253

2,013

383

3,651

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

4

–

(9)

248

–

137

–

(112)

2,038

–

23

–

(3)

403

–

223

–

(136)

3,738

395

822

(82)

(11)

1,124

Total 
£’000

5,558

707

(41)

151

6,375

503

(635)

57

6,300

395

1,209

(82)

(271)

7,551

69

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements 10 Property, plant and equipment continued

Fixtures 
and fittings 
£’000

Leasehold 
improvements 
£’000

Computer 
equipment 
£’000

Laboratory  
equipment 
£’000

Right of use 
asset 
£’000

Accumulated depreciation 

At 1 January 2017

Charge for the year

Disposals

Exchange differences

At 31 December 2017

Charge for the year

Disposals

Exchange differences

At 31 December 2018

Charge for the year

Exchange differences

At 31 December 2019

Net book value

At 31 December 2019

At 31 December 2018

At 31 December 2017

11 Leases

149

43

–

4

196

43

–

2

872

330

–

36

1,238

403

(175)

19

241

1,485

2

(8)

400

(91)

235

1,794

13

12

56

244

528

874

122

68

–

2

192

72

(3)

4

265

70

(3)

332

71

118

150

1,649

542

(14)

43

2,220

499

(421)

28

2,326

507

(93)

2,740

998

1,325

1,449

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

303

(7)

296

828

–

–

Total 
£’000

2,792

983

(14)

85

3,846

1,016

(599)

53

4,317

1,282

(202)

5,397

2,154

1,983

2,529

All leases are accounted for by recognising a right-of-use asset and a lease liability except for: 

•  Leases of low value assets; and 

•  Leases with a duration of 12 months or less. 

IFRS 16 was adopted 1 January 2019 without restatement of comparative figures. For an explanation of the transitional 
requirements that were applied as at 1 January 2019, see note 32. The following policies apply subsequent to the date of 
initial application, 1 January 2019. 

Lease liabilities are measured at the present value of the contractual payments due to the lessor over the lease term, 
with the discount rate determined by reference to the Group’s incremental borrowing rate on commencement of the 
lease is used. 

Right of use assets are initially measured at the amount of the lease liability, reduced for any lease incentives received, 
and increased for lease payments made at or before commencement of the lease.

Subsequent to initial measurement lease liabilities increase as a result of interest charged at a constant rate on the 
balance outstanding and are reduced for lease payments made. Right-of-use assets are amortised on a straight-line 
basis over the remaining term of the lease. 

When the Group revises its estimate of the term of any lease (because, for example, it re-assesses the probability 
of a lessee extension or termination option being exercised), it adjusts the carrying amount of the lease liability to 
reflect the payments to make over the revised term, which are discounted using a revised discount rate. An equivalent 
adjustment is made to the carrying value of the right-of-use asset, with the revised carrying amount being amortised 
over the remaining (revised) lease term. If the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset is adjusted to zero, any further 
reduction is recognised in profit or loss. 

70

Notes forming part of the financial statements continuedFor the years ended 31 December 2019, 2018 and 2017Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019The Group had previously entered into a sublease agreement to mitigate the impact of an otherwise onerous lease 
on the closure of its Abingdon site. This has been recognised as a lease receivable as the Group determined that the 
sublease meets the definition of a finance lease under the transitional provisions of IFRS16 and therefore, no right-of-
use asset is recognised.

Nature of leasing activities (in the capacity as lessee) 

The Group leases a number of properties in the jurisdictions from which it operates. In some jurisdictions it is 
customary for lease contracts to provide for payments to increase each year by inflation or and in others to be  
reset periodically to market rental rates.

Right of Use Asset

At 1 January 2019

Additions

Effect of modification to lease terms

Depreciation

Exchange differences

At 31 December 2019

Lease Liabilities

At 1 January 2019

Additions

Effect of modification to lease terms

Interest expenses

Lease payments

Exchange differences

At 31 December 2019

Land and buildings 
£’000

395

822

(82)

(303)

(4)

828

Land and buildings 
£’000

546

822

(82)

24

(391)

(12)

907

The Group had commitments under non-cancellable operating leases as set out below, from 1 January 2019, the Group 
has recognised right-of-use assets for these leases, exception for low value leases, see note 32 for further information.

2019

Expiring In one year or less

Expiring between one and five years

2018

Expiring In one year or less

Expiring between one and five years

2017

Expiring In one year or less

Expiring between one and five years

Land and buildings 
£’000

Other  
£’000

–

–

–

383

189

572

449

359

808

–

–

–

1

4

5

8

32

40

71

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements In–process 
research and 
development 
£’000

Product and 
marketing 
rights 
£’000

Goodwill 
£’000

IT/website 
costs 
£’000

12,600

21,481

14,488

778

–

–

–

(1,625)

(1,044)

13,378

19,856

13,444

–

–

13,378

–

–

13,378

(21,022)

(11,808)

1,166

–

–

–

–

655

2,291

–

–

2,291

26

–

1

27

–

1

28

9

(2)

35

In–process 
research and 
development 
£’000

Product and 
marketing 
rights 
£’000

Goodwill 
£’000

IT/Website 
Costs 
£’000

1,800

–

1,500

–

3,300

–

–

–

3,300

–

–

3,300

10,078

10,078

10,078

15,608

1,574

–

(1,443)

15,739

431

(17,103)

933

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2,291

2,291

4,117

13,444

15

3

–

1

19

3

–

1

23

3

(1)

25

10

5

8

Total 
£’000

48,595

778

(2,668)

46,705

(32,830)

1,822

15,697

9

(2)

15,704

Total 
£’000

17,423

1,577

1,500

(1,442)

19,058

434

(17,103)

934

3,323

3

(1)

3,325

12,379

12,374

27,647

12 Intangible assets

Cost

At 1 January 2017

Additions

Foreign exchange

At 31 December 2017

Disposals

Foreign exchange

At 31 December 2018

Additions

Foreign exchange

At 31 December 2019

Accumulated amortisation

At 1 January 2017

Amortisation charge for the year

Impairment

Foreign exchange

At 31 December 2017

Amortisation charge for the year

Disposals

Foreign exchange

At 31 December 2018

Amortisation charge for the year

Foreign exchange

At 31 December 2019

Net book value

At 31 December 2019

At 31 December 2018

At 31 December 2017

72

Notes forming part of the financial statements continuedFor the years ended 31 December 2019, 2018 and 2017Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019The individual intangible assets, excluding goodwill, which are material to the financial statements are:

Carrying amount

Remaining amortisation period

2019 
£’000

2018 
£’000

2017  
£’000

9,300

9,300

9,300

–

–

–

–

778

778

10,078

10,078

1,995

2,122

778

14,195

2019 
(years)

n/a in 
process

2018 
(years)

n/a in 
process

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a in 
process

n/a in 
process

2017 
(years)

n/a in 
process

Between  
1 and 3

11

n/a in 
process

Midatech Pharma (Wales) Limited 
acquired IPRD

Midatech Pharma US, Inc., product 
and marketing rights

Zuplenz® product and marketing 
rights

MTX110 acquired IPRD

13 Impairment testing

Midatech Pharma (Wales) Ltd

Details of goodwill and IPRD allocated to the acquired cash generating unit and the valuation basis are as follows: 

Indefinite lived

IPRD carrying amount

Goodwill carrying amount

Name

2019 
£’000

2018 
£’000

2017 
£’000

2019 
£’000

2018 
£’000

2017 
£’000

Valuation  
basis

CGU – Midatech Pharma (Wales) Ltd

9,300

9,300

9,300

2,291

2,291

2,291

Value in use

The assets of the Midatech Pharma Wales Ltd (“MPW”) CGU were valued as at 31 December 2019, 2018 and 2017 and 
were found to support the IPRD and goodwill carrying amounts set out above. The IPRD was valued using 12–13 year 
(2018: 12–13 year; 2017: 13–14 year), risk adjusted cash flow forecasts, in line with patent life, that have been approved 
by the Board. A period longer than five years is appropriate on the basis that the investment is long term and the 
development and commercialisation process is typically in excess of five years. Beyond the period from product launch 
and initial market penetration, a long term growth rate of Nil was used.

In 2017 an impairment charge of £1.5m was recorded in the MPW CGU as a result of the impairment of the Opsisporin 
IPRD, primarily due to a strategic review concluding that the product is outside of Midatech’s strategic focus and as a 
result the decision was made not to continue with the programme at this point. At the same time the carrying value of a 
component of IPRD was reduced from £1.5m to nil. The resulting charge was shown separately within the consolidated 
statement of income.

The key assumptions used in the valuation model examining the MPW Ltd cash generating unit include the following:

Assumptions

Pre–tax discount rate

Cumulative probability of success of projects

2019

18.4%

81%

2018

17.7%

81%

2017

17.9%

81%

The discount rate is an estimated market–based weighted average cost of capital for the MPW business, determined 
at the date of acquisition. Cumulative probability of success of projects is the product of the probability of success 
of each remaining major phase of development for each individual IPRD component. These phase probabilities were 
determined by management with reference to the risks associated with each remaining development stage.

73

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements 13 Impairment testing continued

Sensitivity analysis

If any one of the following changes were made to the above key assumptions, the carrying value and recoverable 
amount would be equal.

Assumptions

Pre–tax discount rate for all projects

Cumulative probability of success of project

Refer to note 33 for post balance sheet event

14 Subsidiaries

2019

2018

2017

increase to
21%

increase to 
29.8%

increase to
 21.0%

59%

34%

57%

The subsidiaries of Midatech Pharma plc, all of which are 100% owned, either directly or through subsidiaries where 
indicated, and have been included in these financial statements in accordance with the details set out in the basis of 
preparation and basis of consolidation note 1, are as follows:

Name

Midatech Limited

Registered office

Oddfellows House, 19 Newport Road, Cardiff,  
CF24 0AA

Nature of business

Notes

Trading company

Midatech Pharma (España) SL

Parque Tecnológico de Vizcaya, Edificio 800 Planta 
2, Derio, 48160, Vizcaya, Spain

Trading company

(a)

PharMida AG

c/o Kellerhals, Hirschgässlein 11, 4051 Basel, 
Switzerland

Dormant

(a) (b)

Midatech Pharma (Wales) Limited Oddfellows House, 19 Newport Road, Cardiff,  
CF24 0AA

Trading company

Midatech Pharma PTY

c/o Griffith Hack Consulting, 300 Queen Street, 
Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia

Trading company

(c)

Notes:

(a)  Wholly owned subsidiary of Midatech Limited.

(b)  PharMida AG became dormant in January 2016.

(c)  Midatech Pharma PTY was incorporated on 16 February 2015.

15 Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables

Prepayments

Other receivables 

Total trade and other receivables

Less: non–current portion (rental deposit and on bond)

Current portion

2019 
£’000

22

151

3,444

3,617

(2,625)

992

2018 
£’000

89

139

1,564

1,792

(469)

1,323

2017 
£’000

2,232

627

848

3,707

(465)

3,242

74

Notes forming part of the financial statements continuedFor the years ended 31 December 2019, 2018 and 2017Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019Trade and other receivables do not contain any impaired assets. The Group does not hold any collateral as security and 
the maximum exposure to credit risk at the consolidated statement of financial position date is the fair value of each 
class of receivable. 

Book values approximate to fair value at 31 December 2019, 2018 and 2017.

During 2019 a cash-backed guarantee was provided to the Spanish Government in relation to a loan provided to the 
Group under its Reindustrialisation programme, see note 19. The value of the guarantee will be reduced over the life of 
the loan once the value outstanding on the loan is equal to or less than the guarantee. The reductions will be in line with 
the repayments made.

16 Cash and cash equivalents and cash flow supporting notes

Cash and cash equivalents for purposes of the consolidated statement of cash flows comprises:

Cash at bank available on demand

2019 
£’000

10,928

2018 
£’000

2,343

2017 
£’000

13,204

During 2019 and 2017, cash inflows arose from equity financing transactions, included within financing activities on the 
face of the cash flow statement. As part of the equity transaction in October 2019 warrants to the value of £1.1m were 
issued as disclosed in note 21. 

Gross proceeds

Transaction costs

2019 
£’000

15,767

(1,659)

14,108

2018 
£’000

–

–

–

The following changes in loans and borrowings arose as a result of financing activities during the year:

At 1 January 2019

Cash flows

Non-cashflows:

Foreign Exchange

Fair value changes

Adoption of IFRS16 leases

Effect of modification to lease term – IFRS 16

New leases

Loans and borrowings classified as non-current 31 December 2018  
becoming current in 2019

Transfer to grant income

Interest accruing in period

At 31 December 2019

Non–current 
liabilities,  
bank loans 
£’000

884

5,575

(42)

(1,139)

163

–

805

(685)

–

108

5,670

Current 
liabilities,  
bank loans 
£’000

368

(1,027)

(29)

–

383

(82)

95

685

(14)

34

412

2017 
£’000

6,157

(429)

5,728

Total 
£’000

1,252

4,548

(71)

(1,139)

546

(82)

900

–

(14)

142

6,082

75

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements 16 Cash and cash equivalents and cash flow supporting notes continued

At 1 January 2018

Cash flows

Non-cashflows:

Foreign Exchange

New leases

Loans and borrowings classified as non-current 31 December 2018  
becoming current in 2019

Interest accruing in period

At 31 December 2018

17 Inventories

Finished goods

Total inventories

Non–current 
liabilities,  
bank loans 
£’000

Current 
liabilities, 
 bank loans 
£’000

6,185

(5,580)

296

168

(232)

47

884

2019 
£’000

–

–

361

(305)

4

76

232

–

368

2018 
£’000

–

–

Total 
£’000

6,546

(5,885)

300

244

–

47

1,252

2017 
£’000

941

941

There was no stock held at 31 December 2019. In 2017 a reserve was maintained against inventory that was not 
expected to be sold before its sell by date. The resulting charge to the discontinued element of the comprehensive 
statement of income in 2017 was £151k.

18 Trade and other payables

Current

Trade payables

Other payables

Accruals

Total financial liabilities, excluding loans and borrowings,  
classified as financial liabilities measured at amortised cost

Tax and social security 

Deferred revenue and government grants

Total trade and other payables

2019 
£’000

725

13

1,765

2,503

86

1,905

4,494

2018 
£’000

286

–

1,025

1,311

347

445

2,103

2017 
£’000

2,271

1,141

3,090

6,502

359

1,141

8,002

Book values approximate to fair value at 31 December 2019, 2018 and 2017.

All current trade and other payables are payable within three months of the period end date shown above.

Government grants 

The Group received development grant funding from the European Union under the Horizon 2020 “Nanofacturing” 
project, a European Union funded programme to develop a scalable manufacturing platform for the production of 
nanopharmaceutical products. Midatech participated in this programme, along with seven other entities, through two 
Group companies, Midatech Pharma España SL (“MPE”), which acted as project coordinator, and Midatech Limited 
(“MTL”). The project commenced in February 2015 and completed in January 2019. £124k (2018: £1,610k, 2017: £840k) 
of revenue has been recognised during the year in relation to this project and £nil (2018:£124k, 2017: £1.11m) of the 
deferred revenue balance relates to funds received but not yet recognised.

76

Notes forming part of the financial statements continuedFor the years ended 31 December 2019, 2018 and 2017Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 201919 Borrowings

Current

Bank loans

Lease liabilities

Government and research loans

Total

Non–current

Bank loans

Lease liabilities

Government and research loans

Total

2019 
£’000

2018 
£’000

2017 
£’000

–

233

179

412

–

912

4,758

5,670

4

80

284

368

–

170

714

884

11

39

311

361

5,207

29

949

6,185

Book values approximate to fair value at 31 December 2019, 2018 and 2017.

Obligations under finance leases are secured by a fixed charge over the fixed assets to which they relate. 

Government loans in Spain 

In September 2019, Midatech Pharma España SL received €6.6m of funding awarded under the Spanish Government 
Reindustrialisation programme, following it providing a €2.9m cash-backed guarantee. The funds are to be used to 
support Midatech’s manufacturing scale-up facilities construction. The loan is a term loan which carries an interest 
rate below the market rate and is repayable over periods through to 2029. The loan carries a default interest rate in the 
event of scheduled repayments not being met. On initial recognition, the loan is discounted at a market rate of interest 
with the credit being classified as a grant within deferred revenue. The deferred grant revenue is released to the 
consolidated statement of comprehensive income within research and development costs in the period to which the 
expenditure is recognised.

There are three other outstanding government loans which have been received by Midatech Pharma España SL for 
the finance of research, technical innovation and the construction of their laboratory. The loans are term loans which 
carry an interest rate below the market rate, and are repayable over periods through to 2024. The loans carry default 
interest rates in the event of scheduled repayments not being met. On initial recognition, the loans are discounted at a 
market rate of interest with the credit being classified as a grant within deferred revenue. The deferred grant revenue is 
released to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income within research and development costs in the period 
to which the expenditure is recognised. 

The deferred revenue element of the government loans is designated within note 18 as deferred revenue and 
Government grants, the gross contractual repayment of the loans is disclosed in note 22.

Midcap Loan Facility

In December 2017, Midatech Pharma entered into a secured loan agreement with Midcap Financial Trust (MidCap). 
The total facility was for $15m to be drawn down in three separate tranches. Interest was charged on the outstanding 
balance of the loan at an annual rate of LIBOR plus 7.5% subject to a LIBOR floor of 1.25%. MidCap was granted 247,881 
warrants to purchase shares which was equal to 2% of the amount funded divided by the Exercise Price of £0.42. The 
Exercise Price was calculated as the average closing price for the 30-day period prior to the date of grant. The loan was 
secured against the assets of the Group.

The first tranche of $7m was drawn down on 28 December 2017 and is disclosed under bank loans. This loan was repaid 
on 31 October 2018.

77

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements 20 Provisions

Opening provision at 1 January

Provision (released)/recognised in the year

At 31 December

Less: non–current portion (rental deposit and bond)

Current portion

2019 
£’000

165

(68)

97

–

97

2018 
£’000

–

165

165

(165)

165

2017 
£’000

–

–

–

–

–

The provision relates to the “making good” clause on the Abingdon office which was vacated in December 2018. The 
office has been sub-let for the remaining period of the lease, which terminated in February 2020.

21 Derivative financial liability – current

Equity settled derivative financial liability

At 1 January/on acquisition – 5 December 2015

Warrants issued 2019

Gain recognised in finance income within the consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income

At 31 December 

2019 
£’000

–

–

1,148

(484)

664

2018 
£’000

–

–

–

–

–

2017 
£’000

–

400

–

(400)

–

Equity settled derivative financial liability is a liability that is not to be settled for cash. 

In October 2019 the Group issued 63,000,000 warrants in the ordinary share capital of the Company as part of a 
Registered Direct Offering. The number of ordinary shares to be issued when exercised is fixed, however the exercise 
price is denominated in US Dollars being different to the functional currency of the parent company. Therefore, the 
warrants are classified as equity settled derivative financial liabilities recognised at fair value through the profit and 
loss account (“FVTPL”). The financial liability is valued using the Monte Carlo model. Financial liabilities at FVTPL are 
stated at fair value, with any gains or losses arising on re-measurement recognised in profit or loss. The net gain or 
loss recognised in profit or loss incorporates any interest paid on the financial liability and is included in the “finance 
income” or “finance expense” lines item in the income statement. Fair value is determined in the manner described in 
note 22. A key input in the valuation of the instrument is the Company share price.

At 31 December 2019 63,000,000 warrants were outstanding.

The Group also assumed fully vested warrants and share options on the acquisition of DARA Biosciences, Inc. (which 
took place in 2015). The number of ordinary shares to be issued when exercised is fixed, however the exercise prices are 
denominated in US Dollars. The warrants are classified equity settled derivative financial liabilities and accounted for in the 
same way as those issued in October 2019. The financial liability is valued using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.

At 31 December 2017 a further 166,058 options and 489,318 warrants had lapsed and the share price had fallen to £0.36 
which results in a gain of £0.40m on re-measurement which was credited to finance income during 2017.

At 31 December 2018 a further 176,935 options and 776,889 warrants had lapsed and the share price had fallen to £0.06. 
As the liability had already been reduced to zero there was no movement on re-measurement.

At 31 December 2019 a further 66,640 options and 2,231,644 warrants had lapsed and the share price had fallen to 
£0.028. As the liability had already been reduced to zero there was no movement on re-measurement.

78

Notes forming part of the financial statements continuedFor the years ended 31 December 2019, 2018 and 2017Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 201922 Financial instruments – risk management

The Group is exposed through its operations to the following financial risks:

•  Credit risk

•  Foreign exchange risk

•  Liquidity risk

In common with all other businesses, the Group is exposed to risks that arise from its use of financial instruments. 
This note describes the Group’s objectives, policies and processes for managing those risks and the methods used to 
measure them. The Board does not believe that its risk exposure to financial instruments, its objectives, policies and 
processes for managing those risks or the methods used to measure them from previous periods unless otherwise 
stated in this note has changed in the past year.

Principal financial instruments

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

•  Trade and other receivables 

•  Cash and cash equivalents

•  Trade and other payables

•  Accruals

•  Loans and borrowings

•  Derivative financial liability

A summary of the financial instruments held by category is provided below:

Financial assets – amortised cost

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade receivables 

Other receivables

Total financial assets

Financial liabilities – amortised cost

Trade payables

Other payables

Accruals

Borrowings

Total financial liabilities – amortised cost

Financial liabilities – fair value through profit and loss – current

Equity settled derivative financial liability

2019 
£’000

10,928

22

2,625

13,575

2019 
£’000

725

13

1,765

6,082

8,585

2019 
£’000

664

2018 
£’000

2,343

89

469

2,901

2018 
£’000

286

–

1,025

1,252

2,563

2018 
£’000

–

2017 
£’000

13,204

2,232

465

15,901

2017 
£’000

2,271

1,141

3,090

6,546

13,048

2017 
£’000

–

79

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements 22 Financial instruments – risk management continued
General objectives, policies and processes

The Board has overall responsibility for the determination of the Group’s risk management objectives and policies and, 
whilst retaining ultimate responsibility for them, it has delegated the authority for designing and operating processes 
that ensure the effective implementation of the objectives and policies to the Group’s management. 

The overall objective of the Board is to set policies that seek to reduce risk as far as possible without unduly affecting 
the Group’s competitiveness and flexibility. Further details regarding these policies are set out below: 

Fair value hierarchy

The Group uses the following hierarchy for determining and disclosing the fair value of financial instruments by 
valuation technique: 

•  Level 1: quoted (unadjusted) prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities; 

•  Level 2: other techniques for which all inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value are 

observable, either directly or indirectly; and 

•  Level 3: techniques which use inputs that have a significant effect on the recorded fair value that are not based on 

observable market data. 

The fair value of the Group’s derivative financial liability is measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The following table 
gives information about how the fair value of this financial liability is determined, additional disclosure is given in note 21:

Financial  
liabilities

Equity settled 
financial derivative 
liability

Fair value  
as at 
31/12/2019

Fair value 
hierarchy

£664,000

Level 3

Valuation 
technique(s) 
and key input(s)

Monte Carlo 
simulation 
model

Significant unobservable input(s)

Relationship of  
unobservable inputs  
to fair value

Volatility rate of 78.4% determined 
using historical volatility of 
comparable companies. 

The higher the 
volatility the higher 
the fair value.

Expected life between a range of 0.1 
and 5.68 years determined using the 
remaining life of the share options.

The shorter the 
expected life the 
lower the fair value.

Risk-free rate between a range of 
0.59% and 1.69 % determined using 
the expected life assumptions.

The higher the  
risk-free rate the 
higher the fair value.

Equity settled 
financial derivative 
liability

–

Level 3

Black–Scholes 
option pricing 
model

Volatility rate of 78.3% determined 
using historical volatility of 
comparable companies. 

The higher the 
volatility the higher 
the fair value.

Expected life between a range of 2.0 
and 2.9 years determined using the 
remaining life of the share options.

The shorter the 
expected life the 
lower the fair value.

Risk–free rate between a range of 
0.0% and 0.26 % determined using  
the expected life assumptions.

The higher the  
risk–free rate the 
higher the fair value.

80

Notes forming part of the financial statements continuedFor the years ended 31 December 2019, 2018 and 2017Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019Financial  
liabilities

Equity settled 
financial derivative 
liability

Fair value  
as at 
31/12/2018

–

Fair value 
hierarchy

Level 3

Valuation 
technique (s)  
and key input(s)

Significant unobservable input(s)

Relationship of 
unobservable inputs  
to fair value

Black-Scholes 
option pricing 
model

Volatility rate of 42.5% determined 
using historical volatility of 
comparable companies. 

The higher the 
volatility the higher 
the fair value.

Expected life between a range of 0.1 
and 8.6 years determined using the 
remaining life of the share options.

The shorter the 
expected life the 
lower the fair value.

Risk-free rate between a range of  
0.0% and 1.14% determined using  
the expected life assumptions.

The higher the  
risk-free rate the 
higher the fair value.

Financial  
liabilities

Equity settled 
financial derivative 
liability

Fair value  
as at 
31/12/2017

–

Fair value 
hierarchy

Level 3

Valuation 
technique (s)  
and key input(s)

Significant unobservable input(s)

Relationship of 
unobservable inputs  
to fair value

Black-Scholes 
option pricing 
model

Volatility rate of 42.5% determined 
using historical volatility of 
comparable companies. 

The higher the 
volatility the higher 
the fair value.

Expected life between a range of 0.1 
and 8.6 years determined using the 
remaining life of the share options.

The shorter the 
expected life the 
lower the fair value.

Risk-free rate between a range of  
0.0% and 1.14% determined using  
the expected life assumptions.

The higher the  
risk-free rate the 
higher the fair value.

Changing the unobservable risk free rate input to the valuation model by 10% higher while all other variables were held 
constant, would not impact the carrying amount of shares (2018: nil, 2017: nil).

There were no transfers between Level 1 and 2 in the period.

The financial liability measured at fair value on Level 3 fair value measurement represents consideration relating to 
warrants issued in October 2019 as part of a Registered Direct offering and also a business combination. In 2018 and 
2017 this only related to consideration relating to a business combination. 

Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Group if a development partner or a counterparty to a financial instrument 
fails to meet its contractual obligations. The Group is mainly exposed to credit risk from amounts due from 
collaborative partners which is deemed to be low. 

Credit risk also arises from cash and cash equivalents and deposits with banks and financial institutions. For banks and 
financial institutions, only independently rated parties with high credit status are accepted. 

The Group does not enter into derivatives to manage credit risk. 

The consolidated entity recognises a loss allowance for expected credit losses on financial assets which are either 
measured at amortised cost or fair value through other comprehensive income. The measurement of the loss allowance 
depends upon the consolidated entity’s assessment at the end of each reporting period as to whether the financial 
instrument’s credit risk has increased significantly since initial recognition, based on reasonable and supportable 
information that is available, without undue cost or effort to obtain.

81

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements 22 Financial instruments – risk management continued

Where there has not been a significant increase in exposure to credit risk since initial recognition, a 12–month expected 
credit loss allowance is estimated. This represents a portion of the asset’s lifetime expected credit losses that is 
attributable to a default event that is possible within the next 12 months. Where a financial asset has become credit 
impaired or where it is determined that credit risk has increased significantly, the loss allowance is based on the asset’s 
lifetime expected credit losses. The amount of expected credit loss recognised is measured on the basis of the probability 
weighted present value of anticipated cash shortfalls over the life of the instrument discounted at the original effective 
interest rate. For financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income, the loss allowance is 
recognised within other comprehensive income. In all other cases, the loss allowance is recognised in profit or loss.

Quantitative disclosures of the credit risk exposure in relation to financial assets are set out in note 15. This includes 
details regarding trade and other receivables, which are neither past due nor impaired. 

The total exposure to credit risk of the Group is equal to the total value of the financial assets held at each year end as 
noted above. 

Cash in bank 

The Group is continually reviewing the credit risk associated with holding money on deposit in banks and seeks to 
mitigate this risk by holding deposits with banks with high credit status. 

Foreign exchange risk 

Foreign exchange risk arises because the Group has a material operation located in Bilbao, Spain, whose functional currency 
is not the same as the functional currency of the Group. The Group’s net assets arising from the overseas operation is 
exposed to currency risk resulting in gains or losses on retranslation into sterling. Given the levels of materiality, the Group 
does not hedge its net investments in overseas operations as the cost of doing so is disproportionate to the exposure. 

Foreign exchange risk also arises when individual Group entities enter into transactions denominated in a currency 
other than their functional currency; the Group’s transactions outside the UK to the US, Europe and Australia drive 
foreign exchange movements where suppliers invoice in currency other than sterling. These transactions are not 
hedged because the cost of doing so is disproportionate to the risk. 

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

Cash and cash equivalents:

Pounds Sterling

US Dollar

Euro

Other

Total

2019 
£’000

2018 
£’000

2017 
£’000

3,153

2,021

5,750

4

10,928

457

1,421

459

6

2,343

6,116

5,362

1,632

94

13,204

The table below shows the foreign currency exposure that gives rise to net currency gains and losses recognised in the 
consolidated statement of comprehensive income. Such exposures comprise the net monetary assets and monetary 
liabilities of the Group that are not denominated in the functional currency of the relevant Group entity. As at 31 
December, these exposures were as follows:

Net Foreign Currency Assets/(Liabilities):

US Dollar

Euro

Other

Total

82

2019 
£’000

2,021

1,460

7

3,488

2018 
£’000

1,421

552

8

1,981

2017 
£’000

4,459

(362)

95

4,192

Notes forming part of the financial statements continuedFor the years ended 31 December 2019, 2018 and 2017Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019Foreign currency sensitivity analysis

The most significant currencies in which the Group transacts, other than Pounds Sterling, are the US Dollar and the 
Euro. The Group also trades in other currencies in small amounts as necessary.

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

Year ended 31 December 2019

Loss before tax

Total equity

Year ended 31 December 2018

Loss before tax

Total equity

Year ended 31 December 2017

Loss before tax

Total equity

US Dollar 
£’000

202

202

US Dollar 
£’000

–

142

US Dollar 
£’000

307

307

Euro 
£’000

54

31

Euro 
£’000

168

168

Euro 
£’000

(89)

(89)

Other 
£’000

–

1

Other 
£’000

–

–

Other 
£’000

–

–

The sale of the Midatech Pharma US, Inc. operation prior to 31 December 2018 resulted in there not being any US 
Dollar denominated assets or liabilities to report on other than a US Dollar cash balance held by Midatech Pharma plc. 
In management’s opinion, the sensitivity analysis for the year ended 31 December 2018 is unrepresentative of the 
inherent foreign exchange risk as the year-end exposure does not reflect the exposure during the year.

Liquidity risk 

Liquidity risk arises from the Group’s management of working capital. It is the risk that the Group will encounter 
difficulty in meeting its financial obligations as they fall due. It is the Group’s aim to settle balances as they become due.

In February 2019, the Company completed a Subscription, Placing and Open Offer which raised £13.4m before costs. 
In October 2019, the Company completed a Registered Direct Offering which raised £2.4m before costs. We have 
prepared cash flow forecasts and considered the cash flow requirement for the Company for the next five years 
including the period twelve months from the date of approval of the consolidated financial information. These forecasts 
show that further financing will be required before the second quarter of 2021 assuming, inter alia, that all development 
programs and other operating activities continue as currently planned. This requirement for additional financing in 
the short term represents a material uncertainty that raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going 
concern. In addition, the global spread of the pandemic COVID-19 virus places increased uncertainty over our forecasts. 
The restrictions placed and being placed on the movement of people will likely cause delays to some of our plans. The 
scale of the impact of COVID-19 is evolving and it is difficult to assess to what extent, and for how long, it will cause 
delays to our operations. We have established a COVID-19 task force internally to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on 
our business and prioritize activities to minimize its effect.

In addition to utilizing the existing cash reserves, as part of our ongoing strategic review, we and our advisors are 
evaluating a number of near-term funding options potentially available to us, including fundraising, the partnering of 
assets and technologies or the sale of the Company. Therefore, after considering the uncertainties, we consider it is 
appropriate to continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial information. Our ability to continue 
as a going concern is dependent upon our ability to obtain additional capital and/or dispose of assets, for which there 
can be no assurance we will be able to do on a timely basis, on favourable terms or at all.

83

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements 22 Financial instruments – risk management continued

The following table sets out the contractual maturities (representing undiscounted contractual cash–flows) of  
financial liabilities: 

2019

Trade and other payables

Bank loans

Lease liabilities

Government research loans

Total

2018

Trade and other payables

Bank loans

Finance leases

Government research loans

Total

2017

Trade and other payables

Bank loans

Finance leases

Government research loans

Total

Up to 3 
months 
£’000

2,503

–

79

–

2,582

Up to 3 
months 
£’000

1,311

3

22

44

1,380

Up to 3 
months 
£’000

6,502

120

16

43

6,681

Between 
3 and 12 
months 
£’000

Between 
1 and 2 
years 
£’000

–

–

165

272

437

–

–

317

238

555

Between 
3 and 12 
months 
£’000

Between 
1 and 2 
years 
£’000

–

2

65

240

307

Between 
3 and 12 
months 
£’000

–

359

25

268

649

–

–

79

406

485

Between 
1 and 2 
years 
£’000

–

2,201

30

467

2,698

Between 
2 and 5 
years 
£’000

–

–

735

2,851

3,586

Between 
2 and 5 
years 
£’000

–

–

117

414

531

Between 
2 and 5 
years 
£’000

–

3,926

–

545

4,471

Over 
5 years 
£’000

–

–

–

3,317

3,317

Over 
5 years 
£’000

–

–

–

–

–

Over 
5 years 
£’000

–

–

–

47

47

More details with regard to the line items above are included in the respective notes: 

•  Trade and other payables – note 18 

•  Borrowings – note 19 

As a result of the Strategic Review undertaken in March 2020 as disclosed in note 33 the Group intends to repay the 
Government Research loans during 2020.

Capital risk management 

The Group monitors capital which comprises all components of equity (i.e. share capital, share premium, foreign 
exchange reserve and accumulated deficit). 

The Group’s objectives when maintaining capital are: 

•  to safeguard the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern; and 

•  to have sufficient resource to take development projects forward towards commercialisation. 

The Group continues to incur substantial operating expenses. Until the Group generates positive net cash inflows 

84

Notes forming part of the financial statements continuedFor the years ended 31 December 2019, 2018 and 2017Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019from the commercialisation of its products it remains dependent upon additional funding through the injection of 
equity capital and government funding. The Group may not be able to generate positive net cash inflows in the future 
or to attract such additional required funding at all, or on suitable terms. In such circumstances the development 
programmes may be delayed or cancelled and business operations cut back. 

The Group seeks to reduce this risk by keeping a tight control on expenditure, avoiding long term supplier contracts 
(other than clinical trials), prioritising development spend on products closest to potential revenue generation, 
obtaining government grants (where applicable), maintaining a focussed portfolio of products under development and 
keeping shareholders informed of progress. 

There have been no changes to the Group’s objectives, policies and processes for managing capital and what the Group 
manages as capital, unless otherwise stated in this note, since the previous year.

23 Deferred tax

Deferred tax is calculated in full on temporary differences under the liability method using tax rates applicable in the tax 
jurisdictions where the tax asset or liability would arise.

The movement on the deferred tax account is as shown below:

Liability at 1 January 

Arising on business combination

Credited to income on impairment and amortisation of intangibles

Credited to income statement

Foreign exchange gain

Liability at 31 December

2019 
£’000

2018 
£’000

2017 
£’000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

The movement on the deferred tax account in 2019 is nil (2018: nil, 2017: nil) as the net credit arising on the amortisation 
of intangible assets and other timing differences has been matched by a reduction in the deferred tax asset recognised 
on the losses offsetting the liability remaining.

A deferred tax liability arose due to deferred tax on intangible assets acquired in 2015. 

An intangible asset was impaired in the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2016 by £11.4m which 
resulted in a £4.6m tax credit being recognised in the income statement.

Unused tax losses carried forward, subject to agreement with local tax authorities, were as follows:

31 December 2019

31 December 2018

31 December 2017

Gross  
losses 
£’000

49,565

40,741

38,377

Potential 
deferred tax 
asset 
£’000

8,426

6,926

6,639

With the exception of the £1.6m (2018: £1.7m, 2017: £2.6m) deferred tax asset which qualifies for offset against the 
deferred tax liability, mainly arising on the acquisitions of Midatech Pharma (Wales) Limited, the remaining potential 
deferred tax asset of £9.0m (2018 £7.3m, 2017: £9.5m) has not been provided in these accounts due to uncertainty as to 
whether the asset would be recovered.

85

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements 23 Deferred tax continued

Details of the deferred tax liability are as follows:

2019

Business Combinations

2018

Business Combinations

2017

Business Combinations

24 Share capital

Authorised, allotted and fully  
paid – classified as equity

At 31 December

Asset 
£’000

1,581

Asset 
£’000

1,690

Asset

£’000

2,599

Liability 
£’000

(1,581)

Liability 
£’000

(1,690)

Liability

£’000

(2,599)

Net 
£’000

–

Net 
£’000

–

Net

£’000

–

2019 
Number

2019 
£

2018 
Number

2018 
£

2017 
Number

2017 
£

Ordinary shares of £0.00005 each

469,899,613

23,495

61,184,135

3,059

61,084,135

3,054

Deferred shares of £1 each

1,000,001

1,000,001

1,000,001

1,000,001

1,000,001

1,000,001

Total 

1,023,496

1,003,060

1,003,055

On 2 March 2020 a resolution was passed at a general meeting of shareholders of the Company to consolidate it’s 
ordinary shares on a one for 20 basis into new ordinary shares of 0.1p each in the capital of the Company. The above 
table does not reflect the share consolidation.

In accordance with the Articles of Association for the Company adopted on 13 November 2014, the share capital of the 
Company consists of an unlimited number of ordinary shares of nominal value 0.005 pence each. Ordinary and deferred 
shares were recorded as equity.

Rights attaching to the shares following the incorporation of Midatech Pharma plc

Shares classified as equity

The holders of ordinary shares in the capital of the Company have the following rights:

(a)   to receive notice of, to attend and to vote at all general meetings of the Company, in which case shareholders shall 

have one vote for each share of which he is the holder; and,

(b)  to receive such dividend as is declared by the Board on each share held.

The holders of deferred shares in the capital of the Company:

(a)   shall not be entitled to receive notice of or to attend or speak at any general meeting of the Company or to vote on 

any resolution to be proposed at any general meeting of the Company; and

(b)  shall not be entitled to receive any dividend or other distribution of out of the profits of the Company.

In the event of a distribution of assets, the deferred shareholders shall receive the nominal amount paid up on such 
share after the holder of each ordinary share shall have received (in cash or specie) the amount paid up or credited as 
paid up on such ordinary share together with an additional payment of £100 per share. The Company has the authority 
to purchase the deferred shares and may require the holder of the deferred shares to sell them for a price not exceeding 
1p for all the deferred shares.

86

Notes forming part of the financial statements continuedFor the years ended 31 December 2019, 2018 and 2017Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019Ordinary 
Shares 
number

Deferred 
Shares 
number

Share  
price 
£

Total 
consideration 
£’000

At 1 January 2017

2017

48,699,456

1,000,001

19 May 2017

Share issue to SIPP trustee (see note 27)

20,000

16 October 2017

Placing and Open Offer (see note 16)

12,314,679

7 November 2017

Share issue to SIPP trustee (see note 27)

50,000

–

–

–

0.00005

0.5

0.00005

At 31 December 2017

2018

61,084,135

1,000,001

1 August 2018

Share issue to SIPP trustee (see note 27)

100,000

–

0.00005

At 31 December 2018

2019

61,184,135

1,000,001

63,713

–

6,157

–

69,870

–

69,870

26 February 2019

Subscription, Placing and Open Offer

348,215,478

8 October 2019

Share issue to SIPP trustee (see note 27)

500,000

29 October 2019

Registered Direct Offering

60,000,000

–

–

–

At 31 December 2019

469,899,613

1,000,001

0.0385

13,406

0.00005

0.0394

–

2,362

85,638

25 Reserves

The following describes the nature and purpose of each reserve within equity:

Reserve

Share premium

Merger reserve

Description and purpose

Amount subscribed for share capital in excess of nominal value.

Represents the difference between the fair value and nominal value of shares issued 
on the acquisition of subsidiary companies where the Company has elected to take 
advantage of merger relief. 

Foreign exchange reserve

Gains/losses arising on retranslating the net assets of overseas operations into sterling.

Accumulated deficit

All other net gains and losses and transactions with owners (e.g. dividends) not 
recognised elsewhere.

26 Retirement benefits

The Group operates a defined contribution pension scheme for the benefit of its employees. The assets of the scheme 
are administered by trustees in funds independent from those of the Group.

27 Share–based payments

Share Options

The Group has issued options over ordinary shares under the 2014 Midatech Pharma plc Enterprise Management 
Incentive Scheme, the Midatech Pharma plc 2016 U.S. Option Plan, which is a sub–plan of the approved UK plan, and 
unapproved share options awarded to non–UK or non–US staff. In addition, certain share options originally issued over 
shares in Midatech Limited under the Midatech Limited 2008 unapproved share option scheme or Midatech Limited 2013 
approved Enterprise Incentive scheme were reissued in 2015 over shares in Midatech Pharma plc under the 2014 Midatech 
Pharma plc Enterprise Management Incentive Scheme. Exercise of an option is subject to continued employment.

87

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements 27 Share–based payments continued

Details of all share options granted under the Schemes are set out below:

Granted in  
2019

Exercised  
in 2019

Forfeited  
in 2019

Date of grant

1 April 2010

20 August 2010

13 September 2011

20 April 2012

9 May 2014

30 June 2014

11 July 2014

31 October 2016

31 October 2016

14 December 2016

14 December 2016

14 December 2016

14 December 2016

15 December 2016

19 December 2016

15 December 2017

2 April 2018

2 April 2018

24 April 2019

2 October 2019

At 1  
January  
2019

25,110

41,766

3,000

31,796

200,000

430,000

2,000

50,000

468,225

8,000

10,000

40,000

32,500

92,000

717,375

917,750

20,000

90,000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

4,380,000

1,000,000

3,179,522

5,380,000

At 31  
December  
2019

25,110

41,766

3,000

31,796

200,000

–

–

–

–

–

(60,000)

370,000

–

2,000

(50,000)

–

Exercise 

Price

£4.00

£4.19

£4.19

£4.19

£0.075

£0.075

£0.075

£1.710

(142,800)

325,425

£2.680

–

–

–

–

–

8,000

10,000

40,000

32,500

92,000

(269,500)

447,875

(326,500)

591,250

–

–

20,000

90,000

£1.550

£1.700

£1.870

£1.880

£1.210

£1.210

£0.46

£0.83

£1.21

(990,000)

3,390,000

£0.073

–

1,000,000

£0.0525

(1,838,800)

6,720,722

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Options exercisable at 31 December 2019

Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options at 31 December 2019

Weighted average exercise price of options exercised in 2019

Weighted average exercise price of options forfeited in 2019

Weighted average exercise price of options granted in 2019

Weighted average remaining contractual life of outstanding options at 31 December 2019

2,621,894

£0.424

n/a

£0.663

£0.069

7.9 years

On 2 March 2020 a resolution was passed at a general meeting of shareholders of the Company to consolidate it 
ordinary shares on a one for 20 basis into new ordinary shares of 0.1p each in the capital of the Company. The above 
table does not reflect the share consolidation.

88

Notes forming part of the financial statements continuedFor the years ended 31 December 2019, 2018 and 2017Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019Date of grant

31 December 2008

31 December 2008

1 April 2010

20 August 2010

13 September 2011

20 April 2012

9 May 2014

30 June 2014

11 July 2014

31 October 2016

31 October 2016

14 December 2016

14 December 2016

14 December 2016

14 December 2016

15 December 2016

19 December 2016

15 December 2017

2 April 2018

2 April 2018

Granted  
in 2018

Exercised  
in 2018

Forfeited  
in 2018

At  
31 December 
2018

At  
1 January  
2018

26,122

3,000

25,110

41,766

3,000

35,796

200,000

880,000

2,000

50,000

607,600

8,000

10,000

40,000

40,000

102,000

1,104,250

1,351,250

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

20,000

90,000

4,529,894

110,000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

26,122

3,000

–

–

4,000

–

–

25,110

41,766

3,000

31,796

–

200,000

450,000

430,000

–

–

2,000

50,000

–

–

–

7,500

10,000

386,875

433,500

–

–

8,000

10,000

40,000

32,500

92,000

717,375

917,750

20,000

90,000

(1,460,372)

3,179,522

139,375

468,225

£2.680

Options exercisable at 31 December 2018

Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options at 31 December 2018

Weighted average exercise price of options exercised in 2018

Weighted average exercise price of options forfeited in 2018

Weighted average exercise price of options granted in 2018

Weighted average remaining contractual life of outstanding options at 31 December 2018

Exercise  
Price

£1.425

£3.985

£4.00

£4.19

£4.19

£4.19

£0.075

£0.075

£0.075

£1.710

£1.550

£1.700

£1.870

£1.880

£1.210

£1.210

£0.46

£0.83

£1.21

2,247,869

£1.101

n/a

£0.799

£0.830

5.7 years

89

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements 27 Share–based payments continued

Granted  
in 2017

Exercised  
in 2017

Forfeited  
in 2017

At  
31 December 
2017

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1,000

–

–

–

–

3,000

3,000

3,000

–

–

26,122

3,000

25,110

41,766

3,000

35,796

200,000

880,000

2,000

50,000

8,000

10,000

–

–

–

40,000

40,000

95,000

102,000

5,750

1,104,250

–

1,351,250

(110,750)

4,529,894

607,600

£2.680

Exercise  
Price

£1.425

£3.985

£4.00

£4.19

£4.19

£4.19

£0.075

£0.075

£0.075

£1.710

£1.550

£1.700

£1.710

£1.730

£1.740

£1.870

£1.880

£1.210

£1.210

£0.46

1,000,469

£1.003

n/a

£1.242

£0.46

8.3 years

Date of grant

31 December 2008

31 December 2008

1 April 2010

20 August 2010

13 September 2011

20 April 2012

9 May 2014

30 June 2014

11 July 2014

31 October 2016

31 October 2016

14 December 2016

14 December 2016

14 December 2016

14 December 2016

14 December 2016

14 December 2016

14 December 2016

15 December 2016

19 December 2016

15 December 2017

At  
1 January  
2017

26,122

3,000

25,110

41,766

3,000

35,796

200,000

880,000

3,000

50,000

607,600

8,000

10,000

3,000

3,000

3,000

40,000

40,000

197,000

1,110,000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1,351,250

3,289,394

1,351,250

Options exercisable at 31 December 2017

Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options at 31 December 2017

Weighted average exercise price of options exercised in 2017

Weighted average exercise price of options forfeited in 2017

Weighted average exercise price of options granted in 2017

Weighted average remaining contractual life of outstanding options at 31 December 2017

90

Notes forming part of the financial statements continuedFor the years ended 31 December 2019, 2018 and 2017Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019The following information is relevant in the determination of the fair value of options granted during the year 2019 
under the equity share based remuneration schemes operated by the Group. 

Number of options

Option pricing models used

Share price

Exercise price of options issued in year

Contractual life

Expected life

Volatility

Expected dividend yield

Risk free rate

April 2019

October 2019

4,380,000

1,000,000

Black–Scholes

Black–Scholes

£0.115*

£0.073

10 years

5 years

75.3%**

0%

0.85%

£0.0563*

£0.525

10 years

5 years

78.3%**

0%

0.26%

*  The share price used in the determination of the fair value of the options granted in 2019 was the share price on the date of grant.

**  Volatility was calculated with reference to the historic share price volatility of comparable companies measured over a five–year period.

The following information is relevant in the determination of the fair value of options granted during the year 2018 
under the equity share based remuneration schemes operated by the Group. 

Number of options

Option pricing models used

Share price

Exercise price of options issued in year

Contractual life

Expected life

Volatility

Expected dividend yield

Risk free rate

2018

110,000

Monte–Carlo

£0.27*

£0.83–£1.21

10 years

5 years

45.2%**

0%

1.03%

*  The share price used in the determination of the fair value of the options granted in 2018 was the share price on the date of grant.

**  Volatility was calculated with reference to the historic share price volatility of comparable companies measured over a five–year period.

The following information is relevant in the determination of the fair value of options granted during the year 2017 
under the equity share based remuneration schemes operated by the Group. 

Number of options

Option pricing models used

Share price

Exercise price of options issued in year

Contractual life

Expected life

Volatility

Expected dividend yield

Risk free rate

*  The share price used in the determination of the fair value of the options granted in 2017 was the share price on the date of grant.

**  Volatility was calculated with reference to the historic share price volatility of comparable companies measured over a five–year period.

All other share options relate to the Midatech Limited 2008 unapproved share option scheme. 

2017

1,351,250

Monte–Carlo

£0.41*

£0.46

10 years

5 years

42.5%**

0%

0.73%

91

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements  
 
 
27 Share–based payments continued

Share Incentive Plan

In April 2017 the Group set up the Midatech Pharma Share Incentive Plan (MPSIP). Under the MPSIP, Group employees and 
Directors can acquire ordinary shares in the Company via a salary sacrifice arrangement. Midatech grants matching shares 
for every share bought. In order to retain these shares, scheme participants must remain employed by the Group for three 
years from the date of acquisition. All shares purchased by the MPSIP are held by an Employee Benefit Trust that is not 
under the control of Midatech. Shares must be left in the plan for five years to qualify for full income tax and NIC relief.

28 Capital commitments

The Group had no capital commitments at 31 December 2019, 31 December 2018 and 31 December 2017.

29 Related party transactions

Details of Directors’ remuneration are given in the Directors Remuneration Report on page 31 and in note 6.

Transactions with BioConnection BV

The Directors consider BioConnection BV (“BioConnection”) to be a related party by virtue of the fact that there is a 
common Director with the Company. 2019 is the first year where this relationship existed.

During the year, BioConnection invoiced the Company €17,800. As at 31 December 2019 €8,400 was due to 
BioConnection.

Transactions with Preci–Health

The Directors previously considered Preci–Health SA (“Preci–Health) to be a related party up to 31 May 2018 by virtue 
of the fact that there was a common Director with the Company up to that point in time. Preci–Health ceased to be 
considered a related party on 31 May 2018 after the Director left the Company.

During the 2018 there were no transactions with Preci–Health. During 2017, £44k was invoiced to Preci–Health for 
research services and credited to revenue. 

The Group has not made any allowances for bad or doubtful debts in respect of related party debtors nor has any 
guarantee been given or received during 2018 or 2017 regarding related party transactions.

30 Contingent liabilities

The Group are currently party to a claim by the estate of a former employee for unfair dismissal. The claim comprises 
various elements totalling up to €258,000. The case has already been dismissed by an Employment Court in Spain and 
has been re-filed by the state in a Civil Court in Spain. The Group consider the claim is without foundation and intend to 
vigorously defend the claim. It is anticipated the case will be concluded by the end of 2020. The Directors note that in 
the event of an unfavourable judgement the Group would not be able to recoup the loss from another party. 

The Group had no contingent liabilities at 31 December 2018 and 31 December 2017.

31 Ultimate controlling party

In February 2019, China Medical Systems Holdings Limited and A&B (HK) Company Ltd (collectively, “CMS”) invested a total of 
£8m in return for 207,792,206 new ordinary shares, which following admission on 26 February 2019, represented 51% of the 
issued share capital of the Company. As a result of this transaction CMS was able to exert control over Midatech during part 
of 2019. However subsequent to the Registered Direct Offering on 29 October 2019 CMS were no longer able to exert control 
as their shareholding was diluted, from this date the Group does not consider there to be a controlling party .

92

Notes forming part of the financial statements continuedFor the years ended 31 December 2019, 2018 and 2017Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 201932 Effects of changes in accounting policies

The Group adopted IFRS 16 and IFRIC 23 with a transition date of 1 January 2019. The Group has chosen not to restate 
comparatives on adoption of both standards, and therefore, the revised requirements are not reflected in the prior 
year financial statements. Rather, these changes have been processed at the date of initial application (i.e. 1 January 
2019) and recognised in the opening equity balances. Details of the impact these two standards have had are given 
below. Other new and amended standards and Interpretations issued by the IASB did not impact the Group as they 
are either not relevant to the Group’s activities or require accounting which is consistent with the Group’s current 
accounting policies. 

IFRS 16 Leases 

Effective 1 January 2019, IFRS 16 has replaced IAS 17 Leases and IFRIC 4 Determining whether an Arrangement Contains 
a Lease. 

IFRS 16 provides a single lessee accounting model, requiring the recognition of assets and liabilities for all leases, 
together with options to exclude leases where the lease term is 12 months or less, or where the underlying asset is of 
low value. IFRS 16 substantially carries forward the lessor accounting in IAS 17, with the distinction between operating 
leases and finance leases being retained. The Group does not have significant leasing activities acting as a lessor. 

Transition Method and Practical Expedients Utilised 

The Group adopted IFRS 16 using the modified retrospective approach, with recognition of transitional adjustments on 
the date of initial application (1 January 2019), without restatement of comparative figures, to all contracts in existence 
on or after 1 January 2019, except for leases of low value based on the value of the underlying asset when new or for 
short term leases with a lease term of 12 months or less.

As a lessee, the Group previously classified leases as operating or finance leases based on its assessment of whether 
the lease transferred substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership. Under IFRS 16, the Group recognizes right-
of-use assets and lease liabilities for most leases. However, the Group has elected not to recognise right-of-use assets 
and lease liabilities for some leases of low value assets based on the value of the underlying asset when new or for 
short term leases with a lease term of 12 months or less.

On adoption of IFRS 16, the Group recognised right-of-use assets and lease liabilities in relation to leases of property, 
which had previously been classified as operating leases. 

On adoption of IFRS 16, the Group recognised right-of-use assets and lease liabilities as follows:

Classification Under IAS17

Right-of-use assets

Lease liabilities

All other operating leases

Property leases: Right-of-use assets 
are measured at an amount equal 
to the lease liability, adjusted by the 
amount of any prepaid or accrued 
lease payments.

Lease liabilities were measured at the present value of 
the remaining lease payments, discounted using the 
Group’s incremental borrowing rate as at 1 January 
2019. The Group’s incremental borrowing rate is the rate 
at which a similar borrowing could be obtained from 
an independent creditor under comparable terms and 
conditions. The weighted-average rate applied was 3%.

Finance leases

Measured based on the carrying values for the lease assets and liabilities immediately  
before the date of initial application (i.e. carrying values brought forward, unadjusted).

93

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements 32 Effects of changes in accounting policies continued

The following table presents the impact of adopting IFRS 16 on the statement of financial position as at 1 January 2019:

Assets

Right-of-use asset

Other receivables

Liabilities

Lease liabilities

The adjustments to right-of-use asset is as follows:

a) Right-of-use assets

b) Lease receivable on sub-let property

31 December 2018 
as originally 
presented 
£’000

Adjustments

IFRS 16 
£’000

1 January 2019 
£’000

(a)

(b)

(c)

–

1,564

395

152

395

1,716

(250)

(547)

(796)

£’000

395

152

c)  The following table reconciles the minimum lease commitments disclosed in the Group’s 31 December 2018 annual 

financial statements to the amount of lease liabilities recognised on 1 January 2019:

Minimum operating lease commitment as 31 December 2018s

Less: low value leases not recognised under IFRS16

Less: effect of discounting using incremental borrowing rate as at the date of initial application

Lease liabilities recognised at 1 January 2019

IFRIC 23 Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments

1 January 2019 
£’000

577

(5)

(25)

547

IFRIC 23 provides guidance on the accounting for current and deferred tax liabilities and assets in circumstances in 
which there is uncertainty over income tax treatments. The Interpretation requires:

•  the Group to contemplate whether uncertain tax treatments should be considered separately, or together as a 

group, based on which approach provides better predictions of the resolution;

•  the Group to determine if it is probable that the tax authorities will accept the uncertain tax treatment; and

• 

if it is not probable that the uncertain tax treatment will be accepted, measure the tax uncertainty based on the most 
likely amount or expected value, depending on whichever method better predicts the resolution of the uncertainty.

The Group elected to apply IFRIC 23 retrospectively with any cumulative effect to be recorded in retained earnings 
as at the date of initial application, 1 January 2019. The adoption of IFRIC 23 did not result in a change in corporate tax 
liabilities or assets.

33 Post balance sheet events

In January 2020, a study of subcutaneous administration of MTD201 compared with traditional intramuscular 
administration in healthy volunteers showed similar pharmacokinetics and bioavailability, offering the potential for a 
differentiated, more patient-friendly product profile.

In March 2020, an exploratory study was initiated by Columbia University in five patients with DIPG using an alternative 
convection enhanced delivery system.

94

Notes forming part of the financial statements continuedFor the years ended 31 December 2019, 2018 and 2017Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019On 2 March 2020 a resolution was passed at a general meeting of shareholders of the Company to consolidate its 
ordinary shares on a one for 20 basis into new ordinary shares of 0.1p each in the capital of the Company. At the same 
meeting a resolution was passed to change the ratio of the Company’s American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”). This will 
change from one ADR representing 20 Existing Ordinary Shares to one ADR representing five new ordinary shares.

On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) a global pandemic 
and recommended containment and mitigation measures worldwide. As of the date of these Accounts,  
the Group’s operations have been significantly curtailed temporarily due to restrictions imposed by governments.

We cannot reasonably estimate the length or severity of this pandemic and related restrictions. Some factors from the 
COVID-19 outbreak that we believe will adversely affect our current and planned drug development activities include:

•  the diversion of healthcare resources away from the conduct of clinical trial matters to focus on pandemic concerns, 
including the attention of physicians serving as our clinical trial investigators, hospitals serving as our clinical trial 
sites and hospital staff supporting the conduct of our clinical trials;

• 

• 

limitations on travel that interrupt key trial activities, such as clinical trial site initiations and monitoring;

interruption in global shipping affecting the transport of clinical trial materials, such as investigational drug product 
used in our trials; and

•  employee absences that delay necessary interactions with local regulators, ethics committees and other important 

agencies and contractors.

On 31 March 2020 the Company announced that the Board had concluded, in the context of its current cash runway, 
that the Company was unlikely to conclude a license transaction or raise sufficient funds to continue the required 
remaining investment in MTD201 on a timely basis. The Board therefore decided to terminate further in-house 
development of the MTD201 programme with immediate effect. The Company will continue to seek licensing  
partners for this asset.

In line with the decision to terminate MTD201, the Board also took the difficult decision to close the Company’s MTD201 
dedicated manufacturing facilities in Bilbao and offer redundancy to all 42 employees. In addition, a further five UK-
based employees in clinical research and administrative roles are being offered redundancy. 

Following these changes, Midatech’s remaining 20 employees and operations are concentrated in Cardiff. The 
Company’s near term goal is to deploy its proprietary drug delivery technologies to formulate a compelling portfolio 
of novel first-in-class sustained release formulations of products with significant commercial potential for licensing to 
pharmaceutical company partners at proof of concept stage. With the exception of our ongoing commitments with 
respect to MTX110 clinical trials, the Company has no plans to undertake additional trials in humans unless a license 
partner or grant funding has been secured.

The Board continues to consider options for extracting value from the Company’s technologies including providing 
formulation services to biopharmaceutical partners and partnering its existing and upcoming proof of concept 
formulations and/or partnering a technology.

The provisional estimated one-time cash outflows and non-cash costs of these actions are expected to be as follows:

Staff redundancy

Repayment of loans, net of deposit returned

Property lease termination costs

Settlement of lease liabilities

Repayment of grant funding

Other

Estimated cash outflow 
£’000

933

3,569

–

131

230

70

4,933

95

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements 33 Post balance sheet events continued

Impairment of acquired IPRD

Impairment of goodwill

Write down of tangible assets to net realisable value

Right of use asset adjustment

Other

Estimated non-cash costs 
£’000

9,300

2,291

975

(61)

(186)

12,319

The above table includes 100% impairment of acquired IPRD and goodwill, in a worst case scenario. The final outcome 
will depend on the Directors progress with the strategic options which commenced in April 2020.

The cash outflows and non-cash costs will be reflected in the Company’s financial statements for 2020.

On 20 April 2020, the Company announced an update to the strategic review including the appointment of an adviser 
and start of a “formal sale process” under the Takeover Code.

On 18 May 2020, the Company announced that it had raised gross proceeds of £4.3m (before expenses) by way of a 
placing to investors in the UK (“UK Placing”) of 6,666,666 Units (each Unit comprising one new ordinary share of 0.1p 
each (“Placing Share”) and one warrant (“UK Warrant”)) at an issue price of £0.27 per Unit and by way of a registered 
direct offering and concurrent private placement in the United States (the “U.S. Registered Direct Offering”) for 
1,818,182 American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”) (each ADS representing five of the Company’s Ordinary Shares) and 
unregistered warrant to purchase ADS’s (“ADS Warrants”).

The pricing of the UK Placing was aligned to the pricing of the US Registered Direct Offering after adjusting for the  
one-for-five ratio of ordinary shares to ADS and the GBP: USD exchange rate.

The Placing Shares and the 9,090,910 Ordinary Shares representing the ADS’s represent approximately 40%.  
of the issued share capital of the Company as enlarged by the UK Placing and the US Registered Direct Offering.

On 8 June 2020, the Company received a letter sent on behalf of Secura Bio, Inc. (“Secura Bio”), dated 1 June 2020, purporting 
to terminate a License Agreement, dated 5 June 2017 (the “Secura License Agreement”), by and between Midatech Limited 
and Novartis AG, which Novartis AG subsequently transferred to Secura Bio. Pursuant to the Secura License Agreement, 
Midatech Limited was granted a non-exclusive worldwide, sublicenseable license to certain patents of panobinostat, the 
active pharmaceutical ingredient of the Company’s development product MTX110. Midatech Limited’s rights are limited to 
the treatment of brain cancer in humans, administered by convection-enhanced delivery. The Company plans to continue to 
pursue development of MTX110 and the strategic review process previously disclosed. The Company is also reviewing with 
its outside counsel remedies it may have if Secura Bio does not withdraw the notice and otherwise cease to interfere with 
its ongoing business and strategic review process, which the Company has formally requested. The Company is evaluating 
available actions to protect its rights under the Secura License Agreement and its assets.

96

Notes forming part of the financial statements continuedFor the years ended 31 December 2019, 2018 and 2017Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019Company balance sheet
At 31 December 2019

Company number 09216368

Fixed assets

Intangible assets

Investments

Property, Plant & Equipment

Current assets

Debtors

Cash at bank

Creditors: amounts due falling due within one year

Net current assets

Total assets less current liabilities

Creditors: amounts due falling after one year

Net assets 

Capital and reserves 

Called up share capital

Share premium account

Accumulated deficit

Total equity attributable to owners of the parent company

Note

2019 
£’000

2019 
£’000

2018 
£’000

2018 
£’000

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

14

14

23,945

4,021

27,966

(1,505)

–

1,001

42

1,043

26,461

27,504

–

27,504

1,023

65,879

(39,398)

27,504

16,931

1,508

18,439

(621)

–

1,001

85

1,086

17,818

18,904

(165)

18,739

1,003

52,939

(35,203)

18,739

The loss for the financial period, of the Company, as approved by the Board, was £4.09m (2018: £24.99m, 2017: £4.83m).

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 15 June 2020 and were 
signed on its behalf by:

Stephen Stamp

Chief Financial Officer

The notes on pages 99 to 107 form part of these financial statements.

97

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements Company statement of changes in equity
For the year ended 31 December 2019

At 1 January 2019

Loss for the year

Total comprehensive loss

Transactions with owners

Shares issued (net of issue costs of £1.7m)

Share option credit

Total contribution by and distributions to owners

At 31 December 2019

At 1 January 2018

Loss for the year

Total comprehensive loss

Transactions with owners

Share option credit

Total contribution by and distributions to owners

Share 
capital 
£’000

1,003

–

Share  
premium 
£’000

Accumulated 
deficit  
£’000

Total  
equity 
£’000

52,939

(35,203)

18,739

–

(4,087)

(4,087)

1,003

52,939

(39,290)

14,652

20

–

20

1,023

Share 
capital 
£’000

1,003

–

12,940

–

12,940

65,879

(108)

(108)

(39,398)

Share  
premium 
£’000

Accumulated 
deficit  
£’000

12,960

(108)

12,852

27,504

Total  
equity 
£’000

52,939

(9,865)

44,077

–

(24,989)

(24,989)

1,003

52,939

(34,854)

19,088

–

–

–

–

(349)

(349)

(349)

(349)

At 31 December 2018

1,003

52,939

(35,203)

18,739

98

Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019Notes forming part of the Company financial statements
For the year ended 31 December 2019

1 Accounting policies

Basis of preparation

Midatech Pharma plc is a company incorporated in England & Wales under the Companies Act. The address of the 
registered office is given on the contents page and the nature of the Group’s operations and its principal activities are 
set out in the Strategic Report. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with FRS 102, the Financial 
Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland (“FRS102”).

The preparation of financial statements in compliance with FRS 102 requires the use of certain critical accounting 
estimates. It also requires Group management to exercise judgement in applying the Group’s accounting policies. 

Parent company disclosure exemptions 

In preparing the separate financial statements of the parent company, advantage has been taken of the following 
disclosure exemptions available in FRS 102:

•  only one reconciliation of the number of shares outstanding at the beginning and end of the period has been 

presented as the reconciliations for the Group and the parent company would be identical;

•  no cash flow statement has been presented for the parent company;

•  disclosures in respect of the parent company’s financial instruments and share-based payment arrangements have 

not been presented as equivalent disclosures have been provided in respect of the Group as a whole; and

•  no disclosure has been given for the aggregate remuneration of the key management personnel of the parent 

company as their remuneration is included in the totals for the Group as a whole.

The following principal accounting policies have been applied:

Valuation of investments

Investments in subsidiaries are measured at cost less accumulated impairment. Where merger relief is applicable, the 
cost of the investment in a subsidiary undertaking is measured at the nominal value of the shares issued together with 
the fair value of any additional consideration paid. Costs of acquisition of investments are capitalised. 

Intangible assets

Externally acquired intangible assets are initially recognised at cost and subsequently amortised on a straight-line basis 
over their useful economic lives where they are in use. The amortisation expense is included within the administrative 
cost in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

The amounts ascribed to intangibles recognised on business combinations are arrived at by using appropriate  
valuation techniques.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of a business combination over the fair value of the Group’s share of the net 
identifiable assets of the acquired business at the date of acquisition. Acquisition costs of a business are capitalised 
within goodwill. Goodwill on acquisitions is included in “intangible assets”. Goodwill is carried at cost less accumulated 
amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill amortisation is calculated by applying the straight-line 
method to its estimated useful life. Goodwill is being amortised to “administrative expenses” over a period of five years. 

Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets

Where there is any indication that an asset may be impaired, the carrying value of the asset (or cash-generating unit to 
which the asset has been allocated) is tested for impairment. An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which 
the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s (or 
CGU’s) fair value less costs to sell and value in use. For the purposes of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the 
lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable cash flows (CGUs). Non-financial assets except goodwill that 
have been previously impaired are reviewed at each reporting date to assess whether there is any indication that the 
impairment losses recognised in prior periods may no longer exist or may have decreased.

99

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements Notes forming part of the Company financial statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2019

1 Accounting policies continued

Product marketing rights acquired in business combinations are recognised as assets and are amortised over their 
useful life. 

Product and marketing rights – 13 years

In 2018, product and marketing rights were transferred to MPUS prior to the disposal of the subsidiary, at a value of $5.5m.

Taxation

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

A deferred tax asset in respect of unutilised tax losses has not been recognised on the basis that the future economic 
benefit is not certain.

Going concern

Accounting standards require the Directors to consider the appropriateness of the going concern basis when preparing 
the financial statements. The Directors are of the opinion that they consider the going concern basis will remain 
appropriate. The Directors have taken notice of the Guidance on the Going Concern Basis of Accounting and Reporting 
on Solvency and Liquidity Risk Guidance for directors of companies that do not apply the UK Corporate Governance 
Code (April 2016). 

The Directors have prepared cash flow forecasts and considered the cash flow requirement for the Company for the 
next five years including the period twelve months from the date of approval of the consolidated financial statements. 
These forecasts show that further financing will be required before the second quarter of 2021 assuming, inter alia, 
that certain development programs and other operating activities continue as currently planned. This requirement for 
additional financing in the short term represents a material uncertainty that may cast significant doubt upon the Group 
and parent company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

In addition, the global spread of the pandemic COVID-19 virus places increased uncertainty over the Directors’ 
forecasts. The restrictions placed and being placed on the movement of people will likely cause delays to some of the 
Group’s plans. The scale of the impact of COVID-19 is evolving and it is difficult to assess to what extent, and for how 
long, it will cause delays to the Group’s operations. The Directors have established a COVID-19 task force internally to 
monitor the impact of COVID-19 on the business and prioritize activities to minimize its effect.

In addition to utilizing the existing cash reserves, as part of the Group’s ongoing strategic review, the Directors and its 
advisors are evaluating a number of near-term funding options potentially available to the Group, including fundraising, 
the partnering of assets and technologies or the sale of the Company. After considering the uncertainties, the Directors 
consider it is appropriate to continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing these financial statements.

Financial assets and liabilities
Financial assets 

Financial assets, other than investments and derivatives, are initially measured at transaction price (including transaction 
costs) and subsequently held at cost, less any impairment. 

100

Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019Financial liabilities and equity 

Financial liabilities and equity are classified according to the substance of the financial instrument’s contractual 
obligations, rather than the financial instrument’s legal form. Financial liabilities, excluding convertible debt and 
derivatives, are initially measured at transaction price (after deducting transaction costs) and subsequently held at 
amortised cost.

Depreciation

Depreciation on assets is charged so as to allocate the cost of assets less their residual value over their estimated 
useful lives, using the straight-line method. The estimated useful lives range as follows:

Leasehold Improvements   

Computer Equipment and Software  

Fixtures and Fittings 

– 

– 

– 

The term of the lease

4 years

4 years

The assets’ residual values, useful lives and depreciation methods are reviewed, and adjusted prospectively if appropriate, 
if there is an indication of a significant change since the last reporting date. 

Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing the proceeds with the carrying amount and are recognised 
within “other operating income or losses” in the statement of comprehensive income.

2 Staff costs

Staff costs (including Directors) comprise:

Wages and salaries

Defined contribution pension cost

Social security contributions and similar taxes

Share-based payment

Employee numbers

The average number of staff employed by the Group during the financial year amounted to: 

General and administration

2019 
£’000

2018 
£’000

635

38

106

(108)

671

2019 
£’000

4

4

987

41

114

(349)

793

2018 
£’000

4

4

Please also refer to note 6 in the consolidated financial statements regarding Directors’ remuneration.

3 Loss attributable to shareholders

Under Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 the Company is exempt from the requirement to present its own profit 
and loss account. The loss for the financial period, of the holding Company, as approved by the Board, was £4.09m 
(2018: £24.99m, 2017: £4.83m).

101

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements  
 
 
Notes forming part of the Company financial statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2019

Product and 
marketing 
rights  
£’000

Goodwill 
£’000

Total 
£’000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Product and 
marketing 
rights  
£’000

Goodwill 
£’000

Total 
£’000

2,512

(2,512)

–

390

(390)

–

–

53

(53)

–

22

(22)

–

–

2019 
£’000

1,001

–

1,001

2,565

(2,565)

–

412

(412)

–

–

2018 
£’000

7,405

(6,404)

1,001

4 Intangibles

Cost

At 1 January 2019

Additions

At 31 December 2019

Amortisation

At 1 January 2019

Charge for year

At 31 December 2019

Net book value

At 31 December 2019

Cost

At 1 January 2018

Transfer to subsidiary company

At 31 December 2018

Amortisation

At 1 January 2018

Charge for year

At 31 December 2018

Net book value

At 31 December 2018

5 Investments

Brought forward 1 January

Disposals

Total investments at 31 December

102

Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019At 31 December 2019, the Company held share capital in the following subsidiaries and joint arrangements:

Name

Registered office or country of incorporation

Nature of 
business

Proportion 
held

Notes

Midatech Limited

Oddfellows House, 19 Newport Road, Cardiff, 
CF24 0AA

Trading 
company

100%

Midatech Pharma (España) SL

Parque Tecnológico de Vizcaya, Edificio 800 
Planta 2, Derio, 48160, Vizcaya, Spain

Trading 
company

100%

(a)

PharMida AG

c/o Kellerhals, Hirschgässlein 11, 4051 Basel, 
Switzerland

Dormant

100%

(a) (b)

Midatech Pharma (Wales)  
Limited

Oddfellows House, 19 Newport Road, Cardiff, 
CF24 0AA

Trading 
company

Midatech Pharma PTY Limited

c/o Griffith Hack Consulting, 300 Queen Street, 
Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia

Trading 
company

100%

100%

MidaSol Therapeutics GP

Incorporated in the Cayman Islands

Dormant JV

50%

Syntara LLC

Incorporated in the United States

Dormant JV

50% 

Notes:

(a)  Wholly owned subsidiary of Midatech Limited.

(b)  PharMida AG became dormant in January 2016.

6 Property, plant and equipment

Cost

At 1 January 2019

Disposals

Additions

At 31 December 2019

Depreciation

At 1 January 2019

Disposals

Charge for year

At 31 December 2019

Net book value

At 31 December 2019

Fixtures 
and fittings 
£’000

Leasehold 
improvements 
£’000

Computer 
equipment and 
software 
£’000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

235

–

12

247

150

–

55

205

–

Total 
£’000

235

–

12

247

150

–

55

205

42

103

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements Notes forming part of the Company financial statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2019

6 Property, plant and equipment continued

Cost

At 1 January 2018

Disposals

Additions

At 31 December 2018

Depreciation

At 1 January 2018

Disposals

Charge for year

At 31 December 2018

Net book value

At 31 December 2018

7 Debtors

Amounts due from group companies

Trade debtors

Other debtors 

Prepayments

8 Creditors: amounts due falling due within one year

Trade creditors

Accruals

Other creditors

Provision

Derivative financial liability 

Fixtures 
and fittings 
£’000

Leasehold 
improvements 
£’000

Computer 
equipment and 
software 
£’000

5

(5)

–

–

3

(3)

–

–

–

229

(229)

–

–

126

(174)

48

–

–

219

–

16

235

94

–

56

150

85

Total 
£’000

453

(234)

16

235

223

(177)

104

150

85

2019 
£’000

2018 
£’000

23,652

16,676

23

163

107

–

145

110

23,945

16,931

2019 
£’000

197

484

63

97

664

1,505

2018 
£’000

78

513

30

–

–

621

Details of the derivative financial liability are provided in note 21 of the consolidated financial statements.

Details of the provision are provided in note 20 of the consolidated financial statements.

104

Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 20199 Creditors: amounts due falling due after one year

Bank Loan

Provision

10 Share capital

Allotted and fully paid 

Ordinary shares of 0.00005 each

Deferred shares of £1 each

Total

2019 
£’000

–

–

–

2019 
Number

2019 
£’000

2018 
Number

469,899,613

1,000,001

23

61,184,135

1,000,001

1,000

1,023

2018 
£’000

–

165

165

2018 
£’000

3

1,000

1,003

On 2 March 2020 a resolution was passed at a general meeting of shareholders of the Company to consolidate its 
ordinary shares on a one for 20 basis into new ordinary shares of £0.001 each in the capital of the Company. The above 
table does not reflect the share consolidation.

Details of shares issued by the Company in the year are given in note 24 of the consolidated financial statements.

11 Capital commitments

The Company had no capital commitments at 31 December 2019 or at 31 December 2018.

12 Contingent liabilities

The Company had no contingent liabilities at 31 December 2019, or at 31 December 2018.

13 Ultimate controlling party

In February 2019, China Medical Systems Holdings Limited and A&B (HK) Company Ltd (collectively, “CMS”) invested a 
total of £8m in return for 207,792,206 new ordinary shares, which following admission on 26 February 2019, represented 
51% of the issued share capital of the Company. As a result of this transaction CMS was able to exert control over 
Midatech during part of 2019. However subsequent to the Registered Direct Offering on 29 October 2019 CMS were no 
longer able to exert control as their shareholding was diluted, from this date the Group does not consider there to be a 
controlling party.

14 Reserves

The following describes the nature and purpose of each reserve within the equity:

Reserve

Share premium

Accumulated deficit

Description and purpose

Amount subscribed for share capital in excess of nominal value.

All other net gains and losses and transactions with owners (e.g. dividends) not 
recognised elsewhere.

105

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements Notes forming part of the Company financial statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2019

15 Post balance sheet events

In January 2020, a study of subcutaneous administration of MTD201 compared with traditional intramuscular 
administration in healthy volunteers showed similar pharmacokinetics and bioavailability, offering the potential for a 
differentiated, more patient-friendly product profile.

In March 2020, an exploratory study was initiated by Columbia University in five patients with DIPG using an alternative 
convection enhanced delivery system.

On 2 March 2020 a resolution was passed at a general meeting of shareholders of the Company to consolidate it 
ordinary shares on a one for 20 basis into new ordinary shares of 0.1p each in the capital of the Company. At the same 
meeting a resolution was passed to change the ratio of the Company’s American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”). This will 
change from one ADR representing 20 Existing Ordinary Shares to one ADR representing five new ordinary shares.

On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) a global pandemic 
and recommended containment and mitigation measures worldwide. As of the date of these Accounts, the Group’s 
operations have been significantly curtailed temporarily due to restrictions imposed by governments.

We cannot reasonably estimate the length or severity of this pandemic and related restrictions. Some factors from the 
COVID-19 outbreak that we believe will adversely affect our current and planned drug development activities include:

•  the diversion of healthcare resources away from the conduct of clinical trial matters to focus on pandemic concerns, 
including the attention of physicians serving as our clinical trial investigators, hospitals serving as our clinical trial 
sites and hospital staff supporting the conduct of our clinical trials;

• 

• 

limitations on travel that interrupt key trial activities, such as clinical trial site initiations and monitoring;

interruption in global shipping affecting the transport of clinical trial materials, such as investigational drug product 
used in our trials; and

•  employee absences that delay necessary interactions with local regulators, ethics committees and other important 

agencies and contractors.

On 31 March 2020 the Company announced that the Board had concluded, in the context of its current cash runway, 
that the Company was unlikely to conclude a license transaction or raise sufficient funds to continue the required 
remaining investment in MTD201 on a timely basis. The Board therefore decided to terminate further in-house 
development of the MTD201 programme with immediate effect. The Company will continue to seek licensing  
partners for this asset.

In line with the decision to terminate MTD201, the Board also took the difficult decision to close the Company’s  
MTD201 dedicated manufacturing facilities in Bilbao and offer redundancy to all 42 employees. In addition, a further  
five UK-based employees in clinical research and administrative roles are being offered redundancy. 

Following these changes, Midatech’s remaining 20 employees and operations are concentrated in Cardiff. The 
Company’s near term goal is to deploy its proprietary drug delivery technologies to formulate a compelling portfolio 
of novel first-in-class sustained release formulations of products with significant commercial potential for licensing to 
pharmaceutical company partners at proof of concept stage. The Company has no plans to undertake additional trials in 
humans unless a license partner or grant funding has been secured.

The Board continues to consider options for extracting value from the Company’s technologies including providing 
formulation services to biopharmaceutical partners and partnering its existing and upcoming proof of concept 
formulations and/or partnering a technology.

106

Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019The estimated one-time cash outflows and non-cash costs of these actions are expected to be as follows:

Staff redundancy

Provision for impairment of amounts due from subsidiary undertakings

Estimated cash outflow 
£’000

102

Estimated non-cash costs 
£’000

19,504

The above table includes 100% of amounts due from subsidiary undertakings and investments in subsidiary 
undertakings, in a worst case scenario. The final outcome will depend on the Directors progress with the strategic 
options which commenced in April 2020.

The cash outflows and non-cash costs will be reflected in the Company’s financial statements for the year ending 31 
December 2020.

On 20 April 2020, the Company announced an update to the strategic review including the appointment of an adviser 
and start of a “formal sale process” under the Takeover Code.

On 18 May 2020, the Company announced that it had raised gross proceeds of £4.3m (before expenses) by way of a 
placing to investors in the UK (“UK Placing”) of 6,666,666 Units (each Unit comprising one new ordinary share of 0.1p 
each (“Placing Share”) and one warrant (“UK Warrant”)) at an issue price of £0.27 per Unit and by way of a registered 
direct offering and concurrent private placement in the United States (the “U.S. Registered Direct Offering”) for 
1,818,182 American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”) (each ADS representing five of the Company’s Ordinary Shares) and 
unregistered warrant to purchase ADS’s (“ADS Warrants”).

The pricing of the UK Placing was aligned to the pricing of the US Registered Direct Offering after adjusting for the one-
for-five ratio of ordinary shares to ADS and the GBP: USD exchange rate.

The Placing Shares and the 9,090,910 Ordinary Shares representing the ADS’s represent approximately 40%.  
of the issued share capital of the Company as enlarged by the UK Placing and the US Registered Direct Offering.

On 8 June 2020, the Company received a letter sent on behalf of Secura Bio, Inc. (“Secura Bio”), dated 1 June 2020, 
purporting to terminate a License Agreement, dated 5 June 2017 (the “Secura License Agreement”), by and between 
Midatech Limited and Novartis AG, which Novartis AG subsequently transferred to Secura Bio. Pursuant to the Secura 
License Agreement, Midatech Limited was granted a non-exclusive worldwide, sublicenseable license to certain patents 
of panobinostat, the active pharmaceutical ingredient of the Company’s development product MTX110. Midatech 
Limited’s rights are limited to the treatment of brain cancer in humans, administered by convection-enhanced delivery. 
The Company plans to continue to pursue development of MTX110 and the strategic review process previously 
disclosed. The Company is also reviewing with its outside counsel remedies it may have if Secura Bio does not withdraw 
the notice and otherwise cease to interfere with its ongoing business and strategic review process, which the Company 
has formally requested. The Company is evaluating available actions to protect its rights under the Secura License 
Agreement and its assets.

107

Strategic Report OverviewGovernance Financial Statements Company information

Directors

Rolf Stahel 
Sijmen de Vries 
Stephen Stamp 
Simon Turton

Secretary

Stephen Stamp

Registered office

Oddfellows House 
19 Newport Road 
Cardiff, CF24 0AA 
United Kingdom

Registered number

09216368

Auditor

BDO LLP 
Level 12 
Thames Tower 
Station Road 
Reading, RG1 1LX 
United Kingdom

Nominated Adviser

Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited 
One New Change 
London EC4M 9AF 
United Kingdom

Registrars

Neville Registrars Limited 
Neville House 
Steelpark Road 
Halesowen B62 8HD 
United Kingdom

Depositary

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas 
60 Wall Street 
New York 
NY 10005 
United States of America

108

Midatech Pharma plcAnnual Report & Accounts 2019109

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Registered office

Oddfellows House 
19 Newport Road 
Cardiff, CF24 0AA 
United Kingdom